Document:

10-Q

EXHIBIT 10.2
 AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
This Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 30th day of November 2015 between Brian Ferguson (the “Employee”) and The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC and its parents and direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliated corporations (collectively, the “Employer” or the “Company”).
1.Separation from Employment.  The Employee acknowledges, confirms and agrees that the Employee’s last day of employment with the Company was November 6, 2015 (the “Separation Date”).  
2.    Separation Payment.  As good and valuable consideration for the Employee’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Employer shall, subject to the effectiveness of this Agreement, pay to the Employee the amount of Five Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($515,000), less legally required payroll deductions, which amount shall be paid in twenty-six (26) equal bi-weekly installments commencing the first pay period following execution and effectiveness of the Agreement and subject to the terms contained herein.  The Employee agrees that the Employee shall immediately notify the Employer of the Employee’s commencement of other employment or engagement, whether as an employee or consultant, whether with another entity, person or other third party or on his own behalf (collectively, the “Other Engagement”).  Upon commencement of an Other Engagement, the Employer’s payment obligations and the Employee’s entitlement to salary continuation pursuant to this Paragraph 2 shall automatically and unconditionally be reduced by the amount of salary or other like annual remuneration the Employee receives or accrues from such Other Engagement during the twelve (12) month severance period.  It is understood and agreed that any amounts the Employee receives as unemployment insurance payments from applicable governmental authorities do not constitute offsetting payment amounts contemplated by the preceding sentence (nothing herein addresses the Employee’s eligibility to receive unemployment insurance payments).  In the event the Employer makes any payment to the Employee following his commencement of an Other Engagement in excess of the amount calculated in accordance with the prior sentence, the Employee agrees to immediately repay any and all such excess amounts to the Employer.  
3.    Benefits.  As good and valuable consideration for the Employee’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Employer also shall, subject to the effectiveness of this Agreement, waive the Employee’s premium costs for continued health and/or dental coverage under the Company’s group health plan(s) pursuant to the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) for a period ending on the earlier to occur of the twelfth (12th) month anniversary of the Separation Date or the date the Employee commences employment with another entity or third party that offers health benefits or otherwise becomes entitled to health benefits, provided, that the Employee timely elects such COBRA coverage in accordance with the requirements of such plan(s).  Thereafter, should the Employee desire to continue COBRA coverage, the Employee shall be responsible for the full applicable COBRA premium costs.  

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4.    Agreements Regarding Payments and Benefits.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the consideration set forth in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Agreement exceeds, supersedes, and extinguishes the amount, if any, that the Employee may be entitled to under any offer letter, employment agreement, award agreement, or long term or annual compensation plan or policy, verbal or written, as well as any employment or personnel policies, procedures or handbooks, including but not limited to, severance plans, policies or precedent utilized by the Employer or any other legal obligation which the Employer may have to the Employee. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that in the absence of this Agreement, the Employee would not be entitled to, among other things, the payments provided by this Agreement.  The Employee also acknowledges and agrees that any monetary and other benefits (including without limitation, salary, bonus and vacation pay) and any equity awards which, prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Employee may have earned or accrued or to which the Employee may have been entitled to be paid or delivered prior to the execution of this Agreement, have been paid, delivered, or addressed in this Agreement, and such payments, benefits and equity awards have been irrevocably forfeited, released, waived or settled by the Employee pursuant to this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Employee shall not forfeit: (1) any equity which has vested as of the Separation Date (including, without limitation, the 800 shares which vested on May 5, 2015, the 5,000 shares which vested on October 6, 2015, and the 833 shares which vested on November 5, 2015); (2) payment for any amounts deferred by the Employee during his employment into The Children’s Place Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, which the Employer confirms are fully vested; and (3) matching contributions in the amount of $37,350.58 (as of November 30, 2015) in the Employee’s 401(k) account. Further, for the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (1) all of the Employee’s vested equity (and gain and value realized) is and shall remain subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements to which the Employee is a party (“Stock Award Agreements”), including, without limitation, the clawback/forfeiture provision of said Stock Award Agreements; and (2) the Employee shall not be deemed to have violated a non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, non-disclosure covenant or agreement under said Stock Award Agreements so long as the Employee complies with said restrictive covenants set forth in Paragraphs 7-9 of this Agreement and will not be deemed to be engaged in an activity adverse to or in conflict with the Company’s interest by providing services to an entity, or in a capacity, not covered by Paragraph 9(a) of this Agreement.  The Employer also agrees to reimburse the Employee for any business expenses incurred in accordance with the Company’s Travel and Expense policy up through the Separation Date.  The Employee represents, and the Employer also confirms to the Employer’s knowledge as of the Separation Date, that the Employee does not owe the Employer any money and is not required to pay to the Employer any amounts, equity grants or benefits the Employee has received prior to the Separation Date, including, without limitation, any payments and/or awards under his October 10, 2013 offer letter or the retention bonus set forth in the September 29, 2014 award letter.  The Employee agrees that the Employee is not entitled to and will not seek any further consideration, including, but not limited to, any wages, vacation pay, sick pay, disability pay, bonus, compensation (including equity-based compensation), payment or benefit from the Released Parties (as defined in Paragraph 11) other than that to which the Employee is entitled pursuant to Paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Agreement.  The Employee further agrees that the Employee shall not accrue any additional awards or rights pursuant to any equity plan of the Company and shall forfeit any rights to any awards to the extent not vested as of the Separation Date. 

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5.    Return of Company Property.  The Employee represents that he has returned to the Company all laptops, iPhones, iPads, blackberries, keys, locks, credit cards, documents, records, materials, and other information or assets of any type whatsoever that is the property of the Company or its affiliates (other than the Employee’s cellular telephone).  The Employee further agrees that the Employee shall not retain and has returned any copies, images, or reproductions of correspondence, memoranda, reports, financial information, notebooks, drawings, photographs, or other documents relating in any way to the affairs of the Company, its affiliates or their respective customers, franchisees, suppliers, or vendors.
6.    Consultation with Counsel and Voluntariness of Agreement.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Employer has advised the Employee in writing to consult with an attorney at the Employee’s own expense prior to executing this Agreement. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the Employee has consulted with the Employee’s own attorney in reviewing this Agreement, the Employee has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and that the Employee is voluntarily entering into this Agreement.
7.    Confidentiality of Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 20, the Employee agrees:
(a)     The Employee will not disclose the existence of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the events or discussions leading up to the execution and delivery of this Agreement to any person or entity, except: (i) to comply with this Agreement; (ii) to the Employee’s legal, financial or tax advisors, spouse, and to the Internal Revenue Service or any similar state or local taxation authority; (iii) as otherwise required by law; or (iv) to a prospective employer but solely with respect to the restrictions (or lack thereof) on the Employee’s activities following the Separation Date.   
(b)    The Employee will not publicly or privately disparage, demean, or impugn the reputation of, or encourage, assist or direct another person or entity to, publicly or privately disparage, demean, or impugn the reputation of, the Company, the way it conducts its business and affairs, or any of the Company’s products, services, affiliates, franchisees, suppliers, vendors, or current or former officers, directors, or employees.  Nothing in this subparagraph is intended to restrict or prevent the Employee from complying with a subpoena or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction or from making statements to a court or regulatory body in response to an inquiry from such court or regulatory body or making truthful statements in connection with any dispute regarding this Agreement.  
(c)    The Employee will obtain the Company’s written approval before publishing or submitting for publication any material which relates to any work performed by the Employee for the Company and/or which incorporates any Confidential Information.  Further, any statement about the Company, its business, products, strategies, or affairs which the Employee creates and proposes to publish or post for a period of six (6) months following the Employee’s Separation Date on any media accessible by the public, including but not limited to Facebook or Twitter pages, electronic bulleting or message boards and Internet-based chat rooms, must first be reviewed and approved in writing by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer before it is released in the public domain.  Nothing herein or otherwise will prohibit the Employee from posting on his resume or any other 

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social media account his title, job duties at the Company, and his length of employment with the Company.      

8.    Confidential and Proprietary Information and Work Product.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Employee continues to be bound by and will abide by the terms of the Confidentiality and Work Product Agreement executed by the Employee on October 30, 2013 (“Confidentiality Agreement”).
9.    Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, and No Interference With Business Operations.
(a)    The Employee agrees that for a  period of one (1) year following the Separation Date, the Employee will not without the express prior written consent of the Company, anywhere, either directly or indirectly, whether alone or as an owner, shareholder, partner, member, joint venture, officer, director, consultant, independence contractor, agent, employee or otherwise  (i) be employed by, provide services to, assist, engage in business with, or otherwise be connected to any of the following companies, entities, or organizations, or to any business enterprise that, directly or indirectly, owns, operates or is affiliated with any of the following companies, entities, or organizations:  Gymboree, Crazy 8, Babies”R”Us, Carters or any of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates or related businesses, or (ii) be employed by, provide services to, assist, or engage in business with (x) any of the following companies:  J.Crew Kids (Crewcuts), Aeropostale PS, Baby Gap, Gap Kids or Old Navy, or (y) the children’s apparel footwear or accessories businesses of (1) Target, (2) Kohl’s, (3) Primark or (4) any current (as of the Separation Date) wholesale customer of the Company (each, a “Competitive  Business”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit the Employee’s ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any publicly traded corporation that conducts a Competitive Business.
(b)    The Employee further agrees that for a period of one (1) year following the Separation Date, the Employee will not, without the express prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, recruit, hire, engage, or refer (or assist any third party in soliciting, recruiting, hiring, engaging or referring) any person or entity who or which either is, or during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the Separation Date was, an employee, agent, consultant, or independent contractor of the Company; or (ii) interfere with, disrupt or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Company and any of its vendors, lessors, franchisees, wholesale customers, independent contractors, agents or employees. 
(c)    The Employee acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions on the activities in which the Employee may engage that are set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement and Paragraphs 9(a) and (b) of this Agreement, and the location and period of time for which such restrictions apply, are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests. The Employee understands that the Company’s business is global and, accordingly, the restrictions cannot be limited to any particular geographic area. The Employee further acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Agreement or in the Confidentiality Agreement will not prevent the Employee from earning a livelihood.
10.    Injunctive Relief.  The Employee acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach of any of the terms set forth in Paragraphs 5, 7, 8 (including any of the terms of the Confidentiality 

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Agreement referred to therein) or 9 of this Agreement shall result in an immediate irreparable and continuing harm to the Employer for which there shall be no adequate remedy of law.  The Employer shall, without posting a bond, be entitled to obtain injunctive and other equitable relief, in addition to any other remedies available to the Employer in connection with Paragraphs 5, 7, 8 (including the Confidentiality Agreement referred to therein) and 9 of this Agreement.
11.    Employee Release of Employer and Released Parties.
(a)    In exchange for the consideration set forth above, the Employee, on behalf of the Employee and the Employee’s agents, assignees, attorneys, heirs, executors and administrators, voluntarily and knowingly releases the Employer, as well as the Employer’s successors, predecessors, assigns, parents, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives, in both their individual and representative capacities (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, causes of action, suits, grievances, debts, sums of money, agreements, promises, damages, back and front pay, costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees by reason of any matter, cause, act or omission arising out of or in connection with the Employee’s employment with the Employer or separation therefrom, including but not limited to any claims based upon common law, or any federal, state or local employment statutes or civil rights laws (hereafter the “Claims”). Claims, as included in this release, without limiting its scope, are claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”); the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (the OWBPA”); the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Lily Ledbetter Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act; the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination; the New Jersey Family Leave Act; the New Jersey Wage Payment Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; and any other laws prohibiting discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, failure to pay wages, breach of contract, defamation, invasion of privacy, whistleblowing or infliction of emotional distress, or any other matter. This release releases all Claims including those of which the Employee is not aware and those not mentioned in this Agreement up to the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement to Company.  The Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by entering into this Agreement, the Employee is releasing and waiving any and all Claims, including, without limitation, claims that the Employee may have arising under ADEA, which have arisen on or before the date of the Employee’s execution and delivery of this Agreement to Company.
(b)    This release does not waive rights or claims that may arise after this release is executed, including any right or claim to enforce the terms of this Agreement, and does not waive any rights hereunder or which cannot be waived as a matter of law.
(c)    Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall affect or be used to interfere with the Employee’s protected right to test in any court, under the OWBPA, or like statute or regulation, the validity of the waiver of rights under ADEA set forth in this Agreement
12.    Representations by the Employee.  (a) Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 20, the Employee hereby represents and warrants to the Released Parties that: (a) as of the date of this Agreement the Employee has not filed, caused, or permitted to be filed any pending lawsuit or 

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complaint against any of the Released Parties, nor has the Employee agreed to do any of the foregoing; and (b) the Employee has not assigned, transferred, sold, encumbered, pledged, hypothecated, mortgaged, distributed, or otherwise disposed of or conveyed to any third party any right or Claim against the Released Parties that has been released in this Agreement.  
(b)    The Employee represents and warrants that the Employee: (i) has not made any misrepresentations or engaged in any misconduct or malfeasance during the Employee’s employment that would constitute a material violation under the Company’s Code of Business Conduct or Anti-Corruption Policy; and (ii) is not aware of any misconduct or malfeasance by any employee, independent contractor or director of the Company that the Employee should report in accordance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct or Anti-Corruption Policy or any irregularity in the Company’s books or records or any other matter relating to the Company’s finances or accounting that should properly be reported by the Employee pursuant to the procedures established by the Company for making such reports, except any that has already been reported by the Employee in writing to the appropriate personnel of the Company.  Except as set forth in Paragraph 11(b) and (c) above, the Employee covenants and agrees that the Employee shall not encourage or solicit or voluntarily assist or participate in any way in the filing, reporting or prosecution by the Employee or any third party of a proceeding or claim against any of the Released Parties unless compelled to do so by law or such proceeding or claim relates to enforcement of this Agreement.    
13.    Removal from Company Positions and Indemnification.  The Employee agrees that as of the Separation Date, the Employee hereby resigns from all positions held on behalf of the Company including but not limited to officer, director, agent, representative, trustee, administrator, fiduciary and signatory.  In addition, with respect to all acts or omissions of the Employee which occurred prior to the Separation Date, the Company agrees to continue to indemnify the Employee to the same extent that the Employee was indemnified prior to the Separation Date and that the Employee shall retain the benefit of all directors and officers liability insurance and coverage maintained by the Company with respect to claims made during the period provided by the Company’s current policy and to the extent provided by any future policy from time to time maintained by the Company with respect to other former executives of the Company, in each case on the terms and conditions of such policy.
14.    Cooperation.  Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 20, the Employee shall (i) furnish all information as may be in the Employee’s possession to, and (ii) subject to the Employee’s other business commitments acting in good faith, fully cooperate with the Company, in either case, as may reasonably be requested by the Company in the orderly transfer of the Employee’s responsibilities to other Company employees or in connection with any internal investigation, litigation or other proceeding in which the Company is or may be involved or a party.
15.    Violation of Terms.  Should the Employee violate or breach any provision of this Agreement (or the Confidentiality Agreement) in any material respect, which violation or breach is not cured within ten (10) days written notice to the Employee, then, in addition to all other damages or legal remedies available to the Employer (including without limitation injunctive relief), the Employee immediately shall return to the Employer all monies paid to the Employee pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement, less $2,000.  The Employee agrees that if the Employee is required 

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to return such payments, this Agreement shall continue to be binding on the Employee and the Released Parties shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of this Agreement as if the payments had not been repaid to Company and Company shall have no further obligations to pay or provide the Employee with any of the payments and benefits set forth herein.  Should the Employer violate any provision of this Agreement, then the Employee shall have all remedies and civil actions available to remedy the Employee’s damages. The parties agree that, should either party seek to enforce the terms of this Agreement (or the Confidentiality Agreement) through litigation, then the prevailing party, in addition to all other legal remedies, shall be reimbursed by the other party for all reasonable attorneys’ fees in relation to such litigation.  However, in accordance with applicable laws, if the Employee commences a proceeding under the OWBPA and/or the ADEA to challenge the validity of this release and prevails on the merits of an ADEA claim, the prior sentence shall not apply, and the court shall have discretion to determine whether the Company is entitled to restitution, recoupment or set off (a “reduction”) against a monetary award obtained by the Employee, which cannot exceed the amount the Employee recovers or the amount the Employee received for signing this Agreement, whichever is less.
16.    No Admission.  Nothing contained in this Agreement nor the fact that the parties have signed this Agreement shall be construed as an admission by either party.
17.    Waiver of Reinstatement.  By entering into this Agreement, the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Employee waives any claim to reinstatement and/or future employment with the Employer. The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the Employee is not and shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits or other obligations from the Released Parties whatsoever (except as expressly set forth in this Agreement).
18.    Delay in Payments as Required by Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any provisions herein to the contrary, if all or any portion of the payments due under Paragraph 2 hereof are reasonably determined to be “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and the Company determines that the Employee is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the other guidance promulgated thereunder), then such payments shall commence on the first regular payroll date on or immediately following the first day of the seventh month following the Employee’s “separation from service”, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section. 1.409A-1(h), including the default presumptions and the first of such payments shall include all amounts otherwise payable prior to the first payment date but for the application of this Paragraph 18.
19.    Section 409A of the Code.  The Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees with the Company that the interpretation of Section 409A of the Code and its application to the terms of this Agreement is uncertain and may be subject to change as additional guidance and interpretations become available. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, all benefits or payments provided by the Company to the Employee that would be deemed to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code. If, however, any such benefit or payment is deemed to not comply with Section 409A of the Code, the Employee and the Company agree to renegotiate in good faith any such benefit or payment (including, without limitation, as to the timing of any payment payable 

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hereof), if possible, so that either (i) Section 409A of the Code will not apply or (ii) compliance with Section 409A of the Code will be achieved. At the Employee’s request, the Company shall consult with the Employee in good faith regarding the implementation of the provisions of this Paragraph 19; provided, that neither the Company nor any of its employees or representatives shall have any liability to the Employee with respect to Section 409A of the Code.  Each payment of the salary continuation under Paragraph 2 of this Agreement shall be deemed a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. 
20.    Exceptions.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to waive claims (i) for unemployment or workers’ compensation benefits, (ii) for vested rights under ERISA-covered employee benefit plans as applicable on the date the Employee signs this Agreement, (iii) that may arise after the Employee signs and delivers this Agreement to the Company, or (iv) which cannot be released by private agreement.  In addition, nothing in this Agreement including but not limited to the release of claims, proprietary information, confidentiality, cooperation, and non-disparagement provisions, prevent the Employee from filing a charge or complaint with or from voluntarily participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, or any other any federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any laws, although by signing this Agreement the Employee is waiving and releasing all rights to individual relief based on claims asserted in such a charge or complaint, except where such a waiver and release of individual relief is prohibited.  
21.    Miscellaneous.  This Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement and the Stock Award Agreements contain the entire understanding and agreement between the parties. This Agreement supersedes any and all previous agreements (other than the Confidentiality Agreement and the Stock Award Agreements), plans, and other arrangements, whether written or oral, between the Employee and the Employer.  Other than the Confidentiality Agreement and the Stock Award Agreements, there are no other representations, agreements or understandings, oral or written, between the parties. No amendment to or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and executed by the parties hereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by fax or pdf, and all counterparts so executed shall constitute one agreement, binding upon the parties hereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties, as well as their administrators, representatives, agents, executors, successors and assigns.
22.    Choice of Law and Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to contracts made and performed in such State and without regard to the conflicts or choice of law provisions thereof that would give rise to the application of the domestic substantive law of any other jurisdiction. Except in the event the Company seeks to enforce its rights under Paragraphs 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 15 of this Agreement, the parties agree to mediate any dispute arising under this Agreement. In the event of any such dispute subject to mediation, the parties, within thirty (30) days of a written request for mediation, shall attend a mediation to be conducted in New Jersey in order to make a good faith reasonable effort to resolve such dispute. The parties shall attempt, in good faith, to agree to a mediator. If the parties are unable to agree to a mediator, the parties shall submit the matter to the American Arbitration Association to appoint a mediator and conduct the mediation in New Jersey. If this good 

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faith mediation effort fails to resolve the dispute arising under this Agreement or in the event the Company seeks to enforce its rights under Paragraphs 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 15 of this Agreement, then either party may commence a legal suit, action or proceeding to resolve such dispute, provided that such legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be instituted in a New Jersey federal or state court. The Employee and Employer agree to waive any objection which either may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding and the Employee and Employer irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any suit, action or proceeding.
23.    Severability.  If any term, provision or part of this Agreement shall be determined to be in conflict with any applicable federal, state or other governmental law or regulation, or otherwise shall be invalid or unlawful, such term, provision or part shall continue in effect to the extent permitted by such law or regulation. Such invalidity, unenforceability or unlawfulness shall not affect or impair any other terms, provisions and parts of this Agreement not in conflict, invalid or unlawful, and such terms, provisions and parts shall continue in full force and effect and remain binding upon the parties hereto.
THE EMPLOYEE STATES THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT PRIOR TO SIGNING IT, THAT THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN FULLY EXPLAINED TO THE EMPLOYEE PRIOR TO SIGNING IT, THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE IT REVIEWED BY AN ATTORNEY AT THE EMPLOYEE’S OWN EXPENSE AND THE EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THE AGREEMENT’S FINAL AND BINDING EFFECT PRIOR TO SIGNING IT, AND THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS SIGNING THE RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WITH THE FULL INTENTION OF COMPROMISING, SETTLING, AND RELEASING THE RELEASED PARTIES AS STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT.
Agreed to and accepted by, on this ____ day of November, 2015.

Witness:                    EMPLOYEE:

______________________________    _______________________________
Name: Brian Ferguson

Agreed to and accepted by, on this ____ day of November, 2015.

THE CHILDREN’S PLACE SERVICES COMPANY, LLC 

By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:

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-10-Exhibit

PAREXEL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
2015 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
		
	1.
	Purpose

The purpose of this 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of PAREXEL International Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the “Company”), is to advance the interests of the Company’s stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives that are intended to better align the interests of such persons with those of the Company’s stockholders.  Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” shall include any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations thereunder (the “Code”) and any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).
		
	2.
	Eligibility

All of the Company’s employees, officers and directors, as well as consultants and advisors to the Company (as the terms consultants and advisors are defined and interpreted for purposes of Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any successor form) are eligible to be granted Awards (as defined below) under the Plan.  Each person who is granted an Award under the Plan is deemed a “Participant.”  The Plan provides for the following types of awards, each of which is referred to as an “Award”:  Options (as defined in Section 5), SARs (as defined in Section 6), Restricted Stock (as defined in Section 7), RSUs (as defined in Section 7) and Other Stock-Based Awards (as defined in Section 8).  Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award.  The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly.  
		
	3.
	Administration and Delegation

(a)Administration by Board of Directors.  The Plan will be administered by the Board.  The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable.  The Board may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award agreements entered into under the Plan.  The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award.  All actions and decisions by the Board with respect to the Plan and any Awards shall be made in the Board’s discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award.
(b)Appointment of Committees.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a “Committee”).  All references in the Plan to the “Board” shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee.
4.Stock Available for Awards
(a)Number of Shares; Share Counting.
(1)Authorized Number of Shares.  Subject to adjustment under Section 10, Awards may be made under the Plan (any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options (as defined in Section 5(b)) for up to such number of shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) as is equal to the sum of: 
(A)3,000,000 shares of Common Stock; plus
(B)such additional number of shares of Common Stock (up to 3,400,000 shares) as is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding awards granted under the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, and 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (together, the “Existing Plans”) as of the Effective Date (without regard to any fungible share counting that may have applied to 

such awards under the Existing Plans) which awards expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, canceled, forfeited or repurchased by the Company at their original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right (subject, however, in the case of Incentive Stock Options to any limitations of the Code).  
(2)Share Counting.  For purposes of counting the number of shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan under this Section 4(a) and the number of shares exempt from the minimum vesting requirements under Section 11(g): 
(A)all shares of Common Stock covered by SARs shall be counted against the number of shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan and the number of shares exempt from the minimum vesting requirements under Section 11(g);  provided, however, that (i) SARs that may be settled only in cash shall not be so counted and (ii) if the Company grants an SAR in tandem with an Option for the same number of shares of Common Stock and provides that only one such Award may be exercised (a “Tandem SAR”), only the shares covered by the Option, and not the shares covered by the Tandem SAR, shall be so counted, and the expiration of one in connection with the other’s exercise will not restore shares to the Plan; 
(B)if any Award (i) expires or is terminated, surrendered or cancelled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award being repurchased by the Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right) or (ii) results in any Common Stock not being issued (including as a result of an SAR that was settleable either in cash or in stock actually being settled in cash), the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards; provided, however, that (1) in the case of Incentive Stock Options, the foregoing shall be subject to any limitations under the Code, (2) in the case of the exercise of an SAR, the number of shares counted against the shares available under the Plan and the number of shares exempt from the minimum vesting requirements under Section 11(g) shall be the full number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the percentage of the SAR actually exercised, regardless of the number of shares actually used to settle such SAR upon exercise and (3) the shares covered by a Tandem SAR shall not again become available for grant upon the expiration or termination of such Tandem SAR; 
(C)shares of Common Stock delivered (by actual delivery, attestation, or net exercise) to the Company by a Participant to (i) purchase shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an Award or (ii) satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding obligations with respect to Awards (including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation) shall not be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of Awards; and 
(D)shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Company on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an Award shall not increase the number of shares available for future grant of Awards.
(b)Sublimit.  Subject to adjustment under Section 10, the following sublimit on the number of shares subject to Awards shall apply:
(1)Section 162(m) Per-Participant Limit.  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted to any Participant under the Plan shall be 1,500,000 per fiscal year.  For purposes of the foregoing limit, the combination of an Option in tandem with an SAR shall be treated as a single Award.  The per-Participant limit described in this Section 4(b)(1) shall be construed and applied consistently with Section 162(m) of the Code or any successor provision thereto, and the regulations thereunder (“Section 162(m)”).  
(c)Substitute Awards.  In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof.  Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Board deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards contained in the Plan.  Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 4(a)(1) or any sublimits contained in the Plan, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.

5.Stock Options  
(a)General.  The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an “Option”) and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as the Board considers necessary or advisable.  
(b)Incentive Stock Options.  An Option that the Board intends to be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) shall only be granted to employees of PAREXEL International Corporation, any of PAREXEL International Corporation’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.  An Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be designated a “Nonstatutory Stock Option.”  The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other person, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or if the Company converts an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(c)Exercise Price.  The Board shall establish the exercise price of each Option or the formula by which such exercise price will be determined.  The exercise price shall be specified in the applicable Option agreement.  The exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock as determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Board (“Fair Market Value”) on the date the Option is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an Option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date. 
(d)Duration of Options.  Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable Option agreement; provided, however, that no Option will be granted with a term in excess of 8 years.
(e)Exercise of Options.  Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic) approved by the Company, together with payment in full (in the manner specified in Section 5(f)) of the exercise price for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.  Shares of Common Stock subject to the Option will be delivered by the Company as soon as practicable following exercise.
(f)Payment Upon Exercise.  Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:
(1)in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;
(2)except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;
(3)to the extent provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value, provided (i) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Common Stock, if acquired directly from the Company, was owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Board and (iii) such Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;
(4)to the extent provided for in the applicable Nonstatutory Stock Option agreement or approved by the Board, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, as a result of which the Participant would receive (i) the number of shares underlying the portion of the Option being exercised, less (ii) such number of shares as is equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price for the portion of the Option being exercised divided by (B) the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise;

(5)to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine; or
(6)by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.
(g)Limitation on Repricing.  Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Company may not (except as provided for under Section 10):  (1) amend any outstanding Option granted under the Plan to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding Option, (2) cancel any outstanding option (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan (other than Awards granted pursuant to Section 4(c)) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise price per share lower than the then-current exercise price per share of the cancelled option, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding Option with an exercise price per share above the then-current Fair Market Value, or (4) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a “repricing” within the meaning of the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”). 
(h)No Reload Options.  No Option granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional Options in connection with any exercise of the original Option.
(i)No Dividend Equivalents.  No Option shall provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.
6.Stock Appreciation Rights
(a)General.  The Board may grant Awards consisting of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount of Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Board) determined by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock over the measurement price established pursuant to Section 6(b).  The date as of which such appreciation is determined shall be the exercise date.  
(b)Measurement Price.  The Board shall establish the measurement price of each SAR and specify it in the applicable SAR agreement.  The measurement price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the SAR is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an SAR effective as of a future date, the measurement price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.
(c)Duration of SARs.  Each SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable SAR agreement; provided, however, that no SAR will be granted with a term in excess of 8 years.
(d)Exercise of SARs.  SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic) approved by the Company, together with any other documents required by the Board.
(e)Limitation on Repricing.  Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Company may not (except as provided for under Section 10):  (1) amend any outstanding SAR granted under the Plan to provide a measurement price per share that is lower than the then-current measurement price per share of such outstanding SAR, (2) cancel any outstanding SAR (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan (other than Awards granted pursuant to Section 4(c)) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise or measurement price per share lower than the then-current measurement price per share of the cancelled SAR, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding SAR with a measurement price per share above the then-current Fair Market Value, or (4) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a “repricing” within the meaning of the rules of NASDAQ.
(f)No Reload Rights.  No SAR granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the grantee to the automatic grant of additional SARs in connection with any exercise of the original SAR.
7.Restricted Stock; RSUs
(a)General.  The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”), subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price 

or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award.  The Board may also grant Awards entitling the recipient to receive shares of Common Stock to be delivered at the time such Award vests (“RSUs”).
(b)Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock and RSUs.  The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of Restricted Stock and RSUs, including the conditions for vesting and repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any.  
(c)Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock.  
(1)Dividends.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, any dividends (whether paid in cash, stock or property) declared and paid by the Company with respect to shares of Restricted Stock (“Unvested Dividends”) shall be paid to the Participant only if and when such shares become free from the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability that apply to such shares.  Each payment of Unvested Dividends will be made no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to stockholders of that class of stock or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the lapsing of the restrictions on transferability and the forfeitability provisions applicable to the underlying shares of Restricted Stock.  No interest will be paid on Unvested Dividends.
(2)Stock Certificates.  The Company may require that any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, as well as dividends or distributions paid on such Restricted Stock, shall be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee).  At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to his or her Designated Beneficiary.  “Designated Beneficiary” means (i) the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death or (ii) in the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, the Participant’s estate.
(d)Additional Provisions Relating to RSUs.
(1)Settlement.  Upon the vesting of and/or lapsing of any other restrictions (i.e., settlement) with respect to each RSU, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock specified in the Award agreement.  The Board may provide that settlement of RSUs shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code or any successor provision thereto, and the regulations thereunder (“Section 409A”).
(2)Voting Rights.  A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any RSUs.
(3)Dividend Equivalents.  The Award agreement for RSUs may provide Participants with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”).  Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock and shall be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the RSUs with respect to which paid, in each case to the extent provided in the Award agreement.  No interest will be paid on Dividend Equivalents.
8.Other Stock-Based Awards
(a)General.  The Board may grant other Awards of shares of Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or other property (“Other Stock-Based Awards”).  Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled.  Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash, as the Board shall determine.  
(b)Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock-Based Award, including any purchase price applicable thereto.  
(c)Dividend Equivalents.  The Award agreement for an Other Stock-Based Award may provide Participants with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents.  Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited 

to an account for the Participant, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock and shall be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the Other Stock-Based Award with respect to which paid, in each case to the extent provided in the Award agreement.  No interest will be paid on Dividend Equivalents.
9.Performance Awards.
(a)Grants.  Restricted Stock, RSUs and Other Stock-Based Awards under the Plan may be made subject to the achievement of performance goals pursuant to this Section 9 (“Performance Awards”).  
(b)Committee.  Grants of Performance Awards to any Covered Employee (as defined below) intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) (“Performance-Based Compensation”) shall be made only by a Committee (or a subcommittee of a Committee) comprised solely of two or more directors eligible to serve on a committee making Awards qualifying as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m).  In the case of such Awards granted to Covered Employees, references to the Board or to a Committee shall be treated as referring to such Committee (or subcommittee).  “Covered Employee” shall mean any person who is, or whom the Committee, in its discretion, determines may be, a “covered employee” under Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.
(c)Performance Measures.  For any Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee shall specify that the degree of granting, vesting and/or payout shall be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance measures established by the Committee, which shall be based on the relative or absolute attainment of specified levels of one or any combination of the following, which may be determined pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or on a non-GAAP basis, as determined by the Committee: earnings per share, earnings, operating income, operating margins, revenues, expenses, net income, earnings before or after discontinued operations, interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization, operating profit before or after discontinued operations and/or taxes, sales, sales growth, earnings growth, cash flow or cash position, net cash provided from continuing operations, cost control, gross margins, stock price, stock price appreciation, market share, chargeoffs, reductions in non-performing assets, strategic initiatives, return on sales, assets, equity or investment, net operating profit after tax, regulatory compliance, satisfactory internal or external audits, improvement of financial ratings, achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives, pre-tax or after-tax income or total stockholder return.  Such goals may reflect absolute entity or business unit performance or a relative comparison to the performance of a peer group of entities or other external measure of the selected performance criteria and may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to other companies comparably, similarly or otherwise situated.  The Committee may specify that such performance measures shall be adjusted to exclude any one or more of (i) extraordinary items, (ii) gains or losses on the dispositions of discontinued operations, (iii) gains or losses related to financing activities, (iv) other non-cash charges or items, (v) the effect of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, (vi) gains or losses as a result of foreign currency conversions or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, (vii) the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, (viii) the writedown of any asset, and (ix) charges for restructuring and rationalization programs.  Such performance measures:  (x) may vary by Participant and may be different for different Awards; (y) may be particular to a Participant or the department, branch, line of business, subsidiary or other unit in which the Participant works and may cover such period as may be specified by the Committee; and (z) shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of, Section 162(m).  Awards that are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may be based on these or such other performance measures as the Board may determine.
(d)Adjustments.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, with respect to any Performance Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may adjust downwards, but not upwards, the cash or number of shares payable pursuant to such Award, and the Committee may not waive the achievement of the applicable performance measures except in the case of the death or disability of the Participant or a change in control of the Company.
(e)Other.  The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Performance Awards as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Awards satisfy all requirements for Performance-Based Compensation.

10.Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events
(a)Changes in Capitalization.  In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under the Plan, (ii) the share counting rules and sublimit set forth in Sections 4(a) and 4(b), (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding Option, (iv) the share and per-share provisions and the measurement price of each outstanding SAR, (v) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding award of Restricted Stock and (vi) the share and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each outstanding RSU and each Other Stock-Based Award, shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Board.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an outstanding Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.  
(b)Reorganization Events.
(1)Definition.  A “Reorganization Event” shall mean:  (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of the Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(2)Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards Other than Restricted Stock.  
(A)In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock on such terms as the Board determines (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an applicable Award agreement or another agreement between the Company and the Participant):  (i) provide that such Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, provide that all of the Participant’s unexercised and/or unvested Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event unless exercised by the Participant (to the extent then exercisable) within a specified period following the date of such notice, (iii) provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such Reorganization Event, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to Participants with respect to each Award held by a Participant equal to (A) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the Award (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that occurs upon or immediately prior to such Reorganization Event) multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of (I) the Acquisition Price over (II) the exercise, measurement or purchase price of such Award and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Award, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise, measurement or purchase price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing.  In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 10(b)(2), the Board shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically.  
(B)Notwithstanding the terms of Section 10(b)(2)(A), in the case of outstanding RSUs that are subject to Section 409A: (i) if the applicable RSU agreement provides that the RSUs shall be settled upon a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i), and the Reorganization Event constitutes such a “change in control event”, then no assumption or substitution shall be permitted pursuant to Section 10(b)(2)(A)(i) and the RSUs shall instead be settled in accordance with the terms of the applicable RSU agreement; and (ii) the Board may only undertake the actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) 

of Section 10(b)(2)(A) if the Reorganization Event constitutes a “change in control event” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i) and such action is permitted or required by Section 409A; if the Reorganization Event is not a “change in control event” as so defined or such action is not permitted or required by Section 409A, and the acquiring or succeeding corporation does not assume or substitute the RSUs pursuant to clause (i) of Section 10(b)(2)(A), then the unvested RSUs shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event without any payment in exchange therefor.
(C)For purposes of Section 10(b)(2)(A)(i), an Award (other than Restricted Stock) shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, such Award confers the right to purchase or receive pursuant to the terms of such Award, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award to consist solely of such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) that the Board determined to be equivalent in value (as of the date of such determination or another date specified by the Board) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.
(3)Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Restricted Stock.  Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the repurchase and other rights of the Company with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that the Board may either provide for termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, either initially or by amendment, or (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an applicable Award agreement or another agreement between the Company and the Participant) provide for forfeiture of such Restricted Stock if issued at no cost.  Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event involving the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions and conditions on all Restricted Stock then outstanding shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.
11.General Provisions Applicable to Awards
(a)Transferability of Awards.  Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by a Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant; provided, however, that, except with respect to Awards subject to Section 409A, the Board may permit or provide in an Award for the gratuitous transfer of the Award by the Participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the Participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if the Company would be eligible to use a Form S-8 under the Securities Act for the registration of the sale of the Common Stock subject to such Award to such proposed transferee; provided further, that the Company shall not be required to recognize any such permitted transfer until such time as such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Award.  References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 11(a) shall be deemed to restrict a transfer to the Company.
(b)Documentation.  Each Award shall be evidenced in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Board shall determine.  Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

(c)Termination of Status.  The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment or service, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights, or receive any benefits, under an Award.
(d)Withholding.  The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal, state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize ownership of Common Stock under an Award.  The Company may elect to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages.  If the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for withholding or have a broker tender to the Company cash equal to the withholding obligations.  Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will issue any shares on exercise, vesting or release from forfeiture of an Award or at the same time as payment of the exercise or purchase price, unless the Company determines otherwise.  If provided for in an Award or approved by the Board, a Participant may satisfy the tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value; provided, however, except as otherwise provided by the Board, that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income).  Shares used to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.
(e)Amendment of Award.  Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5(g), 6(e), 11(g), and 11(h), the Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 10.
(f)Conditions on Delivery of Stock.  The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously issued or delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and regulations and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.
(g)Limitations on Vesting.  No Award shall vest earlier than the first anniversary of its date of grant, unless, in the case of an Option, such Option is granted in lieu of salary, bonus or other compensation otherwise earned by or payable to the Participant.  The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (i) Awards granted to non-employee directors and (ii) in addition to any Awards granted to non-employee directors, an aggregate of up to 5% of the maximum number of authorized shares set forth in Section 4(a)(1).  
(h)Acceleration.  Subject to Section 11(g) hereof, the Board may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in whole or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in whole or in part, as the case may be; provided, however, that, notwithstanding Section 11(g) hereof, the Board may also provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in whole or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in whole or in part, as the case may be, (A) upon the death or disability of the Participant or (B) upon a merger, consolidation, sale, reorganization, recapitalization, or change in control of the Company. 
12.Miscellaneous
(a)No Right To Employment or Other Status.  No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award by virtue of the adoption of the Plan, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant 

the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company.  The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award.
(b)No Rights As Stockholder; Clawback Policy.  Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be issued with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares. In accepting an award under the Plan, a Participant shall agree to be bound by any clawback policy of the Company.
(c)Effective Date and Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective on the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”).  No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the expiration of 10 years from the Effective Date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.
(d)Amendment of Plan.  The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time provided that (i) to the extent required by Section 162(m), no Award granted to a Participant that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) after the date of such amendment shall become exercisable, realizable or vested, as applicable to such Award, unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment in the manner required by Section 162(m); (ii) no amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of the national securities exchange on which the Company then maintains its primary listing  may be made effective unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment; and (iii) if the national securities exchange on which the Company then maintains its primary listing  does not have rules regarding when stockholder approval of amendments to equity compensation plans is required (or if the Company’s Common Stock is not then listed on any national securities exchange), then no amendment to the Plan (A) materially increasing the number of shares authorized under the Plan (other than pursuant to Section 4(c) or 10), (B) expanding the types of Awards that may be granted under the Plan, or (C) materially expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the Plan shall be effective unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment.  In addition, if at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval.  Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 12(d) shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board determines that such amendment, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan.  No Award shall be made that is conditioned upon stockholder approval of any amendment to the Plan unless the Award provides that (i) it will terminate or be forfeited if stockholder approval of such amendment is not obtained within no more than 12 months from the date of grant and (2) it may not be exercised or settled (or otherwise result in the issuance of Common Stock) prior to such stockholder approval. 
(e)Authorization of Sub-Plans (including for Grants to non-U.S. Employees).  The Board may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions.  The Board shall establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan containing (i) such limitations on the Board’s discretion under the Plan as the Board deems necessary or desirable or (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable.  All supplements adopted by the Board shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction and the Company shall not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Participants in any jurisdiction which is not the subject of such supplement.  
(f)Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Except as provided in individual Award agreements initially or by amendment, if and to the extent (i) any portion of any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to a Participant pursuant to the Plan in connection with his or her employment termination constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and (ii) the Participant is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, in each case as determined by the Company in accordance with its procedures, by which determinations the Participant (through accepting the Award) agrees that he or she is bound, such portion of the payment, compensation or other benefit shall not be paid before the day that is six months plus one day after the date of “separation from service” (as determined under Section 409A) (the “New Payment Date”), except as Section 409A may then permit.  The aggregate of any payments that otherwise would have been paid to the Participant during the period between the date of separation from service and the New 

Payment Date shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum on such New Payment Date, and any remaining payments will be paid on their original schedule.
The Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to the Participant or any other person if any provisions of or payments, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but do not to satisfy the conditions of that section.
(g)Limitations on Liability.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument he or she executes in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company.  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, employee or agent of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been or will be delegated, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Board’s approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning the Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.
(h)Governing Law.  The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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