Document:

Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Amendment dated April 19, 2002 to Employment Agmt.

  
 EXHIBIT 10.26 
  
 April 19, 2002 
  
 Barry
Cheskin 
 President and Chief Executive Officer 
 RITA Medical Systems, Inc. 
 967 North Shoreline Blvd 
 Mountain View, CA 94043 
  
 Offer Letter Amendment 
  
 Dear Barry: 
  
 The Board of Directors of RITA Medical Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) has agreed to provide you with certain benefits in the event that that the Company
consummates a Change of Control transaction. Accordingly, Section 5c of your offer letter from the Company dated March 21, 1997 (the “Offer Letter”) is replaced and superceded in its entirety with the section set forth below. All other
provisions of the Offer Letter that are not modified by this Amendment, including but not limited to, the provision regarding at-will employment, remain in full force and effect. All capitalized terms not defined in this Amendment shall have the
respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Offer Letter. 
  
 5.    Stock
Options. 
  
 c.  Change of Control Protection.    In the event
(i) the Company sells all or substantially all of its assets, (ii) the Company merges with another entity pursuant to which shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the merger own less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the
surviving entity or (iii) the Company’s securities holders sell securities possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities (a “Change of Control”), then
immediately prior to the closing of such Change of Control transaction: 
  
 (i)  Your Initial Option and
each Anti-Dilution Option will become exercisable for seventy-five percent (75%) of your then unvested option shares.  The balance of the shares subject to each such option will vest, at the rate of 2.0833% of the total number of shares for
which that option was originally granted, upon your completion of each additional month of service with the Company or the successor entity following the Change of Control transaction. 
  
 (ii)  In addition, fifty percent (50%) of all unvested options to purchase the Company’s securities held by you, which options were granted to you following
the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering of its Common Stock (the “Additional Options”) and prior to the effective date of the Change of Control transaction shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable and
shall be exercisable to the extent so vested in accordance with the provisions of the Option Agreement and Plan pursuant to which such Additional Option was granted. Further, repurchase rights of the Company with respect to fifty percent (50%) of

 the shares of restricted stock held by you purchased by you pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement shall immediately lapse. In
addition, on each one month anniversary of the effective date of the Change of Control transaction 1/12 of all remaining unvested Additional Options held by you shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable and repurchase rights of the
Company with respect to 1/12 of all remaining shares of restricted stock held by you shall lapse. 
  
 (iii)  Termination Following A Change of Control.    In the event (i) that your employment is terminated within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control transaction for any reason other than
Misconduct or (ii) you resign for Good Reason within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control transaction, repurchase rights of the Company with respect to all of the shares of restricted stock held by you purchased by you pursuant to the terms
of a Stock Purchase Agreement shall immediately lapse. 
  
 Please sign below to acknowledge and accept the terms of
this Amendment and to agree that the terms of this Amendment taken together with the Offer Letter and the Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement dated June 14, 1997, constitute your entire agreement with respect to your
employment with the Company. 
  
 
	 Sincerely,
  
 RITA Medical Systems,
Inc.
 
	 
	 /S/    DONALD STEWART        

	 

	 Donald Stewart, Chief Financial Officer
 

 
  
  
 ACCEPTED AND AGREED: 
  
 
	 
	 /S/    BARRY CHESKIN        

	 

	 Barry Cheskin
 

 
 

 -2-Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Offer Letter Amendment

  
 Exhibit 10.27 
  
 April 17, 2002 
  
 Daniel Balbierz 
 Vice President, Research and Development 
 RITA Medical Systems Inc. 
 967 North Shoreline Blvd 
 Mountain View, CA 94043 
  
 Offer Letter Amendment 
  
 Dear Dan: 
  
 The Board of Directors of RITA Medical Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) has agreed to provide you with certain benefits in the event that your employment is
involuntarily terminated. Accordingly, your offer letter from the Company dated March 19, 1998 (the “Offer Letter”) is amended as described below. All other provisions of the Offer Letter that are not modified by this Amendment, including
but not limited to, the provision regarding at-will employment, remain in full force and effect. 
  
 If the Company
or its successor in interest terminates your employment without Cause, (as such term is defined below), then you will be entitled to receive continuation of your then-current monthly base salary for six (6) months following your termination date.
This salary continuation shall be contingent upon confirmation to the Company’s satisfaction that you are actively seeking Full-Time Employment, which for purposes of this Amendment shall be defined as at least thirty-five (35) hours per week
of compensated labor, including consulting and other work. In the event that you commence Full-Time Employment, your salary continuation will cease. In addition, following the termination of your employment, the Company will pay your COBRA insurance
premiums (provided that you elect such coverage) until the earlier of (A) six (6) months following your termination date or (B) the date on which you become eligible for insurance benefits from another employer. 
  
 For purposes of this Amendment, “Cause” shall mean (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of the
Employee’s duties to the Company where such gross negligence or willful misconduct has resulted or is likely to result in substantial and material damage to the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) repeated unexplained or unjustified absence from
the Company, (iii) a material and willful violation of any federal or state law; (iv) commission of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; or (v) conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude causing material harm to the
standing and reputation of the Company, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. 

 April 17, 2002 
 Page 2 
  
 Please sign below to acknowledge and accept the terms of this Amendment and to
agree that the terms of this Amendment taken together with the Offer Letter, the Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement dated March 25, 1998 and the Change of Control Agreement dated May 26, 2000, constitute your entire
agreement with respect to your employment with the Company. 
  
 
	 Sincerely,
  
 RITA Medical Systems,
Inc.
 
	 
	 /S/    BARRY CHESKIN 
 
	 

	 Barry Cheskin, President and CEO
 

 
  

	ACCEPTED
	 
	AND AGREED: 
 

  
 
	 
	 /S/    DANIEL BALBIERZ
 
	 

	 Daniel Balbierz
 

 
 

 -2-Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Separation Agreement with Eric Mueninghoff

  
 Exhibit 10.28 
  
 April 22, 2002 
  
 Eric (Rick)
Mueninghoff 
 1981 Robin Ridge Court 
 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
  
 Dear Rick: 
  
 This Letter Agreement describes our understanding and agreements regarding the termination of your employment relationship with RITA Medical Systems, Inc. (the
“Company”). By your signature below, you acknowledge and agree with the following: 
  
 1.    Separation Date and Final Salary Payment.    Your employment relationship with the Company will terminate on April 23, 2002 (the “Separation Date”). As of
the Separation Date you will receive all salary due to you to as of the Separation Date (including payment for any accrued and unused vacation as of the Separation Date). 
  
 2.    Separation Benefits.    In consideration for your release of claims as set forth below and your other
obligations set forth herein, and provided that you sign the acknowledgement and agreement below signifying your agreement to the terms of this Letter Agreement, including the release of claims, and return the signed letter to me and all company
property in your possession no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2002, and provided further that you do not exercise your right to revoke this Letter Agreement under Paragraph 6 below, the Company will provide the following: 
  
 (a)  Salary Continuation.    The Company will continue to pay you your regular salary as of
April 23, 2002 less authorized and required deductions; for a period of two months, until June 30, 2002. These salary continuation payments shall be paid in semi-monthly installments on Company regular paydays. The first payment shall be made on the
first regular payroll date following the end of the Revocation Period described in Paragraph 6 below. 
  
 (b)  Stock Options.    Continuation of your stock option vesting through June 30, 2002. 
  
 3.    Insurance Benefits.    You will continue to receive the Company’s health insurance benefits (medical, dental and vision) at the
Company’s expense until June 30, 3002, which date shall be the “qualifying event” date under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”). Following such date, you have the right to
continue the health insurance coverage under COBRA at your own expense. 
  
 4.    Nondisclosure of Confidential and Proprietary Information.    You acknowledge and agree to continue to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary
information of the Company as provided by the Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement previously entered into between you and the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Confidentiality
Agreement”), and that such Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding this Letter Agreement. 

  
 5.    Release of Claims. 

 
 (a)  You acknowledge and agree that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding
obligations owed to you by the Company. On behalf of yourself, and your heirs, executors, successors and assigns, you agree to hereby fully and forever release the Company and its officers, directors, employees, investors, shareholders,
administrators, predecessor and successor corporations and assigns from any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that you may possess arising from any
omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and including the date you sign this Letter Agreement under any and all applicable state and federal laws including, without limitation: 
  
 (i)  any and all claims relating to or arising from your employment relationship with the Company and termination of that relationship; 
  
 (ii)  any and all claims relating to, or arising from, your right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the
Company; 
  
 (iii)  any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; breach of contract, both
express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with
contract or prospective economic advantage; and defamation; 
  
 (iv)  any and all claims for violation of
any federal, state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (up to and including the date you sign this Letter
Agreement), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and 
  
 (vi)  any and all claims for attorney’s fees and costs. 
  
 You agree that the release set forth in this Paragraph 5(a) will be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete and general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to
any obligations incurred under this Letter Agreement. 
  
 (b)  Except as otherwise provided above in
Paragraph 3, you acknowledge and agree that you will not be entitled to participate in any of the Company’s benefit plans or programs offered to employees of the Company, including, but not limited to, any accrual of vacation, after the
Separation Date. 
  
         6.    Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims
under ADEA.    You acknowledge that you are waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the Age Discrimination Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. You and the
Company agree that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under ADEA after the date you execute this 
 

 -2- 

 Letter Agreement. You acknowledge that the consideration given for the waiver and release in this Letter Agreement is in addition to anything of
value to which you were already entitled. You further acknowledges that you has been advised by this writing that (a) you should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Letter Agreement; (b) you have at least twenty-one (21) days within
which to consider this Letter Agreement; (c) you have seven (7) days following your execution of this Letter Agreement to revoke the Letter Agreement (the “Revocation Period”); and (d) this Letter Agreement shall not be effective
until the Revocation Period has expired. 
  
 7.    Civil Code Section
1542.    You and the Company (“we”) each represent to the other that we are not aware of any claim by either of us other than the claims that are released by Paragraph 5 of this Letter. We each acknowledge that
we are familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows: 
  
 A GENERAL
RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. 
  
 We, each being aware of such code section, agree to waive any rights we may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common
law principles of similar effect. 
  
 8.    Breach of Confidentiality
Obligations.    You acknowledge that upon breach of any of the confidentiality provisions contained in Paragraph 4 of this Letter Agreement, the Company would sustain irreparable harm from such breach, and, therefore, you
agree that in addition to any other remedies which the Company may have for any breach of the obligations set forth in this Letter Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement, the Company will be entitled to obtain equitable relief, including
specific performance and injunctions, restraining you from committing or continuing any such violation of this Letter Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement. 
  
 9.    Non-Disparagement.    The undersigned each agree to refrain from any disparagement, criticism, defamation, slander of the other, or
interference with the contracts and relationships of the other, and the undersigned each represent and warrant that they have not disparaged, criticized, defamed, slandered the other, or interfered in any manner with the contracts and relationships
of the other prior to the Separation Date. 
  
         10.    Arbitration.    The undersigned each agree to attempt to settle all disputes arising in connection with this Agreement
through good faith consultation. In the event no agreement can be reached on such dispute within fifteen (15) days after notification in writing by either party to the other concerning such dispute, the dispute shall be settled by binding
arbitration to be conducted in Santa Clara County, California before the American Arbitration Association under its under its California Employment Dispute Resolution Rules, or by a judge to be mutually agreed upon. The arbitration decision shall be
final, conclusive and binding on both parties and any arbitration award or decision may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The undersigned each agree that the prevailing party in any arbitration shall be entitled to injunctive relief in
any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration award and that the prevailing party in any such proceeding shall be awarded reasonable 
 

 -3- 

 attorneys’ fees and costs. This Paragraph 10 shall not apply to the Confidentiality Agreement. The undersigned hereby waive any rights they
may have to trial by jury in regard to arbitrable claims. 
  
 11.    Voluntary Execution of
Agreement.    You acknowledge that this Letter Agreement is executed by you voluntarily, with the full intent of releasing all claims against the Company and without any duress or undue influence. You further acknowledge
that (i) you have read this entire Letter Agreement, (ii) you understand the terms and consequences of this Letter Agreement and of the releases it contains, and you have been advised that you may seek legal representation with respect to the
matters contained in this Letter Agreement; and (iii) you are fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Letter Agreement. 
  
 
	 RITA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
	 
	 By:
 	 	 /S/    DONALD STEWART        
 
	  	 	 

	 Title:
 	 	 Chief Financial Officer
 
	  	 	 

 
  
 AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED: 
  

My agreement with the above terms is acknowledged by my signature below. Furthermore, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the foregoing Letter Agreement and that I sign this
release of all claims voluntarily, with full appreciation that I am forever foreclosed from pursuing any of the rights I have waived. 
  
 
	 
	 /S/    ERIC
MUENINGHOFF        
 
	 

	 Eric Mueninghoff
 
	 Dated:
 	 	 5/22/02
 

 
  
  
 

 -4- 

  
 EXHIBIT A 
  
 CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

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