Document:

<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.24

                            ARTISAN COMPONENTS, INC.
                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT

        This Consulting Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
April 19, 2000 (the "Effective Date") by and between Artisan Components, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Leon Malmed, an individual with an
address at 1736 Zenato Place, Pleasanton, CA 94566 (the "Consultant"). The
Company desires to retain Consultant as an independent contractor to perform
consulting services for the Company and Consultant is willing to perform such
services, on terms set forth more fully below. In consideration of the mutual
promises contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

        1. SERVICES; COMPENSATION

                (a) Consultant agrees to perform for the Company the services
described in Exhibit 1 (the "Services").

                (b) The Company agrees to pay Consultant the compensation set
forth in Exhibit 1 for the performance of the Services.

        2. CONFIDENTIALITY

                (a) "Confidential Information" means any Company proprietary
information, technical data, trade secrets or know-how, including, but not
limited to, research, product plans, products, services, customers, customer
lists, markets, software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas,
technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration information,
marketing, finances or other business information disclosed by the Company
either directly or indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or inspection of
parts or equipment.

                (b) Consultant will not, during or subsequent to the term of
this Agreement, use the Company's Confidential Information for any purpose
whatsoever other than the performance of the Services on behalf of the Company
or disclose the Company's Confidential Information to any third party, and it is
understood that said Confidential Information shall remain the sole property of
the Company. Confidential Information does not include information which (i) is
known to Consultant at the time of disclosure to Consultant by the Company as
evidenced by written records of Consultant, (ii) has become publicly known and
made generally available through no wrongful act of Consultant, or (iii) has
been rightfully received by Consultant from a third party who is authorized to
make such disclosure. Without the Company's prior written approval, Consultant
will not directly or indirectly disclose to anyone the existence of this
Agreement or the fact that Consultant has this arrangement with the Company,
except as may be otherwise required by an employment agreement or a pre-existing
contractual agreement which has been disclosed on Exhibit 1 hereto. The
limitations on disclosure of Confidential Information contained herein shall
expire five (5) years after the termination of this Agreement.

                (c) Consultant agrees that Consultant will not, during the term
of this Agreement, improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or
trade secrets of any former or current employer or other person or entity with
which Consultant has an agreement or duty to keep in confidence information
acquired by Consultant in confidence, if any,

                                      -1-
<PAGE>   2

and that Consultant will not bring onto the premises of the Company any
unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to such employer,
person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or
entity. Consultant will indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from and
against all claims, liabilities, damages and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys fees and costs of suit, arising out of or in connection with any
violation of a third party's rights resulting in whole or in part from the
Company's use of the work product of Consultant under this Agreement.

                (d) Consultant recognizes that the Company has received and in
the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary
information subject to a duty on the Company's part to maintain the
confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited
purposes. Consultant agrees that Consultant owes the Company and such third
parties, during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, a duty to hold all
such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not
to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation or to use it except as
necessary in carrying out the Services for the Company consistent with the
Company's agreement with such third party.

                (e) Upon the termination of this Agreement, or upon Company's
earlier request, Consultant will deliver to the Company all of the Company's
property or Confidential Information in tangible form that Consultant may have
in Consultant's possession or control.

        3. OWNERSHIP

                (a) Consultant agrees that all material, notes, records,
drawings, designs, inventions, improvements, developments, discoveries and trade
secrets (collectively, the "Inventions") conceived, made or discovered by
Consultant, solely or in collaboration with others, during the period of this
Agreement and with respect to providing the Services hereunder or with the use
of materials or facilities of the Company, or made by the Company prior to or
during the term of this Agreement, which relate in any manner to the business of
the Company that Consultant may be directed, on behalf of the Company, to
undertake, investigate or experiment with, or which Consultant may become
associated with in work, investigation or experimentation in the line of
business of Company in performing the Services hereunder (except as otherwise
provided below), are the sole property of the Company. In addition, any
Inventions which constitute copyrightable subject matter shall be considered
"works made for hire" as that term is defined in the United States Copyright
Act. Consultant further agrees to assign (or cause to be assigned) and does
hereby assign fully to the Company all such Inventions and any copyrights,
patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating
thereto. This Agreement does not apply to Inventions which were made prior to
the date of performing Services for Company under this Agreement and which are
listed on Exhibit 2 attached hereto (if any).

                (b) Consultant agrees to assist Company, or its designee, at the
Company's expense, in every proper way to secure the Company's rights in the
Inventions and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual
property rights relating thereto in any and all countries, including the
disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect
thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments
and all other instruments which the Company shall deem necessary in order to
apply for and

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company, its
successors, assigns and nominees the sole and exclusive rights, title and
interest in and to such Inventions, and any copyrights, patents, mask work
rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto. Consultant
further agrees that Consultant's obligation to execute or cause to be executed,
when it is in Consultant's power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall
continue after the termination of this Agreement.

                (c) Consultant agrees that if in the course of performing the
Services, Consultant incorporates into any Invention developed hereunder any
invention, improvement, development, concept, discovery or other proprietary
information developed by Consultant prior to performing the Services and owned
by Consultant, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive,
royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide license to make, have made,
modify, use and sell such item as part of or in connection with such Invention.

                (d) Consultant agrees that if the Company is unable because of
Consultant's unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for
any other reason, to secure Consultant's signature to apply for or to pursue any
application for any United States or foreign patents or mask work or copyright
registrations covering the Inventions assigned to the Company above, then
Consultant hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly
authorized officers and agents as Consultant's agent and attorney in fact, to
act for and in Consultant's behalf and stead to execute and file any such
applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the
prosecution and issuance of patents, copyright and mask work registrations
thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Consultant.

        4. REPORTS

                Consultant agrees that it will from time to time during the term
of this Agreement or any extension thereof keep the Company advised as to
Consultant's progress in performing the Services hereunder and that Consultant
will, as requested by the Company, prepare written reports with respect thereto.
It is understood that the time required in the preparation of such written
reports shall be considered time devoted to the performance of Consultant's
Services.

        5. CONFLICTING OBLIGATIONS

                (a) Consultant certifies that Consultant has no outstanding
agreement or obligation that is in conflict with any of the provisions of this
Agreement, or that would preclude Consultant from complying with the provisions
hereof, and further certifies that Consultant will not enter into any such
conflicting agreement during the term of this Agreement except as may be
otherwise required by an employment agreement or a pre-existing contractual
agreement which has been disclosed on Exhibit 1 hereto.

                (b) In view of Consultant's access to the Company's trade
secrets and proprietary know-how, Consultant further agrees that Consultant will
not, without Company's prior written consent, perform similar Services those
developed under this Agreement for any third party during the term of this
Agreement and for a period of six (6) months after the termination of this
Agreement.

                (c) Except as specifically authorized by the Company, Consultant
shall

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

not for a period of two (2) years after the termination of this Agreement:

                        (i) request or advise any supplier, customer or other
person, firm, partnership, association, corporation or business organization,
entity or enterprise having business dealings with the Company or any subsidiary
or affiliate of the Company to withdraw, curtail or cancel such business
dealings; or

                        (ii) induce or attempt to influence any employee or
consultant of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to
terminate his or her employment or consulting relationship with the Company or
such subsidiary or affiliate.

        6. TERM AND TERMINATION

                (a) This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and will
continue for a period of one (1) year, at which time this Agreement will then
automatically renew for subsequent one (1) year terms unless and until this
Agreement is terminated as provided below.

                (b) The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time after
the Effective Date for any reason or no reason, with or without cause.

                (c) The Consultant may terminate this Agreement at any time
after the Effective Date upon giving two weeks prior written notice thereof to
the Company. Any such notice shall be addressed to the Company at the address
shown above or such other address as the Company may notify the Consultant and
shall be deemed given upon delivery if personally delivered, or forty-eight (48)
hours after deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested.

                (d) This Agreement shall terminate immediately if Consultant is
no longer a member of the Board of Directors of Company.

                (e) Upon such termination all rights and duties of the parties
toward each other shall cease except:

                        (i) that the Company shall be obliged to pay, within
thirty (30) days of the effective date of termination, all amounts owing to
Consultant for unpaid Services and related expenses, if any, in accordance with
the provisions of Section 1 (Services and Compensation) hereof; and

                        (ii) Sections 2 (Confidentiality), 3 (Ownership) and 8
(Independent Contractor) shall survive termination of this Agreement.

        7. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

                Consultant's relationship with Company is at all times that of
an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way be
construed to constitute Consultant as an agent, employee or representative of
the Company, and Consultant shall have no authority to bind Company to
agreements, but Consultant shall perform the Services hereunder as an
independent contractor. To the extent applicable, if any, Consultant agrees to
furnish (or reimburse the Company for) all tools and materials necessary to
accomplish this contract, and shall incur all expenses associated with
performance, except as expressly provided on Exhibit 1 of this Agreement.
Consultant acknowledges and agrees that Consultant is obligated to report as
income all compensation received by Consultant pursuant to this

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

Agreement, and Consultant agrees to and acknowledges the obligation to pay all
self-employment and other taxes thereon. Consultant further agrees to indemnify
the Company and hold it harmless to the extent of any obligation imposed on
Company (i) to pay in withholding taxes or similar items or (ii) resulting from
Consultant's being determined not to be an independent contractor.

        8. ARBITRATION AND EQUITABLE RELIEF

                (a) Except as provided in Section 9(b) below, the Company and
Consultant agree that any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to
any interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, shall
be settled by arbitration to be held in Santa Clara County, California, in
accordance with the rules then in effect of the American Arbitration
Association. The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such
dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final,
conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be
entered on the arbitrator's decision in any court of competent jurisdiction. The
Company and Consultant shall each pay one-half of the costs and expenses of such
arbitration, and each shall separately pay its respective counsel fees and
expenses.

                (b) Consultant agrees that it would be impossible or inadequate
to measure and calculate the Company's damages from any breach of the covenants
set forth in Sections 2 or 3 herein. Accordingly, Consultant agrees that if
Consultant breaches Sections 2 or 3, the Company will have available, in
addition to any other right or remedy available, the right to obtain from any
court of competent jurisdiction an injunction restraining such breach or
threatened breach and specific performance of any such provision. Consultant
further agrees that no bond or other security shall be required in obtaining
such equitable relief and Consultant hereby consents to the issuances of such
injunction and to the ordering of such specific performance.

        9. GENERAL

                (a) ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any right hereunder
or interest herein may be assigned or transferred by Consultant without the
express written consent of the Company.

                (b) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California as applied to
contracts entered into in California by California residents to be performed
entirely within the State of California.

                (c) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be ineffective, unenforceable or illegal for any reason, such decision shall not
affect the validity or unenforceability of any or all of the remaining portions
thereof.

                (d) WAIVER. The waiver by either party of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
other or subsequent breach.

                (e) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes any prior
agreements between them with respect to the subject matter hereof. No amendment
or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties
unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of each party.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

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

CONSULTANT                                  ARTISAN COMPONENTS, INC.

By: /s/ LEON MALMED                         By: /s/ MARK TEMPLETON
   --------------------------------            ---------------------------------

Title:                                      Title:
      -----------------------------               ------------------------------

Date:   7/21/00                             Date:
     ------------------------------              -------------------------------

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

                                    EXHIBIT 1

                            SERVICES AND COMPENSATION

1.      Contact.      Consultant's principal Company contact:

                      Name:  Mark Templeton

                      Title:  President and CEO

2.      Services.     Consultant will render to the Company the following
                      Services:

                Consulting and advising for marketing, sales, strategic
        planning, acquisitions and other business areas as requested by Company.

3.      Compensation.

        (a)     The Company shall pay Consultant $10,000(US) per year, payable
                in four (4) equal quarterly installments. Payment for each
                quarter is payable following the completion of each quarter at
                the commencement of each quarter (i.e., July 1, October 1,
                January 1, April 1). The initial payment will be made on a
                pro-rata basis.

        (b)     The Company shall reimburse Consultant for all reasonable travel
                expenses incurred by Consultant in performing Services pursuant
                to this Agreement, provided Consultant receives prior written
                consent from an authorized agent of the Company prior to
                incurring such expenses, and otherwise pursuant to Company's
                standard practices for reimbursing travel expenses.

        (c)     Consultant shall submit all statements for services and expenses
                in a form prescribed by the Company and such statement shall be
                approved by the contact person listed above or by his or her
                supervisor.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

                                    EXHIBIT 2

                            LIST OF PRIOR INVENTIONS
                        AND ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Identifying Number
Title                             Date                    or Brief Description
-----                             ----                    --------------------
<S>                               <C>                     <C>
Detection of Minute Leaks         1978

Compact Flash Card Readers        1999
</TABLE>

____ No inventions or improvements
____ Additional Sheets Attached

Signature of Consultant: /s/ LEON MALMED
                        --------------------------------
Print Name and title,
if applicable, of Consultant:
                             ---------------------------
Date:   7/21/00
     ---------------------------

                                      -8-<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.25

                            ARTISAN COMPONENTS, INC.

                              Severance Agreement

     This Agreement is made by and between Artisan Components, Inc. (the
"Company") and Joy Leo ("Executive") as of the date set forth below.

     WHEREAS, the Company has employed Executive as the Company's Chief
Financial Officer, effective as of September 11, 2000, and

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive understand and acknowledge that
Executive's employment with the Company constitutes "at-will" employment, and
that the employment relationship may be terminated at any time, with or without
good cause or for any or no cause, at the option either of the Company or the
Executive,

     NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

     1.   Definition of Constructive Termination of Employment in the Event of
a Change of Control of Company. "Constructive Termination" is defined as one of
the following events occurring following a Change in Control of the Company:
(i) a material reduction in salary or benefits, (ii) a material change in
responsibilities from those of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
(iii) a requirement to relocate, except for office relocation that would not
increase the Executive's current one-way commute distance by more than
twenty-five (25) miles or (iv) subjection of Executive to unreasonable working
conditions, such as violation of Executive's civil rights, defamation of
Executive, intentional infliction of emotional distress, coercion to condone,
tolerate or participate in illegal or immoral acts, or similar conditions.

     2.   Definition of Change of Control of Company. "Change of Control of the
Company" is defined as:

     (a)  Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) is or becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power
represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities; or

     (b)  A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company
occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority
of the directors are Incumbent Directors. "Incumbent Directors" shall mean
directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or
(B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors of the
Company with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent
Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an
individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or
threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company);
or

<PAGE>   2
     (c)  The date of the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the
Company with any other corporation that has been approved by the stockholders
of the Company, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of
the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or
such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets.

     3.   Termination Incident to a Change of Control of the Company. In the
event of a Change of Control of the Company, followed within six (6) months
thereafter by the Constructive Termination or involuntary termination of
Executive's employment with the Company or its successor entity without Cause,
(i) Executive shall be entitled to receive a cash payment of severance pay (less
applicable withholding taxes) representing an amount equal to six months at a
rate equal to his base salary rate as then in effect, plus any targeted bonus
amount pro rated for such six (6) month period as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company, and (ii) Executive's option to purchase 220,000 shares
of Common Stock shall become 100% vested.

     4.   Enforcement. In the event of any action to enforce the terms of this
Agreement, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to such
party's reasonable costs and expenses of enforcement including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees.

     5.   Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Stock Option Plan, the Option
Agreement, and the Proprietary Information Agreement of even date herewith
represent the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and
Executive concerning Executive's employment relationship with the Company,
supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings
concerning Executive's employment relationship with the Company.

     6.   No Oral Modification, Cancellation or Discharge. This Agreement may
only be amended, canceled or discharged in writing signed by Executive and the
Company.

     7.   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California.

<PAGE>   3
     8.   Effective Date. This Agreement is effective immediately after it has
been signed.

     9.   Acknowledgement. Executive acknowledges that he has had the
opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from his private
attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully
understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and
voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
September 11, 2000.

ARTISAN COMPONENTS, INC.

By: /s/ MARK R. TEMPLETON
   --------------------------
    Mark R. Templeton
    President

JOY LEO

/s/ [Signature Illegible]
-----------------------------

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00018-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00018-of-00352.parquet"}]]