Document:

Document

Exhibit 10.1

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

         This Indemnification Agreement is dated as of __________ (this “Agreement”) and is between The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [Name of director/officer] (“Indemnitee”).

        Background

         The Company believes that in order to attract and retain highly competent persons to serve as directors or in other capacities, including as officers, it must provide such persons with adequate protection through indemnification against the risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their services to and activities on behalf of the Company.
 
         The Company desires and has requested Indemnitee to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company and, in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company, the Company is willing to grant the Indemnitee the indemnification provided for herein.  Indemnitee is willing to so serve on the basis that such indemnification be provided.  The indemnification provided herein is a supplement to and in furtherance of any rights granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “Bylaws”) and shall not be deemed to be a substitute therefor nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.
         The parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and the advancement of expenses.
         In consideration of Indemnitee’s service to the Company and the covenants and agreements set forth below, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

        Section 1. Indemnification. 

        To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”):

         (a) The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was or is made or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, as a witness or otherwise, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Company or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or, while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, fiduciary, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in any such capacity.

         (b) The indemnification provided by this Section 1 shall be from and against all loss and liability suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including any appeals. 

        Section 2. Advance Payment of Expenses.  To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in appearing at, participating in or defending, or otherwise arising out of or related to, any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with an enforcement action as contemplated by Section 3(e) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time.  Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that Indemnitee is not entitled under this Agreement to be indemnified by the Company in respect thereof.  No other form of undertaking shall be required of Indemnitee other than the execution of this Agreement.  This Section 2 shall be subject to Section 3(b) and shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 6.

        Section 3. Procedure for Indemnification; Notification and Defense of Claim.

         (a) Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company hereunder, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof.  The failure to promptly notify the Company of the commencement of the action, suit or proceeding, or of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification, will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee hereunder, except to the extent the Company is actually and materially prejudiced in its defense of such action, suit or proceeding as a result of such failure.  To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor including such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to enable the Company to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

         (b) With respect to any action, suit or proceeding of which the Company is so notified as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall, subject to the last two sentences of this paragraph, be entitled to assume the defense of such action, suit or proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so.  After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any subsequently-incurred fees of separate counsel engaged by Indemnitee with respect to the same action, suit or proceeding unless the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized in writing by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Indemnitee, based on the advice of his or her counsel, shall have reasonably concluded (with written notice being given to the Company setting forth the basis for such conclusion) that, in the conduct of any such defense, there is or is reasonably likely to be a conflict of interest or position between the Company and Indemnitee with respect to a significant issue, then the Company will not be entitled, without the written consent of 
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Indemnitee, to assume such defense.  In addition, the Company will not be entitled, without the written consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Company.   

         (c) To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Company’s assumption of the defense of an action, suit or proceeding in accordance with paragraph 3(b) will constitute an irrevocable acknowledgement by the Company that any loss and liability suffered by Indemnitee and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement by or for the account of Indemnitee incurred in connection therewith are indemnifiable by the Company under Section 1 of this Agreement.

         (d) The determination whether to grant Indemnitee’s indemnification request shall be made promptly and in any event within 30 days following the Company’s receipt of a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 3(a).  If the Company determines that Indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification or, as contemplated by paragraph 3(c) the Company has acknowledged such entitlement, the Company will make payment to Indemnitee of the indemnifiable amount within such 30 day period.  If the Company is not deemed to have so acknowledged such entitlement or the Company’s determination of whether to grant Indemnitee’s indemnification request shall not have been made within such 30 day period, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, subject to Section 6, nonetheless be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee's statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under the DGCL. 

         (e) In the event that (i) the Company determines in accordance with this Section 3 that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) the Company denies a request for indemnification, in whole or in part, or fails to respond or make a determination of entitlement to indemnification within 30 days following receipt of a request for indemnification as described above, (iii) payment of indemnification is not made within such 30 day period, (iv) advancement of expenses is not timely made in accordance with Section 2, or (v) the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in any court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses.  Indemnitee’s expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred in connection with successfully establishing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, in any such proceeding or otherwise shall also be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.  

         (f) Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Agreement upon submission of a request therefor in accordance with Section 2 or Section 3 of this Agreement, as the case may be.  The Company shall have the burden of proof in overcoming such presumption, and such presumption shall be used as a basis for a determination of entitlement to indemnification and advancement of expenses unless the Company overcomes such presumption by clear and convincing evidence. 

        Section 4. Insurance and Subrogation.
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         (a) The Company shall purchase and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies with A.M. Best ratings of “A” or better (or, if A.M. Best does not rate the insurance company, an equivalent rating by an equivalent licensed insurance rating organization or agency), providing Indemnitee with coverage for any liability asserted against, and incurred by, Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or, while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, fiduciary, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or arising out of Indemnitee’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify Indemnitee against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.  Such insurance policies shall have coverage terms and policy limits that are reasonable in scope and amount, as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of the coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if the Company otherwise determines in good faith that obtaining or maintaining such insurance is not in the best interests of the Company. At the time the Company receives from Indemnitee any notice of the commencement of an action, suit or proceeding, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the policy.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policy. 

         (b) In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect to any insurance policy.  Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and take all reasonable action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights in accordance with the terms of such insurance policy. The Company shall pay or reimburse all expenses reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such subrogation.

         (c) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, and ERISA excise taxes or penalties) if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under this Agreement or any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. 

        Section 5. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

         (a) The term “action, suit or proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit, 
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arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

         (b) The term “by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or, while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any actual or alleged act or omission to act.

         (c) The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, all direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, appeal bonds, other out-of-pocket costs and reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which Indemnitee is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party), actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with either the investigation, defense or appeal of an action, suit or proceeding or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise incurred in connection with a claim that is indemnifiable hereunder.

         (d) The term “judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, all direct and indirect payments of any type or nature whatsoever, as well as any penalties or excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan). 

        Section 6. Limitation on Indemnification.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to this Agreement:

         (a) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee.  Prior to a change in control, to indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof), however denominated, initiated by Indemnitee, except with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by Indemnitee or an action, suit or proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement (which shall be governed by the provisions of Section 6(b) of this Agreement), unless such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors of the Company. 

         (b) Action for Indemnification.  To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, unless Indemnitee is successful in such action, suit or proceeding in establishing Indemnitee’s right, in whole or in part, to indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder (in which case such indemnification or advancement shall be to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL), or unless and to the extent that the court in such action, suit or proceeding shall determine that, despite Indemnitee’s failure to establish his or her right to indemnification, Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification for such expenses; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 6(b) is intended to limit the Company’s obligations with respect to the advancement of expenses to 
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Indemnitee in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, as provided in Section 2.

(c) Section 16(b) Matters.  To indemnify Indemnitee on account of any suit in which judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for disgorgement of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(d) Fraud or Willful Misconduct.  To indemnify Indemnitee on account of conduct by Indemnitee where such conduct has been determined by a final (not interlocutory) judgment or other adjudication of a court or arbitration or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as to which there is no further right or option of appeal or the time within which an appeal must be filed has expired without such filing to have been knowingly fraudulent or constitute willful misconduct.

(e) Prohibited by Law.  To indemnify Indemnitee in any circumstance where such indemnification has been determined by a final (not interlocutory) judgment or other adjudication of a court or arbitration or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as to which there is no further right or option of appeal or the time within which an appeal must be filed has expired without such filing to be prohibited by law.

        Section 7. Change in Control.  

         (a) The Company agrees that if there is a change in control of the Company, then with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Agreement, any other agreement or the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect, the Company shall seek legal advice only from independent counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). In addition, upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 3(a), a determination, if required by the DGCL, with respect to Indemnitee's entitlement thereto shall be made by such independent counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors of the Company, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee.  The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the independent counsel referred to above and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all reasonable expenses (including attorney’s fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

         (b) The Company agrees that if there is a change in control of the Company, the Company shall maintain (or cause to be maintained) for the benefit of Indemnitee, the same policy or policies of insurance maintained in accordance with Section 4(a) of this Agreement immediately prior to such change in control (1) for a period of six years after the change in control or (2) through the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 15, whichever is earlier.

(c) For purposes of this Section 7, the following definitions shall apply:

          (i) A “change in control” shall be deemed to occur when, after the date of this Agreement, there occurs any event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or 
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form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, a change in control shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following: (A) any person (as defined below) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities, (B) during any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 7(c)(i)(A), 7(c)(i)(C) or 7(c)(i)(D) or a director whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company) whose election by the Board of Directors of the Company or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company, (C) the effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity or (D) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

          For purposes of Section 7(c)(i), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

          (I)  “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

          (II)  “person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that person shall exclude (a) the Company, (b) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (c) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.  

          (III)  “beneficial owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that beneficial owner shall exclude any person otherwise becoming a beneficial owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

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          (ii) The term “independent counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent:  (A) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (B) any other party to the action, suit or proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “independent counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee's rights under this Agreement.  

Section 8.  Certain Settlement Provisions.  The Company shall have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action, suit or proceeding without the Company’s prior written consent.  The Company shall not, without Indemnitee’s prior written consent, settle any action, suit or proceeding in any manner that would attribute to Indemnitee any admission of liability or that would impose any fine or other obligation or restriction on Indemnitee (which such fine or other obligation would be borne by Indemnitee and not the Company).  Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its, his or her consent to any proposed settlement that requires its, his or her consent.

        Section 9. Savings Clause. If any provision or provisions (or portion thereof) of this Agreement shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Company or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, from and against all loss and liability suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including any appeals, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated. 

        Section 10. Contribution.  In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for herein is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part, it is agreed that, in such event, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, contribute to the payment of all of Indemnitee’s loss and liability suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, including any appeals, in an amount that is just and equitable in the circumstances; provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such contribution shall not be required where such holding by the court is due to any limitation on indemnification set forth in Section 4(c), 6 (other than clause (e)) or 8.

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        Section 11. Form and Delivery of Communications.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) to the Company: (i) delivered by hand, upon receipt by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed or (iii) mailed by reputable overnight courier, one day after deposit with such courier and with written verification of receipt, and (b) to Indemnitee by email transmission. Notice to the Company shall be directed to The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., 1111 Marcus Avenue, Lake Success, New York 11042, Attention: General Counsel.  Notice to Indemnitee shall be emailed to: [insert email address].  If any email address of Indemnitee shall change, Indemnitee shall provide prompt notice to the Company of an alternate email address.

        Section 12. Nonexclusivity.  The provisions for indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which Indemnitee may have under any provision of law, in any court in which a proceeding is brought, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, other agreements or otherwise, and Indemnitee’s rights hereunder shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of Indemnitee.  No amendment or alteration of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or any other agreement shall adversely affect the rights provided to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

Section 13. No Construction as Employment Agreement.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as a director of the Company or in the employ of the Company.  For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee even though he or she may have ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company.  

Section 14. Interpretation of Agreement.  It is understood that the parties hereto intend this Agreement to be interpreted and enforced so as to provide indemnification to Indemnitee to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the DGCL. 

Section 15. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any possible action, suit or proceeding in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder; or (b) the final termination of all pending actions, suits and proceedings in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder and of any actions, suits and proceedings commenced by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, as provided in Section 2. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to require and cause any successor, and any direct or indirect parent of any successor, whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession has taken place.

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        Section 16. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the documents expressly referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered hereby, and any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements with respect to the matters covered hereby are expressly superseded by this Agreement.

        Section 17. Modification and Waiver.  No supplement, modification, waiver or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.  For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement may not be terminated by the Company without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

        Section 18. Successor and Assigns.  All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.  The Company shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of such Indemnitor, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

        Section 19. Service of Process and Venue.  The Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agrees that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement may brought in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), (b) consents to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) consents to service of process at the Company’s address set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement with the same legal force and validity as if served upon the Company personally within the State of Delaware, (d) waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (e) waives, and agrees not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum. 

        Section 20. Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing, a court of competent jurisdiction shall make a final determination that the provisions of the law of any state other than Delaware govern indemnification by the Company of Indemnitee, then the indemnification provided under this Agreement shall in all instances be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted under such law, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary.

        Section 21. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument, notwithstanding that both parties are not signatories to the original or same counterpart.

        Section 22.  Headings and Section References.  The section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the 
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meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 This Indemnification Agreement has been duly executed and delivered to be effective as of the date stated above.

             THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.

             By _______________________________________
             Name:
             Title:

             INDEMNITEE:

             _______________________________________
             Name:
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Exhibit 10.2

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

        This Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 7th day of February 2020 by and between The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (“Hain” or the “Company”) and Kevin McGahren (“Employee”).

WHEREAS, Hain and Employee wish to amicably terminate Employee’s employment with Hain; 

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth therein, Hain and Employee agree as follows:

1.Termination of Employment

Employee’s last day of employment will be February 7, 2020 (the “Termination Date”), or such date as the Company and Employee may mutually agree in connection with the transition of Employee’s responsibilities.  Employee and the Company may mutually agree to terminate Employee’s  employment prior to the Termination Date; provided, however, that in the event of an earlier termination, Employee shall only be paid through the date of his/her termination and such date shall be the Termination Date for purposes of this Agreement.    

2.  Severance Payment by Hain

As consideration for signing and not revoking this Agreement and Employee’s complete compliance therewith, Hain shall provide Employee with a cash severance payment in the aggregate amount of $832,500, less applicable withholdings and deductions, payable over a period of 12 months starting from the Termination Date, in regular installments in accordance with the general payroll practices of the Company.

3. Benefits

Hain agrees to continue Employee’s medical, dental and vision coverage through February 29, 2020.  Thereafter, Employee will be eligible to elect to continue medical, dental and vision plan coverage pursuant to the notice sent to Employee by the insurance provider in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA").  If Employee properly and timely elects medical, dental and/or vision coverage pursuant to COBRA as coverage existed as of the Termination Date, Hain agrees to pay the cost of the premium for such elected coverage (subject to applicable taxes) for a period of 12 months (provided Employee executes this Agreement, and remains eligible for COBRA coverage continuation).  Thereafter, Employee shall be entitled to elect to continue such COBRA coverage for the remainder of the COBRA period, at his/her own expense, in accordance with applicable law.  

Employee's participation in all other benefits and incidents of employment (including, but not limited to, the accrual of vacation and paid time off, Life 

Insurance, AD&D, Long Term Disability, 401(k), and the vesting of equity grants as applicable) cease on the Termination Date.  

4. Payment of Salary  

Except with respect to the severance payments and benefits provided by Sections 2 and 3 hereof and payment of Employee’s salary for the current pay period, Employee acknowledges and represents that, as of the date Employee signed this Agreement, Hain has paid all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, stock, stock options, fees, commissions, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to him/her.

5. Release by Employee
Employee agrees that he/she would not be entitled to the consideration set forth in Sections 2 and 3 absent his/her execution and fulfillment of this Agreement. As a consequence of execution of this Agreement, Hain and its current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, creditors, counsel, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, predecessor and successor corporations and assigns and any other affiliated or related person or entity (the “Releasees”) have no outstanding obligations to Employee except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.  Employee, on his/her own behalf, and on behalf of his/her present and former heirs, family members, executors, creditors, agents, assigns and any other affiliated or related person or entity, hereby fully and forever releases Hain and the other Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess as of and including on the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

a.any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee's employment with Hain, or the termination of that employment;  
b.any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee's right to purchase, or actual purchase of, shares of Company stock, including, but not limited to, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law; 
c.any and all claims under the law of any jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, wrongful discharge of employment; constructive discharge from employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; qui tam; 

whistleblower, battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and conversion;
d.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; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the New York State Executive Law (including its Human Rights Law); the New York City Administrative Code (including its Human Rights Law); the New York State Labor Law; the New York wage, wage payment, wage theft and wage–hour laws; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

e.        any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution; 
f.        any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;
g.        any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the non-withholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee as a result of this Agreement; and
h.        any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Hain and Employee agree that the release set forth in this Section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released for all time.  Employee agrees and understands that, except as otherwise provided in this agreement, this Agreement provides a full and final general release covering all known and unknown and anticipated and unanticipated injuries, debts, or damages which may have arisen, or which may arise, connected with all matters from the beginning of time to the date of this Agreement, as well as those injuries, debts, claims or damages now known or disclosed which may have arisen, or which may arise, from Employee’s employment with or separation from Hain on the Termination Date, except as otherwise provided in this agreement.  

This Agreement does not release or waive claims (a) to enforce this Agreement or otherwise arising after the date of this Agreement; (b) regarding vested benefits under any 401(k); (c) under COBRA; (d) as a consumer of goods, products, or services of Hain or Releasees; and/or (e) claims for workers’ compensation benefits or unemployment insurance benefits, but Employee acknowledges that he/she is not aware of any work-related condition or injury.  Moreover, Employee and Hain acknowledge that this Agreement does not limit either party’s right, where applicable, to file or participate in an investigative proceeding of any federal, state or local governmental agency (“Governmental Agency”), but waives the right to any personal remedy, to the maximum extent permitted by law, for claims that are released under Section 7(a)-(h), except that 

this Agreement does not limit Employee’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Governmental Agency.
        
6. Acknowledgement of Waiver of Claims Under ADEA  

Employee acknowledges that he/she is waiving and releasing any rights he/she may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary.  Employee and Hain agree that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement.  Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled.  Employee further acknowledges that he/she has been advised by this writing that:
a.he/she should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement;
b.he/she has up to twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement;
c.he/she has seven (7) days following his/her execution of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement;
d.this Agreement shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired; and
e.nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law.  However, if the release of ADEA claims or any other claim is set aside or limited, all monies paid hereunder shall be set-off against any relief or recovery.
7.  No Admission of Liability

Neither this Agreement, nor anything contained herein, shall be construed as an admission by the Company that it has in any respect violated or abridged any Federal, State, or local law or any right or obligation that it may owe or may have owed to Employee.  No final findings or final judgments have been made and Employee does not purport and will not claim to be a prevailing party, to any degree or extent, nor will this Agreement or its terms be admissible in any proceeding other than in a proceeding for breach of the terms contained herein.

8.  Ongoing Cooperation and Support by Employee

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Employee shall assist Hain in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against Hain or any of the Releasees without additional compensation, provided, however that Hain will reimburse Employee for reasonable out-of-pocket and travel-related expenses incurred with 

providing such assistance.  Hain will endeavor to ensure that such assistance does not conflict with or interfere in Employee’s future employment or engagements, will not be unduly burdensome, and will be scheduled at mutually agreeable times in light of Employee’s personal and business commitments.  Employee and Hain acknowledge this Section does not limit the right, where applicable, to file or participate in an investigative proceeding of any federal, state or local governmental agency without requiring notice to Hain or any of the Releasees; Employee nevertheless understands that because of the waiver and general release Employee freely provides by signing this Agreement, Employee cannot obtain any monetary relief or recovery in any such proceeding to the extent permitted by law, except that this Agreement does not limit Employee’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Governmental Agency, as set forth below in Section 10.

9.  Confidential and Proprietary Information of Hain

In accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined below) Employee understands and agrees that all books, records, documents and information, whether written or not, pertaining to Hain's business activities, are the confidential and proprietary property of Hain (hereinafter referred to as "trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information") and must be returned in full and without retention of copies.  Employee warrants, covenants, and agrees that he/she will not disclose any of Hain's trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information to any person or entity not employed, owned by, or otherwise affiliated with Hain or use such information for his/her own benefit or the benefit of any person or entity not employed, owned by, or otherwise affiliated with Hain.  Employee further agrees that he/she shall not be entitled to copies, in any form, of such trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information and he/she shall immediately return to Hain any copies of such information currently in his/her possession or control.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit Employee from disclosing Employee’s own wages or other employment terms as provided by law.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement does not limit or interfere with Employee’s right, without notice to or authorization of the Company, to communicate and cooperate in good faith with any self-regulatory organization or U.S. federal, state, or local governmental or law enforcement branch, agency, commission, or entity (collectively, a “Government Entity”) for the purpose of (i) reporting a possible violation of any U.S. federal, state, or local law or regulation, (ii) participating in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted or managed by any Government Entity, including by providing documents or other information, or (iii) filing a charge or complaint with a Government Entity, provided that in each case, such communications, participation, and disclosures are consistent with applicable law.  Additionally, Employee shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, or to an attorney, solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.  If Employee files a 

lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law, Employee may disclose the trade secret to Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Employee files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.  

10.  Post-Employment Restrictive Covenants

Employee acknowledges that to the extent permissible by law, the Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement (the (“Confidentiality Agreement”), dated June 21, 2019, which is annexed hereto as Exhibit A, which is designed to survive the termination of such agreement shall survive in full force and effect for the applicable periods contained therein, except as otherwise set forth herein.  

11. Return of Physical Property by Employee

Employee acknowledges his/her immediate responsibility to fully and unconditionally return all tangible property of Hain to Hain on or before the Termination Date.  Employee acknowledges that he/she will not alter or remove any Hain related data or documents from any electronic property of the Company and he/she will return all electronic property in full working order.  

12. Nondisparagement 

Employee agrees to refrain from any defamation, libel or slander of Hain or any of the Releasees to any person or entity including but not limited to Hain’s past, present or future customers, employees, clients, contractors, vendors, or to the media or health and research professional community via any form of communication including written, oral, or electronic.  Employee also agrees not to publish or make any disparaging remarks or statements related to Hain or any of the other Releasees in any forum, including the internet, any web site or blog.  Further, Employee agrees to refrain from any tortious interference with Hain’s or the Releasees’ contracts and relationships.  

If Hain’s Human Resources representatives are contacted by any potential future employers of Employee for a reference, Hain’s Human Resources representative shall provide Employee’s dates of employment and last position at Hain.  

13. Responsibility for Outplacement 

Hain agrees to pay up to $3,000.00 of outplacement services directly to Right Management, Inc.  Thereafter, Employee acknowledges that he/she shall accept full responsibility for all costs related to his/her own job search and will not look to Hain for any reimbursement of postage, printing, resume preparation, outplacement counseling or any other related expense.

14. No Consideration Absent Execution of this Agreement  

        Employee agrees and understands that the Company has no obligation to pay the monies and/or benefits in Sections 2 and 3 above unless Employee signs this Agreement and follows its terms.

15.  Entire Agreement and Severability  

The parties hereto agree that this Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed, except by a written agreement signed by the parties hereto.  This Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement dated March 25, 2019, by and between Hain and Employee, which is annexed hereto as Exhibit A, represent the entire agreement and understanding between Hain and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee's relationship with Hain, and supersede and replace any and all prior agreements and understandings between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee's relationship with Hain.  If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to Employee or circumstance shall to any extent be invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be modified, rewritten or interpreted by the parties to include as much of its nature and scope as will render it enforceable.  Otherwise, Hain shall be entitled to the return of the entire consideration under this Agreement.

16. Breach of Agreement

Employee acknowledges and agrees that any breach hereof constitutes a material breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Company immediately to cease making any severance payments and benefits provided by Sections 2 and 3 and to recover any prior payments.  In addition, should Employee violate any provision of this Agreement, the Company may apply for appropriate relief.  In any proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the Agreement may be introduced under seal in order to maintain its confidentiality.  Employee understands and agrees that the damage to the Company due to any such breach will be extremely difficult to determine.  Because of this difficulty, Employee agrees that in the event of a finding of such breach, he/she will forfeit and return to Hain all amounts received pursuant to this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any such relief, all of the other terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Employee’s release of claims, shall remain in full force and effect.  The remedies provided for in this provision shall not be construed to be exclusive and do not bar any other claims for relief. In addition, Hain shall be entitled to recover its costs and fees, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in the successful enforcement of any such relief. 
17. Resolution of Disputes 

Any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be decided by an appropriate state or federal court nearest to Hain’s corporate headquarters, and all such claims shall be adjudicated by a judge sitting without a jury.

18. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard for choice of law provisions.

19. Effective Date

This Agreement is effective after it has been signed by both parties and after eight (8) days have passed following the date Employee signed the Agreement (the “Effective Date”).  Any revocation prior to the eighth day after Employee has signed this Agreement must be submitted, in writing, to Kristy Meringolo, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and state, “I hereby revoke my acceptance of our Separation Agreement and General Release.”  The revocation must be delivered to Kristy Meringolo and postmarked within seven (7) calendar days of execution of this Agreement.

20. Capability to Waive Claims
        Employee is competent to affect a knowing and voluntary general and unlimited release of all claims and to enter into this Agreement.  Employee is not affected or impaired in his/her ability voluntarily and knowingly to consider and to execute this Agreement, whether by illness, use of alcohol, drugs or other substances or conditions.  Employee is not a party to any bankruptcy, lien, assignment, creditor-debtor or other proceeding which would impair the right to settle all claims against Hain or to waive all claims that Employee may have against Released Parties.
21.      Voluntary Execution  

Employee acknowledges that he/she has carefully read this Agreement and understands all of its terms including the general and final release of claims set forth above and covenant not to sue.  Employee further acknowledges that he/she has voluntarily entered into this Agreement; that he/she has not relied upon any representation or statement, written or oral, not set forth in this Agreement; that the only consideration for signing this Agreement is as set forth herein; that the consideration received for executing this Agreement is greater than that to which he/she may otherwise be entitled; and that this document gives him/her the opportunity and encourages him/her to have this Agreement reviewed by his/her attorney and tax advisor.  

EMPLOYEE HAS TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS AGREEMENT.  EMPLOYEE ALSO IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT. 

EMPLOYEE MAY REVOKE THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE SEVEN (7) CALENDAR DAYS FOLLOWING THE DAY EMPLOYEE SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT.  ANY REVOCATION WITHIN THIS PERIOD MUST BE SUBMITTED, IN WRITING, TO KRISTY MERINGOLO, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND STATE, "I HEREBY REVOKE MY ACCEPTANCE OF OUR SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE."  THE REVOCATION MUST BE 

PERSONALLY DELIVERED TO KRISTY MERINGOLO OR HER DESIGNEE, OR MAILED TO KRISTY MERINGOLO AT THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC., 1111 MARCUS AVENUE, LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK 11042 AND POSTMARKED WITHIN SEVEN (7) CALENDAR DAYS AFTER EMPLOYEE SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT. 

EMPLOYEE AGREES THAT ANY MODIFICATIONS, MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE, MADE TO THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT RESTART OR AFFECT IN ANY MANNER THE ORIGINAL TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAY CONSIDERATION PERIOD.

EMPLOYEE FREELY AND KNOWINGLY, AND AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION, ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT INTENDING TO WAIVE, SETTLE AND RELEASE CERTAIN CLAIMS AGAINST HAIN AND RELEASEES.

        The parties knowingly and voluntarily sign this Agreement as of the date(s) set forth below:

									
		THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC.	
			
	/s/ Kevin McGahren              	By:	/s/ JoAnn A. Murray              
	Employee		JoAnn A. Murray
			EVP & Chief HR Officer
			
	Date:  2/7/20                          
		Date:  2/7/20                          

EXHIBIT A

Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement

[Omitted]

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