Document:

exh4-3.htm

Exhibit 4.3

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February 1, 2011, between Evergreen Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each of the several purchasers signatory hereto (each such purchaser, a “Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Purchasers”).

 

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and each Purchaser (the “Purchase Agreement”).

 

The Company and each Purchaser hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Definitions.

 

Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Advice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(e).

 

“Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Cut Back Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

 

“Deferral Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

 

“Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).

 

“Holder” or “Holders” means the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.

 

“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c).

 

“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(c).

 

“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).

 

“Plan of Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d).

 

“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the

 

  

  

  

Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

 

“Registrable Securities” means, as of any date of determination, (x) all of the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and (y) any securities issued or then issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution,  recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing; provided, however, that any such Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (and the Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of any, or file another, Registration Statement hereunder with respect thereto) for so long as (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such Registrable Securities is declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of by the Holder in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (b) such Registrable Securities have been previously sold in accordance with Rule 144, or (c) such securities become eligible for resale without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and without current public information requirements pursuant to Rule 144 as set forth in a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed, delivered and acceptable to the Transfer Agent and the affected Holders (assuming that such securities and any securities issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of which, or as a dividend upon which, such securities were issued or are issuable, were at no time held by any Affiliate of the Company), as reasonably determined by the Company, upon the advice of counsel to the Company.

 

“Registration Statement” means any registration statement required to be filed hereunder pursuant to Section 2(a) and any additional registration statements contemplated by Section 3(c), including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to any such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in any such registration statement.

 

“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

 

“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

 

“SEC Restrictions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

 

  

  

  

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Selling Stockholder Questionnaire” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.

 

2.           Mandatory Registration.

 

(a)           Registration.  The Company shall use commercially reasonable effort to: (i) within 10 Business Days of the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2010 Form 10-K”), file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities, and (ii) to have such Registration Statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission no later the 120th day following the closing of the purchase and sale of the securities contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (the “Closing Date”); provided, that the Company shall not be required to register for resale pursuant to this Section 2(a) any Registrable Securities that may be sold without restriction by a Buyer pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(b)           Rule 415 Cutback.  If at any time the Commission takes the position that the offering of some or all of the Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement is not eligible to be made on a delayed or continuous basis under the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act or requires any Holder to be named as an “underwriter”, the Company shall use its best efforts to persuade the Commission that the offering contemplated by the Registration Statement is a valid secondary offering and not an offering “by or on behalf of the issuer” as defined in Rule 415 and that none of the Holders is an “underwriter”.  In the event that, despite the Company’s best efforts and compliance with the terms of this Section 2(b), the Commission refuses to alter its position, the Company shall (i) remove from the Registration Statement such portion of the Registrable Securities (the “Cut Back Shares”) and/or (ii) agree to such restrictions and limitations on the registration and resale of the Registrable Securities as the Commission may require to assure the Company’s compliance with the requirements of Rule 415 (collectively, the “SEC Restrictions”); provided, however, that the Company shall not agree to name any Holder as an “underwriter” in such Registration Statement without the prior written consent of such Holder.  Any cut-back imposed on the Holders pursuant to this Section 2(b) shall be allocated among the Holders on a pro rata basis, unless the SEC Restrictions otherwise require or provide or the Holders otherwise agree.

 

 (d)           Plan of Distribution.  The Holders agree that with respect to the offer and sale of their shares pursuant to the Section 2, they shall comply with the Plan of Distribution substantially in the form attached as Annex A to this Agreement (“Plan of Distribution”).

 

3.           Registration Procedures.  Whenever the Company is required to use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 2, above, the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:

 

  

  

  

(a)           prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or, if Form S-3 is not then available to the Company, on such form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of the Registrable Securities), covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 and thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain effective for a period of 180 days or, if earlier, until the distribution contemplated by the registration statement has been completed (the “Effectiveness Period”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may discontinue any registration of its securities which are not Registrable Securities at any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating thereto; and provided further, in the event that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, it is advisable to suspend use of the prospectus relating to such registration statement for a discrete period of time (a “Deferral Period”) due to pending or proposed material corporate developments or similar material events that have not yet been publicly disclosed and as to which the Company believes public disclosure will be prejudicial to the Company, the Company shall deliver a certified resolution of the Board, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, to each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to the effect of the foregoing and such Holders, upon receipt of such certificate, and the Company agrees not to dispose of any Registrable Securities covered by any registration or prospectus (other than in transactions exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act); provided, however, that the Company shall not utilize more than three Deferral Periods in any 12 month period and in no event shall the aggregate length of all such Deferral Periods in any such 12 month period be greater than 90 days. The Effectiveness Period shall be extended for a period of time equal to any Deferral Period.

 

(b)           prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement until such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holder or Holders thereof set forth in such registration statement;

 

(c)           furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement such number of conformed copies of such registration statement and of each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including, without limitation, all exhibits), such number of copies of the prospectus contained in such registration statement (including, without limitation, each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents, as such Holder may reasonably request, provided that any of the foregoing which is available on the EDGAR system (or successor thereto) need not be furnished in physical; form;

 

(d)           use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify all Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such registration statement under

 

  

  

  

such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as each Holder thereof shall reasonably request, to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such registration statement remains in effect, and to take any other action which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities owned by such Holder, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (d) be obligated to be so qualified or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

(e)           use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities in the United States as may be necessary to enable the Holder or Holders thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(f)           use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish, at the request of the underwriters pursuant to an underwriting agreement, on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters, if any, for sale in connection with a registration pursuant to Section 2 (i) an opinion of counsel for the Company for the purpose of such registration, dated as of such date, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, and (ii) a “comfort” letter, dated such date, signed by the independent certified public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements included in such registration statement, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters.

 

(g)           notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made, or, if for any reason it shall be necessary during such time period to amend or supplement the registration statement or the prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act, at the request of any such Holder promptly prepare and furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such prospectus shall (i) not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made or (ii) effect such compliance;

 

(h)           otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and shall furnish to each such Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at least five (5) business

 

  

  

  

days prior to the filing thereof a copy of any amendment or supplement to such registration statement or prospectus and shall not file any thereof to which any such Holder shall have reasonably objected on the grounds that such amendment or supplement does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or of the rules or regulations thereunder;

 

(i)           provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

 

(j)           use its commercially reasonable efforts to list all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement on any securities exchange on which any of the equity securities of the Company of the same class as the Registrable Securities are then listed; and

 

(k)           enter into such agreements and take such other actions as the Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

4.           Preparation; Reasonable Investigation.  In connection with the preparation and filing of each registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will give one representative designated by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration statement, and one special counsel and accounting firm similarly designated by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration statement, the opportunity to participate in the preparation of such registration statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission, and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto and will give each of them such access to its books and records and such opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary, in the opinion of such Holders’ counsel, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act.  The fees and expenses of the representatives of the Holders shall be borne by the Holders and not the Company.

 

5.           Furnish Information.  It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Section 2 with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that at the request of the Company such Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities.  In addition to the foregoing, each Holder agrees to furnish the Company a completed questionnaire in the Form attached to this Agreement as Annex B (a “Selling Stockholder Questionnaire”) on a date that is not less that two Trading Days prior to the proposed filing date of any Registration Statement in which the Holder has requested to have Registrable Securities included.

 

  

  

  

6.           Additional Rights of Holders.  If any registration statement prepared under this Agreement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the Holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (a) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such Holder to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities does not necessarily make such Holder a “controlling person” of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Company’s debt or equity securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (b) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the deletion of the reference to such Holder.

 

7.           Registration Expenses.  All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with, this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent registered public accountants) (A) with respect to filings made with the Commission, (B) with respect to filings required to be made with any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading, (C) in compliance with applicable state securities or blue sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with blue sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities) and (D) if not previously paid by the Company in connection with any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110, so long as the broker is receiving no more than a customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale, (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder.  The Company shall also be responsible for up to an aggregate amount of $10,000 in legal fees incurred by special counsel representing all of the participating Holders.  In no event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar commissions of any Holder or, except to the extent provided for in the Transaction Documents or other costs of the Holders.

 

  

  

  

8.           Indemnification.

 

(a)           Indemnification by the Company.  The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, members, partners, agents, brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, members, stockholders, partners, agents and employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles, notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or relating to (1) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading or (2) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose) or (ii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(g), the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable for use by such Holder and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 9(d), but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected.  The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified person and shall survive the transfer of any Registrable Securities by any of the Holders in accordance with Section 9(g).

 

(b)           Indemnification by Holders.  Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and

 

  

  

  

employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based solely upon (x) such Holder’s failure to comply with any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act through no fault of the Company or (y) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (i) to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent that such information relates to such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose), such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(g), to the extent, but only to the extent, related to the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable for use by such Holder and prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 9(d), but only if and to the extent that following the receipt of the Advice the misstatement or omission giving rise to such Loss would have been corrected.

 

(c)           Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided, that, the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.

 

An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding, or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded

 

  

  

  

parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and counsel to the Indemnified Party shall reasonably believe that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party).  The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten Trading Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided, that, the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) not to be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

 

(d)           Contribution.  If the indemnification under Section 8(a) or 8(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party in accordance with its terms.

 

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable

 

  

  

  

considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d), no Holder shall be required to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(d), in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.

 

9.           Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           No Piggyback on Registrations.  The Purchasers have no right to have shares of Registrable Securities included on any other registration statement filed by the Company, other than the Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2(a) of this Agreement.

 

(b)           Remedies.  In the event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder of any of their respective obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement.  Each of the Company and each Holder agrees that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall not assert or shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

(c)           Future Registration Rights.  The Company may not grant future registration rights without the consent of the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, unless such other registration rights are subordinate to the registration rights granted hereunder.

 

(d)           Compliance.  Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it (unless an exemption therefrom is available) in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.

 

(e)           Discontinued Disposition.  By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed.  The

 

  

  

  

Company will use its best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable.

 

(f)           Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and the Holders of 50% or more of the then outstanding Registrable Securities (for purposes of clarification, this includes any Registrable Securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of any Security).  If a Registration Statement does not register all of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a waiver or amendment done in compliance with the previous sentence, then the number of Registrable Securities to be registered for each Holder shall be reduced pro rata among all Holders and each Holder shall have the right to designate which of its Registrable Securities shall be omitted from such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of a Holder or some Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given only by such Holder or Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the first sentence of this Section 9(f). No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.

 

(g)           Notices.  Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

(h)           Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. The Company may not assign (except by merger) its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of all of the Holders of the then outstanding Registrable Securities.  Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as permitted under Section 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement.

 

(i)           No Inconsistent Agreements.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  Except as set forth on Schedule 9(i), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to any of its securities to any Person that have not been satisfied in full.

 

  

  

  

(j)           Execution and Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 

(k)           Governing Law.  All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.

 

(l)           Cumulative Remedies.  The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.

 

(m)           Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

(n)           Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of the Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

(o)           Independent Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights.  The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group or entity with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other matters, and the Company acknowledges that the Holders are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Company shall not asset any such claim, with respect to such obligations or transactions. Each Holder shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The use of a single agreement with respect to the obligations of the

 

  

  

  

Company contained was solely in the control of the Company, not the action or decision of any Holder, and was done solely for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any Holder.  It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement is between the Company and a Holder, solely, and not between the Company and the Holders collectively and not between and among Holders.

 

********************

 

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

  

  

  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

	
EVERGREEN ENERGY INC.

 

 

	
By:__________________________________________

     Name:

     Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]

  

  

  

[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS TO EEE RRA]

Name of Holder: __________________________

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Holder: __________________________

Name of Authorized Signatory: _________________________

Title of Authorized Signatory: __________________________

[SIGNATURE PAGES CONTINUE]

  

  

  

Annex A

 

Plan of Distribution

 

Each Selling Stockholder (the “Selling Stockholders”) of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on the [principal Trading Market] or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions.  These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices.  A Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:

 

	
  

	
·

	
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

	
  

	
·

	
block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

	
  

	
·

	
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

	
  

	
·

	
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

	
  

	
·

	
privately negotiated transactions;

 

	
  

	
·

	
settlement of short sales entered into after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part;

 

	
  

	
·

	
in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;

 

	
  

	
·

	
through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

	
  

	
·

	
a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

	
  

	
·

	
any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The Selling Stockholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), if available, rather than under this prospectus.

 

Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales.  Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the

 

  

  

  

purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA IM-2440.

 

The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales.  In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.  Each Selling Stockholder has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities. In no event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8%).

 

The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company incident to the registration of the securities.  The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Because Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act including Rule 172 thereunder.  In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. The Selling Stockholders have advised us that there is no underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the resale securities by the Selling Stockholders.

 

The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

 

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution.  In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of securities of the common stock by the Selling Stockholders or any other person.  We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

 

  

  

  

Annex B

 

EVERGREEN ENERGY INC.

 

Selling Stockholder Notice and Questionnaire

 

The undersigned beneficial owner of common stock (the “Registrable Securities”) of Evergreen Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) to which this document is annexed.  A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below.  All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.  Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.

 

NOTICE

 

The undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling Stockholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities owned by it in the Registration Statement.

 

  

  

  

The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate:

 

QUESTIONNAIRE

 

	
  

	
1.

	
Name.

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Full Legal Name of Selling Stockholder

 

	  
	  

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities are held:

 

	  
	  

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered by this Questionnaire):

 

	  
	  

 

	
  

	
2.  Address for Notices to Selling Stockholder:

 

	  	 
	  	
 

 

	  	
 

 

	
Telephone:

	
 

 

	
Fax: 

	
 

 

	
Contact Person: 

	
 

 

 

  

  

  

3.  Broker-Dealer Status:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Are you a broker-dealer?

 

Yes   o                      No   o 

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
If “yes” to Section 3(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as compensation for investment banking services to the Company?

 

Yes   o                      No   o 

 

	
  

	
Note:

	
If “no” to Section 3(b), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?

 

Yes   o                      No   o

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you purchased the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities?

 

Yes   o                      No   o

 

	
  

	
Note:

	
If “no” to Section 3(d), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

 

	
  

	
4.  Beneficial Ownership of Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Stockholder.

 

Except as set forth below in this Item 4, the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the securities issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
Type and Amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder:

 

	  
	
 

 

	  

 

  

  

  

	
  

	
5.  Relationships with the Company:

 

Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.

 

	
  

	
State any exceptions here:

 

	  
	
 

 

	  

The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective.

 

By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 5 and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto.  The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.

 

	
Date:_____________________________________

	  	
Beneficial Owner: __________________________________

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
By:

	  
	  	  	  	
Name:

	  	  	  	
Title:

	  	  	  	  

  

  

  

PLEASE FAX A COPY (OR EMAIL A .PDF COPY) OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE, AND RETURN THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:Unassociated Document

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.

52-16 BARNETT AVENUE

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11104

T (718) 446-1800

 

 

January 31, 2011

 

Dear Ms. Newton Varela:

 

This letter will set forth below the amended and restated terms and conditions of your employment with Steven Madden, Ltd. (the “Company”):

 

	
1.

	
Term of Agreement: January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013 (the “Term”), unless sooner terminated in accordance with Paragraph 7 of this Agreement.

	  	  	  	  	  
	
2.

	
Position: Executive Vice President – Wholesale. You shall report to the Chief Operating Officer or such other person as the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) shall direct.

	  	  	  	  	  
	
3.

	
Salary: $450,000 per annum (paid in accordance with normal Company practice) from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013.

	  	  	  	  	  
	
4.

	
Annual Wholesale Bonus: You shall receive a performance bonus for each of 2011, 2012 and 2013 equal to 2% of the increase, if any, in Wholesale division EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) for that year over Wholesale division EBIT for the immediately prior year, less any deductions as shall be required to be withheld by any applicable laws and regulations. EBIT from any business acquired after the date hereof shall not be included in the bonus calculation until the second full calendar year under Company ownership. Such bonus (net of any deductions required to be withheld by any applicable laws and regulations) shall be payable on or about March 15 of the following year.

	  	  	  	  	  
	
5.

	
Options: You shall be granted 100,000 options on February 1, 2011. All options shall vest 25% each year for four years, commencing on the first anniversary date of the grant of the options, have a term of seven years and have an exercise price equal to the market price on the last trading day prior to the grant date.

	  	  	  	  	  
	
6.

	
Car Allowance: During the Term, you shall receive a car allowance of $1,250 per month.

	  	  	  	  	  
	
7.

	
Termination:

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
(a)

	
Involuntary Termination. The Company has the right to terminate your employment, on written notice to you, at any time without Cause (as defined below). In the event the Company terminates your employment without Cause, then the Term shall terminate immediately, and you shall be entitled to receive only (i) Salary payments described in Paragraph 3, at the regular intervals of payment, from the date of termination through the date this Agreement would have otherwise terminated but for the involuntary termination plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid Bonus amount described in Paragraph 4 for the year prior to termination which such Bonus shall still be payable on or about March 15 of the year following their accrual.

 

  

  

  

 

	  	
(b)

	
Voluntary Termination by you or Termination for Cause. You shall have the right to terminate your employment at any time for any reason (“Voluntary Termination”) and the Company shall have the right to terminate your employment at any time for Cause, on written notice to you, setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances resulting in the Cause upon which such termination is based. In the event of a Voluntary Termination or a termination by the Company for Cause, the Term shall terminate immediately and you shall be entitled only to any accrued and unpaid Salary described in Paragraph 3 through the date of termination. For the purpose of this Agreement, Cause shall mean:

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(i)

	
a material breach by you of your material duties or obligations to the Company which is not remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company within ten (10) days after the receipt by you of written notice of such breach from the Company;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(ii)

	
you are convicted of, or enter a guilty or “no contest” plea with respect to a felony or a crime of mural turpitude (whether or not a felony);

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(iii)

	
you have an alcohol or substance abuse problem, which in the reasonable opinion of the Company materially interferes with your ability to perform your duties;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(iv)

	
any act or acts of personal dishonesty, fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion intended to result in your personal enrichment at the expense of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any other material breach or violation of fiduciary duty owed to the Company, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(v)

	
any grossly negligent act or omission or any willful and deliberate misconduct by you that results, or is likely to result, in material economic, or other harm, to the Company, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(vi)

	
you violate or pay fines, suffer sanctions or injunctive relief relating to (whether or not you are found to have violated) any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or the rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company is listed or included.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
(c)

	
Disability. You shall be considered to be “Disabled” if, in the Company’s reasonable opinion after receiving the written report of an independent physician selected by the Company, you are incapable, due to mental or physical disability, of performing the essential functions of your duties for a period of sixty (60) days (whether or not consecutive) during any period of one hundred twenty (120) days. In the event you shall become Disabled during the Term, the Company may terminate your employment and the Term and the Company shall have no further obligation or liabilities to you, except payment of accrued and unpaid Salary described in Paragraph 3 through the date of termination plus any accrued and unpaid Bonus amount described in Paragraph 4 for the year prior to termination, which such Bonus shall still be payable on or about March 15 of the year following their accrual.

 

  

  

  

 

	  	
(d)

	
Death. In the event of your death, your employment and the Term shall terminate immediately and the Company shall have no further obligation or liabilities to you or your estate except that your estate shall be entitled to receive payment of accrued and unpaid Salary described in Paragraph 3 through the date of termination plus any accrued and unpaid Bonus amount described in Paragraph 4 for the year prior to your death, which such Bonus shall still be payable on or about March 15 of the year following their accrual.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
(e)

	
Change of Control. The term “Change of Control”, as used herein, shall mean when any person or group (excluding the Company or any of its affiliates) becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities. If, during the period commencing 30 days prior to a Change of Control and ending 180 days after a Change of Control, you are terminated by the Company other than for Cause, you are entitled to receive an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the average amount of total compensation actually received by you for the preceding three calendar years multiplied by 3 or (ii) the maximum amount which is tax deductible to the Company under Internal Revenue Code Section 280G. The foregoing shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any other payments or compensation you would otherwise be entitled to hereunder as a result of your termination.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
(f)

	
Termination Payment. Provided the Company makes the payments required under this Letter Agreement that are attributable to the termination of your employment, such payments shall be in full and complete satisfaction and release of any and all claims you or your beneficiaries, estate or legal representatives may have against the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates hereunder.

	  	  	  	  	  
	
8.

	Non-Solicitation/Non-Competition Agreement. You recognize that the services to be performed by you hereunder are special and unique. In consideration of the compensation granted herein, you agree that for as long as you are receiving your Salary under this Agreement and, if you are terminated by the Company for Cause or if you quit or resign your position, through December 31, 2013, you shall not, (i) become employed by or otherwise affiliated with, nor furnish services to, any business that competes with the Company, (ii) solicit any business from any customers of the Company, or (iii) induce or encourage any employee of the Company (or its affiliates) to become employed by, or furnish services to, any business that competes with the Company.
	  	  	  	  	  
	
9.

	Covenant Not to Disclose. You covenant and agree that you will not, to the detriment of the Company, at any time during or after the Term, reveal, divulge or make known to any person (other than (i) to the Company, or (ii) in the regular course of business of the Company) or use for your own account any confidential or proprietary records, data, processes, ideas, methods, devices, business concepts, inventions, discoveries, know-how, trade secrets or any other confidential or proprietary information whatsoever (the “Confidential Information”) previously possessed or used by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, (whether or not developed, devised or otherwise created in whole or in part by your efforts) and made known to you by reason of your employment by or affiliation with the Company. You further covenant and agree that you shall retain all such knowledge and information which you shall acquire or develop respecting such Confidential Information in trust for the sole benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Additionally, you agree that all right, title and interest in and to any discoveries, processes, ideas, methods and/or business concepts that you develop during the Term relating to the business of the Company are, and shall remain the property of the Company, and you hereby assign to the Company any right, title and interest you might otherwise claim therein.

 

  

  

  

 

	
10.

	Business Materials, Covenant to Report. All written materials, records and documents made by you or coming into your possession concerning the business or affairs of the Company shall be the sole property of the Company and, upon the termination of your employment with the Company or upon the request of the Company at any time, you shall promptly deliver the same to the Company and shall retain no copies thereof. You agree to render to the Company such reports of your activities or activities of others under your direction during the Term as the Company may request.
	  	  	  	  	  
	
11.

	Governing Law; Injunctive Relief:
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
11.1

	The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement shall be controlled by and construed under the laws of the State of New York, excluding choice of law rules thereof.
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
11.2

	You acknowledge and agree that, in the event you shall violate any of the restrictions of Paragraphs 8, 9 or 10 hereof, the Company will be without an adequate remedy at law and will therefore be entitled to enforce such restrictions by temporary or permanent injunctive or mandatory relief in any court of competent jurisdiction without the necessity of proving damages or posting a bond or other security, and without prejudice to any other remedies which it may have at law or in equity. Each of you and the Company acknowledges and agrees that, in addition to any other state having proper jurisdiction, any such relief may be sought in, and for such purpose each of you and the Company consents to the jurisdiction of, the courts of the State of New York.
	  	  	  	  	  
	
12.

	Assignment: This Agreement, as it relates to your employment, is a personal contract and your rights and interests hereunder may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated.
	  	  	  	  	  
	
13.

	Notices: Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be given or made pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been duly given or made for all purposes when hand delivered or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, overnight mail or courier, or facsimile, addressed, if to the Company, at the Company’s offices, Attn: CEO, and if to you, at the address of your personal residence as maintained in the Company’s records, or at such other address as any party shall designate by notice to the other party given in accordance with this Paragraph 13.
	  	  	  	  	  
	
14.

	Entire Agreement: This Agreement represents the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersedes all prior agreements between such parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (including, without limitation, the letter agreement between you and the Company dated April 29, 2008), and cannot be amended, supplemented or modified orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement or modification is sought.

 

  

  

  

 

	
15.

	Execution in Counterparts; Signatures; Severability: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile or electronic mail signatures hereon shall constitute original signatures. If any provisions of this Agreement as applied to any part or to any circumstance shall be adjudged by a court to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement, the application of such provision in any other circumstances or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.
	  	  	  	  	  
	
16.

	Representation by Counsel; Interpretation: Each party acknowledges that it has been represented by counsel or has had the opportunity to be represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule or law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived by such parties. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a reasonable manner to effect the intent of the parties hereto.

 

	
Signature:

	 	
/s/ Edward R. Rosenberg

	  	 	
Edward R. Rosenfeld, CEO

	  	 	  
	
Counter-signature:

	 	
/s/ Amelia Newton Varela

	  	 	
Amelia Newton Varela

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00183-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00183-of-00352.parquet"}]]