Document:

exv10w27

 

Exhibit 10.27

MAXXAM Inc.

Amended and Restated

Non-Employee Director Stock Plan

[Form of]

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

      THIS RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of ___________(the “Agreement”), is between MAXXAM INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ___________, a non-employee director of the
Company (the “Grantee”).

      In consideration of the mutual undertakings set forth in this Agreement, the Company and the
Grantee agree as follows:

      Section 1. Grant.

      1.1 The Company hereby grants as of the date of this Agreement pursuant to the MAXXAM Inc.
Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the “Plan”) stock options (the “Options”) to
the Grantee with respect to ___________shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $.50 par value (The Common
Stock”). Such Option shall have tandem stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) in connection with the
same number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The Options and tandem SARs shall be
collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Rights.”

      1.2 The appreciation base per share of Common Stock covered by the Rights is $___________,
which was the fair market value per share of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of this
Agreement.

      Section 2. Exercisability.

      2.1 No portion of the Rights shall become exercisable prior to the first anniversary of the
date of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in the Plan.

      2.2 In accordance with Section 8 of the Plan, the Rights shall become exercisable with
respect to 25 percent of the shares of Common Stock initially subject thereto on the first
anniversary of the date of this Agreement, and with respect to an additional 25 percent of such
shares on each of the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of this Agreement, so that
all of the Rights covered hereby shall become exercisable in full on such fourth anniversary.

      2.3 The Rights may be partially exercised from time to time within the percentage
limitations on exercisability set forth in Section 8 of the Plan.

      2.4 The Rights shall expire and cease to be exercisable 10 years after the date of this
Agreement, or on such earlier date as may be provided for herein or in accordance with the terms of
the Plan.

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      Section 3. Method of Exercise of Options.

      3.1 The Option may be exercised only by the delivery of written notice to the Secretary of
the Company, together with payment of the Option Price for each share of Common Stock to be
received, together with payment of any taxes required to be withheld by the Company. The notice
shall state that the Optionee has elected to exercise the Option and the number of whole shares of
Common Stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised. Method of delivery of notice and
payment and form of payment of the Option Price shall be in accordance with Section 9 of the Plan.
The exercise date shall be the date of receipt of such notice.

      3.2 As promptly as practicable after receipt of such written notice of exercise and payment
for the shares underlying the Option being exercised, the Company shall deliver to the Optionee
stock certificates for the number of shares with respect to which the Option has been so exercised,
issued in the Optionee’s name.

      Section 4. Method of Exercise of SARs.

      4.1 The SARs may be exercised only by the giving of written notice to the Company, which
notice shall state the election to exercise, the number of SARs being exercised and the effective
date of the exercise, which date may not be prior to the date of such notice.

      4.2 The Company shall pay to the Grantee the amount due upon exercise of any portion of the
SARs as soon as practicable following any such exercise.

      Section 5. Notices.

      Any notice to be given to the Company hereunder shall be in writing and shall be addressed to
the Secretary of the Company, 1330 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77056-3058, or at
such other address as the Company may hereafter designate to the Grantee by notice as provided
herein. Any notice to be given to the Grantee hereunder shall be addressed to the Grantee at the
address set forth beneath the Grantee’s signature hereto or at such other address as the Company
uses for Grantee’s Board communications, or at such other address as Grantee may hereafter
designate to the Company by notice as provided herein. Notices hereunder shall be deemed to have
been duly given when personally delivered or mailed by registered mail or certified mail to the
party entitled to receive the same.

      Section 6. Plan Incorporated.

      The rights and privileges of the Option granted hereby shall be subject to all the terms and
provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
Optionee is particularly directed to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan (relating to the
exercisability of the Option following termination as a director or death), Section 10
(transferability of options), and Section 15 of the Plan (generally relating to adjustments to the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Option upon certain changes in capitalization).
Any term defined in the Plan shall have the same meaning in this Agreement. In the event of any
conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall
control.

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      Section 7. Duplicate Originals

      This Agreement is being executed in duplicate originals so that each party may retain a signed
original. Both original documents constitute a singular agreement.

      Section 8. Successors and Assigns

      This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the
successors and assigns of the Company and, to the extent set forth in Plan Section 11 and in this
Agreement, the heirs and personal representatives of the Grantee.

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

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	MAXXAM INC.	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
	 
	 	Secretary	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	OPTIONEE	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	
	 
	 	[Name of Director]	 

3exv10w46

 

Exhibit 10.46

Superconductor Technologies Inc.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February
14, 2005, by and between Superconductor Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”), and Jeffrey A. Quiram, an individual (the “Executive”), with reference
to the following facts:

     A. The Company, headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, is the global leader in
developing, manufacturing, and marketing superconducting products for wireless networks.

     B. Executive is a senior global executive with broad general management and sales experience
in the telecommunications industry.

     C. The Company wishes to hire Executive for the position of President and Chief Executive
Officer, and Executive wishes to be hired for such position, on the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, based on the above premises and in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1. Employment with the Company.

          1.1 Position and Duties. Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company agrees to
employ Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive hereby accepts such
employment. Executive shall serve in an executive capacity and shall perform such duties as are
customarily associated with his position, consistent with the Restated Bylaws of the Company and as
reasonably required by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Company will
also appoint Executive to the Board and any executive committee thereof that may exist from time to
time. Executive will report solely and directly to the Board, and all other employees will report
solely and directly to the Executive or his designees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board
members will have unrestricted access to communicate on a confidential basis with any and all
employees as and when they deem necessary or appropriate in the discharge of their fiduciary
duties.

          1.2 Full Time and Best Efforts. Executive will perform his duties faithfully and to
the best of his ability and will devote his full business time and effort to the performance of his
duties hereunder. Executive will not engage in any other employment or business activities for any
direct or indirect remuneration that would be directly harmful or detrimental to, or that may
compete with, the business and affairs of the Company, or that would interfere with his duties
hereunder. Executive acknowledges that frequent travel may be necessary in carrying out his duties
hereunder

          1.3 Transition. Executive will commence services to the Company on February 17, 2005,
but the Company will continue to employ M. Peter Thomas as President and Chief Executive Officer
until the completion and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company will appoint Executive to
the position of President and Chief Executive Officer immediately after the filing of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K. Executive will use the

 

 

interim period to work with Mr. Thomas to prepare for and effect a smooth transition of Mr.
Thomas’ responsibilities to Executive.

          1.4 Company Policies. The employment relationship between the parties shall be
governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company, including but not limited
to those relating to protection of confidential information and assignment of inventions, except
that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general
employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control. Subject to the foregoing,
Executive will sign within ten (10) days the Company’s standard Employee Proprietary Information
Agreement.

     2. At-Will Employment. Executive’s employment with the Company is “at-will” and may
be terminated at any time without cause by either party upon thirty (30) days prior written notice;
provided, however, that the Company is not required to give notice of a termination for
Cause. Termination of the employment relationship is the right of each party and will not
constitute a breach of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed as
conferring upon Executive a right to continue as an employee or executive of the Company or any
subsidiary or affiliated entity. In the event of termination, Executive will voluntarily and
immediately resign from the Board and any similar position with any subsidiary or affiliate.

     3. Compensation.

          3.1 Base Salary. The Company will compensate Executive for services rendered
hereunder at the rate of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) per year payable in accordance
with the Company’s normal payroll practices and subject to payroll deductions as may be necessary
or customary for the Company’s salaried employees. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the
“Compensation Committee”) will review, and in its sole discretion may increase, the Base
Salary each year.

          3.2 Performance Bonus. The Company will pay Executive an annual performance bonus of
up to One Hundred Percent (100%) of his Base Salary based upon achievement of performance goals.
The Compensation Committee and Executive will work together in good faith on an annual basis to
develop mutually acceptable performance goals for the coming year.

          3.3 Equity Incentive Compensation.

               3.3.1 Option Grants. The Company will grant Executive the following equity-based
compensation awards under its 2003 Equity Incentive Plan:

                    3.3.1.1 A non-qualified stock option to purchase One Million Two Hundred Thousand
(1,200,000)
shares of common stock with a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of the
Company’s common stock on the date the Board approves this Agreement (the “Start Date Exercise
Price”); and

                    3.3.1.2 A non-qualified stock option to purchase an additional One Million Two Hundred
Thousand (1,200,000) shares of common stock (subject to increase in accordance with Section 3.3.3)
with a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the
date the stockholders approve an increase in the number of shares of stock authorized for grants
under the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Approval Date Exercise Price”).

               3.3.2 Other Terms. All of the options granted under this Section 3.3 will (a) have a
term of ten (10) years, (b) vest 25% on the first anniversary of Executive’s start date with the
Company and 75% in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter, (c) have such other terms as are
contained in the Company’s standard form of stock option agreement presently in

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use and not inconsistent with the terms of this either this Agreement or the stock option
agreement entered into by Executive and the Company and executed contemporaneously herewith (the
“Option Agreement”) and (d) be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Company’s
2003 Equity Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee is considering other performance-based
criteria for earlier accelerated vesting of employee stock options. The Compensation Committee
may, in its sole discretion, include such criteria for accelerated vesting in the foregoing stock
options.

               3.3.3 Stockholder Approval of Plan Increase. The Company will submit a request to its
stockholders at the upcoming 2005 annual meeting to increase the number of shares of stock
authorized for grants under the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan. If the stockholders decline to approve
the increase, the Company will grant options to Executive under the 2003 Equity Plan (priced with a
per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date
the stockholders decline to approve the increase) as and when additional options become available
under the plan as a result of the expiration and forfeiture of other stock options outstanding
under the plan until is has fulfilled its obligations to Executive under Section 3.3.1.2. The
Company will not grant any further stock options under the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan until it has
fulfilled its obligations to Executive under Section 3.3.1.2.

               3.3.4 Impact of Interim Stock Price Increase. If the Approval Date Exercise Price
exceeds the Grant Date Exercise Price, the Company will compensate Executive for the increase by
granting him another non-qualified stock option to purchase at the Approval Date Exercise Price
additional shares of common stock. The number of shares for such additional stock option will be
determined based on a linear scale of 0 shares to 250,000 shares as the difference in exercise
prices increases from $0 to $1.00. For example, if the Grant Date Exercise Price is $1.05 and the
Approval Date Exercise Price is exercise price $1.35, then the number of shares would equal ($1.35
- $1.05)/$1.00 X 250,000, or 75,000 shares. Under this formula, the maximum number is 250,000
shares regardless of any further increase in the exercise price between the two dates.

     4. Benefits.

          4.1 Commuting and Travel Expenses. The Company understands that Executive presently
resides in Minnesota and has not committed to relocate his family to Santa Barbara, California.
However, Executive has committed to perform services under this Agreement at the Company’s
headquarters in Santa Barbara and will effectively commute to work. Executive will devote
sufficient time working at the Company’s headquarters in Santa Barbara and meeting with customers
at their offices, in each case to the extent required to perform the duties of his office. The
Company will (a) pay for Executive’s reasonable travel expenses commuting to/from his home in
Minnesota (based on the Company’s travel policy guidelines) and (b) lease a suitable apartment for
Executive within ten (10) miles of its Santa Barbara headquarters.

          4.2 Automobile Lease. The Company will lease an automobile for Executive’s use in
Santa Barbara consistent with past practice for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

          4.3 General Programs. Executive shall be entitled to participate in the employee
benefit plans and programs of the Company, if any, to the extent that his position, tenure, salary,
age, health and other qualifications make him eligible to participate in such plans or programs,
subject to the rules and regulations applicable thereto. Subject to Section 10.7.4, the Company
reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at
any time.

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          4.4 Special Reimbursement for Taxes Resulting from Payment of Commuting Expenses.
Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment hereunder (the “Tax Indemnity
Payment”) in an amount equal to any increase in Executive’s income and payroll taxes
attributable to any commuting, automobile and living accommodation payments or expenses paid to or
on behalf of Executive, including an additional amount equal to any additional income and payroll
taxes which are attributable to or resulting from the Tax Indemnity Payment, such that Executive
retains an amount of the Tax Indemnity Payment equal to the increase in income and payroll taxes
attributable to the payment or reimbursement of the commuting, automobile and living accommodation
expenses to or on behalf of the Executive.

     5. Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable travel,
entertainment or other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of or in connection with
the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense
reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.

     6. Termination Before a Change of Control.

          6.1 Involuntary Termination. If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated
before a Change of Control due to an Involuntary Termination, then Executive shall be entitled to
receive the following:

               6.1.1 a lump sum severance payment equal to one (1.0) times Executive’s Base Salary as in
effect on the date of the Involuntary Termination,

               6.1.2 any Bonus for the twelve (12) month period following Executive’s termination which had
been previously authorized,

               6.1.3 twelve (12) months of coverage for Executive and his spouse/dependents under group
health, life or other similar insurance plans substantially comparable to the group health, life
and other similar insurance plans in which Executive and his spouse/dependents participated on the
date of such termination,

               6.1.4 accelerated vesting of all stock options which would have otherwise vested solely by the
passage of time during the twelve (12) months after the date of termination if the Involuntary
Termination had not occurred (i.e. excluding any vesting dependent on achieving performance
objectives); and

               6.1.5 six months from the date of termination to exercise any vested stock options, including
any stock options vesting by virtue of the accelerated vesting provisions of Section 6.1.4;
provided, however, that such options will automatically expire thirty (30) days following
the date that Executive becomes a director, employee or consultant of any Competing Company.

          6.2 Other Termination. If Executive’s employment is terminated before a Change of
Control for any reason other than an Involuntary Termination, then Executive shall not be entitled
to receive severance or other benefits pursuant to this Agreement, but may be eligible for those
benefits (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s severance and benefits plans and
policies existing at the time of such termination.

          6.3 Mitigation. Except as may be expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, the
Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by
this Section 6 (whether by seeking new employment or in any other manner). No such payment shall
be reduced by earnings that the Executive may receive from any other source.

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       7. Change of Control.

          7.1 In the event of a Change of Control, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following
in lieu of any payments or other benefits under Section 6 (Termination Before Change of Control)
and regardless of whether Executive’s employment is continued or terminated (except as expressly
provided below in Section 7.1.5):

               7.1.1 a lump sum payment equal to two (2.0) times the Executive’s Base Salary as in effect on
the date of the Change of Control,

               7.1.2 any Bonus for the twelve (12) month period following Executive’s termination which had
been previously authorized,

               7.1.3 twenty-four (24) months of coverage for Executive and his spouse/dependents under group
health, life or other similar insurance plans substantially comparable to the group health, life
and other similar insurance plans in which Executive and his spouse/dependents participated on the
date of such termination,

               7.1.4 accelerated vesting of fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s unvested stock options;

               7.1.5 accelerated vesting of the remaining fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s options if and
only if Executive does not resign during the six month period following the date of the Change of
Control; and

               7.1.6 five years from the date of the Change of Control to exercise any vested stock options,
including any stock options vesting by virtue of the accelerated vesting provisions of Section
7.1.4 and 7.1.5; provided, however, that such options will automatically expire thirty (30)
days following the date that Executive becomes a director, employee or consultant of any Competing
Company.

          Notwithstanding Section 2, Executive may not terminate his employment resign other than
pursuant to an Involuntary Termination under Section 10.7 during the six month period following a
Change of Control; provided that purposes of the foregoing, Involuntary Termination shall not
include Section 10.7.1.

          For purposes of this Section, a termination of Executive’ employment prior to a Change of
Control shall be deemed to have occurred after or in connection with such Change of Control if
Executive reasonably demonstrates that such termination constitutes an Involuntary Termination and
that the circumstance(s) or event(s) which constitute such Involuntary Termination occurred (a) at
the request of an individual, entity or group who has entered into an agreement with the Company,
the consummation of which will constitute a Change of Control (or who has taken other steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control) or (b) otherwise in connection with, as a
result of or in anticipation of a Change of Control.

          7.2 Modified Reduction. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the
contrary, in the event that any payments or benefits received or to be received by Executive in
connection with Executive’s employment with the Company (or termination thereof) would subject
Executive to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Excise Tax”), and if the net after-tax amount (taking into account all
applicable taxes payable by Executive, including without limitation any Excise Tax) that Executive
would receive with respect to such payments or benefits does not exceed the net after-tax amount
Executive would receive if the amount of such payments and benefits were reduced to the maximum
amount which could otherwise be payable to Executive without the imposition of the Excise Tax,
then, only the extent necessary to eliminate the imposition of

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the Excise Tax, such payments and benefits shall be reduced, in the order and as to the type
specified by Executive.

     8. Condition to Severances Payments. All severance payments and other benefits
provided under Sections 6 and 7 are conditioned on Executive’s continuing compliance with this
Agreement and the Company’s policies and Executive’s execution of a release of claims and covenant
not to sue substantially in the form provided in Exhibit A upon termination of
employment .

     9. Insurance and Indemnification. The Company will keep in effect during
Executive’s employment and for six (6) years thereafter director and officer’s liability insurance
comparable in amount and scope to its present policy covering current and former directors and
officers. The Company and Executive will also concurrently herewith execute an Indemnification
Agreement identical in form and substance to the Indemnification Agreement currently in effect for
the Company’s other directors and Executive Officers.

     10. Definitions.

          10.1 Base Salary. “Base Salary” means Executive’s annualized base salary under
Section 3.1 and as may be subsequently adjusted upward for increases.

          10.2 Cause. “Cause” means the occurrence of anyone or more of the following:

               10.2.1 Executive’s conviction by, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in, a court
of final jurisdiction for any crime which constitutes a felony in the jurisdiction involved;

               10.2.2 Executive’s misappropriation of funds or commission of an act of fraud, whether prior
or subsequent to the date hereof, upon the Company;

               10.2.3 gross negligence by Executive in the scope of Executive’s services to the Company
resulting in economic damage to the Company; or

               10.2.4 a failure of Executive to follow the lawful mandates of the Board.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
without (a) reasonable notice to Executive setting forth the reasons for Company’s intention to
terminate for Cause and (b) an opportunity for Executive to be heard (with counsel) before the
Board.

          10.3 Change of Control. “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following events on or after the effective date of this Agreement:

               10.3.1 When any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s
then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, other
than the following persons:

                    10.3.1.1 the Company,

                    10.3.1.2 a subsidiary of the Company,

                    10.3.1.3 a Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting as
trustee, or

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                    10.3.1.4 any person who, as of the effective date of this Agreement, has publicly
disclosed in
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission the beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the
combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors;

               10.3.2 The stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with
any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the
Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the
stockholders of the Company approve an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all
or substantially all the Company’s assets;

               10.3.3 A change in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company, as a result of
which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent
Directors” shall mean directors who either (a) are directors of the Company as of the effective
date of this Agreement, or (b) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors of
the Company with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the
time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or
nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of
directors to the Company);

               10.3.4 The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets; or

               10.3.5 The stockholders of the Company approve the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

          10.4 Competing Company. “Competing Company” means any company engaged in the
development, manufacture or sale of cryogenic receiver front-end devices for communications
systems.

          10.5 Disability. “Disability” means, on or after the effective date of this
Agreement, the Executive is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

          10.6 “Executive Officer” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 3b-7 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          10.7 Involuntary Termination. “Involuntary Termination” means the occurrence of
anyone or more of the following:

               10.7.1 without Executive’s express written consent, a material reduction of Executive’s duties
or responsibilities relative to Executive’s duties or responsibilities in effect immediately prior
to such reduction, or the removal of Executive from such duties and responsibilities, unless
Executive is provided with comparable duties and responsibilities over the same business unit, or a
change in the Executive’s reporting obligations or the employees reporting to Executive;

               10.7.2 without Executive’s express written consent, a material reduction of the facilities and
perquisites (including office space and location) available to Executive immediately prior to such
reduction;

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               10.7.3 without Executive’s express written consent, a reduction by the Company of Executive’s
Base Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction, unless it occurs in connection with a
restructuring or other cost-cutting measure as evidenced by a comparable reduction in the base
salary of all Executive Officers, or a failure to make any travel or living accommodation payments
required hereunder after notice of default and a reasonable opportunity to cure such default;

               10.7.4 a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which
the Executive is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the Executive’s
overall benefits package is significantly reduced;

               10.7.5 any purported termination of the Executive by the Company which is not effected for
Cause or for which the grounds relied upon are not valid;

               10.7.6 the death or Disability of the Executive, or

               10.7.7 the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successors
contemplated in Section 12.

     11. Advice of Counsel. Executive acknowledges that he has been represented by counsel
in the negotiation of this Agreement and is fully aware of his rights and obligations under this
Agreement.

     12. Successors.

          12.1 Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect
and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets shall assume the obligations under this
Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence
of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company,” shall include
any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption
agreement described in this Section 12.1 or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by
operation of law.

          12.2 Executive’s Successors. Without the written consent of the Company, Executive
shall not assign or transfer this Agreement or any right or obligation under this Agreement to any
other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Agreement and all rights
of Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal
or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees.

     13. Notice Clause.

          13.1 Manner. Any notice hereby required or permitted to be given shall be
sufficiently given if in writing and upon mailing by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
to either party at the address of such party or such other address as shall have been designated by
written notice by such party to the other party .

          13.2 Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be
given under this Agreement will be deemed given on the day when delivered in person, or the
business day after the day on which such notice was mailed in accordance with Section 13.1.

     14. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the state of California.

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     15. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in Los Angeles in accordance with
the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Discovery shall be
permitted to the same extent as in a proceeding under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
including (without limitation) such discovery as is specifically authorized by section 1283.05 of
the California Code of Civil Procedure, without need of prior leave of the arbitrator under section
1283.05(e) of such Code. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company shall bear the expense of the arbitrator.

     16. Attorneys’ Fees for Executive. The Company will reimburse Executive for up to
$5,000 of legal fees and costs incurred by Executive in connection with the negotiation of this
Agreement. Further, if any litigation or arbitration is commenced (including any proceedings in a
bankruptcy court) between the parties concerning any provision of this Agreement and Executive is
the prevailing party in such proceeding, the Executive shall be entitled, in addition to such other
relief as may be granted, to recover his attorneys’ reasonable fees and costs incurred by reason of
such litigation or arbitration. The prevailing party shall be determined by the court or
arbitrator based upon an assessment of which party’s major arguments or positions taken in the
proceedings could fairly be said to have prevailed over the other party’s major arguments or
positions on major disputed issues.

     17. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement, or any terms hereof, shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision or term of this Agreement.

     18. Confidentiality and Trading Restrictions. The parties agree the existence and
negotiation of this Agreement, and any non-public information exchanged in connection therewith,
are confidential (collectively, “Confidential Information”). They will not disclose any
Confidential Information except as provided herein. Either party may disclose Confidential
Information to its employees and advisors who are required to have the information for the purpose
of providing assistance in the negotiations. The Company may disclose the existence of the
negotiations and this Agreement at such time as it determines public disclosure is required under
the applicable securities laws. The parties will not use any Confidential Information except for
the decision whether to enter into an employment relationship and negotiating the terms of

employment. Executive will refrain from trading in the Company’s securities until 72 hours after
public disclosure by Company of this Agreement. Thereafter, Executive may trade in the Company’s
securities only in compliance with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy.

     19. Integration. This Agreement and any other agreement referred to herein or
executed contemporaneously herewith represent the entire agreement and understanding between the
parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements
whether written or oral. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of the
parties hereto.

     20. Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to
withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.

     21. Counterparts and Facsimile. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by
facsimile.

*** [NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE] ***

9

 

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

	 	 	 
	“Executive”

	 	“Company”
	 
	 	 
	

	 	SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	Jeffrey A. Quiram

	 	John D. Lockton, Chairman of the Board

S-1

 

EXHIBIT A

Form of Release of Claims and Covenant Not To Sue

     In consideration of the payments and other benefits that Superconductor Technologies Inc. (the
“Company”) is providing to ______(“Executive”) under the Employment
Agreement entered into by and between Executive and the Company, dated February ___, 2005, the
Executive, on his/her own behalf and on behalf of Executive’s representatives, agents, heirs and
assigns, waives, releases, discharges and promises never to assert any and all claims, demands,
actions, costs, rights, liabilities, damages or obligations of every kind and nature, whether known
or unknown, suspected or unsuspected that Executive ever had, now have or might have as of the date
of Executive’s termination of employment with the Company against the Company or its predecessors,
parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, stockholders, owners, directors, officers, employees, agents,
attorneys, insurers, successors, or assigns (including all such persons or entities that have a
current and/or former relationship with the Company) (the “Released Parties”) for any
claims arising from or related to Executive’s employment with the Company, its parent or any of its
affiliates and subsidiaries and the termination of that employment.

     These released claims also specifically include, but are not limited to, any claims arising
under any federal, state and local statutory or common law, such as (as amended and as applicable)
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With
Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the
Equal Pay Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Industrial Welfare Commission’s Orders, the
California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Constitution, the California Government
Code, the California Labor Code and any other federal, state or local constitution, law, regulation
or ordinance governing the terms and conditions of employment or the termination of employment, and
the law of contract and tort and any claim for attorneys’ fees; provided, however, that Executive
does not release or discharge the Released Parties from (i) any of the Company’s obligations to him
under the Employment Agreement, and (ii) any vested benefits to which he may be entitled under any
employee benefit plan or program subject to ERISA.

     Furthermore, the Executive acknowledges that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary
and that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to
which Executive was already entitled. Executive acknowledges that there may exist facts or claims
in addition to or different from those which are now known or believed by Executive to exist.
Nonetheless, this Agreement extends to all claims of every nature and kind whatsoever, whether
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, past or present. Executive also expressly waives the
provisions of California Civil Code section 1542, which provides: “A general release does not
extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of
executing the release, which if known by him/her must have materially affected his settlement with
the debtor.” With respect to the claims released in the preceding sentences, the Executive will
not initiate or maintain any legal or administrative action or proceeding of any kind against the
Company or its predecessors, parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, stockholders, owners, directors,
officers, employees, agents, successors, or assigns (including all such persons or entities that
have a current or former relationship with the Company), for the purpose of obtaining any personal
relief, nor assist or participate in any such proceedings, including any proceedings brought by any
third parties (except as otherwise required or permitted by law). The Executive further
acknowledges that he/she has been advised by this writing that:

A-1

 

	 	•  	he/she should consult with an attorney
prior to executing this release;
	 
	 	•  	he/she has at least twenty-one (21) days within
which to consider this release;
	 
	 	•  	he/she has up to seven (7) days following the
execution of this release by the parties to revoke
the release; and
	 
	 	•  	this release shall not be effective until such
seven (7) day revocation period has expired.

     Executive agrees that the release set forth above shall be and remain in effect in all
respects as a complete general release as to the matters released.

	 	 	 
	EXECUTIVE
	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Date:	 	 
	

	 	 	 	 

A-2

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