Document:

exv10w1

 

Exhibit 10.1

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

     This EXCHANGE AGREEMENT, dated as of December ___, 2005, by and among the undersigned holders
(collectively, the “Holders”) and HORIZON OFFSHORE, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”).

W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Purchase Agreements, dated as of April 30, 2005,
by and among the Company, the guarantors set forth therein, the Holders, and the other holders set
forth therein (the "Note Agreement”), the Holders hold $___in aggregate principal
amount of the Company’s 8% Subordinated Secured Notes due March 31, 2010 ("8% Notes");

     WHEREAS, the Holders and the Company desire that each of the Holders exchange the principal
amount of their 8% Notes in the amount set forth beneath their names on the signature pages to this
Agreement (the “Exchange Amount”) for shares of the Company’s common stock, par value
$0.00001 per share ("Common Stock"), based up an exchange ratio of one share of Common
Stock for each $0.38 of principal amount of 8% Notes exchanged and set forth below their name on
the signature pages to this Agreement (the “Shares”); and

     WHEREAS, the Holders and the Company desire that the Company and the Holders enter into an
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, in the Form of Exhibit A hereto (the
"Registration Rights Agreement") with respect to the shares of Common Stock issued to the
Holders pursuant to this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the covenants contained herein
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Exchange of 8% Notes for Common Stock

     Section 1.1 (a) Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, each of the Holders
hereby agree to exchange the Exchange Amount for the Shares and, at the Closing (as defined below),
the Holders will deliver to the Company, promissory notes evidencing the Exchange Amount.

                          (b) Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to issue
the Shares in exchange for the Exchange Amount and, at the Closing, will deliver to the Holders,
certificates evidencing ownership of the Shares.

                          (c) The closing of the exchange of the Exchange Amount for the Shares (the “Closing") shall
take place at the offices of the Company or at such other place as is mutually agreeable, at 10:00
a.m., local time on: (x) the date on which the last to be fulfilled or waived of the conditions
set forth in Article V hereof and applicable to the Closing shall be fulfilled or waived in
accordance herewith, or (y) such other time and place and/or on such other date as the Holders and
the Company may agree. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “Closing
Date".

 

 

ARTICLE II

Defined Terms

     Section 2.1 Defined Terms. The following terms (whether or not underscored) when used
in this Agreement, shall, except where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:

     “Approval” means each and every approval, consent, filing and registration by or with
any Person, including, without limitation, Governmental Authorities, necessary to authorize or
permit the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the issuance of the Shares, for
the validity or enforceability hereof or thereof, or for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

     “Contractual Obligation” means, relative to any Person, any provision of any security
issued by such Person or of any Instrument or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by
which it or any of its property is bound.

     “Environment” means soil, surface waters, ground waters, land, streams, sediments,
surface or subsurface strata and ambient air.

     “Environmental Laws” means all federal, state and local laws or regulations, codes,
common law, consent agreements, orders, decrees, judgments or injunctions issued, promulgated,
approved or entered thereunder relating to pollution or protection of the Environment, natural
resource or occupational health and safety.

     “Environmental Liabilities and Costs” means all liabilities, obligations,
responsibilities, remedial actions, losses, damages, punitive damages, consequential damages,
treble damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of
counsel, expert and consulting fees and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines,
penalties, settlement costs, sanctions and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand,
by any Person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability,
criminal or civil statute, any Environmental Law, permit, order, variance or agreement with a
Governmental Authority or other Person, arising from or related to the administration of any
Environmental Law or arising from environmental, health or safety conditions or a release or
threatened release resulting from the past, present or future operations of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or affecting any of their properties, or any release or threatened release for
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise responsible under any Environmental Law.

     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in
the United States.

     “Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state or other political
subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

     “Instrument” means any contract, agreement, letter of credit, indenture, mortgage,
deed, certificate of title, document or writing (whether by formal agreement, letter or otherwise)
under

2

 

which any obligation is evidenced, assumed or undertaken, any Lien (or right or interest
therein) is granted or perfected, or any property (or right or interest therein) is conveyed.

     “Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge, deposit
arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), adverse claim or preference, priority or other
security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease involving substantially
the same economic effect as any of the foregoing and the filing of any financing statement under
the UCC or comparable law of any jurisdiction).

     “Material Adverse Change” means a material adverse change in (a) the condition
(financial or otherwise), operations, performance, business, properties or prospects of the Company
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (b) the rights and remedies of the Holders under this
Agreement; or (c) the legality, validity or enforceability of the Transaction Documents.

     “Organic Document” means, relative to any Person, its articles or certificate of
incorporation or certificate of limited partnership or organization, its bylaws, partnership or
operating agreement or other organizational documents, and all stockholders agreements, voting
trusts and similar arrangements applicable to any of its stock or partnership interests or other
ownership interests.

     “Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, firm, association, government, governmental agency or any other entity, whether acting in
an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

     “Requirements of Law” means, as to any Person, the Organic Documents of such Person,
and all federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees or other determinations
of an arbitrator, court or other Governmental Authority, including, without limitation, all
disclosure and other requirements of ERISA, the requirements of Environmental Laws and any permits
under Environmental Laws, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in
each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person
or any of its property is subject.

     “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

     “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation of which the
outstanding Stock having a least a majority of the votes entitled (without regard to the occurrence
of any contingency) to be cast in the election of directors under ordinary circumstances shall at
the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person; or (2) any other Person of which at
least a majority of the voting interest under ordinary circumstances is at the time, directly or
indirectly, owned by such Person. Except as otherwise indicated herein, references to Subsidiaries
shall refer to Subsidiaries of the Company.

     “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction, as in effect
from time to time.

3

 

ARTICLE III

Representations of the Company

The Company represents and warrants to each Holder, as of the date hereof, as follows:

     
Section 3.1
Organization and Warranties of the Company. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (i) is validly organized and existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (ii) is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the
failure to so qualify could result in a Material Adverse Change, and (iii) has full
power and authority, and holds all governmental licenses, permits, registrations
and other approvals required under all Requirements of Law, to own and hold under
lease its property and to conduct its business as conducted prior to the date
hereof and as contemplated to be conducted subsequent to the date hereof, except
where the failure to hold any such licenses, permits, registrations and other
approvals could not result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company has full
power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement
and the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Transaction Documents").

     
Section 3.2 Due Authorization. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction
Documents and the incurrence and performance by the Company of its respective
obligations under the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action, do not require any Approval (except those Approvals
already obtained), do not and will not conflict with, result in any violation of,
or constitute any default under, any provision of any Organic Document or
Contractual Obligation of the Company or any law or governmental regulation or
court decree or order, and will not result in or require the creation or imposition
of any Lien on the Company’s properties pursuant to the provisions of any
Contractual Obligation of the Company.

     
Section 3.3 Validity, etc. The Transaction Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms subject, as to
enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or
similar laws affecting rights of creditors generally and to the effect of general
principles of equity.

     
Section 3.4 Issuance of Common Stock. The Shares have been duly authorized and will be, upon
issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, duly and validly
authorized, fully paid and non-assesssable, free and clear of any Liens (other than
restrictions upon resale imposed by U.S. and state securities laws).

ARTICLE IV

Representations of the Holders

Each Holder represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof, as follows:

     Section 4.1 (a) It owns its 8% Note, legally and beneficially, free of any
Liens (other than restrictions on resale imposed by U.S. or
state securities law).

(b) It (i) is knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in making, and is qualified to make,
decisions with respect to investments in securities representing an investment decision like that
involved in the acquisition of the Shares, and has requested, received, reviewed and considered all
information it deems relevant in making an informed decision to acquire the Shares; (ii) is
acquiring the

4

 

Shares in the ordinary course of its business and for its own account for with no intention of
distributing the Shares or any portion thereof or any arrangement or understanding with any other
persons regarding the distribution of the Shares, in violation of applicable securities laws; (iii)
will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of (or solicit
any offers to buy, purchase or otherwise acquire or take a pledge of) the Shares except in
compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws; (iv) or its
representatives, if any, have been furnished with, or have had access to, all materials relating to
the business, finances and operations of the Company (including all reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission) and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Shares
which have been requested by such Holder; such Holder, or its representatives, if any, have been
afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company; provided, however, neither such inquiries
nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Holder, or its representatives, if
any, shall modify, amend or affect such Holder’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and
warranties contained in Article III above; and (v) understands that its investment in the Shares
involves a significant degree of risk, including a risk of total loss of its investment, and it is
fully aware of and understands all the risks related to its acquisition of the Shares.

          (c) It understands that the Shares are being offered in transactions not involving any public
offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Shares have not been and will not be
registered under the Securities Act.

          (d) It is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.

          (e) It acknowledges that the Company will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing
acknowledgements, representations and agreements and it agrees that if any of the acknowledgements,
representations or agreements such Holder is deemed to have made in connection with its acquisition
of the Shares is no longer accurate, it shall promptly notify the Company.

ARTICLE V

Conditions to Closings

     Section 5.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Company to issue the Shares in
exchange for the Exchange Amount. The obligation hereunder of the Company to issue the Shares
to the Holders at the Closing (unless otherwise specified) is subject to the satisfaction, at or
before the Closing, of each of the applicable conditions set forth below. These conditions are for
the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion.

          (a) Accuracy of the Holders’ Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of each Holder will be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing
Date as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties as of an earlier date,
which will be true and correct as of such date).

          (b) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive, judicial or administrative order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated

5

 

or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits
the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (c) Registration Rights Agreement. The Holders shall have executed and delivered the
Registration Rights Agreement.

     Section 5.2 Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Holders to Exchange the Exchange
Amount for Shares. The obligation hereunder of each Holder to exchange the Exchange Amount for
Shares at the Closing (unless otherwise specified) is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the
Closing, of each of the applicable conditions set forth below. These conditions are for each
Holder’s benefit and may be waived by each Holder at any time in its sole discretion.

                          (a) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of the Company shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing
Date as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties as of an earlier date,
which shall be true and correct as of such date).

                          (b) Performance by the Company. The Company shall have performed all agreements and satisfied
all conditions required to be performed or satisfied by the Company at or prior to the Closing.

                          (c) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive, judicial or administrative order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court
or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                          (d) Registration Rights Agreement. The Company shall have executed and delivered the
Registration Rights Agreement. 

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 6.1 Waivers, Amendments, etc.

                          (a) The provisions of this Agreement may from time to time be amended, modified or waived, if
such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and, (x) in the case of an amendment or
modification, is consented to by the Company and the Holders and (y) in the case of a waiver of any
obligation of the Company or compliance with any prohibition contained in this Agreement, is
consented to by the Holders.

     Section 6.2 Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing or by telecopy
(confirmed in writing) and shall be sufficiently given to the Holders, or the Company if addressed
or delivered to them at the following addresses:

	 	 	 
	     If to the Holders:

	 	To the address set forth beneath their name on the signature pages to this Agreement
	 
	 	 
	     If to the Company:

	 	Horizon Offshore, Inc.
	 

	 	2500 CityWest Boulevard, Suite 2200
	 

	 	Houston, Texas 77042
	 

	 	Attention: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	 

	 	Telecopier No.: (713) 361-2677

6

 

or at such other address as any party may designate to any other party by written notice. All such
notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand,
if personally delivered; when received, if deposited in the mail postage prepaid; when transmission
is verified, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery.

     Section 6.3 Indemnification. In consideration of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Holder, the Company hereby indemnifies, exonerates and holds the Holder, each of
its successors and assigns, each of its officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents of
each Holder and each of their respective successors and assigns (each, a “Holder Party” and
collectively, the “Holder Parties”) free and harmless from and against any and all actions, causes
of action, suits, losses, costs, liabilities (including, but not limited to, under the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act, or any other federal or state statutory law or regulation, and Environmental
Liabilities and Costs), damages and expenses (irrespective of whether such Holder Party is a party
to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), including reasonable attorneys’ fees
and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by the Holder Parties or any of them or
asserted or awarded against the Holder Parties or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or
relating to:

                          (a) any transaction financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds
from the original issuances of the 8% Notes;

                          (b) the use of any of the proceeds from the original issuances of the 8% Notes by the Company
for any other purpose;

                          (c) the making of any claim by any investment banking firm, broker or third party that it is
entitled to compensation from any Holder in connection with this Agreement (other than investment
banking firms and brokers retained by any Holder);

                          (d) the entering into and performance of this Agreement by any of the Holder Parties (other
than the breach by such Holder Party of this Agreement);

                          (e) any investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement;

                          (f) the existence of any contaminant, in, under, on or otherwise affecting any property owned,
used, operated, or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary in the past, present, or future or any
surrounding areas affected by such property, regardless of whether the existence of the contaminant
is related to the past, present or future operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, or their
predecessors in interest or any other Person; any Environmental Liabilities and Costs related to
any property owned, used, operated, or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary in the past, present
or future; any Environmental Liabilities and Costs related to the past, present or future
operations of the Company or any Subsidiary; any alleged violations of any Environmental Law
related to any property owned, used, operated, or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary in the
past, present or future; any alleged violations of any Environmental Law related to the past,
present or future operations of the

7

 

Company or any Subsidiary; the performance of any remedial action that is related to any
property owned, used, operated or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary in the past, present or
future; the performance of any remedial action that is related to the past, present or future
operations of the Company or any Subsidiary; and the imposition of any Lien on any property
affected by this Agreement arising from any Environmental Liabilities or Costs; or

                          (g) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,
whether or not any Holder (or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents) is
a party thereto;

except for any such Indemnified Liabilities arising for the account of a particular
Holder Party by reason of the relevant Holder Party’s bad faith, gross negligence, willful
misconduct or breach of this Agreement as determined by a final and nonappealable decision of a
court of competent jurisdiction. If and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be
unenforceable for any reason, the Company hereby agrees, to make the maximum contribution to the
payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under
applicable law. The foregoing indemnity shall remain operative and in full force and effect
notwithstanding the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, the invalidity or
unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement, or any investigation made by or on
behalf of any Holder. Promptly after receipt by any Holder Party of notice of commencement of any
claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding such Holder Party will, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against the Company under this Section 6.3, deliver to the Company
written notice of such commencement thereof, provided that the failure to give such notice shall
not relieve the Company of their obligations under this Section 6.3 except to the extent
the Company is actually prejudiced by such failure. The Company shall have the right to
participate in the defense thereof (including participation in discussions regarding such defense)
at their own expense, but only to the extent such participation would not, in the opinion of
counsel to the Holder Party, result in a waiver of the attorney-client privilege of such Holder
Party. If an indemnification claim in respect of any claim, investigation, litigation or
proceeding is to be made against any Company under this Section 6.3 by any Holder Party,
such Holder Party shall not settle or compromise any such claim, investigation, litigation or
proceeding without the prior consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) so long as the Company has provided evidence reasonably satisfactory to such
Holder Party that the Company has the financial ability to satisfy the maximum amount for which
such Holder Party may be found liable in connection with such claim, investigation, litigation or
proceeding.

     Section 6.4 Severability. Any provision of the Transaction Documents
which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent
of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating
the remaining provisions of the Transaction Documents or
affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in
any other jurisdiction.

     Section 6.5 Headings. The various Headings of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement or any provisions hereof.

     Section 6.6 Counterparts, Effectiveness, etc. This Agreement may be
executed by the parties hereto in several counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
shall constitute together but one and the same agreement.

8

 

     Section 6.7
Governing Law; Entire Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. This Transaction
Documents constitute the entire understanding among the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede any prior agreements, written or oral, with respect
thereto.

                          (a) The Company hereby agrees that any legal action or proceeding against it with respect to
this Transaction Documents may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or of the United
States of America for the Southern District of New York as any Holder may elect, and, by execution
and delivery hereof, it accepts and consents for itself and in respect of its property, generally
and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that such jurisdiction
shall be exclusive, unless waived by the Holders in writing, with respect to any action or
proceeding brought by it against such Holders. The Company hereby irrevocably consents to the
service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the
mailing of the copies thereof by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to it
at its address set forth herein, such service to become effective upon the earlier of (i) the date
10 calendar days after such mailing and (ii) any earlier date permitted by applicable law. The
Company hereby agrees that Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law of the State
of New York shall apply to this Agreement and waives any right to stay or to dismiss any action or
proceeding brought before said courts on the basis of forum non conveniens. Nothing herein shall
affect the right of any Holder to bring proceedings against the Company in the courts of any other
jurisdiction or to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

                          (b) The Company, hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers CT Corporation System,
whose present address is 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as its authorized agent to
receive, for and on its behalf and its property, service of process in the State of New York when
and as such legal actions or proceedings may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or
of the United States of America sitting in New York, and such service of process shall be deemed
complete upon the date of delivery thereof to such agent whether or not such agent gives notice
thereof to such Company, or upon the earliest of any other date permitted by applicable law. It is
understood that a copy of said process served on such agent will as soon as practicable be
forwarded to the Company at its address set forth in Section 6.2, but its failure to
receive such copy shall not affect in any way the service of said process on said agent as such
agent of the Company. The Company agrees that it will at all times continuously maintain an agent
to receive service of process in the State of New York on behalf of itself and its properties and
in the event that, for any reason, the agent named above or its successor shall no longer serve as
its agent to receive service of process in the State of New York on its behalf, it shall promptly
appoint a successor so to serve and shall advise the Holders thereof (and shall furnish to the
Holders the consent of any successor agent so to act).

     Section 6.8 Successors and Assigns. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns; provided,
however, that the Company may not
assign or transfer its rights or
obligations hereunder without the
prior written consent of all Holders.

     Section 6.9 Other Transactions. Nothing
contained herein shall preclude any
Holder from engaging in any
transaction, in addition to those
contemplated by this Transaction with
the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates that is
not otherwise expressly prohibited
under this Agreement.

9

 

     Section 6.10 Confidentiality. The Holders shall
hold all non-public, proprietary or
confidential information obtained
pursuant to the requirements of this
Agreement in accordance with their
customary procedures for handling
confidential information of this
nature and in accordance with safe
and sound banking practices; however,
the Holders may make disclosure of
any such information to its
examiners, Affiliates, outside
auditors, counsel, consultants,
appraisers and other professional
advisors in connection with this
Agreement or as required by or any
proposed transferee in connection
with the contemplated transfer of any
Convertible Notes or as required or
requested by any Governmental
Authority or representative thereof
or in connection with the enforcement
hereof or related document or
pursuant to legal process. In no
event shall any Holder be obligated
or required to return any materials
furnished to it by or on behalf of
the Company.

     Section 6.11 Waiver of Jury Trial, etc. EACH OF
THE HOLDERS AND THE COMPANY HEREBY
KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND
INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY
MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN
RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED
HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR
IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT
AND THE NOTES, OR ANY COURSE OF
CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING,
STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR
WRITTEN), OR ACTIONS OF SUCH HOLDERS
OR COMPANY. THIS PROVISION IS A
MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR SUCH HOLDERS
ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

     Section 6.12 Limitation of Liability. None of the
Holders, the Company nor any
Affiliates thereof shall have any
liability with respect to, and each
of the Holders and the Company hereby
waive, release and agree not to sue
upon, any claim for any special,
indirect, punitive, exemplary or
consequential damages suffered by
such Person in connection with,
arising out of, or in any way related
to this Agreement, the transactions
contemplated herein, or any act,
omission or event occurring in
connection therewith.

*      *      *      *      *

[Signature Page Follows]

10

 

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

	 	 	 
	COMPANY:

	 	HOLDERS:
	 
	 	 
	HORIZON OFFSHORE, INC.

	 	[insert signature blocks for Holders]
	 
	 	 
	By:
	 	 
	 
	 	 
	     Name:
	 	 
	     Title:

	 	Insert Address:
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	$________Insert principal amount of 8% Notes to be exchanged
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	_________Insert number of shares of Common Stock to be received in
exchange for the 8% Notes (one share of Common Stock for each $.38 of
principal amount of 8% Notes exchanged)exv10w1

 

EXHIBIT 10.1

FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC.

FORM OF

PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT

(2006-2008 Awards)

PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) made effective as of December 29, 2005 by and
between Famous Dave’s of America, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, having a place of business at
12701 Whitewater Drive, Suite 200, Minnetonka, MN 55343 (the “Company”), and ___________________________
(“Employee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. [1995 Stock Option and
Compensation Plan][1997 Employee Stock Option Plan][2005 Stock Incentive Plan] (the “Plan”) to
increase shareholder value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of
economic incentives designed to attract, retain and motivate employees; and

WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”)
believes that entering into this Agreement with Employee is consistent with the stated purposes for
which the Plan was adopted.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

	1.	 	Grant of Stock.

Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the Company hereby
grants to Employee an award to be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value
per share (the “Performance Shares”), on the Vesting Date identified in Exhibit A attached
hereto. The number of Performance Shares granted pursuant to this award is set forth in Exhibit
A and issuance by the Company of such Performance Shares (i) is contingent upon the Company
achieving the performance objectives set forth in Exhibit A; and (ii) is subject to the other
terms and conditions and contingencies set forth in such Exhibit and in the Plan.

	2.	 	Rights of Employee.

Employee shall not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Performance
Shares except to the extent that such Performance Shares are issued to Employee in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.

	3.	 	The Plan.

The Performance Share award is granted pursuant to the Plan (including without limitation
Section [9 — for the 1995 Stock Option and Compensation Plan and the 1997 Employee Stock Option
Plan][6 — for the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan ]thereof) and is governed by the terms thereof,
which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency
between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall
govern and control.

	4.	 	Administration.

This Agreement shall at all times be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. The
Committee shall have the sole and complete discretion with respect to all matters reserved to it
by the Plan and decisions of the Committee with respect thereto and to this Agreement shall be
final and binding upon Employee. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions
of this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern and control.

 

 

	5.	 	Continuation of Employment or Right to Corporate Assets.

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to grant Employee any right to continue in
the employ of the Company for any period of time or to any right to continue his or her present
or any other rate of compensation, nor shall this Agreement be construed as giving Employee,
Employee’s beneficiaries or any other person any equity or interests of any kind in the assets
of the Company or creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between
the Company and any such person.

	6.	 	Further Assurances.

Each party hereto agrees to execute such further papers, agreements, assignments or
documents of title as may be necessary or desirable to affect the purposes of this Agreement and
carry out its provisions.

	7.	 	Governing Law.

This Agreement, in its interpretation and effect, shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Minnesota applicable to contracts executed and to be performed therein.

	8.	 	Entire Agreement; Amendments.

This Agreement and the Plan embody the entire agreement made between the parties hereto with
respect to the matters covered herein and shall not be modified except by a writing signed by
the party to be charged.

	9.	 	Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first
written above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	FAMOUS DAVE’S OF AMERICA, INC.

 	 
	 	 	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Title:  	 	 
	 
	 	 
	 	 , Employee	 

2

 

	 	 	 	 	 

Exhibit A

to

Performance Share Agreement

Additional Terms and Conditions of Performance Shares

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Total No. of Shares
	 	 	Target Shares*	 	Underlying Grant**
	Number of Performance Shares subject to the Agreement:
	 	 	 	 

 

			
	*	 	Assumes the Company achieves 100% of the Cumulative EPS Goal (as defined below).
	 
	**	 	Assumes the Company achieves 150% of the Cumulative EPS Goal (as defined below).

	•	 	Grants of Performance Shares are contingent upon:

	 	(i)	 	Employee remaining an employee of the Company during all periods prior to the
“Vesting Date” (as defined below); and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	the Company achieving at least the applicable percentage of the cumulative
total of the earnings per share goals (as discussed below) for each of fiscal 2006,
fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 (the “Cumulative EPS Goal”).
	 
	 		 	Employee shall be entitled to receive the percentage of the “Target Shares” amount
set forth above based on the percentage of the Cumulative EPS Goal achieved by the
Company, as set forth on the following schedule:

	 	 	 
	Percentage of	 	Percent of Performance Shares
	Cumulative EPS Goal	 	to which Participant is Entitled
	If the Company fails to
achieve at least 80% of the
Cumulative EPS Goal, then:

	 	Employee shall not be entitled to receive
Performance Shares pursuant to this
Agreement.
	 
	 	 
	If the Company achieves
80-100% of the Cumulative EPS
Goal, then:

	 	Employee shall be entitled to receive a
percentage of the “Target Shares” amount
equal to the percentage of the Cumulative
EPS Goal achieved (e.g., if the Company
achieves 90% of the Cumulative EPS Goal,
then Employee is entitled to receive 90%
of his or her “Target Shares” amount).
	 
	 	 
	If the Company achieves
100-150% of the Cumulative EPS
Goal, then:

	 	Employee shall be entitled to receive 100%
of his or her “Target Shares” amount, plus
an additional percentage of such “Target
Shares” amount equal to twice the
incremental percentage increase in the
Cumulative EPS Goal achieved over 100%
(e.g., if the Company achieves 120% of the
Cumulative EPS Goal, then Employee is
entitled to receive 140% of his or her
“Target Share” amount).

3

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	EPS Performance	 	LTI Payout	 
	80.0%
	 	 	80.0	%
	85.0%
	 	 	85.0	%
	90.0%
	 	 	90.0	%
	95.0%
	 	 	95.0	%
	100.0%
	 	 	100.0	%
	102.5%
	 	 	105.0	%
	105.0%
	 	 	110.0	%
	107.5%
	 	 	115.0	%
	110.0%
	 	 	120.0	%
	112.5%
	 	 	125.0	%
	115.0%
	 	 	130.0	%
	117.5%
	 	 	135.0	%
	120.0%
	 	 	140.0	%
	122.5%
	 	 	145.0	%
	125.0%
	 	 	150.0	%
	127.5%
	 	 	155.0	%
	130.0%
	 	 	160.0	%
	132.5%
	 	 	165.0	%
	135.0%
	 	 	170.0	%
	137.5%
	 	 	175.0	%
	140.0%
	 	 	180.0	%
	142.5%
	 	 	185.0	%
	145.0%
	 	 	190.0	%
	147.5%
	 	 	195.0	%
	150.0%
	 	 	200.0	%

            If these conditions are satisfied, the Company shall issue the Performance Shares
to Employee as soon as reasonably practicable following the Vesting Date (as defined
below).

	•	 	The earnings per share goal for each fiscal year will be
determined by the Committee during the 1st fiscal
quarter of the applicable fiscal year, or earlier, as determined
by the Committee. Following the Committee’s determination of the
earnings per share goal for each fiscal year subject to the
Agreement, the Company shall deliver written notice of such
earnings per share goal to Employee (unless Employee is no longer
of an employee of the Company) and Exhibit B to the Agreement
shall be updated to reflect such earnings per share goal.
	 
	•	 	The actual earnings per share for each fiscal year shall be based
on the fully diluted earnings per share amount for such fiscal
year that is set forth in the audited financial statements filed
with the Company’s corresponding Annual Report on Form 10-K. The
determination regarding whether the Company has achieved the
cumulative total of the earnings per share goals for fiscal 2006,
fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 will be made upon filing of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 (the “Vesting Date”).
Performance Shares will be issued, as provided above, if at least
80% of the Cumulative EPS Goal is achieved. No partial issuance
of Performance Shares shall be made if an earnings per share goal
is achieved in any one or more fiscal years but at least 80% of
the Cumulative EPS Goal is not achieved.

4

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00095-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00095-of-00352.parquet"}]]