Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

[HUMBOLDT BANCORP LOGO]                                 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

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         This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of
August 5, 2002 by and between Humboldt Bank, a California banking corporation
("Employer"), and Ms. Gene F. M. Bell (the "Executive").

                                    RECITAL:

         The parties desire to set forth the terms of Executive's employment
with Employer.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. Definitions. Defined terms used herein are capitalized and, where
not expressly defined in a separate section hereof, the definitions thereof are
set forth in Section 19.

         2. Employment. Employer hereby employs Executive and Executive hereby
accepts employment during the Term of Employment upon the terms and conditions
herein set forth.

         3. Term of Employment. Employer agrees to continue Executive's
employment, and Executive agrees to remain in employment with Employer, from
August 5, 2002 (the "Commencement Date") until the earliest of (i) August 5,
2005 or (ii) the date on which Executive's employment with Employer terminates
pursuant to Section 12(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f), as applicable (the "Term
of Employment"). Unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 12(a), (b), (c),
(d), (e) or (f), as applicable, this Agreement shall be automatically renewed
for successive one-year terms unless Employer gives Executive written notice of
non-renewal not less than 120 days prior to the end of the term.

         4. Duties. Executive is employed as Executive Vice President and, under
the direction of President and C.E.O., shall perform and discharge well and
faithfully the duties that may be assigned to her from time to time by the
President and C.E.O. in connection with the conduct of Employer's business. In
her capacity as Executive Vice President, Executive shall perform the customary
duties of Executive Vice President of a California commercial bank including but
not limited to:

         (a)      Participating in community affairs which are beneficial to
                  Employer;

         (b)      Maintaining a good relationship with Employer and
                  shareholders;

         (c)      Maintaining a good relationship with regulatory authorities;
                  and

         (d)      Providing leadership in planning and implementing the affairs
                  of Employer.

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         5. Extent of Service. Executive shall devote her entire business time,
attention, and energies to the business of Employer during the term of
Executive's employment with Employer. The foregoing, however, shall not preclude
Executive from engaging into appropriate civic, charitable, or religious
activities or from devoting a reasonable amount of time to private investments
or from serving on the boards of directors of other entities, as long as such
activities and services do not interfere or conflict with her responsibilities
to Employer.

         6. Compensation.

         (a) Salary. During the Term of Employment, Employer shall pay Executive
a base salary at the annual rate of $125,000 payable in accordance with the
standard payroll procedures of Employer but not less than one time monthly.
Executive's base salary shall be increased annually effective on January 1 of
each year to reflect such changes as Employer determines appropriate, based on
Executive's performance for the most recent performance period.

         (b) Incentive Programs. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall
be entitled to participate in any annual and longer-term incentive programs
adopted by Employer and which cover employees in positions comparable to that of
Executive.

         (c) Stock Options. Executive will be eligible to be considered for
participation in the stock option plan of Employer at the discretion of
Employer.

         (d) Expenses. Executive shall be entitled to prompt reimbursement of
all reasonable business expenses incurred by her in the performance of her
duties during the Term of Employment, subject to the presentment of appropriate
vouchers and receipts in accordance with Employer's policies.

         7. Employee Benefits. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be
entitled to participate in employee benefit plans or programs of Employer, if
any, to the extent that her position, tenure, salary, age, health, and other
qualifications make her eligible to participate, subject to the rules and
regulations applicable thereto. Employer shall have no duty under this agreement
to give Executive any additional compensation to cover life insurance premiums
or to maintain any life insurance on Executive's life.

         8. Retirement Plan. Executive shall be entitled to participate in any
retirement plans offered to other employees of Employer such as Executive's
participation in Employer's 401(k) plan.

         9. Vacation. During the term of employment Executive shall be entitled
to vacation leave at full salary at the discretion of Executive as time allows,
so long as it is reasonable and does not jeopardize her responsibilities, of
four (4) weeks per year; provided that at least once each year Executive is
required to be absent from her duties with Employer for a period of at least ten
(10) consecutive business days, all or any portion of which may be vacation
leave. The length of

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vacation at any one time should not exceed two (2) weeks. In the event that
Executive is unable for any reason to take the total amount of vacation time
authorized herein during any year, she may accrue that time and add it to
vacation time for the following year, provided that no more than two (2) weeks
can be carried over in any given year.

         10. Surety Bond. Executive agrees to furnish all information and take
any other steps necessary to enable Employer to obtain and maintain a fidelity
bond conditioned on the rendering of a true account by Executive of all moneys,
goods, or other property which may come into the custody, charge, or possession
of Executive during the Term of Executive's employment. The surety company
issuing such bond and the amount of the bond must be acceptable to Employer. All
premiums on the bond shall be paid by Employer. If Executive cannot personally
qualify for a surety bond at any time during the Term of this Agreement,
Employer shall have the option to terminate this Agreement immediately and said
termination shall be deemed to be a termination for Cause.

         11. Moral Conduct. Executive agrees to conduct herself at all times
with due regard to public conventions and morals and to abide by and reflect in
her personal actions all of the Code of Ethics as adopted by Employer for
Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates from time to time. Executive
further agrees not to do or commit any act that will reasonably tend to degrade
her or to bring her into public hatred, contempt or ridicule, or that will
reasonably tend to shock or offend any community in which Employer or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates engages in business, or to prejudice Employer or the
banking industry in general.

         12. Termination. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3 hereof,
the Term of Employment and Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated
without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:

         (a) Death. The Term of Employment shall terminate upon Executive's
death.

          (b) Disability. The Term of Employment shall terminate three (3)
months after Employer gives Executive written notice that it intends to
terminate her employment on account of Disability or on such later date as
Employer specifies in such notice. If Executive resumes the performance of
substantially all of her duties under this Agreement before the termination
becomes effective, the notice of intent to terminate shall be deemed to have
been revoked.

         (c) Voluntary Termination. Executive may terminate her employment with
Employer at any time by giving Employer three (3) months' written notice
thereof. The Term of Employment shall end on the earlier of the last day of the
notice period or the last day on which Executive performs services for Employer.

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         (d) Termination for Good Reason. Executive may terminate her employment
with Employer for Good Reason, as such term is defined in Section 18, by giving
Employer thirty (30) days' notice of the matter or matters which, in Executive's
opinion, form the basis for Good Reason and a statement of her intent to
terminate her employment on such basis. If the basis for Good Reason is an
alleged breach of this Agreement by Employer, such notice shall also include the
basis upon which Executive believes the alleged breach constitutes Good Reason.
If Employer cures its breach or the basis for Good Reason otherwise disappears
within the thirty (30) day period following receipt of such notice, Executive
shall either rescind her notice of intent to terminate and continue her
employment, or terminate her employment under Section 13(c) hereof in which case
his notice of breach hereunder shall be deemed to satisfy the notice requirement
provided for under Section 13(c) hereof. If Employer fails to cure its breach
within, or all other bases for Good Reason continue to the end of, the thirty
(30) day period following receipt of such notice, the Term of Employment shall
end on the last day of the 30-day period following receipt of such notice. If
Executive decides to terminate her employment as provided in Section 13(c)
hereof, the Term of Employment shall end on the earlier of the last day of the
notice period or the last day on which Executive performs services for Employer.

         (e) Involuntary Termination Without Cause. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that her employment is at will. Employer reserves the right to terminate
Executive's employment at any time whatsoever without Cause by giving thirty
(30) days' written notice to Executive thereof. The Term of Employment shall
terminate on the last day of the notice period, but Employer may require
Executive to cease performing services at any time after such notice is given.

         (f) Involuntary Termination for Cause. Employer reserves the right to
terminate Executive's employment for Cause. Employer shall give Executive
written notice of the termination and the reasons therefor. The Term of
Employment shall terminate immediately upon receipt of the notice.

         13. Benefits on Termination of Employment. If Executive's employment is
terminated during the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to receive
payments and benefits as follows:

         (a) Death; Disability; Voluntary Termination; Termination for Cause.

                  If employment is terminated under Section 12(a), (b), (c), or
         (f) hereof, Executive shall receive:

                  (1) her base salary through the date the Term of Employment
         ends,

                  (2)      any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
                           and

                  (3)      reimbursement of expenses described in Section 6(d)
                           hereof incurred but not yet reimbursed.

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         (b) Change of Control.

                  (i) If, within one (1) year following a Change of Control, as
         defined in Section 18(c), Executive's employment is terminated under
         the provisions of Section 12(d) or (e) hereof or as a result of
         Employer's election not to extend this Agreement and the Term of
         Employment pursuant to Section 3 hereof, Executive shall receive:

                           (1) An amount equivalent to the greater of (A)
         twenty-four (24) months, or (B) the total number of months remaining
         under the Term of Employment, of Executive's annual base salary under
         Section 7(a) hereof as in effect on the date of the Term of Employment
         ends,

                           (2)      Any incentive compensation earned but not
                                    yet paid;

                           (3)      Reimbursement of expenses described in
                                    Section 6(d) hereof incurred but not yet
                                    reimbursed; and

                           (4)      Immediate acceleration of vesting of all
                                    stock options granted to Executive.

                  (ii) During the 90-day period commencing on the date her Term
         of Employment ends under Section 12(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and,
         where applicable, his dependents) shall be entitled to continue
         participation in the group insurance plans maintained by Employer,
         including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if she
         were still an employee of Employer. Where applicable, Executive's
         salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to her
         annual salary in effect immediately prior to his termination. To the
         extent that Employer finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for
         Executive under its group insurance policies during such 90-day period,
         Employer shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer
         at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the
         same costs on Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event
         that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage
         in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by Employer
         under this Section 13(b)(ii) shall terminate immediately upon
         Executive's eligibility for coverage. Any group health continuation
         coverage that Employer is required to offer under the Consolidated
         Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when
         coverage under this Section 13(b)(ii) terminates.

                  (iii) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount
         of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 13(b) (whether
         by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit
         shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other
         source.

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                  (iv) The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to
         Section 13(b)(i)(1) hereof shall be paid in a single installment within
         forty-five (45) days of the last day on which she performs services as
         an employee of Employer, with no percent value or other discount or, at
         Executive's option, on a deferred basis with no premium.

         (c) Involuntary Termination; Termination for Good Reason.

                  (i) If Executive's employment is terminated under the
         provisions of Section 12(d) or (e) hereof, Executive shall receive:

                           (1) An amount equivalent to three (3) months of
         Executive's annual base salary under Section 6(a) hereof plus two (2)
         weeks for each full year of total banking years of service, whether
         with Humboldt or any other banking institution, up to the date of the
         Term of Employment ends with a maximum payout not to exceed two (2)
         years annual base salary;

                           (2) Any incentive compensation earned but not yet
         paid;

                           (3) Reimbursement of expenses described in Section
         6(d) hereof incurred but not yet reimbursed; and

                  (ii) The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to
         Section 13(c)(i)(1) hereof shall be paid in a single installment within
         forty-five (45) days of the last day on which she performs services as
         an employee of Employer, with no percent value or other discount or, at
         Executive's option, on a deferred basis with no premium.

                  (iii) During the 90-day period commencing on the date her Term
         of Employment ends under Section 12(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and,
         where applicable, his dependents) shall be entitled to continue
         participation in the group insurance plans maintained by Employer,
         including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if she
         were still an employee of Employer. Where applicable, Executive's
         salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to her
         annual salary in effect immediately prior to her termination. To the
         extent that Employer finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for
         Executive under its group insurance policies during such 90-day period,
         Employer shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer
         at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the
         same costs on Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event
         that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage
         in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by Employer
         under this Section 13(c)(iii) shall terminate immediately upon
         Executive's eligibility for coverage. Any group health continuation
         coverage that Employer is required to offer under the Consolidated
         Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when
         coverage under this

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         Section 13(c)(iii) terminates.

                  (iv) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of
         any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 13(c) (whether by
         seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit
         shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other
         source.

         14. Locations of Performance. Executive's services shall be performed
primarily in Northern California. The parties acknowledge, however, that
Executive may be required to travel in connection with the performance of her
duties hereunder.

         15. Proprietary Information.

         (a) Executive agrees to comply fully with Employer's policies relating
to non-disclosure of Employer's trade secrets and proprietary information and
processes, including information regarding Employer's subsidiaries, affiliates,
customers and prospective customers. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Executive will not, whether during or after the term of her
employment by Employer, disclose any such secrets, information, or processes to
any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or
purpose whatsoever, nor shall Executive make use of any such property for her
own purposes or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation, or other
entity (except Employer) under any circumstances during or after the term of her
employment, provided that after the term of her employment, this provision shall
not apply to secrets, information, and processes that are then in the public
domain (provided that Executive was not responsible, directly or indirectly, for
such secrets, information, or processes entering the public domain without
Employer's consent).

         (b) Executive hereby sells, transfers, and assigns to Employer all of
the entire right, title, and interest of Executive in and to all inventions,
ideas, disclosures, and improvements, whether patented or unpatented, and
copyrightable material, to the extent made or conceived by Executive, solely or
jointly, during the term of this Agreement, except to the extent prohibited by
Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A. Executive shall communicate promptly and disclose to Employer, in
such form as Employer requests, all information, details, and data pertaining to
the aforementioned inventions, ideas, disclosures, and improvements; and,
whether during the term hereof or thereafter, Executive shall execute and
deliver to Employer such formal transfers and assignments and such other papers
and documents as may be required of Executive to permit Employer to file and
prosecute any patent applications relating to such inventions, ideas,
disclosures, and improvements and, as to copyrightable material, to obtain
copyright thereon.

         (c) Trade secrets, proprietary information, and processes shall not be
deemed to include information which is:

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                  (i) publicly known (or becomes publicly known) without the
         fault or negligence of Executive;

                  (ii) received from a third party without restriction and
         without breach of this Agreement;

                  (iii) approved for release by written authorization of
         Employer; or

                  (iv) required to be disclosed by law; provided, however, that
         in the event of a proposed disclosure pursuant to this subsection
         15(c)(iv), the recipient shall give Employer prior written notice
         before such disclosure is made.

         (d) Executive agrees that in the event that Executive's employment
terminates for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to Employer all
property belonging to Employer, including all documents and materials of any
nature pertaining to Executive's employment with Employer.

         (e) This Section shall survive the expiration or any earlier
termination of this Agreement.

         16. Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement
shall be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.

         17. Successors.

         (a) Employer's Successors. Employer shall require any successor to all
or substantially all of Employer's business and/or assets and liabilities
(whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or
otherwise) to assume and expressly agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent as Employer would be required to perform if there
were no succession. Employer's failure to obtain an assumption agreement in form
and substance reasonably acceptable to Executive by the effective date of such
succession shall constitute a breach of Employer's obligations to Executive
under this Agreement as of the effective date of such succession and shall
entitle Executive to all of the payments and other benefits described in Section
13(b) hereof.

         (b) Executive's Successors. 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, it being agreed by Executive that Executive
cannot assign or make subject to an option any of Executive's rights, including
rights to payments and benefits, under this Agreement.

         18. Definition of Terms. The following terms used in this Agreement
when capitalized have the following meanings:

         (b) "Board of Directors" means Employer's board of directors.

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         (c) "Cause" means that Executive has:

                  (i) willfully breached or habitually neglected the duties
         which she was required to perform under the terms of this Agreement or
         the policies of Employer, or

                  (ii) committed act(s) of dishonesty, theft, embezzlement,
         fraud, misrepresentation, or other act(s) of moral turpitude against
         Employer, its subsidiaries, affiliates, shareholders or employees, or
         which adversely impact the interest of Employer.

         (d) "Change of Control" means:

                  (i) Employer is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of
         assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of
         which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to
         such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board
         of Directors thereafter; or

                  (ii) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months,
         individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board
         of Directors (including for this purpose any new director whose
         election or nomination for election by Employer's stockholders was
         approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still
         in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) of
         Employer cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
         Board of Directors; or

                  (iii) a sale of substantially all of the assets of Employer;
         or

                  (iv) any other change of control of Employer of a nature that
         would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule
         14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any
         similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
         of 1934 (the "Act"), whether or not Employer is then subject to such
         reporting requirement; provided, however, without limitation, that such
         a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if any person or
         group (as such terms are used in connection with Sections 13(d) and
         14(d) of the Act) acquires securities in Employer so as to become the
         "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act),
         directly or indirectly, of securities thereof representing 25% or more
         of the combined voting power of Employer's then outstanding securities.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 19(c), a
         "Change of Control" will not be deemed to have occurred solely because
         of the acquisition of securities of Employer (or any reporting
         requirement under

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         the Act relating thereto) by an employee benefit plan maintained by
         Employer for its employees.

         (e) "Disability" means that Executive has been unable to perform the
essential functions of her job under this Agreement, with or without reasonable
accommodation, for a period of three (3) consecutive months as the result of his
incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

         (f)"Good Reason" means any of (i) a material reduction in Executive's
compensation under Section 6 hereof or benefits under Sections 7, 8, or 9
hereof, (ii) a material reduction in Executive's title or responsibilities,
(iii) a relocation of Executive's principal office so that Executive's one-way
commute distance from his residence is increased by more than forty (40) miles,
(iv) failure of Employer's successor to assume and perform this Agreement as
contemplated by Section 17(a) hereof, or (v) any material breach by Employer of
this Agreement.

         19. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and sent by registered mail to
Executive at her residence maintained on Employer's records, or to Employer at
its executive offices, or such other addresses as either party shall notify the
other in accordance with the above procedure.

         20. Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable to the other for any
delay or failure to perform hereunder, which delay or failure is due to causes
beyond the control of said party, including, but not limited to: acts of God;
acts of the public enemy; acts of the United States of America, or any State,
territory, or political subdivision thereof or of the District of Columbia;
fires; floods; epidemics; quarantine restrictions; strikes; or freight
embargoes. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, in every
case the delay or failure to perform must be beyond the control and without the
fault or negligence of the party claiming excusable delay.

         21. Integration. This Agreement and any attachments, schedules, and
exhibits hereto represent the entire agreement and understanding between the
parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior or
contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral, regarding Executive's
employment at Employer and all rights, privileges and benefits related thereto.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive acknowledges and
agrees that, effective on the Commencement Date, the terms and conditions of
this Agreement will supplant any different terms and conditions that previously
existed or governed his employment with Employer. 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.

         22. Waiver. Failure or delay on the part of either party hereto to
enforce any right, power, or privilege hereunder shall not be deemed to
constitute a

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waiver thereof. Additionally, a waiver by either party of a breach of any
promise hereof by the other party shall not operate as or be construed to
constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party.

         23. Savings Clause. If any term, covenant, or condition of this
Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall to any
extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the
application of such term, covenant, or condition to persons or circumstances
other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be
affected thereby and each term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement shall
be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

         24. Authority to Contract. Employer warrants and represents that it has
full authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and that this Agreement is not in conflict with any other
agreement to which Employer is a party or by which it may be bound. Employer
further warrants and represents that the individuals executing this Agreement on
behalf of Employer have the full power and authority to bind Employer to the
terms hereof and have been authorized to do so in accordance with Employer's
corporate organization.

         25. Dispute Resolution.

         (a) Any controversy or claim between Employer and Executive arising
from or relating to this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered
under or in connection with this Agreement, including any alleged dispute,
breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions
of this Agreement, shall, at the option of Executive or Employer, be submitted
to arbitration, using either the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or
Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ("JAMS") in accordance with
the rules of either JAMS or AAA (at the option of the party initiating the
arbitration) and Title 9 of the U.S. Code. All statutes of limitations or any
waivers contained herein which would otherwise be applicable shall apply to any
arbitration proceeding under this Section. The parties agree that related
arbitration proceedings may be consolidated. The arbitrator shall prepare
written reasons for the award. Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction.

         (b) No provision of, or the exercise of any rights under, Section 25(a)
hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self help remedies or to
obtain provisional or ancillary remedies, such as injunctive relief from a court
having jurisdiction before, during or after the pendency of any arbitration. The
institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of
provisional or ancillary remedies or exercise of self help remedies shall not
constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to
submit the controversy or claim to arbitration.

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         (c) If any arbitration, legal action or other proceeding is brought for
the enforcement of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under
or in connection with this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach,
default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this
Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to
recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in that action or
proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it or they may be entitled.

         26. Remedies. In the event of a breach by Executive of Section 15 of
this Agreement, in addition to other remedies provided by applicable law,
Employer will be entitled to issuance of a temporary restraining order or
preliminary injunction enforcing its rights under such Section.

         27. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California.

         28. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

         29. Advice of Counsel. Before signing this Agreement, Executive either
(i) consulted with and obtained advice from his independent legal counsel in
respect to the legal nature and operation of this Agreement, including its
impact on his rights, privileges and obligations, or (ii) freely and voluntarily
decided not to have the benefit of such consultation and advice with legal
counsel.

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

                                           EXECUTIVE

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Ms. Gene F. M. Bell

                                           HUMBOLDT BANCORP

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Robert M. Daugherty
                                           President & Chief Executive Officer

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                                    EXHIBIT A
                       CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2870

Section 2870. Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or
offer to assign rights in invention to employer.

         (a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an
employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an
invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the
employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using Employer's
equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those
inventions that either;

                  (i) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice
         of the invention to Employer's business, or actual or demonstrably
         anticipated research or development of Employer.

                  (ii) Result from any work performed by the employee for
         Employer.

         (b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to
require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being
required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the
public policy of this state and is unenforceable.

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is dated effective as of May 6,
2002 (the "Date of this Agreement"), between Tickets.com, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Company"), and David Codiga ("Executive"). In consideration of the
mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   EMPLOYMENT

      1.1 Term. The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby
accepts such employment, for a term commencing as of the Date of this Agreement
and ending on the third anniversary of such date, unless sooner terminated in
accordance with the provisions of Article IV.

      1.2 Duties. During the Term, Executive shall be employed by the Company as
its Executive Vice President of Operations, or in such other management position
as the Company shall reasonably determine, and as such, Executive shall
faithfully perform for the Company the duties and have the powers customary for
such position. The Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time
and effort to the performance of Executive's duties hereunder, and shall work
primarily at the Company's main business offices.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                  COMPENSATION

      2.1 Salary. The Company shall pay Executive during the Term a salary at
the rate of Two Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($240,000) per annum (the "Annual
Salary"), in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company
applicable to senior executives, provided the payments are no less frequent than
semi-monthly. The Annual Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") or such committee of the Board as they
shall designate for such purpose from time to time. Any adjusted Annual Salary
shall thereupon be the "Annual Salary" for the purposes hereof. The Executive's
Annual Salary shall not be decreased below Two Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars
($240,000) without his prior written consent at any time during the Term.

      2.2 Incentive Compensation. During the Term, Executive shall be eligible
to receive, in addition to his Annual Salary, an annual bonus (the "Bonus") of
up to Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) per annum for the first year and
up to forty percent (40%) of Executive's Annual Salary for years thereafter,
subject to applicable deductions and withholdings. The terms and conditions
required to be attained in order to receive such Bonus shall be set by the
Board, or such committee of the Board as they shall designate for such purpose
from time to time, with input from the Chief Executive Officer.

      2.3 Stock Options. On the Date of this Agreement, Executive will be
granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 83,333 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. On

<PAGE>
June 12, 2002, following stockholder approval of an amendment to the Company's
1999 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the maximum number of shares authorized
for issuance to any participant during any calendar year, Executive will be
granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 41,667 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. On the first anniversary of the Date of this Agreement, provided
that Executive is employed by the Company, Executive will be granted stock
options to purchase an aggregate of 75,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
All such stock options will be granted at fair market value on the date of grant
and will vest quarterly over a four year period. All stock options to purchase
shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to Executive prior to the Date of
this Agreement and all stock options granted to Executive during the Term of
this Agreement shall accelerate and become fully vested immediately upon a
Corporate Transaction or Change of Control, as those terms are defined in
Article IV, during the Term.

      2.4 Benefits. Except as otherwise provided herein, during the Term
Executive shall participate in any group life, medical or disability insurance
plans, health programs, retirement plans, fringe benefit programs and similar
benefits that may be available to other employees of the Company generally, on
the same terms as such other employees, to the extent that Executive is eligible
under the terms of such plans or programs as they may be in effect from time to
time.

      2.5 Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for all
ordinary and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred (and, in the
case of reimbursement, paid) by Executive during the Term in the performance of
Executive's services under this Agreement, provided that Executive submits
reasonable proof of such expenses, with the properly completed forms as
prescribed from time to time by the Company.

      2.6 Paid Time Off and Holidays. During the Term, Executive shall be
entitled to annual paid time off of seventeen (17) days at full pay, or such
greater paid time off benefits as may be provided for by the Company's paid time
off policies. Executive shall be entitled to such holidays as are established by
the Company for all employees.

      2.7 Automobile Allowance. During the Term, the Company shall provide
Executive with an automobile allowance of $700 per month (the "Automobile
Allowance").

                                  ARTICLE III

                       NONDISCLOSURE AND NON-SOLICITATION

      3.1 Proprietary Information.

            (a) The Executive recognizes that Executive's relationship with the
Company is one of high trust and confidence by reason of Executive's access to
and contact with the trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information
of the Company including, without limitation, information not previously
disclosed to the public regarding current and projected revenues, expenses,
costs, profit margins and any other financial and budgeting information;
marketing and distribution plans and practices; business plans, opportunities,
projects and any other business and corporate strategies; product information;
names, addresses, terms of

                                       2
<PAGE>
contracts and other arrangements with customers, suppliers, agents and employees
of the Company; confidential and sensitive information regarding other
employees, including information with respect to their job descriptions,
performance strengths and weaknesses, and compensation; and other information
not generally known regarding the business, affairs and plans of the Company
(collectively, the "Proprietary Information"). The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that Proprietary Information is the exclusive property of the Company and
that Executive shall not at any time, either during Executive's employment with
the Company or thereafter disclose to others, or directly or indirectly use for
Executive's own benefit or the benefit of others, any of the Proprietary
Information. For purposes of this Article III, the "Company" shall mean the
Company and each of its subsidiaries.

            (b) The Executive acknowledges that the unauthorized use or
disclosure of Proprietary Information would be detrimental to the Company and
would reasonably be anticipated to materially impair the Company's value.

            (c) The Executive's undertakings and obligations under this Section
3.1 will not apply, however, to any Proprietary Information which: (i) is or
becomes generally known to the public through no action on Executive's part,
(ii) is generally disclosed to third parties by the Company without restriction
on such third parties, (iii) is approved for release by written authorization of
the Board, (iv) is known to Executive other than as a result of work performed
for the Company, or (v) is required to be disclosed by law or governmental or
court process or order.

            (d) Upon termination of Executive's employment with the Company or
at any other time upon reasonable request, Executive will promptly deliver to
the Company all notes, memoranda, notebooks, drawings, records, reports, written
computer code, files and other documents (and all copies or reproductions of
such materials) in Executive's possession or under Executive's control, whether
prepared by Executive or others, which contain Proprietary Information. The
Executive acknowledges that this material is the sole property of the Company.

      3.2 Absence of Restrictions upon Disclosure and Competition.

      (a) The Executive hereby represents that, except as Executive has
disclosed in writing to the Company on Exhibit A attached hereto, Executive is
not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other
party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or confidential or
proprietary information in the course of Executive's employment with the Company
or to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such
previous employer or any other party.

      (b) The Executive further represents that Executive's performance of all
the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the Company does not and will
not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information,
knowledge or data acquired by Executive in confidence or in trust prior to his
employment with the Company, and Executive will not disclose to the Company or
induce the Company to use any confidential or proprietary information or
material belonging to any previous employer or others.

                                       3
<PAGE>
      3.3 Prohibition on Solicitation of Customers. During the Term and for a
period of eighteen (18) months thereafter, Executive agrees not to, directly or
indirectly, either for Executive or for any other person or entity, solicit any
person or entity to terminate such person's or entity's contractual and/or
business relationship with the Company, nor will Executive interfere with or
disrupt or attempt to interfere with or disrupt any such relationship. None of
the foregoing shall be deemed a waiver of any and all rights and remedies the
Company may have under applicable law.

      3.4 Prohibition on Solicitation of Employees, Agents or Independent
Contractors. During the Term and for a period of eighteen (18) months
thereafter, Executive agrees not to solicit any of the employees, agents or
independent contractors of the Company to leave the employ of the Company for a
competitive company or business. However, Executive may solicit any employee,
agent or independent contractor who voluntarily terminates his or her employment
with the Company after a period of ninety (90) days have elapsed since the
termination date of such employee, agent or independent contractor. None of the
foregoing shall be deemed a waiver of any and all rights and remedies the
Company may have under applicable law.

      3.5 Other Obligations. The Executive acknowledges that the Company from
time to time may have agreements with other persons, which impose obligations or
restrictions on the Company regarding inventions made during the course of work
under such agreements or regarding the confidential nature of such work. The
Executive agrees to be bound by all such obligations and restrictions which are
made known to Executive and to take all reasonable action necessary to discharge
the obligations of the Company under such agreements.

      3.6 Rights and Remedies upon Breach. The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that any material breach by him of any of the provisions of Article III (the
"Restrictive Covenants") would result in irreparable injury and damage for which
money damages may not provide an adequate remedy. Therefore, if Executive
materially breaches any of the provisions of Article III, the Company shall have
the following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be
independent of the other and severally enforceable, and all of which rights and
remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and
remedies available to the Company under law or in equity (including, without
limitation, the recovery of damages): the right and remedy to have the
Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced (without posting bond and without
the need to prove damages) by any court having equity jurisdiction; including,
without limitation, the right to an entry against Executive of restraining
orders and injunctions (preliminary, mandatory, temporary and permanent) against
violations, threatened or actual, and whether or not then continuing, of such
covenants.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   TERMINATION

      4.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions
shall apply to the terms set forth below:

                                       4
<PAGE>
            (a) Cause. "Cause" shall mean:

                (i) habitual neglect or insubordination (defined as a refusal to
execute or carry out directions from the Board which are consistent with
Executive's title and position) where Executive has been given written notice of
the acts or omissions constituting such neglect or insubordination and Executive
has failed to cure such conduct, where susceptible to cure, within thirty (30)
days following notice;

                (ii) conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral
turpitude;

                (iii) participation in any fraud against the Company;

                (iv) willful breach of Executive's material duties to the
Company, including but not limited to theft from the Company and failure to
fully disclose personal pecuniary interest in a transaction involving the
Company;

                (v) intentional damage to any property of the Company;

                (vi) conduct by Executive which in the good faith, reasonable
determination of the Board demonstrates gross unfitness to serve including, but
not be limited to, gross neglect, non-prescription use of controlled substances,
any abuse of controlled substances whether or not by prescription, or habitual
drunkenness, intoxication, or other impaired state induced by consumption of any
drug, including alcohol; or

                (vii) material breach by the Executive of the Restrictive
Covenants.

            (b) Change in Control. "Change in Control" shall mean a change in
ownership or control of the Company effected through either of the following
transactions:

                (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or
related group of persons (other than the Company or a person that directly or
indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
Securities Exchange Act, as amended) of securities possessing more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding
securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company's
stockholders, or

                (ii) a change in the composition of the Company's Board such
that a majority of the Board members ceases, by reason of one or more contested
elections for Board membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A)
have been Board members continuously since the Date of this Agreement or (B)
have been elected or nominated for election as Board members described in clause
(A) who were still in office at the time the Board approved such election or
nomination.

            (c) Corporate Transaction. "Corporate Transaction" shall mean either
of the following stockholder-approved transactions to which the Company is a
party:

                                       5
<PAGE>
                (i) a merger, consolidation or reorganization in which
securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting
power of the Company's outstanding securities are transferred to a person or
persons different from the persons holding those securities immediately prior to
such transaction, or

                (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or,
substantially all of the Company's assets; or

                (iii) complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

            (d) Good Reason. "Good Reason" shall mean, unless otherwise
consented to in writing by Executive:

                (i) assignment of the Executive to a position, responsibilities
or duties of a materially lesser status or degree of responsibility than his
position, responsibilities or duties as of the Date of this Agreement;

                (ii) relocation of the Executive outside of the Los
Angeles/Orange County area;

                (iii) a reduction by the Company of the Executive's Annual
Salary below the initial Annual Salary or, following a Corporate Transaction or
Change in Control, below Executive's Annual Salary at the time of the Corporate
Transaction or Change in Control;

                (iv) a failure by the Company to continue in effect, without
substantial change, any benefit plan or arrangement in which the Executive was
participating or the taking of any action by the Company which would adversely
affect the Executive's participation in or materially reduce his benefits under
any benefit plan (unless such failure, action or changes apply equally to
substantially all other management employees of Company); or

                (v) any material breach by the Company of any provision of this
Agreement without the Executive having committed any material breach of
Executive's obligations hereunder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist
unless notice of termination on account thereof (specifying a termination date
no later than thirty (30) days from the date of such notice) is given no later
than sixty (60) days after the time at which the event or condition purportedly
giving rise to Good Reason first occurs or arises (or when Executive first
becomes aware of such circumstances); and (y) the Company shall have thirty (30)
days from the date notice of such a termination is given to cure such event or
condition if curable and, if the Company does so fully cure such event or
condition, such event or condition shall not constitute Good Reason hereunder.

      4.2 Termination upon Death or Disability. If Executive dies during the
Term, the Term shall terminate as of the date of death, and the obligations of
the Company to or with respect to Executive shall terminate in their entirety
upon such date except as otherwise provided

                                       6
<PAGE>
under this Section 4.2. If Executive becomes disabled for purposes of the
long-term disability plan of the Company for which Executive is eligible, or, in
the event that there is no such plan, if Executive by virtue of ill health or
other disability is unable to perform substantially and continuously the
material duties assigned to him for more than 180 consecutive or non-consecutive
days out of any consecutive 12-month period, then the Company shall have the
right, to the extent permitted by law, to terminate the employment of Executive
upon notice in writing to Executive. If Executive is given such notice of
termination for disability, the Term shall terminate as of the date of such
notice, and the obligations of the Company to Executive shall terminate in their
entirety upon such date except as otherwise provided under this Section 4.2.
Upon termination of employment due to death or disability, Executive (or
Executive's estate or beneficiaries in the case of the death of Executive) shall
be entitled to receive:

            (a) any Annual Salary and other benefits earned and accrued under
this Agreement prior to the date of termination (and reimbursement under this
Agreement for expenses incurred prior to the date of termination);

            (b) his Annual Salary payable in accordance with the Company's
customary payroll practices for twelve (12) months following such termination;

            (c) acceleration and immediate vesting of all stock options to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to Executive which would
have vested and become exercisable pursuant to the scheduled vesting for such
options had Executive continued as an employee of the Company for twelve (12)
months following such termination; and

            (d) the right to exercise any and all vested stock options for a
period of twelve (12) months following such termination (after which they shall
expire and no longer be exercisable); provided, however, that in no event shall
the exercise period extend later than the expiration term of such option as set
forth in the applicable Notice of Grant.

      Executive (or, in the case of Executive's death, Executive's estate and
beneficiaries) shall have no further rights to any other compensation or
benefits hereunder on or after the termination of employment, or any other
rights hereunder, except as otherwise provided in the plans and policies of the
Company.

      4.3 Termination for Cause; Termination of Employment by Executive without
Good Reason. The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder for
Cause immediately, and Executive may terminate his employment for any or no
reason on at least thirty (30) days' and not more than sixty (60) days' written
notice given to the Company. If during the Term the Company terminates Executive
for Cause, or Executive terminates his employment and the termination by
Executive is not covered by Section 4.2 or 4.4, Executive shall receive any
Annual Salary and other benefits earned and accrued under this Agreement prior
to the termination of employment (and reimbursement under this Agreement for
expenses incurred prior to the termination of employment) and Executive shall
have no further rights to any other compensation or benefits hereunder on or
after the termination of employment, or any other rights hereunder, except as
otherwise provided in the plans and policies of the Company. In addition, in the
event Executive is terminated hereunder for Cause, all stock options to purchase
shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to Executive, vested or unvested,
shall

                                       7
<PAGE>
immediately cease to be exercisable and shall terminate upon the effective date
of such termination.

      4.4 Termination by the Company without Cause; or Executive for Good
Reason. The Company may terminate Executive's employment at any time for any
reason or no reason and Executive may terminate Executive's employment with the
Company for Good Reason. If during the Term the Company terminates Executive's
employment and the termination is not covered by Section 4.2 or 4.3, or
Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, Executive shall receive:

            (a) any Annual Salary and other benefits earned and accrued under
this Agreement prior to the termination of employment (and reimbursement under
this Agreement for expenses incurred prior to the termination of employment);

            (b) his Annual Salary payable in accordance with the Company's
customary payroll practices for a period (the "Salary Continuation Period")
following such termination determined as follows:

                (i) if such termination occurs within three (3) months following
the Date of this Agreement, the Salary Continuation Period shall be three (3)
months;

                (ii) if such termination occurs more than three (3) months
following the Date of this Agreement, but within nine (9) months following the
Date of this Agreement, the Salary Continuation Period shall be six (6) months;

                (iii) if such termination occurs more than nine (9) months
following the Date of this Agreement, but within twelve (12) months following
the Date of this Agreement, the Salary Continuation Period shall be nine (9)
months; and

                (iv) if such termination occurs more than twelve (12) months
following the Date of this Agreement, the Salary Continuation Period shall be
twelve (12) months;

            (c) acceleration and immediate vesting of all stock options to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to Executive which would
have vested and become exercisable pursuant to the scheduled vesting for such
options had Executive continued as an employee of the Company during the
applicable Salary Continuation Period determined pursuant to Section 4.4(b)
above; and

            (d) the right to exercise any and all vested stock options to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock then held by Executive during the
applicable Salary Continuation Period determined pursuant to Section 4.4(b)
above; provided, however, that in no event shall the exercise period extend
later than the expiration term of such option as set forth in the applicable
Notice of Grant.

      In order to be eligible to receive the benefits specified under Sections
4.4(b)-(d), Executive must execute a general release of claims in a form
reasonably acceptable to the Company and Executive and signed by Executive.
Executive shall have no further rights to any

                                       8
<PAGE>
other compensation or benefits hereunder on or after the termination of
employment, or any other rights hereunder, except as otherwise provided in the
plans and policies of the Company.

      In the event Executive is terminated by the Company pursuant to this
Section 4.4, Executive shall not have a duty to seek substitute employment and
the Company shall not have the right to offset any compensation due Executive
against any compensation or income received by Executive after the date of such
termination.

      4.5 Benefit Limit. In the event that any payment or benefit (including
salary continuation payments, accelerated option vesting or continued health
care coverage) received or to be received by Executive pursuant to this
Agreement (collectively the "Payments") would constitute a parachute payment
within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), then the following limitation shall apply:

      The aggregate present value of those Payments shall be limited in amount
    to the greater of the following dollar amounts (the "Benefit Limit"):

            (a) 2.99 times Executive's Average Compensation, or

            (b) the amount which yields Executive the greatest after-tax amount
    of Payments under this Agreement after taking into account any excise tax
    imposed under Code Section 4999 on those Payments.

      The present value of the Payments will be measured as of the date of the
Change in Control or Corporate Transaction and determined in accordance with the
provisions of Code Section 280G(d)(4).

      Average Compensation means the average of Executive's W-2 wages from the
Company for the five (5) calendar years (or such fewer number of calendar years
of employment with the Company) completed immediately prior to the calendar year
in which the Change of Control or Corporate Transaction is effected. Any W-2
wages for a partial year of employment will be annualized, in accordance with
the frequency which such wages are paid during such partial year, before
inclusion in Average Compensation.

      4.6 Resolution Procedure. For purposes of the foregoing Benefit Limit,
the following provisions will be in effect:

            (a) In the event there is any disagreement between Executive and the
Company as to whether one or more Payments to which Executive becomes entitled
under this Agreement constitute parachute payments under Code Section 280G or as
to the determination of the present value thereof, such dispute will be resolved
as follows:

                (i) In the event temporary, proposed or final Treasury
Regulations in effect at the time under Code Section 280G (or applicable
judicial decisions) specifically address the status of any such Payment or the
method of valuation therefor, the characterization afforded to such Payment by
the Regulations (or such decisions) will, together with the applicable valuation
methodology, be controlling.

                                       9
<PAGE>
                (ii) In the event Treasury Regulations (or applicable judicial
decisions) do not address the status of any Payment in dispute, the matter will
be submitted for resolution to a nationally-recognized independent accounting
firm mutually acceptable to Executive and the Company ("Independent
Accountant"). The resolution reached by the Independent Accountant will be final
and controlling; provided, however, that if in the judgment of the Independent
Accountant the status of the payment in dispute can be resolved through the
obtainment of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, a
formal and proper request for such ruling will be prepared and submitted, and
the determination made by the Internal Revenue Service in the issued ruling will
be controlling. All expenses incurred in connection with the retention of the
Independent Accountant and (if applicable) the preparation and submission of the
ruling request shall be borne by the Company.

      4.7 Reduction of Benefits. To the extent the aggregate present value of
the Payments would exceed the Benefit Limit, the salary continuation payments
will first be reduced, and then the accelerated vesting of the options (based on
their parachute value under Code Section 280G) will be reduced, to the extent
necessary to assure that such Benefit Limit is not exceeded.

                                    ARTICLE V

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

      5.1 Severability. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) he has
had an opportunity to seek advice of counsel in connection with this Agreement
and (ii) the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable in geographical and temporal
scope and in all other respects. If it is determined that any of the provisions
of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the Restrictive
Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of
the provisions of this Agreement shall not thereby be affected and shall be
given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions.

      5.2 Duration and Scope of Covenants. If any court or other decision-maker
of competent jurisdiction determines that any of Executive's covenants
contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the
duration or geographical scope of such provision, then, after such determination
has become final and unappealable, the duration or scope of such provision, as
the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable
and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be
enforced.

      5.3 Arbitration.

            (a) Except as provided in Section 3.6, any controversy, dispute, or
claim between the parties to this Agreement, including any claim arising out of,
in connection with, or in relation to the formation, interpretation, performance
or breach of this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, before
a single arbitrator experienced in employment matters, in accordance with this
section and the then most applicable rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered
by any state or federal court having jurisdiction thereof. Such arbitration
shall be administered by

                                       10
<PAGE>
the American Arbitration Association. Arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy
for determining any such dispute, regardless of its nature. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, either party may in an appropriate matter apply to a court pursuant
to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281.8, or any comparable
provision, for provisional relief, including a temporary restraining order or a
preliminary injunction, on the ground that the award to which the applicant may
be entitled in arbitration may be rendered ineffectual without provisional
relief.

            (b) In the event the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator,
the parties shall select a single arbitrator from a list of nine arbitrators
drawn by the parties at random from the "Independent" (or "Gold Card") list of
retired judges or, at Executive's option, from a list of nine persons from the
Employment Panel provided by the American Arbitration Association. If the
parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator from the list so drawn, then the
parties shall each strike names alternately from the list, with the first to
strike being determined by lot. After each party has used four strikes, the
remaining name on the list shall be the arbitrator. If such person is unable to
serve for any reason, the parties shall repeat this process until an arbitrator
is selected.

            (c) This agreement to resolve any disputes by binding arbitration
shall extend to claims against any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of each
party, and, when acting within such capacity, any officer, director,
shareholder, employee or agent of each party, or of any of the above, and shall
apply as well to claims arising out of state and federal statutes and local
ordinances as well as to claims arising under the common law. In the event of a
dispute subject to this paragraph the parties shall be entitled to reasonable
discovery subject to the discretion of the arbitrator. The remedial authority of
the arbitrator shall be the same as, but no greater than, would be the remedial
power of a court having jurisdiction over the parties and their dispute. The
arbitrator shall, upon an appropriate motion, dismiss any claim without an
evidentiary hearing if the party bringing the motion establishes that he, she or
it would be entitled to summary judgment if the matter had been pursued in court
litigation. In the event of a conflict between the applicable rules of the
American Arbitration Association and these procedures, the provisions of these
procedures shall govern.

            (d) Any filing or administrative fees shall be borne initially by
the party requesting arbitration. The Company shall be initially responsible for
the costs and fees of the arbitrator, unless Executive wishes to contribute (up
to 50%) of the costs and fees of the arbitrator. The prevailing party in such
arbitration, as determined by the arbitrator, and in any enforcement or other
court proceedings, shall be entitled, to the extent permitted by law, to
reimbursement from the other party for all of the prevailing party's costs
(including but not limited to the arbitrator's compensation), expenses, and
attorneys' fees.

            (e) The arbitrator shall render an award and written opinion, and
the award shall be final and binding upon the parties. If any of the provisions
of this Section 5.3, or of this Agreement, are determined to be unlawful or
otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, such determination shall not
affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall
be reformed to the extent necessary to carry out its provisions to the greatest
extent possible and to insure that the resolution of all conflicts between the
parties, including those arising out of statutory claims, shall be resolved by
neutral, binding arbitration. If a court should find that this Section's
arbitration provisions are not absolutely binding, then the parties

                                       11
<PAGE>
intend any arbitration decision and award to be fully admissible in evidence in
any subsequent action, given great weight by any finder of fact, and treated as
determinative to the maximum extent permitted by law.

            (f) Unless mutually agreed by the parties otherwise, any arbitration
shall take place in Orange County, California.

      5.4 Proprietary Information and Inventions. Contemporaneously with the
execution of this Agreement, Executive shall execute a Proprietary Information
and Inventions Agreement with the Company. The terms of said agreement are
incorporated by reference in this Agreement, and Executive agrees to be bound
thereby.

      5.5 Covenant to Notify Management. Executive agrees to abide by the ethics
policies of the Company as well as the Company's other rules, regulations,
policies and procedures which he has received in writing. Executive agrees to
comply in full with all governmental laws and regulations as well as ethics
codes applicable to the business or profession. In the event that Executive is
aware or suspects the Company, or any of its officers or agents, of violating
any such laws, ethics codes, rules, regulations, policies or procedures,
Executive agrees to bring all such actual and suspected violations to the
attention of the Company immediately so that the matter may be properly
investigated and appropriate action taken.

      5.6 Assistance/Cooperation With Litigation. In connection with the
Company's participation in current or future litigation relating to events which
occur during Executive's employment or about which Executive has information,
Executive agrees to cooperate fully and devote such time as may be reasonably
required in the preparation, prosecution or defense of the Company's case or
cases, including, but not limited to, the execution of truthful declarations or
providing information and/or documents requested by the Company. The Company
shall reimburse Executive, promptly upon receipt of satisfactory evidence
thereof, for all reasonable expenses (not including any amount for Executive's
time) incurred by Executive in connection with such assistance and/or
cooperation with the Company with respect to such litigation.

      5.7 Notices. All notices or deliveries authorized or required pursuant to
this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when in writing and when (i)
deposited in the U.S. mail, certified, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, or (ii) otherwise delivered by hand or by overnight delivery, against
written receipt, by a common carrier or commercial courier or delivery service
addressed to the parties at the following addresses or to such other addresses
as either may designate in writing to the other party:

      to the Company:     Tickets.com, Inc.
                          555 Anton Blvd., 11th Floor
                          Costa Mesa, CA 92626
                          Attn: Chief Executive Officer
                          Telephone: (714) 327-5400
                          Facsimile: (714) 327-5410

                                       12
<PAGE>
      to Executive:       David Codiga
                          655 Bradford Street
                          Pasadena, CA 91105

      5.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, along with the Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement by and between Executive and Company of
even date herewith and the stock option agreements described in Section 2.3,
contain the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral,
with respect thereto.

      5.9 Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, superseded,
canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a
written instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the
party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall
any waiver on the part of any party of any such right, power or privilege nor
any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right,
power or privilege.

      5.10 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

      5.11 Assignment. This Agreement, and Executive's rights and obligations
hereunder, may not be assigned by Executive; any purported assignment by
Executive in violation hereof shall be null and void. In the event of any sale,
transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, the Company
may assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder; provided that such
assignment shall not limit the Company's liability under this Agreement to
Executive.

      5.12 Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any
payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding required by law.

      5.13 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns,
heirs, executors and legal representatives.

      5.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. Each counterpart may consist of two copies hereof each signed by one
of the parties hereto.

      5.15 Survival. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, the provisions of Article III, Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6,
5.10 and 5.17, and the other provisions of this Section 5 (to the extent
necessary to effectuate the survival of Article III, Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.5,
5.6, 5.10 and 5.17), shall survive termination of this Agreement and any
termination of Executive's employment hereunder.

                                       13
<PAGE>

      5.16 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and
shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

      5.17 Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance: To the fullest
extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify; defend and hold harmless
Executive from and against all actual or threatened actions, suits or
proceedings, whether civil or criminal, administrative or investigative;
together with all attorneys' fees and costs, fines, judgments or settlements
imposed upon or incurred by Executive in connection therewith, that arise from
Executive's employment by, or serving as an officer of, the Company, so long as
Executive acted or refrained from acting legally and in good faith or reasonably
believed that his actions or refraining from acting were legal and performed or
omitted in good faith.

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

                                       "EMPLOYER"

                                        TICKETS.COM, INC.,
                                        a Delaware corporation

                                        By: /s/ RONALD BENSION
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Ronald Bension,
                                            Chief Executive Officer

                                        "EXECUTIVE"

                                        /s/ DAVID CODIGA
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        David Codiga

                                       14
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT A

                  NON-DISCLOSURE AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

      Please list terms of any agreements with any previous employer or other
party which restrains you from using or disclosing any trade secret or
confidential or proprietary information in the course of your employment with
Tickets.com, Inc. or restrains you from competing directly or indirectly with
the business of such previous employer or any other party.

Date Signed by
Executive:

5/6/02                                  /s/ DAVID CODIGA
----------------------                  ----------------------------------------
                                        Signature of Executive

                                        DAVID CODIGA
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Printed Name of Executive

Reviewed and accepted by

---------------------------------

On
    -----------------------------

By: /s/ RONALD BENSION
    -----------------------------

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00042-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00042-of-00352.parquet"}]]