Document:

ex_200783.htm

        

Exhibit 10.15

 

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

               This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of this 20th day of August 20, 2020, by and between Prime Meridian Holding Company, a Florida corporation (the “Corporation”), and                                              , a director, officer, employee, agent, or representative (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation (the “Indemnitee”).

 

               Whereas, the Corporation and the Indemnitee are each aware of the exposure to litigation officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives of the Corporation have as they exercise their duties to the Corporation,

 

               Whereas, the Corporation and the Indemnitee are also aware of conditions in the insurance industry that have affected and may continue to affect the Corporation’s ability to obtain appropriate liability insurance on an economically acceptable basis,

 

               Whereas, the Corporation and Indemnitee recognize that plaintiffs often seek damages in such substantial amounts and the costs of litigation may be so large (whether or not the case is meritorious), that the defense and/or settlement of such litigation is often beyond the personal resources of directors and officers,

 

               Whereas, the Corporation believes that it is unfair for its directors and officers to assume the risk of huge judgements and other expenses which may occur in cases in which the director or officer received no personal profit and in cases where the director or officer was not culpable,

 

               Whereas, the Corporation desires to continue to benefit from the services of highly qualified, experienced, and otherwise competent persons such as the Indemnitee,

 

       Whereas, the Indemnitee desires to serve or to continue to serve the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent or as a director, officer, employee, agent, or trustee of another corporation, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise in which the Corporation has a direct or indirect ownership interest, for so long as the Corporation continues to provide, on an acceptable basis, adequate and reliable indemnification against liabilities and expenses that may be incurred by the Indemnitee,

 

               Whereas, the Corporation’s Bylaws require the Corporation to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Florida Business Corporation Act,

 

               Whereas, the indemnification provisions of the Florida Business Corporation Act expressly provide that such provisions are non-exclusive and contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Corporation and its directors and officers with respect to indemnification,

 

               Whereas, the Board of Directors has determined that contractual indemnification as set forth herein is not only reasonable and prudent but also promotes the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders, and

 

               Whereas, the Indemnitee considers it a necessary condition to the Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as a director of the Corporation to have adequate protection and appropriate contractual rights to indemnification from the Corporation and the Corporation desires the Indemnitee to serve in such capacity and to have                      such protection and rights as set forth in this Agreement.

 

               Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows.

 

               1.            Indemnification.  Subject to the exclusions contained in section 9 of this Agreement, the Corporation shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the Indemnitee’s activities as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation or as a person who is serving or has served at the request of the Corporation (“representative”) as a director, officer, employee, agent, or trustee of another corporation, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, domestic or foreign, in which the Corporation has a direct or indirect ownership interest (an “affiliated entity”) against expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ and experts’ fees, appeal bonds, out-of-pocket expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid or payable in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred (“Expenses”) in any claim against Indemnitee that is the subject of any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or other type of proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, discovery request, or otherwise and whether formal or informal, any appeal, and the giving of testimony in any threatened, pending, or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding (a “Proceeding”), to which Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made a party by reason of facts that include Indemnitee’s being or having been such a director, officer, employee, agent, or representative, to the extent of the highest and most advantageous to the Indemnitee, as determined by the Indemnitee, of one or any combination of the following –

 

(a)          indemnification provided by the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation (“Articles”) or Bylaws, in either case as the same may be amended or restated, or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of an affiliated entity of which the Indemnitee serves as a representative, in each case as in effect on the date hereof,

 

(b)          indemnification provided by the Corporation’s Articles or Bylaws, or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of an affiliated entity of which the Indemnitee serves as a representative, in each case as in effect when Expenses are incurred by the Indemnitee,

 

(c)          indemnification allowable under Florida law in effect at the date hereof or as amended to increase the scope of indemnification,

 

(d)          indemnification allowable under the law of the jurisdiction under which the Corporation exists when Expenses are incurred by the Indemnitee,

 

(e)          indemnification available under any liability insurance obtained by the Corporation in effect when a claim is made against Indemnitee,

 

(f)           indemnification available under any liability insurance obtained by the Corporation in effect when Expenses are incurred by the Indemnitee, and

 

(g)          such other indemnification benefits as are or may be otherwise available to Indemnitee.

 

               A combination of two or more of the indemnification benefits provided by (a) through (g) shall be available to the extent that the Applicable Document (as hereafter defined) does not require that the benefits provided therein be exclusive of other benefits.  The document or law providing for the indemnification benefits listed in items (a) through (g) above is called the “Applicable Document” in this Agreement.  The Corporation hereby undertakes to use its best efforts to assist Indemnitee in all proper and legal ways to obtain the indemnification benefits selected by Indemnitee under item (a) through (g) above.

 

 

For purposes of this Agreement, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans for employees of the Corporation or of any affiliated entity, without regard to ownership of such plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on the Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation that imposes duties on or involves services by the Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; references to the masculine shall include the feminine; references to the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; and if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, the Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner consistent with the standards required for indemnification by the Corporation under the Applicable Documents.

 

               2.            Insurance.  The Corporation shall maintain liability insurance for so long as Indemnitee’s services are covered hereunder, provided and to the extent that such insurance is available on a basis acceptable to the Corporation.  However, the Corporation agrees that the provisions hereof shall remain in effect regardless of whether liability or other insurance coverage is at any time obtained or retained by the Corporation.  Payments made to Indemnitee under an insurance policy obtained or retained by the Corporation shall reduce the obligation of the Corporation to make payments hereunder by the amount of the payments made under any such insurance policy.

 

               3.            Payment of Expenses.  At Indemnitee’s request, after receipt of written notice under section 5 hereof and an undertaking in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay such amounts so paid on Indemnitee’s behalf if it shall ultimately be determined under the Applicable Document that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation for such Expenses, the Corporation shall pay the Expenses as and when incurred by Indemnitee.  That portion of Expenses representing attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred in defending any proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation within 30 days after the Corporation receives the request and reasonable documentation evidencing the amount and nature of the Expenses, subject to the Corporation also having received such a notice and undertaking.

 

               4.            Additional Rights.  The indemnification provided in this Agreement shall not be exclusive of any other indemnification or right to which Indemnitee may be entitled and shall continue after Indemnitee has ceased to occupy a position as an officer, director, employee, agent, or representative as described in section 1 above with respect to Proceedings relating to or arising out of Indemnitee’s acts or omissions during the Indemnitee’s service in such position.  The indemnification benefits provided to Indemnitee under this Agreement for the Indemnitee’s service as a representative of an affiliated entity shall be payable if and only if and only to the extent that reimbursement to Indemnitee by the affiliated entity with which Indemnitee has served as a representative, whether pursuant to agreement, applicable law, articles of incorporation or association, bylaws or regulations of the entity, or insurance maintained by such affiliated entity, is insufficient to compensate Indemnitee for Expenses actually incurred and otherwise payable by the Corporation under this Agreement.  Any payments made to or on behalf of the Indemnitee directly or indirectly by the affiliated entity with which Indemnitee served as a representative shall reduce the obligation of the Corporation hereunder.

 

               5.            Notice to Corporation.  Indemnitee shall provide to the Corporation prompt written notice of any Proceeding brought, threatened, asserted, or commenced against Indemnitee for which Indemnitee may assert a right to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that failure to provide notice shall not in any way limit Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

               6.            Cooperation in Defense and Settlement.  Indemnitee shall not make any admission or effect any settlement without the Corporation’s written consent unless Indemnitee shall have determined to undertake the Indemnitee’s own defense in such matter and has waived the benefits of this Agreement.  The Corporation shall not settle any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party in a manner that would impose any Expense on Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s written consent.  Neither Indemnitee nor the Corporation shall unreasonably withhold consent to the proposed settlement.  Indemnitee and the Corporation shall cooperate to the extent reasonably possible with each other and with the Corporation’s insurers in attempts to defend or settle such Proceeding.

 

               7.            Assumption of Defense.  Except as otherwise provided below, the Corporation jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified may assume Indemnitee’s defense in any Proceeding, with counsel mutually satisfactory to Indemnitee and the Corporation.  After notice from the Corporation to Indemnitee of the Corporation’s election to assume such defense, the Corporation shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for Expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below.  Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in such Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Corporation of the Corporation’s assumption of the defense thereof shall be at Indemnitee’s expense unless:

 

(a)          the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Corporation,

 

(b)          counsel employed by the Corporation initially is unacceptable or later becomes unacceptable to Indemnitee and such unacceptability is reasonable under then existing circumstances,

 

(c)          Indemnitee reasonably concludes that there is a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Corporation (or another party being represented jointly with the Corporation) in the conduct of the defense of such Proceeding, or

 

(d)          the Corporation does not employ counsel promptly to assume the defense of the Proceeding,

 

in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the Corporation and subject to payment under this Agreement.  The Corporation shall not be entitled to assume the defense of Indemnitee in any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Corporation or as to which Indemnitee shall have made either of the conclusions provided for in clauses (b) or (c) above.

 

               8.            Enforcement.  If a dispute or controversy arises under this Agreement between Indemnitee and the Corporation about whether the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification for any Proceeding or for Expenses incurred, then for each such dispute or controversy the Indemnitee may seek to enforce the Agreement through legal action or, at Indemnitee’s sole option and written request, through arbitration.  If the Indemnitee requests arbitration, the dispute or controversy shall be submitted by the parties to binding arbitration in Leon County, Florida before a single arbitrator agreeable to both parties; provided, however, that indemnification for any claim, issue, or matter in a Proceeding brought against Indemnitee by or in the right of the Corporation and as to which Indemnitee is adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of the Indemnitee’s duty to the Corporation shall be submitted to arbitration only to the extent permitted under the Applicable Document and applicable law then in effect.  If the parties cannot agree on a designated arbitrator within 15 days after arbitration is requested in writing by the Indemnitee, the arbitration shall proceed in Leon County, Florida before an arbitrator appointed by the American Arbitration Association.  In either case, the arbitration proceeding shall commence promptly under the rules then in effect of that Association.  The arbitrator agreed to by the parties or appointed by that Association shall be an attorney other than an attorney who has been or is associated with a firm having associated with it an attorney who has been retained by or performed services for the Corporation or Indemnitee at any time during the five years preceding commencement of arbitration.  The award shall be rendered in such form that judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  The prevailing party shall be entitled to prompt reimbursement of any costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with such legal action or arbitration; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Corporation unless the arbitrator or court resolving the dispute determines that Indemnitee acted in bad faith in bringing the action or arbitration.

 

 

 

 

               9.            Exclusions.  Regardless of the scope of indemnification available to Indemnitees from time to time under any Applicable Document, no indemnification, reimbursement, or payment shall be required of the Corporation hereunder for –

 

(a)          any claim or any part thereof for which Indemnitee is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, from which no appeal is or can be taken, by clear and convincing evidence, to have acted with deliberate intent to cause injury to the Corporation or with reckless disregard for the best interests of the Corporation,

 

(b)          any claim or any part thereof arising out of acts or omissions for which applicable law prohibits elimination of liability,

 

(c)          any claim or any part thereof arising under section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for which Indemnitee is obligated to pay any penalty, fine, settlement, or judgment,

 

(d)          any obligation of Indemnitee based upon or attributable to the Indemnitee gaining in fact any improper personal benefit, gain, profit, or advantage, or

 

(e)          any proceeding initiated by Indemnitee without the consent or authorization of the Corporation’s board of directors, provided that this exclusion shall not apply to any claims brought by Indemnitee (x) to enforce the Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement or (y) in any Proceeding initiated by another person or entity, regardless of whether the claims were brought by Indemnitee against a person or entity who was otherwise a party to such proceeding.

 

               Nothing in this section 9 shall eliminate or diminish the Corporation’s obligations to advance that portion of Indemnitee’s Expenses representing attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred in defending any proceeding under section 3 of this Agreement.

 

Furthermore, despite anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement requires indemnification, reimbursement, or payment by the Corporation, and the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to demand indemnification, reimbursement, or payment under this Agreement, if and to the extent indemnification, reimbursement, or payment constitutes a “prohibited indemnification payment” within the meaning of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Rule 359.1(l)(1) [12 CFR 359.1(l)(1)].

 

               10.          Extraordinary Transactions.  The Corporation covenants and agrees that if a merger, consolidation, or reorganization occurs in which the Corporation is not the surviving entity, if there is a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or if there is a liquidation of the Corporation (each such event being hereinafter referred to as an “extraordinary transaction”), the Corporation shall –

 

(a)          have the obligations of the Corporation under this Agreement expressly assumed by the survivor, purchaser, or successor, as the case may be, in such extraordinary transaction, or

 

(b)          otherwise adequately provide for the satisfaction of the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement in a manner acceptable to the Indemnitee.

 

 11.         No Personal Liability.  Indemnitee agrees that neither the directors nor any officer, employee, representative, or agent of the Corporation shall be personally liable for the satisfaction of the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement, and Indemnitee shall look solely to the assets of the Corporation for satisfaction of any claims hereunder.

 

               12.          Severability.  If any provision, phrase, or other portion of this Agreement is determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and such determination becomes final, such provision, phrase, or other portion shall be deemed to be severed or limited, but only to the extent required to render the remaining provisions and portions of the Agreement enforceable, and the Agreement as thus amended shall be enforced to give effect to the intention of the parties insofar as that is possible.

 

               13.          Subrogation.  If any payments are made under this Agreement, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent thereof to all rights to indemnification or reimbursement against any insurer or other entity or person that are vested in the Indemnitee, who shall execute all instruments and take all other actions as shall be reasonably necessary for the Corporation to enforce such rights.

 

               14.          Governing Law.  The parties hereto agree that this Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Florida.

 

               15.          Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be considered to have been duly given if delivered by hand or mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, to the following addresses or to such other address as either party may designate by like notice.  If to the Corporation, notice shall be given to the board of directors, Prime Meridian Holding Company, 1471 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312, or to such other or additional person or persons as the Corporation shall have designated to the Indemnitee in writing.  If to the Indemnitee, notice shall be given to the Indemnitee at the address of the Indemnitee appearing on the Corporation’s records, or to such other or additional person or persons as the Indemnitee shall have designated to the Corporation in writing.

 

               16.          Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon not less than 60 days’ prior written notice delivered to the other party, but such termination shall not diminish the obligations of the Corporation hereunder for the Indemnitee’s activities before the effective date of termination.

 

               17.          Amendments and Binding Effect.  This Agreement and the rights and duties of Indemnitee and the Corporation hereunder may not be amended, modified, or terminated except by written instrument signed and delivered by the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.  This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

 

               18.          No Assignment. Any claim, right, title, benefit, remedy or interest of the Indemnitee in, to or under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement is personal and may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated, but the provisions of this Agreement shall survive the death, disability or incapacity of the Indemnitee or the termination of the Indemnitee’s services as a director or officer of the Corporation, or in any other capacity as to which indemnification is available under this Agreement, and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, devisees, executors, administrators and other legal representatives.

 

 

 

 

               19.          No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to benefit, and has not been entered into for the benefit of, any third parties and, other than as set forth in the preceding paragraph as to heirs, devisees, assignees, executors, administrators, other legal representatives and successors, nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, is intended or should be construed to confer upon, or to grant to, any person, except the Corporation and the Indemnitee, any claim, right, benefit or remedy under or because of this Agreement or any provision set forth in this Agreement.

 

               20.          Interpretation of Agreement. It is understood that the parties hereto intend this Agreement to be interpreted and enforced so as to provide indemnification to Indemnitee to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law.  The Corporation shall have the burden of proof in overcoming the presumption that the Indemnitee is presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement upon submission of a request for indemnification.  Such presumption shall be used as a basis for a determination of entitlement to indemnification unless the Corporation overcomes such presumption by clear and convincing evidence.

 

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

 

22.          Headings. The section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

               In Witness Whereof, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY

 

By:                                                                       

 

Its:                                                                       

 

INDEMNITEE                                                  

                                                  

__________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Undertaking

 

 

This Undertaking is entered into by                                      (“Indemnitee”) in accordance with an Indemnification Agreement dated as of August 20, 2020 (the “Indemnification Agreement”), by and between Prime Meridian Holding Company, a Florida corporation (the “Corporation”), and Indemnitee.

 

 

Recitals:

 

 

               A.           Under the Indemnification Agreement, the Corporation has agreed to pay Expenses (within the meaning of the Indemnification Agreement) as and when incurred by Indemnitee for any claim against Indemnitee that is the subject of any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, or investigative, to which Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made a party by reason of facts that include Indemnitee’s being or having been a director, officer, or representative (within the meaning of the Indemnification Agreement) of the Corporation,

 

 

               B.           Such a claim has arisen against Indemnitee and Indemnitee has notified the Corporation thereof in accordance with the terms of section 5 of the Indemnification Agreement (hereinafter the “Proceeding”), and

 

 

               C.           Indemnitee believes that Indemnitee should prevail in the Proceeding, and it is in the interest of both Indemnitee and the Corporation to defend against the claims against Indemnitee thereunder.

 

 

               Now, Therefore, Indemnitee hereby agrees that in consideration of the Corporation’s advance payment of Indemnitee’s Expenses incurred before final disposition of the Proceeding, Indemnitee hereby undertakes to reimburse the Corporation for any and all expenses paid by the Corporation on behalf of Indemnitee before final disposition of the Proceeding if the Indemnitee is determined under the Applicable Document (within the meaning of the Indemnification Agreement) to be required to repay such amounts to the Corporation under the Indemnification Agreement and applicable law, provided that if Indemnitee is entitled under the Applicable Document to indemnification for some or a portion of such Expenses, Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Corporation shall only be for those Expenses for which Indemnitee is determined to be required to repay such amounts to the Corporation.  Such reimbursement or arrangements for reimbursement by Indemnitee shall be consummated within 90 days after a determination that Indemnitee is required to repay such amounts to the Corporation under the Indemnification Agreement and applicable law.

 

 

               Further, the Indemnitee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Corporation concerning such proceeding.

 

 

               In Witness Whereof, the undersigned has executed this Undertaking this 20th day of August, 2020.

 

    

 

 

 

 

________________________________________________

IndemniteeDocument

Exhibit 10.1

CONFIDENTIAL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS

This Confidential Severance Agreement and Release of All Claims (“Agreement” or “Release”) is made and entered into by and between Jill Jene (hereinafter referred to as “Employee”) and PDL BIOPHARMA, INC., including any and all affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, representatives, agents, insurers, officers, directors, and employees (hereinafter “PDL” or “the Company”). Employee and PDL will be referred to collectively as “Parties” in this Agreement and individually as “Party.”

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Employee has received notice from the Company of Termination without Cause with an effective date of August 15, 2020 (the “Termination Date”);

WHEREAS, the Parties have pursuant to Paragraph 3 of the Wind-Down Retention Plan (attached hereto as Attachment A), agreed to certain Cash Retention Payments applicable to the Employee upon his/her Termination without Cause from the Company;

WHEREAS, the Parties, through the Wind-Down Retention Plan (attached hereto), have agreed to certain termination benefits in addition to the Cash Severance Amount, which benefits shall remain in place after the Termination Date;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises herein contained, including the WHEREAS clauses above, and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between the Parties as follows:

1. No Admission. This Agreement and compliance with this Agreement shall not be construed as an admission by the Company of any liability whatsoever, or as an admission of any violation of Employee’s rights or the rights of any person, or the violation of any order, law, statute, duty, or contract whatsoever against Employee or any person. The Company specifically disclaims any liability to Employee or to any other person for any alleged violation of the rights of Employee or any person, or for any alleged violation of any order, law, statute, duty, or contract on the part of the Company, its Employees or agents or related companies or their Employees or agents.

2. Consideration. In consideration for entering into this Agreement, the Company agrees to provide to Employee:

$1,266,442.90 USD (One million, two hundred sixty-six thousand, four hundred forty-two and 90/100 United States Dollars) in cash.

The foregoing is referred to herein as the “Cash Severance Amount.” Employee acknowledges and agrees that he/she is not entitled to any part of the Cash Severance Amount but for their entering into this Agreement. The Parties agree that the Cash Severance Amount, upon payment thereof, shall be full satisfaction of the Cash Retention Payment under Paragraph 3 of the Wind-Down Retention Plan. Any remaining benefits conferred under the Wind-Down Retention Plan, other than the Cash Retention 
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Payment under Paragraph 3 thereof, shall remain in place and are not extinguished or satisfied pursuant to this Agreement.

3. Entire Consideration. Employee agrees that, other than remaining benefits conferred under the Wind-Down Retention Plan, the Cash Severance Amount set forth in this Agreement shall constitute the entire cash consideration provided to Employee in connection with his/her termination, that the Cash Severance Amount Employee being is provided in this Agreement is in lieu of any cash payments which would otherwise be provided under any other severance agreement between the Employee and the Company, and that, other than remaining benefits conferred under the Wind-Down Retention Plan, he/she will not seek any further remuneration from the Company for any other damage, penalty, expense, wage, bonus, compensation, incentive equity program, commission, benefit, action, attorney fee or cost either individually or as part of a class in connection with the matters encompassed or released by this Agreement and/or arising out of Employee’s employment with and/or termination from the Company or any conduct or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement.

4. Accord and Satisfaction. As a material condition to the receipt of the Cash Severance Amount Employee receives under this Agreement, Employee represents and warrants that other than the Cash Severance Amount and remaining benefits conferred under the Wind-Down Retention Plan, he/she does not claim entitlement to, and shall not receive, any further compensation and/or benefits under any current or former employment agreement with, and/or any policy and/or any stock option, incentive equity, long-term incentive plan, severance agreement including any other severance agreement, Employee stock purchase agreement or plan and/or other benefit plan of the Company. In that regard, Employee further represents and warrants that as of their Termination Date, he/she has been paid for all hours worked, that he/she has received all wages including accrued but unused vacation or PTO to which he/she was or is entitled, that he/she took all meal and rest periods to which he/she was entitled, that he/she has been reimbursed for all expenses to which he/she was or is entitled, and that he/she received all itemized wage statements to which Employee was entitled during their employment. To the extent any compensation, penalties, interest, and/or benefits be claimed to exist by the Employee, other than the Cash Severance Amount and any other remaining benefits conferred under the Wind-Down Retention Plan, this Agreement and the consideration hereunder expressly are agreed to and shall constitute an accord and satisfaction of any and all such claims and/or obligations, and extinguishes them.

5. No Pending Actions. Employee represents that he/she has not filed any complaints, claims, or actions against the Company, its officers, agents, directors, supervisors, Employees, or representatives with any state, federal, or local agency or court as of the date of execution of this Agreement.

6. Covenant Not to Sue and No Suits Filed. A “covenant not to sue” is a legal term that means a person promises not to file a lawsuit or other legal proceeding. It is different from the general release of claims contained above. Besides waiving and releasing the claims as provided herein, Employee promises never to file or prosecute a lawsuit or claim, charge or complaint of any kind against any Releasee in any forum for any reason based on any act, omission, event, occurrence or nonoccurrence, covered by the General Release. Excluded from this covenant not to sue are suits to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the Wind-Down Retention Plan, or to challenge the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA. If Employee violates this covenant not to sue, Employee shall: (i) pay the Company’s reasonable attorney’s fees and other legal costs incurred in defending against Employee’s suit; or (ii) at the Company’s option, Employee shall be required to repay to the Company all but $200 of the Monetary 
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Consideration Employee received under this Agreement. Employee represents that, as of the date Employee executes this Agreement, he/she has not filed or caused to be filed any suits against any Releasee and that no such suits have been filed on their behalf.

7. Confidentiality; Confidential Information; Non-Disparagement; Return of PDL Property.

a.Employee agrees that he/she will keep the facts and terms of this Agreement completely confidential and that he/she will not hereafter disclose any information concerning this Agreement to anyone other than their spouse, lawyers, financial advisors and/or accountants, provided that any party hereto may make such disclosures as are required by law, to enforce this Agreement and as otherwise may be necessary for legitimate legal purposes.

b.Employee acknowledges that during the course of his/her employment with PDL, he/she had access to and was entrusted with confidential personnel and business information (the “Confidential Information”). Employee agrees that he/she was obligated during employment with the Company not to disclose at any time any Confidential Information to any person or entity without prior written permission from the General Counsel of the Company and understands that he/she will continue to be so obligated forever. Employee reaffirms the obligations Employee undertook when Employee signed the Agreement Regarding Confidential Information, Conflict of Interest, and Intellectual Property, attached hereto as Attachment B and made a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

c.Employee agrees that as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, defined below, and other than as expressly agreed to between the Company and Employee, he/she does not have any of PDL’s property in their possession, custody and control, including, but not limited to, all equipment (including electronic equipment such as hard drives), files, documents and data of any kind, whether stored in paper, disk, tape, or any other electronic form containing any information of PDL, all keys, cards, badges or other access devices. Employee agrees and hereby represents that to the extent that he/she has any PDL property in their possession, custody or control, he/she will immediately return all PDL property in both hard and soft form by first notifying the Company’s General Counsel of the Company at General.Counsel@pdl.com of such, and will delete any such information from any computer or other device he/she has in his/her possession, custody or control. Company agrees that Employee will keep possession of their Company issued computer, cell phone and iPad, but will delete any Company Confidential Information therefrom upon termination of employment, or the termination of any Consulting Agreement entered into between Company and the Employee, whichever is later.

8. Mutual Non-Disparagement. Employee agrees not to make any disparaging or defamatory comments to any third party concerning any Releasee or the Company’s clients, employees, products, services, methods of doing business or employment practices. Company agrees not to make any disparaging or defamatory comments to any third party concerning the Employee, the Employee’s performance during the term of employment, or any other aspects of the Employee’s employment at Company, and to endeavor using reasonable means to ensure that the Releasees defined in Paragraph 13 below, also make no such comments.

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Employee further agrees not to encourage or assist in any litigation against any Releasee, except insofar as Employee’s testimony is required by law. Employee agrees further not to voluntarily testify in any matter in which the Company has an interest unless he is under compulsory process or is asked to testify by the Company. If Employee is served with legal process concerning any matter in which the Employer has an interest, then Employee will immediately notify the President or General Counsel of the Company of such in writing and provide the President or the General Counsel of the Company a copy of the legal process received by the Employee or Employee’s representative and. Employee will be provided legal representation to the extent provided for under the Indemnification Agreement and the applicable Company insurance policies referenced in Paragraph 13(b).

9.   Non-Disparagement of Clients/Prospects.  Employee also agrees, on behalf of themselves and their spouse, that neither he/she nor their spouse will make any disparaging or defamatory comments to any third party concerning the Company’s prospects and/or clients, their respective Employees, products, services, methods of doing business and/or employment practices.

10. Breach.  If Employee breaches Paragraphs 8 or 9, the Company shall have, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have at law or in equity, the right to a temporary and permanent injunction restraining any such breach, without any bond or security being required.  In any such proceeding, Employee waives any defense that either may have an adequate remedy at law or that the injury suffered as a consequence of such breach is not irreparable. 

11. Enforcement of Agreement.  Should any party to this Agreement seek intervention of a court to resolve a dispute under this Agreement or to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees incurred.

12. Release.  

a.In consideration of the benefits provided to Employee described in this Agreement, Employee, for themselves,  their spouse, and his/her successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Company and each and all of its owners, parents, subsidiaries, representatives, agents, insurers, directors, officers, agents, supervisors, Employees, attorneys, and their successors and assigns and all persons acting by, through, under, or in concert with any of them (each a “Releasee”), from any and all charges, complaints, claims, and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected (“claim” or “claims”) which Employee at any time heretofore had or claimed to have, including, without limitation, any and all claims related or in any manner incidental to Employee’s employment with PDL or the ending of that relationship up to the Effective Date of this Agreement.

b.The Parties understand the word “claims” to include all actions, complaints, claims, and grievances, whether actual or potential, known or unknown, and specifically but not exclusively, all claims arising out of Employee’s employment with the Company and the termination thereof.  All such claims (including related attorneys’ fees and costs) as may exist as of the Effective Date of this Agreement are forever barred, including but not limited to any and all tort claims, contract claims, wrongful termination claims, public policy claims, retaliation claims, statutory claims, personal injury claims, emotional distress claims, privacy claims, defamation claims, fraud claims, and any and all claims arising under any federal, 
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state or other governmental statute, law, regulation or ordinance relating to employment, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Nevada Fair Employment Practices Act (codified in Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 613.310, et. seq.), and any federal, state or local laws covering discrimination in employment, including race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, military status, family care leave, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation and harassment or retaliation.  The only claims that are not released by this Agreement are: (1) claims that controlling law clearly states may not be released by settlement; (2)  claims that may arise after the execution of this Agreement; (3) claims for indemnification in accordance with Company policy or agreements; (4) claims Employee may have under Company insurance policies, including but not limited to Directors and Officers Liability, Errors and Omissions and Employer Practices Liability insurance policies; and (5) claims to enforce this Agreement or the Wind-Down Retention Plan.  Employee does not release or waive their right to enforce this Agreement or the Wind-Down Retention Plan.

c.As a material inducement for Employee to enter into this Agreement, the Company hereby waives, releases and forever discharges the Employee, to the same extent Employee has released the Company, from any and all claims, demands, actions and causes of action of every kind and nature, known and unknown, existing or claimed to exist, that arose or accrued to the present time, under any and all theories of law, including without limitation, claims arising under tort, contract, statute, common law, or any federal, state or local law, through the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any claims related to Employee’s employment and separation from employment.

d.Release of Age Discrimination Claims.  In accordance with the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Employee acknowledges that he/she agrees to the release of all known and unknown claims as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, including expressly the waiver of any rights or claims arising out of the Age Discrimination in Employment         Act (“ADEA”) 29 U.S.C. § 621, et seq., and in connection with such waiver:

(1)Employee is hereby advised to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement.

(2)Employee shall have a period of twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of this Agreement in which to consider the terms of the Agreement.  Employee may at their option execute this Agreement at any time during the 21- day period.  Employee acknowledges receipt of this Agreement as of August 15, 2020.

(3)Employee may revoke this Agreement at any time during the first seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not be effective or enforceable until the seven-day period has expired.  Employee may revoke this Agreement by notifying the Company’s General Counsel of the Company at General.Counsel@pdl.com, or otherwise in writing, prior to the expiration 
5

of the 7-day period.  The Effective Date of this Agreement will be the eighth (8th) day after Employee signs the Agreement, provided he/she has not revoked the Agreement within the seven (7) day revocation period (the “Effective Date of this Agreement”).

(4)Employee acknowledges and agrees that the consideration provided in this Agreement is in addition to anything of value that Employee would otherwise be entitled to receive from the Company and constitutes valid consideration in exchange for the releases set forth in this Agreement.

Employee understands that rights or claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.) that may arise after the date of this Agreement is executed are not waived.

e.Nothing in this Release prevents Employee from filing a charge or complaint with, or from participating in, an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any laws, including providing documents or other information, or prevents Employee from exercising rights under Section 7 of the NLRA to engage in protected, concerted activity with other Employees, although by signing this Release, Employee is waiving the right to recover any individual relief (including  back pay, front pay, reinstatement or other legal or equitable relief) in any charge, complaint, or lawsuit or other proceeding brought by Employee or on their behalf by any third party, except for any right Employee may have to receive a payment from a government agency (and not the Company) for information provided to the government agency.

13. Miscellaneous Acknowledgments by Employee.  Employee understands and agrees that he/she:

a.Has had a reasonable opportunity to consider this Agreement before executing it.

b.Has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement.

c.Is, through this Agreement, releasing the Company from any and all claims Employee may have against the Company.

d.Knowingly and voluntarily agrees to all of the terms set forth in this Agreement.

e.Knowingly and voluntarily intends to be legally bound by the same.

f.Was advised and hereby is advised in writing to consider the terms of this Agreement and consult with an attorney of their choice prior to executing this Agreement.

14. Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and upon their heirs, administrators, representa­tives, executors, successors, and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of said Parties and each of them and to their heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns.  Employee expressly warrants that he/she has not transferred to any person or entity any rights, causes of action, or claims released in this Agreement.
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15.  General Provisions.  This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the plain meaning of its terms and not strictly for or against any of the Parties hereto.  Additionally, this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada.  This Agreement (including Attachments A and B)  shall constitute the complete and total agreement between the Company and Employee.  Employee represents that he/she is not relying on any other agreements or oral representations not fully referenced herein and attached to the Agreement.  Employee agrees that this Agreement shall not be modified, altered, or discharged except by written instrument signed by an authorized Company representative and Employee.  The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Employee further agrees that this Agreement may be used as evidence in a subsequent proceeding in which the Company or Employee alleges a breach of this Agreement or as a complete defense to any lawsuit.  Other than this exception, Employee agrees that this Agreement will not be introduced as evidence in any legal or administrative proceeding or in any lawsuit unless required by law.  

16. Enforceability.  Should any provision of this Agreement be declared or be determined by any court of competent jurisdic­tion to be wholly or partially illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the legality, validity, and enforceability of the remaining parts, terms, or provisions shall not be affected thereby, and said illegal, unenforceable, or invalid part, term, or provision shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement.

17. Complete Agreement. This Agreement (including Attachments A, B and C), supersedes all prior agreements entered into between the Parties. The Parties represent that they are not relying on anything not contained in this Agreement.

18. Execution.  To be valid, within 21 days of Employee’s receipt of this Agreement, he/she must place their initials in the lower-right hand corner of each page, sign and date it at its end, then send an electronic executed copy to Chris Stone at  Chris.Stone@pdl.com.  The Parties may execute this Agreement in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile, email or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document has the same effect as delivery of an executed original of the Agreement.  

19. IRS Code Section 409A.  This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A) which establishes personal tax and penalty liability for certain deferred compensation, or an exemption thereunder, and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption.  Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service, as a short-term deferral, or as a settlement payment pursuant to a bona fide legal dispute shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible.  For purposes of Section 409A, any installment payments provided under this Agreement shall each be treated as a separate payment.  Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A.  To the extent that this Agreement or any plan, program or award of the Company in which Employee participates or which has been or is granted by the Company to the Employee, as applicable, is subject to Section 409A, the Company and the Employee 
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agree to cooperate and work together in good faith to timely amend each such plan, program or award to comply with Section 409A.

20. Agreement Is Knowing and Voluntary.  Employee understands and agrees that Employee:

a.has had a reasonable time within which to consider this Agreement before executing it;

b.has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement;

c.knowingly and voluntarily agrees to all of the terms set forth in this Agreement; and

d.knowingly and voluntarily intends to be legally bound by the same.

THE UNDERSIGNED STATE THAT THEY HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE
 AGREEMENT, KNOW, UNDERSTAND, ACCEPT AND AGREE TO ITS CONTENTS.

                  WHEREFORE, the Parties have read all of the foregoing, understand the same and agree to all of the provisions contained herein.

                                                                        EMPLOYEE

 Dated:  _______, 2020            By:                                                                                          
                                                                        Jill Jene

            PDL BIOPHARMA, INC.

Dated: _______, 2020             By:                                                                                          
            Dominique Monnet, Chief Executive Officer
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