Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.21.1

                     [Letterhead of Universal Access, Inc.]

                                February 8, 1999

Mr. Patrick Shutt
President
100 North Riverside Plaza
Suite 2200
Chicago, IL 60606

          Re:  Employment, Non-Competition and Proprietary Rights Agreement
               dated as of September 15, 1998 (the "Employment Agreement")

Dear Patrick:

          You and the Company have discussed changing certain terms of the
Employment Agreement, and the Company would like to obtain your acknowledgment
and agreement that promptly, and in any case within sixty (60) days, following
the closing of the sale of shares of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock, the Employment Agreement will be amended to include the following terms:

          1.   The initial term, of employment under the Employment Agreement
will be one year, renewable automatically for additional one-year periods unless
terminated by you or by the Company by written notice not less than three months
before the expiration of the then-current term.

          2.   Section 2.4(c) will be revised to provide that in lieu of any
severance under any severance plan that the Company may then have in effect, and
subject to the conditions described in Section 2.4, the Company will pay you the
balance of your base salary and bonus for the greater of (i) six months and (ii)
the remaining term of the employment term, excluding any renewals of the
then-current term, plus prorated vacation pay and expense reimbursement through
the date of termination, as well as the "Insurance Coverage" defined in the
Employment Agreement.

          3.   The base salary and bonus described in Section A(l) and A(2) of
Exhibit A to the Employment Agreement will be determined by a compensation
committee to be established by the board of directors, provided, however, that
your base salary shall be not less than $155,000 per year. By signing below you
will also acknowledge and agree that you shall not be entitled to any bonus
payments under A(2) of Exhibit A to the Employment Agreement, as this provision
is currently drafted, and that you will only be entitled to bonus payments
determined by a compensation committee to be established by the board of
directors.

The remaining provisions of the Employment Agreement shall remain substantially
identical to those

<PAGE>   2

Mr. Patrick Shutt
February 8, 1999
Page 2

currently contained in the Employment Agreement, subject to any changes to which
you and the Company may mutually agree.

          Please indicate that you acknowledge and agree to the changes
described in this letter by signing where indicated below.

                                        UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC.

                                        By: /s/ ROBERT POMMER, JR.
                                           ------------------------
                                        Name:  Robert Pommer, Jr.
                                        Title: Executive Vice President and
                                               Chief Operating Officer

Acknowledged, Agreed to and Accepted:

/s/ PATRICK SHUTT
-----------------------------
PATRICK SHUTT

Dated: February 8th, 1999<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.21.2

                    AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     Amendment No. 2 dated as of February 1, 2000 (the "Amendment") to the
Employment, Non-Competition and Proprietary Rights Agreement, as amended, and
any exhibits thereto (the "Agreement") by and between Universal Access, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") and Patrick C. Shutt (the "Employee"). Any
capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to those
terms in the Agreement.

                                    RECITALS

     A.  Company and Employee entered into the Agreement on September 15, 1998
and amended the Agreement by letter agreement dated February 8, 1999.

     B.  Company and Employee desire to amend the Agreement to reflect certain
changes agreed to by the Company and the Employee.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as
follows:

     1.  The figure of $155,000 in paragraph A (1) of Exhibit A to the Agreement
shall be deleted and replaced by the figure of $235,000.

     2.  Section 6.3 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and
replaced by the following:

                6.3  Entire Agreement; Amendments, Etc. This Agreement and the
         Indemnification Agreement dated as of January 7, 2000 between the
         Company and Employee (as the Indemnification Agreement may be amended,
         restated or otherwise modified) contain the entire agreement and
         understanding of the parties hereto, and supersede all prior agreements
         and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
         Except as provided in Section 4.4(b), no modification, amendment,
         waiver or alteration of this Agreement or any provision or term hereof
         shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing,
         executed by both parties hereto, and any waiver so given shall be
         effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose
         for which given.
<PAGE>   2
     3.  Miscellaneous. Upon the execution and delivery of this Amendment, the
Agreement shall be amended and supplemented as set forth herein, as fully and
with the same effect as if the amendments and supplements made hereby were set
forth in the Agreement as of the date hereof. This Amendment and the Agreement
shall henceforth be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument,
but this Amendment shall not operate so as to render invalid or improper any
action previously taken under this Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed as of February 1, 2000.

          COMPANY:                 UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC.,
                                   a Delaware corporation

                                   By: /s/ Robert J. Pommer, Jr.
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Robert J. Pommer, Jr.
                                       Title: Chief Operating Officer

          EMPLOYEE:                By: /s/ Patrick C. Shutt
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Patrick C. Shutt<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.22

                           EMPLOYMENT NON-COMPETITION
                         AND PROPRIETY RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT NON-COMPETITION AND PROPRIETY RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the
"AGREEMENT") is made as of this 15th day of September, 1998, by and between
UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC., an Illinois corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Mr. Robert
Pommer (the "EMPLOYEE").

                                    RECITALS:

         A.    The Company is in the telecommunications business;

         B.    The Company desires to employ Employee and Employee desires to be
employed by the Company as its Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
subject to the terms, conditions and covenants hereinafter set forth; and

         C.    As a condition of the Company employing Employee, Employee has
agreed not to divulge to the public the Company's confidential information, not
to solicit the Company's vendors, customers or employees and not to compete with
the Company, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the agreements,
covenants and conditions set forth herein, the Employee and the Company hereby
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   EMPLOYMENT

         1.1   Employment. The Company hereby employs, engages and hires
Employee, and Employee hereby accepts employment, upon the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement. The Employee shall serve as Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The Employee shall have and fully
perform the duties and responsibilities as may be, from time to time, specified
in the Company's By-laws and assigned or delegated by the Board of Directors.

         1.2   Activities and Duties During Employment. Employee represents and
warrants to the Company that Employee is free to accept employment with the
Company, and that Employee has no prior or other commitments or obligations of
any kind to anyone else which would hinder or interfere with the acceptance of
the obligations under this Agreement.

         Employee accepts the employment described in Section 1 of this
Agreement and agrees to devote his full time and efforts to the faithful and
diligent performance of the services described therein, including the
performance of such other services and responsibilities as the Company may,

<PAGE>   2

from time to time, stipulate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Employee ordinarily shall devote not less than five days per week to his
employment, and shall be present on the Company premises or actively engaged in
service to or on behalf of the Company during normal business hours Monday
through Friday, excluding periods of vacation and sick leave. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Employee may: (i) serve on the board of directors of other
entities or serve in any capacity with any civic, educational, professional or
charitable organization provided that such service does not materially interfere
or conflict with his duties hereunder; and (ii) make and manage personal
investments of his choice.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                      TERM

         2.1   Term. The term of employment under this Agreement shall be three
(3) years, commencing on the date of the Agreement (such term of employment, as
it may be extended or terminated, is herein referred to as the "Employment
Term"), which Employment Term shall automatically renew for additional one (1)
year periods unless terminated by Employee or the Company by written notice not
less than six (6) months prior to expiration of the then-current term.

         2.2   Termination. The Employment Term and employment of Employee may
be terminated as follows:

         (a)   By the Company immediately for "Cause." For the purpose of this
               Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) conduct amounting to fraud,
               embezzlement, or illegal misconduct in connection with Employee's
               duties under this Agreement; (ii) the conviction of Employee by a
               court of proper jurisdiction of (or his written, voluntary and
               freely given confession to) a crime which constitutes a felony
               (other than a traffic violation) or an indictment that results in
               material injury to the Company's property, operation or
               reputation; (iii) the willful failure of Employee to comply with
               reasonable directions of the Board after (a) written notices
               delivered to the Employee describing such willful failure and (b)
               Employee has failed to cure or take substantial steps to cure
               such willful failure after a reasonable time period as determined
               by the Board in its reasonable discretion (not to be less than 30
               days) unless the Employee, after discussion with counsel, in good
               faith believes, that the directions of the Board (or its actions
               or inactions in response to the Employee's written notice) are
               illegal; or (iv) willful misconduct or a material default by the
               Employee in the performance or observance of any promise or
               undertaking of Employee under this Agreement, which willful
               misconduct or default has a material adverse effect on the
               Company and has continued for a period of ten (10) business days
               after written notice thereof from the Company to the Employee;
               provided, that if such willful misconduct or default is of a
               nature that it or the injury therefrom cannot be reasonably cured
               within such ten (10) day period (but is curable), then, if
               Employee shall have commenced an attempt to cure such default
               within such ten (10) day period, the period to cure the

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<PAGE>   3

               default shall be extended until the earlier of: (i) the date
               which is forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice or (ii) the
               date that Employee has failed to diligently continue his efforts
               in a reasonable manner to cure his default.

         (b)   Automatically, without the action of either party, upon the death
               of Employee.

         (c)   By either party upon the Total Disability of the Employee. The
               Employee shall be considered to have a Total Disability for
               purposes of this Agreement is he is unable by reason of accident
               or illness to substantially perform his employment duties, and is
               expected to be in such condition for periods totaling six (6)
               months (whether or not consecutive) during any period of twelve
               (12) months. The determination of whether a Total Disability has
               occurred shall be based on the determination of a physician
               mutually acceptable to the Company and the Employee. Nothing
               herein shall limit the Employee's right to receive any payments
               to which Employee may be entitled under any disability or
               employee benefit plan of the Company or under any disability or
               insurance policy or plan. During a period of Total Disability
               prior to termination hereunder, Employee shall continue to
               receive his full compensation (including base salary and bonus)
               and benefits.

         (d)   By the Employee upon a Change of Control. For the purpose of this
               Agreement, "change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any
               of the following:

               1.   the Company consummates a merger or consolidation which
                    results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding
                    immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
                    remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
                    securities of the surviving entity) less then fifty percent
                    (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting
                    securities of the Company or such surviving entity
                    outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

               2.   a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an
                    agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of (in
                    one transaction or a series of transactions) all or
                    substantially all of the Company's assets is consummated;

               3.   Company consummates a plan of complete liquidation of the
                    Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition (in one
                    transaction or a series of transactions) by the Company of
                    all or substantially all of the Company's assets;

               provided, however, that a public offering of the stock of the
               Company irrespective of the amount of voting securities owned by
               present Shareholders after such offering shall not be deemed to
               constitute a Change of Control.

                                       3

<PAGE>   4

         (d)   By the Employee upon ten (10) business days notice to the Company
               for Good Reason, which notice shall state the reason for
               termination. For the purpose of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
               shall mean: (i) a demotion or reduction in the Employee's duties,
               responsibilities or authority as Vice President and Chief
               Operating Officer or without his written consent or the
               assignment to the Employee of duties and responsibilities
               inconsistent with his position as Vice President and Chief
               Operating Officer of the Company without his written consent or
               which diminishes his authority without his written consent
               (together, the "Demotion Actions"), and the Demotion Actions are
               not cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after written
               notice of the Demotion Actions from the Employee; (ii) the
               relocation of the Employee's principal place of employment, or
               the principal offices for the Company to a location of more than
               fifty (50) miles from the current location; or (iii) any material
               failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of this
               Employee Agreement, including but not limited to, failure to
               timely pay any part of Employee's compensation (including salary
               or bonus) or provide the benefits contemplated herein, and which
               is not remedied by the Company within ten (10) business days
               after receipt by the Company of written notice thereof from
               Employee; provided, that if such default is of a nature that it
               cannot be reasonably cured within ten (10) day period (but is
               curable), then if the Company shall have commenced an attempt to
               cure such default within such ten (10) day period, the period to
               cure the default shall be extended until the earlier of the date
               which is forty-five (45) days after receipt of notice or the
               Company has failed to diligently continue its efforts in a
               reasonable manner to cure its default.

         (e)   By the Employee without Good Reason, and therefore in breach of
               this Agreement.

         2.3   Cessation of Rights and Obligations: Survival of Certain
Provisions. On the date of expiration or earlier termination of the Employment
Term for any reason, all of the respective rights, duties, obligation and
covenants of the parties, as set forth herein, shall, except as specifically
provided herein to the contrary, cease and become of no further force or effect
as of the date of said termination, and shall only survive as expressly provided
for herein.

         2.4   Cessation of Compensation. In lieu of any severance under any
severance plan that the Company may then have in effect, and subject to any
amounts owed by the Employee to the Company under any contract, agreement or
loan document entered into after the date hereof which relates solely to his
employment with the Company (including, but not limited to, loans made by the
Company to the Employee), the Company shall pay to the Employee, and the
Employee shall be entitled to receive, the following amounts within thirty (30)
days of the date of a termination of his employment:

         (a)   Voluntary Termination/Cause/Expiration of Term. Upon (i) Employee
               terminating his employment without Good Reason as provided in
               Section II. B.6., (ii) the expiration of the Employment Term
               because either the Company or the Employee

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<PAGE>   5

               elects not extend the Employment Term, or (iii) a termination of
               the Employment Term for Cause by the Company, the Employee shall
               be entitled to receive solely through the date of termination and
               expense reimbursement.

         (b)   Death or Total Disability. Upon the termination of the Employment
               Term by reason of the death or Total Disability of the Employee,
               the Employee (or, in the case of death, his estate) shall be
               entitled to receive in a lump sum his base salary (which shall
               include any of his unused vacation pay for the year of such
               termination), unpaid bonus based on the portion of the calendar
               year through the date the Employment Term ends hereunder using
               the greater of the "Guaranteed Annual Bonus" (as defined under
               Section III.A.2) or the annual bonus paid in the immediately
               preceding calendar year and expense reimbursement through the
               date of termination.

         (c)   Involuntary. Upon the termination of the Employment Term:

               (1)  by the Company for any reason other than Cause, Death or
                    Total Disability;

               (2)  by the Employee for Good Reason,

               the Executive shall be entitled to receive in a lump sum the
               balance of his base salary and the bonus using the greater of the
               Guaranteed Annual Bonus or the annual bonus paid in the
               immediately preceding calendar year for the remaining term of the
               Employment Term, exclusive of any renewals of the then existing
               term, plus prorated vacation pay and expense reimbursement
               through the date of termination. The bonus payment to be made
               hereunder shall be based on the bonus that would have been paid
               through the remainder of the Employment Term based on the greater
               of: (i) the Guaranteed Annual Bonus provided for under Section
               III.A.2. hereof; or (ii) the annual bonus paid in the immediately
               preceding calendar year. In addition, if permitted under the
               Company's group health, life and disability insurance coverage
               ("Insurance Coverage"), Employee shall be entitled to
               continuation of Employee's coverage thereunder (subject to such
               changes in coverage as shall apply to Company's employees
               generally) for the one (1) year period after the termination of
               the Employment Term at the cost of the Company or if not so
               permitted, payment by the Company of the premiums for group
               health insurance coverage otherwise payable by Employee under the
               Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA").
               It shall be a condition to Employee's right to receive the
               payments described above that Employee shall be in compliance
               with all of the Employee's obligations which survive termination
               hereof, including without limitation those arising under Article
               IV hereof. The payments described above are intended to be in
               lieu of all other payments to which Employee might otherwise be
               entitled in respect of termination of Employee's employment
               without Cause unless otherwise required by law or under other
               agreements between the parties.

                                       5

<PAGE>   6

         2.5   No Offset/No Mitigation of Damages. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, Employee shall have no obligation to mitigate or seek
other employment with respect to the payments and benefits under this Agreement
and the Company's obligations under this Agreement shall not be subject to any
offset for any counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the
Company may have (other than amounts if any loaned by the Company to the
Employee as a result of his employment with the Company).

         2.6   Tax Gross-Up.

         (a)   The Company shall attempt to satisfy Section 280G(b)(5) of the
               Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the
               regulations thereunder to the extent such Code Section is
               applicable. In the event that the shareholder approval
               requirements under Section 280G(b)(5) of the code and the
               regulations thereunder are not satisfied or any other amounts
               (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other
               plan, arrangement or agreement with the company, any person whose
               actions result in a change of ownership covered by Code Section
               280G(b)(2) or any person affiliated with the company or such
               person) as a result of a Change of Control, (collectively the
               "Company Payments"), and such Company Payments will be subject to
               the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code
               (and any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed), the Company
               shall have to pay to the Employee, an additional amount (the
               "Gross-up Payment") such that the net amount retained by the
               Employee, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Company
               Payments and any federal, state and local income tax and Excise
               Tax upon the Gross-up Payment provided for by this Section
               II.F.1., but before deduction for any federal, state or local
               income tax on the Company Payments, shall be equal to the Company
               Payments.

         (b)   Prior to any change in ownership (as defined under Section 280(G)
               of the Code), the Employee and the Company shall select an
               independent certified public accountant or qualified tax counsel
               (the "Tax Professional") to determine whether any of the Company
               Payments and Gross-up Payments (collectively, the "Total
               Payments") will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of
               such Excise Tax taking into account all provisions of the Code,
               including but not limited to exemptions contained in Section
               280(G) such as those for payments of reasonable compensation for
               services actually rendered. In addition, the Tax Professional
               shall determine the value of any non-cash benefits or any
               deferred payment or benefit for purposes of determining the
               amount, if any, of the Excise Tax. It the Employee and the
               Company are unable to mutually determine appropriate Tax
               Professional, the decision will be made in accordance with the
               arbitration procedures in this Agreement.

         (c)   For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment,
               the Employee shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the
               highest marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar
               year in which the Gross-up Payment is to be made

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<PAGE>   7

               and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
               taxation in the state and locality of the Employee's residence
               for the calendar year in which the Company Payment is to be made,
               net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could
               be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes if paid
               in such year.

         (d)   The Gross-up Payment shall be paid not later than the fifteenth
               (15th) day following the final determination of the amount of the
               Excise Tax by the Tax Professionals or under the arbitration
               procedures.

         (e)   In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be
               less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the
               Gross-up Payment is made, Employee shall repay to the Company at
               the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is
               finally determined (but, if previously paid to the taxing
               authorities, not prior to the time the amount of such reduction
               is refunded to Employee or otherwise realized as a benefit by
               Employee) the portion of the Gross-up Payment that would not have
               been paid if such Excise Tax had been applied to initially
               calculating the Gross-up Payment, plus interest on the amount of
               such repayment at the rate provided in Section 2375(b)(2)(B) of
               the Code. In the event that the Excise Tax is determined to
               exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the
               Gross-up Payment is made (including by reason of any payment the
               existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of
               the Gross-up Payment), the Company shall make an additional
               Gross-up Payment and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless
               in respect of such excess (plus any interest and penalties
               payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount
               of such excess is finally determined.

               The Gross-up Payment provided for above shall be paid on the 15th
               day (or such earlier date as the Excise Tax becomes due and
               payable to the taxing authorities) after it has been determined
               that the Total Payments (or any other portion thereof) are
               subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that if the amount
               of such Gross-up Payment or portion thereof cannot be finally
               determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to
               Employee on such day an estimate, as determined by the Tax
               Professionals, of the minimum amount of such payments and shall
               pay the remain of such payments (together with interest at the
               rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code), as soon as
               the amount thereof can be determined. In the event that the
               amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently
               determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan
               by the Company to Employee, payable on the fifth day after demand
               by the Company (together with interest at the rate provided in
               Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). If more than one Gross-up
               Payment is made, the amount of each Gross-up Payment shall be
               computed so as not to duplicate any prior Gross-up Payment.

                                       7

<PAGE>   8

               Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
               Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
               payment by the Company of the Gross-up Payment. Such notification
               shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10)
               business days after Employee is informed in writing of such claim
               and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the
               date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Employee shall
               not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
               following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company
               (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
               taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the company notifies
               Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period that
               it desires to contest such claim, Employee shall:

               (1)  give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
                    Company relating to such claim;

         2.7   Payment. All compensation shall be payable in intervals in
accordance with the general payroll payment practice of the Company, but not
less frequently than monthly. The compensation shall be subject to such
withholdings and deductions by the Company as are required by law.

         2.8   Business Expenses.

         (a)   Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Employee for all
               reasonable, ordinary, and necessary business expenses incurred by
               him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder,
               including, but not limited to, ordinary and necessary travel
               expenses and entertainment expenses. The reimbursement of
               business expenses will be governed by the policies for the
               Company and the terms otherwise set forth herein.

         (b)   Accounting. The Employee shall provide the Company with an
               accounting of his expenses, which accounting shall clearly
               reflect which expenses were incurred for proper business purposes
               in accordance with the policies adopted by the Company and as
               such are reimbursable by the Company. The Employee shall provide
               the Company with such other supporting documentation and other
               substantiation of reimbursable expenses as will conform to
               Internal Revenue Service or other requirements. All such
               reimbursements shall be payable by the Company to the Employee
               within a reasonable time after receipt by the Company of
               appropriate documentation therefor.

                                       8

<PAGE>   9

                                   ARTICLE III

                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         3.1   Compensation. During Employee's employment, the Company shall pay
Employee such salary and bonus as set forth on Exhibit A.

         3.2   Payment. All compensation shall be payable in intervals in
accordance with the general payroll payment practice of the Company. The
compensation shall be subject to such withholdings and deductions by the Company
as are required by law.

         3.3   Other Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any
retirement, pension, profit-sharing, stock option, health plan, incentive
compensation and welfare or any other benefit plan or plans of the Company which
may now or hereafter be in effect and for which the Employee is eligible.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company shall be under no obligation to
institute or continue the existence of any such benefit plan.

                                   ARTICLE IV

           CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

         4.1   Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information. Employee hereby
acknowledges and agrees that the duties and services to be performed by Employee
under this Agreement are special and unique and that as of a result of the
employment hereunder, Employee will acquire, develop and use information of a
special and unique nature and value that is not generally known to the public or
to the Company's industry, including but not limited to, certain records, phone
locations, documentation, software programs, price lists, contract prices for
purchase and sale of telephone access and telephone services, equipment
configurations, business plans, ledgers and general information, employee
records, mailing lists, lists, accounts receivable and payable ledgers,
financial and other records of the Company or its affiliates, information
regarding other similar matters (all such information being hereinafter referred
to as "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"). Employee further acknowledges and agrees that
the Confidential Information is of great value to the Company and its affiliates
and that the restrictions and agreements contained in this Agreement are
reasonably necessary to protect the Confidential Information and the goodwill of
the Company. Accordingly, Employee hereby agrees that:

         (a)   Employee will not, while employed by the Company or at any time
               thereafter, directly or indirectly, except in connection with
               Employee's performance of the duties under this Agreement, or as
               otherwise authorized in writing by the Company for the benefit of
               the Company, divulge to any person, firm, corporation, limited
               liability company, or organization, other than the Company
               (hereinafter referred to

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<PAGE>   10

               as "THIRD PARTIES"), or use or cause or authorize any Third
               Parties to use, the Confidential Information, except as required
               by law; and

         (b)   Upon the termination of Employee's employment for any reason
               whatsoever, Employee shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
               the Company any and all Confidential Information, including
               drawings, notebooks, notes, records, keys, data and other
               documents and materials belonging to the Company or its
               affiliates which is in his possession or under his control
               relating to the Company or its affiliates, regardless of the
               medium upon which it is stored, and will deliver to the Company
               upon such termination of employment any other property of the
               Company or its affiliates which is in his possession or control.

         4.2   Non-Solicitation Covenant. Employee hereby covenants and agrees
that while employed by the Company and for a period of one (1) year following
the termination of Employee's employment with the Company for any reason,
Employee shall not (i) directly or indirectly, contact, solicit, interfere with,
or endeavor to entice away from the Company or its Affiliates any person, firm,
corporation, limited liability company or other entity that was a vendor or
customer of the Company at any time while Employee was an employee of the
Company or its Affiliates or who is a "PROSPECTIVE VENDOR OR CUSTOMER" of the
Company, or (ii) induce, attempt to induce or hire any employee (or any person
who was an employee during the year preceding the date of any solicitation) of
the Company or its Affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or its
Affiliates, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such
employee and the Company or its Affiliates. For purposes hereof, "PROSPECTIVE
VENDOR OR CUSTOMER" shall mean any person or entity which has been solicited for
business by Employee or any officer or other employee of the Company at any time
during Employee's employment.

         4.3   Non-Competition Covenant. Employee acknowledges that the
covenants set forth in this Section 4.3 are reasonable in scope and essential to
the preservation of the Business of the Company (as defined herein). Employee
also acknowledges that the enforcement of the covenant set forth in this Section
4.3 will not preclude Employee from being gainfully employed in such manner and
to the extent as to provide a standard of living for himself, the members of his
family and the others dependent upon him of at least the level to which he and
they have become accustomed and may expect. In addition, Employee acknowledges
that the Company has obtained an advantage over its competitors as a result of
its name, location and reputation that is characterized by near permanent
relationships with vendors, customers, principals and other contacts which it
has developed at great expense. Furthermore, Employee acknowledges that
competition by him following the termination or expiration of his employment
would impair the operation of the Company beyond that which would arise from the
competition of an unrelated third party with similar skills. Employee hereby
agrees that he shall not, during his employment and for a period of one (1) year
after the end of his employment, directly or indirectly, engage in or become
directly or indirectly interested in any proprietorship, partnership, firm,
trust, company, limited liability company or other entity, other than the
Company (whether as owner, partner, trustee, beneficiary, stockholder, member,
officer, director, employee, independent contractor, agent, servant, consultant,

                                       10

<PAGE>   11

lessor, lessee or otherwise) that competes with the Company in the Business of
the Company in the Restricted Territory (as defined herein), other than an
interest in a company listed on a recognized stock exchange in an amount which
does not exceed five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of such corporation.
For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the term "BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY" shall
include all business activities and ventures related to providing high speed
bandwidth telecommunications in which the Company is engaged, plans to engage in
the next twelve months or has engaged in the prior twelve months, as determined
at any time during the employment of the Employee; and (ii) the term "RESTRICTED
TERRITORY" means the geographical area consisting of Cook County, Illinois.

         4.4   Remedies.

         (a)   Injunctive Relief. Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees
               that the Business of the Company is highly competitive and that a
               violation of any of the provisions of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3
               would cause immediate and irreparable harm, loss and damage to
               the Company not adequately compensable by a monetary award.
               Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the time periods
               and territorial areas provided for herein are the minimum
               necessary to adequately protect the Business of the Company, the
               enjoyment of the Confidential Information and the goodwill of the
               Company. Without limiting any of the other remedies available to
               the Company at law or in equity, or the Company's right or
               ability to collect money damages, Employee agrees that any actual
               or threatened violation of any of the provisions of Sections 4.1,
               4.2 or 4.3 may be immediately restrained or enjoined by any court
               of competent jurisdiction, and that a temporary restraining order
               or emergency, preliminary or final injunction may be issued in
               any court of competent jurisdiction, without notice and without
               bond. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
               Agreement, the provisions of this Section shall survive the
               termination of Employee's employment.

         (b)   Enforcement. It is the desire of the parties that the provisions
               of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 be enforced to the fullest extent
               permissible under the laws and public policies in each
               jurisdiction in which enforcement might be sought. Accordingly,
               if any particular portion of Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 shall ever
               be adjudicated as invalid or unenforceable, or if the application
               thereof to any party or circumstance shall be adjudicated to be
               prohibited by or invalidated by such laws or public policies,
               such section or sections shall be (i) deemed amended to delete
               therefrom such portions so adjudicated or (ii) modified as
               determined appropriate by such a court, such deletions or
               modifications to apply only with respect to the operation of such
               section or sections in the particular jurisdictions so
               adjudicating on the parties and under the circumstances as to
               which so adjudicated.

                                       11

<PAGE>   12

         (c)   Legal Fees. The Employee shall reimburse the Company for all
               reasonable costs and expenses, including, but not limited to
               attorney's fees, incurred by the Company in connection with the
               enforcement of the provisions set forth in this Agreement.

         4.5   Company. All references to the Company in this Article 4 shall
include "Affiliates" of the Company, as that term is construed under Rule 405 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         5.1   Notices. All notices or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given, delivered and
received (a) when delivered, if delivered personally, (b) four days after
mailing, when sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and
postage prepaid, (c) one business day after delivery to a private courier
service, when delivered to a private courier service providing documented
overnight service, and (d) on the date of delivery if delivered by telecopy,
receipt confirmed, provided that a confirmation copy is sent on the next
business day by first class mail, postage prepaid, in each case addressed as
follows:

         To Employee at his home address.

         To Company at:    Universal Access, Inc.
                           Suite 101
                           1021 West Adams
                           Chicago, Illinois 60601
                           Attn.:
                           Ph:  312-491-1700
                           Fax: 312-421-9006

         With a copy to:   Shefsky & Froelich Ltd.
                           444 North Michigan Avenue
                           Suite 2500
                           Chicago, IL  60611
                           Attn.: Mitchell D. Goldsmith
                           Ph:  (312) 836-4006
                           Fax: (312) 527-5921

Any party may change its address for purposes of this paragraph by giving the
other party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

         5.2   Entire Agreement; Amendments, Etc. This Agreement contains the
entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto, and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings

                                       12

<PAGE>   13

relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.4(b), no
modification, amendment, waiver or alteration of this Agreement or any provision
or term hereof shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing, executed by both parties hereto, and any waiver so given shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which
given.

         5.3   Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the heirs, successors, legal
representatives and permitted assignees of Employee and the successors,
assignees and transferees of the Company. This Agreement or any right or
interest hereunder may not be assigned by Employee without the prior written
consent of the Company.

         5.4   No Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in
exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or pursuant hereto shall operate
as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right,
power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or remedy hereunder or pursuant thereto.

         5.5   Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law but, if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent
of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such
provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. If any part of any
covenant or other provision in this Agreement is determined by a court of law to
be overly broad thereby making the covenant unenforceable, the parties hereto
agree, and it is their desire, that the court shall substitute a judicially
enforceable limitation in its place, and that as so modified the covenant shall
be binding upon the parties as if originally set forth herein.

         5.6   Compliance and Headings. Time is of the essence of this
Agreement. The headings in this Agreement are intended to be for convenience and
reference only, and shall not define or limit the scope, extent or intent or
otherwise affect the meaning of any portion hereof.

         5.7   Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be
governed by, interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Illinois, and the parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding with
respect to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of Lake County in the
State of Illinois or in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois. The parties hereto hereby accept the exclusive jurisdiction of those
courts for the purpose of any such suit, action or proceeding. Venue for any
such action, in addition to any other venue permitted by statute, will be Lake
County, Illinois.

         5.8   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together
will constitute one and the same instrument.

                                       13

<PAGE>   14

         5.9   Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are hereby incorporated in
and made a part of this Agreement by this reference.

         5.10  Arbitration. Except as expressly contemplated by Article IV, any
dispute arising between the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall be
submitted to binding arbitration. Any arbitration proceeding involving any
provision hereof will be conducted in Chicago, Illinois. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, all arbitration proceedings will be conducted in
accordance with the then current National Rules for the Resolution of Employment
Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. Three arbitrators shall
conduct the proceedings. The arbitrators shall allow such discovery as the
arbitrators determine appropriate under the circumstances. The arbitrators shall
determine which party, if either, prevailed and shall award the prevailing party
its costs and reasonable attorneys fees. The award and decision of the
arbitrators shall be conclusive and binding on all parties to this Agreement and
judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The
parties acknowledge and agree that any arbitration award may be enforced against
either or both of them in a court of competent jurisdiction and each waives any
right to contest the validity or enforceability of such award. The parties
further agree to be bound by the provisions of any statute of limitations which
would be applicable in a court of law to the controversy or claim which is the
subject of any arbitration proceeding initiated under this Agreement. The
parties further agree that they are entitled in any arbitration proceeding to
the entry of an order, by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to an
opinion of the arbitrator, for specific performance of any of the requirements
of this Agreement. The parties further agree that the arbitrators shall provide
a statement of reasons explaining the basis of the decision rendered.

         5.11  Indemnification/D&O Insurance. The Company shall indemnify and
hold Employee harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law and under the
bylaws of the Company as, to and from any and all costs, expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees, which shall be paid in advance by the Company,
subject to recoupment in accordance with applicable law) or damages incurred by
Employee as a result of any claim, suit, action or judgment arising out of the
activities of the Company or its Affiliates or the Employee's activities as an
employee, officer or director of the Company or any related company; provided,
however that the Employee shall not be entitled to indemnification hereunder to
the extent the damages are the result of actions or omissions which have been
finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to constitute gross
negligence or wilful or intentional misconduct by the Employee. This provision
shall survive the termination of this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall
cover Employee under any directors' and officers' liability insurance which it
may maintain from time to time, both during and for six (6) years after the
Employment Term in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers
its other officers and directors, if no coverage is maintained by the Company,
it shall be under no obligation to maintain coverage for Employee.

                                       14

<PAGE>   15

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

                                   UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC.

                                   By: /s/ John Drummond
                                      ------------------------------------
                                       Authorized Signatory

                                   EMPLOYEE:

                                   /s/ Robert Pommer
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                   Robert Pommer

                                   Home Address:

                                   1694 Colonial Lane
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                   Northfield, Il 60093
                                   ---------------------------------------

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

                                       15

<PAGE>   16

                                    EXHIBIT A
                      UNIVERSAL ACCESS, INC./ROBERT POMMER

A.       Compensation.

         1.       During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay Employee
                  such salary and benefits as shall be agreed upon each year
                  between Employee and the Company. For the first year of the
                  Employment Term, the Company shall pay Employee a base salary
                  of $150,000 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars) per year.
                  Thereafter, the Company shall review salary at least annually,
                  and as a result of such review, can not reduce the Employee's
                  base salary without his consent. In no event shall any
                  increases to Employee's base salary be used as a substitute
                  for the Guaranteed Annual Bonus or used to offset the
                  Company's obligations to the Employee under this Agreement or
                  otherwise.

         2.       The Company will, in addition to Employee's base salary, pay
                  Employee an annual bonus with respect to each calendar year in
                  the Employment Term based upon two percent (2%) of the
                  Company's net operating income.

         3.       Other Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in
                  any retirement, pensions, profit-sharing, stock option, health
                  plan, incentive compensation, vacation and welfare or any
                  other benefit plan or plans of the Company which may now or
                  hereafter be in effect and for which he is eligible or for
                  which all senior executives in general are eligible.

         4.       Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to up to four (4) weeks
                  of non-accruing paid vacation in each calendar year during the
                  Employment Term, provided, however, that the Employee's 1998
                  calendar year vacation shall be prorated for the portion of
                  the calendar year remaining after the date hereof.

                                       16

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