Document:

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Laura Alber

 Exhibit 10.4 
 LAURA ALBER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 This amended and restated Employment
Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into effective as of the last date signed below (the “Effective Date”) by and between Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (the “Company”) and Laura Alber (“Executive”). This
Agreement supersedes and replaces in its entirety the prior employment agreement between the parties hereto that was initially effective as of May 26, 2010 (the “Prior Agreement”). 

 

	 	1.	Duties and Scope of Employment. 

 (a)        Position and Duties.  As of the Effective Date, Executive will continue to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, reporting to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Executive will render such business and professional services in the performance of her duties, consistent with Executive’s position within the Company, as
shall reasonably be assigned to her by the Board. Executive’s duties and responsibilities may be altered, modified and changed as the Board deems appropriate. Executive will also remain a member of the Board as of the Effective Date and
continued service as a member of the Board will be subject to any required stockholder approval. 

(b)        Obligations.  During the Term, Executive will perform her duties
faithfully and to the best of her ability and will devote her full business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Term, Executive agrees not to engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or business activity for any
direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the Board; provided, however, that, Executive may engage in charitable, community service and industry association activities and may manage her own finances, so long as those activities
do not materially interfere with the performance of her duties under this Agreement or her fiduciary duty to the Company, as determined by the Board. Upon notice to the Board, Executive may serve on the board of directors (and board committees) of
not more than one other for-profit corporation, so long as those activities do not materially interfere with the performance of her duties under this Agreement or her fiduciary duty to the Company, as determined by the Board. 

(c)        Conflicting Employment.  If the Board approves Executive’s
engagement in other employment, occupation, consulting or business activity pursuant to Section 1(b), Executive agrees that, while employed by the Company, such employment, occupation, consulting or business activity will not be directly
related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of Executive’s employment, nor will Executive engage in any other activities that conflict with Executive’s obligations to the Company.

 2.      Term.  This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and will
remain in effect through September 7, 2033; provided, however, that Section 6 of this Agreement shall survive the lapse of the term of this Agreement and shall be binding on both parties with respect to any termination of Executive’s
employment triggering severance benefits under Section 6 that occurs prior to the lapsing of the term of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that Executive’s employment with the Company will be
“at-will” employment and may be terminated by the Company at any time with or without cause. Executive understands and 

 
agrees that neither her job performance nor promotions, commendations, bonuses or the like from the Company give rise to or in any way serve as the basis for continuation, modification,
amendment, or extension, by implication or otherwise, of her employment with the Company. However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending on the circumstances of Executive’s termination of
employment with the Company as expressly provided in Section 6 of this Agreement. 
  

	 	3.	Compensation. 

(a)        Base Salary.  The Company will pay Executive as compensation for her
services, a base salary at the annualized rate of $1,300,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and is subject to lawfully required withholdings.
Adjustments to the Base Salary may be made in the sole discretion of the independent members of the Board following a recommendation from the Compensation Committee of the Board. 

(b)         Target Incentive Plan.  Executive will be eligible to participate
in the Company’s 2001 Incentive Bonus Plan, and to receive such annual bonuses as are payable under that plan. 

4.      Employee Benefits.  Executive will continue to be entitled to participate in the
employee benefit plans currently and hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other senior executives of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company’s group medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance,
vacation and flexible-spending account plans and programs. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time. 

The Company shall reimburse (or directly pay) reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the Executive in connection with (a) the
negotiation and review of this Agreement in an amount not to exceed $10,000 and (b) the review and documentation of Executive’s exit arrangements upon termination of her employment in an amount not to exceed $10,000. 

5.      Equity.  Executive will be eligible to receive equity compensation awards as the
Compensation Committee of the Board deems appropriate. 
  

	 	6.	Severance. 

(a)         Involuntary Termination Without Cause; Voluntary Termination for Good Reason;
Death or Disability Terminations Outside of a Change of Control.  If Executive’s employment with the Company (i) is terminated involuntarily by the Company without Cause (as defined in this Agreement), (ii) voluntarily
by Executive for Good Reason (as defined in this Agreement), or (iii) subject to Section 6(a)(viii), due to Executive’s death or Disability (as defined in this Agreement), in each case subject to Executive (or Executive’s estate,
in the event of Executive’s death) signing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of the Company substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement, the Company shall provide severance pay and benefits, subject to certain
conditions, as follows: 

  
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 (i)        Base Salary.  The
Company shall provide monetary severance to Executive equal to twenty-four (24) months’ of Base Salary. Such severance (“Severance Payments”) shall be paid over twenty-four months from the date of employment termination (the
“Severance Period”) in accordance with the payroll schedule applicable to active officers of the Company (subject to the timing provisions of Sections 6(a)(xi) and 12) of this Agreement. 

(ii)       Bonus.  Executive shall receive a lump sum payment equal to two hundred
percent of her average annual bonus received in the last thirty-six (36) months. The amount paid shall not be pro-rated. 

(iii)      Continued Employee Benefits.  In lieu of continued employee benefits (other
than as statutorily required, such as COBRA continuation coverage as required by law), Executive shall receive payments of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per month for eighteen (18) months from the date of employment termination in accordance
with the payroll schedule applicable to active officers of the Company (subject to the timing provisions of Sections 6(a)(xi) and 12 of this Agreement. 
 (iv)      Service-Based Equity Vesting Acceleration.  Any outstanding equity compensation awards that vest solely based upon Executive’s continued
service with the Company shall immediately accelerate vesting as to the number of shares that would have otherwise vested had Executive remained employed by the Company for eighteen months following Executive’s termination date. This includes
equity compensation awards with a mixture of performance-based vesting and service-based vesting provisions as to which the performance period has ended on or prior to Executive’s employment termination date. If, however, any such vesting
acceleration does not result in any additional vesting due to a cliff-vesting provision of more than one year, such awards shall vest as if the grant was initially subject to ratable monthly vesting over the entire vesting period, with an additional
accelerated vesting of eighteen months added on to such-pro-rated vesting. Any such awards will otherwise remain subject to the terms of the applicable stock plan, grant and/or agreement. 

EXAMPLE 1 - RSUs:  Executive is granted an RSU covering 100,000 shares that are scheduled to vest as to 100% of the
covered shares on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company. One year following the grant date, Executive’s employment terminates such that accelerated vesting under this Agreement
is triggered. Because of the four-year cliff vesting provision, the eighteen month vesting acceleration would normally not result in any additional RSU vesting. Accordingly, the RSU is treated instead as if it was initially subject to monthly
vesting over the full four-year vesting period. Because of this, eighteen months of vesting acceleration are added to the twelve months of service that Executive had completed since the RSU grant date. This results in a total of thirty months of
vesting. Because thirty months is 62.5% of the original forty-eight month vesting period, the RSU becomes vested as to 62.5% of the total shares. Therefore, Executive vests in 62,500 of the total 100,000 RSU shares by virtue of this Agreement’s
vesting acceleration provisions. The remaining 37,500 RSU shares are forfeited. 
 EXAMPLE 2 -
SSARs:  Executive is granted an SSAR covering 100,000 shares that vests as to 25% of the covered shares on each anniversary of the grant date, so as to be 100% vested on 

  
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the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to Executive’s continued service with the Company. Twenty-seven months following the grant date, Executive’s employment terminates such
that accelerated vesting under this Agreement is triggered. Accordingly, the SSAR receives eighteen months’ accelerated vesting so that it vests the same as if Executive had remained employed for 45 months following the grant date. Therefore,
Executive vests in an additional 25,000 of the SSAR shares by virtue of this Agreement’s vesting acceleration provisions. This provides Executive with a total of 75,000 vested SSAR shares. The remaining 25,000 SSAR shares are forfeited.

 (v)        Performance-Based Equity Vesting Acceleration.  Any
outstanding equity compensation awards that vest based upon achieving performance milestones shall remain outstanding through the date upon which the Compensation Committee of the Board certifies the extent to which the performance milestones have
been achieved. This includes equity compensation awards with a mixture of performance-based vesting and service-based vesting provisions as to which the performance period has not ended on or prior to Executive’s employment termination date.
These awards shall be paid out, subject to the attaining the applicable performance milestones, to the same extent and at the same time as if Executive had remained employed by the Company through the eighteen month period following Executive’s
termination date, without any downward discretionary adjustments by the Compensation Committee. These payouts are subject to the timing provisions of Sections 6(a)(xi) and 12 of this Agreement. To the extent, however, that any such vesting
acceleration does not result in any additional vesting due to a cliff-vesting provision of more than one year, such award(s) shall vest as if the grant was initially subject to ratable monthly vesting over the entire vesting period with the
additional accelerated vesting of eighteen months added on to such pro-rated vesting. This vesting shall always be subject to attaining the performance milestones, even if the performance period extends more than eighteen months following
Executive’s employment termination date. Any such awards will otherwise remain subject to the terms of the applicable stock plan, grant and/or agreement. 
 EXAMPLE:  Executive is granted an RSU covering 100,000 shares that are scheduled to vest as to 100% of the covered shares on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to
Executive’s continued service with the Company and subject to the Company meeting specified performance goals over the same four-year period. One year following the grant date, Executive’s employment terminates such that accelerated
vesting under this Agreement is triggered. Four years and one month following the grant date, the Compensation Committee certifies that the performance metric has been achieved such that a 50% payout is merited (i.e., if Executive had remained
employed through the entire four year period, Executive would have received 50,000 shares). Because of the four-year cliff vesting provision, the eighteen month vesting acceleration would normally not result in any additional RSU vesting.
Accordingly, the RSU is treated instead as if it was initially subject to monthly vesting over the full four-year vesting period, but is still subject to the performance vesting condition. Because of this, eighteen months of vesting acceleration are
added to the twelve months of service that Executive had completed since the RSU grant date. This results in a total of thirty months of vesting. Because thirty months is 62.5% of the original forty-eight month vesting period, the RSU becomes vested
as to 62.5% of the shares that are eventually earned by virtue of Company performance. If the performance metrics had been fully achieved, that would have resulted in Executive vesting in 62,500 shares. Because, however, the Company performance
reduced the initial grant by 50%, Executive vests in 31,250 RSU shares 

  
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by virtue of this Agreement’s vesting acceleration provisions. The remaining 68,750 RSU shares are forfeited. 
 (vi)        Change in Control.  If Executive is entitled to severance benefits arising from termination of employment in connection with a change
of control of the Company under another agreement with the Company, compensation and benefits under that change of control agreement, if greater in the aggregate than those provided in this Agreement, shall be in lieu of and not in addition to
severance benefits compensation under this Section 6; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall remain entitled to reimbursement of legal expenses incurred in the review and documentation of Executive’s exit
arrangements upon termination of her employment in an amount not to exceed $10,000, as provided in Section 4 of this Agreement. Moreover, severance payments and benefits paid under this Section 6 shall be in lieu of any severance payments
or benefits under any of the Company’s welfare benefit plans. 
 (vii)      Code of
Conduct.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s obligation to make severance payments, pay bonus payments, provide benefits and vest equity compensation under this Section 6 is expressly conditioned upon
Executive’s ongoing compliance with the provisions of the Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct. In the event Executive breaches the terms of the Corporate Code of Conduct, the Company’s obligations under this Section 6 shall
automatically terminate, without any notice to Executive. 
 (viii)    No Mitigation.  If
Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated due to Executive’s death or Disability, any severance payments due under Section 6(a)(i) (Base Salary) and Section 6(a)(ii) (Bonus) shall be reduced by the amount of any life
insurance or disability insurance payments or proceeds under Company-paid insurance programs or policies (or the Company-paid portion of such Company-sponsored insurance programs or policies, if such programs or policies are not fully Company-paid).
Except as provided by the foregoing sentence, the Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any severance payments or benefits provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment nor shall any amounts to be received by the
Executive under this Agreement be reduced by any other compensation earned. 

(ix)       Tax Withholding.  The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any
payments made to Executive under this Section 6 any amounts required to be withheld by applicable federal, state or local tax law. 
 (x)       Work with Competitors.  If at any time during the period commencing on Executive’s termination date and ending on the latest date that
any amount is payable to Executive under this Section 6, Executive accepts other employment or professional relationship with a competitor of the Company (defined as either (i) another company primarily engaged in retail sales of products
for the home or (ii) any retailer with retail products for the home sales in excess of $100 million annually (either (i) or (ii), a “Competitor”)), or if Executive breaches her remaining obligations to the Company (e.g., her duty
to protect confidential information and intellectual property and her duties not to solicit under the Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct), then the Company’s obligations under this Section 6 will cease such that Executive will not be
entitled to any further payments or benefits under that Section. 

  
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 (xi)        Release of
Claims.  Receipt of the severance payments and benefits specified in this Section 6 shall be contingent on Executive’s (or Executive’s estate, in the event of Executive’s death) execution of a full release of all
claims against the Company in substantially the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A, and the lapse of any statutory period for revocation, and such release becoming effective in accordance with its terms within fifty-two
(52) days following the termination date. Any severance payment to which Executive otherwise would have been entitled during such fifty-two (52) day period shall be paid by the Company in cash and in full arrears on the fifty-third
(53d) day following Executive’s employment
termination date or such later date as is required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Internal Revenue Section 409A (“Section 409A”). 
 (xii)        Non-Disparagement.  While employed by the Company and for a period of twenty-four (24) months commencing on the date upon which
Executive’s employment terminates, (i) Executive agrees that she shall not make any statements that disparage the Company, its products, services, officers, employees, members of its Board, advisers or other business contacts, and
(ii) the Company agrees that members of its Board and the Company’s officers holding the title of Executive Vice President or above shall not make any statements that disparage Executive. Executive acknowledges and agrees that upon her
breach in any material respect of this nondisparagement provision, the Company’s obligations under this Section 6 will cease such that Executive will not be entitled to any further payments or benefits under that Section. 

(b)    Voluntary Termination Other than for Good Reason, Death or Disability; Termination for
Cause.  If Executive’s employment with the Company terminates voluntarily by Executive other than for Good Reason, or other than pursuant to Executive’s Death or Disability, or for Cause by the Company, then (i) all
vesting of any equity compensation held by Executive will terminate immediately and all payments of compensation by the Company to Executive will terminate immediately (except as to amounts already earned, including unused and accrued vacation); and
(ii) Executive shall not be eligible for severance or other benefits, except in accordance with any generally applicable Company plans or policies as are then in effect. 

 

	 	7.	Definitions. 

(a)    Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” is defined as (i) an act of
dishonesty made by Executive in connection with Executive’s responsibilities as an employee, (ii) Executive’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving fraud, embezzlement or any other
act of moral turpitude, (iii) Executive’s gross misconduct, (iv) Executive’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom Executive owes an obligation of
nondisclosure as a result of Executive’s relationship with the Company; (v) Executive’s willful breach of any obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company or breach of the Company’s Corporate Code of
Conduct; or (vi) Executive’s continued failure to perform her employment duties after Executive has received a written demand of performance from the Board which specifically sets forth the factual basis for the Board’s belief that
Executive has not substantially performed her duties and has failed to cure such non-performance to the Company’s satisfaction within 30 days after receiving such notice. 

  
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 (b)        Disability.  For
purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can
be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering Company employees. 

(c)        Good Reason.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” is defined as, without the Executive’s consent, (i) a reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary (except pursuant to a reduction generally applicable to senior executives of the Company), (ii) a material diminution of
Executive’s authority or responsibilities, (iii) a reduction of Executive’s title, (iv) Executive ceasing to report directly to the Board, or (v) the Board failing to re-nominate Executive for Board membership when her Board
term expires while she is employed by the Company. In addition, upon any such voluntary termination for Good Reason the Executive must provide written notice to the Company of the existence of the one or more of the above conditions within 90 days
of its initial existence and the Company must be provided with at least 30 days to remedy the condition. 

8.    Assignment.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the
heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death and (b) any successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all
purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or other, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or
business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will of the laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void. 

9.    Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications called for under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (ii) one (1) day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (iii) four (4) days after
being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successor at the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing: 

    If to the Company: 
     Williams-Sonoma, Inc. 
     3250 Van
Ness Avenue 
     San Francisco, CA 94109 

    Attn: General Counsel 
     If to Executive: 
     Laura Alber

     At the last residential address known to the Company 

  
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 10.    Severability.  In the event that any provision
of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without that provision. 

 

	 	11.	Mediation. 

(a)        General.    In the event of any claim or controversy
between the parties which the parties are unable to resolve themselves, including any claim arising out of Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment, and including any claim arising out of, connected with, or related to the
formation, interpretation, performance or breach of this Agreement, the complaining party shall promptly send written notice to the other party identifying the matter in dispute and the proposed remedy. Following the giving of such notice, the
parties shall meet and attempt in good faith to resolve the matter. In the event the parties are unable to resolve the matter within 21 calendar days, the parties shall submit the controversy to a mutually-selected mediator and attempt in good faith
to resolve the matter through mediation. 
 (b)        Availability of Injunctive
Relief.  The parties agree that they shall have the right to seek judicial relief in the form of injunctive and/or other equitable relief under the California Arbitration Act, Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.8(b), including but
not limited to relief for threatened or actual misappropriation of trade secrets, violation of this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement or any other agreement regarding trade secrets, confidential information, nonsolicitation or Labor Code
§2870. In the event either party seeks injunctive relief, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees. 
 (c)        Administrative Relief.  Executive understands that this Agreement does not prohibit Executive from pursuing an administrative claim with
a local, state or federal administrative body such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the workers’ compensation board. 

 

	 	12.	Section 409A. 

(a)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Compensation
Separation Benefits payable under this Agreement will be considered due or payable until and unless Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and
the final regulations and any guidance promulgated under Section 409A, as each may be amended from time to time (together, “Section 409A”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified
employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s “separation from service” other than due to Executive’s death, then any severance benefits payable pursuant to this Agreement and any other
severance payments or separation benefits, that in each case when considered together may be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits”) and are otherwise due to
Executive on or within the six (6) month period following Executive’s “separation from service” will accrue during such six (6) month period and will instead become payable in a lump sum payment on the date six
(6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s “separation from service.” All subsequent Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment

  
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schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of
the Treasury Regulations. 
 (b)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, if Executive dies following her “separation from service” but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the date of her “separation from service,” then any Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits delayed in
accordance with this Section will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death, but not later than ninety (90) days after the date of Executive’s death, and all other Deferred
Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. 
 (c)        Payments reimbursable under Section 4 of this Agreement for attorney’s fees incurred in connection with the review and documentation of
Executive’s exit arrangements upon termination of her employment may not be incurred beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s separation from service occurred, and will be reimbursed
to (or directly paid on behalf of) Executive no later than the last day of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s separation from service occurred. 

(d)        It is the intent of this Agreement to comply with the requirements of
Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities in this Agreement will be interpreted to so comply.
The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition
under Section 409A prior to actual payment to Executive. 
 13.    Existing
Agreements.  This Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior severance or retention plans, employment agreements and offer letters that Executive may have entered into with the Company prior to the Effective Date, including without
limitation the Prior Agreement, but not including Executive’s amended and restated Management Retention Agreement. 

14.    Integration.  This Agreement, Executive’s equity compensation agreements with the
Company, and the Corporate Code of Conduct by and between Executive and the Company represent the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements
whether written or oral, except for Executive’s amended and restated Management Retention Agreement. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by duly
authorized representatives of the parties to this Agreement. 
 15.    Tax
Withholding.  All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes. 

16.    Governing Law.  This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with
the exception of its conflict of laws provisions). 

  
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 17.        Headings.  The headings
of sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of this Agreement. 
 18.        Acknowledgment.  Executive acknowledges that she has had the opportunity to discuss this matter with and obtain advice from her private
attorney, has had sufficient time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement. 

 

							
	EXECUTIVE	 		 	  WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.
				
	 /s/ Laura J. Alber
	 		 	By	 	 /s/ Adrian D.P. Bellamy

	Laura Alber	 		 		 	  Adrian Bellamy
		 		 		 	  Chairman of the Board
			
	Dated: September 6, 2012	 		 	Dated: September 6, 2012

  
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 EXHIBIT A 

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC./LAURA ALBER 
 RELEASE OF CLAIMS 
 This Release of Claims (“Agreement”) is made
by and between Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (the “Company”) and Laura Alber (“Executive”). 
 WHEREAS, Executive
has agreed to enter into a release of claims in favor of the Company upon certain events specified in the employment agreement by and between Company and Executive (the “Employment Agreement”). 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows: 

1.        Termination.  Executive’s employment from the Company terminated
on                      (the “Termination Date”). 
 2.        Confidential Information.  Executive shall continue to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary information of
the Company and shall continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the Company’s Code of Corporate Conduct. Executive shall return all the Company property and confidential and proprietary information in her possession to the Company on
the Effective Date of this Agreement. 
 3.        Payment of
Salary.  Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, commissions and any and all other benefits due to Executive. 

4.        Release of Claims.  Executive agrees that the foregoing consideration
represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Executive by the Company. Executive, on behalf of herself, and her respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever releases the Company and its
past, present and future officers, agents, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise
institute or cause to be instituted any legal or administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that she may
possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement including, without limitation, 
   4.1        any and all claims relating to or arising from Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that
relationship; 

 4.2        any and all claims relating to, or
arising from, Executive’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate
law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law; 
 4.3        any and all
claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel;
negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander;
negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and conversion; 

4.4        any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or municipal statute,
including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code section 201, et seq. and section 970, et seq. and all amendments to each such
Act as well as the regulations issued under each such Act; 
 4.5        any and all
claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution; 
 4.6        any and
all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and 

4.7        any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, except as specifically set
forth in the Employment Agreement. 
 Executive agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects
as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any severance obligations due Executive under the Employment Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement waives Executive’s rights to indemnification or any
payments under any fiduciary insurance policy, if any, provided by any act or agreement of the Company, state or federal law or policy of insurance. 
 5.        Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA.  Executive acknowledges that she is waiving and releasing any rights she may have under
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Executive and the Company agree that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under
the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which Executive was already entitled. Executive further
acknowledges that she has been advised by this writing that (a) she should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) she has at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) she has
seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or
precludes Executive 

  
 2 

 
from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless
specifically authorized by federal law. Any revocation should be in writing and delivered to the Vice-President of Human Resources at the Company by close of business on the seventh day from the date that Executive signs this Agreement. 

6.    Civil Code Section 1542.  Executive represents that she is not aware of any claims
against the Company other than the claims that are released by this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that she has been advised by legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code 1542, below, which provides as follows:

 A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HER FAVOR AT THE TIME
OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. 
 Executive,
being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights she may have under such code section, as well as under any statute or common law principles of similar effect. 

7.    No Pending or Future Lawsuits.  Executive represents that she has no lawsuits, claims, or
actions pending in her name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred to in this Agreement. Executive also represents that she does not intend to bring any claims on her own behalf or on
behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein. 

8.    Application for Employment.  Executive understands and agrees that, as a condition of this
Agreement, she shall not be entitled to any employment with the Company, its subsidiaries, or any successor, and she hereby waives any right, or alleged right, of employment or re-employment with the Company. 

9.    No Cooperation.  Executive agrees that she will not counsel or assist any attorneys or their
clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer, director, employee, agent, representative, shareholder or attorney of the
Company, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so. 
 10.    No Admission of
Liability.  Executive understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of disputed claims. No action taken by the Company, either previously or in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed
or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any claims heretofore made or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to the Executive or to any third party. 

  
 3 

 11.        Costs.  The parties
shall each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement, except as specifically set forth in the Employment Agreement. 

12.        Authority.  Executive represents and warrants that she has the
capacity to act on her own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through her to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 
 13.        No Representations.  Executive represents that she has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and
understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other party which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement. 

14.        Severability.  In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision. 
 15.        Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, along with the Code of Corporate Conduct and Executive’s written equity compensation agreements
with the Company, represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive concerning Executive’s separation from the Company. 
 16.        No Oral Modification.  This Agreement may only be amended in writing signed by Executive and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Company. 
 17.        Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be
governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of California. 

18.        Effective Date.  This Agreement is effective eight (8) days
after it has been signed by both parties. 

19.        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and
each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. 
 20.        Voluntary Execution of Agreement.  This Agreement is executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or
behalf of the parties to this Agreement, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The parties acknowledge that: 

20.1        They have read this Agreement; 

20.2        They have been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this
Agreement by legal counsel of their own choice or that they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; 

20.3        They understand the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it
contains; 

  
 4 

 20.4        They are fully aware of the legal and
binding effect of this Agreement. 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

  

							
		 		 	Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
				
	Dated:             , 20    	 		 	By	 	  

			
		 		 	Laura Alber, an individual
			
	Dated:             , 20    	 		 	  

  
 5Amended and Restated Management Retention Agreement with Laura Alber

 Exhibit 10.5 
 WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. 
 MANAGEMENT RETENTION AGREEMENT 

This amended and restated Management Retention Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Laura Alber
(the “Executive”) and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (the “Company”), effective as of the last date signed below (the “Effective Date”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces in its entirety the prior management retention
agreement between the parties hereto that was initially effective as of June 11, 2010 (the “Prior Management Retention Agreement”). 
 RECITALS 
 A.        It is
expected that the Company from time to time will consider the possibility of an acquisition by another company or other change of control. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) recognizes that such consideration can be a
distraction to the Executive and can cause the Executive to consider alternative employment opportunities. The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to assure that the Company will have the
continued dedication and objectivity of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein) of the Company. 
 B.        The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to provide the Executive with an incentive to continue her
employment and to motivate the Executive to maximize the value of the Company upon a Change of Control for the benefit of its stockholders. 
 C.        The Board believes that it is imperative to provide the Executive with severance benefits upon certain terminations of employment following a Change of
Control. These benefits will provide the Executive with enhanced financial security and incentive and encouragement to remain with the Company notwithstanding the possibility of a Change of Control. 

D.        Certain capitalized terms used in the Agreement are defined in Section 5 below.

 AGREEMENT 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows: 
 1.        Term of Agreement.  This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and will remain in effect through September 7, 2033;
provided, however, that if prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the Company enters into a definitive agreement (a “Definitive Agreement”) with a third party (or third parties), the consummation of which would result in a
Change of Control (as defined in this Agreement), then the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended to eighteen months following the resulting Change of Control, unless the Definitive Agreement

 
terminates or is cancelled without resulting in a Change of Control, in which case such extension shall not be effective. Moreover, Sections 3 and 8 of this Agreement shall survive the lapse of
the term of this Agreement and shall be binding on both parties with respect to any termination of Executive’s employment triggering severance benefits under Section 3 that occurs prior to the lapsing of the term of this Agreement.

 2.       At-Will Employment.  The Company and the Executive acknowledge
that the Executive’s employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law. If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards
or compensation other than as provided under this Agreement, any outstanding written employment agreement or offer letter by and between Executive and the Company, or as may otherwise be available in accordance with the Company’s established
employee plans. 
  

	 	3.	Severance Benefits. 

(a)        Involuntary Termination Other than for Cause, Voluntary Termination for Good
Reason Within 18 Months On or Following a Change of Control.  If within the period commencing on a Change of Control and ending eighteen (18) months following the Change of Control, the Executive’s employment with the Company
(i) is terminated involuntarily by the Company without Cause (as defined in this Agreement), or (ii) voluntarily by Executive for Good Reason (as defined in this Agreement), then subject to Executive signing and not revoking a release of
claims in favor of the Company substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement (a “Release”), the Company shall provide severance pay and benefits, subject to certain conditions, as follows: 

(i)        Severance Payment.  The Executive shall be entitled to receive a
cash severance payment equal to two hundred percent of the Executive’s annual base salary (as in effect immediately prior to (A) the Change of Control, or (B) the Executive’s termination, whichever is greater) plus an amount
equal to two hundred percent of her average annual bonus received in the last thirty-six (36) months. Such cash severance payment shall be paid out ratably over twenty-four months from the date of employment termination in accordance with the
payroll schedule applicable to active officers of the Company (subject to the timing provisions of Sections 3(b)(viii) and 9 of this Agreement). 
 (ii)        Equity Compensation Acceleration.  One hundred percent (100%) of the Executive’s outstanding stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock units and other Company equity compensation awards, including performance-based vesting full-value awards where the payout is either a fixed number of shares or zero shares depending on whether the performance
metric is obtained (such as Executive’s March 2010 RSU grant), shall immediately become fully vested as to all of the underlying shares. With respect to performance-based vesting full-value awards in which the performance period has not been
completed prior to the Executive’s termination date and where the number of shares earned is variable based upon the extent to which performance milestones are reached (i.e., where the number of shares earned based upon achieving performance
milestones can be more than one positive number), each such award shall vest at the target performance level as to a pro-rata number of shares in an amount equal to (A) the number of 

  
 -2-

 
shares subject to the award that would have vested at target performance levels (had any additional service-based vesting requirements been met) multiplied by (B) a fraction, with the
numerator being the number of months that have elapsed from the start of the award’s performance period (with partial months rounded up to a whole month) through and including Executive’s termination date and the denominator being the
number of full months in the award’s performance period (with such fraction not to exceed the whole number one). Any Company stock options and stock appreciation rights shall thereafter remain exercisable following the Executive’s
employment termination for the period prescribed in the respective option and stock appreciation right agreements. 

(iii)       Continued Employee Benefits.  In lieu of continued employee benefits
(other than as statutorily required, such as COBRA continuation coverage as required by law), Executive shall receive payments of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per month for twelve months from the date of employment termination in accordance with
the payroll schedule applicable to active officers of the Company (subject to the timing provisions of Sections 3(b)(viii) and 9 of this Agreement). 
 (b)        Voluntary Resignation Other than for Good Reason, Termination for Cause; Termination due to Death or Disability.  If the
Executive’s employment with the Company terminates (i) voluntarily by the Executive other than for Good Reason, or (ii) for Cause by the Company, or (iii) pursuant to Executive’s death or Disability, then the Executive shall
not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits except for those (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then existing severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other written agreements with the Company.

  (i)        Termination Outside of Change of Control.  In the
event the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, either prior to a Change of Control or more than eighteen (18) months after a Change of Control, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive severance benefits only as
provided under her employment agreement with the Company (the “Employment Agreement”). 

 (ii)       Termination On or Within 18 Months Following a Change of Control. In the
event Executive’s employment terminates on or within eighteen (18) months following a Change of Control, Executive shall only receive severance payments and benefits under this Agreement and not pursuant to the Company’s then existing
severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other written agreements with the Company and shall not be entitled to severance benefits pursuant to the Employment Agreement unless severance benefits in the aggregate thereunder are
greater than those provided in this Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall remain entitled to up to $10,000 in legal fee reimbursements in connection with the review of her employment termination
documentation pursuant to Section 4 of the Employment Agreement even if Executive receives severance benefits pursuant to this Agreement. In the event Executive’s employment terminates due to her death or Disability during such period,
Executive shall receive severance payments and benefits under the Employment Agreement to the extent such agreement then provides for payments or benefits upon such terminations of employment. 

  
 -3-

 (iii)        Non-Solicitation; Confidential
Information.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s obligation to provide severance payments and benefits under this Section 3 is expressly conditioned upon Executive’s ongoing compliance with the confidential
information and non-solicitation provisions of the Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination of employment. In the event Executive breaches the terms of the confidential information and
non-solicitation provisions Corporate Code of Conduct as in effect on such date, the Company’s obligations under this Section 3 shall automatically terminate, without any notice to Executive. 

(iv)        No Mitigation.   The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the amount of any severance payments or benefits provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment nor shall any amounts to be received by the Executive under this Agreement be reduced by any other compensation earned. 

(v)        Tax Withholding.   The Company shall be entitled to withhold from
any payments made to Executive under this Section 3 any amounts required to be withheld by applicable federal, state or local tax law. 
 (vi)        Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation; Confidential Information.   If at any time during the period commencing on Executive’s
employment termination date and ending twelve (12) months later, Executive accepts other employment or a professional relationship with a competitor of the Company (defined as either (i) another company primarily engaged in retail sales of
products for the home or (ii) any retailer with retail products for the home sales in excess of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) annually), or if Executive breaches her remaining obligations to the Company (e.g., her duty to protect
confidential information and intellectual property and her duties not to solicit under the Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct), then the Company’s obligations under this Section 3 will cease such that Executive will not be entitled
to any further payments or benefits under this Section 3 and the Company may seek injunctive relief against Executive as specified in Section 8(b) hereof. 
 (vii)        Non-Disparagement.   While employed by the Company and for a period of twenty-four (24) months commencing on the date upon which
Executive’s employment terminates, (i) Executive agrees that she shall not make any statements that disparage the Company, its products, services, officers, employees, members of its Board, advisers or other business contacts, and
(ii) the Company agrees that members of its Board and the Company’s officers holding a title of Executive Vice President or above shall not make any statements that disparage Executive. Executive acknowledges and agrees that upon her
breach of this non-disparagement provision on or after the date upon which her employment terminates then the Company’s obligations under this Section 3 will cease such that Executive will not be entitled to any further payments or
benefits under this Section 3 and the Company may seek injunctive relief against Executive as specified in Section 8(b) hereof. 
 (viii)        Release of Claims.   Receipt of the severance payments and benefits specified in this Section 3 shall be contingent on
Executive’s execution of the Release, and the lapse of any statutory period for revocation, and such Release becoming effective in accordance with its terms within fifty-two (52) days following Executive’s termination date. Any
severance payment to 

  
 -4-

 
which Executive otherwise would have been entitled during such fifty-two (52) day period shall be paid by the Company in cash and in full arrears on the fifty-third (53d) day following Executive’s employment termination date or
such later date as is required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Internal Revenue Section 409A (“Section 409A”). 
 4.      Code Section 280G Best Results.  If any payment or benefit Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, including
accelerated vesting of any equity compensation (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and
(ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be either
(x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account
all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment
notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall
occur in the following order: (A) cash payments shall be reduced first and in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash
payment to be reduced; (B) accelerated vesting of stock awards shall be cancelled/reduced next and in the reverse order of the date of grant for such stock awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted stock awards will be reduced
first), with full-value awards reversed before any stock option or stock appreciation rights are reduced; and (C) employee benefits shall be reduced last and in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following
the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. 
 The Company shall appoint a
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder and perform the foregoing calculations. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

 The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed
supporting documentation, to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the
Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. 
 5.        Definition of Terms.  The following terms referred to in this Agreement shall have the following meanings: 

  (a)        Cause.  “Cause” means (i) an act of
dishonesty made by Executive in connection with Executive’s responsibilities as an employee, (ii) Executive’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving fraud, embezzlement or any other
act of moral 

  
 -5-

 
turpitude, (iii) Executive’s gross misconduct, (iv) Executive’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other
party to whom Executive owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of Executive’s relationship with the Company; (v) Executive’s willful breach of any obligations under any written agreement or covenant with the Company or breach
of the Company’s Corporate Code of Conduct; or (vi) Executive’s continued failure to perform her employment duties after Executive has received a written demand of performance from the Board which specifically sets forth the factual
basis for the Board’s belief that Executive has not substantially performed her duties and has failed to cure such non-performance to the Company’s satisfaction within 30 days after receiving such notice. 

  (b)        Change of Control.   “Change of Control” means
the occurrence of any of the following events: 
   (i)        A change in
the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, (“Person”) acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person,
constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than 50% of the total
voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change of Control; or 

 (ii)        A change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that
a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For
purposes of this clause (ii), if any Person is considered to effectively control the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change of Control; or 

(iii)        A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets
which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market
value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not
constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by
the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly
or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power
of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any
liabilities associated with such assets. 

  
 -6-

 For purposes of this Section 5(b), persons will be considered to be acting as a group
if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction shall not be deemed a Change of Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in the ownership of the Company, change in the effective control of the
Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, each within the meaning of Section 409A. 
 (c)        Disability.  “Disability” means Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan
covering Company employees. 
 (d)        Good Reason.  “Good
Reason” means, without the Executive’s consent, (i) a reduction in the Executive’s annual base salary (except pursuant to a reduction generally applicable to senior executives of the Company), (ii) a material diminution of
Executive’s authority or responsibilities, (iii) a reduction of Executive’s title, (iv) Executive ceasing to report directly to the Board of the acquirer, or (v) relocation of the Executive to a location more than 50 miles
from the Company’s San Francisco, California main office location. In addition, upon any such voluntary termination for Good Reason the Executive must provide written notice to the Company of the existence of the one or more of the above
conditions within 90 days of its initial existence and the Company must be provided with at least 30 days to remedy the condition. 
 6.      Assignment.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors and legal representatives of Executive
upon Executive’s death and (b) any successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any
person, firm, corporation or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or other, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive
any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will of the laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of Executive’s right to
compensation or other benefits will be null and void. 
 7.      Notices.  All
notices, requests, demands and other communications called for under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (ii) one (1) day after being sent by a well
established commercial overnight service, or (iii) four (4) days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the parties or their successor at the following addresses, or at such
other addresses as the parties may later designate in writing: 

  
 -7-

 If to the Company: 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. 
 3250 Van Ness Avenue 
 San Francisco, CA 94109 

Attn: General Counsel 
 If to Executive: 
 Laura Alber 

At the last residential address known to the Company 
  

	 	8.	Mediation. 

(a)        General.  In the event of any claim or controversy between the
parties which the parties are unable to resolve themselves, including any claim arising out of Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment, and including any claim arising out of, connected with, or related to the formation,
interpretation, performance or breach of this Agreement, the complaining party shall promptly send written notice to the other party identifying the matter in dispute and the proposed remedy. Following the giving of such notice, the parties shall
meet and attempt in good faith to resolve the matter. In the event the parties are unable to resolve the matter within 21 calendar days, the parties shall submit the controversy to a mutually-selected mediator and attempt in good faith to resolve
the matter through mediation. 
 (b)        Availability of Injunctive
Relief.  The parties agree that they shall have the right to seek judicial relief in the form of injunctive and/or other equitable relief under the California Arbitration Act, Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.8(b), including but
not limited to relief for threatened or actual misappropriation of trade secrets, violation of this Agreement, the Corporate Code of Conduct or any other agreement regarding trade secrets, confidential information, non-competition, nonsolicitation,
non-disparagement or Labor Code §2870. In the event either party seeks injunctive relief, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees. 

(c)        Administrative Relief.  Executive understands that this Agreement
does not prohibit Executive from pursuing an administrative claim with a local, state or federal administrative body such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the workers’ compensation
board. 
  

	 	9.	Section 409A. 

(a)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Compensation
Separation Benefits payable under this Agreement will be considered due or payable until and unless Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s “separation from service” other than due to Executive’s death, then any severance benefits payable
pursuant to this Agreement and any other severance payments or separation benefits, that in each case when considered together may be 

  
 -8-

 
considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits”) and are otherwise due to Executive on or within the six
(6) month period following Executive’s “separation from service” will accrue during such six (6) month period and will instead become payable in a lump sum payment on the date six (6) months and one (1) day
following the date of Executive’s “separation from service.” All subsequent Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment
and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. 
 (b)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive dies following her “separation from service” but prior to the six
(6) month anniversary of the date of her “separation from service,” then any Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits delayed in accordance with this Section will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after
the date of Executive’s death, but not later than ninety (90) days after the date of Executive’s death, and all other Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each
payment or benefit. 
 (c)        It is the intent of this Agreement to comply with the
requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities in this Agreement will be
interpreted to so comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional
tax or income recognition under Section 409A prior to actual payment to Executive. 
  

	 	10.	Miscellaneous Provisions. 

 (a)        Waiver.  No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed
to in writing and signed by the Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party
shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. 

(b)        Headings.  All captions and section headings used in this Agreement
are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement. 

(c)        Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, along with the Employment
Agreement and other written agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between Executive and a duly authorized Company officer constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto and supersede in their entirety all prior representations,
understandings, undertakings or agreements (whether oral or written and whether expressed or implied) of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, including the Prior Management Retention Agreement. 

(d)        Choice of Law.  This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the
State of California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions). 

  
 -9-

 (e)        Severability.  The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect. 

(f)        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. 
 IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Management Retention Agreement on the respective dates set forth below. 
  

							
		 		 	Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
				
	Dated: September 6, 2012	 		 	By	 	 /s/ Adrian D.P. Bellamy

		 		 		 	  Adrian Bellamy
		 		 		 	  Chairman of the Board
			
		 		 	Laura Alber, an individual
			
	Dated: September 6, 2012	 		 	 /s/ Laura J. Alber

  
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 EXHIBIT A 

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC./LAURA ALBER 
 RELEASE OF CLAIMS 
 This Release of Claims (“Agreement”) is made
by and between Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (the “Company”) and Laura Alber (“Executive”). 
 WHEREAS, Executive
has agreed to enter into a release of claims in favor of the Company upon certain events specified in the management retention agreement by and between Company and Executive (the “Management Retention Agreement”). 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows: 

1.      Termination.  Executive’s employment from the Company terminated on
                       (the “Termination Date”). 
 2.      Confidential Information.  Executive shall continue to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary information of the Company
and shall continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the Company’s Code of Corporate Conduct. Executive shall return all the Company property and confidential and proprietary information in her possession to the Company on the
Effective Date of this Agreement. 
 3.      Payment of Salary.  Executive
acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, commissions and any and all other benefits due to Executive. 
 4.      Release of Claims.  Executive agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Executive
by the Company. Executive, on behalf of herself, and her respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents, directors, employees, investors,
shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted any legal or administrative proceedings
concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that she may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until
and including the Effective Date of this Agreement including, without limitation, 

(a)        any and all claims relating to or arising from Executive’s employment
relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship; 

(b)        any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Executive’s right to purchase,
or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for 

  
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fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law; 

(c)        any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of
public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or
intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false
imprisonment; and conversion; 
 (d)        any and all claims for violation of any
federal, state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair
Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code section 201, et seq. and section 970, et
seq. and all amendments to each such Act as well as the regulations issued under each such Act; 

(e)        any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution;

 (f)        any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating
to employment or employment discrimination; and 
 (g)        any and all claims for
attorneys’ fees and costs, except as specifically set forth in the Employment Agreement. 
 Executive agrees that the release set forth in
this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any severance obligations due Executive under the Management Retention Agreement. Nothing in this
Agreement waives Executive’s rights to indemnification or any payments under any fiduciary insurance policy, if any, provided by any act or agreement of the Company, state or federal law or policy of insurance. 

5.      Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA.   Executive acknowledges that she
is waiving and releasing any rights she may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Executive and the Company agree that this waiver and release does
not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which
Executive was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges that she has been advised by this writing that (a) she should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) she has at least twenty-one (21) days within
which to consider this Agreement; (c) she has seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired; and
(e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good 

  
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faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. Any revocation
should be in writing and delivered to the Vice-President of Human Resources at the Company by close of business on the seventh day from the date that Executive signs this Agreement. 

6.        Civil Code Section 1542.  Executive represents that she is not
aware of any claims against the Company other than the claims that are released by this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that she has been advised by legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code 1542, below, which
provides as follows: 
 A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN
HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. 
   Executive, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights she may have under such code section, as well as under any statute or common law principles of similar effect.

 7.        No Pending or Future Lawsuits.  Executive represents that
she has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in her name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred to in this Agreement. Executive also represents that she does not intend to bring any
claims on her own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein. 
 8.        Application for Employment.  Executive understands and agrees that, as a condition of this Agreement, she shall not be entitled to any
employment with the Company, its subsidiaries, or any successor, and she hereby waives any right, or alleged right, of employment or re-employment with the Company. 
 9.        No Cooperation.  Executive agrees that she will not counsel or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution
of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer, director, employee, agent, representative, shareholder or attorney of the Company, unless under a subpoena or other
court order to do so. 
 10.       No Admission of Liability.  Executive
understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of disputed claims. No action taken by the Company, either previously or in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an
admission of the truth or falsity of any claims heretofore made or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to the Executive or to any third party. 

  
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 11.        Costs.  The parties
shall each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement, except as specifically set forth in the Employment Agreement. 

12.        Authority.   Executive represents and warrants that she has the
capacity to act on her own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through her to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 
 13.        No Representations.  Executive represents that she has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and
understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other party which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement. 

14.        Severability.  In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision. 
 15.        Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Employment Agreement along with the Code of Corporate Conduct and Executive’s written equity
compensation agreements with the Company, represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive concerning Executive’s separation from the Company. 

16.        No Oral Modification.  This Agreement may only be amended in writing
signed by Executive and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. 

17.        Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of California. 

18.        Effective Date.  This Agreement is effective eight (8) days
after it has been signed by both parties. 

19.        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and
each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned. 
 20.        Voluntary Execution of Agreement.  This Agreement is executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or
behalf of the parties to this Agreement, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The parties acknowledge that: 

    (a)        They have read this Agreement; 

    (b)        They have been represented in the preparation, negotiation,
and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of their own choice or that they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; 
     (c)        They understand the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; 

  
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 (d)        They are fully aware of the legal and
binding effect of this Agreement. 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set
forth below. 
  

							
		 		 	Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
				
	Dated:             , 20    	 		 	By	 	  

			
		 		 	Laura Alber, an individual
			
	Dated:             , 20    	 		 	  

  
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