A “for cause” provision in an employment contract typically sets forth the grounds for which an employer may terminate an employee’s employment while avoiding liability for payment of severance payments.  “For cause” provisions typically include the following definitions: the employee’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony (other than in connection with a traffic violation) under any state or federal law; the employee’s willful and continued failure to substantially perform his essential job functions hereunder after receipt of written notice from the employer that specifically identifies the manner in which the employee has substantially failed to perform his essential job functions and specifies the manner in which the employee may substantially perform his essential job functions in the future; a material act of fraud or willful and material misconduct with respect, in each case, to the employer, by the executive; or a willful and material breach of the employment agreement.