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8-K 1 twfg-8xk7232024.htm 8-K Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 17, 2024
TWFG, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 001-42177 99-0603906
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive
Suite 4020
The Woodlands, Texas
77380
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(281) 367-3424
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange
on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value TWFG The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.



Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On July 17, 2024, TWFG, Inc. (the “Company”) priced the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), at an offering price of $17.00 per share (the “IPO Price”), pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-280439), as amended (the “Registration Statement”). On July 17, 2024, in connection with the pricing of the IPO, the Company and TWFG Holding Company, LLC entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters listed on Schedule 1 thereto (the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to offer and sell 11,000,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock at the IPO Price. The Underwriters were granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,650,000 shares of Class A Common Stock from the Company, which was exercised by the Underwriters in whole. The offering closed and the shares were delivered on July 19, 2024 (the “Closing Date”).
The Company made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants and agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against (or contribute to the payment of) certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
This description of the Underwriting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
In connection with the consummation of the IPO, the Company entered into the following agreements, previously filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement:
•a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2024, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference;
•a Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2024, by and among the Company, TWFG Holding Company, LLC (“TWFG Holdings”) and each member of TWFG Holdings party thereto, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein;
•a Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of TWFG Holdings, dated as of July 17, 2024, among TWFG Holdings, the Company and the other signatories party thereto, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein; and
•a Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2024, by and among the Company, TWFG Holdings and the other signatories party thereto, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
The terms of these agreements are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms of such agreements filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement and as described therein.
Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
In connection with the reorganization incident to the IPO, the Company issued (i) 2,161,874 shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange for units (“LLC Units”) in TWFG Holdings, (ii) 7,277,651 shares of Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), for consideration of $0.00001 per share (or $72.78 in the aggregate) and (iii) 33,893,810 shares of the Company’s Class C common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Class C Common Stock”), for consideration of $0.00001 per share (or $338.94 in the aggregate), to certain members of TWFG Holdings. The shares were issued in reliance on the exemption contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, on the basis that the transaction did not involve a public offering.
Item 3.03. Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.
The description in Item 5.03 below of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws is incorporated herein by reference.



Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On July 18, 2024, Janet S. Wong and Robin A. Ferracone were appointed to the Company’s board of directors. Information regarding the committees upon which these directors serve, related party transactions involving any of these directors and the compensation plans in which such directors participate were previously reported (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the Registration Statement.
On July 17 and 18, 2024, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers in connection with the IPO. These agreements will require the Company to indemnify these parties to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.
The foregoing is only a summary of the material terms of the indemnification agreements, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of indemnification agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
On July 17, 2024, the Company adopted the TWFG, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein. The description and form of the Plan is substantially the same as the description and the form set forth in and filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On July 17, 2024, the Company amended and restated its Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”). On July 17, 2024, the Company amended and restated its By-laws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”). Copies of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions and forms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws are substantially the same as the descriptions and forms set forth in and filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
Description of Exhibit
1.1
3.1
3.2
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
TWFG, INC.
Date: July 23, 2024 By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Chief Executive Officer

EX-1.1 2 exhibit11-8xk.htm EX-1.1 Document
Exhibit 1.1
TWFG, INC.
11,000,000 Shares of Class A Common Stock
Underwriting Agreement
July 17, 2024
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
As Representatives of the
several Underwriters listed
in Schedule 1 hereto
c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Ladies and Gentlemen:
TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), an aggregate of 11,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), of the Company (the “Underwritten Shares”) and, at the option of the Underwriters, up to an additional 1,650,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company (the “Option Shares”). The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein referred to as the “Shares”. The shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the Shares are referred to herein as the “Stock”.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (the “Directed Share Underwriter”) has agreed to reserve a portion of the Shares to be purchased by it under this underwriting agreement (this “Agreement”) for sale to the Company’s directors, officers, employees and business associates and other parties related to the Company (collectively, “Participants”), as set forth in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) under the heading “Underwriting” (the “Directed Share Program”). The Shares to be sold by the Directed Share Underwriter and its affiliates pursuant to the Directed Share Program, at the direction of the Company, are referred to hereinafter as the “Directed Shares”. Any Directed Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any Participant by the end of the business day on which this Agreement is executed will be offered to the public by the Underwriters as set forth in the Prospectus.



In connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement, the “Reorganization Transactions” (as such term is defined in the Registration Statement and the Preliminary Prospectus (each as defined below) under the caption “Organizational Structure—The reorganization transactions”) were or will be effected, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will become the sole managing member of TWFG Holding Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the “LLC”), and will operate and control all of the business and affairs of the LLC and, through the LLC and its subsidiaries, conduct its business. The Company and the LLC are each referred to herein as a “TWFG Party” and, collectively, as the “TWFG Parties”.
Each TWFG Party hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Shares, as follows:
1.    Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), a registration statement (File No. 333-280439), including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“Rule 430 Information”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the term “Preliminary Prospectus” means each prospectus included in such registration statement (and any amendments thereto) before effectiveness, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Shares. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
At or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively with the pricing information set forth on Annex A, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated July 9, 2024 and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex A hereto.
“Applicable Time” means 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on July 17, 2024.
2.    Purchase of the Shares.
(a)    The Company agrees to issue and sell the Underwritten Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth
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herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase at a price per share of $15.81 (the “Purchase Price”) from the Company the respective number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto.
In addition, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Option Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and the Underwriters, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, shall have the option to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company the Option Shares at the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Shares but not payable on the Option Shares.
If any Option Shares are to be purchased, the number of Option Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the number of Option Shares which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Option Shares being purchased as the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) bears to the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares being purchased from the Company by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional Shares as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make.
The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice from the Representatives to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and paid for, which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date nor later than the tenth full business day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof). Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein.
(b)    The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Shares, and initially to offer the Shares on the terms set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Shares to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter.
(c)    Payment for the Shares shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company to the Representatives in the case of the Underwritten Shares, at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on July 19, 2024, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing or, in the case of the Option Shares, on the date and at the time and place specified by the Representatives in the written notice of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Option Shares. The time and date of such payment for the Underwritten Shares is referred to herein as the “Closing Date”, and the time and
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date for such payment for the Option Shares, if other than the Closing Date, is herein referred to as the “Additional Closing Date”.
Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Shares to be purchased on such date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of such Shares duly paid by the Company. Delivery of the Shares shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.
(d)    Each TWFG Party acknowledges and agrees that the Representatives and the other Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the TWFG Parties with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the TWFG Parties or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the TWFG Parties or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The TWFG Parties shall consult with their own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making their own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Representatives nor the other Underwriters shall have any responsibility or liability to the TWFG Parties with respect thereto. Any review by the Representatives and the other Underwriters of the TWFG Parties, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the TWFG Parties.
3.    Representations and Warranties of the TWFG Parties. Each TWFG Party, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:
(a)    Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and no Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the TWFG Parties make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.
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(b) Pricing Disclosure Package. The Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the TWFG Parties make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof. No statement of material fact included in the Prospectus has been omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package and no statement of material fact included in the Pricing Disclosure Package that is required to be included in the Prospectus has been omitted therefrom.
(c)    Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clause (i) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex A hereto, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package, and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the TWFG Parties make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.
(d) Emerging Growth Company. From the time of initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”). “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on either Section 5(d) of, or Rule 163B under, the Securities Act.
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(e)    Testing-the-Waters Materials. The Company (i) has not engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communications other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives (x) with entities that are qualified institutional buyers (“QIBs”) within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act (“IAIs”) and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of Section 5(d) of the Securities Act or (y) with entities that the Company reasonably believed to be QIBs or IAIs and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of Rule 163B under the Securities Act and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications by virtue of a writing substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Company has not distributed or approved for distribution any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications other than those listed on Annex B hereto. “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act. Any individual Written Testing-the-Waters Communication does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(f) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Shares has been initiated or, to the TWFG Parties’ knowledge, threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the TWFG Parties make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.
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(g)    Financial Statements. The financial statements (including the related notes thereto) of the Company and the LLC and their respective consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company, the LLC and their respective consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and any supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be stated therein; and the other financial information included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company, the LLC and their respective consolidated subsidiaries and presents fairly, in all material respects, the information shown thereby; all disclosures included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of Commission) comply with Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”) and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable; and the pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable and are set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
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(h) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock or outstanding equity, as applicable (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock (as defined below) upon exercise of stock options and warrants described as outstanding in, the exchange, if any, of equity interests of the LLC in, and the grant of options and awards under existing equity incentive plans, in each case, described in, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus), short-term debt or long-term debt of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries (other than borrowings described in or expressly contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus), or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company or the LLC on any class of capital stock or other equity interests, as applicable (other than redemptions described in or expressly contemplated by the Registration Statement), or any material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, members’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the TWFG Parties and their subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) none of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) that is material to the TWFG Parties and their subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the TWFG Parties and their subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iii) none of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business that is material to the TWFG Parties and their subsidiaries taken as a whole and that is either from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(i)    Organization and Good Standing. Each TWFG Party and each of their subsidiaries have been duly organized and are validly existing and, to the extent such concept is applicable, in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and, to the extent such concept is applicable, are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, members’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the TWFG Parties and their subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by the TWFG Parties of their respective obligations under the Transaction Documents (as defined below) (a “Material Adverse Effect”). The subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement are the only “significant subsidiaries” of the Company.
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(j) Capitalization. Each TWFG Party has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization”; all the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company (the “Class B Common Stock”) and Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company (the “Class C Common Stock and, together with the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, the “Common Stock”) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights; except as described in or expressly contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, upon consummation of the Reorganization Transactions there will be no outstanding rights (including, without limitation, pre-emptive rights), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock or other equity interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, the LLC), or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital stock or equity interest of the Company or any such subsidiary (including, without limitation, the LLC), any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options; upon consummation of the Reorganization Transactions, the capital stock of the Company and the equity interests of the LLC will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (and in the case of equity interests in any such subsidiary that is not a corporation, the Company or other holder of such equity interests has no obligation to make payments or contributions to such subsidiary or its creditors solely by reason of its ownership of such equity interests) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party, except as otherwise described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(k) Stock Options. With respect to the stock options (the “Stock Options”) granted pursuant to the stock-based compensation plans of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company Stock Plans”), (i) each Stock Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so qualifies, (ii) each grant of a Stock Option was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Stock Option was by its terms to be effective (the “Grant Date”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of directors (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) of the applicable TWFG Party, or its general partner, sole or managing member, as the case may be, and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Stock Plans, the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, including the rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market and any other exchange on which Company securities are traded, and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the applicable TWFG Party. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no policy or practice of the Company of granting, Stock Options prior to, or otherwise coordinating the grant of Stock Options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their results of operations or prospects.
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(l)    Due Authorization. Each TWFG Party has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver, to the extent a party thereto, (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Tax Receivable Agreement among the Company, the LLC and each member of the LLC party thereto (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), (iii) the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the LLC (the “LLC Agreement”) and (iv) the Registration Rights Agreement among the Company and certain stockholders party thereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement” and, together with this Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement and the LLC Agreement, the “Transaction Documents”) and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby has been duly and validly taken.
(m)    Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each TWFG Party.
(n)    The Shares. The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder and the shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock to be issued by the Company in the Reorganization Transactions have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered and paid for as provided herein, or, for the shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock to be issued to the members of the LLC, will be duly and validly issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable and will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuances of the Shares and of the shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are not subject to any preemptive or similar rights.
(o)    Other Transaction Documents. Each of the Tax Receivable Agreement, the LLC Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, in each case, to be entered into on or prior to the Closing Date, has been duly authorized and, as of the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by each TWFG Party, to the extent a party thereto, and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of each such TWFG Party enforceable against such TWFG Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.
(p)    Descriptions of the Transaction Documents. Each Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
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(q)    No Violation or Default. None of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any property, right or asset of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute applicable to the TWFG Parties or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(r)    No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by each TWFG Party of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions (including, without limitation, the Reorganization Transactions) contemplated by the Transaction Documents or the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property, right or asset of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any property, right or asset of any TWFG Party or any of their subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, lien, charge or encumbrance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(s) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by each TWFG Party of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions (including, without limitation, the Reorganization Transactions) contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters or where the failure to obtain any such consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(t)    Legal Proceedings. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, demands, claims, suits, arbitrations, inquiries or proceedings (“Actions”) pending to which any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is or may reasonably be expected to become a party or to which any property of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries is or may reasonably be expected to become the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to any TWFG Party or any of its subsidiaries, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, no such Actions are threatened or contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or threatened by others; and (i) there are no current or pending Actions that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(u)    Independent Accountants. Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company, the LLC and their respective subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company, the LLC and their respective subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.
(v)    Title to Real and Personal Property. Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the respective businesses of each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries or (ii) could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(w) Intellectual Property. (i) Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries own or have the right to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, domain names and other source indicators, copyrights and copyrightable works, know-how, trade secrets, systems, procedures, proprietary or confidential information and all other worldwide intellectual property, industrial property and proprietary rights (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) used in the conduct of their respective businesses, except where the failure to own or have the right to use any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) each TWFG Party’s and its subsidiaries’ conduct of their respective businesses does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property of any person; (iii) each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries have not received any written notice of any claim relating to Intellectual Property, which claim, if determined unfavorably, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, the Intellectual Property of the TWFG Parties and their respective subsidiaries is not being infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated by any person; and (v) except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, each TWFG Party has taken all steps reasonably required to maintain, enforce and protect the Intellectual Property owned by such TWFG Party and each of its subsidiaries.
(x)    No Undisclosed Relationships. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers, suppliers or other affiliates of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that is not so described in such documents and in the Pricing Disclosure Package.
(y)    Investment Company Act. Each TWFG Party is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be required to register as an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Investment Company Act”).
(z)    Taxes. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries have paid all federal, state, local and foreign taxes and filed all tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date hereof, and except as otherwise disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no tax deficiency that has been, or to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, could reasonably be expected to be, asserted against any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.
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(aa) Licenses and Permits. Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, sub-licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where such revocation, modification or nonrenewal would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(bb)    No Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, is contemplated or threatened, and no TWFG Party is aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees of any of its or its subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any collective bargaining agreement to which it is a party.
(cc) Certain Environmental Matters. (i) Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries (x) are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), rules, regulations, requirements, decisions, judgments, decrees, orders and other legally enforceable requirements relating to pollution or the protection of human health or safety, the environment, natural resources, hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (y) have received and are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under any Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (z) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability or obligation under or relating to, or any actual or potential violation of, any Environmental Laws, including for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) there are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries, except in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, for any such matter as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) except as described in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (x) there is no proceeding that is pending, or that is known to be contemplated, against any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws in which a governmental entity is also a party, other than such proceeding regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, (y) none of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries is aware of any facts or issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws or concerning hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries, and (z) none of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries anticipates material capital expenditures relating to any Environmental Laws.
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(dd) Compliance with ERISA. (i) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), that is sponsored, maintained, contributed to or has been entered into by a TWFG Party or any of its subsidiaries (excluding (x) any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and (y) any plan that is sponsored by a professional employer organization or co-employer) (each, a “Plan”), has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) for each (1) Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and (2) employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) sponsored, maintained, contributed to or entered into by any member of a TWFG Party’s “Controlled Group” (defined as any entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with a TWFG Party within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or any entity that would be regarded as a single employer with a TWFG Party under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA (each, a “Controlled Group Plan”), no such Plan or Controlled Group Plan has failed (whether or not waived), or is reasonably expected to fail, to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code) applicable to such Plan or Controlled Group Plan; (iv) no Plan or Controlled Group Plan is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk status” (within the meaning of Section 303(i) of ERISA) and no Controlled Group Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA is in “endangered status” or “critical status” (within the meaning of Sections 304 and 305 of ERISA); (v) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan or Controlled Group Plan, in each case, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan or Controlled Group Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan or Controlled Group Plan); (vi) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan or Controlled Group Plan; (vii) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification; (viii) none of the TWFG Parties or any member of the Controlled Group has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan or Controlled Group Plan (including a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA); and (ix) none of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (A) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans by any TWFG Party or its Controlled Group affiliates in the current fiscal year of such TWFG Party and its Controlled Group affiliates compared to the amount of such contributions made in such TWFG Party’s and its Controlled Group affiliates’ most recently completed fiscal year; or (B) a material increase in any TWFG Party and its subsidiaries’ “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715-60) compared to the amount of such obligations in any TWFG Party and its subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year, except in each case with respect to the events or conditions set forth in (i) through (ix) hereof, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(ee)    Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(ff) Accounting Controls. The TWFG Parties and their respective subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The TWFG Parties and their respective subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses in any TWFG Party’s internal controls. The auditors of each TWFG Party and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect such TWFG Party’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in such TWFG Party’s internal controls over financial reporting.
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(gg)    Insurance. Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are adequate to protect such TWFG Party and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses; and none of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance or (ii) any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.
(hh) Cybersecurity; Data Protection. Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (including all data of their respective employees, suppliers, vendors and any third-party data under the control of and maintained by each TWFG Party or any of its subsidiaries) (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with, the operation of the business of each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, and to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, such IT Systems are free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards designed to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their businesses. To the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person, nor any material incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same, except as otherwise disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all applicable judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any applicable court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification (collectively, the “Data Security Obligations”). None of the TWFG Parties has received any written, or, to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, other notification of or complaint regarding, or is aware of any other facts that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably indicate, non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation and there is no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body pending or, to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, threatened alleging non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation.
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(ii)    No Unlawful Payments. None of the TWFG Parties, any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, any director or officer of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, any employee, agent, representative or other person associated with and, in each case, acting on behalf of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken, or will make or take, an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law (including, to the extent applicable, the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom); or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. Each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries and affiliates have conducted their business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. None of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws.
(jj)    Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, threatened.
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(kk)    No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. None of the TWFG Parties, any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, directors or officers, nor, to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, any employee, agent, representative or other person associated with and, in each case, acting and authorized to act on behalf of any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates is an individual or entity (“Person”) that is (i) currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government, (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union or HM Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”) or owned or controlled by one more such person(s) to the extent that it is subject to the same prohibitions or restrictions as such person(s) or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of comprehensive Sanctions, including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea Region and the non-government controlled areas of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Regions of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic and any other Covered Region of Ukraine identified pursuant to Executive Order 14065 (each, a “Sanctioned Country”). The TWFG Parties will not directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any Person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate (x) any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (y) any money laundering or terrorist financing activities or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. The TWFG Parties and their respective subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in and will not engage in any dealings or transactions with any Person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.
(ll)    No Restrictions on Subsidiaries. Except as otherwise described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to any TWFG Party, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock or similar ownership interest, from repaying to any TWFG Party any loans or advances to such subsidiary from such TWFG Party or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to any TWFG Party or any other subsidiary of any TWFG Party.
(mm) No Broker’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement and other than fees payable to Solebury Capital LLC or its affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.
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(nn)    No Registration Rights. Except for those related to the Registration Rights Agreement described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no person has the right to require any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issuance and sale of the Shares.
(oo)    No Stabilization. None of the TWFG Parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.
(pp)    Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.
(qq)    Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included in any of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(rr)    Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of any TWFG Party that has caused such TWFG Party to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.
(ss)    Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans.
(tt)    Status under the Securities Act. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
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(uu)    No Ratings. There are (and prior to the Closing Date, will be) no debt securities, convertible securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by any TWFG Party or any of their respective subsidiaries that are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”, as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act.
(vv)    Directed Share Program. Each TWFG Party represents and warrants that (i) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses comply in all material respects, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply in all material respects, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program, and that (ii) no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency, other than those obtained, is required in connection with the offering of the Directed Shares in any foreign jurisdiction where the Directed Shares are being offered outside the United States. The Company has not offered, or caused the Directed Share Underwriter or any Directed Share Underwriter Entity as defined in Section 7(g) to offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the TWFG Parties to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the TWFG Parties, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the TWFG Parties or its products.
(ww)    Private Placement. Each TWFG Party has not sold, issued or distributed any shares of Common Stock, including limited liability company interests in the LLC convertible or exercisable or exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive Common Stock, during the six month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under Section 4(a)(2), or Regulation D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares or limited liability company interests issued as consideration for the acquisition of other businesses or pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans; in each case as referenced in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.
4.    Further Agreements of the TWFG Parties. Each TWFG Party, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:
(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.
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(b)    Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge, (i) to the Representatives, two signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto, in each case including all exhibits and consents filed therewith; and (ii) to each Underwriter (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) as the Representatives may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Shares is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Shares by any Underwriter or dealer.
(c)    Amendments or Supplements, Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably objects.
(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing (which may be by electronic mail), (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (iii) when any supplement to the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or any amendment to the Prospectus has been filed or distributed; (iv) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information including, but not limited to, any request for information concerning any Testing-the-Waters Communication; (v) of the issuance by the Commission or any other governmental or regulatory authority of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (vi) of the occurrence of any event or development within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or suspending any such qualification of the Shares and, if any such order is issued, will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.
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(e)    Ongoing Compliance. (1) If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law and (2) if at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package to comply with applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package will comply with applicable law.
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(f)    Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the Shares; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.
(g)    Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representatives as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement; provided that the Company will be deemed to comply with such requirement by filing such earnings statements on the Commission’s Electronic, Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) (or any successor system).
(h)    Clear Market. For a period of 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “Restricted Period”), the Company will not (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or submit to, or file with, the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of Common Stock, or any options, rights or warrants to purchase any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Common Stock, including limited liability company interests in the LLC convertible or exercisable or exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive Common Stock, or publicly disclose the intention to undertake any of the foregoing (other than filings on Form S-8 relating to the Company Stock Plans), or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock or any such other securities or publicly disclose the intention to enter into any such swap or agreement, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, other than (1) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (2) Common Stock, options or other awards issued pursuant to the equity incentive plans of the TWFG Parties referenced in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (3) Common Stock, or securities convertible into, exercisable for, or which are otherwise exchangeable for, Common Stock issued in private placements as consideration for the acquisition of other businesses or other strategic transactions, up to an aggregate amount of $50 million, provided the Company shall cause each recipient in such private placements to enter into a lockup agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto for the remainder of the Restricted Period,
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(4) Common Stock otherwise issued in connection with the Reorganization Transactions and (5) Common Stock issued pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement.
If J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 6(l) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.
(i)    Use of Proceeds. Each of the TWFG Parties will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of proceeds”.
(j)    No Stabilization. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries or affiliates will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Stock.
(k)    Exchange Listing. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to list for quotation the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
(l)    Reports. For a period of two years following the date hereof, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will furnish to the Representatives, as soon as they are available, copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to holders of the Shares, and copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange or automatic quotation system; provided that the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports and financial statements to the Representatives to the extent they are filed on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system.
(m)    Record Retention. The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.
(n)    Filings. The Company will file with the Commission such reports as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act.
(o)    Directed Share Program. Each TWFG Party will comply with all applicable securities and other laws, rules and regulations in each jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.
(p) Emerging Growth Company. The Company will promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of Shares within the meaning of the Securities Act and (ii) completion of the 180-day Restricted Period referred to in Section 4(h) hereof.
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(q)    CDD Certification. The Company will deliver to each Underwriter (or its agent), prior to the date of execution of this Agreement, a properly completed and executed Certification Regarding Beneficial Owners of Legal Entity Customers, together with copies of identifying documentation, and the Company undertakes to provide such additional supporting documentation as each Underwriter may reasonably request in connection with the verification of the foregoing Certification.
5.    Certain Agreements of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter hereby severally represents and agrees that:
(a)    It has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that contains no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) that was not included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Preliminary Prospectus or a previously filed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex A or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show approved in advance by the Company), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such Underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”).
(b)    It has not and will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use any free writing prospectus that contains the final terms of the Shares unless such terms have previously been included in a free writing prospectus filed with the Commission; provided that Underwriters may use a term sheet substantially in the form of Annex C hereto without the consent of the Company; provided further that any Underwriter using such term sheet shall notify the Company, and provide a copy of such term sheet to the Company, prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the first use of such term sheet.
(c)    It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).
6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase the Underwritten Shares on the Closing Date or the Option Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:
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(a)    Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act shall be pending before or, to the knowledge of the TWFG Parties, threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.
(b)    Representations and Warranties. The respective representations and warranties of each TWFG Party contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be; and the statements of each TWFG Party and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.
(c)    No Material Adverse Change. No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(h) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in the Pricing Disclosure Package (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the effect of which in the judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(d)    Officers’ Certificates. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of each TWFG Party and one additional senior executive officer of such TWFG Party who is satisfactory to the Representatives (i) confirming that such officers have carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, to the knowledge of such officers, the representations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 3(c) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of each TWFG Party in this Agreement are true and correct and that each TWFG Party has complied in all material respects with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) above.
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(e) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall use a “cut-off” date no more than two business days prior to such Closing Date or such Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.
(f)    CFO Certificate. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, of its chief financial officer with respect to certain financial data contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, providing “management comfort” with respect to such information, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.
(g)    Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in Annex D hereto.
(h)    Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion and 10b-5 statement, addressed to the Underwriters, of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(i)    No Legal Impediment to Issuance and Sale. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares.
(j)    Good Standing. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, satisfactory evidence of the good standing of each TWFG Party and its subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.
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(k)    Exchange Listing. The Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, subject to official notice of issuance.
(l)    Lock-up Agreements. The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, between you and certain shareholders, officers and directors of the TWFG Parties relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.
(m)    Reorganization Transactions. Prior to or substantially concurrent with the issuance of the Underwritten Shares and payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, the Reorganization Transactions shall have been consummated in a manner consistent in all material respects with the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(n)    CDD Certification. The Company shall have delivered to each Underwriter (or its agent), on the date of execution of this Agreement, a properly completed and executed Certification Regarding Beneficial Owners of Legal Entity Customers, together with copies of identifying documentation, and the Company undertakes to provide such additional supporting documentation as each Underwriter may reasonably request in connection with the verification of the foregoing Certification.
(o)    Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the TWFG Parties shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.
All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.
7.    Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The TWFG Parties, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any Testing-the-Waters Communication, any road show as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act (a “road show”) or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in paragraph (b) below.
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(b)    Indemnification of the TWFG Parties. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each TWFG Party, directors of the Company, officers of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Testing-the-Waters Communication, any road show or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the third paragraph under the caption “Underwriting,” and the stabilization information contained in the fourteenth and fifteenth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting.”
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(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7, such person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such reasonable and documented fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by the Representatives and any such separate firm for the TWFG Parties, the directors and officers of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.
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(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) or (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the TWFG Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the TWFG Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the TWFG Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Shares and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the TWFG Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the TWFG Parties or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e)    Limitation on Liability. The TWFG Parties and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to paragraph (d) above were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable and documented legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d) and (e), in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Shares exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to paragraphs (d) and (e) are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.
(f)    Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 paragraphs (a) through (e) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.
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(g)    Directed Share Program Indemnification.
(i) The TWFG Parties, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Directed Share Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls the Directed Share Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each affiliate of the Directed Share Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act (“Directed Share Underwriter Entities”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred) (a) that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or that arise out of, or are based upon, any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any other materials prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or that arise out of, or are based upon, any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (b) that arise out of, or are based upon, the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Directed Shares that the Participant agreed to purchase; or (c) related to, arising out of, or in connection with the Directed Share Program, other than losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities.
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(ii) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Directed Share Underwriter Entity in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 7(g)(i), the Directed Share Underwriter Entity seeking indemnity shall promptly notify the Company in writing and the TWFG Parties, upon request of the Directed Share Underwriter Entity, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Directed Share Underwriter Entity to represent the Directed Share Underwriter Entity and any others the TWFG Parties may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonably incurred fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Directed Share Underwriter Entity unless (a) the TWFG Parties shall have agreed to the retention of such counsel, (b) the TWFG Parties have failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Directed Share Underwriter Entity, (c) the Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to either TWFG Party or (d) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include either TWFG Party and the Directed Share Underwriter Entity and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. The TWFG Parties shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Directed Share Underwriter Entities. Any such separate firm for the Directed Share Underwriter Entities shall be designated in writing by the Directed Share Underwriter. The TWFG Parties shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without their written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, each TWFG Party agrees to indemnify the Directed Share Underwriter Entities from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time a Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall have requested the TWFG Parties to reimburse it for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the TWFG Parties agree that they shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (a) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the TWFG Parties of the aforesaid request and (b) the TWFG Parties shall not have reimbursed the Directed Share Underwriter Entity in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. The TWFG Parties shall not, without the prior written consent of the Directed Share Underwriter, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Directed Share Underwriter Entity is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Directed Share Underwriter Entity, unless (x) such settlement includes an unconditional release of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of the Directed Share Underwriter Entity.
(iii) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 7(g)(i) is unavailable to a Directed Share Underwriter Entity or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then the TWFG Parties in lieu of indemnifying the Directed Share Underwriter Entity thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Directed Share Underwriter Entity as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (a) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the TWFG Parties on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand from the offering of the Directed Shares or (b) if the allocation provided by clause 7(g)(iii)(a) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 7(g)(iii)(a) above but also the relative fault of the TWFG Parties on the one hand and of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand in connection with any statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the TWFG Parties on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Directed Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Directed Shares (before deducting expenses) and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities for the Directed Shares, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Directed Shares. If the loss, claim, damage or liability is caused by an untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, the relative fault of the TWFG Parties on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement or the omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the TWFG Parties or by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
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(iv) The TWFG Parties and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(g) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Directed Share Underwriter Entities were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 7(g)(iii). The amount paid or payable by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7(g), no Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Directed Shares distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Directed Share Underwriter Entity has otherwise been required to pay. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 7(g) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
(v) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 7(g) shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (a) any termination of this Agreement, (b) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Directed Share Underwriter Entity or any TWFG Party, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (c) acceptance of and payment for any of the Directed Shares.
8.    Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above.
9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of the Option Shares, prior to the Additional Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by any of the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
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10.    Defaulting Underwriter.
(a)    If, on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Shares that it has agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Shares by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Shares on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 10, purchases Shares that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.
(b)    If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder on such date plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase on such date) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.
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(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate amount of Shares to be purchased on such date, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement or, with respect to any Additional Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of the TWFG Parties, except that the TWFG Parties, jointly and severally, will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 11 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.
(d)    Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the TWFG Parties or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.
11.    Payment of Expenses.
(a)    Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the TWFG Parties, jointly and severally, will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of their obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Shares and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and distributing each of the Transaction Documents; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Shares under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates, if applicable; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent and any registrar; (viii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, FINRA; (ix) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors, provided, however, that the Underwriters shall be responsible for 50% of the third party costs of any private aircraft used by both the Company and the Underwriters incurred in connection with such “road show”; (x) all expenses and application fees related to the listing of the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and (xi) all fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program; provided, however, that the amount payable by the Company pursuant to clauses (v) and (viii) of this Section 11(a) shall not exceed $45,000.00 in the aggregate for fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters. It is, however, understood that except as provided in this Section 11 or Section 7 hereof, the Underwriters shall pay all of their own costs and expenses, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of their counsel.
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(b)    If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9, (ii) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Shares for delivery to the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the TWFG Parties, jointly and severally, agree to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby; provided, however, that in the event any such termination is effected after the Closing Date but prior to any Additional Closing Date with respect to the purchase of any Option Shares, the Company shall only reimburse the Underwriters for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel) incurred by the Underwriters after the Closing Date in connection with the proposed purchase of any such Option Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the Company shall not pay or reimburse any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any Underwriter that defaults on its obligations to purchase the Shares.
12.    Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates of each Underwriter referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.
13.    Survival. The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the TWFG Parties and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the TWFG Parties or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Shares and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the TWFG Parties or the Underwriters or the directors, officers, controlling persons or affiliates referred to in Section 7 hereof.
14.    Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; (c) the term “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and (d) the term “significant subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.
15. Compliance with USA Patriot Act. In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.
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16.    Miscellaneous.
(a)    Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives at:
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10179
Fax: (212) 622-8358
Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk; and
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Fax: (212) 507-8999
Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk, with a copy to Legal Department.
Notices to the Company shall be given to it at:
TWFG, Inc.
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Suite 4020
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Email: [****]
Attention: [****]
(b)    Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(c)    Submission to Jurisdiction. Each TWFG Party hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each TWFG Party waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit or proceeding in such courts. Each TWFG Party agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon such TWFG Party and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which such TWFG Party is subject by a suit upon such judgment.
(d)    Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
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(e)    Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(i) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(ii) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
As used in this Section 16(e):
“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(f)    Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
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(g)    Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
(h)    Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
41


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.
TWFG, INC.
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Chief Executive Officer

TWFG HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: President
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]


Accepted: As of the date first written above
For themselves and on behalf of the
several Underwriters listed
in Schedule 1 hereto.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By: /s/ Apoorva Ramesh
Name: Apoorva Ramesh
Title: Vice President
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]


MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
By: /s/ Jyri Wilska
Name: Jyri Wilska
Title: Managing Director
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]


Schedule 1
Underwriter Number of Underwritten Shares
Number of Option Shares
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
3,157,520 473,628
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC 3,157,520 473,628
BMO Capital Markets Corp. 861,408 129,211
Piper Sandler & Co. 861,408 129,211
RBC Capital Markets, LLC 715,000 107,250
UBS Securities LLC 715,000 107,250
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. 612,857 91,929
William Blair & Company, L.L.C 612,857 91,929
Dowling & Partners Securities LLC 306,430 45,964
Total
11,000,000
1,650,000



Annex A
a.    Pricing Disclosure Package
None
b. Pricing Information Provided Orally by Underwriters
Number of Underwritten Shares: 11,000,000
Public Offering Price Per Share: $17.00



Annex B
Written Testing-the-Waters Communications
None



Annex C
Pricing Term Sheet
None





Annex D
Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company (to be delivered by the Company to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC in email or letter form)


[Omitted]



Exhibit A
Testing the Waters Authorization
In reliance on Section 5(d) of and/or Rule 163B under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), TWFG, Inc. (the “Issuer”) hereby authorizes J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMO Capital Markets”) and Piper Sandler & Co. (“Piper Sandler”) and their respective affiliates and employees (the “Authorized Underwriters”), to act on behalf of the Issuer in undertaking oral and written communications with potential investors that are, or are reasonably believed to be, “qualified institutional buyers,” as defined in Rule 144A under the Act, or institutions that are, or are reasonably believed to be, “accredited investors,” as defined in Regulation D under the Act, to determine whether such investors might have an interest in the Issuer’s contemplated initial public offering (“Testing-the-Waters Communications”) in the United States. A “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act. Any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication shall be subject to prior approval by the Issuer prior to its dissemination to a potential investor, provided, however, that no such approval shall be required for any written communication that is administrative in nature (i.e., scheduling meetings) or that solely contains information already contained in a communication previously approved by the Issuer. The Issuer has advised the Authorized Underwriters that it does not intend to provide or authorize any written communications to potential investors other than communications that are solely administrative in nature.

The Issuer represents that (i) except as disclosed to the Authorized Underwriters, it has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication and (ii) it has not authorized anyone other than the Authorized Underwriters to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Issuer agrees that it shall not authorize any other third party to engage on its behalf in oral or written communications with potential investors without the written consent of J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BMO Capital Markets and Piper Sandler. The Issuer also represents that, as of the date hereof, it is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”). The Issuer agrees to promptly notify J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BMO Capital Markets and Piper Sandler in writing if the Issuer hereafter ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company while this authorization is in effect.

If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Issuer will promptly notify J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BMO Capital Markets and Piper Sandler and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.




Nothing in this authorization is intended to limit or otherwise affect the ability of the Authorized Underwriters, to engage in communications in which they could otherwise lawfully engage in the absence of this authorization, including, without limitation, any written communication containing only one or more of the statements specified under Rule 134(a) under the Act. This authorization shall remain in effect until the Issuer has provided to the Authorized Underwriters a written notice revoking this authorization. All notices as described herein shall be sent by email to the attention of [****].



Exhibit B
Form of Waiver of Lock-up
TWFG, Inc.
Public Offering of Class A Common Stock
[●], 2024
[Name and Address of
Officer or Director
Requesting Waiver]
Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]:
This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the offering by TWFG, Inc. (the “Company”) of [●] shares of Class A common stock, $[●] par value per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), of the Company and the lock-up letter dated [●], 2024 (the “Lock-up Letter”), executed by you in connection with such offering, and your request for a [waiver] [release] dated [●], 2024, with respect to [●] shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Shares”).
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC hereby agree to [waive] [release] the transfer restrictions set forth in the Lock-up Letter, but only with respect to the Shares, effective [●], 2024; provided, however, that such [waiver] [release] is conditioned on the Company announcing the impending [waiver] [release] by press release through a major news service at least two business days before effectiveness of such [waiver] [release]. This letter will serve as notice to the Company of the impending [waiver] [release].
Except as expressly [waived] [released] hereby, the Lock-up Letter shall remain in full force and effect.



Yours very truly,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By:
Name:
Title:
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
By:
Name:
Title:
cc: Company



Exhibit C
Form of Press Release
TWFG, INC.
[Date]
TWFG, Inc. (the “Company”) announced today that J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, the lead book-running managers in the Company’s recent public sale of [●] shares of Class A common stock, are [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to [●] shares of the Company’s Class A common stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on [●], 2024, and the shares may be sold on or after such date.
This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.



Exhibit D
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
[●], 2024
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
As Representatives of the
several Underwriters listed
in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting
Agreement referred to below
c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Re:    TWFG, Inc. – Public Offering
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned understands that you, as representatives (the “Representatives”) of the several Underwriters, propose to enter into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriters”), of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), of the Company (the “Securities”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to purchase and make the Public Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.



LLC on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, and will not cause any direct or indirect affiliate to, during the period beginning on the date of this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) and ending at the close of business 180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”) (such period, the “Restricted Period”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Class B Common Stock”), or Class C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Class C Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, the “Common Stock”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including without limitation, Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant) (collectively with the Common Stock, “Lock-Up Securities”), (2) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Lock-Up Securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any Lock-Up Securities, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent the undersigned has demand and/or piggyback registration rights, the foregoing shall not prohibit the undersigned from notifying the Company privately that it is or will be exercising its demand and/or piggyback registration rights following the expiration of the Restricted Period so long as such demands or exercises do not involve any public disclosure or filing during the Restricted Period (provided that (i) the Company shall provide written notice to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at least three business days prior to any confidential submission or public filing of a registration statement made during the Restricted Period, and (ii) no such confidential submission or public filing shall be made during the Restricted Period unless otherwise agreed by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC). The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing precludes the undersigned from engaging in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition or transfer (whether by the undersigned or any other person) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any Lock-Up Securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of Lock-Up Securities, in cash or otherwise. The undersigned further confirms that it has furnished the Representatives with the details of any transaction the undersigned, or any of its affiliates, is a party to as of the date hereof, which transaction would have been restricted by this Letter Agreement if it had been entered into by the undersigned during the Restricted Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may:
(a)  transfer the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities:
(i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, or for bona fide estate planning purposes,
(ii) to any immediate family member of the undersigned,



(iii) by will or intestacy, (iv) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, or if the undersigned is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust (for purposes of this Letter Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, current or former marriage, domestic partnership or adoption, not more remote than first cousin),
(v) to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the undersigned and the immediate family of the undersigned are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests,
(vi) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (v) above,
(vii) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) of the undersigned, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the undersigned or affiliates of the undersigned (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the undersigned is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership), or (B) as part of a distribution to members or shareholders of the undersigned,
(viii) by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement,
(ix) to the Company from an employee of the Company upon death, disability or termination of employment, in each case, of such employee,
(x) as part of a sale of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities [(A)] acquired [in the Public Offering or [B]] in open market transactions after the closing date for the Public Offering,
(xi) to the Company in connection with the vesting, settlement, or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of Common Stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement, or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights, provided that any such shares of Common Stock received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement, and provided further that any such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights are held by the undersigned pursuant to an agreement or equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, each such agreement or plan which is described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus,



(xii) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction that is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company (for purposes hereof, “Change of Control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of shares of capital stock if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving entity)); provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities shall remain subject to the provisions of this Letter Agreement; or
(xiii) (A) transfer, convert, reclassify, redeem or exchange of any of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities pursuant to the Reorganization Transactions and (B) redeem or exchange any of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities pursuant to the terms of the LLC Agreement, provided that in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), any shares of Class A Common Stock or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of Class A Common Stock received in connection with such transfer, conversion, reclassification, redemption or exchange remain subject to the provisions of this Letter Agreement;
provided that (A) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii), such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and each donee, devisee, transferee or distributee shall execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this Letter Agreement, (B) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (a) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (x) and (xi), no filing by any party (donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributer or distributee) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the Restricted Period referred to above) and (C) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (a)(vii) and (viii) it shall be a condition to such transfer that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and if any filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or other public filing, report or announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock in connection with such transfer or distribution shall be legally required during the Restricted Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto the nature and conditions of such transfer;
(b) exercise outstanding options, settle restricted stock units or other equity awards or exercise warrants pursuant to plans described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided that any Lock-up Securities received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement;
(c) convert outstanding preferred stock, warrants to acquire preferred stock or convertible securities into shares of Common Stock or warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock; provided that any such shares of Common Stock or warrants received upon such conversion shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement; and
(d) establish trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Lock-Up Securities; provided that (1) such plans do not provide for the transfer of Lock-Up Securities during the Restricted Period and (2) no filing by any party under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or made voluntarily in connection with such trading plan.



If the undersigned is not a natural person, the undersigned represents and warrants that no single natural person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the common equity interests, or 50% or more of the voting power, in the undersigned.
If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing restrictions shall be equally applicable to any Company-directed Securities the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.
If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC on behalf of the Underwriters agree that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Lock-Up Securities, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, on behalf of the Underwriters, will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not give rise to any claim or liability against the Underwriters, and (ii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, on behalf of the Underwriters, hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such announcement. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration or that is to an immediate family member as defined in FINRA Rule 5130(i)(5) and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters have not provided any recommendation or investment advice nor have the Underwriters solicited any action from the undersigned with respect to the Public Offering of the Securities and the undersigned has consulted their own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent deemed appropriate.



The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that, although the Representatives may be required or choose to provide certain Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS disclosures to you in connection with the Public Offering, the Representatives and the other Underwriters are not making a recommendation to you to enter into this Letter Agreement, and nothing set forth in such disclosures is intended to suggest that the Representatives or any Underwriter is making such a recommendation.
The undersigned understands that if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective by September 15, 2024, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Letter Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement.
This Letter Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Very truly yours,
[NAME OF STOCKHOLDER]
By:
Name:
Title:

EX-3.1 3 exhibit31-8xk.htm EX-3.1 Document
Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
TWFG, INC.
(Pursuant to Section 242 and 245 of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
TWFG, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is TWFG, Inc. The date of filing of its original certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was January 8, 2024.
SECOND: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate of Incorporation”) amends and restates in its entirety the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation as currently in effect and has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as from time to time in effect, the “General Corporation Law”), by written consent of the holders of all of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law. The effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be the date it is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
THIRD: This Certificate of Incorporation amends and restates in its entirety the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation as currently in effect to read as follows:
1.    Name. The name of the Corporation is TWFG, Inc.
2.    Address; Registered Office and Agent. The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19808 and the name of its registered agent at such address is the Corporation Service Company.
3.    Purposes. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law.
4.    Number of Shares.



4.1 The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 550,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 500,000,000 shares of common stock, divided into (a) 300,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, with the par value of $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), (b) 100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, with the par value of $0.00001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”) and (c) 100,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, with the par value of $0.00001 per share (the “Class C Common Stock”) and, together with Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, the “Common Stock”); and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with the par value of $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
4.2    Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the number of authorized shares of any class of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased, in each case by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law, and no vote of the holders of any class of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock voting separately as a class will be required therefor. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the number of authorized shares of any particular class may not be decreased below the number of shares of such class then outstanding, plus in the case of Class A Common Stock, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable in connection with (x) the exchange of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, together with the corresponding LLC Units, pursuant to Section 10.01 of the TWFG LLC Agreement and (y) the exercise of outstanding options, warrants, exchange rights, conversion rights or similar rights for Class A Common Stock.
5.    Classes of Shares. The designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class of stock are as follows:
5.1    Common Stock.
(i)    Voting Rights.
(1) Each holder of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. Each holder of Class B Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. Each holder of Class C Common Stock will be entitled to ten votes for each share of Class C Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote, except that, each holder of Class C Common Stock will be entitled to one vote per share automatically from and after the close of business on the date that is the first to occur of (i) twelve (12) months following the date of the death or Disability of the Founder, or (ii) upon the first trading day on or after such date as the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock represent less than ten percent (10%) of the then-outstanding Common Stock, which date, in the case of clause (i) and (ii), may be extended to eighteen (18) months upon affirmative approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. However, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to Section 5.1(i)(2), holders of shares of each class of Common Stock, as such, will have no voting power with respect to, and will not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of any outstanding Preferred Stock if the holders of such Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a separate class thereon under this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or under General Corporation Law.
2


(2)    (a) The holders of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately upon any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event) that would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of such class of Common Stock in a manner that is disproportionately adverse as compared to the Class B Common Stock and/or the Class C Common Stock, (b) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately upon any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event) that would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of such class of Common Stock in a manner that is disproportionately adverse as compared to the Class A Common Stock and/or the Class C Common Stock and (c) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately upon any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including by merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event) that would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of such class of Common Stock in a manner that is disproportionately adverse as compared to the Class A Common Stock and/or the Class B Common Stock, it being understood that any merger, consolidation or other business combination shall not be deemed an amendment hereof if such merger, consolidation or other business combination (x) constitutes a Disposition Event in which holders of Paired Interests are required to exchange such Paired Interests pursuant to Section 10.04 of the TWFG LLC Agreement in such Disposition Event and receive consideration in such Disposition Event in accordance with the terms of the TWFG LLC Agreement as in effect prior to such Disposition Event and (y) provides for payments under or in respect of the tax receivable or similar agreement entered into by the Corporation from time to time with any holders of Common Stock and/or securities of TWFG Holding Company, LLC to be made in connection with any such merger, consolidation or other business combination in accordance with the terms of such tax receivable or similar agreement as in effect prior to such merger, consolidation or other business combination.
(3)    Except as otherwise required in this Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters (or, if any holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, as a single class with the holders of Preferred Stock).
(4)    If at any time the ratio at which Paired Interests are redeemable or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Article 10 of the TWFG LLC Agreement is amended, the number of votes per share of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock to which holders of shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, as applicable, are entitled pursuant to Section 5.1(i)(1) shall be adjusted accordingly.
3


(ii)    Dividends; Stock Splits or Combinations.
(1)    Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference senior to or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends of cash or property may be declared and paid on the Class A Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor, at the times and in the amounts as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in its discretion may determine.
(2)    Except as provided in Section 5.1(ii)(3) with respect to stock dividends, dividends of cash or property may not be declared or paid on shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock.
(3)    In no event will any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination of stock, reclassification or recapitalization be declared or made on any class of Common Stock (each, a “Stock Adjustment”) unless (a) a corresponding Stock Adjustment for all other classes of Common Stock not so adjusted at the time outstanding is made in the same proportion and the same manner and (b) the Stock Adjustment has been reflected in the same economically equivalent manner on all LLC Units. Stock dividends with respect to each class of Common Stock may only be paid with shares of stock of the same class of Common Stock.
(iii) Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock are entitled, if any, the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to receive, pari passu, an amount per share equal to the par value thereof, and thereafter the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock. Without limiting (1) the rights of the holders of Class B Common Stock to exchange their shares of Class B Common Stock, together with the corresponding LLC Units constituting the remainder of any Paired Interests in which such shares are included, for shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 10.01 of the TWFG LLC Agreement (or for the consideration payable in respect of shares of Class A Common Stock in such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up) or (2) the rights of the holders of Class C Common Stock to exchange their shares of Class C Common Stock, together with the corresponding LLC Units constituting the remainder of any Paired Interests in which such shares are included, for shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 10.01 of the TWFG LLC Agreement (or for the consideration payable in respect of shares of Class A Common Stock in such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up), the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, as such, will not be entitled to receive, with respect to such shares, any assets of the Corporation in excess of the par value thereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
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5.2    Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series of any number of shares, provided that the aggregate number of shares issued and not retired of any and all such series shall not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock hereinabove authorized, and with such powers, including voting powers, if any, and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, all as shall hereafter be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the designation and issue of such shares of Preferred Stock from time to time adopted by the Board pursuant to authority so to do which is hereby expressly vested in the Board. The powers, including voting powers, if any, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. Each series of shares of Preferred Stock: (i) may have such voting rights or powers, full or limited, if any; (ii) may be subject to redemption at such time or times and at such prices, if any; (iii) may be entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or noncumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, if any; (iv) may have such rights upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of, upon any distribution of the assets of, or in the event of any merger, sale or consolidation of, the Corporation, if any; (v) may be made convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation (or any other securities of the Corporation or any other Person) at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments, if any; (vi) may be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of shares of such series in such amount or amounts, if any; (vii) may be entitled to the benefit of conditions and restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of the Corporation or any subsidiary, upon the issue of any additional shares (including additional shares of such series or of any other series) and upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Corporation or any subsidiary of, any outstanding shares of the Corporation, if any; (viii) may be subject to restrictions on transfer or registration of transfer, or on the amount of shares that may be owned by any Person or group of Persons; and (ix) may have such other relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any; all as shall be stated in said resolution or resolutions of the Board providing for the designation and issue of such shares of Preferred Stock.
6.    Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock.
6.1 Retirement of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, may surrender such shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, to the Corporation for no consideration at any time. Following the surrender of any shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock to the Corporation, the Corporation will take all actions necessary to retire such shares and such shares will not be reissued by the Corporation.
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6.2    Transfer of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock. Except as set forth in Section 6.1, no holder of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock may Transfer shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, to any person unless such holder Transfers a corresponding number of LLC Units to the same person in accordance with the provisions of the TWFG LLC Agreement, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof. If any outstanding share of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock ceases to be held by a holder of an LLC Unit, such share shall automatically and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, be transferred to the Corporation for no consideration and retired.
6.3    Reservation of Shares of Class A Common Stock. The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of the issuance upon exchange of Paired Interests, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of all outstanding Paired Interests, pursuant to Section 10.01 of the TWFG LLC Agreement. The Corporation covenants that all the shares of Class A Common Stock that are issued upon the exchange of such Paired Interests will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
6.4    Reservation of Shares of Class B Common Stock. The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Class B Common Stock, solely for the purpose of the issuance upon automatic conversion of Class C Common Stock pursuant to Section 6.7 herein, the number of shares of Class B Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of all outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock. The Corporation covenants that all the shares of Class B Common Stock that are issued upon the automatic conversion of such Class C Common Stock will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
6.5    Taxes. The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon the exercise by holders of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock of their right under Section 10.01 of the TWFG LLC Agreement to exchange Paired Units will be made without charge to the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, for any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties or other similar tax in respect of the issuance; provided, however, that if any such shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that of the then record holder of the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, being exchanged (or The Depository Trust Company or its nominee for the account of a participant of The Depository Trust Company that will hold the shares for the account of such holder), then such holder and/or the Person in whose name such shares are to be delivered, shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation that the tax has been paid or is not payable.
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6.6    Preemptive Rights. To the extent LLC Units are issued pursuant to the TWFG LLC Agreement to anyone other than the Corporation or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation (including pursuant to Article 3 (or any equivalent successor provision) of the TWFG LLC Agreement), an equivalent number of shares of Class B Common Stock (subject to adjustment as set forth herein) shall be issued to the same Person to which such LLC Units are issued at par.
6.7    Conversion of the Class C Common Stock. If any outstanding share of Class C Common Stock ceases to be held by a Class C Permitted Holder in connection with a Transfer of such share of Class C Common Stock to another holder permitted by Section 6.2, such share shall automatically and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any such holder of Class C Common Stock be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class B Common Stock.
7.    Board of Directors.
7.1    Number of Directors; Composition of the Board.
(i)    The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. Unless and except to the extent that the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Corporation (as such By-laws may be amended from time to time, the “By-laws”) shall so require, the election of the directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) need not be by written ballot. Until such time as the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, the Board will consist of a single class of Directors each elected annually at the annual meeting of stockholders. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2 of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional Directors, the total number of Directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than three (3) nor more than eleven (11), with the then authorized number of Directors constituting the entire Board being fixed from time to time by the Board.
(ii) During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect additional Directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2 (“Preferred Stock Directors”), upon the commencement, and for the duration, of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then total authorized number of Directors shall automatically be increased by such specified number of Preferred Stock Directors, and the holders of the related Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the Preferred Stock Directors pursuant to the provisions of the Board’s designation for the series of Preferred Stock and (ii) each such Preferred Stock Director shall serve until such Preferred Stock Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such Preferred Stock Director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to such provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect Preferred Stock Directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such Preferred Stock Directors elected by the holders of such Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such Preferred Stock Directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total and authorized number of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.
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(iii)    Until the Substantial Ownership Requirement is no longer met, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock may, by written consent, designate the nominees for a majority of the members of the Board, including the nominee for the Chairman.
7.2    Staggered Board. Following the time when the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, the Board (other than Preferred Stock Directors) shall be divided into three (3) classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I Directors shall initially serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders following the time when the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met; Class II Directors shall initially serve until the second annual meeting of stockholders following the time when the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met; and Class III Directors shall initially serve until the third annual meeting of stockholders following the time when the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met. Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders following the time when the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, each Director of each class the term of which shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders next following the annual meeting at which such Director was elected. In case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of Directors (other than Preferred Stock Directors), the number of Directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equal as possible. Immediately following the time when the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, the Board is authorized to designate the members of the Board then in office as Class I Directors, Class II Directors or Class III Directors. In making such designation, the Board shall equalize, as nearly as possible, the number of Directors in each class. In the event of any change in the number of Directors, the Board shall apportion any newly created directorships among, or reduce the number of directorships in, such class or classes as shall equalize, as nearly as possible, the number of Directors in each class. In no event will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.
7.3 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum of the Board, or, until the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class. Any Director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such Director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall be duly elected and qualified or until such Director’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of Directors shall shorten the term of any Director then in office.
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7.4    Removal of Directors. Except for Preferred Stock Directors, any Director or the entire Board may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that until the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, any Director may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class.
8.    Meetings of Stockholders.
8.1    Action by Written Consent. From and after the date that the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Class C Common Stock, voting separately as a class, may be effected by the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the Class C Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class in lieu of a duly called annual or special meeting of holders of Class C Common Stock. Until the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class in lieu of a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders.
8.2    Meetings of Stockholders. (i) An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board shall determine.
(ii) Subject to any special rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only (1) by or at the direction of the Board pursuant to a written resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of Directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies or (2) by or at the direction of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, until the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class. Any business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. From and after the date that the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, the ability of the stockholders to call a special meeting is specifically denied.
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8.3    No Cumulative Voting. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of directors.
9.    Business Combinations.
9.1    Section 203 of the General Corporation Law. The Corporation will not be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law until the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met. At that time, such election shall be automatically withdrawn and the Corporation will thereafter be governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law; provided that it shall only apply to a “person” that became an “interested stockholder” (each as defined in Section 203 of the General Corporation Law) after the Corporation became subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law.
10.    Limitation of Liability.
10.1    To the fullest extent permitted under the General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, no Director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director.
10.2    Any amendment or repeal of Section 10.1 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment or repeal.
11.    Indemnification.
11.1    Right to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any Person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or otherwise involved any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation or, while a Director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another entity or enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3 with respect to Proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such indemnitee, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized by the Board.
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Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article 11 shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and any other officers of the Corporation appointed pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Corporation’s By-laws, and any reference to an officer of any other entity or other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such other entity pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or equivalent organizational documents of such other entity or enterprise.
11.2    Prepayment of Expenses. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in appearing at, participating in or defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a Proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article 11 (which shall be governed by Section 11.3); provided, however, that to the extent required by applicable law or in the case of advance made in a Proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made solely upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified or entitled to advancement of expenses under this Article 11 or otherwise.
11.3 Claims. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article 11 is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after a written claim therefor by the Covered Person has been received by the Corporation, the Covered Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim or to obtain an advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such claim. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law. In (i) any suit brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by a Covered Person to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, such Person has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including by its Directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Covered Person is proper in the circumstances because the Covered Person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including by its Directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the Covered Person has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that such Person has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Covered Person, be a defense to such suit.
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11.4    Nonexclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article 11 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.
11.5    Other Sources. Subject to Section 11.6, the Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity or enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other entity or enterprise.
11.6    Indemnitor of First Resort. In all events, (i) the Corporation hereby agrees that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligation to a Covered Person to provide advancement and/or indemnification to such Covered Person is primary and any obligation of any Principal Stockholder (including any Affiliate thereof other than the Corporation) to provide advancement or indemnification hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter), or any obligation of any insurer of any Principal Stockholder to provide insurance coverage, for the same expenses, liabilities, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such expenses, liabilities, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by such Covered Person are secondary) and (ii) if any Principal Stockholder (or any Affiliate thereof, other than the Corporation) pays or causes to be paid, for any reason, any amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter) with such Covered Person, then (x) such Principal Stockholder (or such Affiliate, as the case may be) shall be fully subrogated to all rights of such Covered Person with respect to such payment, (y) the Covered Person shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable such Principal Stockholder (or such Affiliate) effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights and (z) the Corporation shall fully indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless such Principal Stockholder (or such other Affiliate, as the case may be) for all such payments actually made by such Principal Stockholder (or such other Affiliate). Each of the Principal Stockholders (and any Affiliate thereof) shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 11.6, entitled to enforce this Section 11.6.
11.7    Amendment or Repeal. Any amendment or repeal of the foregoing provisions of this Article 11 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any Covered Person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment or repeal.
11.8 Other Indemnification and Prepayment of Expenses. This Article 11 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to Persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.
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11.9    Reliance. Covered Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain a Covered Person described in Article 11 will be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Article 11 in entering into or continuing the service. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 11 will apply to claims made against any Covered Person described in this Article 11 arising out of acts or omissions in respect of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries that occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof. The rights conferred upon Covered Persons in this Article 11 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to a Covered Person who has ceased to be a Director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article 11 that adversely affects any right of a Covered Person or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.
11.10    Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law.
12.    Adoption, Amendment or Repeal of By-Laws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-laws subject to the power of the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote with respect thereto to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-laws; provided, that with respect to the powers of stockholders entitled to vote with respect thereto to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-laws, from and after the date that the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-laws.
13. Adoption, Amendment and Repeal of Certificate. Subject to Article 5, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the General Corporation Law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, Directors or any other Persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended, are granted and held subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of Sections 7.1(i), 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 of Article 7, Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of Article 8 or Article 9, 11, 12, 13 or 14 may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision or by-law inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by law, (i) until the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class and (ii) from and after the date that the Majority Ownership Requirement is no longer met, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by, in addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class, at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.
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14.    Forum for Adjudication of Disputes.
14.1    Exclusive Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”) (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware (together with the Court of Chancery, the “Delaware Courts” and, individually, a “Delaware Court”)) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law, this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws, (iv) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws (including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder), (v) any action or proceeding as to which the General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery or (vi) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (vi) above, any claim (A) as to which such Delaware Court determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of such Delaware Court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of such Delaware Court within ten days following such determination); (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Delaware Courts; (C) for which the Delaware Courts do not have subject matter jurisdiction; or (D) any action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as to which the federal district courts for the United States of America (the “U.S. Federal Courts”) shall have exclusive jurisdiction to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 14.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
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14.2 Stockholder Consent to Personal Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 14.1 above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware or, in the case of an action arising under the Securities Act, the U.S. Federal Courts (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) (A) the personal jurisdiction of the Delaware Courts in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 14.1 above other than with respect to any action arising under the Securities Act and (B) the personal jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal Courts, in the case of any action arising under the Securities Act (each under clause (i)(A) and (i)(B), an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
15.    Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its Directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.
16.    Corporate Opportunity. The Corporation waives, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the application of the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, with respect to the Corporation, any Directors, officers or stockholders or any of their respective Affiliates, except, in the case of Directors and officers, as related to insurance brokerage activities, unless such Director or officer did not become aware of such opportunity related to insurance brokerage activities in his or her capacity as a Director or officer of the Corporation.
17.    Definitions. As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, unless the context otherwise requires or as set forth in another Article or Section of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term:
(a)    “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.
(b)    “Board” is defined in Section 5.1(ii)(1).
(c)    “Bunch Holdings” means Bunch Family Holdings, LLC.
(d)    “By-laws” is defined in Section 7.1.
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(e)    “Certificate of Incorporation” is defined in the recitals.
(f)    “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board.
(g)    “Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
(h)    “Class A Common Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.
(i)    “Class B Common Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.
(j)    “Class C Common Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.
(k)    “Class C Permitted Holder” means the Founder, any Person that is a member of the Founder's Family Group, Bunch Holdings and Affiliates of Bunch Holdings.
(l)    “Common Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.
(m)    “control” (including the terms “controlling” and “controlled”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.
(n)    “Corporation” means TWFG, Inc.
(o)    “Covered Person” is defined in Section 11.1.
(p)    “Director” is defined in Section 7.1.
(q)    “Disability” means with respect to an individual, any physical or mental incapacitation that results in such individual’s inability to perform substantially all of his or her duties and responsibilities for the Corporation for a total of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive working days, as determined in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, or an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) working days during any twelve-month period, as determined by the Board in its good faith judgment.
(r) “Disposition Event” means any merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Corporation, whether effectuated through one transaction or series of related transactions (including a tender offer followed by a merger in which holders of Class A Common Stock receive the same consideration per share paid in the tender offer), unless, following such transaction, all or substantially all of the holders of the voting power of all outstanding classes of Common Stock and series of Preferred Stock that are generally entitled to vote in the election of Directors prior to such transaction or series of transactions, continue to hold a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity (or its parent) resulting from such transaction or series of transactions in substantially the same proportions as immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions.
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(s)    “Exchange Act” is defined in Section 14.1.
(t)    “Family Group” means, as to any Person, (i) an individual, his or her parents, siblings, spouses and descendants and the spouses of such descendants (collectively, the “Individual Group”); (ii) all trusts, the primary beneficiaries of which are one or more members of the Individual Group (“Family Trusts”); and (iii) all entities which are wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more members of the Individual Group and/or Family Trusts.
(u)    “Founder” means Richard F. (“Gordy”) Bunch III.
(v)    “General Corporation Law” is defined in the recitals.
(w)    “GHC” means GHC Woodlands Holdings LLC.
(x)    “LLC Unit” means a nonvoting common interest unit of TWFG Holding Company, LLC.
(y)    “Independent Directors” means each member of the Board who meets the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act.
(z)    “Majority Ownership Requirement” means the beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) by Bunch Holdings and the Class C Permitted Holders, collectively, of shares of Common Stock representing at least a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors.
(aa)    “Paired Interest” means one LLC Unit together with one share of Class B Common Stock or one share of Class C Common Stock, as applicable, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.02(c) of the TWFG LLC Agreement.
(bb)    “Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.
(cc)    “Preferred Stock” is defined in Section 4.1.
(dd)    “Preferred Stock Directors” is defined in Section 7.1.
(ee)    “Principal Stockholders” means Bunch Holdings, RenRe Ventures and GHC.
(ff)    “Proceeding” is defined in Section 11.1.
(gg)    “RenRe Ventures” means RenaissanceRe Ventures U.S. LLC.
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(hh)    “Stock Adjustment” is defined in Section 5.1(ii)(3).
(ii)    “Substantial Ownership Requirement” means the beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) by Bunch Holdings and the Class C Permitted Holders, collectively, of shares of Common Stock representing at least ten percent (10%) of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors.
(jj)    “Transfer” of a share of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock means, directly or indirectly, any sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, gift, bequest, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition or encumbrance of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, in whole or in part, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer”: (i) the granting of a revocable proxy to officers or directors of the Corporation at the request of the Board in connection with actions to be taken at annual or special meetings of stockholders or in connection with any action by written consent of the stockholders solicited by the Board (at such times as action by written consent of stockholders is permitted under this Certificate of Incorporation); (ii) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with the Corporation and/or its stockholders that (x) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (y) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by the holder of the shares subject thereto at any time and (z) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to the holder of the shares subject thereto other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner; (iii) entering into a customary voting or support agreement (with or without granting a proxy) in connection with any merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Corporation, whether effectuated through one transaction or series of related transactions (including a tender offer followed by a merger in which holders of Class A Common Stock receive the same consideration per share paid in the tender offer); (iv) the pledge of shares of capital stock of the Corporation by a stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as such stockholder continues to exercise sole voting control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such shares or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer”; or (v) the fact that the spouse of any holder of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock possesses or obtains an interest in such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction, so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a “Transfer” of such shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock.
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(kk)    “TWFG Holding Company, LLC” means TWFG Holding Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company or any successor thereto.
(ll)    “TWFG LLC Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of TWFG Holding Company, LLC, dated as of July 17, 2024, by and among TWFG Holding Company, LLC, the Corporation, Bunch Holdings, RenRe Ventures, GHC and the other Persons that may become parties thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified, from time to time.
(mm)    “Vice Chairman” means the Vice Chairman of the Board.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TWFG, Inc. has been duly executed by the officer below this 17th day of July, 2024.
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]

EX-3.2 4 exhibit32-8xk.htm EX-3.2 Document
Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
of
TWFG, INC.
(A Delaware Corporation)



TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 Definitions 4
ARTICLE 2 Stockholders 4
Section 2.01 Place of Meetings 4
Section 2.02 Annual Meetings; Stockholder Proposals 5
Section 2.03 Special Meetings 8
Section 2.04 Record Date 8
Section 2.05 Notice of Meetings of Stockholders 9
Section 2.06 Waivers of Notice 10
Section 2.07 List of Stockholders 10
Section 2.08 Quorum of Stockholders; Adjournment 10
Section 2.09 Voting; Proxies 11
Section 2.10 Voting Procedures and Inspectors at Meetings of Stockholders 11
Section 2.11 Conduct of Meetings; Adjournment 12
Section 2.12 Order of Business 12
Section 2.13 Written Consent of Stockholders Without a Meeting 12
ARTICLE 3 Directors 13
Section 3.01 General Powers 13
Section 3.02 Term of Office 13
Section 3.03 Nominations of Directors 13
Section 3.04 Nominee and Director Qualifications 16
Section 3.05 Resignation 17
Section 3.06 Compensation 17
Section 3.07 Regular Meetings 17
Section 3.08 Special Meetings 17
Section 3.09 Telephone Meetings 17
Section 3.10 Adjourned Meetings 18
Section 3.11 Notice Procedure 18
Section 3.12 Waiver of Notice 18
Section 3.13 Organization 18
Section 3.14 Quorum of Directors 18
Section 3.15 Action by Majority Vote 18
Section 3.16 Action Without Meeting 19
ARTICLE 4 Committees of the Board 19
ARTICLE 5 Officers 19
Section 5.01 Positions; Election 19
Section 5.02 Term of Office 20
Section 5.03 Chairman 20
Section 5.04 Chief Executive Officer 20
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Section 5.05 President 20
Section 5.06 Vice Presidents 21
Section 5.07 Secretary 21
Section 5.08 Treasurer 21
Section 5.09 Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers 22
ARTICLE 6 General Provisions 22
Section 6.01 Certificates Representing Shares 22
Section 6.02 Transfer and Registry Agents 22
Section 6.03 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates 22
Section 6.04 Form of Records 22
Section 6.05 Dividends and Reserves 23
Section 6.06 Seal 23
Section 6.07 Fiscal Year 23
Section 6.08 Amendments 23
Section 6.09 Conflict with Applicable Law or Certificate of Incorporation 23
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
As used in these By-laws, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:
“Assistant Secretary” means an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.
“Assistant Treasurer” means an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
“By-laws” means the By-laws of the Corporation, as amended and restated.
“Certificate of Incorporation” means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and restated.
“Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board and includes any Executive Chairman.
“Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
“control” (including the terms “controlling” and “controlled”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.
“Corporation” means TWFG, Inc.
“Derivative” is defined in Section 2.02(d)(iii).
“Directors” means the directors of the Corporation.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor law or statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Executive Chairman” means the Executive Chairman of the Board.
“General Corporation Law” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.
“law” means any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a governmental authority (including any department, court, agency or official, or non-governmental self-regulatory organization, agency or authority and any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof).
“Nominating Stockholder” is defined in Section 3.03(b).
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“Notice of Business” is defined in Section 2.02(c).
“Notice of Nomination” is defined in Section 3.03(c).
“Notice Record Date” is defined in Section 2.04(a).
“Office of the Corporation” means the executive office of the Corporation, anything in Section 131 of the General Corporation Law to the contrary notwithstanding.
“President” means the President of the Corporation.
“Proponent” is defined in Section 2.02(d)(i).
“Public Disclosure” is defined in Section 2.02(i).
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Corporation.
“Stockholder Associated Person” is defined in Section 2.02(j).
“Stockholder Business” is defined in Section 2.02(b).
“Stockholder Information” is defined in Section 2.02(d)(iii).
“Stockholder Nominees” is defined in Section 3.03(b).
“Stockholders” means the stockholders of the Corporation.
“Treasurer” means the Treasurer of the Corporation.
“Vice President” means a Vice President of the Corporation.
“Voting Commitment” is defined in Section 3.04.
“Voting Record Date” is defined in Section 2.04(a).
ARTICLE 2
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.01    Place of Meetings. Meetings of Stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, at such place or solely by means of remote communication or otherwise, as may be designated by the Board from time to time.
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Section 2.02    Annual Meetings; Stockholder Proposals.
(a)    A meeting of Stockholders for the election of Directors and other business shall be held annually at such date and time as may be designated by the Board from time to time.
(b)    At an annual meeting of the Stockholders, only business (other than business relating to the nomination or election of Directors, which is governed by Section 3.03) that has been properly brought before the Stockholder meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.02 shall be conducted. To be properly brought before a meeting of Stockholders, such business must be brought before the meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) by a Stockholder who (A) was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation when the notice required by this Section 2.02 is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) complies with the notice and other provisions of this Section 2.02. Subject to Section 2.02(k), and except with respect to nominations or elections of Directors, which are governed by Section 3.03, Section 2.02(b)(ii) is the exclusive means by which a Stockholder may bring business before a meeting of Stockholders; provided that if Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) is applicable, a Stockholder may not bring business before any meeting if the Stockholder fails to meet the requirements of such rule. Any business brought before a meeting in accordance with Section 2.02(b)(ii) is referred to as “Stockholder Business.”
(c)    Subject to Section 2.02(k), at any annual meeting of Stockholders, all proposals of Stockholder Business must be made by timely written notice given by or on behalf of a Stockholder of record of the Corporation (the “Notice of Business”) and must otherwise be a proper matter for Stockholder action. To be timely, the Notice of Business must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days and no later than ninety (90) days before the first anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that if (i) the annual meeting of Stockholders is advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than sixty (60) days, from the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders or (ii) no annual meeting was held during the prior year, the notice by the Stockholder to be timely must be received (A) no earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days before such annual meeting and (B) no later than the later of ninety (90) days before such annual meeting and the tenth day after the day on which the notice of such annual meeting was made by mail or Public Disclosure; provided, further, that, solely for the purposes of the notice requirements under this Section 2.02(c), with respect to the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation for 2025, the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders shall be deemed to be June 1, 2024. In no event shall an adjournment, postponement or deferral, or Public Disclosure of an adjournment, postponement or deferral, of a Stockholder meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of the Notice of Business.
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(d)    The Notice of Business must set forth:
(i)    the name and record address of each Stockholder proposing Stockholder Business (the “Proponent”), as they appear on the Corporation’s books;
(ii)    the name and address of any Stockholder Associated Person;
(iii)    as to each Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person, (A) the class or series and number of shares of stock directly or indirectly held of record and beneficially by the Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person, (B) the date such shares of stock were acquired, (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, direct or indirect, with respect to such Stockholder Business between or among the Proponent, any Stockholder Associated Person or any others (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing, (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class of securities and/or borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into, directly or indirectly, as of the date of the Proponent’s notice by, or on behalf of, the Proponent or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of the Proponent or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value or decrease in value of any class or series of stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative”), (E) a description in reasonable detail of any proxy (including revocable proxies), contract, arrangement, understanding or other relationship pursuant to which the Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any shares of stock of the Corporation, (F) any rights to dividends on the stock of the Corporation owned beneficially by the Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying stock of the Corporation, (G) any proportionate interest in stock of the Corporation or Derivatives held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which the Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (H) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that the Proponent or Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of stock of the Corporation or Derivatives thereof, if any, as of the date of such notice. The information specified in Section 2.02(d)(i) to (iii) is referred to herein as “Stockholder Information”;
(iv)    Stockholder Information with respect to any stock or other interests of the Corporation held by members of the Proponent’s or Stockholder Associated Person’s immediate family sharing the same household;
(v)    a representation to the Corporation that each Proponent is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such Stockholder Business;
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(vi)    a brief description of the Stockholder Business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, if such business includes a proposal to amend the By-laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such Stockholder Business at the meeting;
(vii)    any material interest of each Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person in such Stockholder Business;
(viii)    a representation to the Corporation as to whether the Proponent intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt such Stockholder Business or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies from the Stockholders in support of such Stockholder Business;
(ix)    all other information that would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Proponents or Stockholder Associated Persons were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and
(x)    a representation and covenant for the benefit of the Corporation that the Proponents shall provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.
(e)    The Proponents shall also provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation within ten (10) business days after such request.
(f)    In addition, the Proponent shall further update and supplement the information provided to the Corporation in the Notice of Business or upon the Corporation’s request pursuant to Section 2.02(e) as needed, so that such information shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is the later of ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Such update and supplement must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than seven (7) business days before the date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).
(g)    The person presiding over the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.02, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
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(h) If the Proponent (or a qualified representative of the Proponent) does not appear at the meeting of Stockholders to present the Stockholder Business, such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.02, to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders.
(i)    “Public Disclosure” of any date or other information means disclosure thereof by a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Services, Associated Press or comparable U.S. national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(j)    “Stockholder Associated Person” means, with respect to any Stockholder, (i) any other beneficial owner of stock of the Corporation that is owned by such Stockholder and (ii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Stockholder or such beneficial owner.
(k)    The notice requirements of this Section 2.02 shall be deemed satisfied with respect to Stockholder proposals that have been properly brought under Rule l4a-8 of the Exchange Act and that are included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. Further, nothing in this Section 2.02 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation pursuant to any applicable provision of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 2.03    Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Stockholders may be called only in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Notice of every special meeting of the Stockholders shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of Stockholders shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and the individual or group calling such meeting shall have exclusive authority to determine the business included in such notice.
Section 2.04    Record Date.
(a) For the purpose of determining the Stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date (the “Notice Record Date”), which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date was adopted by the Board and shall not be more than sixty (60) or less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. The Notice Record Date shall also be the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such Notice Record Date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination (the “Voting Record Date”). For the purposes of determining the Stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date was adopted by the Board and shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date on which the record date was fixed by the Board. For the purposes of determining the Stockholders entitled to (i) receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, (ii) exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or (iii) take any other lawful action, unless otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date was adopted by the Board and shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action.
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(b)    If no such record date is fixed:
(i)    the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held;
(ii)    the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting (unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation), when no prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, shall be the first day on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law; and when prior action by the Board is required by applicable law, the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board takes such prior action; and
(iii)    when a determination of Stockholders of record entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Stockholders has been made as provided in this Section 2.04, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board fixes a new Voting Record Date for the adjourned meeting, in which case the Board shall also fix such Voting Record Date or a date earlier than such date as the new Notice Record Date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 2.05 Notice of Meetings of Stockholders. Whenever, under the provisions of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, Stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, notice shall be given stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting; the means of remote communication, if any, by which Stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting; the Voting Record Date, if such date is different from the Notice Record Date; and, in the case of a special meeting, the purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by these By-laws or applicable law, notice of any meeting shall be given, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the Notice Record Date. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the U.S. mail, with postage prepaid, and directed to the Stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. An affidavit of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or the transfer agent of the Corporation that the notice required by this Section 2.05 has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
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If a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. Any business that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called may be transacted at the adjourned meeting. If, however, the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If, after the adjournment, a new Voting Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new Notice Record Date in accordance with Section 2.04(b)(iii) hereof and shall give notice of such adjourned meeting to each Stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the Notice Record Date.
Section 2.06    Waivers of Notice. Whenever the giving of any notice to Stockholders is required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a waiver thereof, given by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the event as to which such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance by a Stockholder at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the Stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purposes of, any regular or special meeting of the Stockholders need be specified in any waiver of notice.
Section 2.07    List of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make available, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of Stockholders, a complete, alphabetical list of the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, and showing the address of each Stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each Stockholder. Such list may be examined by any Stockholder, the Stockholder’s agent or attorney, at the Stockholder’s expense, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation or on a reasonably accessible electronic network as provided by applicable law. If the meeting is to be held at a place, the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any Stockholder who is present. If the meeting is held solely by means of remote communication, the list shall also be open for inspection as provided by applicable law. Except as provided by applicable law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the Stockholders entitled to examine the list of Stockholders or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of Stockholders.
Section 2.08 Quorum of Stockholders; Adjournment. Except as otherwise provided by these By-laws, at each meeting of Stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting of Stockholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at such meeting, except that, where a separate vote by a class or series of classes of shares is required, a quorum shall consist of no less than a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock of such class or series of classes, as applicable. In the absence of a quorum, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting of Stockholders, including an adjourned meeting, may adjourn such meeting to another time and place.
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Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of Directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
Section 2.09    Voting; Proxies. At any meeting of Stockholders, all matters other than the election of Directors, except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or any applicable law, shall be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon. At all meetings of Stockholders for the election of Directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect Directors. Each Stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only so long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A Stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary a revocation of the proxy or by delivering a new proxy bearing a later date.
Section 2.10    Voting Procedures and Inspectors at Meetings of Stockholders. The Board, in advance of any meeting of Stockholders, shall appoint one or more inspectors, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Board may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall (a) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, (b) determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors and (e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of their duties. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the Stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be determined by the person presiding at the meeting and shall be announced at the meeting. No ballot, proxies, votes or any revocation thereof or change thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware upon application by a Stockholder shall determine otherwise. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of Stockholders, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.
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Section 2.11    Conduct of Meetings; Adjournment. The Board may adopt such rules and procedures for the conduct of Stockholder meetings as it deems appropriate. At each meeting of Stockholders, the Chairman or, in the absence of the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, the President or, if there is no Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or President, or if they are absent, a Vice President and, in the case that more than one Vice President shall be present, that Vice President designated by the Board (or in the absence of any such designation, the most senior Vice President present), shall preside over the meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with the rules and procedures as adopted by the Board, the person presiding over the meeting of Stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene, adjourn and reconvene the meeting from time to time, to prescribe such additional rules and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules and procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the person presiding over the meeting, may include (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting, (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to Stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the person presiding over the meeting shall determine, (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The person presiding over any meeting of Stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, may determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of Stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The Secretary or, in his or her absence, one of the Assistant Secretaries, shall act as secretary of the meeting. If none of the officers above designated to act as the person presiding over the meeting or as secretary of the meeting shall be present, a person presiding over the meeting or a secretary of the meeting, as the case may be, shall be designated by the Board and, if the Board has not so acted, in the case of the designation of a person to act as secretary of the meeting, designated by the person presiding over the meeting. To the extent permitted by applicable law, meetings of stockholders may be conducted by remote communications, including by webcast.
Section 2.12    Order of Business. The order of business at all meetings of Stockholders shall be as determined by the person presiding over the meeting.
Section 2.13 Written Consent of Stockholders Without a Meeting. If, and only if, the Certificate of Incorporation expressly permits action to be taken at any annual or special meeting of Stockholders without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, then a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action to be so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, the Office of the Corporation or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of Stockholders are recorded.
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Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each Stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 2.13, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation as aforesaid. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall, to the extent required by applicable law, be given to those Stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.
ARTICLE 3
DIRECTORS
Section 3.01    General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. The Board may exercise all such powers of the Corporation, may do all such lawful acts and things, and may adopt such rules and procedures, not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or applicable law, as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation.
Section 3.02    Term of Office. The Board shall consist of members as determined in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Each Director shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until the Director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.
Section 3.03    Nominations of Directors.
(a)    Subject to Section 3.03(k), only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.03 are eligible for election as Directors.
(b)    Nominations of persons for election to the Board may only be made at a meeting properly called for the election of Directors and only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (ii) by a Stockholder who (A) was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation when the notice required by this Section 3.03 is delivered to the Secretary and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote for the election of Directors at the meeting and (C) complies with the notice and other provisions of this Section 3.03. Subject to Section 3.03(k), Section 3.03(c) is the exclusive means by which a Stockholder may nominate a person for election to the Board. Persons nominated in accordance with Section 3.03(c) are referred to as “Stockholder Nominees.” A Stockholder nominating persons for election to the Board is referred to as the “Nominating Stockholder.”
(c) Subject to Section 3.03(k), all nominations of Stockholder Nominees must be made by timely written notice given by or on behalf of a Stockholder of record of the Corporation (the “Notice of Nomination”). To be timely, the Notice of Nomination must be delivered personally or mailed to and received at the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary, by the following dates:
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(i)    in the case of the nomination of a Stockholder Nominee for election to the Board at an annual meeting of Stockholders, no earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days and no later than ninety (90) days before the first anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that if (A) the annual meeting of Stockholders is advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than sixty (60) days, from the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of Stockholders or (B) no annual meeting was held during the prior year, the notice by the Nominating Stockholder to be timely must be received (1) no earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days before such annual meeting and (2) no later than the later of ninety (90) days before such annual meeting and the tenth day after the day on which the notice of such annual meeting was made by mail or Public Disclosure; provided, further, that, solely for the purposes of the notice requirements under this Section 3.03(c), with respect to the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation for 2025, the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders shall be deemed to be June 1, 2024; and
(ii)    in the case of the nomination of a Stockholder Nominee for election to the Board at a special meeting of Stockholders, no earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days before and no later than the later of ninety (90) days before such special meeting and the tenth day after the day on which the notice of such special meeting was made by mail or Public Disclosure.
(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if the number of Directors to be elected to the Board at a meeting of Stockholders is increased and there is no Public Disclosure by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Notice of Nomination shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered personally and received at the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the attention of the Secretary, no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such Public Disclosure is first made by the Corporation.
(e)    In no event shall an adjournment, postponement or deferral, or Public Disclosure of an adjournment, postponement or deferral, of an annual or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of the Notice of Nomination.
(f)    The Notice of Nomination shall set forth:
(i)    the Stockholder Information with respect to each Nominating Stockholder and Stockholder Associated Person;
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(ii)    a representation to the Corporation that each Nominating Stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination;
(iii)    all information regarding each Stockholder Nominee and Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a solicitation of proxies subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, the written consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named in a proxy statement as a nominee and to serve if elected and a completed signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 3.04;
(iv)    a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among a Nominating Stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or their respective associates, or others acting in concert therewith, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the Nominating Stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or any person acting in concert therewith were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the Stockholder Nominee were a director or executive of such registrant;
(v)    Stockholder Information with respect to any stock or other interests of the Corporation held by members of the Nominating Stockholder’s or its Stockholder Associated Person’s immediate family sharing the same household;
(vi)    a representation to the Corporation as to whether each Nominating Stockholder intends (A) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve the nomination or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies from Stockholders in support of such nomination;
(vii)    all other information that would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Nominating Stockholders and Stockholder Associated Persons were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and
(viii)    a representation and covenant for the benefit of the Corporation that the Nominating Stockholders shall provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.
(g)    The Nominating Stockholders shall also provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation within ten (10) business days after such request.
(h) In addition, the Nominating Stockholders shall further update and supplement the information provided to the Corporation in the Notice of Nomination or upon the Corporation’s request pursuant to Section 3.03(g) as needed, so that such information shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Such update and supplement must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at, the Office of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than seven (7) business days before the date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).
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(i)    The person presiding over the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting, that the nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.03, and, if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(j)    If the Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Stockholder) does not appear at the applicable Stockholder meeting to nominate the Stockholder Nominees, such nomination shall be disregarded and such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 3.03, to be considered a qualified representative of the Stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such Stockholder to act for such Stockholder as proxy at the meeting of Stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Stockholders.
(k)    Nothing in this Section 3.03 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation pursuant to any applicable provision of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.04 Nominee and Director Qualifications. Unless the Board determines otherwise, to be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a Director, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice by the Board) to the Secretary at the Office of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (a) is not and will not become a party to (i) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person will act or vote as a Director on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (ii) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply with such person’s fiduciary duties as a Director under applicable law, (b) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a Director that has not been disclosed therein, and (c) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation that are applicable to Directors.
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Section 3.05    Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at such later time as is therein specified, and, unless otherwise specified in such resignation, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 3.06    Compensation. Each Director, in consideration of his or her service as such, shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation such amount per annum or such fees (payable in cash or equity) for attendance at Directors’ meetings, or both, as the Board may from time to time determine, together with reimbursement for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, if any, incurred by such Director in connection with the performance of his or her duties. Each Director who shall serve as a member of any committee of Directors in consideration of serving as such shall be entitled to such additional amount per annum or such fees for attendance at committee meetings, or both, as the Board may from time to time determine, together with reimbursement for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, if any, incurred by such Director in the performance of his or her duties. Nothing contained in this Section 3.06 shall preclude any Director from serving the Corporation or its subsidiaries in any other capacity and receiving proper compensation therefor.
Section 3.07    Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times and at such places within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined from time to time by the Board or its Chairman.
Section 3.08    Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be held at such times and at such places within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined by the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer and shall be held at such time, date and place as may be determined by the person calling the meeting. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 3.11, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 3.12.
Section 3.09    Telephone Meetings. Board or Board committee meetings may be held by means of telephone conference or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation by a Director in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
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Section 3.10    Adjourned Meetings. A majority of the Directors present at any meeting of the Board, including an adjourned meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn and reconvene such meeting to another time and place. At least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board shall be given to each Director whether or not present at the time of the adjournment, if such notice shall be given by one of the means specified in Section 3.11 hereof other than by nationally recognized overnight delivery service or United States mail, or at least three (3) days’ notice if by nationally recognized overnight delivery service, or at least five (5) days’ notice if by mail. Any business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section 3.11    Notice Procedure. Subject to Section 3.08 and 3.12 hereof, whenever notice is required to be given to any Director by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, such notice shall be deemed given effectively if given in person or by telephone, nationally recognized overnight delivery service, United States mail or electronic mail addressed to such Director at such Director’s address, telephone number or email address, as applicable, as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
Section 3.12    Waiver of Notice. Whenever the giving of any notice to Directors is required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a waiver thereof, in writing signed by the Director entitled to the notice, whether before or after such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance by a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board or committee meeting need be specified in any waiver of notice.
Section 3.13    Organization. At each meeting of the Board, the Chairman or, in the absence of the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside. The Secretary shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board. If the Secretary is absent from any meeting of the Board, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of secretary at such meeting; and in the absence from any such meeting of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the person presiding at the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 3.14    Quorum of Directors. The presence in person of a majority of the total members of Board, which shall include either the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer (if the Chief Executive Officer is then a member of the board), shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board.
Section 3.15    Action by Majority Vote. Except as otherwise expressly required by these By-laws, or the Certificate of Incorporation, the vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board; provided that to the extent one or more Directors recuses himself or herself from an act, the act of a majority of the remaining Directors present shall be the act of the Board.
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Section 3.16    Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by these By-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all Directors or members of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
ARTICLE 4
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board may, by resolution, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors of the Corporation. The Board may, by resolution, adopt charters for one or more of such committees. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. If a member of a committee shall be absent from any meeting, or disqualified from voting thereat, the remaining member or members present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may, by a unanimous vote, appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board designating such committee or the charter for such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it to the extent so authorized by the Board. The Board may remove any Director from any committee at any time, with or without cause. Unless the Board provides otherwise, at all meetings of such committee, a majority of the then authorized members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the members of the committee present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the committee. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings. Unless the Board provides otherwise, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules and procedures for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules and procedures, each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to Article 3.
ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS
Section 5.01    Positions; Election. The Board may from time to time elect officers of the Corporation, which may include a Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and any other officers as it may deem proper or may delegate to any elected officer of the Corporation the power to appoint and remove any such officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authorities and duties. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Should the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries enter into any management services or similar agreement with another entity (each as may be amended, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to time), the officers of the Corporation may be the officers or employees of such entity to the extent permitted by applicable law.
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Section 5.02    Term of Office. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office for such terms as may be determined by the Board or, except with respect to his or her own office, the Chief Executive Officer, or until such officer’s successor is elected and qualifies or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at such later time as is therein specified, and, unless otherwise specified, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. The resignation of an officer shall be without prejudice to the contract rights of the Corporation, if any. Any officer may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Board or, in the case of appointed officers, by any elected officer upon whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board or, in the case of appointed officers, by any elected officer upon whom such power of appointment shall have been conferred by the Board. The election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contract rights.
Section 5.03    Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders and at all meetings of the Board and shall exercise such powers and perform such other duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. In addition to the responsibilities, powers and duties of the Chairman, an Executive Chairman (if there be one) shall exercise such powers and perform such other duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board and may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by resolution of the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by applicable law otherwise to be signed or executed.
Section 5.04    Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision over, and direction of, the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject, however, to the control of the Board and of any duly authorized committee of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders and at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present. The Chief Executive Officer may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by resolution of the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by applicable law otherwise to be signed or executed and, in general, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer of a corporation and such other duties as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 5.05 President. The President shall have duties incident to the office of President, and any other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the President by the Chief Executive Officer (if the President and Chief Executive Officer are not the same person) or the Board and subject to the control of the Chief Executive Officer (if the President and Chief Executive Officer are not the same person) and the Board in each case. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders at which the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer are not present. The President may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by applicable law otherwise to be signed or executed.
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Section 5.06    Vice Presidents. Vice Presidents shall have the duties incident to the office of Vice President and any other duties that may from time to time be assigned to the Vice President by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board. A Vice President shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders at which the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the President are not present. Any Vice President may sign and execute in the name of the Corporation deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except in cases in which the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by applicable law otherwise to be signed or executed.
Section 5.07    Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders, record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders in a book to be kept for that purpose and perform like duties for committees of the Board, when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all special meetings of the Board and of the Stockholders and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall have authority to affix the same on any instrument that may require it, and when so affixed, the seal may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the same by such officer’s signature. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary may also attest all instruments signed by the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President. The Secretary shall have charge of all the books, records and papers of the Corporation relating to its organization and management, see that the reports, statements and other documents required by applicable law are properly kept and filed and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of secretary of a corporation and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Secretary by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5.08 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds, securities and notes of the Corporation, receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any sources whatsoever; deposit all such moneys and valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositaries as may be designated by the Board, against proper vouchers, cause such funds to be disbursed by checks or drafts on the authorized depositaries of the Corporation signed in such manner as shall be determined by the Board and be responsible for the accuracy of the amounts of all moneys so disbursed, regularly enter or cause to be entered in books or other records maintained for the purpose full and adequate account of all moneys received or paid for the account of the Corporation, have the right to require from time to time reports or statements giving such information as the Treasurer may desire with respect to any and all financial transactions of the Corporation from the officers or agents transacting the same, render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board, whenever the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board shall require the Treasurer so to do, an account of the financial condition of the Corporation and of all financial transactions of the Corporation, disburse the funds of the Corporation as ordered by the Board and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer of a corporation and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Treasurer by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
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Section 5.09    Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or by the Treasurer, respectively, or by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
ARTICLE 6
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 6.01    Certificates Representing Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation may be represented by certificates or all of such shares shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock, or a combination of both. If shares are represented by certificates (if any), such certificates shall be in the form approved by the Board. The certificates representing shares of stock of each class shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, and by the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. Although any officer, transfer agent or registrar whose manual or facsimile signature is affixed to such a certificate ceases to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate has been issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still such at the date of its issue.
Section 6.02    Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agents and registry offices or agents at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 6.03    Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or his legal representative to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.
Section 6.04    Form of Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be maintained on any information storage device or method; provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law.
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Section 6.05    Dividends and Reserves. Except as otherwise expressly required by these By-laws, or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock. The Board may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.
Section 6.06    Seal. The corporate seal shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.
Section 6.07    Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board.
Section 6.08    Amendments. These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the General Corporation Law.
Section 6.09    Conflict with Applicable Law or Certificate of Incorporation. These By-laws are adopted subject to any applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation. Whenever these By-laws may conflict with any applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of such law or the Certificate of Incorporation.
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EX-10.1 5 exhibit101-8xk.htm EX-10.1 Document
Exhibit 10.1

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
by and among
the Persons listed on Schedule A hereto
and
TWFG, INC.
Dated as of July 19, 2024



This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of July 19, 2024 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), is made among TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”); the shareholders listed on Schedule A hereto and any transferee of Registrable Securities to whom any Person who is a party to this Agreement shall Assign any rights hereunder in accordance with Section 4.5 (each such Person, a “Holder”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition have the meaning set forth in Section 1.
1.    Certain Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Additional Piggyback Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(c).
“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under direct or indirect common control with such Person.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Assign” means to directly or indirectly sell, transfer, assign, distribute, exchange, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, grant a security interest in, encumber or otherwise dispose of Registrable Securities, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, including by way of a merger. “Assignor,” “Assignee,” “Assigning” and “Assignment” have meanings corresponding to the foregoing.
“automatic shelf registration statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banking institutions in Houston, Texas are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Carryover Amount” for any Holder means, with respect to any registered offering in which such Holder elected not to participate after receipt of a notice under Section 2.2(a), a number of Registrable Securities equal to the number of Registrable Securities then held by such Holder, multiplied by a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which is equal to the number of Registrable Securities sold by the Holder that sold the most Registrable Securities in such offering and the denominator of which is the number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder immediately prior to such offering.
“Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Company Shares” means Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, and any and all securities of any kind whatsoever of the Company that may be issued by the Company after the date hereof in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of, Company Shares, pursuant to any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, combinations, reclassifications, recapitalizations, reorganizations and the like occurring after the date hereof.



“Company Shares Equivalents” means all options, warrants and other securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for (at any time or upon the occurrence of any event or contingency and without regard to any vesting or other conditions to which such securities may be subject) Company Shares or other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any note or debt security convertible into or exchangeable for Company Shares or other equity securities of the Company) and any LLC Units.
“Demand Exercise Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Demand Registration Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Exchange” means the exchange of shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share or Class C Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of the Company (together with LLC Units) for shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company, pursuant to the LLC Agreement.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Expenses” means any and all fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with Article 2, including, without limitation: (i) SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees and all listing fees and fees with respect to the inclusion of securities on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or on any other securities market on which the Company Shares are listed or quoted, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws and in connection with the preparation of a “blue sky” survey, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of outside “blue sky” counsel, (iii) printing and copying expenses, (iv) messenger and delivery expenses, (v) expenses incurred in connection with any road show, (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (vii) with respect to each registration, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Participating Holder(s) (selected by the Majority Participating Holders), (viii) fees and disbursements of all independent public accountants (including the expenses of any audit and/or comfort letter and updates thereof) and fees and expenses of other Persons, including special experts, retained by the Company, (ix) fees and expenses payable to any Qualified Independent Underwriter, (x) any other fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any underwriting discount or spread) and (xi) expenses for securities law liability insurance and any rating agency fees.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
“Holder” or “Holders” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Initiating Holder(s)” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
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“IPO” means the first underwritten public offering of the common stock of the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC completed on or about the date of this Agreement.
“LLC” means TWFG Holding Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company and its successors.
“LLC Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Agreement of TWFG Holding Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company.
“LLC Unit” means a common limited liability interest in the LLC or any other class of limited liability interests in the LLC.
“Lock-Up Agreement” means any agreement entered into by a Holder that provides for restrictions on the transfer of Registrable Securities held by such Holder.
“Majority Participating Holders” means the Participating Holders holding more than 50% of the Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such offering.
“Manager” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Participating Holders” means all Holders of Registrable Securities which are proposed to be included in any registration or offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2.
“Person” means any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, governmental entity or agency or other entity of any kind or nature.
“Piggyback Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a)(iv).
“Qualified Independent Underwriter” means a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121.
“Registrable Securities” means any Company Shares held by the Holders at any time (including those held as a result of the conversion or exercise of Company Shares Equivalents) and any Company Shares issuable upon an Exchange; provided that, as to any Registrable Securities held by a particular Holder, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (a) a registration statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration statement, or (b) on advice of counsel to the Company, which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the relevant Holder, such securities may be sold or disposed of by such Holder without the volume, manner of sale and public information limitations under Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force). For the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that any Company Share issuable upon an Exchange shall be considered a Registrable Security and held by the Holder of the LLC Unit with respect to which it is issuable for all purposes hereunder prior to its issuance.
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“Rule 144” and “Rule 144A” have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Section 2.3(a) Sale Number” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“Section 2.3(b) Sale Number” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).
“Section 2.3(c) Sale Number” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c).
“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
“Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company on the date hereof and any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company organized or acquired after the date hereof.
“Transfer” means, with respect to any Company Shares, (i) when used as a verb, to sell, assign, dispose of, exchange, pledge, mortgage, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise transfer, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such Company Shares, whether directly or indirectly, or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing and (ii) when used as a noun, a direct or indirect sale, assignment, disposition, exchange, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance, hypothecation or other transfer, in whole or in part, of any of the economic consequences of ownership of such Company Shares or any agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, a transfer, sale, exchange, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance or other disposition of an interest in any Holder, or direct or indirect parent thereof, all or substantially all of whose assets are, directly or indirectly, Company Shares, shall constitute a “Transfer” of Company Shares for purposes of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, a transfer, sale, exchange, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance or other disposition of an interest in any Holder, or direct or indirect parent thereof, which has substantial assets in addition to Company Shares shall not constitute a “Transfer” of Company Shares for purposes of this Agreement.
“Valid Business Reason” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(iii).
“WKSI” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
2.    Registration Rights.
2.1 Demand Registrations. (a) If the Company shall receive from any Holder or group of Holders holding at least fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities, in either case at any time beginning 180 days after the closing of the IPO, a written request that the Company file a registration statement with respect to Registrable Securities (a “Demand Registration Request,” and the registration so requested is referred to herein as a “Demand Registration,” and the sender(s) of such request pursuant to this Agreement shall be known as the “Initiating Holder(s)”), then the Company shall, within five Business Days of the receipt thereof, give written notice (the “Demand Exercise Notice”) of such request to all other Holders, and subject to the limitations of this Section 2.1, use its reasonable best efforts to effect, as soon as practicable, the registration under the Securities Act (including, without limitation, by means of a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 thereunder if so requested and if the Company is then eligible to use such a registration) of all Registrable Securities that the Holders request to be registered. There is no limitation on the number of Demand Registrations pursuant to this Section 2.1 which the Company is obligated to effect. However, the Company shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any Demand Registration:
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(i)    within three months after a Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 that has been declared or become effective;
(ii)    during the period starting with the date 15 days prior to its good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date 90 days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration (other than a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to employees of the Company pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase or similar plan or to an SEC Rule 145 transaction), provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;
(iii)    where the anticipated offering price, before any underwriting discounts or commissions and any offering-related expenses, is less than $25,000,000;
(iv) if the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board, any registration of Registrable Securities should not be made or continued (or sales under a shelf registration statement should be suspended) because (i) such registration (or continued sales under a shelf registration statement) would materially interfere with a material financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization or merger or other material transaction or event involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) the Company is in possession of material non-public information, the disclosure of which has been determined by the Board to not be in the Company’s best interests (in either case, a “Valid Business Reason”), then (x) the Company may postpone filing a registration statement relating to a Demand Registration Request or suspend sales under an existing shelf registration statement until five Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than 90 days after the date the Board determines a Valid Business Reason exists and (y) in case a registration statement has been filed relating to a Demand Registration Request, if the Valid Business Reason has not resulted from actions taken by the Company, the Company may cause such registration statement to be withdrawn and its effectiveness terminated or may postpone amending or supplementing such registration statement until five Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than 90 days after the date the Board determines a Valid Business Reason exists; and the Company shall give written notice to the Participating Holders of its determination to postpone or withdraw a registration statement or suspend sales under a shelf registration statement and of the fact that the Valid Business Reason for such postponement, withdrawal or suspension no longer exists, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner for more than 90 days in any 12 month period; or
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(v)    in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance.
If the Company shall give any notice of postponement, withdrawal or suspension of any registration statement pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(a), the Company shall not, during the period of postponement, withdrawal or suspension, register any Company Shares, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or an equivalent registration form then in effect). Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company that the Company has determined to withdraw any registration statement pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(a), such Holder will discontinue its disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall have withdrawn or prematurely terminated a registration statement filed pursuant to a Demand Registration (whether pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(a) or as a result of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court), the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement until the Company shall have filed a new registration statement covering the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn registration statement and such registration statement shall have been declared effective and shall not have been withdrawn. If the Company shall give any notice of withdrawal or postponement of a registration statement, the Company shall, not later than five Business Days after the Valid Business Reason that caused such withdrawal or postponement no longer exists (but in no event later than 90 days after the date of the postponement or withdrawal), use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn or postponed registration statement in accordance with Section 2.1 (unless the Initiating Holders shall have withdrawn such request, in which case the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement), and such registration shall not be withdrawn or postponed pursuant to clause (iv) of this Section 2.1(a).
(b)    
(i) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, shall include in a Demand Registration (A) the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders and (B) the Registrable Securities of any other Holder of Registrable Securities, which shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such registration pursuant to Section 2.2 (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Participating Holder) within ten Business Days after the receipt of the Demand Exercise Notice.
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(ii)    The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible, but subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 2.1, use its reasonable best efforts to (A) effect such registration under the Securities Act (including, without limitation, by means of a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act if so requested and if the Company is then eligible to use such a registration) of the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register, for distribution in accordance with such intended method of distribution and (B) if requested by the Majority Participating Holders, obtain acceleration of the effective date of the registration statement relating to such registration.
(c)    In connection with any Demand Registration, the Majority Participating Holders shall have the right to designate the lead managing underwriter (any lead managing underwriter for the purposes of this Agreement, the “Manager”) in connection with such registration and each other managing underwriter for such registration, in each case subject to consent of the Company, not be unreasonably withheld.
(d)    If so requested by the Initiating Holder(s), the Company (together with all Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting) shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Company in its sole discretion.
(e)    Any Holder that intends to sell Registrable Securities by means of a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 shall give the Company two days’ prior notice of any such sale.
2.2    Piggyback Registrations.
(a)    If, at any time or from time to time the Company will register or commence an offering of any of its securities for its own account (other than pursuant to registrations on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any similar successor forms thereto) (including but not limited to the registrations or offerings pursuant to Section 2.1), the Company will:
(i)    promptly give to each Holder written notice thereof (in any event within five Business Days); and
(ii) include in such registration and in any underwriting involved therein (if any), all the Registrable Securities specified in a written request or requests, made within 10 Business Days after mailing or personal delivery of such written notice from the Company, by any of the Holders, except as set forth in Sections 2.2(b) and 2.2(f), with the securities which the Company at the time proposes to register or sell to permit the sale or other disposition by the Holders (in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof) of the Registrable Securities to be so registered or sold, including, if necessary, by filing with the SEC a post-effective amendment or a supplement to the registration statement filed by the Company or the prospectus related thereto. There is no limitation on the number of such piggyback registrations pursuant to the preceding sentence which the Company is obligated to effect. No registration of Registrable Securities effected under this Section 2.2(a) shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect Demand Registrations under Section 2.1 hereof.
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(b)    If the registration in this Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering, the right of any Holder to include its Registrable Securities in a registration or offering pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in the underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Company.
(c)    The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, may elect to include in any registration statement and offering pursuant to demand registration rights by any Person, (i) authorized but unissued shares of Company Shares or Company Shares held by the Company as treasury shares and (ii) any other Company Shares which are requested to be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback registration rights granted by the Company after the date hereof and which are not inconsistent with the rights granted in, or otherwise conflict with the terms of, this Agreement (“Additional Piggyback Rights”); provided, however, that such inclusion shall be permitted only to the extent that it is pursuant to, and subject to, the terms of the underwriting agreement or arrangements, if any, entered into by the Initiating Holders.
(d)    If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register or sell any equity securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration or sale of such equity securities, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or sell or to delay registration or sale of such equity securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to all Holders of record of Registrable Securities and (i) in the case of a determination not to register or sell, shall be relieved of its obligation to register or sell any Registrable Securities in connection with such abandoned registration or sale, without prejudice, however, to the rights of Holders under Section 2.1, and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay such registration or sale of its equity securities, shall be permitted to delay the registration or sale of such Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in registering such other equity securities.
(e)    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall, at the request of any Holder, file any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendments and otherwise take any action necessary to include therein all disclosure and language deemed necessary or advisable by such Holder if such disclosure or language was not included in the initial registration statement, or revise such disclosure or language if deemed necessary or advisable by such Holder including filing a prospectus supplement naming the Holders, partners, members and shareholders to the extent required by law.
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(f)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the rights of any Holder set forth in this Agreement shall be subject to any Lock-Up Agreement that such Holder has entered into.
2.3    Allocation of Securities Included in Registration Statement or Offering.
(a)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in connection with an underwritten offering initiated by a Demand Registration Request, if the Manager advises the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten (such number, the “Section 2.3(a) Sale Number”) within a price range acceptable to the Majority Participating Holders, the Initiating Holders shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to include in such registration or offering, as applicable, the number of shares of Registrable Securities in the registration and underwriting as follows:
(i)    first, all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration or offering by the Holders thereof (including pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2); provided, however, that if such number of Registrable Securities exceeds the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, the number of such Registrable Securities (not to exceed the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number) to be included in such registration shall be allocated among all such Holders requesting inclusion thereof in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective amounts of Registrable Securities held by such Holders at the time of filing of the registration statement or the time of the offering, as applicable, as adjusted to give effect to any Carryover Amount(s) for any such Holder;
(ii)    second, if by the withdrawal of Registrable Securities by a Participating Holder, a greater number of Registrable Securities held by other Holders, may be included in such registration or offering (up to the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number), then the Company shall offer to all Holders who have included Registrable Securities in the registration or offering the right to include additional Registrable Securities in the same proportions as set forth in Section 2.3(a)(i);
(iii)    third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, and if the underwriter so agrees, any securities that the Company proposes to register or sell, up to the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number; and
(iv) fourth, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, the remaining securities to be included in such registration or offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such registration or offering pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights (“Piggyback Shares”), based on the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number.
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(b)    In a registration involving an underwritten offering on behalf of the Company, which was initiated by the Company, if the Manager determines that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten (such number, the “Section 2.3(b) Sale Number”) within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall so advise all Holders whose securities would otherwise be registered and underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated as follows:
(i)    first, all equity securities that the Company proposes to register for its own account;
(ii)    second, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(b) is less than the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number, among all Holders in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective amounts of Registrable Securities held by such Holders at the time of such registration, up to the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number, as adjusted to give effect to any Carryover Amount(s) for any such Holder; and
(iii)    third, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(b) is less than the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number, the remaining securities to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number.
(c)    If any registration pursuant to Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering by any Person(s) other than a Holder to whom the Company has granted registration rights which are not inconsistent with the rights granted in, or otherwise conflict with the terms of, this Agreement, the Manager (as selected by the Company or such other Person) shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number (the “Section 2.3(c) Sale Number”) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such registration within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall include shares in such registration as follows:
(i) first, the shares requested to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among such Person(s) requesting the registration and all Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2, based on the aggregate number of securities or Registrable Securities, as applicable, then owned by each of the foregoing requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of securities or Registrable Securities, as applicable, owned by all such Holders and Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, as adjusted to give effect to any Carryover Amount(s) for any such Holder;
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(ii)    second, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, the remaining shares to be included in such registration shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number; and
(iii)    third, to the extent that the number of securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, the remaining shares to be included in such registration shall be allocated to shares the Company proposes to register for its own account, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number.
(d)    If any Holder of Registrable Securities disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw such Holder’s request to include Registrable Securities in such registration or offering or may reduce the number requested to be included; provided, however, that (x) such request must be made in writing, to the Company, Manager and, if applicable, the Initiating Holder(s), prior to the execution of the underwriting agreement with respect to such registration and (y) such withdrawal or reduction shall be irrevocable and, after making such withdrawal or reduction, such Holder shall no longer have any right to include such withdrawn Registrable Securities in the registration as to which such withdrawal or reduction was made to the extent of the Registrable Securities so withdrawn or reduced.
2.4    Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to use its reasonable best efforts to effect or cause the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible (but, in any event, within 60 days after a Demand Registration Request in the case of Section 2.4(a) below), in connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities and, where applicable, a takedown off of a shelf registration statement:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on an appropriate registration form of the SEC for the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, which registration form (i) shall be selected by the Company and (ii) shall, in the case of a shelf registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and such registration statement shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable registration form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain continuously effective from the date such registration statement is declared effective until the earliest to occur of (A) the first date as of which all of the Registrable Securities included in the registration statement have been sold or (B) the expiration of a period of 90 days in the case of an underwritten offering effected pursuant to a registration statement other than a shelf registration statement and a period of three years in the case of a shelf registration statement (provided, however, that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, or comparable statements under securities or state “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction, or any free writing prospectus related thereto, the Company will furnish to one counsel for the Holders participating in the planned offering (selected by the Majority Participating Holders) and to one counsel for the Manager, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (including all exhibits thereto), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and reasonable comment of such counsel (provided that the Company shall be under no obligation to make any changes suggested by the Holders), and the Company shall not file any registration statement or amendment thereto, any prospectus or supplement thereto or any free writing prospectus related thereto to which the Majority Participating Holders or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object);
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(b)    prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement continuously effective for the period set forth in Section 2.4(a) and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement (and, in connection with any shelf registration statement, file one or more prospectus supplements covering Registrable Securities upon the request of one or more Holders wishing to offer or sell Registrable Securities whether in an underwritten offering or otherwise);
(c)    in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the Manager of such offering;
(d)    furnish, without charge, to each Participating Holder and each underwriter, if any, of the securities covered by such registration statement such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act and each free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, in each case, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and other documents, as such seller and underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (the Company hereby consenting to the use in accordance with all applicable law of each such registration statement (or amendment or post-effective amendment thereto) and each such prospectus (or preliminary prospectus or supplement thereto) or free writing prospectus by each such Participating Holder and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus);
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(e) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or state “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as any sellers of Registrable Securities or any managing underwriter, if any, shall reasonably request in writing, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such sellers or underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions (including keeping such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such registration statement remains in effect), except that in no event shall the Company be required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where it would not, but for the requirements of this paragraph (e), be required to be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(f)    promptly notify each Participating Holder and each managing underwriter, if any: (i) when the registration statement, any pre-effective amendment, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto, any post-effective amendment to the registration statement or any free writing prospectus has been filed and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the SEC or state securities authority for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus related thereto or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or state “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the existence of any fact of which the Company becomes aware which results in the registration statement or any amendment thereto, the prospectus related thereto or any supplement thereto, any document incorporated therein by reference, any free writing prospectus or the information conveyed to any purchaser at the time of sale to such purchaser containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading; and (vi) if at any time the representations and warranties contemplated by any underwriting agreement, securities sale agreement, or other similar agreement, relating to the offering shall cease to be true and correct in all material respects; and, if the notification relates to an event described in clause (v), the Company shall promptly prepare and furnish to each such seller and each underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading;
(g) comply (and continue to comply) with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (including, without limitation, maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13 a-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13 a-15(f)) in accordance with the Exchange Act), and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the registration statement (and in any event within 45 days, or 90 days if it is a fiscal year, after the end of such 12 month period described hereafter), an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the period of at least 12 consecutive months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first fiscal quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
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(h)    (i) (A) cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on the principal securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed (if any), if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (B) if no similar securities are then so listed, to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, take all actions that may be required by the Company as the issuer of such Registrable Securities in order to facilitate the managing underwriter’s arranging for the registration of at least two market makers as such with respect to such shares with FINRA, and (ii) comply (and continue to comply) with the requirements of any self-regulatory organization applicable to the Company, including without limitation all corporate governance requirements;
(i)    provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;
(j)    enter into such customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement) and take such other actions as the Majority Participating Holders or the underwriters shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (it being understood that the Holders of the Registrable Securities which are to be distributed by any underwriters shall be parties to any such underwriting agreement and may, at their option, require that the Company make to and for the benefit of such Holders the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company which are being made to and for the benefit of such underwriters);
(k)    use its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain an opinion from the Company’s counsel and a comfort letter and updates thereof from the Company’s independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference in such registration statement, in each case, in customary form and covering such matters as are customarily covered by such opinions and comfort letters (including, in the case of such comfort letter, events subsequent to the date of such financial statements) delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings, which opinion and letter shall be dated the dates such opinions and comfort letters are customarily dated and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the underwriters, if any, and to the Majority Participating Holders, and (ii) furnish to each Holder participating in the offering and to each underwriter, if any, a copy of such opinion and letter addressed to such underwriter;
(l) deliver promptly to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the SEC and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all memoranda relating to discussions with the SEC or its staff with respect to the registration statement, and, upon receipt of such confidentiality agreements as the Company may reasonably request, make reasonably available for inspection by counsel for each Participating Holder, by counsel for any underwriter, participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any accountant or other agent retained by any Participating Holder or any such underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such counsel for a Participating Holder, counsel for an underwriter, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;
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(m)    use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement, or the prompt lifting of any suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction;
(n)    provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, no later than the effective date of the registration statement;
(o)    use its best efforts to make available its employees and personnel for participation in “road shows” and other marketing efforts and otherwise provide reasonable assistance to the underwriters (taking into account the needs of the Company’s businesses and the requirements of the marketing process) in marketing the Registrable Securities in any underwritten offering;
(p)    prior to the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement or the prospectus (after the initial filing of such registration statement), and prior to the filing of any free writing prospectus, provide copies of such document to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, if any, and make the Company’s representatives reasonably available for discussion of such document and make such changes in such document concerning the Participating Holders prior to the filing thereof as counsel for the Participating Holders or underwriters may reasonably request;
(q)    furnish to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, without charge, at least one signed copy of the registration statement and any post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, the prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference) and any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith;
(r) cooperate with the Participating Holders and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates not bearing any restrictive legends representing the Registrable Securities to be sold, and cause such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names in accordance with the underwriting agreement at least three Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters or, if not an underwritten offering, in accordance with the instructions of the Participating Holders at least three Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of Registrable Securities to release any stop transfer orders in respect thereof;
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(s)    cooperate with any due diligence investigation by any Manager, underwriter or Participating Holder and make available such documents and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries that they reasonably request (which, in the case of the Participating Holder, may be subject to the execution by the Participating Holder of a customary confidentiality agreement in a form which is reasonably satisfactory to the Company);
(t)    take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act;
(u)    take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(v)    take all reasonable action to ensure that any free writing prospectus utilized in connection with any registration covered by Section 2.1 or 2.2 complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
(w)    in connection with any underwritten offering, if at any time the information conveyed to a purchaser at the time of sale includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, promptly file with the SEC such amendments or supplements to such information as may be necessary so that the statements as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances, be misleading.
To the extent the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (a “WKSI”) at the time any Demand Registration Request is submitted to the Company, and such Demand Registration Request requests that the Company file an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (an “automatic shelf registration statement”) on Form S-3, the Company shall file an automatic shelf registration statement which covers those Registrable Securities which are requested to be registered. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which the Registrable Securities remain Registrable Securities. If the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Securities at the time the automatic shelf registration statement is filed, the Company agrees to pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Securities are to be sold. If the automatic shelf registration statement has been outstanding for at least three years, at the end of the third year the Company shall refile a new automatic shelf registration statement covering the Registrable Securities. If at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to refile the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1, and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.
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If the Company files any shelf registration statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, the Company agrees that it shall include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Holders) in order to ensure that the Holders may be added to such shelf registration statement at a later time through the filing of a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.
It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2, or 2.4 that each Participating Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request so long as such information is necessary for the Company to consummate such registration and shall be used only in connection with such registration.
If any such registration statement or comparable statement under state “blue sky” laws refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the Holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Company’s securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not in the judgment of the Company, as advised by counsel, required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute or any state “blue sky” or securities law then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder.
2.5    Registration Expenses. All Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing, qualification or compliance pursuant to Article 2 shall be borne by the Company, whether or not a registration statement becomes effective. All underwriting discounts and all selling commissions relating to securities registered by the Holders shall be borne by the holders of such securities pro rata in accordance with the number of shares sold in the offering by such Participating Holder.
2.6 Certain Limitations on Registration Rights. In the case of any registration under Section 2.1 pursuant to an underwritten offering, or, in the case of a registration under Section 2.2, all securities to be included in such registration shall be subject to the underwriting agreement and no Person may participate in such registration or offering unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided therein and completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, and other documents (including custody agreements and powers of attorney) which must be executed in connection therewith; provided, however, that all such documents shall be consistent with the provisions hereof, and (ii) provides such other information to the Company or the underwriter as may be necessary to register such Person’s securities.
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2.7    Limitations on Sale or Distribution of Other Securities.
(a)    Each Holder agrees, (i) to the extent requested in writing by a managing underwriter, if any, of any registration effected pursuant to Section 2.1, not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, any Company Shares, or any other equity security of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, not to exceed 90 days and (ii) to the extent requested in writing by a managing underwriter of any underwritten public offering effected by the Company for its own account, not to sell any Company Shares (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, which period shall not exceed 90 days subject to the same exceptions as provided in the lock-up provisions contained in the underwriting agreement for the IPO; and, if so requested, each Holder agrees to enter into a customary lock-up agreement with such managing underwriter.
(b)    The Company hereby agrees that, if it shall previously have received a request for registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2, and if such previous registration shall not have been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company shall not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, any Company Shares, or any other equity security of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company (other than as part of such underwritten public offering, a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or similar form which is (i) then in effect or (ii) shall become effective upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any then outstanding Company Shares Equivalent), until a period of 90 days shall have elapsed from the effective date of such previous registration.
2.8    No Required Sale. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create an independent obligation on the part of any Holder to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to any effective registration statement.
2.9    Indemnification.
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(a) In the event of any registration and/or offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Article 2, the Company will, and hereby agrees to, and hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder, its directors, officers, fiduciaries, trustees, employees, shareholders, members or general and limited partners (and the directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, shareholders, members, beneficiaries or general and limited partners thereof), any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened) and expenses (other than underwriting discounts and spreads) (including reasonable fees of counsel and any amounts paid in any settlement effected with the Company’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise in respect thereof (collectively, “Claims”), insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary or final prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, together with the documents incorporated by reference therein, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the information conveyed by the Company to any purchaser at the time of the sale to such purchaser, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or (iv) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company and relating to action required of or inaction by the Company in connection with any such registration, and the Company will reimburse any such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any such indemnified party in any such case to the extent such Claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made in such registration statement or amendment thereof or supplement thereto or in any such prospectus or any preliminary or final prospectus or free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such indemnified party specifically for use therein. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such seller.
(b) Each Participating Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.9) to the extent permitted by law the Company, its officers and directors, each Person controlling the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, each underwriter (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Company’s securities covered by such a registration statement, any Person who controls such underwriter, and any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement and each of its directors, officers, partners or agents or any Person who controls such Holder with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact in, or omission or alleged omission of any material fact from, such registration statement, any preliminary or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, if such statement or alleged statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or its representatives by or on behalf of such Participating Holder, specifically for use therein and reimburse such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the aggregate amount which any such Participating Holder shall be required to pay pursuant to this Section 2.9(b), Sections 2.9(c) and 2.9(e) shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds actually received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim. The Company and each Participating Holder hereby acknowledge and agree that, unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing by such Participating Holders to the contrary, for all purposes of this Agreement, the only information furnished or to be furnished to the Company for use in any such registration statement, preliminary or final prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or any free writing prospectus are statements specifically relating to (i) the beneficial ownership of Company Shares by such Participating Holder and its Affiliates and (ii) the name and address of such Participating Holder. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.
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(c)    Indemnification similar to that specified in the preceding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.9 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and each Participating Holder with respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under any applicable securities and state “blue sky” laws.
(d) Any Person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement shall notify promptly the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Section 2.9, but the failure of any indemnified party to provide such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 2.9, except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially and actually prejudiced thereby and shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Article 2. In case any action or proceeding is brought against an indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to (i) participate in such action or proceeding and (ii) unless, in the reasonable opinion of outside counsel to the indemnified party, a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, assume the defense thereof jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party. The indemnifying party shall promptly notify the indemnified party of its decision to assume the defense of such action or proceeding. If, and after, the indemnified party has received such notice from the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action or proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that (A) if the indemnifying party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within 20 days after receiving notice from such indemnified party that the indemnified party believes it has failed to do so; (B) if such indemnified party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding which is also brought against the indemnifying party reasonably shall have concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party which are not available to the indemnifying party or which may conflict with those available to another indemnified party with respect to such Claim; or (C) if representation of both parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct, then, in any such case, the indemnified party shall have the right to assume or continue its own defense as set forth above (but with no more than one firm of counsel for all indemnified parties in each jurisdiction, except to the extent any indemnified party or parties reasonably shall have made a conclusion described in clause (B) or (C) above) and the indemnifying party shall be liable for any expenses therefor. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim), unless such settlement or compromise (1) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any Claims that are the subject matter of such action or Claim and (2) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an indemnified party. The indemnity obligations contained in Sections 2.9(a) and 2.9(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the indemnified party which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
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(e) If for any reason the foregoing indemnity is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 2.9(a), (b) or (c), then each applicable indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable to such indemnified party as a result of any Claim in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other hand, with respect to such Claim as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. If, however, the allocation provided in the second preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative faults but also the relative benefits of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if any contribution pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the preceding sentences of this Section 2.9(e). The amount paid or payable in respect of any Claim shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.9(e) to the contrary, no indemnifying party (other than the Company) shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) to contribute any amount greater than the amount of the net proceeds actually received by such indemnifying party upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim, less the amount of any indemnification payment made by such indemnifying party pursuant to Section 2.9(b) and (c).
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(f)    The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract (except as set forth in subsection (h) below) and shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made or omitted by or on behalf of any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by any such party and the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration statement.
(g)    The indemnification and contribution required by this Section 2.9 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred; provided, however, that the recipient thereof hereby undertakes to repay such payments if and to the extent it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such recipient is not entitled to such payment hereunder.
(h)    If a customary underwriting agreement shall be entered into in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2, the indemnity, contribution and related provisions set forth therein shall supersede the indemnification and contribution provisions set forth in this Section 2.9.
3.    Underwritten Offerings.
3.1 Requested Underwritten Offerings. If the Initiating Holders request an underwritten offering pursuant to a registration under Section 2.1 (pursuant to a request for a registration statement to be filed in connection with a specific underwritten offering or a request for a shelf takedown in the form of an underwritten offering), the Company shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Such underwriting agreement shall (i) be satisfactory in form and substance to the Majority Participating Holders, (ii) contain terms not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and (iii) contain such representations and warranties by, and such other agreements on the part of, the Company and such other terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type, including, without limitation, indemnities and contribution agreements on substantially the same terms as those contained herein (it being understood that an underwriting agreement in substantially the form of the underwriting agreement for the IPO shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing requirements). Any Participating Holder shall be a party to such underwriting agreement and may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Participating Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Participating Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to make any representations or warranties with respect to written information specifically provided by a Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement. Each such Participating Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Participating Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, any written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Participating Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement and shall be limited to liability for written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder.
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3.2    Piggyback Underwritten Offerings. In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2 which involves an underwritten offering, the Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith and all of the Participating Holders’ Registrable Securities to be included in such registration shall be subject to such underwriting agreement. Any Participating Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Participating Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Participating Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to make any representations or warranties with respect to written information specifically provided by a Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement. Each such Participating Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Participating Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, any written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Participating Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement and shall be limited to liability for written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder.
4.    General.
4.1    Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein with respect to the Registrable Securities, to any and all shares of capital stock of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger, share exchange, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, Registrable Securities and shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date hereof.
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4.2 Rule 144 and Rule 144A. The Company covenants that (i) so long as it remains subject to the reporting provisions of the Exchange Act, it will timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (including, but not limited to, the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (“Rule 144”)) or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales by such Holder under Rule 144, Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (“Rule 144A”), or any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC, and (ii) it will take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (A) Rule 144, (B) Rule 144A or (C) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after it so qualifies), a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company and such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC which permits the selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to such form.
4.3    Amendments and Waivers; Termination. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 4.3 shall be binding upon each Holder and the Company. Any waiver of any breach or default by any other party of any of the terms of this Agreement effected in accordance with this Section 4.3 shall not operate as a waiver of any other breach or default, whether similar to or different from the breach or default waived. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be implied from any course of dealing between the parties hereto or from any failure by any party to assert its or his or her rights hereunder on any occasion or series of occasions. This Agreement will terminate as to any Holder when it no longer holds any Registrable Securities.
4.4    Notices. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices, consents, approvals, reports, designations, requests, waivers, elections and other communications authorized or required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given, made or delivered (and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made or delivered upon receipt) by personal hand-delivery, by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail, by mailing the same in a sealed envelope, registered first-class mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery, addressed to the Company at the address set forth below or to the applicable Holder at the address indicated on Schedule A hereto (or at such other address for a Holder as shall be specified by like notice):
if to the Company, to it at:
TWFG, Inc.
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., Ste. 4020
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The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Attention: Julie Benes
Facsimile: 281-298-8626
Email: jbenes@twfg.com
with copies (which shall not constitute actual notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
1111 Louisiana Street, 44th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: W. Robert Shearer
Facsimile: (713) 236-0822
Email: rshearer@akingump.com
4.5    Successors and Assigns.
(a)    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
(b)    A Holder may Assign his, her or its rights under this Agreement without the Company’s consent to an Assignee of Registrable Securities which (i) is with respect to any Holder, the spouse, parent, sibling, child, step-child or grandchild of such Holder, or the spouse thereof and any trust, limited liability company, limited partnership, private foundation or other estate planning vehicle for such Holder or for the benefit of any of the foregoing or other persons pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) is a legatee, executor or other fiduciary pursuant to a last will and testament of the Holder or pursuant to the terms of any trust which take effect upon the death of the Holder. In addition, any Holder may Assign his, her or its rights under this Agreement without the Company’s prior written consent so long as such Assignment (i) occurs in connection with the transfer of all, but not less than all, of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a single transaction in the case of such an Assignment by a Holder and (ii) results in the Assignee holding not less than 5% of the outstanding shares of Company Shares at the time of such transfer. Subject to subsection (c) below, any Assignment shall be conditioned upon prior written notice to the Company identifying the name and address of such Assignee and any other material information as to the identity of such Assignee as may be reasonably requested, and Schedule A hereto shall be updated to reflect such Assignment.
(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.5, any Holder may elect to transfer all or a portion of its Registrable Securities to any third party without Assigning its rights hereunder with respect thereto, provided that in any such event all rights under this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities so transferred shall cease and terminate.
4.6 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights. From and after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company for the offering of its securities to the general public, the Company may, without the prior written consent of the Holders, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company which provides such holder or prospective holder of securities of the Company comparable, but not conflicting, registration rights granted to the Holders hereby.
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4.7    Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other agreements referenced herein and therein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede any prior agreement or understanding among them with respect to the matters referred to herein.
4.8    Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction.
(a)    Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, excluding any conflict-of-laws rule or principle (whether of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that might refer the governance or the construction of this Agreement to the law of another jurisdiction.
(b)    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT THEREOF. The Company or any Holder may file an original counterpart or a copy of this Section 4.8(b) with any court as written evidence of the consent of any of the parties hereto to the waiver of their rights to trial by jury.
(c)    Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto (i) consents to submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of the United States federal courts located in Harris County, Texas, in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such court, (iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than the United States federal courts located in Harris County, Texas and (iv) to the fullest extent permitted by law, consents to service being made through the notice procedures set forth in Section 4.4. Each party hereto hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to the respective addresses set forth in Section 4.4 shall be effective service of process for any suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.9    Interpretation; Construction.
(a)    The headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
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(b)    The parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
4.10    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile transmission or other electronic signature of this Agreement signed by such party (via PDF, TIFF, JPEG or the like)) with counterpart pages or in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall, taken together, be considered one and the same agreement, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
4.11    Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed by limiting it so as to be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent provided by law and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
4.12    Specific Performance. It is hereby agreed and acknowledged that it will be impossible to measure the money damages that would be suffered if the parties fail to comply with any of the obligations imposed on them by this Agreement and that, in the event of any such failure, an aggrieved party will be irreparably damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at law. Each party hereto shall, therefore, be entitled (in addition to any other remedy to which such party may be entitled at law or in equity) to injunctive relief, including specific performance, to enforce such obligations, without the posting of any bond, and if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.
4.13    Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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COMPANY:
TWFG, INC.
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Chief Executive Officer
HOLDERS:
BUNCH FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Member
RENAISSANCERE VENTURES U.S. LLC
By: /s/ Jonathan Anderson
Name: Jonathan Anderson
Title: SVP
GHC WOODLANDS HOLDINGS LLC
By: /s/ Michael Doak
Name: Michael Doak
Title: President
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


SCHEDULE A
Holder Address
Bunch Family Holdings, LLC
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., Ste. 4020
The Woodlands, Texas 77380

RenaissanceRe Ventures U.S. LLC
12 Crow Lane
Pembroke HM19
Bermuda

GHC Woodlands Holdings LLC
4514 Cole Avenue, Suite 1650
Dallas, Texas 75205

[Schedule A]
EX-10.2 6 exhibit102-8xk.htm EX-10.2 Document
Exhibit 10.2
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
among
TWFG, INC.,
TWFG HOLDING COMPANY, LLC,
and
THE PERSONS NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of July 19, 2024



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS 2
Section 1.01 Definitions 2
ARTICLE II DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFIT 11
Section 2.01 Basis Adjustment 11
Section 2.02 Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment 11
Section 2.03 Procedures, Amendments 12
ARTICLE III TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS 13
Section 3.01 Payments 13
Section 3.02 No Duplicative Payments 14
Section 3.03 Pro Rata Payments 14
ARTICLE IV TERMINATION 15
Section 4.01 Termination, Early Termination and Breach of Agreement 15
Section 4.02 Early Termination Notice 16
Section 4.03 Payment upon Early Termination 17
ARTICLE V SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS 18
Section 5.01 Subordination 18
Section 5.02 Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer 18
ARTICLE VI NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION 18
Section 6.01 Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and OpCo’s Tax Matters 18
Section 6.02 Consistency 18
Section 6.03 Cooperation 19
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS 19
Section 7.01 Notices 19
Section 7.02 Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment 20
Section 7.03 Resolution of Disputes 21
Section 7.04 Counterparts 22
Section 7.05 Entire Agreement 23
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Section 7.06 Severability 23
Section 7.07 Amendment 23
Section 7.08 Governing Law 23
Section 7.09 Reconciliation 23
Section 7.10 Withholding 24
Section 7.11 Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets 25
Section 7.12 Confidentiality 25
Section 7.13 Change in Law 25
Section 7.14 Partnership Agreement 25
ii


TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of July 19, 2024, is hereby entered into by and among TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Taxpayer”), TWFG Holding Company, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (“OpCo”), each of the Members (as defined below) from time to time party hereto, and each of the successors and assigns hereto.
WHEREAS, OpCo is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the Corporate Taxpayer is classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
WHEREAS, Bunch Family Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Bunch Holdings”), RenaissanceRe Ventures U.S. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and GHC Woodlands Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “Members”) hold common interest units in OpCo (the “Common Units”), and following certain reorganization transactions, the Corporate Taxpayer will be the managing member of OpCo and will hold, directly and/or indirectly, Common Units;
WHEREAS, on and after the date hereof, pursuant to Section 10.01 of the LLC Agreement, each Member has the right, in its sole discretion, from time to time to require OpCo to redeem (a “Redemption”) all or a portion of such Member’s Common Units (upon the occurrence of which, a corresponding portion of such Member’s shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, will be cancelled) for cash or, at the Corporate Taxpayer’s option, shares of Class A Common Stock; provided that, pursuant to Section 10.03 of the LLC Agreement and at the election of the Corporate Taxpayer, the Corporate Taxpayer may effect a direct exchange (a “Direct Exchange,” and together with a Redemption, an “Exchange”) of such cash or shares of Class A Common Stock for such Common Units;
WHEREAS, OpCo and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, if any, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for each Taxable Year (as defined below) in which an Exchange occurs, which elections are intended generally to result in an adjustment to the Tax basis of the assets owned by OpCo (solely with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer) at the time of an Exchange (such time, the “Exchange Date”) by reason of the Exchange and the receipt of payments under this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, expense and other Tax (as defined below) items of the Corporate Taxpayer may be affected by (i) the Basis Adjustments (as defined below) and (ii) Imputed Interest (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to make certain arrangements with respect to the effect of the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest on the actual liability for Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer.



NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01    Definitions.
(a)    The following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:
“Actual Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the actual liability for U.S. federal, state and local Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, OpCo, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on OpCo and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Taxes imposed on OpCo under Section 6225 of the Code or similar provision of state and local tax law, as applicable, that are allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer), for such Taxable Year.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person.
“Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of SOFR plus 100 basis points.
“Attributable” means, with respect to any Attributable Member, the portion of any Realized Tax Benefit that is “attributable” to such Attributable Member, which shall be determined by reference to the assets from which arise the depreciation, amortization or other similar deductions for recovery of cost or basis (“Depreciation”) and with respect to increased basis upon a disposition of an asset or Imputed Interest that produce the Realized Tax Benefit, under the following principles:
(i)    A portion of any Realized Tax Benefit arising from a deduction to the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to a Taxable Year for Depreciation arising in respect of a Basis Adjustment to a Reference Asset resulting from an Exchange is Attributable to the Attributable Member to the extent that the ratio of all Depreciation for the Taxable Year in respect of Basis Adjustments resulting from all Exchanges by the Attributable Member bears to the aggregate of all Depreciation for the Taxable Year in respect of Basis Adjustments resulting from all Exchanges by the Attributable Members (in each case, other than with respect to the portion of the Basis Adjustment described in clause (ii) below).
(ii)    A portion of any Realized Tax Benefit arising from a deduction to the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to a Taxable Year for Depreciation arising in respect of a Basis Adjustment to a Reference Asset resulting from a payment hereunder is Attributable to the Attributable Member that receives such payment.
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(iii)    A portion of any Realized Tax Benefit arising from the disposition of a Reference Asset is Attributable to the Attributable Member to the extent that the ratio of all Basis Adjustments (to the extent not previously taken into account in the calculation of Realized Tax Benefits) resulting from all Exchanges by the Attributable Member with respect to such Reference Asset bears to the aggregate of all Basis Adjustments (to the extent not previously taken into account in the calculation of Realized Tax Benefits) with respect to such Reference Asset.
(iv)    A portion of any Realized Tax Benefit arising from a deduction to the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to a Taxable Year in respect of Imputed Interest is Attributable to the Attributable Member to the extent corresponding to amounts that such Member is required to include in income in respect of Imputed Interest (without regard to whether such Member is actually subject to Tax thereon).
(v)    A portion of any Realized Tax Benefit arising from a carryover or carryback of any Tax item is Attributable to such Member to the extent such carryover or carryback is attributable to or available for use because of the prior use of the Basis Adjustments or Imputed Interest with respect to which a Realized Tax Benefit would be Attributable to such Member pursuant to clauses (i)–(iv) above.
Portions of any Realized Tax Detriment shall be Attributed to Members under principles similar to those described in clauses (i)–(v) above.
“Attributable Member” means any Member undertaking an Exchange as a result of which any portion of a Realized Tax Benefit may be payable under this Agreement.
“Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 732 and 1012 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (in situations where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, OpCo becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or under Sections 734(b), 743(b) and 755 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (in situations where, following an Exchange, OpCo remains in existence as an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and, in each case, comparable sections of state and local tax laws, as a result of (i) an Exchange and (ii) the payments made pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more Common Units shall be determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such Common Units and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfer had not occurred.
A “Beneficial Owner” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.
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“Blended Rate” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the sum of the effective rates of Tax imposed on the aggregate net income of the Corporate Taxpayer in each state or local jurisdiction in which the Corporate Taxpayer files Tax Returns for such Taxable Year, with the maximum effective rate in any state or local jurisdiction being equal to the product of: (i) the apportionment factor on the income or franchise Tax Return filed by the Corporate Taxpayer in such jurisdiction for such Taxable Year, and (ii) the maximum applicable corporate Tax rate in effect in such jurisdiction in such Taxable Year. As an illustration of the calculation of Blended Rate for a Taxable Year, if the Corporate Taxpayer solely files Tax Returns in State 1 and State 2 in a Taxable Year, the maximum applicable corporate tax rates in effect in such states in such Taxable Year are 6% and 5%, respectively and the apportionment factors for such states in such Taxable Year are 60% and 40%, respectively, then the Blended Rate for such Taxable Year is equal to 5.6% (i.e., 6% times 60% plus 5% times 40%).
“Board” means the board of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer.
“Business Day” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the LLC Agreement.
“Class A Common Stock” means Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Corporate Taxpayer.
“Class B Common Stock” means Class B common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, of the Corporate Taxpayer.
“Class C Common Stock” means Class C common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, of the Corporate Taxpayer.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i)    any Person or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provisions thereto (excluding (A) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock in the Corporate Taxpayer and (B) any Member or any of its Affiliates) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporate Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities; or
(ii)    the following individuals cease to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer then serving: individuals who, on the IPO Date, constitute the Board and any new director whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporate Taxpayer’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the IPO Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (ii); or
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(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporate Taxpayer with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (A) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (B) the voting securities of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or
(iv)    the shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporate Taxpayer or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such sale.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (ii) and clause (iii)(A) above, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
“Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Corporate Taxpayer Return” means the U.S. federal and/or state and/or local Tax Return, as applicable, of the Corporate Taxpayer filed with respect to Taxes for any Taxable Year.
“Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination.
“Default Rate” means a per annum rate of SOFR plus 300 basis points.
“Determination” means (i) a “determination” as defined in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of state and local tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax or (ii) the acquiescence of the Corporate Taxpayer to the amount of any assessed liability for Tax.
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“Direct Exchange” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.
“Early Termination Rate” means a per annum rate of the lesser of (i) 6.5% per annum, compounded annually, and (ii) SOFR plus 300 basis points.
“Exchange” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Governmental Authority” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.
“Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, OpCo, but only with respect to U.S. federal income Taxes imposed on OpCo and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such Taxes imposed on OpCo under Section 6225 of the Code or similar provision of state and local tax law, as applicable, that are allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer), in each case using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Return, but (w) using the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis as reflected on the applicable Exchange Basis Schedule, including amendments thereto, for the Taxable Year, (i) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest for the Taxable Year, (ii) deducting the Hypothetical Other Tax Liability (rather than any amount for state, local or foreign tax liabilities) for such Taxable Year and (iii) without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to or (without duplication) available for use because of the prior use of any of the Basis Adjustments or Imputed Interest, as applicable.
“Hypothetical Other Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, U.S. federal taxable income determined in connection with calculating the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability for such Taxable Year (determined without regard to clause (B) thereof) multiplied by the Blended Rate for such Taxable Year.
“Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability for such Taxable Year, plus the Hypothetical Other Tax Liability for such Taxable Year.
“Imputed Interest” means any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of state and local tax law with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations under this Agreement.
“IPO” means the initial public offering of Class A Common Stock of the Corporate Taxpayer.
“IPO Date” means the closing date of the IPO.
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“IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
“LLC Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of OpCo, dated as of the date hereof.
“Market Value” means the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the applicable Exchange Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided, that if the closing price is not reported by the Wall Street Journal for the applicable Exchange Date, then the Market Value shall mean the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding such Exchange Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided, further, that if the Class A Common Stock is not then listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, the Market Value shall mean the cash consideration paid for Class A Common Stock, or the fair market value of the other property delivered for Class A Common Stock, as determined by the Board in good faith.
“Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.
“Payment Date” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.
“Pre-Exchange Transfer” means any transfer or distribution in respect of one or more Common Units (i) that occurs prior to an Exchange of such Common Units, and (ii) to which Section 743(b) or 734(b) of the Code applies.
“Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the Actual Tax Liability. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination with respect to such Actual Tax Liability.
“Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination with respect to such Actual Tax Liability.
“Redemption” has the meaning in the recitals to this Agreement.
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“Reference Asset” means an asset that is held by OpCo, or by any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, if any, treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for purposes of the applicable Tax, at the time of an Exchange. A Reference Asset also includes any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.
“Schedule” means any of the following: (i) an Exchange Basis Schedule, (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule, or (iii) the Early Termination Schedule.
“SOFR” means, with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
“Subsidiaries” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the LLC Agreement.
“Subsidiary Stock” means any stock or other equity interest in any Subsidiary of the Corporate Taxpayer that is (i) treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income tax return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code with respect to which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member.
“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.
“Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporate Taxpayer as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of state or local tax law, as applicable (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than 12 months for which a Tax Return is made), ending on or after the IPO Date.
“Taxes” means any and all taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, and any interest related thereto.
“Taxing Authority” means any domestic, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.
“Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
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“Valuation Assumptions” means, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that (i) in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, the Corporate Taxpayer will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the deductions arising from the Basis Adjustments (assuming, to the extent applicable, in calculating such deductions that the election under Section 168(k)(7) of the Code is made with respect to any actual or deemed Basis Adjustment arising from an Exchange made in the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Date or deemed to be made on the Early Termination Date pursuant to clause (5) of this definition), and Imputed Interest during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available, (ii) the U.S. federal income tax rates and state and local income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date, except to the extent any change to such Tax rates for such Taxable Year has already been enacted into law, (iii) any loss or credit carryovers generated by deductions arising from Basis Adjustments or Imputed Interest that are available as of such Early Termination Date will be utilized by the Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from the Early Termination Date through the scheduled expiration date or, if there is no scheduled expiration date, the fifteenth anniversary of the generation of such loss or credit carryovers, (iv) any non-amortizable assets (other than Subsidiary Stock) will be disposed of on the earlier of (i) the fifteenth anniversary of the applicable Basis Adjustment and (ii) the Early Termination Date, (v) any Subsidiary Stock will be deemed never to be disposed of and (vi) if, at the Early Termination Date, there are Common Units that have not been Exchanged, then each such Common Unit shall be deemed to be Exchanged for the product of (i) the Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Early Termination Date and (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would be transferred in respect of such Common Unit if the Exchange occurred on the Early Termination Date.
(b)    Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:
Term Section
Agreement Preamble
Amended Schedule
2.03(b)
Bunch Holdings Recitals
Code Recitals
Common Units Recitals
Corporate Taxpayer Preamble
Dispute
7.03(a)
Early Termination Effective Date
4.02
Early Termination Notice
4.02
Early Termination Payment
4.03(b)
Early Termination Schedule
4.02
e-mail
7.01
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Term Section
Exchange Recitals
Exchange Basis Schedule
2.01
Exchange Date Recitals
Exercise Period 7.02(d)
Expert
7.09
Interest Amount
3.01(b)
Material Objection Notice
4.02
Members Preamble
Net Tax Benefit
3.01(b)
Objection Notice
2.03(a)
Offered Price 7.02(d)
Offered Terms 7.02(d)
Offered TRA Interests 7.02(d)
OpCo Recitals
Proposed Transferee 7.02(d)
Reconciliation Dispute
7.09
Reconciliation Procedures
2.03(a)
Seller 7.02(d)
Senior Obligations
5.01
Tax Benefit Payment
3.01(b)
Tax Benefit Schedule
2.02(a)
TRA Interests 7.02(b)
Transfer Notice 7.02(d)
(c)    Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation,” whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any statute shall be deemed to refer to such statute as amended from time to time and to any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively.
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ARTICLE II
DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFIT
Section 2.01    Basis Adjustment. Within 120 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer for each Taxable Year in which any Exchange has been effected by any Member, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each such Member a schedule (the “Exchange Basis Schedule”) that shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, including with respect to each Exchanging party, (i) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Reference Assets as of each applicable Exchange Date, (ii) the Basis Adjustments with respect to the Reference Assets as a result of each Exchange effected in such Taxable Year and, if applicable, all prior Taxable Years, calculated (A) in the aggregate, and (B) solely with respect to Exchanges by such Member, (iii) the period (or periods) over which the Reference Assets are amortizable and/or depreciable and (iv) the period (or periods) over which each Basis Adjustment is amortizable and/or depreciable. For the avoidance of doubt, payments made under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest.
Section 2.02    Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment.
(a)    Tax Benefit Schedule. Within 120 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer for any Taxable Year in which any Exchange has been effected by a Member or which is subsequent to any Taxable Year in which any Exchange has been effected by a Member, the Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to such Member a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment and the portion Attributable to such Member for such Taxable Year (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). The Tax Benefit Schedule will become final as provided in Section 2.03(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.03(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.03(b)).
(b)    Applicable Principles. The Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the Actual Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year attributable to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest, determined using a “with and without” methodology. For the avoidance of doubt, the Actual Tax Liability will take into account the deduction of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment that must be accounted for as interest under the Code based upon the characterization of Tax Benefit Payments as additional consideration payable by the Corporate Taxpayer for the Common Units acquired in an Exchange. Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to the Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local income and franchise tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to the Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest and another portion that is not, such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology. The parties agree that (i) all Tax Benefit Payments attributable to the
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Basis Adjustments (other than amounts accounted for as interest under the Code) will (A) be treated as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments that give rise to further Basis Adjustments to Reference Assets for the Corporate Taxpayer and (B) have the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments to Reference Assets for the Corporate Taxpayer in the year of payment, and (ii) as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the current year calculation and into future year calculations, as appropriate.
Section 2.03    Procedures, Amendments.
(a)    Procedure. Every time the Corporate Taxpayer delivers to a Member an applicable Schedule under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.03(b) and any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, the Corporate Taxpayer shall also (i) deliver to such Member schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer or requested by such Member, providing reasonable detail regarding the preparation of the Schedule and (ii) allow such Member reasonable access to the appropriate representatives at the Corporate Taxpayer, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer, in connection with a review of such Schedule. Without limiting the application of the preceding sentence, each time the Corporate Taxpayer delivers to a Member a Tax Benefit Schedule, in addition to the Tax Benefit Schedule duly completed, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to such Member the Corporate Taxpayer Return, the reasonably detailed calculation by the Corporate Taxpayer of the Hypothetical Tax Liability, the reasonably detailed calculation by the Corporate Taxpayer of the Actual Tax Liability, as well as any other work papers as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer or requested by such Member, provided that the Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to redact any information that it reasonably believes is unnecessary for purposes of determining the items in the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on the applicable Member and the Corporate Taxpayer thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which the Member has received the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto unless such Member (x) within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving an applicable Schedule or amendment thereto, provides the Corporate Taxpayer with notice of a material objection to such Schedule (“Objection Notice”) made in good faith or (y) provides a written waiver of such right of any Objection Notice within the period described in clause (x) above, in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by the Corporate Taxpayer. If the applicable Member and the Corporate Taxpayer for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in the Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of an Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Member shall employ the reconciliation procedures as described in Section 7.09 (the “Reconciliation Procedures”), in which case such Schedule shall become binding ten (10) calendar days after the conclusion of the Reconciliation Procedures.
(b)    Amended Schedule. The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year may be amended from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct inaccuracies in the Schedule identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was provided to the applicable Member, (iii) to comply with the Expert’s determination under
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the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year, or (vi) to adjust the Exchange Basis Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”). The Corporate Taxpayer shall provide an Amended Schedule to each relevant Member within thirty (30) calendar days of the occurrence of an event referenced in clauses (i) through (vi) of the preceding sentence. In the event a Schedule is amended after such Schedule becomes final pursuant to Section 2.03(a) or, if applicable, Section 7.09, (x) the Amended Schedule shall be taken into account in calculating the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit for the Taxable Year in which the amendment actually occurs, and (y) as a result of the foregoing, any increase of the Net Tax Benefit attributable to an Amended Schedule shall not accrue the Interest Amount (or any other interest hereunder) until after the due date (without extensions) for filing IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for the Taxable Year in which the amendment actually occurs.
ARTICLE III
TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Section 3.01    Payments.
(a) Within five (5) Business Days after the Tax Benefit Schedule with respect to a Taxable Year delivered to any Member becomes final in accordance with Section 2.03(a), the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to such Member for such Taxable Year the Tax Benefit Payment in the amount determined pursuant to Section 3.01(b). Each such Tax Benefit Payment to a Member shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by such Member to the Corporate Taxpayer or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such Member. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of estimated tax payments, including U.S. federal estimated income Tax payments. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Member may elect with respect to any Exchange to limit the aggregate Tax Benefit Payments made to such Member in respect of any such Exchange to a specified percentage of the amount equal to the sum of (i) the cash, excluding any Tax Benefit Payments, and (ii) the Market Value of the Class A Common Stock, in each case, received by such Member on such Exchange (or such other limitation selected by the Member and consented to by the Corporate Taxpayer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The Member shall exercise its rights under the preceding sentence by notifying the Corporate Taxpayer in writing of its desire to impose such a limit and the specified percentage (or such other limitation selected by the Member) and such other details as may be necessary (including whether such limit includes the Imputed Interest in respect of any such Exchange) in such manner and at such time (but in no event later than the date of any such Exchange) as reasonably directed by the Corporate Taxpayer; provided, however, that, in the absence of such direction, the Member shall give such written notice in the same manner as is required by Section 7.01 of this Agreement contemporaneously with the Member’s notice to the Corporate Taxpayer of the applicable Exchange.
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(b)    A “Tax Benefit Payment” means, with respect to a Member, an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of the amount of the Net Tax Benefit Attributable to such Member and the related Interest Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes, the Interest Amount shall not be treated as interest but instead shall be treated as additional consideration for the acquisition of Common Units in an Exchange, unless otherwise required by law. Subject to Section 3.03(a), the “Net Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit as of the end of such Taxable Year over the total amount of Tax Benefit Payments previously made under this Section 3.01 (excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts); provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that such Member shall not be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment. The “Interest Amount” shall equal the interest on the amount of the Net Tax Benefit Attributable to such Member calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing the Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year until the earlier of (i) the date on which no remaining Tax Benefit Payment to the Member is due in respect of such Net Tax Benefit and (ii) the Payment Date of the applicable Tax Benefit Payment.
Section 3.02    No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to ensure such intentions are realized.
Section 3.03    Pro Rata Payments.
(a)    Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.01 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate Tax benefit of the Corporate Taxpayer’s reduction in Tax liability as a result of the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest under this Agreement is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize available deductions and other attributes, the limitation on the Tax benefit for the Corporate Taxpayer shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to the respective amounts of Tax Benefit Payments that would have been determined under this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer had sufficient taxable income so that there were no such limitation; provided, that for purposes of allocating among the Members the aggregate Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement with respect to any Taxable Year, the operation of this Section 3.03(a) with respect to any prior Taxable Year shall be taken into account, it being the intention of the Corporate Taxpayer and the Members for each Member to receive, in the aggregate, Tax Benefit Payments in proportion to the aggregate Net Tax Benefits Attributable to such Member had this Section 3.03(a) never operated.
(b) After taking into account Section 3.03(a), if for any reason the Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the Members agree that (i) the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay the same proportion of each Tax Benefit Payment due under this Agreement in respect of such Taxable Year, without favoring one obligation over the other, and (ii) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior Taxable Years have been made in full.
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(c)    To the extent the Corporate Taxpayer makes a payment to a Member in respect of a particular Taxable Year under Section 3.01(a) of this Agreement (taking into account Section 3.03(a) and (b), but excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts) in excess of the amount of such payment that should have been made to such Member in respect of such Taxable Year, then (i) such Member shall not receive further payments under Section 3.01(a) until such Member has foregone an amount of payments equal to such excess and (ii) the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay the amount of such Member’s foregone payments to the other Members in a manner such that each of the other Members, to the maximum extent possible, shall have received aggregate payments under Section 3.01(a) of this Agreement (excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts) in the amount it would have received if there had been no excess payment to such Member.
ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION
Section 4.01    Termination, Early Termination and Breach of Agreement.
(a)    Unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 4.01(b) or Section 4.01(c), this Agreement will terminate when there is no further potential for a Tax Benefit Payment pursuant to this Agreement. Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement are not conditioned on any Member retaining an interest in the Corporate Taxpayer or OpCo (or any successor thereto).
(b)    The Corporate Taxpayer may terminate this Agreement with respect to all amounts payable to the Members and with respect to all of the Common Units held (or previously held and Exchanged) by all Members at any time by paying to each Member the Early Termination Payment in respect of such Member; provided, however, that this Agreement shall only terminate pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) upon the receipt of the Early Termination Payment by all Members; and provided, further, that the Corporate Taxpayer may withdraw any notice to exercise its termination rights under this Section 4.01(b) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon payment of the Early Termination Payment by the Corporate Taxpayer in accordance with this Section 4.01(b), neither the Members nor the Corporate Taxpayer shall have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than for any (i) Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporate Taxpayer and a Member as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (ii) Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (ii) is included in the Early Termination Payment). If an Exchange occurs after the Corporate Taxpayer makes the Early Termination Payment pursuant to this Section 4.01(b), the Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.
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(c)    In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder to the extent not cured within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of written notice of such failure from the relevant Member or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such breach and shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of a breach, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporate Taxpayer and any Members as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of a breach, and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of a breach; provided that procedures similar to the procedures of Section 4.02 shall apply with respect to the determination of the amount payable by the Corporate Taxpayer pursuant to this sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Corporate Taxpayer breaches this Agreement, each Member shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above or to seek specific performance of the terms hereof. The parties agree that the failure to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three months of the date such payment is due shall be deemed to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement, and that it will not be considered to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three months of the date such payment is due. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a breach of this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer fails to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement when due to the extent the Corporate Taxpayer has insufficient funds to make such payment despite using reasonable best efforts to obtain funds to make such payment (including by causing OpCo or any other Subsidiaries to distribute or lend funds for such payment); provided that the interest provisions of Section 5.02 shall apply to such late payment (unless the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient cash to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by debt agreements to which the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, in which case Section 5.02 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate); provided, further, that the Corporate Taxpayer shall promptly (and in any event, within two (2) Business Days), pay all such unpaid payments, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, immediately following such time that the Corporate Taxpayer has, and to the extent the Corporate Taxpayer has, sufficient funds to make such payment, and the failure of the Corporate Taxpayer to do so shall constitute a breach of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, all cash and cash equivalents used or to be used to pay dividends by, or repurchase equity securities of, the Corporate Taxpayer shall be deemed to be funds sufficient and available to pay such unpaid payments, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
Section 4.02 Early Termination Notice. If the Corporate Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.01(b) above, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each Member written notice of such intention to exercise such right (“Early Termination Notice”) and a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) specifying the Corporate Taxpayer’s intention to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment for such Member.
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The Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on such Member thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which such Member has received such Schedule or amendment thereto unless such Member (i) within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the Early Termination Schedule, provides the Corporate Taxpayer with notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (“Material Objection Notice”) or (ii) provides a written waiver of such right of a Material Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by the Corporate Taxpayer (such thirty (30) calendar day date as modified, if at all, by clauses (i) or (ii), the “Early Termination Effective Date”). If the Corporate Taxpayer and such Member, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of the Material Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and such Member shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures in which case such Early Termination Schedule shall become binding ten (10) calendar days after the conclusion of the Reconciliation Procedures.
Section 4.03    Payment upon Early Termination.
(a)    Within three (3) Business Days after the Early Termination Effective Date, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to each Member an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment in respect of such Member. Such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by such Member or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such Member.
(b)    “Early Termination Payment” in respect of a Member shall equal the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of the Early Termination Effective Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of such Member that would be required to be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that (i) the Valuation Assumptions are applied, (ii) for each Taxable Year, the Tax Benefit Payment is paid on the due date (without extensions) under applicable law as of the Early Termination Date for filing of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer and (iii) for purposes of calculating the Early Termination Rate, SOFR shall be SOFR as of the date of the Early Termination Notice.
Section 4.04    Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the closing date of the Change of Control and utilizing the Valuation Assumptions by substituting the term “the closing date of a Change of Control” in each place the term “Early Termination Date” appears. Such obligations shall include but not be limited to, (a) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the closing date of the Change of Control, (b) any Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporate Taxpayer and any Members as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of the Change of Control, and (c) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of the Change of Control. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 4.02 and Section 4.03 shall apply with respect to the determination of the amount payable by the Corporate Taxpayer pursuant to this Section 4.04, mutatis mutandis.
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ARTICLE V
SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS
Section 5.01    Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment required to be made by the Corporate Taxpayer to any Member under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries (“Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporate Taxpayer that are not Senior Obligations.
Section 5.02    Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer. The amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment not made to the applicable Member when due under the terms of this Agreement shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the date on which such Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment was due and payable, subject to Section 4.01(c).
ARTICLE VI
NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION
Section 6.01    Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and OpCo’s Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo, including the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporate Taxpayer shall notify a Member of, and keep such Member reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to affect the rights and obligations of such Member under this Agreement, and shall provide to such Member reasonable opportunity to provide information and other input (at such Member’s own expense) to the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of (but, for the avoidance of doubt such Member may not control) any such portion of such audit; provided, however, that the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo shall not be required to take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the LLC Agreement.
Section 6.02    Consistency. The Corporate Taxpayer and the Members agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including U.S. federal, state and local Tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Tax-related items (including the Basis Adjustments and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that specified by the Corporate Taxpayer in any Schedule required to be provided by or on behalf of the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement unless otherwise required by law. Any dispute as to required Tax or financial reporting shall be subject to Section 7.09.
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Section 6.03    Cooperation. Each of the Corporate Taxpayer and each Member shall (a) furnish to the other party in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the other party may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to the other party and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the other party or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter, and the Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse the applicable Member for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.03.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01    Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission and electronic mail (“e-mail”) transmission, so long as a receipt of such e-mail is requested and received) and shall be given to such party as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:
If to the Corporate Taxpayer, to:
TWFG, Inc.
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., Ste. 4020
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Attention:     Julie Benes
Facsimile:     281-298-8626
E-mail:     jbenes@twfg.com
With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP
1111 Louisiana St., 44th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention:    W. Robert Shearer
Facsimile:     (713) 236-0822
E-mail:    rshearer@akingump.com
If to the applicable Member, to the address, facsimile number or e-mail address specified for such party on the Member Schedule to the LLC Agreement.
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All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt.
Section 7.02    Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment; Right of First Refusal.
(a)    The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities hereunder upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The Corporate Taxpayer shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporate Taxpayer, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(b)    Subject to the Corporate Taxpayer’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), a Member may assign any of its rights, including the right to receive any Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement (collectively, “TRA Interests”) to any Person as long as (i) such Member shall have complied with Section 7.02(d) to the extent applicable to such Member and (ii) such transferee has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such transfer, executes and delivers, a joinder to this Agreement, in form of Exhibit A, agreeing to become a “Member” for all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such joinder; provided, that a Member’s TRA Interests shall be assignable by such Member under the procedure in this Section 7.02(b) regardless of whether such Member continues to hold any interests in OpCo or the Corporate Taxpayer or has fully transferred any such interests.
(c)    OpCo shall have the power and authority (but not the obligation) to permit any Person who becomes a member of OpCo to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement promptly upon acquisition of Common Units by such Person, and such Person shall be treated as a “Member” for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d)    Before a Member (other than Bunch Holdings) (such Member, the “Seller”) may transfer any TRA Interests, to any Person, in addition to any other requirements set forth in this Agreement (including as set forth in Section 7.02(b)), Seller must comply with the following:
(i) Prior to Seller transferring any of its TRA Interests to any Person, Seller shall deliver to Bunch Holdings a written notice (the “Transfer Notice”) stating: (A) Seller’s bona fide intention to transfer such TRA Interests; (B) the name, address, e-mail and phone number of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (each, a “Proposed Transferee”); (C) a description of Seller’s TRA Interests (or portion thereof) proposed to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee (the “Offered TRA Interests”); (D) the bona fide cash price or, in reasonable detail, other consideration for which Seller proposes to transfer the Offered TRA Interests (the “Offered Price”); and (E) any other material terms and conditions of such proposed transfer (the “Offered Terms”).
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(ii)     For a period of thirty (30) days (the “Exercise Period”) after the date on which the Transfer Notice is, pursuant to Section 7.01, deemed to have been delivered to Bunch Holdings, Bunch Holdings shall have the right to purchase all or any portion of the Offered TRA Interests on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7.02(d). In order to exercise its right hereunder, Bunch Holdings must deliver written notice of its election to purchase to Seller within the Exercise Period. If no such written notice is given within the Exercise Period, Bunch Holdings shall be deemed to have elected not to purchase the Offered TRA Interests.
(iii)    The purchase price for the Offered TRA Interests to be purchased by Bunch Holdings exercising its Right of First Refusal under this TRA Agreement will be the Offered Price, and will be payable as set forth in Section 7.02(d)(v). If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration will be determined by the Board in good faith, which determination will be binding upon Bunch Holdings and Seller, absent fraud or manifest error.
(iv)    Subject to compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws, Bunch Holdings and Seller shall effect the purchase and sale of all or any portion of the Offered TRA Interests, including the payment of the purchase price, within ten (10) days after the expiration of the Exercise Period or as promptly as otherwise practicable thereafter (the “Right of First Refusal Closing”). Payment of the purchase price will be made by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Seller in writing to Bunch Holdings at least three (3) days prior to the Right of First Refusal Closing. At such Right of First Refusal Closing, Seller shall deliver to Bunch Holdings, among other things, such documents and instruments of conveyance as may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of counsel to Bunch Holdings to effect the transfer of such Offered TRA Interests.
(v)    If any of the Offered TRA Interests remain available after the exercise, if any, of Bunch Holdings’ Right of First Refusal, then Seller shall be free to transfer, subject to the general conditions to transfer set forth in Section 7.02(b), any such remaining Offered TRA Interests to the Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price and under the Offered Terms set forth in the Transfer Notice; provided, however, that if the Offered TRA Interests are not so transferred during the sixty (60) day period following the delivery of the Transfer Notice, then Seller may not transfer any of such remaining Offered TRA Interests without complying again in full with the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 7.03    Resolution of Disputes.
(a) Except for Reconciliation Disputes subject to Section 7.09, any and all disputes which cannot be settled amicably, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) (each a “Dispute”) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in Delaware in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the Dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within ten (10) days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings.
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(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the Corporate Taxpayer may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each Member (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.03 to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate, and (iii) irrevocably appoints the Corporate Taxpayer as agent of such Member for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise such Member of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such Member in any such action or proceeding.
(c)    EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE CHANCERY COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR, IF SUCH COURT DECLINES JURISDICTION, THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE SITTING IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE SITTING IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 7.03, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another.
(d)    The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in the preceding paragraph of this Section 7.03 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.
Section 7.04 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Until and unless each party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto, this Agreement shall have no effect and no party shall have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any other oral or written agreement or other communication).
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Section 7.05    Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Reorganization Documents (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement) constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall create any third-party beneficiary rights in favor of any Person or other party hereto.
Section 7.06    Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
Section 7.07    Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by the Corporate Taxpayer and by Persons who would be entitled to receive at least two-thirds of the Early Termination Payments payable to all Persons entitled to Early Termination Payments under this Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any Persons pursuant to this Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange); provided, that no such amendment shall be effective if such amendment will have a disproportionate effect on the payments certain Persons will or may receive under the Tax Receivable Agreement unless all such Persons disproportionately affected consent in writing to such amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.
Section 7.08    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such State that would result in the application of the laws of any other State.
Section 7.09 Reconciliation. In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer and a Member are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by Sections 2.03, 3.01(b), 4.02 and 6.02 within the relevant period designated in this Agreement (“Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the “Expert”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to both parties. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting or law firm, and unless the Corporate Taxpayer and such Member agree otherwise, the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with the Corporate Taxpayer or such Member or other actual or potential conflict of interest.
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If the parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, the Expert shall be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Exchange Basis Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne by the Corporate Taxpayer, except as provided in the next sentence. The Corporate Taxpayer and such Member shall bear their own costs and expenses of such proceeding, unless (i) the Expert substantially adopts such Member’s position, in which case the Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse such Member for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding, or (ii) the Expert substantially adopts the Corporate Taxpayer’s position, in which case such Member shall reimburse the Corporate Taxpayer for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.09 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.09 shall be binding on the Corporate Taxpayer and such Member and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.
Section 7.10    Withholding. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or non-U.S. law; provided, however, that, prior to deducting or withholding any such amounts, the Corporate Taxpayer shall notify each applicable Member and shall reasonably cooperate therewith regarding the basis for such deduction or withholding and in obtaining any available exemption or reduction of, or otherwise minimizing, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such deduction and withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the applicable Member. Prior to the date of any payment under this Agreement and from time to time as reasonably requested by the Corporate Taxpayer, each Member shall promptly provide the Corporate Taxpayer with any applicable Tax forms and certifications (including IRS Form W-9 or the applicable version of IRS Form W-8) reasonably requested and shall promptly provide an update of any such Tax form or certificate previously delivered if the same has become incorrect or has expired.
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Section 7.11    Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.
(a)    If the Corporate Taxpayer is or becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income Tax Return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state or local law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.
(b)    If any entity that is obligated to make a Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment hereunder transfers one or more assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) with which such entity does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code, such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such contribution. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the fair market value of the contributed asset. For purposes of this Section 7.11, a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partner’s share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership.
Section 7.12    Confidentiality. Section 13.11 (Confidentiality) of the LLC Agreement as of the date of this Agreement shall apply to any information of the Corporate Taxpayer provided to the Members and their assignees pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7.13    Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in law, a Member reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by such Member (or direct or indirect equity holders in such Member) upon an Exchange to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates) for U.S. federal income tax purposes or would have other material adverse tax consequences to the Corporate Taxpayer or such Member or any direct or indirect owner of a Member, then at the election of such Member and to the extent specified by such Member, this Agreement (i) shall cease to have further effect with respect to such Member, (ii) shall not apply to an Exchange occurring after a date specified by such Member, or (iii) shall otherwise be amended in a manner determined by such Member; provided, that such amendment shall not result in an increase in payments under this Agreement to such Member at any time as compared to the amounts and times of payments that would have been due to such Member in the absence of such amendment.
Section 7.14    Partnership Agreement. To the extent this Agreement imposes obligations on OpCo or a member of OpCo, this Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of OpCo as described in Section 761(c) of the Code, and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.
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[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo, and each Member set forth below have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CORPORATE TAXPAYER:
TWFG, INC.
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Chief Executive Officer



OPCO:
TWFG HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: President



MEMBERS:
BUNCH FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Member
RENAISSANCERE VENTURES U.S. LLC
By: /s/ Jonathan Anderson
Name: Jonathan Anderson
Title: SVP
GHC WOODLANDS HOLDINGS LLC
By: /s/ Michael Doak
Name: Michael Doak
Title: President



Exhibit A
Joinder
This JOINDER (this “Joinder”) to the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below), dated as of_______, by and among TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Taxpayer”), and _______ (“Permitted Transferee”).
WHEREAS, on _______, Permitted Transferee acquired (the “Acquisition”) the right to receive any and all payments that may become due and payable under the Tax Receivable Agreement with respect to _______ Common Units and the corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, that were previously, or may in the future be, Exchanged and are described in greater detail in Annex A to this Joinder (collectively, “Interests” and, together with all other interests hereinafter acquired by the Permitted Transferee from Transferor, the “Acquired Interests”) from _______ (“Transferor”); and
WHEREAS, Transferor, in connection with the Acquisition, has required Permitted Transferee to execute and deliver this Joinder pursuant to Section 7.02(b) of the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2024, by and among the Corporate Taxpayer and each Member (as defined therein) (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1.01    Definitions. To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 1.02    Joinder. Permitted Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees to become a “Member” (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) for all purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement. Permitted Transferee hereby acknowledges the terms of Section 7.02(b) of the Tax Receivable Agreement and agrees to be bound by Section 7.12 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 1.03    Notice. Any notice, request, consent, claim, demand, approval, waiver or other communication hereunder to Permitted Transferee shall be delivered or sent to Permitted Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 7.01 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 1.04    Governing Law. This Joinder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such State that would result in the application of the laws of any other State.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by Permitted Transferee as of the date first above written.
[PERMITTED TRANSFEREE]
By:
Name:
Title:
Address for notices:

EX-10.3 7 exhibit103-8xk.htm EX-10.3 Document
Exhibit 10.3

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
of
TWFG HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
Dated as of July 17, 2024



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE 1 Definitions and Usage 2
Section 1.01 Definitions 2
Section 1.02 Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions 12
ARTICLE 2 The Company 13
Section 2.01 Formation 13
Section 2.02 Name 13
Section 2.03 Term 13
Section 2.04 Registered Agent and Registered Office 13
Section 2.05 Purposes 14
Section 2.06 Powers of the Company 14
Section 2.07 Partnership Tax Status 14
Section 2.08 Regulation of Internal Affairs 14
Section 2.09 Ownership of Property 14
Section 2.10 Subsidiaries 14
Section 2.11 Qualification in Other Jurisdictions 14
ARTICLE 3 Units; Members; Books and Records; Reports 15
Section 3.01 Units; Admission of Members 15
Section 3.02 Recapitalization; Pubco’s Capital Contribution; the IPO Unit Acquisition. 15
Section 3.03 Substitute Members and Additional Members 16
Section 3.04 Tax and Accounting Information 17
Section 3.05 Books and Records 19
ARTICLE 4 Pubco Ownership; Restrictions on Pubco Stock 19
Section 4.01 Pubco Ownership 19
Section 4.02 Restrictions on Pubco Common Stock 20
ARTICLE 5 Capital Contributions; Capital Accounts; Distributions; Allocations 23
Section 5.01 Capital Contributions 23
Section 5.02 Capital Accounts 23
Section 5.03 Amounts and Priority of Distributions 25
Section 5.04 Allocations 26
Section 5.05 Other Allocation Rules 29
Section 5.06 Tax Withholding; Withholding Advances 30
ARTICLE 6 Certain Tax Matters 31
Section 6.01 Tax Matters Representative 31
Section 6.02 Section 754 Elections 32
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Section 6.03 Debt Allocation 32
ARTICLE 7 Management of the Company 32
Section 7.01 Management by the Managing Member 32
Section 7.02 Withdrawal of the Managing Member 32
Section 7.03 Decisions by the Members 33
Section 7.04 Duties 33
Section 7.05 Officers 34
ARTICLE 8 Transfers of Interests 34
Section 8.01 Restrictions on Transfers 34
Section 8.02 Certain Permitted Transfers 35
Section 8.03 Distributions 36
Section 8.04 Registration of Transfers 36
ARTICLE 9 Certain Other Agreements 36
Section 9.01 Non-Disparagement 36
Section 9.02 Company Call Right 37
Section 9.03 Preemptive Rights 38
ARTICLE 10 Redemption and Exchange Rights 38
Section 10.01 Redemption Right of a Member 38
Section 10.02 Election and Contribution of Pubco 40
Section 10.03 Exchange Right of Pubco 41
Section 10.04 Tender Offers and Other Events with Respect to Pubco 41
Section 10.05 Reservation of Shares of Class A Common Stock; Certificate of Pubco 42
Section 10.06 Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Exchange Right 43
Section 10.07 Tax Treatment 43
Section 10.08 Additional Exchange Restrictions 43
ARTICLE 11 Limitation on Liability, Exculpation and Indemnification 44
Section 11.01 Limitation on Liability 44
Section 11.02 Exculpation and Indemnification 44
ARTICLE 12 Dissolution and Termination 47
Section 12.01 Dissolution 47
Section 12.02 Winding Up of the Company 47
Section 12.03 Termination 48
Section 12.04 Survival 48
ARTICLE 13 Miscellaneous 49
Section 13.01 Expenses 49
Section 13.02 Further Assurances 49
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Section 13.03 Notices 50
Section 13.04 Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment 50
Section 13.05 Jurisdiction 50
Section 13.06 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 51
Section 13.07 Counterparts 51
Section 13.08 Entire Agreement 51
Section 13.09 Severability 51
Section 13.10 Amendment 52
Section 13.11 Confidentiality 52
Section 13.12 Governing Law 54
ARTICLE 14 Arbitration 54
Section 14.01 Title 54
ARTICLE 15 Representations of Members 55
Section 15.01 Representations of Members 55
Schedule A    Member Schedule
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THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) OF TWFG HOLDING COMPANY, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of July 17, 2024, by and among the Company, TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Pubco”), and the other Persons listed on the signature pages hereto.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company was formed on March 19, 2018, when RFB Interests, Inc., a Texas corporation, was converted from a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas to a Texas limited liability company pursuant to Sections 10.101 and 10.103 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “Texas Act”);
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2023, the Company adopted the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company (as amended, the “Prior LLC Agreement”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO (as defined below), the Company, Pubco, and the Pre-IPO Holders (as defined below) desire to reclassify the existing membership interests of the Company into a single new class of LLC Units (as defined below) as provided herein (the “Recapitalization”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8.10(b) of the Prior LLC Agreement, in connection with the IPO, all outstanding Class A Units (as defined below), as converted into LLC Units pursuant to this Agreement as of the Effective Time, will be contributed to Pubco in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined below), and as a result thereof, each Member (as defined below) that held Class A Units will cease to be a Member, and Pubco will become a Member with respect to such LLC Units;

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, Bunch Family Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Bunch Holdings”) will contribute certain LLC Units to Pubco in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to that certain Reorganization Agreement by and between, among other parties, Bunch Holdings, the Company and Pubco (the “Reorganization Agreement”), in such amounts and on such terms as set forth in the Reorganization Agreement and the documentation contemplated thereby, and Pubco will become a Member with respect to such LLC Units;

WHEREAS, Pubco will sell shares of Class A Common Stock to public investors in the IPO and will use the net proceeds received from the IPO (the “IPO Net Proceeds”) to acquire a number of newly-issued LLC Units of the Company equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued in the IPO (collectively, the “IPO Unit Acquisition”);

WHEREAS, Pubco may issue additional shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the IPO as a result of the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Option”), and will use the net proceeds of the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option to acquire newly-issued LLC Units of the Company; WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing matters, the Company and the Members desire to continue the Company without dissolution and amend and restate the Prior LLC Agreement in its entirety to reflect, among other things, (a) the Recapitalization, (b) the addition of Pubco as a Member and its designation as the Managing Member of the Company and (c) the other rights and obligations of the Members, the Company and the Managing Member, in each case, as provided and agreed upon in the terms of this Agreement; and

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WHEREAS, the parties listed on the signature pages hereto and listed on Schedule A represent all of the holders of limited liability company interests in the Company as of the Effective Time.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein made and other good and valuable consideration, the Members hereto hereby agree to amend and restate the Prior LLC Agreement in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND USAGE
Section 1.01    Definitions.
(a)    The following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:
“Additional Member” means any Person admitted as a Member of the Company pursuant to Section 3.03 in connection with the new issuance of Units to such Person.
“Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:
(i)    Credit to such Capital Account any amounts that such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentence in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and
(ii)    Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).
The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person; provided that no Member nor any Affiliate of any Member shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any other Member or any of its Affiliates solely by virtue of such Members’ Units.
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“Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, any federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon or applicable to such Person or its assets, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise.
“Business” means the insurance and financial services business, substantially in the form as conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof.
“Business Day” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by Applicable Law to close.
“Capital Account” means the capital account established and maintained for each Member pursuant to Section 5.02.
“Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the initial Carrying Value of any Property (other than money) contributed to the Company.
“Carrying Value” means with respect to any Property (other than money), such Property’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
(i)    The initial Carrying Value of any such Property contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross fair market value of such Property, as reasonably determined by the Managing Member;
(ii)    The Carrying Values of all such Properties shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values (taking Section 7701(g) of the Code into account), as reasonably determined by the Managing Member, at the time of any Revaluation pursuant to Section 5.02(c);
(iii)    The Carrying Value of any item of such Properties distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross fair market value (taking Section 7701(g) of the Code into account) of such Property on the date of distribution as reasonably determined by the Managing Member; and
(iv)    The Carrying Values of such Properties shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such Properties pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code, but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and subparagraph (vi) of the definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss” or Section 5.04(b)(iv); provided, however, that Carrying Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant to subparagraph (ii) is required in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subparagraph (iv). If the Carrying Value of such Property has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (i),
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(ii) or (iv), such Carrying Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset, for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Loss.
“Class A Common Stock” means Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of Pubco.
“Class B Common Stock” means Class B common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, of Pubco.
“Class C Common Stock” means Class C common stock, $0.00001 par value per share, of Pubco.
“Class A Units” has the meaning set forth in the Prior LLC Agreement.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Company Minimum Gain” means “partnership minimum gain,” as defined in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).
“Control” (including the terms “controlling” and “controlled”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of such subject Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.
“Covered Person” means (i) each Member or an Affiliate thereof, in each case in such capacity, (ii) each officer, director, shareholder, member, partner, employee, representative, agent or trustee of a Member or an Affiliate thereof, in all cases in such capacity, and (iii) each officer, director, shareholder (other than any public shareholder of Pubco that is not a Member), member, partner, employee, representative, agent or trustee of the Managing Member, Pubco (in the event Pubco is not the Managing Member), the Company or an Affiliate controlled thereby, in all cases in such capacity.
“Depreciation” means, for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such Fiscal Year, except that if the Carrying Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Fiscal Year, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Carrying Value as the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Carrying Value using any reasonable method selected by the Managing Member.
“Effective Time” means a time that is substantially concurrent with, but immediately prior to, the closing of the IPO.
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“Effective Time Capital Account Balance” means, with respect to any Member, the positive Capital Account balance of such Member as of the Effective Time, the amount or deemed value of which is set forth on the Member Schedule.
“Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, any (i) membership interests or shares of capital stock, (ii) equity, ownership, voting, profit or participation interests or (iii) similar rights or securities in such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, or any rights or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, options or other rights to acquire from such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, or obligation on the part of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any of the foregoing.
“Fiscal Year” means the Company’s fiscal year, which shall initially be the calendar year and which may be changed from time to time as determined by the Managing Member.
“Governmental Authority” means any transnational, domestic or non-U.S. federal, state or local governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, department, court, agency or official, including any political subdivision thereof.
“Indebtedness” means (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money (including capitalized lease obligations, sale-leaseback transactions or other similar transactions, however evidenced), (b) any other indebtedness that is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture, draft or similar instrument, (c) notes payable and (d) lines of credit and any other agreements relating to the borrowing of money or extension of credit.
“Involuntary Transfer” means any Transfer of Units by a Member resulting from (i) any seizure under levy of attachment or execution, (ii) any bankruptcy (whether voluntary or involuntary), (iii) any Transfer to a state or to a public officer or agency pursuant to any statute pertaining to escheat or abandoned property, (iv) any divorce or separation agreement or a final decree of a court in a divorce action or (v) death or permanent disability.
“IPO” means the initial underwritten public offering of Pubco.
“Liens” means any pledge, encumbrance, security interest, purchase option, conditional sale agreement, call or similar right.
“LLC Unit” means a common limited liability interest in the Company.
“Managing Member” means (i) Pubco so long as Pubco has not withdrawn as the Managing Member pursuant to Section 7.02 and (ii) any successor thereof appointed as Managing Member in accordance with Section 7.02.
“Member” means any Person named as a Member of the Company on the Member Schedule and the books and records of the Company, as the same may be amended from time to time to reflect any Person admitted as an Additional Member or a Substitute Member, for so long as such Person continues to be a Member of the Company.
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“Member Nonrecourse Debt” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse debt” in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” means an amount with respect to each “partner nonrecourse debt” (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if such partner nonrecourse debt were treated as a nonrecourse liability (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2)) determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).
“Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the same meaning as the term “partner nonrecourse deductions” in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2).
“Net Income” and “Net Loss” mean, for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such Fiscal Year or period, determined in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a)(1) of the Code shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):
(i)    Any income of the Company that is exempt from U.S. federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss” shall be added to such taxable income or loss;
(ii)    Any expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or treated as Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income and Net Loss pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” and “Net Loss,” shall be treated as deductible items;
(iii)    In the event the Carrying Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subparagraphs (ii) or (iii) of the definition of “Carrying Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of the asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account, immediately prior to the event giving rise to such adjustment, for purposes of computing Net Income and/or Net Loss;
(iv)    Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Carrying Value of the Property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such Property differs from its Carrying Value;
(v)    In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year, computed in accordance with the definition of Depreciation;
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(vi)    To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; and
(vii)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, any items that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.04(b), Section 5.04(c) and Section 5.04(d) shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income and Net Loss.
The amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.04(b), Section 5.04(c) and Section 5.04(d) shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (i) through (vi) above.
“Non-Pubco Member” means any Member that is not a Pubco Member.
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(1) and 1.704-2(c).
“Original Units” means the Class B Units and Class C Units (each as defined in the Prior LLC Agreement) of the Company.
“Other Agreements” means the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Reorganization Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Member, a fractional amount, expressed as a percentage: (i) the numerator of which is the aggregate number of LLC Units owned of record thereby and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate number of LLC Units issued and outstanding. The sum of the outstanding Percentage Interests of all Members shall at all times equal 100%.
“Permitted Transferee” means, other than with respect to Pubco, (a) any Member and (b) (i) in the case of any Member that is not a natural person, any Person that is an Affiliate of such Member or its beneficial owners, and (ii) in the case of any Member that is a natural person, (A) any Person to whom LLC Units are Transferred from such Member (1) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or (2) by gift without consideration of any kind; provided that, in the case of clause (2), such transferee is the spouse, the lineal descendant, sibling, parent, heir, executor, administrator, testamentary trustee, legatee or beneficiary of such Member, (B) a trust, family-partnership or estate-planning vehicle that is for the exclusive benefit of such Member or its Permitted Transferees under (A) above or (C) any institution qualified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
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“Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity.
“Pre-IPO Holders” means each Member as of the Effective Time other than Pubco.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest from time to time identified by JP Morgan Chase, N.A. as being its “prime” or “reference” rate.
“Property” means an interest of any kind in any real, personal or intellectual (or mixed) property, including cash, and any improvements thereto, and shall include both tangible and intangible property.
“Pubco Common Stock” means all classes and series of common stock of Pubco, including the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock.
“Pubco Member” means (i) Pubco and (ii) any Subsidiary of Pubco (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) that is or becomes a Member.
“Qualifying Offering” means any public or private offering of shares of Class A Common Stock by Pubco following the date hereof.
“Redeemed Units Equivalent” means the product of (a) the Share Settlement, times (b) the Unit Redemption Price.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Pubco and each of the Pre-IPO Holders.
“Relative Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Member relative to another Member or Members, a fractional amount, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Percentage Interest of such Member; and the denominator of which is (x) the Percentage Interest of such Member plus (y) the aggregate Percentage Interest of such other Member or Members.
“Restricted Person” means (i) each Non-Pubco Member, and (ii) in the case of a Non-Pubco Member that is an entity, each direct or indirect owner of Equity Securities of such Non-Pubco Member that agrees (by executing a joinder to this Agreement or other agreement with the Company or Pubco) to be a Restricted Person hereunder.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Equity Securities or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
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“Substantial Ownership Requirement” means the beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) by the Pre-IPO Holders and any Permitted Transferees, collectively, of shares of common stock of Pubco representing at least ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of Pubco.
“Substitute Member” means any Person admitted as a Member of the Company pursuant to Section 3.03 in connection with the Transfer of then-existing Units to such Person.
“Tax Distribution” means a distribution made by the Company pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(i) or Section 5.03(e)(iii) or a distribution made by the Company pursuant to another provision of Section 5.03 but designated as a Tax Distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(ii).
“Tax Distribution Amount” means, with respect to a Member’s Units, whichever of the following applies with respect to the applicable Tax Distribution, in each case in an amount not less than zero:
(i)     With respect to a Tax Distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(i), the excess, if any, of (A) such Member’s required annualized income installment for such estimated payment date under Section 6655(e) of the Code, assuming that (w) such Member is a corporation (which assumption, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not affect the determination of the Tax Rate), (x) Section 6655(e)(2)(C)(ii) of the Code is in effect, (y) such Member’s only income is from the Company, and (z) the Tax Rate applies, which amount shall be calculated based on the projections believed by the Managing Member in good faith to be reasonable projections of the net taxable income to be allocated to such Units pursuant to this Agreement and without regard to any adjustments pursuant to Section 704(c) (with respect to Property contributed to the Company), 734, 743, or 754 of the Code over (B) the aggregate amount of Tax Distributions designated by the Company pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(ii) with respect to such Units since the date of the previous Tax Distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(i) (or if no such Tax Distribution was required to be made, the date such Tax Distribution would have been made pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(i)).
(ii)    With respect to the designation of an amount as a Tax Distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(ii), the product of (x) the net taxable income, determined without regard to any adjustments pursuant to Section 704(c) (with respect to Property contributed to the Company), 734, 743, or 754 of the Code, projected in the good faith belief of the Managing Member to be allocated to such Units pursuant to this Agreement during the period since the date of the previous Tax Distribution (or, if more recent, the date that the previous Tax Distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(e)(i) would have been made or, in the case of the first distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(b), the date of this Agreement), and (y) the Tax Rate.
(iii)    With respect to an entire Fiscal Year to be calculated for purposes of Section 5.03(e)(iii), the excess, if any, of (A) the product of (x) the net taxable income, determined without regard to any adjustments pursuant to Section 704(c) (with respect to
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Property contributed to the Company), 734, 743, or 754 of the Code, allocated to such Units pursuant to this Agreement for the relevant Fiscal Year, and (y) the Tax Rate, over (B) the aggregate amount of Tax Distributions (other than Tax Distributions under Section 5.03(e)(iii) with respect to a prior Fiscal Year) with respect to such Units made with respect to such Fiscal Year.
For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the Tax Distribution Amount of a Member, (a) taxable income and taxable loss allocated to a Pre-IPO Holder with respect to any period prior to the Effective Time (whether with respect to income or loss of the Company, or income or loss of a Subsidiary of the Company) shall be disregarded and not taken into account, and no Tax Distribution shall be payable to the Members with respect thereto, and (b) the taxable income allocated to such Member with respect to any period after the Effective Time shall be offset by any taxable losses (determined without regard to any adjustments pursuant to Section 704(c), 734, 743, or 754 of the Code) with respect to any period after the Effective Time previously allocated to such Units to the extent such losses have not previously offset taxable income in the determination of the Tax Distribution Amount.
“Tax Rate” means the highest marginal tax rate for an individual or corporation that is resident in the State of Texas (but, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the extent to which such individual or corporation is subject to state or local income tax in other jurisdictions in respect of the net taxable income of the Company allocated to such individual or corporation, as determined by the Company in good faith) applicable to ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, as appropriate, taking into account the holding period of any assets disposed of and the year in which the taxable net income is recognized by the Company, and taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes as applicable at the time for U.S. federal income tax purposes and any limitations thereon including pursuant to Section 68 of the Code, which Tax Rate shall be the same for all Members for any year.
“Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Pubco, the Company and each of the Non-Pubco Members.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).
“Transfer” means any sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, gift, bequest, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition or encumbrance, direct or indirect, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, and shall include all matters deemed to constitute a Transfer under Article 8. The terms “Transferred”, “Transferring”, “Transferor”, “Transferee” and “Transferable” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Treasury Regulations” mean the regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended from time to time.
“Unit Redemption Price” means the arithmetic average of the volume weighted average prices for a share of Class A Common Stock on the principal U.S.
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securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which the Class A Common Stock trades, as reported by The Wall Street Journal or its successor, for each of the three (3) consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the date of Redemption (or the date of the Call Notice, as applicable), subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock. If the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then the Unit Redemption Price shall be determined in good faith by a committee of the board of directors of Pubco composed of a majority of the directors of Pubco that do not have an interest in the LLC Units being redeemed.
“Units” means LLC Units or any other class of limited liability interests in the Company designated by the Company after the date hereof in accordance with this Agreement; provided that any type, class or series of Units shall have the designations, preferences and/or special rights set forth or referenced in this Agreement, and the membership interests of the Company represented by such type, class or series of Units shall be determined in accordance with such designations, preferences and/or special rights.
(b)    Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:
“100 Partner Safe Harbor” 8.01(c)
“Agreement” Preamble
“Call Member”
9.02
“Call Notice”
9.02
“Call Units”
9.02
“Cash Settlement”
10.01(b)
“Company” Preamble
“Confidential Information”
13.11(b)
“Contribution Notice”
10.01(b)
“Controlled Entities”
11.02(e)
“Direct Exchange”
10.03(a)
“Dispute”
14.01
“Dissolution Event”
12.01(c)
“Economic Pubco Security”
4.01(a)
“e-mail”
13.03
“Exchange” 10.01(a)
“Exchange Election Notice”
10.03(b)
“Expenses”
11.02(e)
“GAAP”
3.04(b)
“Indemnification Sources”
11.02(e)
“Indemnitee-Related Entities”
11.02(e)
“Initiating Party”
14.01
“IPO Net Proceeds” Recitals
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“IPO Unit Acquisition” Recitals
“Jointly Indemnifiable Claims”
11.02(e)(i)
“Member Parties”
13.11
“Member Schedule”
3.01(b)
“Officers”
7.05(a)
“Over-allotment Contribution”
3.02(b)
“Over-allotment Option” Recitals
“Panel”
14.01
“Prior LLC Agreement” Recitals
“Pubco” Preamble
“Pubco Offer”
10.04(a)
“Recapitalization” Recitals
“Redeemed Units”
10.01(a)
“Redeeming Member”
10.01(a)
“Redemption”
10.01(a)
“Redemption Date”
10.01(a)
“Redemption Notice”
10.01(a)
“Redemption Right”
10.01(a)
“Regulatory Allocations”
5.04(c)
“Responding Party”
14.01
“Retraction Notice”
10.01(b)
“Revaluation”
5.02(c)
“Share Settlement”
10.01(b)
“Tax Matters Representative”
6.01
“Texas Act” Recitals
“Transferor Member”
5.02(b)
“Withholding Advances”
5.06(b)
Section 1.02 Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Articles, Sections and Schedules are to Articles, Sections and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule but not otherwise defined therein, shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any statute shall be deemed to refer to such statute as amended from time to time and to any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
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References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively. References to “law”, “laws” or to a particular statute or law shall be deemed also to include any Applicable Law. As used in this Agreement, all references to “majority in interest” and phrases of similar import shall be deemed to refer to such percentage or fraction of interest based on the Relative Percentage Interests of the Members subject to such determination. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, when any approval, consent or other matter requires any action or approval of any group of Members, including any holders of any class of Units, such approval, consent or other matter shall require the approval of a majority in interest of such group of Members. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, all references to any Member shall be deemed to refer solely to such Person in its capacity as such Member and not in any other capacity.
ARTICLE 2
THE COMPANY
Section 2.01    Formation. The Company was formed when on March 19, 2018, RFB Interests, Inc., a Texas corporation, was converted from a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas to a Texas limited liability company pursuant to Sections 10.101 and 10.103 of the Texas Act. The authorized officer or representative, as an “authorized person” within the meaning of the Texas Act, shall file and record any amendments and/or restatements to the certificate of formation of the Company and such other certificates and documents (and any amendments or restatements thereof) as may be required under the laws of the State of Texas and of any other jurisdiction in which the Company may conduct business. The authorized officer or representative shall, on request, provide any Member with copies of each such document as filed and recorded. The Members hereby agree that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and, except as provided herein, the Texas Act.
Section 2.02    Name. The name of the Company shall be TWFG Holding Company, LLC; provided that the Managing Member may change the name of the Company to such other name as the Managing Member shall determine, and shall have the authority to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record such further certificates, amendments, instruments and documents, and to do all such other acts and things, as may be required by Applicable Law or as, in the reasonable judgment of the Managing Member, may be necessary or advisable to effect such change.
Section 2.03    Term. The Company shall have perpetual existence unless sooner dissolved and its affairs wound up as provided in Article 12.
Section 2.04 Registered Agent and Registered Office. The name of the registered agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of Texas shall be Richard F. Bunch III, and the address of such registered agent and the address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Texas shall be 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., Ste.
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4020, The Woodlands, Texas 77380. Such office and such agent may be changed to such place within the State of Texas and any successor registered agent, respectively, as may be determined from time to time by the Managing Member in accordance with the Texas Act.
Section 2.05    Purposes. The Company has been formed for the object and purpose of engaging, and the nature of the business to be conducted and promoted by the Company is to engage, in the Business and to carry on any other lawful act or activities for which limited liability companies may be organized under the Texas Act.
Section 2.06    Powers of the Company. The Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions necessary, appropriate or advisable to or for the furtherance of the purposes set forth in Section 2.05.
Section 2.07    Partnership Tax Status. The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes to the extent such treatment is available, and agree to take (or refrain from taking) such actions as may be necessary to receive and maintain such treatment and refrain from taking any actions inconsistent thereof.
Section 2.08    Regulation of Internal Affairs. The internal affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business shall be regulated by this Agreement, and to the extent not provided for herein, shall be determined by the Managing Member.
Section 2.09    Ownership of Property. Legal title to all Property, conveyed to, or held by the Company or its Subsidiaries shall reside in the Company or its Subsidiaries and shall be conveyed only in the name of the Company or its Subsidiaries and no Member or any other Person, individually, shall have any ownership of such Property.
Section 2.10    Subsidiaries. The Company shall cause the business and affairs of each of the Subsidiaries to be managed by the Managing Member in accordance with and in a manner consistent with this Agreement.
Section 2.11    Qualification in Other Jurisdictions. The Managing Member shall execute, deliver and file certificates (and any amendments and/or restatements thereof) necessary for the Company to qualify to do business in the jurisdictions in which the Company may wish to conduct business. In those jurisdictions in which the Company may wish to conduct business in which qualification or registration under assumed or fictitious names is required or desirable, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to be so qualified or registered in compliance with Applicable Law.
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ARTICLE 3
UNITS; MEMBERS; BOOKS AND RECORDS; REPORTS
Section 3.01    Units; Admission of Members.
(a)    Each Member’s interest in the Company, including such Member’s interest, if any, in the capital, income, gain, loss, deduction and expense of the Company and the right to vote, if any, on certain Company matters as provided in this Agreement, shall be represented by Units. The ownership by a Member of Units shall entitle such Member to allocations of profits and losses and other items and distributions of cash and other property as is set forth in Article 5. Units shall be issued in non-certificated form.
(b)    The Company shall maintain a schedule setting forth the names and the number of LLC Units owned by each Member (the “Member Schedule”), which shall be maintained by the Managing Member on behalf of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Texas Act, neither the Managing Member nor the Company shall be required to disclose an unredacted Member Schedule to any Non-Pubco Member, or any other information showing the identity of the other Non-Pubco Members or the number of LLC Units or shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock owned by another Non-Pubco Member. For each Non-Pubco Member, the Company shall provide such Member, upon request, a redacted copy of the Member Schedule revealing only such Member’s LLC Units, the total issued and outstanding LLC Units, and such Member’s Percentage Interest. When any Units or other Equity Securities of the Company are issued, repurchased, redeemed, converted or Transferred in accordance with this Agreement, the Member Schedule shall be amended by the Managing Member to reflect such issuance, repurchase, redemption or Transfer, the admission of additional or substitute Members and the resulting Percentage Interest of each Member. Following the date hereof, no Person shall be admitted as a Member and no additional Units shall be issued except as expressly provided herein.
(c)    The Managing Member may cause the Company to authorize and issue from time to time such other Units or other Equity Securities of any type, class or series and having the designations, preferences and/or special rights as may be determined by the Managing Member. Such Units or other Equity Securities may be issued pursuant to such agreements as the Managing Member shall approve, including with respect to Persons employed by or otherwise performing services for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other equity compensation agreements, options or warrants. When any such other Units or other Equity Securities are authorized and issued, the Member Schedule and this Agreement shall be amended by the Managing Member to reflect such additional issuances and resulting dilution, which shall be borne by all Members in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.
Section 3.02    Recapitalization; Pubco’s Capital Contribution; the IPO Unit Acquisition.
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(a) In order to effect the Recapitalization, the number of Original Units that were issued and outstanding and held by the Pre-IPO Holders prior to the Effective Time as set forth opposite the respective Pre-IPO Holder in Schedule A are hereby converted, as of the Effective Time, and after giving effect to such conversion and the other transactions related to the Recapitalization, into the number of Units set forth opposite the name of the respective Member on the Schedule of Members attached hereto as Schedule A (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the number of Units set forth on Schedule A shall include the effects of the IPO Unit Acquisition), and such Units are hereby issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and the holders of such Units are Members hereunder.
(b)    To the extent the underwriters in the IPO exercise the Over-Allotment Option in whole or in part, upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, Pubco will contribute a portion of the net proceeds received from the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option to the Company in exchange for newly-issued Units, and such issuance of additional Units shall be reflected on the Schedule of Members (the “Over-Allotment Contribution”). The number of Units issued in the Over-Allotment Contribution, in the aggregate, shall be equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued by Pubco in such exercise of the Over-Allotment Option. Immediately following the consummation of the IPO, Pubco shall use the IPO Net Proceeds received from the IPO to effect the IPO Unit Acquisition. For the avoidance of doubt, Pubco shall be admitted as a Member with respect to all Units it holds from time to time and designated as the Managing Member of the Company.
(c)    Pursuant to Section 8.10(b) of the Prior LLC Agreement, as of the Effective Time, all outstanding Class A Units shall be exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock at the same ratio as each Original Unit is converted into an LLC Unit as of the Effective Time as reflected on the Schedule of Members attached hereto as Schedule A, and each Member that held Class A Units prior to the Effective Time will cease to be a Member.
Section 3.03    Substitute Members and Additional Members.
(a) No Transferee of any Units or Person to whom any Units are issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be admitted as a Member hereunder or acquire any rights hereunder, including any voting rights or the right to receive distributions and allocations in respect of the Transferred or issued Units, as applicable, unless (i) such Units are Transferred or issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) such Transferee or recipient shall have executed and delivered to the Company such instruments as the Managing Member deems necessary or desirable, in its reasonable discretion, to effectuate the admission of such Transferee or recipient as a Member and to confirm the agreement of such Transferee or recipient to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement, (iii) the Managing Member shall have received the opinion of counsel, if any, required by Section 3.03(b) in connection with such Transfer and (iv) all necessary instruments reflecting such Transfer and/or admission shall have been filed in each jurisdiction in which such filling is necessary in order to qualify the company to conduct business or to preserve the limited liability of the Members. Upon complying with the immediately preceding sentence, without the need for any further action of any Person, a Transferee or recipient shall be deemed admitted to the Company as a Member. A Substitute Member shall enjoy the same rights, and be subject to the same obligations, as the Transferor; provided that such Transferor shall not be relieved of any obligation or liability hereunder arising prior to the consummation of such Transfer but shall be relieved of all future obligations with respect to the Units so Transferred. As promptly as practicable after the admission of any Person as a Member, the books and records of the Company shall be changed to reflect such admission of a Substitute Member or Additional Member. In the event of any admission of a Substitute Member or Additional Member pursuant to this Section 3.03(a), this Agreement shall be deemed amended to reflect such admission, and any formal amendment of this Agreement (including the Member Schedule) in connection therewith shall only require execution by the Company and such Substitute Member or Additional Member, as applicable, to be effective.
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(b)    As a further condition to any Transfer of all or any part of a Member’s Units, the Managing Member may, in its discretion, require a written opinion of counsel to the transferring Member reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member, obtained at the sole expense of the transferring Member, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Managing Member, as to such matters as are customary and appropriate in transactions of this type, including, without limitation (or, in the case of any Transfer made to a Permitted Transferee, limited to an opinion) to the effect that such Transfer will not result in a violation of the registration or other requirements of the Securities Act or any other federal or state securities laws. No such opinion, however, shall be required in connection with a Transfer made pursuant to Article 10 of this Agreement.
(c)    If a Member shall Transfer all (but not less than all) of its Units, the Member shall thereupon cease to be a Member of the Company.
(d)    All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Managing Member and the Company in connection with any Transfer of a Member’s Units, including any filing and recording costs and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the transferring Member. In addition, the transferring Member hereby indemnifies the Managing Member and the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Managing Member, the Company, or any of their Affiliates may become subject arising out of or based upon any false representation or warranty made by, or breach or failure to comply with any covenant or agreement of, such transferring Member or such transferee in connection with such Transfer.
(e)    In connection with any Transfer of any portion of a Member’s Units pursuant to Article 10 of this Agreement, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to take any action as may be required under Article 10 of this Agreement or requested by any party thereto to effect such Transfer promptly.
Section 3.04    Tax and Accounting Information.
(a)    Accounting Decisions and Reliance on Others. All decisions as to accounting matters, except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, shall be made by the Managing Member in accordance with Applicable Law and with accounting methods followed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In making such decisions, the Managing Member may rely upon the advice of the independent accountants of the Company.
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(b)    Records and Accounting Maintained. The books and records of the Company shall be kept, and the financial position and the results of its operations recorded, in all material respects in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time (“GAAP”). The Fiscal Year of the Company shall be used for financial reporting and for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(c)    Financial Reports.
(i)    The books and records of the Company shall be audited as of the end of each Fiscal Year by the same accounting firm that audits the books and records of Pubco (or, if such firm declines to perform such audit, by an accounting firm selected by the Managing Member).
(ii)    In the event neither Pubco nor the Company is required to file an annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the following to Pubco and each of the Non-Pubco Members, in each case for so long as the Substantial Ownership Requirement is met:
(A)    not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Company, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related statements of operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, all in reasonable detail; and
(B)    not later than forty five (45) days or such later time as permitted under applicable securities law after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each Fiscal Year, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for such quarter and for the period commencing on the first day of the Fiscal Year and ending on the last day of such quarter.
(d)    Tax Returns.
(i)    The Company shall timely prepare or cause to be prepared by an accounting firm selected by the Managing Member all U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns (including information returns) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which may be required by a jurisdiction in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or conduct business for each year or period for which such returns are required to be filed and shall cause such returns to be timely filed. Upon request of any Member, the Company shall furnish to such Member a copy of each such tax return; and
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(ii) The Company shall furnish to each Member (A) as soon as reasonably practical after the end of each Fiscal Year and in any event by August 1, all information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries required for the preparation of tax returns of such Members (or any beneficial owner(s) of such Member), including a report (including Schedule K-1), indicating each Member’s share of the Company’s taxable income, gain, credits, losses and deductions for such year, in sufficient detail to enable such Member to prepare its federal, state and other tax returns; provided that estimates of such information believed by the Managing Member in good faith to be reasonable shall be provided by April 1, (B) as soon as reasonably possible after the close of the relevant fiscal period, but in no event later than ten (10) days prior to the date an estimated tax payment is due, such information concerning the Company as is required to enable such Member (or any beneficial owner of such Member) to pay estimated taxes and (C) as soon as reasonably possible after a request by such Member, such other information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries that is reasonably requested by such Member for compliance with its tax obligations (or the tax obligations of any beneficial owner(s) of such Member) or for tax planning purposes.
(e)    Inconsistent Positions. No Member shall take a position on its income tax return with respect to any item of Company income, gain, deduction, loss or credit that is different from the position taken on the Company’s income tax return with respect to such item unless such Member notifies the Company of the different position the Member desires to take and the Company’s regular tax advisors, after consulting with the Member, are unable to provide an opinion that (after taking into account all of the relevant facts and circumstances) the arguments in favor of the Company’s position outweigh the arguments in favor of the Member’s position.
Section 3.05    Books and Records. The Company shall keep full and accurate books of account and other records of the Company at its principal place of business. For so long as the Substantial Ownership Requirement is met, each Non-Pubco Member shall have the right to inspect the books and records of Pubco, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that (i) such inspection shall be at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, but not more frequently than once per calendar quarter and (ii) neither Pubco, the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to disclose (x) any information the Managing Member determines to be competitively sensitive, (y) any privileged information of Pubco, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries so long as the Company has used commercially reasonable efforts to enter into an arrangement pursuant to which it may provide such information to the Non-Pubco Members, as the case may be, without the loss of any such privilege, or (z) the Member Schedule or related information described in Section 3.01(b).
ARTICLE 4
PUBCO OWNERSHIP; RESTRICTIONS ON PUBCO STOCK
Section 4.01    Pubco Ownership.
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(a) Except as otherwise determined by Pubco, if at any time Pubco issues a share of Class A Common Stock or any other Equity Security of Pubco entitled to any economic rights (including in the IPO) (an “Economic Pubco Security”) with regard thereto (other than Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or other Equity Security of Pubco not entitled to any economic rights with respect thereto), (i) the Company shall issue to Pubco one LLC Unit (if Pubco issues a share of Class A Common Stock) or such other Equity Security of the Company (if Pubco issues an Economic Pubco Security other than Class A Common Stock) corresponding to the Economic Pubco Security, and with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Economic Pubco Security and (ii) the net proceeds received by Pubco with respect to the corresponding Economic Pubco Security, if any, shall be concurrently contributed to the Company; provided, however, that if Pubco issues any Economic Pubco Securities, some or all of the net proceeds of which are to be used to fund expenses or other obligations of Pubco for which Pubco would be permitted a distribution pursuant to Section 5.03(c), then Pubco shall not be required to transfer such net proceeds to the Company which are used or will be used to fund such expenses or obligations and provided, further, that if Pubco issues any shares of Class A Common Stock (including in the IPO) in order to purchase or fund the purchase from a Non-Pubco Member of a number of LLC Units or to purchase or fund the purchase of shares of Class A Common Stock, in each case equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued, then the Company shall not issue any new LLC Units in connection therewith and Pubco shall not be required to transfer such net proceeds to the Company (it being understood that such net proceeds shall instead be transferred to such Non-Pubco Member or transferor of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, as consideration for such purchase).
(b)    For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 4 shall apply to the issuance and distribution to holders of shares of Pubco Common Stock of rights to purchase Equity Securities of Pubco under a “poison pill” or similar shareholders rights plan (it also being understood that upon redemption or exchange of LLC Units (including any such right to purchase LLC Units in the Company) for shares of Class A Common Stock, such Class A Common Stock will be issued together with a corresponding right to purchase Equity Securities of Pubco).
(c)    If at any time Pubco issues one or more shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with an equity incentive program, whether such share or shares are issued upon exercise of an option, settlement of a restricted stock unit, as restricted stock or otherwise, the Company shall issue to Pubco a corresponding number of LLC Units; provided that Pubco shall be required to concurrently contribute the net proceeds (if any) received by Pubco from or otherwise in connection with such corresponding issuance of one or more shares of Class A Common Stock, including the exercise price of any option exercised, to the Company. If any such shares of Class A Common Stock so issued by Pubco in connection with an equity incentive program are subject to vesting or forfeiture provisions, then the LLC Units that are issued by the Company to Pubco in connection therewith in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall be subject to vesting or forfeiture on the same basis; if any of such shares of Class A Common Stock vest or are forfeited, then a corresponding number of the LLC Units issued by the Company in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall automatically vest or be forfeited, as applicable. Any cash or property held by either Pubco or the Company or on either’s behalf in respect of dividends paid on restricted Class A Common Stock that fails to vest shall be returned to the Company upon the forfeiture of such restricted Class A Common Stock.
Section 4.02    Restrictions on Pubco Common Stock.
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(a) Except as otherwise determined by the Managing Member in accordance with Section 4.02(e)(i), (i) the Company may not issue any additional LLC Units to Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously therewith Pubco or such Subsidiary issues or sells an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock to another Person, (ii) the Company may not issue any additional LLC Units to any Person (other than Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries) unless simultaneously therewith Pubco issues or sells an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock to such Person and (iii) the Company may not issue any other Equity Securities of the Company to Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously therewith, Pubco or such Subsidiary issues or sells, to another Person, an equal number of shares of a new class or series of Equity Securities of Pubco or such Subsidiary with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of the Company.
(b)    Except as otherwise determined by the Managing Member in accordance with Section 4.02(e)(i), (i) Pubco and its Subsidiaries may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of Class A Common Stock unless substantially simultaneously therewith the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries an equal number of LLC Units for the same price per security and (ii) Pubco and its Subsidiaries may not redeem or repurchase any other Equity Securities of Pubco unless substantially simultaneously therewith the Company redeems or repurchases from Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries an equal number of Equity Securities of the Company of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) or other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of Pubco for the same price per security. Except as otherwise determined by the Managing Member in accordance with Section 4.02(e), (x) the Company may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire LLC Units from Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously Pubco or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires an equal number of Class A Common Stock for the same price per security from holders thereof and (y) the Company may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any other Equity Securities of the Company from Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries unless substantially simultaneously Pubco or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires for the same price per security an equal number of Equity Securities of Pubco of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including dividends and distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of Pubco. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, to the extent that any consideration payable to Pubco in connection with the redemption or repurchase of any shares or other Equity Securities of Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries consists (in whole or in part) of shares or such other Equity Securities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the cashless exercise of an option or warrant), then redemption or repurchase of the corresponding LLC Units or other Equity Securities of the Company shall be effectuated in an equivalent manner.
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(c) The Company, the Managing Member and Pubco shall not undertake any subdivision (by any LLC Unit split, stock split, LLC Unit distribution, stock distribution, reclassification, division, recapitalization or similar event) or combination (by reverse LLC Unit split, reverse stock split, reclassification, division, recapitalization or similar event) of the LLC Units or the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or LLC Units respectively, to maintain at all times (i) a one-to-one ratio between the number of LLC Units owned, directly or indirectly, by Pubco and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and (ii) a one-to-one ratio between the number of LLC Units owned by Members (other than Pubco) and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, in each case, unless such action is necessary to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between each of (x) the number of LLC Units owned, directly or indirectly, by Pubco and the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and (y) the number of LLC Units owned by Members (other than Pubco) and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock.
(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, except to the extent described in Section 4.02(a)-(c), from time to time at its sole discretion, (i) Pubco may make loans to the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (ii) Pubco may contribute property (including cash and/or the loans described in the foregoing clause (i)) to the Company. Upon each contribution described in the foregoing clause (ii), and after giving proper effect to all related transactions, the Company shall (x) issue to Pubco such number of LLC Units or Equity Securities of the Company as necessary to maintain the economic parity between one share of Class A Common Stock and one LLC Unit and (y) cancel such number of LLC Units or Equity Securities of the Company held by Members other than Pubco on a pro rata basis (based on the number of LLC Units held by each such Member) as necessary to maintain the economic parity between one share of Class A Common Stock and one LLC Unit.
(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 4:
(i)    if at any time the Managing Member shall determine that any debt instrument of Pubco, the Company or its Subsidiaries shall not permit Pubco or the Company to comply with the provisions of Section 4.02(a) or Section 4.02(b) in connection with the issuance, redemption or repurchase of any shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries or any Units or other Equity Securities of the Company, then the Managing Member may in good faith implement an economically equivalent alternative arrangement without complying with such provisions; provided that, in the case that any such alternative arrangement is implemented because of restrictions in any debt instrument, such arrangement shall also be subject to the prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) of the Non-Pubco Members, in each case for so long as the Substantial Ownership Requirement is met; and
(ii)    if (x) Pubco incurs any indebtedness and desires to transfer the proceeds of such indebtedness to the Company and (y) Pubco is unable to lend the proceeds of such indebtedness to the Company on an equivalent basis because of restrictions in any debt instrument of Pubco, the Company or its Subsidiaries, then notwithstanding Section 4.02(a) or Section 4.02(b), the Managing Member may in good faith implement an economically equivalent alternative arrangement in connection with the transfer of proceeds to the Company using non-participating preferred Equity Securities of the Company without complying with such provisions; provided that, in the case that any such alternative arrangement is implemented
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because of restrictions in any debt instrument, such arrangement shall also be subject to the prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) of the Non-Pubco Members, in each case for so long as the Substantial Ownership Requirement is met.
ARTICLE 5
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS;
DISTRIBUTIONS; ALLOCATIONS
Section 5.01    Capital Contributions.
(a)    From and after the date hereof, no Member shall have any obligation to the Company, to any other Member or to any creditor of the Company to make any further Capital Contribution, except as expressly provided in Section 4.01(a), Section 4.01(c) or Section 10.02.
(b)    Except as expressly provided herein, no Member, in its capacity as a Member, shall have the right to receive any cash or any other property of the Company.
Section 5.02    Capital Accounts.
(a)    Maintenance of Capital Accounts. The Company shall maintain a Capital Account for each Member on the books of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and, to the extent consistent with such provisions, the following provisions:
(i)    Each Member listed on the Member Schedule shall be credited with the Effective Time Capital Account Balance set forth on the Member Schedule. The Member Schedule shall be amended by the Managing Member after the closing of the IPO and from time to time to reflect adjustments to the Members’ Capital Accounts made in accordance with Sections 5.02(a)(ii), 5.02(a)(iii), 5.02(a)(iv), 5.02(c) or otherwise.
(ii)    To each Member’s Capital Account there shall be credited: (A) such Member’s Capital Contributions, (B) such Member’s distributive share of Net Income and any item in the nature of income or gain that is allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 and (C) the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member or that are secured by any Property distributed to such Member.
(iii)    From each Member’s Capital Account there shall be debited: (A) the amount of money and the Carrying Value of any Property distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, (B) such Member’s distributive share of Net Loss and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 5.04 and (C) the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or that are secured by any Property contributed by such Member to the Company.
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(iv)    In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) above there shall be taken into account Section 752(c) of the Code and any other applicable provisions of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.
The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. In the event that the Managing Member shall reasonably determine that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts or any debits or credits thereto are maintained (including debits or credits relating to liabilities that are secured by contributed or distributed Property or that are assumed by the Company or the Members), the Managing Member may make such modification so long as such modification will not have any effect on the amounts distributed to any Person pursuant to Article 12 upon the dissolution of the Company. The Managing Member also shall (i) make any adjustments that are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).
(b)    Succession to Capital Accounts. In the event any Person becomes a Substitute Member in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, such Substitute Member shall succeed to the Capital Account of the former Member (the “Transferor Member”) to the extent such Capital Account relates to the Transferred Units.
(c)    Adjustments of Capital Accounts. The Company shall revalue the Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) (a “Revaluation”) at the following times: (i) immediately prior to the contribution of more than a de minimis amount of money or other property to the Company by a new or existing Member as consideration for one or more Units; (ii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property in respect of one or more Units; (iii) the issuance by the Company of more than a de minimis amount of Units as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company (as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(5)(iii)); and (iv) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be made only if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interest of the Members.
(d)    No Member shall be entitled to withdraw capital or receive distributions except as specifically provided herein. A Member shall have no obligation to the Company, to any other Member or to any creditor of the Company to restore any negative balance in the Capital Account of such Member. Except as expressly provided elsewhere herein, no interest shall be paid on the balance in any Member’s Capital Account.
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(e)    Whenever it is necessary for purposes of this Agreement to determine a Member’s Capital Account on a per Unit basis, such amount shall be determined by dividing the Capital Account of such Member attributable to the applicable class of Units held of record by such Member by the number of Units of such class held of record by such Member.
(f)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.02, it is intended that each Member’s Capital Account per Unit be equal to each of the other Members’ Capital Account per Unit. If at any time there is a difference between a Member’s Capital Account per Unit and the other Members’ Capital Accounts per Unit, the Company shall make appropriate adjustments with respect to the Members’ Capital Accounts to eliminate or minimize such difference.
Section 5.03    Amounts and Priority of Distributions.
(a)    Distributions Generally. Except as otherwise provided in Section 12.02, distributions shall be made to the Members as set forth in this Section 5.03, at such times and in such amounts as the Managing Member, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
(b)    Distributions to the Members. Subject to Sections 5.03(e), and 5.03(f), to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and consistent with the Company’s obligations to its creditors as reasonably determined by the Managing Member, at such times and in such amounts as the Managing Member, in its sole discretion, shall determine, distributions shall be made to the Members in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.
(c)    Pubco Distributions. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.03(b), the Managing Member, in its sole discretion, may authorize that cash be paid to Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries (which payment shall be made without pro rata distributions to the other Members) in exchange for the redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of Units held by Pubco or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that such cash payment is used to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.02(b).
(d)    Distributions in Kind. Any distributions in kind shall be made at such times and in such amounts as the Managing Member, in its sole discretion, shall determine based on their fair market value as determined by the Managing Member in the same proportions as if distributed in accordance with Section 5.03(b), with all Members participating in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests. If cash and property are to be distributed in kind simultaneously, the Company shall distribute such cash and property in kind in the same proportion to each Member.
(e)    Tax Distributions.
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(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.03 to the contrary, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and consistent with the Company’s obligations to its creditors as reasonably determined by the Managing Member, the Company shall make cash distributions by wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to this Section 5.03(e)(i) to each Member with respect to its Units at least two (2) Business Days prior to the date on which any U.S. federal corporate estimated tax payments are due, in an amount equal to such Member’s Tax Distribution Amount, if any; provided that the Managing Member shall have no liability to any Member in connection with any underpayment of estimated taxes, so long as cash distributions are made in accordance with this Section 5.03(e)(i) and the Tax Distribution Amounts are determined as provided in paragraph (i) of the definition of Tax Distribution Amount
(ii)    On any date that the Company makes a distribution to the Members with respect to their Units under a provision of Section 5.03 other than this Section 5.03(e), if the Tax Distribution Amount is greater than zero, the Company shall designate all or a portion of such distribution as a Tax Distribution with respect to a Member’s Units to the extent of the Tax Distribution Amount with respect to such Member’s Units as of such date (but not to exceed the amount of such distribution). For the avoidance of doubt, such designation shall be performed with respect to all Members with respect to which there is a Tax Distribution Amount as of such date.
(iii)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.03 to the contrary, if the Tax Distribution Amount for such Fiscal Year is greater than zero, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and consistent with the Company’s obligations to its creditors as reasonably determined by the Managing Member, the Company shall make additional distributions under this Section 5.03(e)(iii) to the extent of such Tax Distribution Amount for such Fiscal Year as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of such Fiscal Year (or as soon as reasonably practicable after any event that subsequently adjusts the taxable income of such Fiscal Year).
(iv)    Under no circumstances shall Tax Distributions reduce the amount otherwise distributable to any Member pursuant to this Section 5.03 (other than this Section 5.03(e)) after taking into account the effect of Tax Distributions on the amount of cash or other assets available for distribution by the Company.
(v)    For the avoidance of doubt, Tax Distributions shall be made to all Members on a pro rata basis in accordance with their Percentage Interests, notwithstanding the differing amount of tax liabilities of such Members.
(f)    Assignment. Each Member and its Permitted Transferees shall have the right to assign to any Transferee of LLC Units, pursuant to a Transfer made in compliance with this Agreement, the right to receive any portion of the amounts distributable or otherwise payable to such Member pursuant to Section 5.03(b).
Section 5.04    Allocations.
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(a) Net Income and Net Loss. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, and after giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 5.04(b), Section 5.04(c) and Section 5.04(d), Net Income and Net Loss (and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit) of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in a manner such that the Capital Account of each Member, immediately after making such allocation, is, as nearly as possible, equal to (i) the distributions that would be made to such Member pursuant to Section 5.03(b) if the Company were dissolved, its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Carrying Value, all Company liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Carrying Value of the assets securing such liability), and the net assets of the Company were distributed, in accordance with Section 5.03(b), to the Members immediately after making such allocation, minus (ii) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets.
(b)    Special Allocations. The following special allocations shall be made in the following order:
(i)    Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 5, if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 5.04(b)(i) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(ii)    Member Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 5, if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt during any Fiscal Year, each Member who has a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 5.04(b)(ii) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
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(iii) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) or Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Company income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of the Member as promptly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.04(b)(iii) shall be made only if and to the extent that the Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Article 5 have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.04(b)(iii) were not in the Agreement.
(iv)    Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Members in a manner determined by the Managing Member consistent with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b) and 1.704-2(c).
(v)    Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(j)(1).
(vi)    Section 754 Adjustments. (A) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company or as a result of a Transfer of a Member’s interest in the Company, as the case may be, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of such asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of such asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Loss. (B) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to a Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to such Members in accordance with their interests in the Company in the event Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Member to whom such distribution was made in the event Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.
(c) Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in Section 5.04(b)(i) through Section 5.04(b)(iv) and Section 5.04(d) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations. It is the intent of the Members that, to the extent possible, all Regulatory Allocations shall be offset either with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction pursuant to this Section 5.04(c). Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 5 (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Managing Member shall make such offsetting special allocations of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction in whatever manner it determines appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made, each Member’s Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the Capital Account balance such Member would have had if the Regulatory Allocations were not part of the Agreement and all Company items were allocated pursuant to Section 5.04.
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(d)    Loss Limitation. Net Loss (or individual items of loss or deduction) allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 hereof shall not exceed the maximum amount of Net Loss (or individual items of loss or deduction) that can be allocated without causing any Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit at the end of any Fiscal Year. In the event some but not all of the Members would have Adjusted Capital Account Deficits as a consequence of an allocation of Net Loss (or individual items of loss or deduction) pursuant to Section 5.04 hereof, the limitation set forth in this Section 5.04(d) shall be applied on a Member by Member basis and Net Loss (or individual items of loss or deduction) not allocable to any Member as a result of such limitation shall be allocated to the other Members in accordance with the positive balances in such Member’s Capital Accounts so as to allocate the maximum permissible Net Loss to each Member under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d). Any reallocation of Net Loss pursuant to this (d) shall be subject to chargeback pursuant to the curative allocation provision of Section 5.04(c).
Section 5.05    Other Allocation Rules.
(a)    Interim Allocations Due to Percentage Adjustment. If a Percentage Interest is the subject of a Transfer or the Members’ interests in the Company change pursuant to the terms of the Agreement during any Fiscal Year, the amount of Net Income and Net Loss (or items thereof) to be allocated to the Members for such entire Fiscal Year shall be allocated to the portion of such Fiscal Year which precedes the date of such Transfer or change (and if there shall have been a prior Transfer or change in such Fiscal Year, which commences on the date of such prior Transfer or change) and to the portion of such Fiscal Year which occurs on and after the date of such Transfer or change (and if there shall be a subsequent Transfer or change in such Fiscal Year, which precedes the date of such subsequent Transfer or change), in accordance with an interim closing of the books, and the amounts of the items so allocated to each such portion shall be credited or charged to the Members in accordance with Section 5.04 as in effect during each such portion of the Fiscal Year in question. Such allocation shall be in accordance with Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and made without regard to the date, amount or receipt of any distributions that may have been made with respect to the transferred Percentage Interest to the extent consistent with Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. As of the date of such Transfer, the Transferee Member shall succeed to the Capital Account of the Transferor Member with respect to the transferred Units.
(b)    Tax Allocations: Section 704(c) of the Code. In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to any Property contributed to the capital of the Company and with respect to reverse Section 704(c) of the Code allocations described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(a)(6) shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such Property to the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its initial Carrying Value or its Carrying Value determined
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pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) (computed in accordance with the definition of Carrying Value) using the traditional allocation method without curative allocations under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b). Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by the Managing Member in any manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and intention of this Agreement. Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.04(b), Section 704(c) of the Code (and the principles thereof), and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i) are solely for purposes of federal, state, and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Net Income, Net Loss, other items, or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement (except for, in the case of reverse Section 704(c) of the Code allocations, Tax Distributions).
Section 5.06    Tax Withholding; Withholding Advances.
(a)     Tax Withholding.
(i)    If requested by the Managing Member, each Member shall, if able to do so, deliver to the Managing Member: (A) an affidavit in form satisfactory to the Company that the applicable Member (or its partners, as the case may be) is not subject to withholding under the provisions of any U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other law; (B) any certificate that the Company may reasonably request with respect to any such laws; and/or (C) any other form or instrument reasonably requested by the Company relating to any Member’s status under such law. In the event that a Member fails or is unable to deliver to the Company an affidavit described in subclause (A) of this clause (i), the Company may withhold amounts from such Member in accordance with Section 5.06(b).
(ii)    After receipt of a written request of any Member, the Company shall provide such information to such Member and take such other action as may be reasonably necessary to assist such Member in making any necessary filings, applications or elections to obtain any available exemption from, or any available refund of, any withholding imposed by any non-U.S. taxing authority with respect to amounts distributable or items of income allocable to such Member hereunder to the extent not adverse to the Company or any Member. In addition, the Company shall, at the request of any Member, make or cause to be made (or cause the Company to make) any such filings, applications or elections; provided that any such requesting Member shall cooperate with the Company, with respect to any such filing, application or election to the extent reasonably determined by the Company and that any filing fees, taxes or other out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred and related thereto shall be paid and borne by such requesting Member or, if there is more than one requesting Member, by such requesting Members in accordance with their Relative Percentage Interests.
(b)    Withholding Advances. To the extent the Company is required by Applicable Law to withhold or to make tax payments on behalf of or with respect to any Member (including backup withholding and any tax payment made by the Company pursuant to Section 6225 of the Code that is attributable to such Member) (“Withholding Advances”), the Company may withhold such amounts and make such tax payments as so required.
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(c)    Repayment of Withholding Advances. All Withholding Advances made on behalf of a Member, plus interest thereon at a rate equal to the Prime Rate as of the date of such Withholding Advances plus two percent (2.0%) per annum, shall (i) be paid on demand by the Member on whose behalf such Withholding Advances were made (it being understood that no such payment shall increase such Member’s Capital Account), or (ii) with the consent of the Managing Member and the affected Member be repaid by reducing the amount of the current or next succeeding distribution or distributions that would otherwise have been made to such Member or, if such distributions are not sufficient for that purpose, by so reducing the proceeds of liquidation otherwise payable to such Member. Whenever repayment of a Withholding Advance by a Member is made as described in clause (ii) of this Section 5.06(c), for all other purposes of this Agreement such Member shall be treated as having received all distributions (whether before or upon any Dissolution Event) unreduced by the amount of such Withholding Advance and interest thereon.
(d)    Withholding Advances — Reimbursement of Liabilities. Each Member hereby agrees to reimburse the Company for any liability with respect to Withholding Advances (including interest thereon) required or made on behalf of or with respect to such Member (including penalties imposed with respect thereto). The obligation of a Member to reimburse the Company for taxes pursuant to this Section 5.06 shall continue after such Member Transfers its LLC Units with respect to all payments or allocations to such Member were made prior to the date of such Transfer.
ARTICLE 6
CERTAIN TAX MATTERS
Section 6.01    Tax Matters Representative. Pubco is hereby appointed the “tax matters partner” or the “partnership representative,” as the case may be (in each case, the “Tax Matters Representative”), of the Company under Section 6231 of the Code prior to the enactment of U.S. Public Law 114-74 or Section 6223 of the Code, as applicable. The Company authorizes the Tax Matters Representative (acting in its capacity as “partnership representative”) to appoint a “designated individual” (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 301.6223-1(b)(3)) to act on behalf of the Tax Matters Representative in such capacity. The Company shall not be obligated to pay any fees or other compensation to the Tax Matters Representative in its capacity as such, but the Company shall reimburse the Tax Matters Representative for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including attorneys’ and other professional fees) incurred by it in its capacity as Tax Matters Representative. The Company shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Tax Matters Representative against any and all liabilities sustained or incurred as a result of any act or decision concerning Company tax matters and within the scope of such Member’s responsibilities as Tax Matters Representative, so long as such act or decision was done or made in good faith and does not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Members acknowledge that the Company shall make the election described in Section 6226 of the Code, unless the Tax Matter Representative determines not to make such election in its sole discretion.
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Section 6.02    Section 754 Elections. The Company has previously made or shall make, and shall cause any Subsidiary of the Company that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to make, a timely election under Section 754 of the Code (and a corresponding election under state and local law) effective starting with the taxable year ended December 31, 2023, and the Managing Member shall not take any action to revoke such elections.
Section 6.03    Debt Allocation. Indebtedness of the Company treated as “excess nonrecourse liabilities” (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3)) shall be allocated among the Members based on their Percentage Interests.
ARTICLE 7
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
Section 7.01    Management by the Managing Member. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement, the Managing Member shall be deemed to be a “manager” for purposes of applying the Texas Act. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Texas Act, the day-to-day business and affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be managed, operated and controlled by the Managing Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and no other Member shall have management authority or rights over the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Managing Member is, to the extent of its rights and powers set forth in this Agreement, an agent of the Company for the purpose of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, and the actions of the Managing Member taken in accordance with such rights and powers, shall bind the Company (and no other Members shall have such right). Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Managing Member shall have all necessary powers to carry out the purposes, business, and objectives of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Managing Member shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other Persons the Managing Member’s rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, including to delegate to agents and employees of a Member or the Company (including any officers or Subsidiary thereof), and to delegate by a management agreement or another agreement with, or otherwise to, other Persons. The Managing Member may authorize any Person (including any Member or officer of the Company) to enter into and perform any document on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary.
Section 7.02    Withdrawal of the Managing Member. Pubco may withdraw as the Managing Member and appoint as its successor, at any time upon written notice to the Company, (i) any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Pubco, (ii) any Person of which Pubco is a wholly-owned Subsidiary, (iii) any Person into which Pubco is merged or consolidated or (iv) any transferee of all or substantially all of the assets of Pubco, which withdrawal and replacement shall be effective upon the delivery of such notice. No appointment of a Person other than Pubco (or its successor, as applicable) as Managing Member shall be effective unless Pubco (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Managing Member (as applicable) provide all other Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such other Members against the new Managing Member, to cause the new Managing Member to comply with all the Managing Member’s obligations under this Agreement and the Other Agreements.
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Section 7.03    Decisions by the Members.
(a)     Other than the Managing Member, the Members shall take no part in the management of the Company’s business and shall transact no business for the Company and shall have no power to act for or to bind the Company. The Managing Member shall not (i) engage in any non-Business activity or (ii) own any material assets other than Units and/or any cash or other property or assets distributed by, or otherwise received from, the Company, without the prior written consent of the Members, unless the Managing Member determines in good faith that such actions or ownership are in the best interest of the Company; provided, however, that the Company may engage any Member or principal, partner, member, shareholder or interest holder thereof as an employee, independent contractor or consultant to the Company, in which event the duties and liabilities of such individual or firm with respect to the Company as an employee, independent contractor or consultant shall be governed by the terms of such engagement with the Company.
(b)    Except as expressly provided herein, the Members shall not have the power or authority to vote, approve or consent to any matter or action taken by the Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, any proposed matter or action subject to the vote, approval or consent of the Members shall require the approval of (i) a majority in interest of the Members or such class of Members, as the case may be (by (x) resolution at a duly convened meeting of the Members, or (y) written consent of the Members). Except as expressly provided herein, all Members shall vote together as a single class on any matter subject to the vote, approval or consent of the Members. In the case of any such approval, a majority in interest of the Members may call a meeting of the Members at such time and place or by means of telephone or other communications facility that permits all persons participating in such meeting to hear and speak to each other for the purpose of a vote thereon. Notice of any such meeting shall be required, which notice shall include a brief description of the action or actions to be considered by the Members. Unless waived by any such Member in writing, notice of any such meeting shall be given to each Member at least seven (7) days prior thereto. Attendance or participation of a Member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when such Member attends or participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning thereof to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not properly called or convened. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing, setting forth the actions so taken, shall be signed by all Members that are entitled to vote on such action pursuant to this Section 7.03(b). A copy of any such consent in writing will be provided to the Members promptly thereafter.
Section 7.04 Duties. The parties acknowledge that the Managing Member will take action through its board of directors and officers, and that the members of the Managing Member’s board of directors and its officers will owe fiduciary duties to the stockholders of the Managing Member.
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The Managing Member will use all commercially reasonable and appropriate efforts and means, as determined in good faith by the Managing Member, to minimize any conflict of interest between the Members, on the one hand, and the stockholders of the Managing Member, on the other hand, and to effectuate any transaction that involves or affects any of the Company, the Managing Member, the Members and/or the stockholders of the Managing Member in a manner that does not (i) disadvantage the Members or their interests relative to the stockholders of the Managing Member, (ii) advantage the stockholders of the Managing Member relative to the Members or (iii) treat the Members and the stockholders of the Managing Member differently; provided that in the event of a conflict between the interests of the stockholders of the Managing Member and the interests of the Members other than the Managing Member, such other Members agree that the Managing Member shall discharge its fiduciary duties to such other Members by acting in the best interests of the Managing Member’s stockholders.
Section 7.05    Officers.
(a)    Appointment of Officers. The Managing Member may appoint individuals as officers (“Officers”) of the Company, which may include such officers as the Managing Member determines are necessary and appropriate. No Officer need be a Member. An individual may be appointed to more than one office. If an Officer is also an officer of the Managing Member, then Section 7.04 shall apply to such Officer in the same manner as it applies to the Managing Member.
(b)    Authority of Officers. The Officers shall have the duties, rights, powers and authority as may be prescribed by the Managing Member from time to time.
(c)    Removal, Resignation and Filling of Vacancy of Officers. The Managing Member may remove any Officer, for any reason or for no reason, at any time. Any Officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Company, and such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or any later time specified in that notice; provided that, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any such resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Company or such Officer under this Agreement. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal or otherwise shall be filled by the Managing Member.
ARTICLE 8
TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS
Section 8.01    Restrictions on Transfers.
(a) Except as expressly permitted by Section 8.02, and subject to Section 8.01(b), Section 8.01(c), Section 8.01(d), Section 8.01(e), and any underwriter lock-up agreement applicable to such Member and/or any other agreement between such Member and the Company, Pubco or any of their controlled Affiliates, without the prior written approval of the Managing Member, no Member shall directly or indirectly Transfer all or any part of its Units or any right or economic interest pertaining thereto, including the right to vote or consent on any matter or to receive or have any economic interest in distributions or advances from the Company pursuant thereto, to any Person that is not a Permitted Transferee. Any such Transfer which is not in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed a Transfer by such Member of Units in violation of this Agreement (and a breach of this Agreement by such Member) and shall be null and void ab initio. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 8, (i) Section 10.03 of this Agreement shall govern the exchange of LLC Units for shares of Class A Common Stock, and an exchange pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 10.03 of this Agreement shall not be considered a “Transfer” for purposes of this Agreement, and (ii) any other Transfer of shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be considered a “Transfer” for purposes of this Agreement.
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(b)    Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, it shall be a condition precedent to any Transfer otherwise permitted or approved pursuant to this Article 8 that:
(i)    the Transferor shall have provided to the Company prior notice of such Transfer; and
(ii)    the Transfer shall comply with all Applicable Laws and the Managing Member shall be reasonably satisfied that such Transfer will not result in a violation of the Securities Act.
(c)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Member shall directly or indirectly Transfer all or any part of its Units or any right or economic interest pertaining thereto if such Transfer (i) would result in the Company failing to satisfy the “safe harbor” requirements under Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (the “100 Partner Safe Harbor”) or (ii) in the reasonable discretion of the Managing Member, would cause the Company to be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” as that term is defined in Section 7704 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d)    Any Transfer of Units pursuant to this Agreement, including this Article 8, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 3.01 and Section 3.03.
(e)    If there is a Transfer of Units to Permitted Transferees pursuant to this Agreement, the Units held by each such Permitted Transferee shall be included in calculating the Substantial Ownership Requirement.
Section 8.02    Certain Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein but subject to Section 8.01(b) and Section 8.01(c), the following Transfers shall be permitted:
(a)    Any Transfer by any Member of its Units pursuant to a Disposition Event (as such term is defined in the certificate of incorporation of Pubco);
(b)    Any grant of a bona fide security interest in, or a bona fide pledge of, Units to any financial institution that is approved by the Managing Member as collateral to secure indebtedness and any Transfer pursuant to the enforcement of such collateral;
(c) At any time, any Transfer by any Member of Units to any Transferee approved in writing by the Managing Member (not to be unreasonably withheld), it being understood that it shall be reasonable for the Managing Member to withhold such consent if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such Transfer would materially increase the risk that the Company would be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” as that term is defined in Section 7704 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder; and
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(d)    The Transfer of all or any portion of a Member’s Units to a Permitted Transferee of such Member.
Section 8.03    Distributions. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Member Transfers all or any portion of its Units after the designation of a record date and declaration of a distribution pursuant to Article 5 and before the payment date of such distribution, the transferring Member (and not the Person acquiring all or any portion of its LLC Units) shall be entitled to receive such distribution in respect of such transferred LLC Units.
Section 8.04    Registration of Transfers. When any Units are Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall cause such Transfer to be registered on the books of the Company.
ARTICLE 9
CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS
Section 9.01    Non-Disparagement. Each Restricted Person agrees for the benefit of the Company and Pubco that:
(a)    The Restricted Person shall not take, and the Restricted Person shall take reasonable steps to cause its Affiliates not to take, any action or make any public statement, whether or not in writing, that disparages or denigrates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Company Parties”) or their respective directors, officers, employees, members, representatives and agents.
(b) Each Restricted Person agrees that (i) the agreements and covenants contained in this Section 9.01 are reasonable in scope and duration, an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Other Agreements, and necessary to protect and preserve the Members’ and Company Parties’ legitimate business interests and to prevent any unfair advantage conferred on such Restricted Person taking into account and in specific consideration of the undertakings and obligations of the parties under the Agreement and the Other Agreements, (ii) but for each Restricted Person’s agreement to be bound by the agreements and covenants contained under this Section 9.01, the Members and the Company Parties would not have entered into or consummated those transactions contemplated in the Agreement and the Other Agreements and (iii) that irreparable harm would result to the Members and the Company Parties as a result of a violation or breach (or potential violation or breach) by such Restricted Person (or its Affiliates) of this Section 9.01. In addition, each Member agrees that Pubco and the Company shall have the right to specifically enforce the provisions of this Section 9.01 in any state or federal court located in any jurisdiction deemed necessary by Pubco or the Company to enforce such covenants, in addition to any other remedy to which such parties are entitled at law or in equity. If a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority determines that any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Section 9.01 is invalid or unenforceable, then the parties hereto agree that the court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority will have the power to modify this Section 9.01 (including by reducing the scope, duration or geographic area of the term or provision, deleting specific words or phrases or replacing any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision) so as to effect the original intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision. To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that any proceeding is brought under or in connection with this Section 9.01, the prevailing party in such proceeding (whether at final or on appeal) shall be entitled to recover from the other party all costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incident to any such proceeding. The term “prevailing party” as used herein means the party in whose favor the final judgment or award is entered in any such proceeding.
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(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 9.01 is in addition to, and does not supplant, supersede, modify or limit in any manner, any other non-competition, non-solicitation, non-piracy or other similar obligations imposed on a Restricted Person, whether imposed by law (including the Restricted Person’s fiduciary duties to the Company) or by contract (including contracts entered into prior to or concurrently with the Restricted Person’s execution of this Agreement).
Section 9.04    Company Call Right.
(a)    In connection with any Involuntary Transfer by any Non-Pubco Member, the Company or the Managing Member may, in the Managing Member’s sole discretion, elect to purchase from such Member and/or such Transferee(s) in such Involuntary Transfer (each, a “Call Member”) any or all of the Units so Transferred (“Call Units”), at any time by delivery of a written notice (a “Call Notice”) to such Call Member. The Call Notice shall set forth the Unit Redemption Price and the proposed closing date of such purchase of such Call Units; provided that such closing date shall occur within ninety (90) days following the date of such Call Notice. At the closing of any such sale, in exchange for the payment by the Company or the Managing Member to such Call Members of the Unit Redemption Price in cash, (i) each Call Member shall deliver its Call Units, duly endorsed, or accompanied by written instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Managing Member, as applicable, duly executed by such Call Member and accompanied by all requisite transfer taxes, if any, (ii) such Call Units shall be free and clear of any Liens and (iii) each Call Member shall so represent and warrant and further represent and warrant that it is the sole beneficial and record owner of such Call Units. Following such closing, any such Call Member shall no longer be entitled to any rights in respect of its Call Units, including any distributions of the Company or Pubco thereupon (other than the payment of the Unit Redemption Price at such closing), and, to the extent any such Call Member does not hold any Units thereafter, shall thereupon cease to be a Member of the Company and, to the extent any such Call Member does not hold any shares of Pubco Common Stock thereafter, shall thereupon cease to be a stockholder of Pubco.
Section 9.03 Preemptive Rights.
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No Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to (a) additional Capital Contributions; (b) issuances or sales by the Company of any class or series of Units, whether unissued or hereafter created; (c) issuances of any obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for, or carrying or accompanied by any rights to receive, purchase or subscribe to, any Units; (d) issuances of any right of subscription to or right to receive, or any warrant or option for the purchase of, any Units; or (e) issuances or sales of any other securities that may be issued or sold by the Company.
ARTICLE 10
REDEMPTION AND EXCHANGE RIGHTS
Section 10.01    Redemption Right of a Member
(a) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Agreement but subject to the terms of Section 10.08 and any other agreement between such Member and the Company, Pubco or any of their controlled Affiliates, and without the need for approval by the Managing Member or consent by any other Members, each Member (other than the Pubco Members) shall be entitled to cause the Company to redeem (a “Redemption,” and, together with a Direct Exchange, as defined below, an “Exchange”) all or any portion of its Units (the “Redemption Right”) at any time following the expiration of any contractual lock-up period relating to the shares of Pubco that may be applicable to such Member; provided that the Managing Member may force a Member to exercise its Redemption Right at any time following the expiration of such contractual lock-up period if such Member holds fewer than ten thousand (10,000) LLC Units. A Member desiring to exercise its Redemption Right (the “Redeeming Member”) shall exercise such right by giving written notice (the “Redemption Notice”) to the Company with a copy to Pubco. The Redemption Notice shall specify the number of Units (the “Redeemed Units”) that the Redeeming Member intends to have the Company redeem and a date, not less than ten (10) Business Days nor more than thirteen (13) Business Days after delivery of such Redemption Notice (unless and to the extent that the Managing Member in its sole discretion agrees in writing to waive such time periods), on which exercise of the Redemption Right shall be completed (the “Redemption Date”); provided that the Company, Pubco and the Redeeming Member may change the number of Redeemed Units and/or the Redemption Date specified in such Redemption Notice to another number and/or date by mutual agreement signed in writing by each of them; provided further that a Redemption Notice may be conditioned by the Redeeming Member on the closing of an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed Redemption. Unless the Redeeming Member has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 10.01(b) or has revoked or delayed a Redemption as provided in Section 10.01(c), on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date) (i) the Redeeming Member shall transfer and surrender the Redeemed Units to the Company, free and clear of all Liens, and (ii) the Company shall (x) cancel the Redeemed Units, (y) transfer to the Redeeming Member the consideration to which the Redeeming Member is entitled under Section 10.01(b), and (z), if the Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 10.01(a) and the Redeemed Units. Upon the Exchange of any Redeemed Units, an equal number of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, held by the Redeeming Member shall be cancelled.
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(b)    Pubco shall have the option as provided in Section 10.02 to elect to have the Redeemed Units be redeemed in consideration for either the number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Redeemed Units (the “Share Settlement”) or the immediately available funds in U.S. dollars in an amount equal to the Redeemed Units Equivalent (the “Cash Settlement”); provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that Pubco may elect to have the Redeemed Units be redeemed in consideration for a Cash Settlement only to the extent that Pubco has cash available in an amount equal to at least the Redeemed Units Equivalent, which cash was received from any Qualifying Offering. Pubco shall give written notice (the “Contribution Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Redeeming Member) of such election on the earlier of (i) three (3) Business Days of receiving the Redemption Notice and (ii) the Redemption Date specified in the Redemption Notice; provided, that if Pubco does not timely deliver a Contribution Notice, Pubco shall be deemed to have elected the Share Settlement method. If Pubco elects the Cash Settlement method, the Redeeming Member may retract its Redemption Notice by giving written notice (the “Retraction Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to Pubco) within ten (10) Business Days of delivery of the Contribution Notice. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Redeeming Member’s, the Company’s and Pubco’s rights and obligations under this Section 10.01 arising from the Redemption Notice.
(c) In the event that Pubco elects a Share Settlement in connection with a Redemption, a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to revoke its Redemption Notice or delay the consummation of a Redemption if any of the following conditions exists: (i) any registration statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A Common Stock to be registered for such Redeeming Member at or immediately following the consummation of the Redemption shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the SEC or no such resale registration statement has yet become effective; (ii) Pubco shall have failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such Redemption; (iii) Pubco shall have exercised its right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Redeeming Member to have its Class A Common Stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the Redemption; (iv) Pubco shall have disclosed to such Redeeming Member any material non-public information concerning Pubco, the receipt of which results in such Redeeming Member being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A Common Stock at or immediately following the Redemption without disclosure of such information (and Pubco does not permit disclosure); (v) any stop order relating to the registration statement pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock was to be registered by such Redeeming Member at or immediately following the Redemption shall have been issued by the SEC; (vi) there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A Common Stock is then traded; (vii) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any Governmental Authority that restrains or prohibits the Redemption; (viii) if the Redeeming Member is a party to the Registration Rights Agreement, Pubco shall have failed to comply in all material respects with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, and such failure shall have affected the ability of such Redeeming Member to consummate the resale of Class A Common Stock to be received upon such redemption pursuant to an effective registration statement; (ix) the Redemption Date would occur three (3) Business Days or less prior to, or during, any “black-out” or similar period under Pubco’s policies covering trading in the Pubco’s securities to which the applicable Redeeming Member is subject, which period restricts the ability of such Redeeming Member to immediately resell shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered to such Redeeming Member in connection with a Share Settlement; provided further, that in no event shall the Redeeming Member seeking to revoke its Redemption Notice or delay the consummation of such Redemption and relying on any of the matters contemplated in clauses (i) through (ix) above have controlled or intentionally materially influenced any facts, circumstances, or Persons in connection therewith (except in the good faith performance of his or her duties as an officer or director of Pubco) in order to provide such Redeeming Member with a basis for such delay or revocation. If a Redeeming Member delays the consummation of a Redemption pursuant to this Section 10.01(c), the Redemption Date shall occur on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date on which the conditions giving rise to such delay cease to exist (or such earlier day as Pubco, the Company and such Redeeming Member may agree in writing).
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(d)    The number of shares of Class A Common Stock or the Redeemed Units Equivalent that a Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under Section 10.01(b) (whether through a Share Settlement or Cash Settlement) shall not be adjusted on account of any distributions previously made with respect to the Redeemed Units or dividends previously paid with respect to Class A Common Stock; provided, however, that if a Redeeming Member causes the Company to redeem Redeemed Units and the Redemption Date occurs subsequent to the record date for any distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units but prior to payment of such distribution, the Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive such distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units on the date that it is made notwithstanding that the Redeeming Member transferred and surrendered the Redeemed Units to the Company prior to such date.
(e)    In the event of a reclassification or other similar transaction as a result of which the shares of Class A Common Stock are converted into another security, then in exercising its Redemption Right a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security that the Redeeming Member would have received if such Redemption Right had been exercised and the Redemption Date had occurred immediately prior to the record date of such reclassification or other similar transaction.
Section 10.02 Election and Contribution of Pubco. In connection with the exercise of a Redeeming Member’s Redemption Rights under Section 10.01(a), Pubco shall contribute to the Company the consideration the Redeeming Member is entitled to receive under Section 10.01(b). Pubco, at its option, shall determine whether to contribute, pursuant to Section 10.01(b), the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement. Unless the Redeeming Member has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 10.01(b), or has revoked or delayed a Redemption as provided in Section 10.01(c), on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date) (i) Pubco shall make its Capital Contribution to the Company (in the form of the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement) required under this Section 10.02, and (ii) the Company shall issue to Pubco a number of Units equal to the number of Redeemed Units surrendered by the Redeeming Member.
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 10.01, in the event that Pubco elects a Cash Settlement, Pubco shall only be obligated to contribute to the Company an amount in respect of such Cash Settlement equal to the net proceeds (after deduction of any underwriters’ discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions) from the sale by Pubco of a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Redeemed Units to be redeemed with respect to such Cash Settlement, provided that Pubco’s Capital Account shall be increased by an amount equal to any discount relating to such sale of shares of Class A Common Stock. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Company’s and Pubco’s rights and obligations under this Section 10.02 arising from the Redemption Notice.
Section 10.03    Exchange Right of Pubco
(a)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 10, but subject to the terms of Section 10.08, Pubco may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to effect on the Redemption Date the exchange of Redeemed Units for the Share Settlement or Cash Settlement, as the case may be, through a direct exchange of such Redeemed Units and such consideration between the Redeeming Member and Pubco (a “Direct Exchange”). Upon such Direct Exchange pursuant to this Section 10.03, Pubco shall acquire the Redeemed Units and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Units.
(b)    Pubco may, at any time prior to a Redemption Date, deliver written notice (an “Exchange Election Notice”) to the Company and the Redeeming Member setting forth its election to exercise its right to consummate a Direct Exchange; provided that such election does not prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. An Exchange Election Notice may be revoked by Pubco at any time; provided that any such revocation does not prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. The right to consummate a Direct Exchange in all events shall be exercisable for all the Redeemed Units that would have otherwise been subject to a Redemption. Except as otherwise provided by this Section 10.03, a Direct Exchange shall be consummated pursuant to the same timeframe and in the same manner as the relevant Redemption would have been consummated if Pubco had not delivered an Exchange Election Notice.
Section 10.04    Tender Offers and Other Events with Respect to Pubco
(a) In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid, recapitalization or similar transaction with respect to Class A Common Stock (a “Pubco Offer”) is proposed by Pubco or is proposed to Pubco or its stockholders and approved by the board of directors of Pubco or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the board of directors of Pubco, the holders of LLC Units (other than the Pubco Members) shall be permitted to participate in such Pubco Offer by delivery of a notice of exchange (which notice of exchange shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Pubco Offer (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be contingent upon such Pubco Offer and not be effective if such Pubco Offer is not consummated)). In the case of a Pubco Offer proposed by Pubco, Pubco will use its reasonable efforts expeditiously and in good faith to take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the holders of LLC Units (other than the Pubco Members) to participate in such Pubco Offer to the same extent or on an economically equivalent basis as the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock without discrimination; provided, that without limiting the generality of this sentence, Pubco will use its reasonable efforts expeditiously and in good faith to ensure that such holders may participate in each such Pubco Offer without being required to exchange LLC Units to the extent such participation is practicable. For the avoidance of doubt (but subject to Section 10.04(c)), in no event shall the holders of LLC Units be entitled to receive in such Pubco Offer aggregate consideration for each LLC Unit that is greater than the consideration payable in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock in connection with a Pubco Offer.
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(b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if a Disposition Event (as such term is defined in the Pubco certificate of incorporation) is approved by the board of directors of Pubco and consummated in accordance with Applicable Law, at the request of the Company (or following such Disposition Event, its successor) or Pubco (or following such Disposition Event, its successor), each of the holders of LLC Units shall be required to exchange with Pubco, at any time and from time to time after, or simultaneously with, the consummation of such Disposition Event, all of such holder’s LLC Units for aggregate consideration for each LLC Unit that is equivalent to the consideration payable in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock in connection with the Disposition Event, provided, however, that in the event of a Disposition Event intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or as a transfer described in Section 351(a) or Section 721 of the Code, a holder shall not be required to exchange LLC Units pursuant to this Section 10.04(b) unless, as a part of such transaction, the holders are permitted to exchange their LLC Units for securities in a transaction that is expected to permit such exchange without current recognition of gain or loss, for U.S. and non-U.S. tax purposes, for the direct and indirect holders of LLC Units (except to the extent that property other than securities is received in such exchange), based on a “should” or “will” level opinion from independent tax counsel of recognized standing and expertise.
(c)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in a Disposition Event, payments under or in respect of the Tax Receivable Agreement shall not be considered part of the consideration payable in respect of any LLC Unit or share of Class A Common Stock in connection with such Disposition Event for the purposes of Section 10.04(a) and Section 10.04(b).
Section 10.05 Reservation of Shares of Class A Common Stock; Certificate of Pubco. At all times Pubco shall reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon a Redemption or Direct Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be issuable upon any such Redemption or Direct Exchange pursuant to Share Settlements; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude Pubco from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Redemption or Direct Exchange by delivery of purchased Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of Pubco) or the delivery of cash pursuant to a Cash Settlement. Pubco shall deliver Class A Common Stock that has been registered under the Securities Act with respect to any Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent a registration statement is effective and available for such shares.
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Pubco covenants that all Class A Common Stock issued upon a Redemption or Direct Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The provisions of this Article 10 shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the corresponding provisions of Pubco’s certificate of incorporation.
Section 10.06    Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Exchange Right. This Agreement shall continue notwithstanding the consummation of a Redemption or Direct Exchange and all governance or other rights set forth herein shall be exercised by the remaining Members and the Redeeming Member (to the extent of such Redeeming Member’s remaining interest in the Company). No Redemption or Direct Exchange shall relieve such Redeeming Member of any prior breach of this Agreement.
Section 10.07    Tax Treatment. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree a Redemption or a Direct Exchange, as the case may be, shall be treated as a direct exchange between Pubco and the Redeeming Member for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes.
Section 10.08    Additional Exchange Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:
(a)    No Exchange shall be permitted (and, if attempted, shall be void ab initio) if, in the good faith determination of the Managing Member or the Company, such an Exchange would pose a material risk that the Company would be a “publicly traded partnership” as that term is defined in Section 7704 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b)    If the Managing Member determines at any time, in its sole discretion after consultation with the Company’s tax advisors, either (i) that the Company does not then satisfy the 100 Partner Safe Harbor, or (ii) there is a reasonable possibility that the Company will not satisfy the 100 Partner Safe Harbor at any time during the current or next taxable year, the Managing Member and the Company may impose such restrictions on, and impose such requirements on and procedures with respect to, Exchanges from time to time as the Managing Member and/or the Company may determine, in their sole discretion, to be necessary or advisable so that the Company is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code and such restrictions, requirements and procedures shall remain in effect unless and until the Managing Member determines otherwise. Without limiting the discretion of the Managing Member and/or the Company under this Section 10.08(b) to impose any restrictions, requirements or procedures on Exchanges, such restrictions, requirements and procedures may include one or more of the following:
(i)    providing that Members are permitted to effect Exchanges during a taxable year of the Company only on one or more of up to four specified dates determined by the Managing Member (each a “Specified Exchange Date”);
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(ii)    requiring a Member seeking to effect an Exchange to give the Company irrevocable written notice of an election to effect an Exchange on a date that is at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the Specified Exchange Date on which such Exchange is to occur; and
(iii)    providing that the number of Units that may be Exchanged or otherwise transferred during the taxable year of the Company (other than in private transfers described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(e)) cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of the total interest in the Company’s capital or profits (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(k)).
ARTICLE 11
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY, EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 11.01    Limitation on Liability. The debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Covered Person shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company; provided that the foregoing shall not alter a Member’s obligation to return funds wrongfully distributed to it.
Section 11.02    Exculpation and Indemnification.
(a)    Subject to the duties of the Managing Member and Officers set forth in Section 7.01, neither the Managing Member nor any other Covered Person described in clause (iii) of the definition thereof shall be liable, including under any legal or equitable theory of fiduciary duty or other theory of liability, to the Company or to any other Covered Person for any losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company. There shall be, and each Covered Person shall be entitled to, a presumption that such Covered Person acted in good faith.
(b)    A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any Person as to matters the Covered Person reasonably believes are within such Person’s professional or expert competence.
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(c) The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Covered Person against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses of counsel and other advisors), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, in which such Covered Person may be involved or become subject to, in connection with any matter arising out of or in connection with the Company’s business or affairs, or this Agreement or any related document, unless such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense, judgment, fine, settlement or other amount (i) is a result of a Covered Person not acting in good faith on behalf of the Company or arose as a result of the willful commission by such Covered Person of any act that is dishonest and materially injurious to the Company, (ii) results from its contractual obligations under any Other Agreements to be performed in a capacity other than as a Covered Person or from the breach by such Covered Person of Section 9.01 or (iii) results from the breach by any Member (in such capacity) of its contractual obligations under this Agreement. If any Covered Person becomes involved in any capacity in any action, suit, proceeding or investigation in connection with any matter arising out of or in connection with the Company’s business or affairs, or this Agreement or any related document (other than any Other Agreement), other than (x) by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person that was not in good faith on behalf of the Company or constituted a willful commission by such Covered Person of an act that is dishonest and materially injurious to the Company or (y) as a result of any breach by such Covered Person of Section 9.01, the Company shall reimburse such Covered Person for its reasonable legal and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as they are incurred in connection therewith; provided that such Covered Person shall promptly repay to the Company the amount of any such reimbursed expenses paid to it if it shall be finally judicially determined that such Covered Person was not entitled to indemnification by, or contribution from, the Company in connection with such action, suit, proceeding or investigation. If for any reason (other than the bad faith of a Covered Person or the willful commission by such Covered Person of an act that is dishonest and materially injurious to the Company) the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to such Covered Person, or insufficient to hold it harmless, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Covered Person as a result of such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense, judgment, fine, settlement or other amount in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect any relevant equitable considerations. There shall be, and each Covered Person shall be entitled to, a rebuttable presumption that such Covered Person acted in good faith.
(d)    The obligations of the Company under Section 11.02(c) shall be satisfied solely out of and to the extent of the Company’s assets, and no Covered Person shall have any personal liability on account thereof.
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(e) Given that certain Jointly Indemnifiable Claims may arise by reason of the service of a Covered Person to the Company and/or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, member, manager, employee, consultant, fiduciary or agent of other corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, employee benefit plans or other enterprises controlled by the Company (collectively, the “Controlled Entities”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in any such capacity, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall, and to the extent applicable shall cause the Controlled Entities to, be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the Covered Person in respect of indemnification or advancement of all out-of-pocket costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and related disbursements) in each case, actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of a Covered Person in connection with either the investigation, defense or appeal of a claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise incurred in connection with a claim that is indemnifiable hereunder (collectively, “Expenses”) in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, pursuant to and in accordance with (as applicable) the terms of (i) the Texas Act, (ii) this Agreement, (iii) any other agreement between the Company or any Controlled Entity and the Covered Person pursuant to which the Covered Person is indemnified, (iv) the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Controlled Entity and/or (v) the certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of qualification or other organizational or governing documents of any Controlled Entity ((i) through (v) collectively, the “Indemnification Sources”), irrespective of any right of recovery the Covered Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities. Under no circumstance shall the Company or any Controlled Entity be entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the Indemnitee-Related Entities and no right of advancement or recovery the Covered Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Covered Person or the obligations of the Company or any Controlled Entity under the Indemnification Sources. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall make any payment to the Covered Person in respect of indemnification or advancement of Expenses with respect to any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, (i) the Company shall, and to the extent applicable shall cause the Controlled Entities to, reimburse the Indemnitee-Related Entity making such payment to the extent of such payment promptly upon written demand from such Indemnitee-Related Entity, (ii) to the extent not previously and fully reimbursed by the Company and/or any Controlled Entity pursuant to clause (i), the Indemnitee-Related Entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of the outstanding balance of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Covered Person against the Company and/or any Controlled Entity, as applicable, and (iii) the Covered Person shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-Related Entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. The Company and the Covered Person agree that each of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 11.02(e), entitled to enforce this Section 11.02(e) as though each such Indemnitee-Related Entity were a party to this Agreement. The Company shall cause each of the Controlled Entities to perform the terms and obligations of this Section 11.02(e) as though each such Controlled Entity was the “Company” under this Agreement. For purposes of this Section 11.02(e), the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(i)    The term “Indemnitee-Related Entities” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (other than the Company, any Controlled Entity or the insurer under and pursuant to an insurance policy of the Company or any Controlled Entity) from whom a Covered Person may be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses with respect to which, in whole or in part, the Company or any Controlled Entity may also have an indemnification or advancement obligation.
(ii)    The term “Jointly Indemnifiable Claims” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding for which the Covered Person shall be entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses from both (i) the Company and/or any Controlled Entity pursuant to the Indemnification Sources, on the one hand, and (ii) any Indemnitee-Related Entity pursuant to any other agreement between any Indemnitee-Related Entity and the Covered Person pursuant to which the Covered Person is indemnified, the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Indemnitee-
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Related Entity and/or the certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or other organizational or governing documents of any Indemnitee-Related Entity, on the other hand.
ARTICLE 12
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION
Section 12.01    Dissolution.
(a)    The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substitute Members pursuant to Section 3.03.
(b)    No Member shall (i) resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company except in connection with a Transfer of Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or (ii) take any action to dissolve, terminate or liquidate the Company or to require apportionment, appraisal or partition of the Company or any of its assets, or to file a bill for an accounting, except as specifically provided in this Agreement, and each Member, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, hereby waives any rights to take any such actions under Applicable Law, including any right to petition a court for judicial dissolution under Section 11.051(5) of the Texas Act.
(c)    The Company shall be dissolved and its business wound up only upon the earliest to occur of any one of the following events (each a “Dissolution Event”):
(i)    the expiration of forty-five (45) days after the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company;
(ii)    upon the approval of the Managing Member;
(iii)    upon any event that requires the dissolution of the Company under §11.051 of the Texas Act; or
(iv)    at any time there are no members of the Company, unless the Company is continued in accordance with the Texas Act.
(d)    The death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member of the Company shall not in and of itself cause dissolution of the Company.
Section 12.02    Winding Up of the Company.
(a) The Managing Member shall promptly notify the other Members of any Dissolution Event. Upon dissolution, the Company’s business shall be liquidated in an orderly manner. The Managing Member shall appoint a liquidating trustee to wind up the affairs of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. In performing its duties, the liquidating trustee is authorized to sell, distribute, exchange or otherwise dispose of the assets of the Company in accordance with the Texas Act and in any reasonable manner that the liquidating trustee shall determine to be in the best interest of the Members.
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(b)    The proceeds of the liquidation of the Company shall be distributed in the following order and priority:
(i)    first, to the creditors (including any Members or their respective Affiliates that are creditors) of the Company in satisfaction of all of the Company’s liabilities (whether by payment or by making reasonable provision for payment thereof, including the setting up of any reserves which are, in the judgment of the liquidating trustee, reasonably necessary therefor); and
(ii)    second, to the Members in the same manner as distributions under Section 5.03(b).
(c)    Distribution of Property. In the event it becomes necessary in connection with the liquidation of the Company to make a distribution of Property in-kind, subject to the priority set forth in Section 12.02, the liquidating trustee shall have the right to compel each Member to accept a distribution of any Property in-kind (with such Property, as a percentage of the total liquidating distributions to such Member, corresponding as nearly as possible to such Member’s Percentage Interest), with such distribution being based upon the amount of cash that would be distributed to such Members if such Property were sold for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of such Property, as determined by the liquidating trustee in good faith, subject to the last sentence of Section 5.03(d).
(d)    In the event of a dissolution pursuant to Section 12.01(c), the relative economic rights of each class of Units immediately prior to such dissolution shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable with respect to distributions made to Members pursuant to Section 10.01(b) in connection with such dissolution, taking into consideration tax and other legal constraints that may adversely affect one or more parties to such dissolution and subject to compliance with Applicable Laws.
Section 12.03    Termination. The Company shall terminate when all of the assets of the Company, after payment of or reasonable provision for the payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company, shall have been distributed to the Members in the manner provided for in this Article 12, and the certificate of formation of the Company shall have been cancelled in the manner required by the Texas Act.
Section 12.04    Survival. Termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company for any reason shall not release any party from any liability which at the time of such termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up already had accrued to any other party or which thereafter may accrue in respect to any act or omission prior to such termination, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
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ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.01    Expenses. The Managing Member shall not be compensated for its services as the Managing Member of the Company except as expressly provided in this Agreement. Other than as set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Company shall (a) pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses, administrative expenses and other expenses of the Company (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals and the compensation of all personnel providing services to the Company) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the business of the Company and (b) reimburse the Managing Member for any out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses incurred by it in connection therewith (as reasonably determined by the Managing Member in good faith). The Members acknowledge and agree that, upon consummation of the IPO, the Managing Member’s Class A Common Stock will be publicly traded and, therefore, the Managing Member will have access to the public capital markets and that such status and the services performed by the Managing Member will inure to the benefit of the Company and all Members; therefore, the Managing Member shall be reimbursed by the Company for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, including, without limitation, all fees, expenses and costs associated with the IPO and all fees, expenses and costs of being a public company (including, without limitation, public reporting obligations, proxy statements, stockholder meetings, Stock Exchange fees, transfer agent fees, legal fees, SEC and FINRA filing fees and offering expenses) and maintaining its corporate existence. In the event that shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to underwriters in the IPO (or in any Qualifying Offering) at a price per share that is lower than the price per share for which such shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to the public in the IPO (or in such Qualifying Offering), after taking into account underwriters’ discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions (such difference, the “Discount”) (i) the Managing Member shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company in exchange for newly-issued LLC Units the full amount for which such shares of Class A Common Stock were sold to the public and (ii) the Company shall be deemed to have paid the Discount as an expense. To the extent practicable, expenses incurred by the Managing Member on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company shall be billed directly to and paid by the Company and, if and to the extent any reimbursements to the Managing Member or any of its Affiliates by the Company pursuant to this Section 13.01 constitute gross income to such Person (as opposed to the repayment of advances made by such Person on behalf of the Company), such amounts shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Section 707(c) of the Code (unless otherwise required by the Code and Treasury Regulations) and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Members’ Capital Accounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not bear any obligations with respect to income tax of the Managing Member or any payments made pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement other than in a manner that is expressly contemplated under this Agreement or the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 13.02 Further Assurances. Each Member agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file and record such further certificates, amendments, instruments and documents, and to do all such other acts and things, as may be required by Applicable Law or as, in the reasonable judgment of the Managing Member, may be necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
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Section 13.03    Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission and electronic mail (“e-mail”) transmission, so long as a receipt of such e-mail is requested and received) and shall be given to such party at the address, facsimile number or e-mail address specified for such party on the Member Schedule hereto, or to such other address or facsimile number as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt. All such notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given to such party as follows:
If to Pubco or the Company:
c/o TWFG Holding Company, LLC
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., Ste. 4020
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Attention: Julie Benes
Facsimile: 281-298-8626
Email: jbenes@twfg.com
With copies (which shall not constitute actual notice) to:
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP
1111 Louisiana Street, 44th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: W. Robert Shearer
Facsimile: (713) 236-0822
Email: rshearer@akingump.com
Section 13.04    Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment.
(a)    The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
(b)    Except as provided in Article 8, no Member may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the Managing Member.
Section 13.05 Jurisdiction.
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The parties hereto agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (whether brought by any party or any of its Affiliates or against any party or any of its Affiliates) shall be brought in the state or United States Federal courts located in Harris County, Texas, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 13.03 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.
Section 13.06    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 13.07    Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Until and unless each party has received a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto, this Agreement shall have no effect and no party shall have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any other oral or written agreement or other communication).
Section 13.08    Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Other Agreements constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall create any third-party beneficiary rights in favor of any Person or other party, except to the extent provided herein with respect to Indemnitee-Related Entities, each of whom are intended third-party beneficiaries of those provisions that specifically related to them with the right to enforce such provisions as if they were a party hereto.
Section 13.09    Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
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Section 13.10    Amendment.
(a)     This Agreement can be amended at any time and from time to time by written instrument signed by each of the Members who together own a majority in interest of the Units then outstanding, provided that no amendment to this Agreement may adversely modify in any material respect the Units (or the rights, preferences or privileges of the Units) then held by any Members in any materially disproportionate manner to those then held by any other Members without the prior written consent of a majority in interest of such disproportionately affected Member or Members.
(b)    For the avoidance of doubt: (i) the Managing Member, acting alone, may amend this Agreement, including the Member Schedule, (x) to reflect the admission of new Members or Transfers of Units, each as provided by and in accordance with, the terms of this Agreement and (y) to effect any subdivisions or combinations of Units made in compliance with Section 4.02(c) and (z) to issue additional LLC Units or any new class of Units (whether or not pari passu with the LLC Units) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and to provide that the Members being issued such new Units be entitled to the rights provided to Members; and (ii) any merger, consolidation or other business combination that constitutes a Disposition Event (as such term is defined in the certificate of incorporation of Pubco) in which the Non-Pubco Members are required to exchange all of their LLC Units pursuant to Section 10.03(b) of this Agreement and receive consideration in such Disposition Event in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and Section 10.04(b) of this Agreement shall not be deemed an amendment hereof; provided, that such amendment is only effective upon consummation of such Disposition Event.
(c)    No waiver of any provision or default under, nor consent to any exception to, the terms of this Agreement or any agreement contemplated hereby shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party to be bound and then only to the specific purpose, extent and instance so provided.
Section 13.11    Confidentiality.
(a)    Each Member shall, and shall direct those of its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, members, stockholders, partners, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, trustees and other advisors (the “Member Parties”) who have access to Confidential Information to, keep confidential and not disclose any Confidential Information to any Person other than a Member Party who agrees to keep such Confidential Information confidential in accordance with this Section 13.11, in each case without the express consent, in the case of Confidential Information acquired from the Company, of the Managing Member or, in the case of Confidential Information acquired from another Member, such other Member, unless:
(i)    such disclosure shall be required by Applicable Law;
(ii)    such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any tax audit involving the Company or any Member or its Affiliates;
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(iii)    such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any litigation against or involving the Company or any Member;
(iv)    such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any proposed Transfer of all or any part of such Member’s Units in the Company; provided that with respect to any such use of any Confidential Information referred to in this clause (iv), advance notice must be given to the Managing Member so that it may require any proposed Transferee that is not a Member to enter into a confidentiality agreement with terms substantially similar to the terms of this Section 13.11 (excluding this clause (iv)) prior to the disclosure of such Confidential Information; or
(v)    such disclosure is of financial and other information of the type typically disclosed to limited partners and limited liability company members (and prospective transferees or investors thereof) and is made to the partners or members of, and/or prospective investors in, Affiliates of the Members and such partner, Member or prospective investor is bound by the confidentiality provisions of a customary non-disclosure agreement entered into with the disclosing party that covers the Confidential Information so disclosed.
(b)    “Confidential Information” means any information related to the activities of the Company, the Members and their respective Affiliates that a Member may acquire from the Company or the Members, other than information that (i) is already available through publicly available sources of information (other than as a result of disclosure by such Member in violation of this Agreement or another confidentiality agreement with the Company), (ii) was available to a Member on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to such Member by the Company, or (iii) becomes available to a Member on a non-confidential basis from a third party, provided such third party is not known by such Member, after reasonable inquiry, to be bound by this Agreement or another confidentiality agreement with the Company. Such Confidential Information may include information that pertains or relates to the business and affairs of any other Member or any other Company matters. Confidential Information may be used by a Member and its Member Parties only in connection with Company matters and in connection with the maintenance of its interest in the Company.
(c)    In the event that any Member or any Member Party of such Member is required to disclose any of the Confidential Information, such Member shall use reasonable efforts to provide the Company with prompt written notice so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, and such Member shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Company in any effort any such Person undertakes to obtain a protective order or other remedy. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 13.11, such Member and its Member Parties shall furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required and shall exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain reasonably reliable assurance that the Confidential Information shall be accorded confidential treatment.
(d)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Member may disclose to any persons the U.S. federal income tax treatment and tax structure of the
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Company and the transactions set out in the Other Agreements. For this purpose, “tax structure” is limited to any facts relevant to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Company and does not include information relating to the identity of the Company or any Member.
Section 13.12    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such State that would result in the application of the laws of any other State.
ARTICLE 14
ARBITRATION
Section 14.01    Title. The Members shall attempt in good faith to resolve all claims, disputes and other disagreements arising hereunder (each, a “Dispute”) by negotiation. If a Dispute between Members cannot be resolved in such manner, such Dispute shall, at the request of any Member, after providing written notice to the other Members party to the Dispute, be submitted to arbitration in Houston, Texas in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The proceeding shall be confidential. The party initially asserting the Dispute (the “Initiating Party”) shall notify the other party (the “Responding Party”) of the name and address of the arbitrator chosen by the Initiating Party and shall specifically describe the Dispute in issue to be submitted to arbitration. Within 30 days of receipt of such notification, the Responding Party shall notify the Initiating Party of its answer to the Dispute, any counterclaim which it wishes to assert in the arbitration and the name and address of the arbitrator chosen by the Responding Party. If the Responding Party does not appoint an arbitrator during such 30-day period, appointment of the second arbitrator shall be made by the American Arbitration Association upon request of the Initiating Party. The two arbitrators so chosen or appointed shall choose a third arbitrator, who shall serve as president of the panel of arbitrators (the “Panel”) thus composed. If the two arbitrators so chosen or appointed fail to agree upon the choice of a third arbitrator within 30 days from the appointment of the second arbitrator, the third arbitrator will be appointed by the American Arbitration Association upon the request of the arbitrators or either of the parties. In all cases, the arbitrators must be persons who are knowledgeable about, and have recognized ability and experience in dealing with, the subject matter of the Dispute. The arbitrators will act by majority decisions. Any decision of the arbitrators shall (a) be rendered in writing and shall bear the signatures of at least two arbitrators, and (b) identify the members of the Panel. Absent fraud or manifest error, any such decision of the Panel shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration and enforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction. The expenses of the arbitration shall be borne equally by the parties to the arbitration; provided, however, that each party shall pay for and bear the costs of its own experts, evidence and legal counsel, unless the arbitrator rules otherwise in the arbitration. The parties shall complete all discovery within 30 days after the Panel is composed, shall complete the presentation of evidence to the Panel within 15 days after the completion of discovery, and a final decision with respect to the matter submitted to arbitration shall be rendered within 15 days after the completion of presentation of evidence. The Members shall cause to be kept a record of the proceedings of any matter submitted to arbitration hereunder.
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ARTICLE 15
REPRESENTATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 15.01    Representations of Members. Each Member (unless otherwise noted) to which a Unit is issued as of the date of this Agreement represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
(a)    The Units issued to such Member, if any, are being acquired for investment for such Member’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to or for sale in connection with the distribution thereof.
(b)    Such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Member’s investment in the Units; such Member has the ability to bear the economic risks of such investment; such Member has the capacity to protect its own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and such Member has had an opportunity to ask questions and to obtain such financial and other information regarding the Company as such Member deems necessary or appropriate in connection with evaluating the merits of the investment in the Units. Such Member acknowledges that the Units have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under any state securities act and may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act and all applicable state laws.
(c)    Each Member qualifies as an Accredited Investor within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act or the acquisition of its interest otherwise qualifies under an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
[Signature pages follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
COMPANY:
TWFG HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: President
MEMBERS:
TWFG, INC.
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Chief Executive Officer
BUNCH FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Member
[Signature Page – TWFG Holding Company, LLC
Third Amended and Restated LLC Agreement]


RENAISSANCERE VENTURES U.S. LLC
By: /s/ Jonathan Anderson
Name: Jonathan Anderson
Title: SVP
GHC WOODLANDS HOLDINGS LLC
By: /s/ Michael Doak
Name: Michael Doak
Title: President



[Signature Page – TWFG Holding Company, LLC
Third Amended and Restated LLC Agreement]


Schedule A

Member Schedule

As of the Effective Time

Member Admission Date Original Units LLC Units
TWFG, Inc.
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., Ste. 4020
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
July 17, 2024 - 13,161,874
RenaissanceRe Ventures U.S. LLC
12 Crow Lane
Pembroke HM19
Bermuda
March 23, 2018 83,050
Class B Units
5,457,417
Bunch Family Holdings, LLC
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., Ste. 4020
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
March 19, 2018 521,000
Class C Units
33,893,810
GHC Woodlands Holdings LLC
4514 Cole Avenue, Suite 1650
Dallas, Texas 75205
September 2, 2021 27,700 Class B Units 1,820,234


[Schedule A - TWFG Holding Company, LLC
Third Amended and Restated LLC Agreement]
EX-10.4 8 exhibit104-8xk.htm EX-10.4 Document
Exhibit 10.4
REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
This REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of July 17, 2024, is hereby entered into by and among TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), TWFG Holding Company, LLC a Texas limited liability company (“OpCo”), Bunch Family Holdings LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Bunch Holdings”), RenaissanceRe Ventures U.S. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“RenRe”) and GHC Woodlands Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GHC”).
WHEREAS, each of Bunch Holdings, RenRe and GHC (the “Pre-IPO Holders”) is a member of OpCo and a party to OpCo’s Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of May 23, 2023 (the “Prior LLC Agreement”), and, as of the date hereof, each of the Pre-IPO Holders will approve and enter into OpCo’s Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Third A&R LLC Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of PubCo has determined to effect an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”) of PubCo’s Class A Common Stock (as defined below);
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, (a) pursuant to Section 8.10(b) of the Prior LLC Agreement, all outstanding Class A Units of OpCo (as converted into LLC Units as described below in clause (b)) will be contributed to PubCo in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined below) (the “Exchange”) and (b) pursuant to the Third A&R LLC Agreement, all outstanding Class A Units, Class B Units and Class C Units of OpCo will be reclassified into a single new class of non-voting common limited liability interest units of OpCo (the “LLC Units”) and each outstanding Class A Unit, Class B Unit and Class C Unit of OpCo will be converted into 65.71242 LLC Units (the “Conversion”); and as a result thereof, each Member (as defined below) that held Class A Units of OpCo prior to the Conversion will cease to be a Member of OpCo, and PubCo will become a Member with respect to the corresponding LLC Units and will be the managing member of OpCo;
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, Bunch Holdings desires to contribute a portion of the LLC Units of OpCo held by it to PubCo in exchange for a certain number of shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, Schedule A to the Third A&R LLC Agreement sets forth the ownership of the LLC Units of OpCo following the transactions described above; The following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:



ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01    Definitions
“Class A Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of PubCo.
“Class B Common Stock” means the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of PubCo.
“Class C Common Stock” means the Class C Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share, of PubCo.
“Effective Time” means immediately prior to the closing of the IPO.
“Liens” shall mean all liens, encumbrances, charges, pledges, claims, security interests, equities, options, warrants, rights to purchase or acquire, and other defects in title.
“Member” means any person named as a Member of OpCo for so long as such person continues to be a Member of OpCo.
“Non-Economic Common Stock” means shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, as applicable.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
ARTICLE II



CONTRIBUTION OF UNITS
Section 2.01    Bunch Holdings Contribution of Units. Upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations, warranties, and covenants contained in this Agreement, effective immediately after the Conversion:
(a)    Bunch Holdings hereby contributes, assigns and conveys to PubCo, and PubCo hereby accepts and receives from Bunch Holdings, all right, title and interest in and to 342,362 LLC Units (the “Contributed Units”); and
(b)    in exchange therefor, PubCo hereby issues to Bunch Holdings, 342,362 shares of Class A Common Stock.
Section 2.02    Representations and Warranties of Bunch Holdings. Bunch Holdings hereby represents and warrants to PubCo that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time:
(a)    Title; No Liens. Bunch Holdings has good and transferable title to its Contributed Units, and Bunch Holdings is the sole owner of the Contributed Units. The Contributed Units are not subject to any pledge agreements, restriction agreements or other document or instrument which affects the title to the Contributed Units in any way or manner whatsoever. The Contributed Units are being conveyed to PubCo free and clear of all Liens.
(b)    Investment Representations.
(i)    The Class A Common Stock issued to Bunch Holdings is being acquired for investment for Bunch Holdings’ own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to or for sale in connection with the distribution thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act.
(ii)    Bunch Holdings has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of Bunch Holdings’ investment in the Class A Common Stock; Bunch Holdings has the ability to bear the economic risks of such investment; Bunch Holdings has the capacity to protect its own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and Bunch Holdings has had an opportunity to ask questions and to obtain such financial and other information regarding PubCo as Bunch Holdings deems necessary or appropriate in connection with evaluating the merits of the investment in the Class A Common Stock. Management has either furnished to Bunch Holdings, or granted Bunch Holdings access to, all information requested by Bunch Holdings in making such evaluation. Bunch Holdings acknowledges that the shares of Class A Common Stock have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or under any state securities act and may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act and all applicable state laws.
(iii)    Bunch Holdings qualifies as an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
Section 2.03    Representations and Warranties of PubCo. PubCo hereby represents and warrants to Bunch Holdings that, as of the Effective Time,
(a) The Class A Common Stock, if and when issued and delivered to Bunch Holdings in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be (i) validly issued, and (ii) duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of any and all Liens, or preemptive or other similar rights, except for any restrictions set forth in the organizational documents of PubCo and transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws.



(b)    No notice to, registration, qualification, designation, declaration of, or filing by PubCo with, or the consent of, or any action by any court, governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, authority, instrumentality, or other public body, domestic or foreign is required on the part of PubCo in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the offer, issuance, sale, and delivery of the shares of Class A Common Stock, except for the filings as may be required after issuance of the Class A Common Stock under applicable provisions of United States federal securities laws and as may be required under applicable state securities laws, each of which will be filed timely within the applicable periods therefor.
(c)    Subject to the filings described in clause (b) above, the offer and sale of the Class A Common Stock to Bunch Holdings in accordance with the terms and conditions of, and as contemplated by, this Agreement will be exempt from the registration under the Securities Act and will be exempt from registration and qualification of the securities laws of all other applicable jurisdictions.
ARTICLE III
ISSUANCE OF CLASS B AND CLASS C COMMON STOCK
Section 3.01    Issuance of New Shares of Non-Economic Common Stock. As of the Effective Time, as consideration for the contribution to PubCo by each of RenRe and GHC of such consideration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, PubCo shall issue to each of RenRe and GHC a number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the number of LLC Units owned by each of RenRe and GHC as of the Effective Time. As of the Effective Time, as consideration for the contribution to PubCo by Bunch Holdings of such consideration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, PubCo shall issue to Bunch Holdings a number of shares of Class C Common Stock equal to the number of LLC Units owned by Bunch Holdings as of the Effective Time.
Section 3.02    Contribution of Consideration. Each of RenRe and GHC shall contribute $0.00001 per share to PubCo as full and valid consideration for the issuance and sale of the shares of Class B Common Stock. Bunch Holdings shall contribute $0.00001 per share to PubCo as full and valid consideration for the issuance and sale of the shares of Class C Common Stock.
Section 3.03    Representations and Warranties of the Pre-IPO Holders. Each Pre-IPO Holder represents and warrants, severally and not jointly, to PubCo that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time:
(a)    The execution, delivery and performance by such Pre-IPO Holder of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action. Such Pre-IPO Holder is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing or active status under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or incorporation.
(b)    Such Pre-IPO Holder has the requisite power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Pre-IPO Holder and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.



(d)    Neither the execution, delivery and performance by such Pre-IPO Holder of this Agreement, nor the consummation by such party of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by such Pre-IPO Holder with the terms and provisions hereof, will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or both), contravene or conflict with, or result in a breach or termination of, or constitute a default under (or with notice or lapse of time or both, result in the breach or termination of or constitute a default under) articles or certificate of incorporation or formation, bylaws, operating agreement, or comparable organizational documents of such Pre-IPO Holder.
(e)    Investment Representations.
(i)    The shares of Non-Economic Common Stock to be issued to such Pre-IPO Holder are being acquired for the Pre-IPO Holders’ own account, for investment purposes, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to or for sale in connection with the distribution thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act.
(ii)    Such Pre-IPO Holder has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Pre-IPO Holders’ investment in the Non-Economic Common Stock; the Pre-IPO Holder has the ability to bear the economic risks of such investment; the Pre-IPO Holder has the capacity to protect its own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and the Pre-IPO Holder has had an opportunity to ask questions and to obtain such financial and other information regarding PubCo and OpCo as the Pre-IPO Holders deems necessary or appropriate in connection with evaluating the merits of the investment in the Class B Common Stock. Management of each of PubCo and OpCo has answered all questions asked by the Pre-IPO Holders and they have either furnished to the Pre-IPO Holders, or granted the Pre-IPO Holders access to, all information requested by the Pre-IPO Holders in making such evaluation. Each Pre-IPO Holder acknowledges that the Non-Economic Common Stock has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or under any state securities act and may not be transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act and all applicable state laws.
(iii)    Such Pre-IPO Holder qualifies as an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
Section 3.04    Representations and Warranties of PubCo. PubCo represents and warrants to the Pre-IPO Holders that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time:
(a) PubCo is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as it is currently being conducted and as contemplated, and the execution, delivery and performance by PubCo of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the sale and issuance of the Non-Economic Common Stock hereby, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and other action by PubCo.



(b)    PubCo has the requisite power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c)    This Agreement has been (or when executed will be) duly executed and delivered by PubCo and constitutes (or when executed will constitute) the legal, valid and binding obligation of PubCo, enforceable against PubCo in accordance with its terms, subject to (a) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (b) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (c) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
(d)    Neither the execution, delivery and performance by PubCo of this Agreement, nor the consummation by such party of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by PubCo with the terms and provisions hereof, will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or both), (i) contravene or conflict with, or result in a breach or termination of, or constitute a default under (or with notice or lapse of time or both, result in the breach or termination of or constitute a default under) any provision of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws, or any other organizational documents of PubCo, (ii) constitute a violation by PubCo of any existing requirement of law applicable to PubCo or any of its properties, rights or assets or (iii) require the consent or approval of any party, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a material and adverse effect on the ability of PubCo to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e)    At the Effective Time, the shares of Non-Economic Common Stock, when issued to the Pre-IPO Holders shall be (i) validly issued, and (ii) duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of any and all Liens, or preemptive or other similar rights, except for any restrictions set forth in the organizational documents of PubCo and transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws.
(f)    No notice to, registration, qualification, designation, declaration of, or filing by PubCo with, or the consent of, or any action by any court, governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, authority, instrumentality, or other public body, domestic or foreign is required on the part of PubCo in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the offer, issuance, sale, and delivery of the shares of Non-Economic Common Stock, except for the filings as may be required after issuance of the Non-Economic Common Stock under applicable provisions of United States federal securities laws and as may be required under applicable state securities laws, each of which will be filed timely within the applicable periods therefor.
(g)    Subject to the filings described in clause (f) above, the offer and sale of the Non-Economic Common Stock to the Pre-IPO Holders in accordance with the terms and conditions of, and as contemplated by, this Agreement will be exempt from the registration under the



Securities Act and will be exempt from registration and qualification of the securities laws of all other applicable jurisdictions.
ARTICLE IV
GENERAL
Section 4.01    Further Assurances. Each party to this Agreement, at any time and from time to time upon the reasonable request of another party to this Agreement, shall promptly execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such further instruments and take all such further actions as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to confirm or carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
Section 4.02    Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 4.03    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Texas, without regard to the conflicts of law rules of such state that would result in the application of the laws of any other State.
Section 4.04    Arbitration. The parties hereto agree that any dispute or disagreement based on any matter arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be resolved through arbitration pursuant to Article 14 of the Third A&R LLC Agreement.
Section 4.05    Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or entity or any circumstance, is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, (i) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (ii) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons, entities or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.
Section 4.06    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile transmission or other electronic signature of this Agreement signed by such party) with counterpart pages or in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall, taken together, be considered one and the same agreement, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.
Section 4.07    Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the matters contemplated hereby and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understanding, both oral and written, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 4.08 Amendment; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by the parties hereto. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.



Section 4.09 Tax Treatment. For U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes, it is the intention of the parties hereto that the transactions enumerated in Section 2.01, taken together with the Exchange and the IPO, are treated as integrated transactions and together as tax-deferred exchanges described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. Each of the parties hereto will report such transactions in a manner consistent with this Section 4.09, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
[Signature pages follow]



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PubCo, OpCo, and each Member set forth below have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
TWFG, INC.
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Chief Executive Officer



TWFG HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: President



MEMBERS:
BUNCH FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC
By: /s/ Richard F. Bunch III
Name: Richard F. Bunch III
Title: Member
RENAISSANCERE VENTURES U.S. LLC
By: /s/ Jonathan Anderson
Name: Jonathan Anderson
Title: SVP
GHC WOODLANDS HOLDINGS LLC
By: /s/ Michael Doak
Name: Michael Doak
Title: President

EX-10.6 9 exhibit106-8xk.htm EX-10.6 Document
Exhibit 10.6
TFWG, INC.
2024 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
1.    Purpose.
The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company in attracting, retaining, motivating, and rewarding certain employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates and promoting the creation of long-term value for stockholders of the Company by closely aligning the interests of such individuals with those of such stockholders. The Plan authorizes the award of Stock-based and cash-based incentives to Eligible Persons to encourage such Eligible Persons to expend maximum effort in the creation of stockholder value.
2.    Definitions.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a)“Affiliate” means, with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
(b)“Award” means any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Appreciation Right, or other Stock-based or cash-based award granted under the Plan.
(c)“Award Agreement” means an Option Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, an RSU Agreement, a SAR Agreement, or a written agreement governing the grant of any other Award granted under the Plan.
(d)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e)“Cause” means, with respect to a Participant and in the absence of an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement otherwise defining Cause, (1) the Participant’s commission of, plea of guilty or nolo contendere (or a similar plea) to, conviction of, or indictment for, any crime (whether or not involving the Company or its Affiliates) (i) constituting a felony (or its equivalent in any non-United States jurisdiction) or constituting a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud or moral turpitude or (ii) that has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the performance of the Participant’s duties to the Service Recipient, or otherwise has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates; (2) conduct of the Participant, whether or not in connection with his or her employment or service, that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in injury to the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates; (3) any material violation of the policies of the Service Recipient, including, but not limited to, any legal or compliance policies or the Service Recipient’s code of ethics, any policy relating to sexual harassment, discrimination, or the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals, or statements of policy of the Service Recipient; (4) the Participant’s act(s) of negligence or willful misconduct in the course of his or her employment or service with the Service Recipient; (5) misappropriation by the Participant of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or its Affiliates; (6) embezzlement or fraud committed by the Participant, at the Participant’s direction, or with the Participant’s prior actual knowledge; (7) willful neglect in the performance of the Participant’s duties for the Service Recipient or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties; or (8) any breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire, or confidentiality covenant between the Participant and the Company or one of its Affiliates. If, subsequent to the Termination of a Participant for any or no reason (other than a Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause), it is discovered that grounds to terminate the Participant’s employment or service for Cause existed, such Participant’s employment or service shall, at the discretion of the Committee, be deemed to have been terminated by the Service Recipient for Cause for all purposes under the Plan, and the Participant shall be required to repay or return to the Company all amounts and benefits received by him or her in respect of any Award in connection with or following such Termination that would have been forfeited under the Plan had such Termination been by the Service Recipient for Cause. In the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement defining Cause, “Cause” shall have the meaning provided in such agreement, and a Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause hereunder shall not be deemed to have occurred unless all applicable notice and cure periods in such Award Agreement or Participant Agreement are complied with.



(f)“Change in Control” means:
(1)    a change in the ownership or control of the Company effected through a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or similar non-U.S. regulatory agency or pursuant to a Non-Control Transaction) whereby any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act) or any two or more persons deemed to be one “person” (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or any of its Affiliates, an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates (or its related trust), or any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, directly or indirectly acquire, other than pursuant to a Reorganization (as defined in subclause (3) below) that does not constitute a Change in Control under such subclause (3), “beneficial ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities eligible to vote in the election of the Board (“Company Voting Securities”);
(2)    the date, within any consecutive 24-month period commencing on or after the Effective Date, upon which individuals who constitute the Board as of the Effective Date (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual who becomes a director subsequent to the Effective Date and whose nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders or appointment was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then constituting the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such individual is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or
2


(3) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Affiliates that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders (whether for such transaction, the issuance of securities in the transaction, or otherwise) (a “Reorganization”), unless, immediately following such Reorganization, (i) more than 50% of the total voting power of (A) the corporation resulting from such Reorganization (the “Surviving Company”), or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that has, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of at least 95% of the voting securities of the Surviving Company (the “Parent Company”), is represented by Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Reorganization), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among holders thereof immediately prior to such Reorganization, (ii) no person, other than an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company (or its related trust), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Company or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company, and (iii) following the consummation of such Reorganization, at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Company or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company are members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization (any Reorganization which satisfies all of the criteria specified in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above shall be a “Non-Control Transaction”); or
(4)    the sale or disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) to any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act) or to any two (2) or more persons deemed to be one “person” (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company’s Affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the Company Voting Securities as a result of an acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company that reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided that, if after such acquisition by the Company, such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then be deemed to occur, and (y) with respect to the payment of any amount that constitutes a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code payable upon a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred, unless the Change in Control constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code.
(g)“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules, and regulations thereto.
(h)“Committee” means the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other committee consisting of two or more individuals appointed by the Board to administer the Plan and each other individual or committee of individuals designated to exercise authority under the Plan.
(i)“Common Stock” means, collectively, the Stock (as defined below), the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and the Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
(j)“Company” means TWFG, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or its permitted successors and assigns.
(k)“Corporate Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(b) hereof.
(l)“Data” has the meaning set forth in Section 20(g) hereof.
3


(m)“Disability” means, in the absence of an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement otherwise defining Disability, the permanent and total disability of such Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. In the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement defining Disability, “Disability” shall have the meaning provided in such Award Agreement or Participant Agreement. The determination of whether a Participant has a Disability shall be determined by the Committee, and the Committee may rely on any determination made for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan in which a Participant participates that is maintained by the Company or one of its Affiliates.
(n)“Disqualifying Disposition” means any disposition (including any sale) of Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option made within the period that ends either (1) two years after the date on which the Participant was granted the Incentive Stock Option or (2) one year after the date upon which the Participant acquired the Stock.
(o)“Effective Date” means July 16, 2024, which is the date on which the Plan was approved by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.

(p)“Eligible Person” means (1) each employee and officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (2) each non-employee director of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (3) each other natural Person who provides substantial services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as a consultant or advisor (or a wholly owned alter ego entity of the natural Person providing such services of which such Person is an employee, stockholder, or partner) and who is designated as eligible by the Committee; and (4) each natural Person who has been offered employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates; provided that such prospective employee may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such Person has commenced employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates; provided, further, however, that (i) with respect to any Award that is intended to qualify as a “stock right” that does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the term “Affiliate” as used in this Section 2(o) shall include only those corporations or other entities in the unbroken chain of corporations or other entities beginning with the Company where each of the corporations or other entities in the unbroken chain, other than the last corporation or other entity, owns stock possessing at least 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations or other entities in the chain, and (ii) with respect to any Award that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, the term “Affiliate” as used in this Section 2(o) shall include only those entities that qualify as a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. An employee on an approved leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.
(q)“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules, and regulations thereto.
(r)“Expiration Date” means, with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the date on which the term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right expires, as determined under Sections 5(b) or 8(b) hereof, as applicable.
(s)“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date when the Stock is listed on one or more national securities exchange(s), the closing price reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Stock is listed and traded on the date of determination or, if the closing price is not reported on such date of determination, the closing price reported on the most recent date prior to the date of determination. If the Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, “Fair Market Value” shall mean the amount determined by the Board in good faith, and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, to be the fair market value per share of Stock.
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(t)“GAAP” means the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as in effect from time to time.
(u)“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(v)“Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(w)“Option” means a conditional right, granted to a Participant under Section 5 hereof, to purchase Stock at a specified price during a specified time period.
(x)“Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option Award.
(y)“Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under the Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an Award.
(z)“Participant Agreement” means an employment, consulting, change in control, severance or any other services agreement between a Participant and the Service Recipient that describes the terms and conditions of such Participant’s employment or service with the Service Recipient and is effective as of the date of determination.
(aa)“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or other entity.
(bb)“Plan” means this TWFG, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
(cc)“Qualified Member” means a member of the Committee who is a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an “independent director” as defined under, as applicable, the NASDAQ Listing Rules, the NYSE Listed Company Manual, or other applicable stock exchange rules.
(dd)“Qualifying Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof.
(ee)“Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6 hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
(ff)“Restricted Stock Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Restricted Stock Award.
(gg)“Restricted Stock Unit” means a notional unit representing the right to receive one share of Stock (or the cash value of one share of Stock, if so determined by the Committee) on a specified settlement date.
(hh)“RSU Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award of Restricted Stock Units.
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(ii)“SAR Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(jj)“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules, and regulations thereto.
(kk)“Service Recipient” means, with respect to a Participant holding an Award, either the Company or an Affiliate of the Company by which the original recipient of such Award is, or following a Termination was most recently, principally employed or to which such original recipient provides, or following a Termination was most recently providing, services, as applicable.
(ll)“Share Pool” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.
(mm)“Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and such other securities as may be substituted for such stock pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(nn)“Stock Appreciation Right” means a conditional right, granted to a Participant under Section 8 hereof, to receive an amount equal to the value of the appreciation in the Stock over a specified period. Except in the event of extraordinary circumstances, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, or pursuant to Section 10(b) hereof, Stock Appreciation Rights shall be settled in Stock.
(oo)“Substitute Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.
(pp)“Termination” means the termination of a Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, with the Service Recipient; provided, however, that, if so determined by the Committee at the time of any change in status in relation to the Service Recipient (e.g., a Participant ceases to be an employee and begins providing services as a consultant, or vice versa), such change in status will not be deemed a Termination hereunder. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that the Service Recipient ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company (by reason of sale, divestiture, spin-off, or other similar transaction), unless a Participant’s employment or service is transferred to another entity that would constitute the Service Recipient immediately following such transaction, such Participant shall be deemed to have suffered a Termination hereunder as of the date of the consummation of such transaction. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Participant’s change in status in relation to the Service Recipient (for example, a change from employee to consultant) shall not be deemed a Termination hereunder with respect to any Awards constituting “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination, unless such change in status constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments in respect of an Award constituting nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination shall be delayed for such period as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. On the first business day following the expiration of such period, the Participant shall be paid, in a single lump sum without interest, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule applicable to such Award.
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3.    Administration.
(a)    Authority of the Committee. Except as otherwise provided below, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final authority, in each case, subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to (1) select Eligible Persons to become Participants; (2) grant Awards; (3) determine the type, number, and type of shares of Stock subject to, other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards; (4) prescribe Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan; (5) determine the method by which an Award may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, suspended, or repurchased by the Company; (6) determine the circumstances under which the delivery of cash, property, or other amounts payable with respect to an Award may be deferred, either automatically or at the Participant’s or Committee’s election; (7) accelerate the vesting, delivery or exercisability of, or payment for or lapse of restrictions on, or waive any condition in respect of, Awards; (8) construe, administer, and interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and correct defects, supply omissions, and reconcile inconsistencies therein; (9) suspend the right to exercise Awards during any period that the Committee deems appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, and thereafter extend the exercise period of an Award by an equivalent period of time or such shorter period required by, or necessary to comply with, applicable law; and (10) make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all Persons, including, without limitation, the Company, its stockholders and Affiliates, Eligible Persons, Participants, and beneficiaries of Participants. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee shall have the ability to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding Award at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to upon a Corporate Event, subject to Section 10(d), or in the event of a Participant’s Termination by the Service Recipient other than for Cause, or due to the Participant’s death, Disability, or retirement (as such term may be defined in an applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement or, if no such definition exists, in accordance with the Company’s then-current employment policies and guidelines). For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall have the authority to take all actions under the Plan that the Committee is permitted to take.
(b)    Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to a Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company must be taken by the remaining members of the Committee or a subcommittee, designated by the Committee or the Board, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members (a “Qualifying Committee”). Any action authorized by such a Qualifying Committee shall be deemed the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan. The express grant of any specific power to a Qualifying Committee, and the taking of any action by such a Qualifying Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.
(c)    Delegation. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to officers or employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions under the Plan, including, but not limited to, administrative functions, as the Committee may determine appropriate. The Committee may appoint agents to assist it in administering the Plan. Any actions taken by an officer or employee delegated authority pursuant to this Section 3(c) within the scope of such delegation shall, for all purposes under the Plan, be deemed to be an action taken by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, any Award granted under the Plan to any Eligible Person who is not an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (including any non-employee director of the Company or any Affiliate) or to any Eligible Person who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act must be expressly approved by the Committee or Qualifying Committee in accordance with Section 3(b) above.
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(d) Sections 409A of the Code. The Committee shall take into account compliance with Section 409A of the Code in connection with any grant of an Award under the Plan, to the extent applicable. The Plan and Awards are intended to comply with or be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed, and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including proposed, temporary, or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and, to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith or be exempt therefrom, such provision shall be null and void. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be made under the Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s “separation from service” (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, until the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period. While the Awards granted hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the imposition of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code or any similar state or local laws (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code).
4.    Shares Available Under the Plan; Other Limitations.
(a)    Number of Shares Available for Delivery. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10 hereof, the following limitations apply to the grant of Awards: no more than 4,346,667 shares of Stock may be reserved for issuance and delivered in the aggregate pursuant to Awards under the Plan, subject to an annual increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on and including January 1, 2034, equal to the lesser of (A) 3% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (B) such smaller number of shares as is determined by the Board (the “Share Pool”). Shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, or previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company on the open market or by private purchase, or a combination of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 of the Code, the Share Pool shall not be reduced by shares issued pursuant to (i) Awards issued or assumed in connection with a merger or acquisition as contemplated by, as applicable, NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) and IM-5635-1, AMEX Company Guide Section 711, or other applicable stock exchange rules, and their respective successor rules and listing exchange promulgations (each such Award, a “Substitute Award”).
(b)    Share Counting Rules. The Share Pool shall be reduced, on the date of grant, by the relevant number of shares of Stock for each Award granted under the Plan that is valued by reference to a share of Stock; provided, that Awards that are valued by reference to shares of Stock but are required to be paid in cash pursuant to their terms shall not reduce the Share Pool. If and to the extent that Awards originating from the Share Pool terminate, expire, or are cash-settled, canceled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered without having been exercised, vested, or settled, the shares of Stock subject to such Awards shall again be available for Awards under the Share Pool. For clarity, the following shares of Stock shall become available for issuance under the Plan: (i) shares of Stock tendered by the Participants, or withheld by the Company, as full or partial payment to the Company upon the exercise of Options granted under the Plan; (ii) shares of Stock reserved for issuance upon the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights, to the extent that the number of reserved shares of Stock exceeds the number of shares of Stock actually issued upon the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Rights; and (iii) shares of Stock withheld by, or otherwise remitted to, the Company to satisfy a Participant’s tax withholding obligations upon the exercise, lapse of restrictions on, or settlement of, Awards granted under the Plan.
(c)    Incentive Stock Options. No more than 4,346,667 shares of Stock hereunder may be issued or transferred upon exercise or settlement of Incentive Stock Options.
(d) Limitation on Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the maximum value of any Awards granted to a non-employee director of the Company in any one calendar year, taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during such calendar year in respect of the non-employee director’s services as a member of the Board during such year, shall not exceed $750,000 (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes); provided, that, the independent members of the Board or the Committee may make exceptions to this limit, except that the non-employee director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation.
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5.    Options.
(a)    General. Certain Options granted under the Plan may be intended to be Incentive Stock Options; however, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted hereunder following the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, and (ii) the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan. Options may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or an Affiliate (as such definition is limited pursuant to Section 2(o) hereof) of the Company. The provisions of separate Options shall be set forth in separate Option Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Options.
(b)    Term. The term of each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable after, and each Option shall expire, ten years from the date it was granted.
(c)     Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock for each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, subject to Section 5(g) hereof in the case of any Incentive Stock Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of Stock for such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, that, such exercise price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code.
(d)    Payment for Stock. Payment for shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Option granted hereunder shall be made in full upon exercise of the Option in a manner approved by the Committee, which may include any of the following payment methods: (1) in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars, or by certified or bank cashier’s check; (2)  by delivery of shares of Stock having a value equal to the exercise price; (3) by a broker-assisted cashless exercise in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee, whereby payment of the Option exercise price or tax withholding obligations may be satisfied, in whole or in part, with shares of Stock subject to the Option by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate exercise price and, if applicable, the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s withholding obligations; or (4) by any other means approved by the Committee (including, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, pursuant to which the Participant shall receive (i) the number of shares of Stock underlying the Option so exercised, reduced by (ii) the number of shares of Stock equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price of the Option divided by (B) the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Committee determines that any form of payment available hereunder would be in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, such form of payment shall not be available.
(e)    Vesting. Options shall vest and become exercisable (subject to Section 20(f) hereof) in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions (subject to Section 20(f) hereof), in each case, as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in an Option Agreement. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of an Option shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any or no reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment. If an Option is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Option expires, is canceled, or otherwise terminates.
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(f)    Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in an Option Agreement, Participant Agreement, or otherwise:
(1)    In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Options outstanding shall cease; (B) all of such Participant’s unvested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination; and (C) all of such Participant’s vested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date, and (y) the date that is 90 days after the date of such Termination.
(2)    In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Options outstanding shall cease; (ii) all of such Participant’s unvested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination; and (iii) all of such Participant’s vested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date, and (y) the date that is 12 months after the date of such Termination.
(3)    In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participant’s Options outstanding (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.
(g)    Special Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options.
(1)    No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person who, at the time the Option is granted, owns directly, or indirectly within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code, Stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary thereof, unless such Incentive Stock Option (i) has an exercise price of at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of the grant of such Option, and (ii) cannot be exercised more than five years after the date it is granted.
(2)    To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of Stock for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, such excess Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
(3)    Each Participant who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.
6.    Restricted Stock.
(a)    General. Restricted Stock may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Awards of Restricted Stock shall be set forth in separate Restricted Stock Agreements, which Restricted Stock Agreements need not be identical. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(b) hereof, and except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall generally have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement, cash dividends and stock dividends, if any, with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and shall be subject to forfeiture to the same degree as the shares of Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any cash dividends withheld.
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(b)    Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer. Restricted Stock shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case, as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any or no reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment. In addition to any other restrictions set forth in a Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber the Restricted Stock prior to the time the Restricted Stock has vested pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Agreement.
(c)    Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in a Restricted Stock Agreement, Participant Agreement, or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination for any or no reason prior to the time that such Participant’s Restricted Stock has vested, (1) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Restricted Stock outstanding shall cease; and (2) as soon as practicable following such Termination, the Company shall repurchase from the Participant, and the Participant shall sell, all of such Participant’s unvested shares of Restricted Stock at a purchase price equal to the lesser of (A) the original purchase price paid for the Restricted Stock (as adjusted for any subsequent changes in the outstanding Stock or in the capital structure of the Company), less any dividends or other distributions or bonus received (or to be received) by the Participant (or any transferee) in respect of such Restricted Stock prior to the date of repurchase, and (B) the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of such repurchase; provided that, if the original purchase price paid for the Restricted Stock is equal to zero dollars ($0), such unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited to the Company by the Participant for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.
7.    Restricted Stock Units.
(a)    General. Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Restricted Stock Units shall be set forth in separate RSU Agreements, which RSU Agreements need not be identical.
(b)    Vesting. Restricted Stock Units shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case, as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any or no reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment.
(c)    Settlement. Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in Stock, cash, or property, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, on the date or dates determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participant’s RSU Agreement, a Participant shall not be entitled to dividends, if any, or dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Stock Units prior to settlement.
(d)    Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in an RSU Agreement, Participant Agreement, or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination for any or no reason prior to the time that such Participant’s Restricted Stock Units have been settled, (1) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Restricted Stock Units outstanding shall cease; (2) all of such Participant’s unvested Restricted Stock Units outstanding shall be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination; and (3) any shares remaining undelivered with respect to vested Restricted Stock Units then held by such Participant shall be delivered on the delivery date or dates specified in the RSU Agreement.
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8.    Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a)    General. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate (subject to Section 20(f) hereof). The provisions of separate Stock Appreciation Rights shall be set forth in separate SAR Agreements, which SAR Agreements need not be identical. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Stock Appreciation Rights.
(b)    Term. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder shall be exercisable after, and each Stock Appreciation Right shall expire, ten years from the date it was granted.
(c)    Base Price. The base price per share of Stock for each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the base price per share of Stock for such Stock Appreciation Right may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, that, such base price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
(d)    Vesting. Stock Appreciation Rights shall vest and become exercisable (subject to Section 20(f) hereof) in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions (subject to Section 20(f) hereof), in each case, as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a SAR Agreement. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee, the vesting of a Stock Appreciation Right shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any or no reason. To the extent permitted by applicable law and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, vesting shall be suspended during the period of any approved unpaid leave of absence by a Participant following which the Participant has a right to reinstatement and shall resume upon such Participant’s return to active employment. If a Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable in installments, such installments, or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Stock Appreciation Right expires, is canceled, or otherwise terminates.
(e)    Payment upon Exercise. Payment upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right may be made in cash, Stock, or property, as specified in the SAR Agreement or determined by the Committee, in each case, having a value in respect of each share of Stock underlying the portion of the Stock Appreciation Right so exercised, equal to the difference between the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right and the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the exercise date. For purposes of clarity, each share of Stock to be issued in settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right is deemed to have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the exercise date. In no event shall fractional shares be issuable upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, and in the event that fractional shares would otherwise be issuable, the number of shares issuable will be rounded down to the next lower whole number of shares, and the Participant will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the value of such fractional share.
(f)     Termination of Employment or Service. Except as provided by the Committee in a SAR Agreement, Participant Agreement, or otherwise:
(1)    In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall cease; (B) all of such Participant’s unvested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination; and (C) all of such Participant’s vested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date, and (y) the date that is 90 days after the date of such Termination.
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(2) In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall cease; (ii) all of such Participant’s unvested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination; and (iii) all of such Participant’s vested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date, and (y) the date that is 12 months after the date of such Termination.
(3)    In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.
9.    Other Stock-Based Awards.
The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based upon or related to Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. The Committee may also grant Stock as a bonus (whether or not subject to any vesting requirements or other restrictions on transfer), and may grant other Awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or an Affiliate to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee. The terms and conditions applicable to such Awards shall be determined by the Committee and evidenced by Award Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.
10.    Adjustment for Recapitalization, Merger, etc.
(a)    Capitalization Adjustments. The aggregate number and class of shares of Stock or other securities that may be delivered in connection with Awards (as set forth in Section 4 hereof), the numerical share limits in Section 4(a) hereof, the number and class of shares of Stock or other securities covered by each outstanding Award, and the price per share of Stock underlying each such Award shall be equitably and proportionally adjusted or substituted, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as to the number, price, or kind of a share of Stock, other securities or other consideration subject to such Awards, (1) in the event of changes in the outstanding Stock or in the capital structure of the Company (including the Common Stock) by reason of stock dividends, extraordinary cash dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, combinations, exchanges, or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of grant of any such Award (including any Corporate Event); (2) in connection with any extraordinary dividend declared and paid in respect of shares of Common Stock, whether payable in the form of cash, stock, or any other form of consideration; or (3) in the event of any change in applicable laws or circumstances that results in or could result in, in either case, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, any substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, Participants in the Plan. In lieu of or in addition to any adjustment pursuant to this Section 10, if deemed appropriate, the Committee may provide that an adjustment take the form of a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award with respect to all or part of an outstanding Award, which payment shall be subject to such terms and conditions (including timing of payment(s), vesting, and forfeiture conditions) as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion. The Committee will make such adjustments, substitutions, or payment, and its determination will be final, binding, and conclusive. The Committee need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Committee may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an Award.
(b) Corporate Events. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, Participant Agreement, or otherwise, in connection with (i) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation; (ii) a merger, amalgamation, or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities of another corporation or other property or cash; (iii) a Change in Control; or (iv) the reorganization, dissolution, or liquidation of the Company (each, a “Corporate Event”), the Committee may provide for any one or more of the following:
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(1)    The assumption or substitution of any or all Awards in connection with such Corporate Event, in which case the Awards shall be subject to the adjustment set forth in Section 10(a) hereof, and to the extent that such Awards vest subject to the achievement of performance criteria, such performance criteria shall be deemed earned at target level (or if no target is specified, the maximum level) and will be converted into solely service based vesting awards that will vest during the performance period, if any, during which the original performance criteria would have been measured;
(2)    The acceleration of vesting of any or all Awards not assumed or substituted in connection with such Corporate Event, subject to the consummation of such Corporate Event; provided that unless otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement, any Awards that vest subject to the achievement of performance criteria will be deemed earned at target level (or if no target is specified, the maximum level), provided, further, that a Participant has not experienced a Termination prior to such Corporate Event;
(3)    The cancellation of any or all Awards not assumed or substituted in connection with such Corporate Event (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event, together with the payment to the Participants holding vested Awards (including any Awards that would vest upon the Corporate Event but for such cancellation) so canceled of an amount in respect of cancellation equal to an amount based upon the per-share consideration being paid for the Stock in connection with such Corporate Event, less, in the case of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise, the applicable exercise or base price; provided, however, that holders of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise shall be entitled to consideration in respect of cancellation of such Awards only if the per-share consideration less the applicable exercise or base price is greater than zero dollars ($0), and to the extent that the per-share consideration is less than or equal to the applicable exercise or base price, such Awards shall be canceled for no consideration;
(4)    The cancellation of any or all Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise not assumed or substituted in connection with such Corporate Event (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event; provided, that, all Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards to be so canceled pursuant to this paragraph (4) shall first become exercisable for a period of at least ten days prior to such Corporate Event, with any exercise during such period of any unvested Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or other Awards to be (A) contingent upon and subject to the occurrence of the Corporate Event, and (B) effectuated by such means as are approved by the Committee; and
(5)    The replacement of any or all Awards (other than Awards that are intended to qualify as “stock rights” that do not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) with a cash incentive program that preserves the value of the Awards so replaced (determined as of the consummation of the Corporate Event), with subsequent payment of cash incentives subject to the same vesting conditions as applicable to the Awards so replaced and payment to be made within 30 days of the applicable vesting date.
Payments to holders pursuant to paragraph (3) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, and to the extent applicable, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or a combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable exercise or base price). In addition, in connection with any Corporate Event, prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 10(b), the Committee may require a Participant to (A) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to his or her Awards; (B) bear such Participant’s pro-rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Stock; and (C) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.
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The Committee need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Committee may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an Award.
(c)    Fractional Shares. Any adjustment provided under this Section 10 may, in the Committee’s discretion, provide for the elimination of any fractional share that might otherwise become subject to an Award. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares so eliminated.
11.    Use of Proceeds.
The proceeds received from the sale of Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
12.    Rights and Privileges as a Stockholder.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, no Person shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of Stock ownership in respect of shares of Stock that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued to that Person.
13.    Transferability of Awards.
Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and to the extent subject to exercise, Awards may not be exercised during the lifetime of the grantee other than by the grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to Incentive Stock Options, Awards and a Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be transferable for no value to the extent provided in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee.
14.    Employment or Service Rights.
No individual shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for the grant of any other Award. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant or other individual any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
15.    Compliance with Laws.
The obligation of the Company to deliver Stock upon issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Stock pursuant to an Award, unless such shares have been properly registered for sale with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act (or with a similar non-U.S. regulatory agency pursuant to a similar law or regulation), or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale or resale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan or any shares of Stock to be issued upon exercise or settlement of Awards. If the shares of Stock offered for sale or sold under the Plan are offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares and may legend the Stock certificates representing such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.
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16.    Withholding Obligations.
As a condition to the issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award (or upon the making of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), the Committee may require that a Participant satisfy, through deduction or withholding from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant, or through such other arrangements as are satisfactory to the Committee, the amount of all federal, state, local and foreign income and other taxes of any kind required or permitted to be withheld in connection with such issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement (or election). The Committee, in its discretion, may (but is not obligated to) permit or require shares of Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) to be used to satisfy all or any portion of applicable tax withholding requirements with respect to any Award, and such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement date of the Award, as applicable. The shares of Stock so delivered or withheld must have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the tax obligation (or portion thereof). Depending on the withholding method, the Company may withhold by considering the applicable minimum statutorily required withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates in the applicable Participant’s jurisdiction, including maximum applicable rates that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto) and is permitted under applicable withholding rules promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service or another applicable governmental entity.
17.    Amendment of the Plan or Awards.
(a)    Amendment of Plan. The Board or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time.
(b)     Amendment of Awards. The Board or the Committee may amend the terms of any one or more Awards at any time and from time to time.
(c)     Stockholder Approval; No Material Impairment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall be effective without stockholder approval to the extent that such approval is required pursuant to applicable law or the applicable rules of each national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed. Additionally, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall materially impair a Participant’s rights under any Award unless the Participant consents in writing (it being understood that no action taken by the Board or the Committee that is expressly permitted under the Plan, including, without limitation, any actions described in Section 10 hereof, shall constitute an amendment to the Plan or an Award for such purpose). Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, and without an affected Participant’s consent, the Board or the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan or any one or more Awards from time to time as necessary to bring such Awards into compliance with applicable law, including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code.
(d)     No Repricing of Awards Without Stockholder Approval. Notwithstanding Sections 17(a) or 17(b) above, or any other provision of the Plan, reducing the exercise price of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights issued and outstanding under the Plan, including through amendment, cancellation in exchange for the grant of a substitute Award, repurchase for cash or other consideration (in each case that has the effect of reducing the exercise price), or any other action that would be treated as a “repricing” of such Options or such Stock Appreciation Rights under GAAP, will require approval of the Company’s stockholders, unless the cancellation, exchange, repurchase or other action occurs in connection with an event set forth in Section 10 hereof.
18.    Termination or Suspension of the Plan.
The Board or the Committee may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth anniversary of the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated; provided, however, that following any suspension or termination of the Plan, the Plan shall remain in effect for the purpose of governing all Awards then outstanding hereunder until such time as all Awards under the Plan have been terminated, forfeited, or otherwise canceled, or earned, exercised, settled, or otherwise paid out, in accordance with their terms.
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19.    Effective Date of the Plan.
The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date.
20.    Miscellaneous.
(a)    Treatment of Dividends and Dividend Equivalents on Unvested Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Award that provides for or includes a right to dividends or dividend equivalents, if dividends are declared during the period that an equity Award is outstanding, such dividends (or dividend equivalents) shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such Award, or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable Award and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any cash dividends withheld. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
(b)    Certificates. Stock acquired pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that (1) such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Stock; (2) the Company retain physical possession of the certificates; and (3) the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that the Stock shall be held in book-entry form rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of any applicable restrictions.
(c)    Other Benefits. No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.
(d)    Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Committee consents, resolutions, or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule, or number of shares of Stock) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in connection with the preparation of the Award Agreement, the corporate records will control, and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement.
(e)    Clawback/Recoupment Policy. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, all Awards granted under the Plan shall be and remain subject to any incentive compensation clawback or recoupment policy currently in effect or as may be adopted by the Board (or a committee or subcommittee of the Board) and, in each case, as may be amended from time to time. No such policy adoption or amendment shall in any event require the prior consent of any Participant. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or any of its Affiliates. In the event that an Award is subject to more than one such policy, the policy with the most restrictive clawback or recoupment provisions shall govern such Award, subject to applicable law.
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(f) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right is granted to an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates in the United States who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or the Stock Appreciation Right will not be first exercisable for any shares of Stock until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option or the Stock Appreciation Right (although the Option or the Stock Appreciation Right may vest prior to such date). To the extent that the vesting of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right is based on the performance of a business unit of the Company or a Participant, the determinations with respect to such performance of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right for purposes of this Section 20(f) must be made based on (i) future performance meeting previously described criteria (e.g., hours of work, efficiency or productivity) or (ii) the Participant’s past performance, which shall be determined by the Company in its sole discretion. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (1) if such employee dies or suffers a Disability; (2) upon a Corporate Event in which such Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed, continued, or substituted; (3) upon a Change in Control; or (4) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the applicable Award Agreement or a Participant Agreement or, if no such definition exists, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights held by such employee may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting, or issuance of any shares under any other Award will be exempt from such employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 20(f) will apply to all Awards.
(g)    Data Privacy. As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 20(g) by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates, for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and details of all Awards (the “Data”). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan, the Company and its Affiliates may each transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participant’s country or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country and any given recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participant’s eligibility to participate in the Plan, and in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.
(h) Participants Outside of the United States. The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then a resident or primarily employed or providing services, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by non–U.S. tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence, employment, or providing services abroad, shall be comparable to the value of such Award to a Participant who is a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, in the United States. An Award may be modified under this Section 20(h) in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation or result in actual liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act for the Participant whose Award is modified. Additionally, the Committee may adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Eligible Persons who are non–U.S. nationals or are primarily employed or providing services outside the United States.
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(i)    No Liability of Committee Members. Neither any member of the Committee nor any of the Committee’s permitted delegates shall be liable personally by reason of any contract or other instrument executed by such member or on his or her behalf in his or her capacity as a member of the Committee or for any mistake of judgment made in good faith, and the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and each other employee, officer, or director of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan may be allocated or delegated, against all costs and expenses (including counsel fees) and liabilities (including sums paid in settlement of a claim) arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan, unless arising out of such Person’s own fraud or willful misconduct; provided, however, that approval of the Board shall be required for the payment of any amount in settlement of a claim against any such Person. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Persons may be entitled under the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws, each as may be amended from time to time, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
(j)    Payments Following Accidents or Illness. If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such Person or his or her estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his or her spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.
(k)    Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
(l)    Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document or “writing” will include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled or authorized by the Company to which the Participant has access) to the extent permitted by applicable law.
(m) Arbitration. All disputes and claims of any nature that a Participant (or such Participant’s transferee or estate) may have against the Company arising out of or in any way related to the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be submitted to and resolved exclusively by binding arbitration conducted in Houston, Texas (or such other location as the parties thereto may agree) in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect, and the arbitration shall be heard and determined by a panel of three arbitrators in accordance with such rules (except that in the event of any inconsistency between such rules and this Section 20(m), the provisions of this Section 20(n) shall control). The arbitration panel may not modify the arbitration rules specified above without the prior written approval of all parties to the arbitration. Within ten business days after the receipt of a written demand, each party shall designate one arbitrator, each of whom shall have experience involving complex business or legal matters, but shall not have any prior, existing, or potential material business relationship with any party to the arbitration. The two arbitrators so designated shall select a third arbitrator, who shall preside over the arbitration, shall be similarly qualified as the two arbitrators, and shall have no prior, existing or potential material business relationship with any party to the arbitration; provided, that, if the two arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of such third arbitrator, such third arbitrator shall be designated in accordance with the arbitration rules referred to above. The arbitrators will decide the dispute by majority decision, and the decision shall be rendered in writing and shall bear the signatures of the arbitrators and the party or parties who shall be charged therewith, or the allocation of the expenses among the parties in the discretion of the panel. The arbitration decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but in any event not later than 120 days after the constitution of the arbitration panel. The arbitration decision shall be final and binding upon all parties to the arbitration. The parties hereto agree that judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitration panel may be entered in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas or any Texas state court sitting in the State of Texas. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the parties hereby irrevocably waive any right of appeal from any judgment rendered upon any such arbitration award in any such court. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may seek injunctive relief in any such court.
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(n)    Statute of Limitations. A Participant or any other person filing a claim for benefits under the Plan must file the claim within one year of the date the Participant or other person knew or should have known of the facts giving rise to the claim. This one-year statute of limitations will apply in any forum where a Participant or any other person may file a claim and, unless the Company waives the time limits set forth above in its sole discretion, any claim not brought within the time periods specified shall be waived and forever barred.
(o)    Funding. No provision of the Plan shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company be required to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records, or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees and service providers under general law.
(p)    Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in relying, acting, or failing to act, and shall not be liable for having so relied, acted, or failed to act in good faith, upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and upon any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any Person or Persons other than such member.
(q)    Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
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ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: July 16, 2024
APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: July 16, 2024
TERMINATION DATE: July 15, 2034
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