UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) |
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (
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 (see General Instruction A.2.):
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Registrant | Trading Symbol | Title of Each Class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | |||
| SL Green Realty Corp. | ||||||
| SL Green Realty Corp. |
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 accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Extension of Matthew J. DiLiberto as Chief Financial Officer
On February 4, 2021, Matthew J. DiLiberto and SL Green Realty Corp. (the “Company”) agreed to extend Mr. DiLiberto’s term as Chief Financial Officer for an additional two years through January 1, 2023. The following summarizes the material terms of the new agreement entered into by the Company and Mr. DiLiberto in connection with this extension:
| Term: | Two years (1/1/21 — 1/1/23) | |
| Base Salary: | $575,000 per year | |
| Annual Bonus: | May be awarded in amounts deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee to reward Mr. DiLiberto for job performance, which may be based on the achievement of specific goals established in advance by the Compensation Committee. | |
| LTIP Units: | The Company granted Mr. DiLiberto 31,020 LTIP units, which will vest in equal installments on January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023, subject to continued employment. | |
| Severance Benefits: | If Mr. DiLiberto’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Mr. DiLiberto for Good Reason during the term, Mr. DiLiberto will be entitled to the following payments or benefits: | |
| Termination Without Change-in-Control | Termination in Connection with Change-in- Control | ||
| · 1x current annual base salary and average annual bonus | · 2x current annual base salary and average annual bonus | ||
| · Pro-rata bonus for partial year (if termination prior to June 30, otherwise full amount of average annual bonus) | · Pro-rata bonus for partial year (if termination prior to June 30, otherwise full amount of average annual bonus) | ||
| · Acceleration of all unvested equity awards (other than performance-based awards) | · Acceleration of all unvested equity awards (other than performance-based awards) | ||
| · 12 months of benefit continuation payments | · 24 months of benefit continuation payments | ||
| Post-Change-in-Control Salary: | For periods following a Change-in-Control, in lieu of the compensation described above, Mr. DiLiberto will be entitled to receive salary payable in cash at a per annum rate equal to the sum of his annual base salary in effect prior to the Change-in-Control plus the average of his annual cash bonuses earned for the three most recently completed fiscal years, and his equity awards (other than performance-based awards) that vested during the most recent fiscal year prior to the Change-in-Control. | |
| Restrictive Covenants: | Mr. DiLiberto will not compete with the Company while employed and until 12 months after termination for any reason other than non-renewal of the term or termination in connection with a Change-in-Control. Mr. DiLiberto has also agreed to non-solicitation, non-disparagement and non-interference covenants. |
The terms Cause, Good Reason and Change-in-Control, as used above, are specifically defined in Mr. DiLiberto’s new employment agreement. The discussion above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the employment agreement by and between the Company and Mr. DiLiberto, which is being filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number |
Description of Exhibits | |
| 10.1 | Amended and Restated Employment and Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of February 4, 2021, by and between SL Green Realty Corp. and Matthew J. DiLiberto. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
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.
| SL GREEN REALTY CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ Andrew S. Levine | |
| Name: | Andrew S. Levine | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel | |
| SL GREEN OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | ||
| By: | SL GREEN REALTY CORP., its general partner | |
| By: | /s/ Andrew S. Levine | |
| Name: | Andrew S. Levine | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel | |
Date: February 5, 2021
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of February 4, 2021 (the “Execution Date”), by and between Matthew DiLiberto (“Executive”) and SL Green Realty Corp., a Maryland corporation with its principal place of business at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10170 (the “Employer”), and amends in its entirety and completely restates that certain amended and restated employment agreement between Executive and the Employer dated as of February 2, 2018 (the “Prior Agreement”).
1. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on January 1, 2021 and, unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 6 below, shall terminate on January 1, 2023 (the “Current Term”); provided, however, that Sections 4 and 8 (and any enforcement or other procedural provisions hereof affecting Sections 4 and 8) hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement as provided therein. The Current Term shall automatically be extended for successive six-month periods (each, a “Renewal Term”), unless either party gives the other party at least three months’ prior written notice of non-renewal; provided that, with respect to the first Renewal Term that occurs after a Change-in-Control and would otherwise extend beyond the date that is 18 months after the Change-in-Control, either party may elect for such Renewal Term to end on the date that is 18 months and one day after the Change-in-Control by giving the other party written notice at least three months prior to the scheduled commencement of such Renewal Term. The period of Executive’s employment hereunder consisting of the Current Term and all Renewal Terms, if any, is herein referred to as the “Employment Period.” Subject to Section 6 and unless specified otherwise by the party electing not to renew this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Employer shall terminate immediately after the expiration of the Employment Period. For avoidance of doubt, such termination will not be deemed to occur during the Employment Period and, accordingly, except as set forth in Section 7(f), Executive will not be entitled to receive any payment or benefits under Section 7 as a result of or in connection with such termination.
2. Employment and Duties.
(a) Duties. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be employed in the business of the Employer and its affiliates. Executive shall serve the Employer as a senior corporate executive and shall have the title of Chief Financial Officer of the Employer. Executive will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer and to the President of the Employer. Executive’s duties and authority shall be those as would normally attach to Executive’s position as Chief Financial Officer, including such duties and responsibilities as are customary among persons employed in similar capacities for similar companies, and as set forth in the By-laws of the Employer and as otherwise established from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Employer (the “Board”) and the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer, but in all events such duties shall be commensurate with his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Employer.
(b) Best Efforts. Executive agrees to his employment as described in this Section 2 and agrees to devote substantially all of his business time and efforts to the performance of his duties under this Agreement, except as otherwise approved by the Board; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be interpreted to preclude Executive, so long as there is no material interference with his duties hereunder, from (i) participating as an officer or director of, or advisor to, any charitable or other tax-exempt organizations or otherwise engaging in charitable, fraternal or trade group activities; (ii) investing and managing his assets as an investor in other entities or business ventures; provided that he performs no management or similar role (or, in the case of investments other than those in entities or business ventures engaged in the Business (as defined in Section 8), he performs a management role comparable to the role that a significant limited partner would have, but performs no day-to-day management or similar role) with respect to such entities or ventures and such investment does not violate Section 8 hereof; and provided, further, that, in any case in which another party involved in the investment has a material business relationship with the Employer, Executive shall give prior written notice thereof to the Board; or (iii) serving as a member of the board of directors of a for-profit corporation with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer.
(c) Travel. In performing his duties hereunder, Executive shall be available for all reasonable travel as the needs of the Employer’s business may require. Executive shall be based in New York City or Westchester County, or within 50 miles of Manhattan but not in New Jersey or Long Island.
3. Compensation and Benefits. In consideration of Executive’s services hereunder, the Employer shall compensate Executive as provided in this Agreement.
(a) Base Salary. The Employer shall pay Executive an aggregate minimum annual salary at the rate of $575,000 per annum from the beginning of the Employment Period through the end of the Employment Period (“Base Salary”). Base Salary shall be payable bi-weekly in accordance with the Employer’s normal business practices. Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Board or Compensation Committee of the Board at least annually.
(b) Incentive Compensation/Bonuses. In addition to Base Salary, with respect to fiscal year 2021 and thereafter during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible for and shall receive, upon approval of the Board or Compensation Committee of the Board, such annual bonuses as the Employer, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate to reward Executive for job performance. Such annual bonuses may be payable upon the achievement of specific goals established in advance by the Compensation Committee of the Board or may be discretionary. In addition, Executive shall be eligible to participate in any other bonus or incentive compensation plans in effect with respect to senior executive officers of the Employer, as the Board or Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate to reward Executive for job performance.
(c) Stock Options. As determined by the Board or Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Employer’s then current stock option and incentive plan, which authorizes the grant of stock options and stock awards of the Employer’s common stock (“Common Stock”) and other equity-based awards or any successor thereto (any such plan being referred to herein as the “Plan”).
(d) Other Equity Awards. On the Execution Date, the Employer shall grant Executive awards with terms as set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
(e) Expenses. Executive shall be reimbursed for all reasonable business related expenses incurred by Executive at the request of or on behalf of the Employer, provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted for in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Employer. Any expenses incurred during the Employment Period but not reimbursed by the Employer by the end of the Employment Period, shall remain the obligation of the Employer to so reimburse Executive.
(f) Health and Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive and Executive’s immediate family shall be entitled to participate in such health and welfare benefit plans as the Employer shall maintain from time to time for the benefit of senior executive officers of the Employer and their families, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in such plan. Nothing in this Section shall limit the Employer’s right to change or modify or terminate any benefit plan or program as it sees fit from time to time in the normal course of business so long as it does so for all senior executives of the Employer.
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(g) Vacations. Executive shall be entitled to paid vacations in accordance with the then regular procedures of the Employer governing senior executive officers.
(h) Other Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Employer shall provide to Executive such other benefits, as generally made available to other senior executives of the Employer; provided that it is acknowledged that the Employer’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman may be provided with additional benefits not made available to Executive.
(i) Timing of Expense Reimbursement. All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement must be provided by the Employer or incurred by Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year. Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(j) Post-Change-in-Control Compensation. If a Change-in-Control occurs during the Employment Period, then, unless the parties hereto agree otherwise, for the period from the Change-in-Control through the end of the Employment Period, in lieu of the compensation set forth in Sections 3(a)-(d) above for such period, the Employer shall pay Executive an amount (the “Change-in-Control Period Compensation”) during such period in cash at a per annum rate at least equal to the sum of the following: (i) Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Change-in-Control (which shall be considered Executive’s Base Salary for all periods following the Change-in-Control for purposes of Section 7 below); (ii) the average of the annual cash bonuses earned by Executive for the three most recently completed fiscal years for which the amount of the annual cash bonus has been determined (including any portion of the annual cash bonus paid in the form of shares of Common Stock, stock units or other equity awards, as determined at the time of grant by the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, and reflected in the minutes or consents of the Compensation Committee of the Board relating to the approval of such equity awards, but excluding any annual or other equity awards made other than as payment of a cash bonus) (the “Average Annual Cash Bonus”) prior to the Change-in-Control (which shall be considered Executive’s annual cash bonus for all periods following the Change-in-Control for purposes of Section 7 below); and (iii) the value of that portion of Executive’s equity awards (other than any awards that are or, at grant, were subject to performance-based vesting conditions (“Performance-Based Awards”) or equity awards that were granted in lieu of annual cash bonus, as determined at the time of grant by the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, and reflected in the minutes or consents of the Compensation Committee of the Board relating to the approval of such equity awards) that vested during the most recently completed fiscal year prior to the Change-in-Control. The value of the equity awards in the foregoing clause (iii) shall be equal to (A) for all equity awards that deliver the full value of the underlying securities, the Fair Market Value of such securities as of the vesting date; (B) for each award of stock options, that percentage of the grant date fair value of such award which is equal to the percentage of the award that became so vested; and (C) for all other equity awards, the Fair Market Value of such awards on the vesting date as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board. For purposes of the foregoing, “Fair Market Value” of a security on a particular date means (i) if the securities are then listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of such security on the principal national securities exchange on which such securities are listed on such date (or, if such date is not a trading day, on the last trading day preceding such date ), (ii) if the securities are not then listed on a national securities exchange but are then traded on an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for such securities in such over-the-counter market for such date (or, if there were no sales on such date in such market, on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such securities in such market, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board), or (iii) if the securities are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded on an over-the-counter market, such value as the Compensation Committee of the Board in its discretion may in good faith determine; provided that, where the securities are so listed or traded, the Compensation Committee of the Board may make such discretionary determinations where the securities have not been traded for 10 trading days. The Change-in-Control Period Compensation shall be payable bi-weekly in accordance with the Employer’s normal business practices. The Employer, with the consent of Executive, may grant substitute equity awards in lieu of the component of the Change-in-Control Period Compensation attributable to the value of Executive’s equity awards as set forth in clause (iii) above.
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4. Indemnification and Liability Insurance. The Employer agrees to indemnify Executive to the extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists and may hereafter be amended, from and against any and all losses, damages, claims, liabilities and expenses asserted against, or incurred or suffered by, Executive (including the costs and expenses of legal counsel retained by the Employer to defend Executive and judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or imposed on such indemnified party) with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal administrative or investigative in which Executive is made a party or threatened to be made a party, either with regard to his entering into this Agreement with the Employer or in his capacity as an officer or director, or former officer or director, of the Employer or any affiliate thereof for which he may serve in such capacity. The Employer also agrees to secure and maintain officers and directors liability insurance providing coverage for Executive. The provisions of this Section 4 shall remain in effect after this Agreement is terminated irrespective of the reasons for termination.
5. Employer’s Policies. Executive agrees to observe and comply with the reasonable rules and regulations of the Employer as adopted by the Board and the Chief Executive Officer from time to time regarding the performance of his duties and communicated to Executive, and to carry out and perform orders, directions and policies communicated to him from time to time by the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, so long as same are otherwise consistent with this Agreement.
6. Termination. Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated under the following circumstances:
(a) Termination by the Employer.
(i) Death. Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death.
(ii) Disability. If, as a result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or disability, Executive shall have been incapable of performing his duties hereunder even with a reasonable accommodation on a full-time basis for the entire period of four consecutive months or any one hundred and twenty (120) days in a one hundred and eighty (180) day period, and within thirty (30) days after written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(d)) is given he shall not have returned to the performance of his duties hereunder on a full-time basis, the Employer may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder.
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(iii) Cause. The Employer may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause by the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer or a majority vote of all of the members of the Board upon written notice to Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s: (A) engaging in conduct which is a felony; (B) material breach of any of his obligations under Sections 8(a) through 8(e) of this Agreement; (C) willful misconduct of a material nature or gross negligence with regard to the Employer or any of its affiliates; (D) material fraud with regard to the Employer or any of its affiliates; (E) willful or material violation of any reasonable written rule, regulation or policy of the Employer applicable to senior executives unless such a violation is cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such violation by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer; or (F) failure to competently perform his duties which failure is not cured within thirty (30) days after receiving notice from the Employer specifically identifying the manner in which Executive has failed to perform (it being understood that, for this purpose, the manner and level of Executive’s performance shall not be determined based on the financial performance (including without limitation the performance of the stock) of the Employer). For clarity, conduct shall not be considered “willful” with respect to any action taken or not taken based on the advice of the Employer’s outside legal counsel.
(iv) Without Cause. Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by the Employer at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 6(a)(iii) above), by the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer or a majority vote of all of the members of the Board upon written notice to Executive, subject only to the severance and other payment provisions specifically set forth in Section 7.
(b) Termination by Executive.
(i) Disability. Executive may terminate his employment hereunder for Disability within the meaning of Section 6(a)(ii) above.
(ii) With Good Reason. Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated by Executive with Good Reason by written notice to the Board providing at least ten (10) days’ notice prior to such termination. For purposes of this Agreement, termination with “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of one of the following events within sixty (60) days prior to such termination:
(A) a material change in duties, responsibilities, status or positions with the Employer that does not represent a promotion from or maintaining of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, status or positions, except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, disability, retirement or death;
(B) a failure by the Employer to pay compensation when due in accordance with the provisions of Section 3, which failure has not been cured within twenty (20) business days after the notice of the failure (specifying the same) has been given by Executive to the Employer;
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(C) a material breach by the Employer of any provision of this Agreement, which breach has not been cured within thirty (30) days after notice of noncompliance (specifying the nature of the noncompliance) has been given by Executive to the Employer;
(D) the Employer’s requiring Executive to be based in an office not meeting the requirements of the last sentence of Section 2(c);
(E) a reduction by the Employer in Executive’s Base Salary to less than the minimum Base Salary set forth in Section 3(a);
(F) the failure by the Employer to continue in effect an equity award program or other substantially similar program under which Executive is eligible to receive awards;
(G) a material reduction in Executive’s benefits under any benefit plan (other than an equity award program) compared to those currently received (other than in connection with and proportionate to the reduction of the benefits received by all or most senior executives or undertaken in order to maintain such plan in compliance with any federal, state or local law or regulation governing benefits plans, including, but not limited to, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, which shall not constitute Good Reason for the purposes of this Agreement); or
(H) the failure by the Employer to obtain from any successor to the Employer an agreement to be bound by this Agreement pursuant to Section 15 hereof, which has not been cured within thirty (30) days after the notice of the failure (specifying the same) has been given by Executive to the Employer.
(iii) Without Good Reason. Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment hereunder without Good Reason, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(c) Definitions. The following terms shall be defined as set forth below.
(i) A “Change-in-Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(A) any Person, together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) of such Person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Employer representing 25% or more of either (1) the combined voting power of the Employer’s then outstanding securities having the right to vote in an election of the Board (“Voting Securities”) or (2) the then outstanding shares of all classes of stock of the Employer (in either such case other than as a result of the acquisition of securities directly from the Employer); or
(B) the members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive 24-calendar-month period commencing on or after the date hereof (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided that any director whose election, or nomination for election by the Employer’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or
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(C) there is consummated (1) any consolidation or merger of the Employer or any subsidiary that would result in the Voting Securities of the Employer outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation representing (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) less than 50% of the total voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or ceasing to have the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity or (2) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Employer, if the shareholders of the Employer and unitholders of SL Green Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”) taken as a whole and considered as one class immediately before such transaction own, immediately after consummation of such transaction, equity securities and partnership units possessing less than 50% of the surviving or acquiring company and partnership taken as a whole; or
(D) the stockholders of the Employer shall approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Employer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change-in-Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (A) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Employer which, by reducing the number of shares of stock or other Voting Securities outstanding, increases (x) the proportionate number of shares of stock of the Employer beneficially owned by any Person to 25% or more of the shares of stock then outstanding or (y) the proportionate voting power represented by the Voting Securities beneficially owned by any Person to 25% or more of the combined voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that if any Person referred to in clause (x) or (y) of this sentence shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional stock of the Employer or other Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a share split, stock dividend, or similar transaction), then a “Change-in-Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (A).
(ii) “Person” shall have the meaning used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided however, that the term “Person” shall not include (A) Executive or (B) the Employer, any of its subsidiaries, or any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Employer or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, no Change-in-Control shall be deemed to have occurred under clause (i)(A) above by virtue of a “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becoming a beneficial owner as described in such clause, if any individual or entity described in clause (A) or (B) of the foregoing sentence is a member of such group.
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(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive’s employment by the Employer or by Executive (other than on account of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and, as applicable, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated. Executive’s employment shall terminate as of the effective date set forth in the Notice of Termination (the “Termination Date”), which date shall not be more than thirty (30) days after the date of the Notice of Termination. For avoidance of doubt, a notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 1 shall not be considered a Notice of Termination. Upon any Termination Date, at the request of the Board, Executive agrees to resign from any positions then held by Executive with the Employer and any of its subsidiaries.
7. Compensation Upon Termination; Change-in-Control.
(a) Termination By Employer Without Cause or By Executive With Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period (i) Executive is terminated by the Employer without Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iv) above, or (ii) Executive shall terminate his employment hereunder with Good Reason pursuant to Section (6)(b)(ii) above, then the Employment Period shall terminate as of the Termination Date, Executive shall be entitled to receive his earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary on the Termination Date, and Executive shall also be entitled to the following payments and benefits in lieu of any further compensation for periods subsequent to the Termination Date, subject, in the case of the following items, to (1) Executive’s execution of a mutual release agreement with the Employer in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Executive and the Employer, whereby, in general, each party releases the other from all claims such party may have against the other party (other than (A) claims against the Employer relating to the Employer’s obligations under this Agreement, including without limitation, Executive’s rights to indemnification and D&O insurance coverage and to vested benefits under any employee benefit plan of the Employer or any affiliate of the Employer in which Executive participates, and certain other specified agreements arising in connection with or after Executive’s termination, including, without limitation, Employer’s obligations hereunder to provide severance payments and benefits and accelerated vesting of equity awards and (B) claims against Executive relating to or arising out of any act of fraud, intentional misappropriation of funds, embezzlement or any other action with regard to the Employer or any of its affiliated companies that constitutes a felony under any federal or state statute committed or perpetrated by Executive during the course of Executive’s employment with the Employer or its affiliates, in any event, that would have a material adverse effect on the Employer, or any other claims that may not be released by the Employer under applicable law) (the “Release Agreement”), which the Employer shall execute within five (5) business days after such execution by Executive, and (2) the effectiveness and irrevocability of the Release Agreement with respect to Executive within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date (with the 30th day after the Termination Date being referred to herein as the “Payment Date”):
(i) On the Payment Date, (A)(I) if the Termination Date occurs on or before June 30 in the year of termination, Executive shall receive a prorated annual cash bonus equal to (x) the Average Annual Cash Bonus multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates through the Termination Date and the denominator is the number of days in such year through and including June 30th or (II) if the Termination Date occurs on or after July 1 in the year of termination, Executive shall receive an amount equal to the Average Annual Cash Bonus (the “Prorated Bonus”) plus (B) in the event that Executive’s annual cash bonus for the year prior to the year of termination had not been determined as of the Termination Date, an amount equal to the Average Annual Cash Bonus (the “Prior Year Bonus” and, together with the Prorated Bonus, the “Final Bonus Payment”).
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(ii) Executive shall receive as severance pay, in a single payment on the Payment Date, an amount in cash equal to the sum of (A) the Executive’s annual Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date (the “Current Annual Base Salary”), and (B) the Average Annual Cash Bonus.
(iii) If Executive was participating in the Employer's group health, dental and/or vision plan immediately prior to the Termination Date, then the Employer shall pay to Executive a monthly cash payment for a period of twelve (12) months after the Termination Date equal to the amount of monthly employer contribution that the Employer would have made to provide health, dental and/or vision insurance to Executive if Executive had remained employed by the Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer shall in no event be required to make the payments otherwise required by this Section 7(a)(iii) after such time as Executive becomes entitled to receive benefits of the same type from another employer or recipient of Executive’s services (such entitlement being determined without regard to any individual waivers or other similar arrangements).
(iv) Any unvested shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, LTIP Units or other equity-based awards (i.e., shares, units or other awards then still subject to restrictions under the applicable award agreement) granted to Executive by the Employer or the Partnership shall not be forfeited on the Termination Date and shall become vested (i.e., free from such restrictions), and any unexercisable or unvested stock options granted to Executive by the Employer shall not be forfeited on the Termination Date and shall become vested and exercisable, on the Payment Date. Any unexercised stock options granted to Executive by the Employer shall remain exercisable until the second January 1 to follow the Termination Date or, if earlier, the expiration of the initial applicable term stated at the time of the grant. For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 7(a)(iv) shall not apply to Performance-Based Awards, which shall be governed by their terms as in effect from time to time.
(v) In the event such termination occurs in connection with or within eighteen (18) months after a Change-in-Control then, in addition to the payments and benefits set forth above (or, as specifically cited below, in lieu of such payments and benefits): (A) in lieu of the severance payment set forth in Section 7(a)(ii), Executive shall receive as severance pay, in a single payment on the Payment Date, an amount in cash equal to two (2.0) times the sum of (I) the Current Annual Base Salary and (II) the Average Annual Cash Bonus; (B) the monthly cash payments provided for in the first sentence of Section 7(a)(iii) above shall be extended from twelve (12) months to twenty-four (24) months, but shall otherwise be subject to the terms of Section 7(a)(iii); (C) neither Executive nor the Employer shall be required to execute the Release Agreement; and (D) if such Change-in-Control also constitutes a “change in the ownership” of the Employer, a “change in the effective control” of the Employer or a “change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Employer, each within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, then the Payment Date shall occur on the Termination Date.
Other than as may be provided under Section 4, Section 8, Section 19 or Section 20 or as expressly provided in this Section 7(a) or Section 7(e), the Employer shall have no further obligations hereunder following such termination.
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(b) Termination By the Employer For Cause or By Executive Without Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period, (i) Executive is terminated by the Employer for Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii) above, or (ii) Executive voluntarily terminates his employment hereunder without Good Reason pursuant to Section 6(b)(iii) above, then the Employment Period shall terminate as of the Termination Date and Executive shall be entitled to receive his earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary on the Termination Date, but, for avoidance of doubt, shall not be entitled to any annual cash bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, severance payment, continuation of benefits or acceleration of vesting or extension of exercise period of any equity awards, except as otherwise provided in the documentation applicable to such equity awards. Other than as may be provided under Section 4, Section 8, Section 19 or Section 20 or as expressly provided in this Section 7(b) or Section 7(e), the Employer shall have no further obligations hereunder following such termination.
(c) Termination by Reason of Death. If Executive’s employment terminates due to his death during the Employment Period, Executive’s estate (or a beneficiary designated by Executive in writing prior to his death) shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits:
(i) On the Termination Date, Executive’s estate (or a beneficiary designated by Executive in writing prior to his death) shall receive an amount equal to any earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary and the Final Bonus Payment.
(ii) Executive’s estate (or a beneficiary designated by Executive in writing prior to his death) shall be credited with twelve (12) months service after termination under any provisions governing restricted stock, restricted stock units, LTIP Units, options or other equity-based awards granted to Executive or Executive’s estate (or a beneficiary designated by Executive in writing prior to his death) by the Employer or the Partnership relating to the vesting or initial exercisability thereof, and, if such twelve (12) months of credit would fall within a vesting period, a pro rata portion of the unvested shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, LTIP Units or other equity-based awards granted to Executive by the Employer or the Partnership that otherwise would have become vested upon the conclusion of such vesting period (assuming, if applicable, the attainment of any required performance goals) shall become vested on the date of Executive’s termination due to his death, and a pro rata portion of the unexercisable stock options granted to Executive by the Employer that otherwise would have become exercisable upon the conclusion of such vesting period (assuming, if applicable, the attainment of any required performance goals) shall become exercisable on the date of Executive’s termination due to such death; provided that any unvested or unexercisable restricted stock, restricted stock units, LTIP Units, options or other equity-based awards that were granted as payment of a cash bonus, as determined at the time of grant by the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, and reflected in the minutes or consents of the Compensation Committee of the Board relating to the approval of such equity awards, shall become fully vested and exercisable on the date of Executive’s death. For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 7(c)(ii) shall not apply to (1) Performance-Based Awards, which shall be governed by their terms as in effect from time to time, and (2) stock option grants made under the Plan to the extent such options shall become fully vested and exercisable on the date of Executive’s termination due to such death in accordance with their terms as currently in effect. Furthermore, upon such death, any vested unexercised stock options granted to Executive by the Employer shall remain vested and exercisable until the earlier of (A) the date on which the term of such stock options otherwise would have expired, or (B) the second January 1 after the date of Executive’s termination due to his death.
Other than as may be provided under Section 4, Section 8, Section 19 or Section 20 or as expressly provided in this Section 7(c) or Section 7(e), the Employer shall have no further obligations hereunder following such termination.
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(d) Termination by Reason of Disability. In the event that Executive’s employment terminates during the Employment Period due to his disability as defined in Section 6(a)(ii) above, Executive shall be entitled to receive his earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary on the Termination Date and Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits in lieu of any further compensation for periods subsequent to the Termination Date, subject to (1) Executive’s execution of the Release Agreement, which Release Agreement the Employer shall execute within five (5) business days after such execution by Executive, and (2) the effectiveness and irrevocability of the Release Agreement with respect to Executive within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date:
(i) On the Payment Date, Executive shall receive the Final Bonus Payment.
(ii) Executive shall receive as severance pay, in a single payment on the Payment Date, an amount in cash equal to the sum of (A) the Current Annual Base Salary and (B) the Average Annual Cash Bonus.
(iii) If Executive was participating in the Employer's group health, dental and/or vision plan immediately prior to the Termination Date, then the Employer shall pay to Executive a monthly cash payment for a period of thirty-six (36) months after the Termination Date equal to the amount of monthly employer contribution that the Employer would have made to provide health, dental and/or vision insurance to Executive if Executive had remained employed by the Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer shall in no event be required to make the payments otherwise required by this Section 7(d)(iii) after such time as Executive becomes entitled to receive benefits of the same type from another employer or recipient of Executive’s services (such entitlement being determined without regard to any individual waivers or other similar arrangements).
(iv) Executive shall be credited with twelve (12) months of service after termination under any provisions governing restricted stock, restricted stock units, LTIP Units, options or other equity-based awards granted to Executive by the Employer or the Partnership relating to the vesting or initial exercisability thereof and, if such twelve (12) months of credit would fall within a vesting period, a pro rata portion of the unvested shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, LTIP Units or other equity-based awards granted to Executive by the Employer or the Partnership that otherwise would have become vested upon the conclusion of such vesting period (assuming, if applicable, the attainment of any required performance goals) shall become vested on the Payment Date, and a pro rata portion of the unvested or unexercisable stock options granted to Executive by the Employer that otherwise would have become vested or exercisable upon the conclusion of such vesting period (assuming, if applicable, the attainment of any required performance goals) shall become vested and exercisable on the Payment Date; provided that any unvested or unexercisable restricted stock, restricted stock units, LTIP Units, options or other equity-based awards that were granted as payment of a cash bonus, as determined at the time of grant by the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, and reflected in the minutes or consents of the Compensation Committee of the Board relating to the approval of such equity awards shall become fully vested and exercisable on the Payment Date. Any vested unexercised stock options granted to Executive by the Employer shall remain vested and exercisable until the earlier of (A) the date on which the term of such stock options otherwise would have expired, or (B) the second January 1 after the Termination Date. For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 7(d)(iv) shall not apply to (1) Performance-Based Awards, which shall be governed by their terms as in effect from time to time, and (2) stock option grants made under the Plan to the extent such options shall become fully vested and exercisable on the date of Executive’s termination due to such disability in accordance with their terms as currently in effect.
Other than as may be provided under Section 4, Section 8, Section 19 or Section 20 or as expressly provided in this Section 7(d) or Section 7(e), the Employer shall have no further obligations hereunder following such termination.
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(e) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions to the contrary and without regard to any release requirement, Executive (or his estate, as applicable) shall be entitled to (i) receive payment for any already accrued but unused vacation days and any unreimbursed expenses already incurred on behalf of the Employer (to the extent consistent with the Employer’s expense reimbursement policies absent a termination), (ii) retain any already vested stock options or any other already vested equity-based compensation (subject, in each case, to the terms of the underlying option or equity award agreement and plan (including, without limitation, any provision of an option providing for its expiration upon or within a certain number of days following termination)), and (iii) retain any vested rights in any 401(k) plans in which he participated during his employment, in the case of each of (i)-(iii) above, as of the Termination Date. Nothing in this Section 7 shall be construed to limit any rights Executive may have to elect to continue his health coverage pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 1161 et seq. (commonly known as “COBRA”).
(f) Change-in-Control Non-Renewal. In the event that the Employment Period ends within 18 months after a Change-in-Control as a result of the Employer delivering a written notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 1 in connection with or following the Change-in-Control, then, upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Employer, Executive will be entitled to receive all the benefits and payments provided for under Section 7(a) to the same extent as if such termination had been the termination of Executive during the Employment Period by the Employer without Cause pursuant to Section 6(a)(iv) within 18 months after a Change-in-Control, except that, for purposes of determining the amount of the Current Annual Base Salary and the Average Annual Cash Bonus, the Termination Date will be deemed to be the last day of the Employment Period.
8. Confidentiality; Prohibited Activities. Executive and the Employer recognize that due to the nature of his employment and relationship with the Employer, Executive has access to and develops confidential business information, proprietary information, and trade secrets relating to the business and operations of the Employer. Executive acknowledges that (i) such information is valuable to the business of the Employer, (ii) disclosure to, or use for the benefit of, any person or entity other than the Employer, would cause irreparable damage to the Employer, (iii) the principal businesses of the Employer are the acquisition, development, management, leasing or financing of (A) any office real estate property, including without limitation the origination of first-mortgage and mezzanine debt or preferred equity financing for real estate projects throughout the United States and (B) any multi-family residential or retail real estate property located in the borough of Manhattan (collectively, the “Business”) and (iv) the Employer is one of the limited number of persons who have developed a business such as the Business. Executive further acknowledges that his duties for the Employer include the duty to develop and maintain client, customer, employee, and other business relationships on behalf of the Employer; and that access to and development of those close business relationships for the Employer render his services special, unique and extraordinary. In recognition that the goodwill and business relationships described herein are valuable to the Employer, and that loss of or damage to those relationships would destroy or diminish the value of the Employer, and in consideration of the compensation (including severance) arrangements hereunder, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by Executive, Executive agrees as follows:
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(a) Confidentiality. During the term of this Agreement (including any renewals or extensions), and at all times thereafter, Executive shall maintain the confidentiality of all confidential or proprietary information of the Employer (“Confidential Information”), and, except in furtherance of the business of the Employer or as specifically required by law or by court order, he shall not directly or indirectly disclose any such information to any person or entity; nor shall he use Confidential Information for any purpose except for the benefit of the Employer. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes, without limitation: client or customer lists, identities, contacts, business and financial information (excluding those of Executive prior to employment with Employer); investment strategies; pricing information or policies, fees or commission arrangements of the Employer; marketing plans, projections, presentations or strategies of the Employer; financial and budget information of the Employer; new personnel acquisition plans; and all other business related information which has not been publicly disclosed by the Employer. This restriction shall apply regardless of whether such Confidential Information is in written, graphic, recorded, photographic, data or any machine-readable form or is orally conveyed to, or memorized by, Executive. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 8(a) shall not interfere with Executive’s rights to retain copies of any documents or data relating to Executive’s compensation and benefits (including, without limitation, copies of this Employment Agreement, and side letters and any documents relating to any of Executive’s equity-based award rights or other compensation and benefits) and/or discuss the same with Executive’s advisors or immediate family (in each case, on a confidential basis). In addition, nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted or applied to prohibit Executive from disclosing matters that are protected under any applicable whistleblower laws, including reporting possible violations of laws or regulations, or responding to inquiries from, or testifying before, any governmental agency or self-regulating authority, all without notice to or consent from the Employer. Additionally, Executive is hereby notified that the immunity provisions in Section 1833 of title 18 of the United States Code provide that an individual cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that is made (1) in confidence to federal, state or local government officials, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and is solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of the law, (2) under seal in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, or (3) to Executive’s attorney in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law (and the trade secret may be used in the court proceedings for such lawsuit) as long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and the trade secret is not disclosed except pursuant to court order.
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(b) Prohibited Activities. Because Executive’s services to the Employer are essential and because Executive has access to the Employer’s Confidential Information, Executive covenants and agrees that, so long as the Employer has not materially breached its obligations to Executive under this Agreement (or, in the event such breach has occurred, the Employer has cured such breach or such breach only occurred following a material breach by Executive of his obligations under this Agreement):
(i) during the Employment Period, and for the one-year period following the termination of Executive by either party for any reason other than (A) non-renewal at the expiration of the Current Term or any Renewal Term or (B) termination by the Employer without Cause or Executive with Good Reason in connection with or within eighteen (18) months after a Change-in-Control, Executive will not, anywhere in the United States, without the prior written consent of the Board which shall include the unanimous consent of the Directors other than any other officer of the Employer, directly or indirectly (individually, or through or on behalf of another entity as owner, partner, agent, employee, consultant, or in any other capacity), engage, participate or assist, as an owner, partner, employee, consultant, director, officer, trustee or agent, in any element of the Business, subject, however, to Section 8(c) below; and
(ii) during the Employment Period, and during (x) in the case of clause (A) below, the two-year period following the termination of Executive by either party for any reason (including the expiration of the term of the Agreement) other than a termination in connection with or within eighteen (18) months after a Change-in-Control that constitutes a termination either by the Employer without Cause or by Executive with Good Reason, or (y) the one-year period following such termination in the case of clause (B) below, Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the Board which shall include the unanimous consent of the Directors who are not officers of the Employer, directly or indirectly (individually, or through or on behalf of another entity as owner, partner, agent, employee, consultant, or in any other capacity), (A) solicit, encourage, or engage in any activity to induce any employee of the Employer to terminate employment with the Employer, or to become employed by, or to enter into a business relationship with, any other person or entity, or (B) solicit, encourage, or engage in any activity to induce any prospective party to a transaction with the Employer (including, without limitation, potential purchases, sales or leases of real estate assets) that is under agreement, negotiation or active consideration by the Employer to not enter into or complete such transaction with the Employer (or to only do so on terms less favorable to the Employer than otherwise would have been obtained); provided that, following the termination of Executive, this clause (B) shall only apply to transactions that were under agreement, negotiation or active consideration by the Employer during the six-month period prior to such termination. For purposes of this subsection, the term “employee” means any individual who is an employee of or consultant to the Employer (or any affiliate) during the six-month period prior to Executive’s last day of employment.
(c) Other Investments/Activities. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Executive is not prohibited by this Section 8 from making investments (i) expressly disclosed to the Employer in writing before the date hereof; (ii) solely for investment purposes and without participating in the business in which the investments are made, in any entity that engages, directly or indirectly, in the acquisition, development, construction, operation, management, financing or leasing of office real estate properties, regardless of where they are located, if (x) Executive’s aggregate investment in each such entity constitutes less than one percent of the equity ownership of such entity, (y) the investment in the entity is in securities traded on any national securities exchange, and (z) Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such entity; or (iii) if the investment is made in (A) assets other than Competing Properties (including, without limitation, multi-family residential or retail real estate properties located outside of the borough of Manhattan) or (B) any entity other than one that is engaged, directly or indirectly, in the acquisition, development, construction, operation, management, financing or leasing of Competing Properties. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Competing Property” means: (i) an office real estate property located outside of New York City, unless the property (A) is not an appropriate investment opportunity for the Employer, (B) is not directly competitive with the Businesses of the Employer and (C) has a fair market value at the time Executive’s investment is made of less than $25 million, (ii) an office real estate property located in New York City or (iii) a multi-family residential or retail real estate property located in the borough of Manhattan.
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(d) Employer Property. Executive acknowledges that all originals and copies of materials, records and documents generated by him or coming into his possession during his employment by the Employer are the sole property of the Employer (“Employer Property”). During his employment, and at all times thereafter, Executive shall not remove, or cause to be removed, from the premises of the Employer, copies of any record, file, memorandum, document, computer related information or equipment, or any other item relating to the business of the Employer, except as required by law or legal process or in furtherance of his duties under this Agreement. When Executive terminates his employment with the Employer, or upon request of the Employer at any time, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Employer all originals and copies of Employer Property in his possession or control and shall not retain any originals or copies in any form, except that Executive may retain a copy of his Rolodex or other similar contact list. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 8(d) shall not interfere with Executive’s rights to retain copies of any documents or data relating to Executive’s compensation and benefits (including, without limitation, copies of this Employment Agreement, and side letters and any documents relating to any of Executive’s equity-based award rights or other compensation and benefits) and/or discuss the same with Executive’s advisors or immediate family (in each case, on a confidential basis).
(e) No Disparagement. For one (1) year following termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall not intentionally disclose or cause to be disclosed any negative, adverse or derogatory comments or information about (i) the Employer and its parent, affiliates or subsidiaries, if any; (ii) any product or service provided by the Employer and its parent, affiliates or subsidiaries, if any; or (iii) the Employer’s and its parent’s, affiliates’ or subsidiaries’ prospects for the future. For one (1) year following termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, the Employer shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed any negative, adverse or derogatory comments or information about Executive. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit either the Employer or Executive from testifying truthfully in any legal or administrative proceeding or otherwise truthfully responding to any other request for information or testimony that Executive is legally required to respond to, or making any legally required disclosures, and/or discussing any of the above with the Employer’s legal advisors or Executive’s legal advisors on a confidential basis.
(f) Remedies. Executive declares that the foregoing limitations in Sections 8(a) through 8(e) above are reasonable and necessary for the adequate protection of the business and the goodwill of the Employer. If any restriction contained in this Section 8 shall be deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by reason of the extent, duration or scope thereof, or otherwise, then the court making such determination shall have the right to reduce such extent, duration, scope, or other provisions hereof to make the restriction consistent with applicable law, and in its reduced form such restriction shall then be enforceable in the manner contemplated hereby. In the event that Executive breaches any of the promises contained in this Section 8, Executive acknowledges that the Employer’s remedy at law for damages will be inadequate and that the Employer will be entitled to specific performance, a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction to prevent Executive’s prospective or continuing breach and to maintain the status quo. The existence of this right to injunctive relief, or other equitable relief, or the Employer’s exercise of any of these rights, shall not limit any other rights or remedies the Employer may have in law or in equity, including, without limitation, the right to arbitration contained in Section 9 hereof and the right to compensatory and monetary damages. Executive hereby agrees to waive his right to a jury trial with respect to any action commenced to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Executive shall have remedies comparable to those of the Employer as set forth above in this Section 8(f) if the Employer breaches Section 8(e).
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(g) Transition. Regardless of the reason for his departure from the Employer, Executive agrees that at the Employer’s sole costs and expense, for a period of not more than thirty (30) days after termination of Executive, he shall take all steps reasonably requested by the Employer to effect a successful transition of client and customer relationships to the person or persons designated by the Employer, subject to Executive’s obligations to his new employer.
(h) Cooperation with Respect to Litigation. During the Employment Period and at all times thereafter, Executive agrees to give prompt written notice to the Employer of any formally asserted claim relating to the Employer and to cooperate fully, in good faith and to the best of his ability with the Employer in connection with any and all pending, potential or future claims, investigations or actions which directly or indirectly relate to any action, event or activity about which Executive has or is reasonably believed by the Employer to have direct material knowledge in connection with or as a result of his employment by the Employer hereunder, provided that Executive is not waiving any legal rights he may have. Such cooperation will include all assistance that the Employer, its counsel or its representatives may reasonably request, including reviewing documents, meeting with counsel, providing factual information and material, and appearing or testifying as a witness; provided, however, that the Employer will reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses, including travel, lodging and meals, and reasonable legal fees and expenses (except to the extent that legal representation is provided by the Employer at the Employer’s expense) incurred by him in fulfilling his obligations under this Section 8(h) and, except as may be required by law or by court order, should Executive then be employed by an entity other than the Employer, such cooperation will not materially interfere with Executive’s then current employment or his efforts to obtain new employment. In addition, for all time that Executive reasonably expends at the request of the Employer in cooperating with the Employer pursuant to this Section 8(h) when Executive is no longer employed by the Employer, the Employer shall compensate Executive at a per diem rate equal to the sum of (A) Base Salary in Executive’s last fiscal year of employment during the Employment Period plus (B) Executive’s actual annual cash bonus for the last full fiscal year of employment during the Employment Period for which such a bonus was determined, divided by 220; provided that Executive’s right to such compensation shall not apply to time spent in activities that could have been compelled pursuant to a subpoena, including testimony and related attendance at depositions, hearings or trials.
(i) Survival. The provisions of this Section 8 and any other provisions relating to the enforcement thereof shall survive termination of Executive’s employment.
9. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement (other than a controversy or claim arising under Section 8, to the extent necessary for the Employer (or its affiliates, where applicable) to avail itself of the rights and remedies referred to in Section 8(f)) that is not resolved by Executive and the Employer (or its affiliates, where applicable) shall be submitted to binding arbitration by the American Arbitration Association in New York, New York in accordance with New York law and the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”), and a neutral arbitrator will selected in a manner consistent with such Rules. Such arbitration shall be confidential and private and conducted in accordance with the Rules. Any such arbitration proceeding shall take place in New York City before a single arbitrator (rather than a panel of arbitrators). Each party shall bear its respective costs (including attorney’s fees, and there shall be no award of attorney’s fees. Judgment upon the final award(s) rendered by such arbitrator, after giving effect to the AAA internal appeals process, may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The determination of the arbitrator shall be conclusive and binding on the Employer (or its affiliates, where applicable) and Executive.
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10. Conflicting Agreements. Executive hereby represents and warrants that the execution of this Agreement and the performance of his obligations hereunder will not breach or be in conflict with any other agreement to which he is a party or is bound, and that he is not now subject to any covenants against competition or similar covenants which would affect the performance of his obligations hereunder.
11. Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail or overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand, or if mailed, three (3) days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service), and, further, shall be sent by email, as follows:
(a) if to Executive:
Matthew DiLiberto, at the mailing address and email address (if provided) shown on the execution page hereof
(b) if to the Employer:
SL Green Realty Corp.
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10170
Attn: General Counsel
Email: andrew.levine@slgreen.com
or such other address as either party may from time to time specify by written notice to the other party hereto.
12. Amendments. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless it shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto. No waiver of rights under this Agreement shall be effective against any party hereto unless in writing and signed by such party.
13. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement (or any portion thereof) or the application of any such provision (or any portion thereof) to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof (or the remaining portion hereof) or the application of such provision to any other persons or circumstances.
14. Withholding. The Employer shall be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed payments any amount of tax withholding it determines to be required by law.
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15. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any corporation with which or into which the Employer may be merged or which may succeed to its assets or business, provided, however, that the obligations of Executive are personal and shall not be assigned by him. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators, assigns, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.
17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such State, without regard to the conflicts of law principles of such State.
18. Choice of Venue. Subject to the provisions of Section 9, Executive and the Employer each agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, for the purpose of any action to enforce any of the terms of this Agreement.
19. Parachutes.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if all or any portion of the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement (including without limitation any accelerated vesting and any other payment or benefit received in connection with a Change-in-Control or the termination of Executive’s employment), or any other payments and benefits which Executive receives or is entitled to receive under any plan, program, arrangement or other agreement, whether from the Employer or an affiliate of the Employer, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an excess “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (whether or not under an existing plan, arrangement or other agreement) (each such parachute payment, a “Parachute Payment”), and would result in the imposition on Executive of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code or any successor thereto, then the following provisions shall apply:
(i) If the Parachute Payments, reduced by the sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the federal, state, and local income and employment taxes payable by Executive on the amount of the Parachute Payments which is in excess of the Threshold Amount, are greater than or equal to the Threshold Amount, Executive shall be entitled to the full benefits payable under this Agreement.
(ii) If the Threshold Amount is less than (x) the Parachute Payments, but greater than (y) the Parachute Payments reduced by the sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the federal, state, and local income and employment taxes on the amount of the Parachute Payments which is in excess of the Threshold Amount, then the Parachute Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent necessary so that the Parachute Payment shall not exceed the Threshold Amount. In such event, the Parachute Payments shall be reduced in the following order, in each case, in reverse chronological order beginning with the Parachute Payments that are to be paid the furthest in time from consummation of the transaction that is subject to Section 280G of the Code: (1) cash payments not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (2) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (3) equity-based payments and acceleration; and (4) non-cash forms of benefits; provided that in the case of all the foregoing Parachute Payments all amounts or payments that are not subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c) shall be reduced before any amounts that are subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c).
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(b) For the purposes of this Section 19, “Threshold Amount” shall mean three times Executive’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder less one dollar ($1.00); and “Excise Tax” shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, and any interest or penalties incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax.
(c) The determination as to which of the alternative provisions of Section 19(a) shall apply to Executive shall be made by a certified public accounting firm of national reputation reasonably selected by the Employer. Executive and the Employer shall provide the accounting firm with all information which any accounting firm reasonably deems necessary in computing the Threshold Amount. For purposes of determining which of the alternative provisions of Section 19(a) shall apply, Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the determination is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in each applicable state and locality, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. Any determination by the accounting firm shall be binding upon the Employer and the Executive.
20. Section 409A.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Employer determines that Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of Executive’s separation from service would be considered deferred compensation subject to the 20 percent additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six (6) months and one day after Executive’s separation from service, or (B) Executive’s death. If any such delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule. Any payments delayed pursuant to this Section 20(a) shall bear interest during the period of such delay at the simple rate of 5% per annum.
(b) The parties intend that this Agreement will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and that the compensation arrangements under this Agreement be in full compliance with Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement shall be construed in a manner to give effect to such intention. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. The parties agree that this Agreement may be amended, as reasonably requested by either party, and as may be necessary to fully comply with Section 409A of the Code and all related rules and regulations in order to preserve the payments and benefits provided hereunder without additional cost to either party.
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(c) To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this Agreement constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon the Executive’s termination of employment, then such payments or benefits shall be payable only upon the Executive’s “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
(d) Each payment under this Agreement or otherwise (including any installment payments) shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(e) All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement must be provided by the Employer or incurred by Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year. Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(f) The Employer makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to Executive or any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, such Section.
21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including, without limit, any attached exhibits hereto and any equity and award agreements referred to herein or therein) contains the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, as of the Effective Date, supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter, including, without limitation, the Prior Agreement; provided, however, that no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to adversely affect any of Executive’s rights to compensation or benefits (including equity compensation) payable in accordance with the terms of the Prior Agreement (and applicable equity award agreements) or any of Executive’s rights to indemnification with respect to Executive’s service under the Prior Agreement. The parties hereto shall not be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein.
22. Section Headings. Section headings used in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning of any provision of this Agreement.
23. Board Approval. The Employer represents that the Board (or the Compensation Committee thereof) has approved the economic terms of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is entered into as of the date and year first written above.
| SL GREEN REALTY CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ Andrew S. Levine | |
| Name: Andrew S. Levine | ||
| Title: Executive Vice President | ||
| EXECUTIVE: | |
| /s/ Matthew DiLiberto | |
| Name: Matthew DiLiberto | |
| Address: | |
| Email Address: |
[Signature Page to DiLiberto Employment Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN UNITS (“LTIP UNITS”)
LTIP Units (Time-Based Vesting)
| 1. | Plan: SL Green Realty Corp. Fourth Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) |
| 2. | Type of Award: LTIP units in SL Green Operating Partnership, L.P. |
| 3. | Total Number of Units: 31,020 |
| 4. | Distributions will be paid on all 31,020 units whether vested or not. |
| 5. | Vesting: Subject to acceleration as set forth in the Agreement, 15,510 of the units shall vest on each of January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023, if and as employment continues. |
A-1