M&A Engagement Letters: Strategies for Buyers, Sellers...
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M&A Engagement Letters:
Strategies for Buyers, Sellers,
Investment Banks and Their Counsel Negotiating Scope of Engagement, Fees, Confidentiality, Termination, Indemnification and More
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Presenting a live 90-minute webinar with interactive Q&A
Kevin Miller, Partner, Alston & Bird, New York
Stephen M. Kotran, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell, New York
James Ben, Managing Director, Rothschild, New York

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- 5 -
Investment Bank Engagement Letters
Kevin Miller
Alston + Bird LLP
90 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Tel: (212) 210-9520
Fax: (212) 922-3840
Stephen M. Kotran
Sullivan & Cromwell
125 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
Tel: (212) 558-4963
Fax: (212) 558-3588
James Ben
Rothschild
1251 Avenue of the Americas
51st Floor
New York, New York 10020
Tel: (212) 403-3500
Fax: (212) 403-3501

- 6 -
The Engagement Letter
Timing
Investment banks generally require that an engagement letter be
signed prior to commencing substantive work on the engagement to
ensure that there is a clear understanding of the terms of the
proposed engagement, and that the Investment Bank has the
benefit of an indemnity/release covering any advice and services
rendered.
6

- 7 -
The Engagement Letter
Scope of engagement
The Investment Bank will act as the Company’s (or specified committee of the Company's board) financial advisor (which may include rendering a fairness opinion).
Some engagements are fairness opinion only.
7

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The Engagement Letter
Scope of Engagement
Sample Provisions:
Scope of Engagement. The Company hereby engages the Investment Bank to
act as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor in connection with the
proposed acquisition (the “Transaction”) of [[insert Target’s full legal name] (the
“Target”)]. [or, if a business division or assets of the Target are to be acquired,
insert description of Target’s business (the “Business”)].
The term “Transaction” shall also include any transaction or series of related
transactions whereby, directly or indirectly, control of, or a significant interest in,
[the Target][the Business] or any of [the Target’s businesses or assets][the
Business] is acquired by or otherwise transferred to the Company or any of its
affiliates, including, without limitation, a sale, acquisition or exchange of
securities or assets, a lease or license of assets (with or without a purchase
option) pursuant to a stock or asset purchase agreement or a merger,
consolidation or reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, split-off, tender offer,
leveraged buyout or other extraordinary corporate transaction or business
combination involving [the Target][the Business];
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The Engagement Letter
Scope of Engagement
Selected Discussion Topics
Opinion only v. broader financial advisory services
Impact on fees and fee structures
Definition of Transaction
Exclusive v. non-exclusive financial advisor
Reasons for engaging a second financial advisor (e.g., to address potential conflicts)
Impact on fees and fee structures
Company v. specified committee of the Company's Board
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- 10 -
The Engagement Letter
Services to be provided
Clients should have a clear understanding of the services to be
performed by the Investment Bank.
the Investment Banks should have a clear understanding of the
services they are expected to perform.
The scope and complexity of the services to be provided affects the
determination of the appropriate fees.
In re Daisy Sys. Corp., 97 F.3d 1171 (9th Cir. 1996)
Allegation of broad duties as exclusive financial advisor based on
nonexclusive list of services to be provided led to circumscribed lists of
services in many engagement letters.
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The Engagement Letter
Services to be provided
Sample Provisions:
Services. The Investment Bank’s services under this engagement shall,
to the extent requested by the Company and appropriate under the
circumstances, consist of assisting the Company in:
reviewing and analyzing the business, financial condition and
prospects of [the Company and] [the Target][the Business];
reviewing and evaluating the financial aspects of the proposed
Transaction;
developing a strategy to effectuate the Transaction;
coordinating discussions and meetings with representatives of [the
Target][the Business] to gather information regarding [the Target][the
Business]; and
negotiating the Transaction.
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The Engagement Letter
Services to be provided
Sample Provisions:
In addition, to the extent requested by the Company and appropriate
under the circumstances, the Investment Bank agrees to [(i)] be
available to meet with the Company’s Board of Directors to discuss
the Transaction and its financial implications [and (ii) render an
opinion (the “Opinion”) to the Board of Directors of the Company
(solely in its capacity as such) as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to the Company of the consideration to be paid by the
Company in the Transaction (or, in the case of an exchange of
securities of the Company, of the exchange ratio)].
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The Engagement Letter
Beneficiary of Advice
All advice provided is intended solely for the use and benefit of the [Committee of the] Board of the Company and may not be relied upon by any other person or used for any other purpose.
Baker v. Goldman Sachs & Co., 656 F. Supp. 2d 226 (D. Mass. 2009)
» Allegation of duties to other addressees of engagement
letter led to scrutiny of addresses, avoidance of “you” and
additional language regarding advice being rendered to
directors “(solely in their capacity as such)”.
The SEC does not generally permit opinions and related disclosure included in proxy statements and Schedule 14D-9s filed with the SEC to include a corresponding disclaimer to the extent it purports to disclaim liabilities under the federal securities laws.
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The Engagement Letter
Disclosure
The Investment Bank’s advice may not be disclosed to any other
person except, if the Investment Bank renders a fairness opinion
that is required to be summarized in a proxy statement or Schedule
14D-9 to be filed with the SEC and disseminated to shareholders, a
summary of the opinion may be included in such filings subject to
the Investment Bank’s prior review and written consent. Typically, a
copy of the opinion is attached as an annex to such filing and
qualifies any such description in its entirety.
State law varies with respect to whether a fairness opinion should
be attached or summarized in a non-SEC filed merger proxy.
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The Engagement Letter
Beneficiary of Advice and Disclosure
Sample Provisions:
[All][The Opinion and all] advice (written or oral) provided by the
Investment Bank in connection with the Investment Bank’s
engagement [are][is] intended solely for the benefit and use of
the Board of Directors of the Company (solely in its capacity as
such), and [neither the Opinion nor] [no] such advice shall be
used for any other purpose or be reproduced, disseminated,
summarized, quoted from or referred to at any time, in any
manner or for any purpose, nor shall any public references to the
Investment Bank, the services to be rendered pursuant to this
Agreement or the terms thereof be made by the Company
without the prior written consent of the Investment Bank.
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The Engagement Letter
Beneficiary of Advice and Disclosure (cont.)
Sample Provisions:
[Include only if opinion is required to be publicly disclosed - Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent required by Federal
securities laws to reference and summarize the Opinion in any proxy
statement, tender offer or other filing relating to a Transaction required
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and
distributed to the stockholders of the Company in connection with the
Transaction, the Opinion may be included in its entirety in any such filing
with the SEC that is distributed to stockholders of the Company in
connection with the Transaction and, to the extent expressly required by
applicable law, the Company may also include additional disclosure
regarding the Opinion, subject to the Investment Bank’s prior review and
written approval.]
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The Engagement Letter
Disclosure
Selected Discussion Topics
Advisability of having a reference to opinion in press releases
announcing transaction
Disclosure of opinion to key stockholders or limited partners even if
not legally required
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The Engagement Letter
Legal relationship
The Investment Bank acts solely as an independent contractor and not as a fiduciary or agent.
Schneider v. Lazard Freres & Co., 552 N.Y.S. 2d 571 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
Allegation of fiduciary duties to shareholders led to explicit disclaimers of fiduciary and agency relationships in engagement letters and in some investment banks’ forms of opinions
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The Engagement Letter
Independent Contractor, not fiduciary or agent
Sample Provision:
It is understood and agreed that the Investment Bank will act under this
Agreement as an independent contractor with obligations solely to the
Company and is not being retained hereunder to advise the Company
as to the underlying business decision to consummate any Transaction
or with respect to any related financing, derivative or other transaction.
Nothing in this Agreement or the nature of our services shall be deemed
to create a fiduciary or agency relationship between the Investment
Bank and the Company or its stockholders, employees or creditors, in
connection with the Transaction or otherwise. Other than as set forth in
Annex A attached hereto, nothing in this Agreement is intended to
confer upon any other person (including stockholders, employees or
creditors of the Company) any rights or remedies hereunder or related
hereto.
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The Engagement Letter
Information
The Investment Bank will be provided access to all relevant
transaction participant information and personnel.
The Investment Bank will rely on all information provided to or
discussed with it or available from public sources (including financial
projections) without independent investigation or verification.
The Investment Bank does not perform “due diligence”.
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The Engagement Letter
Information
Sample Provisions:
Information.
During the period of the Investment Bank’s engagement hereunder, the
Company will furnish or arrange to have furnished to the Investment
Bank all information concerning the Company, the Transaction and, to
the extent within the Company’s control, the [Target][Business], that the
Investment Bank deems appropriate and will provide the Investment
Bank with access to the officers, directors, employees, affiliates,
appraisers, independent accountants, legal counsel and other agents,
consultants and advisors (collectively, its “Representatives”) of the
Company and, to the extent practicable, the [Target][Business].
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The Engagement Letter
Information
Sample Provisions:
Information. (cont.)
The Company recognizes and confirms that, in providing our services pursuant to this
Agreement, the Investment Bank will rely upon and assume the accuracy and
completeness of all financial and other information furnished by or discussed with the
Company, the Target and their respective Representatives, or available from public
sources, and the Investment Bank does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of any such information. It is understood and agreed that (i) the
Investment Bank will not and will have no obligation to verify such information or to
conduct any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of the
Company, the Target or any other party, and (ii) the Investment Bank will assume that
any financial projections or forecasts (including cost savings and synergies) that may
be furnished by or discussed with the Company or the Target or their respective
Representatives have been reasonably prepared and reflect the best then currently
available estimates and judgments of the Company’s or the Target’s management, as
appropriate. The Company will promptly notify the Investment Bank of any material
inaccuracy or misstatement in, or material omission from, any information previously
furnished to the Investment Bank. The Investment Bank’s role in reviewing any
information regarding the Company, the [Target][Business] or otherwise relating to the
Transaction will be limited solely to performing such review as it shall deem necessary
to support its own advice and analysis and shall not be on behalf of the Company.
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Engagement Letter
Information
Selected Discussion Topics
Who performs “due diligence”?
What is the purpose of the Investment Bank’s review?
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The Engagement Letter
Fees
The fee structure and amounts must be tailored to fit specific
facts and circumstances. Examples of different types of fees, not
all of which may be relevant or appropriate to a given
engagement, include:
Fees not contingent on consummation of Transaction
Financial Advisory Fee - generally payable upon execution of the
engagement letter; and
Opinion Fee - payable upon delivery of an opinion with respect to
the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be
paid/received in the transaction.
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The Engagement Letter
Retainer and Opinion Fees
Sample Provisions:
Fees. In consideration of our services pursuant to this Agreement, the Company agrees to pay the Investment Bank the following compensation:
A non-refundable fee of $[
] (the “Retainer”), payable in cash upon execution of this Agreement plus an additional [monthly][quarterly] fee of $[
] per [month][quarter], payable in advance for a period of not less
than [
] [months][quarters].
[only include if an Opinion is to be rendered - A fee of $[
] (the “Opinion Fee”), payable in cash, one-half of which shall be payable at the time the Board of Directors of the Company requests that the Investment Bank begin work on the review of information and analyses necessary to render the Opinion, and the balance of which shall be payable immediately prior to the Investment Bank’s delivery of the Opinion to the [committee of the] Board of Directors.]
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The Engagement Letter
Fees contingent on consummation of a Transaction
Transaction Fee - payable upon the consummation of the
transaction;
Sellside - often a percentage of the aggregate value of the
transaction calculated on an enterprise value basis.
Buyside - often a fixed fee
Tail - The Investment Bank will typically be entitled to its full
Transaction Fee if a Transaction is agreed or consummated
within a specified period of time following the expiration or
termination of the engagement.
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The Engagement Letter
Transaction Fee
Sample Provision:
Buyside. If a Transaction is consummated or an
agreement with respect to a Transaction is entered into
prior to the expiration of [18] months following the
termination of the Investment Bank’s engagement
hereunder and a Transaction is subsequently
consummated, a fee of $[
] million (the “Transaction
Fee”).
27

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The Engagement Letter
Transaction Fee (cont.)
Sample Provision:
Sellside. If a Transaction is consummated or an
agreement with respect to a Transaction is entered into
prior to the expiration of [18] months following the
termination of the Investment Bank’s engagement
hereunder and a Transaction is subsequently
consummated, a fee (the “Transaction Fee”), based on a
percentage of the Aggregate Value (as defined below),
calculated as the sum of the following:
Portion of Aggregate Value Transaction Fee
Less than $X MM __% of such amount; plus
Greater than or equal to $X MM but less than $Y MM __% of such amount; plus
Greater than or equal to $Y MM __% of such amount.
28

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The Engagement Letter
Transaction Fee (cont.)
Sample Provision:
“Aggregate Value” means (i) (a) in the case of a Transaction involving the
capital stock of the Company, the total fair market value (at the time of
closing) of all consideration paid or payable, or otherwise to be distributed,
directly or indirectly, in respect of a Company common share in connection
with the Transaction multiplied by the Company’s fully diluted shares
outstanding, and (b) in the case of a Transaction involving assets of the
Company, the total fair market value (at the time of closing) of all
consideration paid or payable, or otherwise to be distributed, directly or
indirectly, to the Company or its stockholders in connection with the
Transaction plus the value of any current assets not sold, plus (ii) the
amount of all indebtedness, preferred stock and other liabilities and
obligations, including capital leases, remaining on the [Company’s]
[Business’s] financial statements at closing or directly or indirectly assumed,
retired, repaid, redeemed or defeased in connection with the Transaction.
29

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Engagement Letter
Fees
Selected Discussion Topics
Drivers of fee structures
Opinion only v. broader scope of services
Needs of client
Transaction value v. consideration received
Length and triggers for tail provisions
30

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The Engagement Letter
Alternative Transaction fees; Reimbursement of expenses
Alternative Transaction - The Investment Bank may be entitled to a
customary fee to be agreed if the Company engages in a
transaction that does not qualify as a Transaction.
Expenses - The Investment Bank is typically reimbursed for its
reasonable expenses, including legal fees, incurred in connection
with the engagement.
31

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The Engagement Letter
Alternative Transaction Fee and Reimbursement Provisions
Sample Provisions:
In the event the Transaction involves a transfer of ownership or control
of less than 50% of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Target,
no significant interest in any of its businesses or assets or an Alternative
Transaction (as defined below), the fee payable to the Investment Bank
shall be a fee that would customarily be paid to a nationally recognized
investment bank engaged as a financial advisor in connection with a
comparable transaction.
The term “Alternative Transaction” shall include any transaction or
series of related transactions involving the Company or any of its
affiliates on the one hand and [the Target] [the Business] or any of their
affiliates or any of their respective shareholders on the other hand, that
does not constitute a Transaction (an “Alternative Transaction”).
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The Engagement Letter
Alternative Transaction Fee and Reimbursement Provisions
Sample Provisions (cont.):
The Company will promptly reimburse the Investment Bank,
periodically upon request, for all out-of-pocket expenses
reasonably incurred by the Investment Bank, including the
reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel, resulting from or
arising out of this Agreement and the performance of the
services pursuant to this Agreement (including related expenses
incurred prior to the date of this Agreement), whether or not a
Transaction is consummated.
33

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The Engagement Letter
Alternative Transaction Fee and Reimbursement Provisions
Selected Discussion Topics
Expense reimbursement dollar cap or required notice to Company
before exceeding specified dollar threshold.
Any limitations on expenses reimbursement do not modify or limit
Company’s obligation to reimburse expenses in connection with any
litigation, claims or other investigations.
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The Engagement Letter
Other fees that may be appropriate include:
Progress Fee - generally payable upon achievement of certain
progress milestones (e.g., execution of a letter of intent,
memorandum of understanding or exclusivity agreement or, for a
prospective buyer, the receipt of an invitation to participate in a
further round of bidding, etc.).
Announcement Fee - generally payable upon the first public
announcement of a transaction.
Breakup Fee - payable upon receipt by the Company of a breakup
fee in connection with the termination of the transaction agreement.
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The Engagement Letter
Other Fees
Sample Provisions:
A fee of $[●] (the “Milestone Fee”), payable in cash at the earlier of
(i) the signing of a letter of intent, agreement in principle or other
similar agreement (whether or not binding on the parties thereto)
with respect to a Transaction; (ii) the first public announcement by
the Company or any of its affiliates of an intention to commence a
tender or exchange offer to acquire all or a substantial portion of the
Target’s outstanding voting securities; (iii) the mailing of a proxy
statement or information statement with respect to a Transaction,
and (iv) the date of any action by the stockholders of the Target by
written consent or votes cast with respect to a Transaction or an
agreement with respect thereto.
36

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The Engagement Letter
Other Fees (cont.)
Sample Provisions:
If the Transaction is not consummated and either the Company or any
of its affiliates is (i) paid, granted or otherwise becomes entitled to
receive a “break-up” or “topping” fee or any other payment or
consideration (the “Break-Up Consideration”) in connection with or as a
result of, without limitation, (x) the termination, abandonment or
cancellation of the Transaction (or any effort to effect the Transaction)
or (y) settlement of, or judgment in, any litigation or dispute relating to
the Transaction, or (ii) the Company sells, disposes of or otherwise
transfers for consideration to the Target or any third party any securities
of or other interests in the Target (or any rights thereto) which it
presently owns or which it acquires during the term of this Agreement, a
cash fee (a “Break-Up Fee”) payable upon the Company’s receipt of
such consideration, equal to [
]% of the total fair market value of the
Break-Up Consideration.
37

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The Engagement Letter
Additional Business
The appropriate Transaction Fee amount may depend on the
likelihood that the engagement will generate opportunities for
additional fees for the Investment Bank (e.g., as financial advisor
in connection with any related divestitures, restructurings,
hedging strategies, financings or refinancings).
38

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The Engagement Letter
Additional Business
Sample Provision:
Additional Services. During the period of the Investment Bank’s engagement hereunder
and for a period of [18] months thereafter, the Company shall offer the Investment Bank
the right to act as (i) lead managing underwriter, lead initial purchaser or lead placement
agent for any financing involving debt and/or equity securities of the Company and as
lead arranger of any syndicated loan financing undertaken on behalf of the Company or
any of its affiliates in connection with the Transaction or otherwise (in each case acting
as sole or joint book runner), (ii) principal counterparty on any foreign exchange or
derivative transaction by the Company or any of its affiliates arising out of or relating to
the Transaction, and (iii) financial advisor to the Company or any of its affiliates in the
event of [any [significant] potential acquisition, disposition or other extraordinary
corporate transaction (other than the Transaction) involving the Company or any of its
affiliates or any of its or their assets, securities or businesses], whether by way of
purchase or sale of securities or assets, merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, spin-off, split-off or otherwise, in each case on customary terms and
conditions (including receipt of internal committee approvals), including fees that would
customarily be paid to a nationally recognized investment bank engaged as its financial
advisor, placement agent, initial purchaser, underwriting or in a similar capacity in
connection with a comparable transaction.
39

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The Engagement Letter
Termination
Typically, either the Investment Bank or the client may terminate
the engagement, but termination of the engagement does not
relieve the client from its obligation to pay accrued fees,
reimburse accrued expenses or, in the event a transaction is
consummated or agreed to within a specified period of time
following termination (commonly referred to as the “tail period”),
the client’s obligation to pay a Transaction Fee.
40

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The Engagement Letter
Termination
Sample Provision:
Term. The Investment Bank’s engagement hereunder may be
terminated at any time by either the Investment Bank or the
Company upon written notice thereof to the other party without
liability or continuing obligation on the part of the Company or the
Investment Bank; provided, however, that the Investment Bank will
continue to be entitled to the full amount of any compensation
payable pursuant to section [ ] above in the event that any of the
events specified therein occurs prior to the expiration of [18]
months after any termination of the Investment Bank’s engagement
hereunder; and provided, further, that sections [ ] through [ ] and
[Indemnification ]Annex attached hereto, shall survive any
termination of the Investment Bank’s engagement hereunder.
41

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The Engagement Letter
Indemnity and related obligations
Clients are required to agree to customary forms of
indemnification, contribution, expense reimbursement and
exculpation/release provisions. Often these obligations are set
forth in an annex or schedule attached to the engagement letter.
These obligations survive any termination of the engagement.
The only exception to the Company’s indemnification obligations to,
and exculpation/release of, the Investment Bank are losses that are
finally judicially determined to have resulted from the willful
misconduct [or bad faith] or gross negligence of the Investment
Bank.
42

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The Engagement Letter
Indemnity
Sample Provision:
Indemnification and Expense Reimbursement. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Investment Bank to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, obligations, penalties, judgments, awards, and other liabilities (collectively, “Liabilities”), and will fully reimburse the Investment Bank for any and all fees, costs, expenses and disbursements (collectively, “Expenses”), as and when incurred, of investigating, preparing or defending any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether or not in connection with pending or threatened litigation or arbitration, and whether or not the Investment Bank is a party (collectively, “Actions”) (including any and all legal and other Expenses in giving testimony or furnishing documents in response to a subpoena or otherwise), arising out of or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be rendered by the Investment Bank pursuant to the Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby or the Investment Bank’s actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services or transactions; provided, however, such indemnity agreement shall not apply to any portion of any such Liability or Expense that is found in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal) to have resulted primarily and directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Investment Bank in performing its services under this Agreement.
43

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The Engagement Letter
Release
Sample Provision:
Release. The Company agrees that the Investment Bank shall not have
any liability (including without limitation, liability for any losses, claims,
damages, obligations, penalties, judgments, awards, liabilities, costs,
expenses or disbursements) in contract, tort or otherwise to the
Company, or to any person claiming through the Company, in
connection with the engagement of the Investment Bank pursuant to this
Agreement and the matters contemplated hereby, except where such
liability is found in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction
(not subject to further appeal) to have resulted primarily and directly from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Investment Bank. The
Company further agrees that the Investment Bank shall have no
responsibility for any act, omission or misstatement by the Company, the
Target or any of their respective Representatives.
44

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The Engagement Letter
Contribution
Sample Provision:
Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution, if a claim for
indemnification pursuant to this Annex A is made but is found in a final judgment by a
court of competent jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal) that such indemnification
may not be enforced in such case, even though the express provisions hereof provide
for indemnification in such case, then the Company, on the one hand, and the
Investment Bank, on the other hand, shall contribute to the Liabilities and Expenses to
which the indemnified persons may be subject in accordance with the relative benefits
received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Investment Bank, on the other
hand, or, if such allocation is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
unavailable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect other equitable considerations
such as the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Investment Bank
on the other hand. The Company agrees for purposes of this paragraph that the relative
benefits to the Company and the Investment Bank of any contemplated Transaction
(whether or not consummated) shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the
total value paid or issued or contemplated to be paid or issued to or by the Company or
its stockholders in connection with such Transaction bears to the fees actually paid to
the Investment Bank under the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Investment Bank shall not be obligated to contribute any amount pursuant to this
paragraph that exceeds the amount of fees previously received by the Investment Bank
pursuant to the Agreement.
45

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Engagement Letter
Indemnification and Release
Selected Discussion Topics
Rationale for indemnification and exculpation other than for losses
finally determined to have resulted from bad faith or gross
negligence
46