IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
EXHIBIT A
Form of General Release
GENERAL RELEASE
1.
(a)
As a condition to and in consideration of the payments and benefits described in Section 6 of the Employment Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2007, between Castle Brands Inc. and me relating to my employment with Castle Brands Inc., and for other good and valuable consideration, I, with the intention of binding myself and my heirs, beneficiaries, trustees, administrators, executives, assigns and legal representatives (collectively, the “Releasors”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release, remise, and forever discharge Castle Brands Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and the Releasees (as hereinafter defined) with respect to any and all agreements, promises, rights, liabilities, claims, and demands of any kind whatsoever (upon any legal or equitable theory, whether contractual, common law, or statutory, under federal, state or local law or otherwise), whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, fixed or contingent, apparent or concealed, that the Releasors ever had, now have or hereafter can, shall or may have for, upon, or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever existing, accruing, arising or occurring at any time on or prior to the date I execute this General Release, including, without limitation, (i) any and all rights and claims arising out of or in connection with my employment by Castle Brands Inc., the terms and conditions of such employment, or the termination of my employment; (ii) any and all contract claims, claims for bonuses, claims for severance allowances or entitlements; (iii) fraud claims, defamation, disparagement and other personal injury and tort claims; and (iv) claims under any federal, state, or municipal employee benefit, wage payment, discrimination, or fair employment practices law (e.g., on the basis of sex, religion, age, race, or disability), statute, or regulation, and claims for costs and expenses (including but not limited to experts’ fees and attorneys’ fees) with respect thereto. This General Release includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims under the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the U.S. Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act, the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Equal Pay Act, The Workers Adjustment and Notification Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the New York Conscientious Employee Protection Act, the New York Equal Pay Act, the New York Smokers’ Rights Law, the New York Family Leave Act, the New York Genetic Privacy Act, and the New York Constitution, in each case as such laws have been or may be amended. Nothing in this General Release shall deprive me of any compensation that was earned but not paid prior to my termination; accrued benefits to which I have acquired a vested right under any employee benefit plan or policy, stock plan or deferred compensation arrangement; any other benefits or any health care continuation coverage to the extent required by applicable law; or any right that I may have under the Employment Agreement dated March 20, 2007.
(b)
For purposes of this General Release, the term “Castle Brands Inc. and the Releasees” includes Castle Brands Inc., its past and present direct and indirect subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, and all of its and their past, preset, and future employees, officers,
directors, attorneys, agents, and legal representatives, whether acting as agents or in individual capacities, and this General Release shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding and enforceable by all such entities and individuals.
2.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this General Release, in the event that any of the parties released under this General Release initiates a lawsuit or other claim (each, an “Original Lawsuit or Claim”) against any of the Releasors, the Releasors may counterclaim or bring any lawsuit or other claim against such released party and/or Castle Brands Inc. and/or its subsidiaries so long as such counterclaim, lawsuit or other claim is related to the Original Lawsuit or Claim. Except as specifically stated in this Section 2, this Section 2 shall not effect the other provisions of this General Release
3.
(a)
Opportunity to Review. I acknowledge that before signing this General Release, I was given a period of at least twenty-one (21) days in which to review and consider it. I acknowledge that I was encouraged by Castle Brands Inc. to review this General Release, and that to the extent I wish to do so I have done so. I further acknowledge that I have read this General Release in its entirety, and that I fully understand the terms and legal effect of this General Release. I am entering into this General Release voluntarily and of my own free will. If I executed this General Release before the end of the twenty-one (21) day period, such early execution was completely voluntary, and I had reasonable and ample time in which to review this General Release.
(b)
Revocability. I agree that, for a period of seven days after I sign this General Release (the “Revocation Period”), I have the right to revoke it by providing notice, in writing (delivered by hand or by overnight mail), to Castle Brands Inc., Attention: Chief Executive Officer. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this General Release will not become effective and enforceable until after the expiration of the Revocation Period.
Date signed:
_________________________
Name:
2