13. Covenants Not to Compete or to Solicit.
(a) Noncompetition. During the Term and for a period of 6 months after the Date of Termination (the “Noncompetition Period”), the EMPLOYEE shall not, without the written consent in writing of the Board of Directors , become an officer, employee, agent, partner, consultant, member, director, or a four and nine-tenths percent or greater shareholder or equity owner of any entity engaged in the banking or lending business within any county in which TBOP or the Company has a branch or loan production office. If at the time of the enforcement of this paragraph a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under the circumstances then existing and, thus, unenforceable, TBOP, the Company and the EMPLOYEE agree that the maximum duration, scope, or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope, or area.
(b) Nonsolicitation. During his employment and the Noncompetition Period, the EMPLOYEE shall not, whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other individual or business entity, solicit, endeavor to entice away from TBOP, the Company, a Subsidiary or any affiliated company, or otherwise interfere with the relationship of TBOP, the Company, a Subsidiary, or any affiliated company with any person who is, or was within the then most recent 12 month period, an employee or associate thereof.
(c) Extension of Noncompetition Period. The Noncompetition Period shall be automatically extended by the length of time (if any) in which the EMPLOYEE is in violation of any of the terms of this Paragraph 13.
14. Additional Equitable Remedy. The EMPLOYEE acknowledges and agrees that TBOP’s remedy at law for a breach or a threatened breach of the provisions of Paragraphs 12 and 13 would be inadequate; and, in recognition of this fact, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach by him, it is agreed that TBOP shall be entitled to request equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction, or any other equitable remedy which may then be available. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as prohibiting TBOP from pursuing any other remedy available under this Agreement for such a breach or threatened breach.
15. Legal Fees. TBOP shall reimburse the EMPLOYEE for all reasonable legal fees and expenses he may incur in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement, but only with respect to such claim or claims upon which EMPLOYEE prevails. Such payments shall be made within fourteen (14) days after delivery of EMPLOYEE’s written request for payment accompanied with such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as TBOP may reasonably require.
16. Related Agreements. Except as may otherwise be provided herein, to the extent that any provision of any other agreement between TBOP , the Company and the EMPLOYEE shall limit, qualify, duplicate, or be inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement, the provision in this Agreement shall control and such provision of such other agreement shall be deemed to have been superseded, and to be of no force or effect, as if such other agreement had been formally amended to the extent necessary to accomplish such purpose.
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