(f) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
(g) “Expenses” includes all direct and indirect costs (including all attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and other costs of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, excise taxes and penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all other disbursements, obligations, or expenses) reasonably incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement, or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, the Company’s Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation, applicable law or otherwise, by litigation or otherwise. Expenses, however, do not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding.
(h) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the five years prior to its selection or appointment has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company, Indemnitee, or a Sponsor Entity in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements) or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel.
(i) “Liabilities” means any losses or liabilities, including any judgments, fines, excise taxes, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement, arising out of or in connection with any Proceeding (including all interest, assessments, and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any such judgments, fines, excise taxes, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement).
(j) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, regulatory, or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, and whether instituted by or on behalf of the Company or any other party, in which Indemnitee or a Sponsor Entity was, is, or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness, or otherwise by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any
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