EXHIBIT A
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This Release of Claims (“Release”) is made by and between KLA-Tencor Corporation (the “Company”), and _______________ (“Employee”).
WHEREAS, Employee has agreed to enter into a release of claims in favor of the Company in return for obtaining certain severance benefits specified in the agreement by and between the Company and Employee dated November __, 2005 which amended and restated in its entirety that Agreement dated February 23, 2005 (the “Agreement”).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Termination. Employee’s employment from the Company terminated on ________________ (the “Termination Date”).
2. Consideration. Pursuant to the terms of Section __ of the Agreement, upon the Effective Date of this Release, Executive will be entitled to severance payments and benefits as provided therein.
3. Confidential Information. Employee shall continue to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary information of the Company and shall continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the [Confidentiality Agreement] between Employee and the Company. Employee shall return all the Company property and confidential and proprietary information in his possession to the Company on the Effective Date of this Release.
4. Payment of Salary. Employee acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid all severance, salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, commissions and any and all other benefits due to Employee as of the date hereof.
5. Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company. Employee, on behalf of himself, and his respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted any legal or administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that he may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Release including, without limitation,
a. any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;
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b. any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
c. any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and conversion;
d. any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code section 201, et seq. and section 970, et seq. and all amendments to each such Act as well as the regulations issued thereunder;
e. any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution;
f. any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and
g. any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Parties agree that Employee will continue to be covered by the terms and conditions of the [Indemnity Release] entered into between Employee and the Company on [DATE] (the “Indemnity Release”) and the terms of the Company’s D&O insurance policy for claims against Employee that arise out of matters or events that occurred prior to the Termination Date. This release does not extend to any severance benefits due Employee under the Agreement or any rights to indemnification Employee may have under the Indemnification Release or the Company’s D&O insurance policy.
6. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee and the Company agree that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Release. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this Release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release;
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(b) he has at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Release; (c) he has seven (7) days following the execution of this Release by the parties to revoke the Release; (d) this Release shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Release prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. Any revocation should be in writing and delivered to the General Counsel at the Company by close of business on the seventh day from the date that Employee signs this Release.
7. Civil Code Section 1542. Employee represents that he is not aware of any claims against the Company other than the claims that are released by this Release. Employee acknowledges that he has been advised by legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code 1542, below, which provides as follows:
| A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. |
Employee, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights he may have thereunder, as well as under any statute or common law principles of similar effect.
8. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that he has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein. Employee also represents that he does not intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein.
9. Application for Employment. Employee understands and agrees that, as a condition of this Release, he shall not be entitled to any employment with the Company, its subsidiaries, or any successor, and he hereby waives any right, or alleged right, of employment or re-employment with the Company.
10. No Cooperation. Employee agrees that he will not counsel or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer, director, employee, agent, representative, shareholder or attorney of the Company, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so.
11. Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Release.
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12. Authority. Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Release.
13. No Representations. Employee represents that he has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Release. Neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other party hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Release.
14. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Release shall continue in full force and effect without said provision.
15. Entire Release. This Release, along with the Agreement, the Employee Proprietary Information and Investors Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement, represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning Employee’s separation from the Company.
16. No Oral Modification. This Release may only be amended in writing signed by Employee and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.
17. Governing Law. This Release shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of California.
18. Effective Date. This Release is effective after it has been signed by both Parties, but no sooner than seven (7) days have passed since Employee has signed the Release (the “Effective Date”), unless revoked by Employee prior to the Effective Date.
19. Counterparts. This Release may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
20. Voluntary Execution of Release. This Release is executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Parties hereto, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The Parties acknowledge that:
a. They have read this Release;
b. They have been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Release by legal counsel of their own choice or that they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel;
c. They understand the terms and consequences of this Release and of the releases it contains; and
d. They are fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Release.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Release on the respective dates set forth below.
| KLA-Tencor Corporation |
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Dated: __________, 20__ | By | |
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Dated: __________, 20__ | | |
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| | Kenneth L. Schroeder |
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