ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION
2011 AMENDED AND RESTATED INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this and effective February __, 2013 (the “Grant Date”) by and between ACCO Brands Corporation, a Delaware corporation (collectively with all Subsidiaries, the “Company”) and Robert J. Keller (“Grantee”).
WHEREAS, Grantee is a Key Employee of the Company and in compensation for Grantee’s services and Grantee’s agreement to certain employment and post-employment covenants, the Board deems it advisable to grant to Grantee an Award of Restricted Stock Units representing Shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“Shares”), pursuant to the ACCO Brands Corporation 2011 Amended and Restated Incentive Plan (“Plan”), which may become vested and nonforfeitable upon Grantee’s continuous service, as set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:
1. Plan Governs; Capitalized Terms. This Agreement is made pursuant to the Plan, and the terms of the Plan are incorporated into this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically stated herein. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement that are not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings as used or defined in the Plan. References in this Agreement to any specific Plan provision shall not be construed as limiting the applicability of any other Plan provision.
2. Award of Restricted Stock Units. The Company hereby grants to Grantee on the Grant Date an Award of _________ Restricted Stock Units. Each Restricted Stock Unit constitutes an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to deliver (or cause to be delivered) to Grantee, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, one (1) Share. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall vest in accordance with Section 3 and shall be payable to Grantee in accordance with Section 4. The Company shall hold the Restricted Stock Units in book-entry form. Grantee shall have no direct or secured claim in any specific assets of the Company or the Shares that may become issuable to Grantee under Section 4 hereof, and shall have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. THIS AWARD IS CONDITIONED ON GRANTEE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT AND RETURNING IT TO THE COMPANY BY ______, 2013, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL TERMS, CONDITIONS AND PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN AND THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CERTAIN COVENANTS SET FORTH ON ATTACHMENT A HERETO THAT APPLY DURING, AND FOLLOWING A TERMINATION OF, GRANTEE’S EMPLOYMENT FOR ANY REASON. FOR PURPOSES OF ATTACHMENT A, GRANTEE’S SECTION 4.1 RESTRICTION SHALL BE FOR 24 MONTHS AND GRANTEE’S SECTION 4.2 RESTRICTION SHALL BE FOR 12 MONTHS, EXCEPT AS GRANTEE AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (AND SHOULD THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BE THE GRANTEE, THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD) MAY OTHERWISE AGREE IN WRITING.
3. Vesting.
(a) Generally. Subject to the acceleration of the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) and 3(f) below, or the forfeiture and termination of the Restricted Stock Units pursuant Section 3(e) or 4(c) below, the Restricted Stock Units shall vest and become nonforfeitable on February __, 2015 (the “Vesting Date”) provided that Grantee has been in continuous service as an employee or Non-Employee Director of the Company through such date.
(b) Death; Disability. Upon the occurrence of the death of Grantee or Grantee’s Disability during Grantee’s continuous service as an employee or Non-Employee Director of the Company and before the Vesting Date, a number of Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and nonforfeitable (rounded up to the next integer) as equals the fraction of the Award the numerator of which is the number of days from the Grant Date through the date of such death or Disability and the denominator of which is the number of days from the Grant Date through the Vesting Date.
(c) Retirement. Upon Grantee’s Separation from Service due to his Retirement from the Company before the Vesting Date, a number of Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and nonforfeitable (rounded up to the next integer) as equals the fraction of the Award the numerator of which is the number of days from the Grant Date through the date of such Separation from Service and the denominator of which is the number of days from the Grant Date through the Vesting Date. For all purposes under this Agreement (except under Attachment A), Grantee shall not be considered to have incurred a “Separation from Service” (or a “termination of employment”) until the occurrence of the later of (i) the date that Grantee terminates his employment with the Company and all members of the Company’s controlled group of employers in accordance with applicable law and (ii) the date that Grantee terminates his service as a Director of the Company’s Board including uninterrupted continuing service as a Non-Employee Director of the Company following any such termination of employment.
(d) Involuntary Termination without Cause. Upon the occurrence of Grantee’s involuntary Separation from Service by the Company without Cause at any time before the Vesting Date (an “Involuntary Termination”), 100% of the Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and nonforfeitable. In the event that, during any service as a Non-Employee Director of the Company, Grantee is removed from the Board or is not re-nominated or not re-elected as a Non-Employee Director of the Company (other than for Cause), upon such termination as a Non-Employee Director of the Company Grantee shall be regarded as incurring an Involuntary Termination.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (x) a material breach by Grantee of those duties and responsibilities that do not differ in any material respect from Grantee’s duties and responsibilities during the ninety-day period immediately prior to such Separation from Service, which breach is demonstrably willful and deliberate on Grantee’s part, is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of the Company and is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Committee specifying such breach, (y) the conviction of Grantee for a felony, or (z)
ACCO Brands Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – February __, 2013
dishonesty or willful misconduct in connection with Grantee’s employment or services resulting in material economic harm to the Company.
(e) Other Terminations. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, upon Grantee’s Separation from Service for any reason, other than due to his death or Disability under Section 3(b), or due to a Separation from Service under Sections 3(c), 3(d), 3(f)(ii) or (f)(iii), prior to the Vesting Date, the unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be immediately forfeited. Any forfeited Restricted Stock Units shall be automatically cancelled and shall terminate.
(f) Change in Control; Divestiture.
(i) Subject to Section 3(f)(ii) hereof, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control during Grantee’s continuous service as an employee or Non-Employee Director of the Company, the unvested Restricted Stock Units shall immediately vest and become nonforfeitable.
(ii) The Committee shall have the authority to cause the Company (or successor pursuant to the Change in Control), upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, to issue to Grantee a Replacement Award for the Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder on such terms and conditions as are consistent with Section 13(b)(iii)(A) and 13(b)(iv) of the Plan. Upon Grantee’s death or Disability, or Grantee’s Separation from Service due to his Retirement, Involuntary Termination or voluntary Separation from Service for Good Reason, at any time on or before the second anniversary of the occurrence of the Change in Control, the unvested Restricted Stock Units constituting the Replacement Award shall immediately vest and become nonforfeitable. Any Separation of Service of Grantee after the second anniversary of the occurrence of the Change in Control shall be governed by the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement other than this Section 3(f)(ii).
For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (x) a material reduction in Grantee’s annual base salary or annual bonus potential from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control or (y) Grantee’s mandatory relocation to an office more than 50 miles from the primary location at which Grantee is required to perform Grantee’s duties immediately prior to the Change in Control, and which reduction or relocation is not remedied within thirty days after receipt of written notice from Grantee specifying that “Good Reason” exists for purposes of this Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Grantee’s voluntary Separation from Service for Good Reason shall not be effective unless (1) Grantee delivers a written notice setting forth the details of the occurrence giving rise to the claim of termination for Good Reason within a period not to exceed 90 days after its initial existence and (2) the Company fails to cure the same within a thirty (30) day period.
(iii) Upon the occurrence of a transaction before the Vesting Date, by which the Subsidiary that is Grantee’s principal employer ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company and Grantee’s continuous service as an employee or Non-Employee Director of the Company and all other Subsidiaries ceases (“Divestiture”), the unvested Restricted
ACCO Brands Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – February __, 2013
Stock Units shall become vested and nonforfeitable in such number (rounded up to the next integer) as equals the fraction of the Award the numerator of which is the number of days of Grantee’s continuous employment or service from the Grant Date through the Divestiture Date and the denominator of which is the number of days from the Grant Date through the Vesting Date set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.
(g) Contrary Other Agreement. The provisions of Section 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e) or 3(f) to the contrary notwithstanding, if Grantee and the Company have entered into an employment or other agreement which provides for vesting treatment of Grantee’s Restricted Stock Units upon a termination of Grantee’s employment with the Company (and all Affiliates) that is inconsistent with the provisions of Section 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e) or 3(f), the more favorable to Grantee of the terms of (i) such employment or other agreement and (ii) Section 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e) or 3(f), as the case may be, shall control.
(h) Payment on Vesting. Upon or following vesting, Restricted Stock Units shall be paid to Grantee as provided at Section 4 hereof.
4. Delivery of Shares.
(a) Issuance of Shares. Subject to Section 4(c), the Company (or its successor) shall cause its transfer agent for Common Stock to register shares in book-entry form in the name of Grantee (or, in the discretion of the Committee, issue to Grantee a stock certificate) representing a number of Shares equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units vested pursuant to Section 3:
(i) As soon as may be practicable after the Vesting Date, but not later than March 15th of the taxable year of the Company following the Vesting Date, in any case under Section 3(a), 3(c) or 3(d), or, if applicable, under Section 3(f)(ii) or 3(f)(iii); and
(ii) Subject to Section 8(j)(ii), within 60 days (and during the taxable year designated by the Committee in its sole discretion, as may apply) following the occurrence of Grantee’s death or Disability, or vesting due to the occurrence of a Change in Control under Section 3(f)(i).
Provided, in the event that the occurrence of a Change in Control is not a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5), such issuance of shares shall be postponed until the earliest to occur of (1) such a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company or (2) the date for payment under Section 4(a)(i).
(b) Withholding Taxes. At the time Shares are issued to Grantee, or any earlier such time in which income or employment taxes may become due and payable, the Company shall satisfy the minimum statutory Federal, state and local withholding tax obligation (including the FICA and Medicare tax obligation) required by law with respect to the distribution of Shares (or other taxable event) by withholding from Shares issuable to Grantee hereunder having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such required withholding, unless
ACCO Brands Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – February __, 2013
Grantee requests (and the Committee agrees) that the Company satisfy such obligation as provided below. In lieu of Share withholding, the Committee, if requested by Grantee, may cause the Company to satisfy such withholding tax by withholding cash compensation then accrued and payable to Grantee of such required withholding amount or by permitting Grantee to tender a check or other payment of cash to the Company of such required withholding amount.
(c) Forfeiture Upon Breach of Covenant. The provisions of Section 3 to the contrary notwithstanding, any unissued shares issuable under this Section 4 respecting Grantee’s Restricted Stock Units shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled in the event of Grantee’s breach of any covenant set forth SECTION 3, 4.1 or 4.2 of Attachment A in addition to any other remedy set forth at SECTION 7 of Attachment A.
5. No Transfer or Assignment of Restricted Stock Units; Restrictions on Sale. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Restricted Stock Units and the rights and privileges conferred thereby shall not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to sale under execution, attachment, levy or similar process until the Shares represented by the Restricted Stock Units are delivered to Grantee or his designated representative. Grantee shall not sell any Shares, after issuance pursuant to Section 4, at any time when applicable laws or Company policies prohibit a sale. This restriction shall apply as long as Grantee is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company (as defined in Attachment A).
6. Legality of Initial Issuance. No Shares shall be issued unless and until the Company has determined that (a) any applicable listing requirement of any stock exchange or other securities market on which the Common Stock is listed has been satisfied; and (b) all other applicable provisions of state or federal law have been satisfied.
7. Grantee Covenants. In consideration of this Award, Grantee agrees to the covenants, Company remedies for a breach thereof, and other provisions set forth in Attachment A, attached hereto, incorporated into, and being a part of this Agreement.
8. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Rights as a Stockholder. Neither Grantee nor Grantee’s representative shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units until the date that the Company is obligated to deliver such Shares to Grantee or Grantee’s representative.
(b) Dividend Equivalents. As of each dividend date with respect to Shares, an unvested dividend equivalent shall be awarded to Grantee in the dollar amount equal to the amount of the dividend that would have been paid on the number of Shares equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units held by Grantee as of the close of business on the record date for such dividend. Such dividend equivalent amount shall be converted into a number of Restricted Stock Units equal to the number of whole and fractional Shares that could have been purchased at the closing price on the dividend payment date with such dollar amount. In the case of any dividend declared on Shares which is payable in Shares, Grantee shall be awarded an unvested dividend equivalent of an additional number of Restricted Stock Units equal to the product of (i) the
ACCO Brands Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – February __, 2013
number of his Restricted Stock Units then held on the related dividend record date multiplied by the (ii) the number of Shares (including any fraction thereof) distributable as a dividend on a Share. All such dividend equivalents credited to Grantee shall be added to and in all respects thereafter be treated as additional Restricted Stock Units to which such dividend equivalents relate hereunder.
(c) No Retention Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Grantee any right to continue in the employment or service of the Company for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company or of Grantee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his employment or service at any time and for any reason, with or without cause.
(d) Inconsistency. To the extent any terms and conditions herein conflict with the terms and conditions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control.
(e) Notices. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery, upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid or upon deposit with a reputable overnight courier. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to Grantee at the address that he most recently provided to the Company.
(f) Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes any other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) which relate to the subject matter hereof; provided, if Grantee is bound by any restrictive covenant contained in a previously-executed agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, such restrictions shall be read together with Attachment A of this Agreement to provide the Company and its Affiliates with the greatest amount of protection, and to impose on Grantee the greatest amount of restriction, allowed by law. No alteration or modification of this Agreement shall be valid except by a subsequent written instrument executed by the parties hereto. No provision of this Agreement may be waived except by a writing executed and delivered by the party sought to be charged. Any such written waiver shall be effective only with respect to the event or circumstance described therein and not with respect to any other event or circumstance, unless such waiver expressly provides to the contrary.
(g) Choice of Law; Venue; Jury Trial Waiver. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State, without giving effect to the choice of law provisions thereof. The Company and Grantee stipulate and consent to personal jurisdiction and proper venue in the state or federal courts of Cook County, Illinois and waive each such party’s right to objection to an Illinois court’s jurisdiction and venue. Grantee and the Company hereby waive their right to jury trial on any legal dispute arising from or relating to this Agreement, and consent to the submission of all issues of fact and law arising from this Agreement to the judge of a court of competent jurisdiction as otherwise provided for above.
ACCO Brands Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – February __, 2013
(i) This Agreement is personal to Grantee and, except as otherwise provided in Section 5 above, shall not be assignable by Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, without the written consent of the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Grantee’s legal representatives.
(ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its Affiliates and the successors thereof.
(i) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement for any reason should be found by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such declaration shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any remaining provision or portion thereof, which remaining provision or portion thereof shall remain in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been adopted with the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion thereof eliminated.
(j) Section 409A.
(i) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to comply with or satisfy an exemption from Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”). The Committee may in good faith make the minimum modifications to this Agreement as it may deem appropriate to comply with Section 409A while to the maximum extent reasonably possible maintaining the original intent and economic benefit to Grantee and the Company of the applicable provision.
(ii) To the extent required by Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), payment of Restricted Stock Units to Grantee, who is a “specified employee” that is due upon Grantee’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) shall be delayed and paid in a lump sum within seven (7) days (and the Company shall have sole discretion to determine the taxable year in which it is paid) after the earlier of the date that is six (6) months after the date of such separation from service or the date of Grantee’s death after such separation from service. For purposes hereof, whether Grantee is a “specified employee” shall be determined in accordance with the default provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i), with the “identification date” to be December 31 and the “effective date” to be the April 1 following the identification date (as such terms are used under such regulation).
(k) Headings; Interpretation. The headings, captions and arrangements utilized in this Agreement shall not be construed to limit or modify the terms or meaning of this Agreement. Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, the feminine and the neuter.
(l) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
ACCO Brands Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement – February __, 2013
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the date and year first written above.
| ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION By: Name: ________________________ Title: ________________________ |
| Robert J. Keller Grantee Name _____________________________ Grantee Signature |