| 5. | | GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE. IN CONSIDERATION OF THE BENEFIT DESCRIBED IN SECTION 2, EMPLOYEE, ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYEE’S HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, HEREBY RELEASES, ACQUITS AND FOREVER DISCHARGES THE COMPANY AND ANY AND ALL OF ITS CURRENT OR FORMER SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER AFFILIATED ENTITIES AND BENEFIT PLANS, AS WELL AS ITS AND/OR THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, ATTORNEYS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES, STOCKHOLDERS, SUCCESSORS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION 5, ALL INCORPORATED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE “COMPANY”) FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DEMANDS, CAUSES OF ACTION, COSTS, EXPENSES, ATTORNEY’S FEES, DAMAGES, INDEMNITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EVERY KIND AND NATURE, IN LAW, IN EQUITY OR OTHERWISE, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, DISCLOSED AND UNDISCLOSED, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO AGREEMENTS, ACTS OR CONDUCT AT ANY TIME AS OF OR PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: ALL SUCH CLAIMS OR DEMANDS ARISING FROM EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT OR THE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEE’S EMPLOYMENT; ALL SUCH CLAIMS AND DEMANDS RELATED TO SALARY, BONUSES, COMMISSIONS, STOCK, STOCK OPTIONS, (EXCEPT THAT EMPLOYEE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE ANY VESTED AND UNEXERCISED STOCK OPTIONS PREVIOUSLY GRANTED TO EMPLOYEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY AGREEMENT(S) APPLICABLE THERETO), AND STOCK OPTION PLAN(S), FRINGE BENEFITS, SEVERANCE PAY, EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS, OR ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION; CLAIMS PURSUANT TO ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW OR CAUSE OF ACTION INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE MARYLAND FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES ACT, AS AMENDED, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, OR ANY LAW OR LEGAL PRINCIPLE OF SIMILAR EFFECT IN ANY OTHER RELEVANT JURISDICTION; CONTRACT CLAIMS; TORT CLAIMS; OR CLAIMS OF WRONGFUL DISCHARGE, DISCRIMINATION, FRAUD, DEFAMATION, AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS BEFORE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OR AGENCY, CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION, OR OTHER FORUM, EXCEPTING ONLY THOSE CLAIMS, IF ANY, WHICH EMPLOYEE IS PROHIBITED BY LAW FROM WAIVING. EMPLOYEE FURTHER AGREES NOT TO SUE OR OTHERWISE INSTITUTE OR CAUSE TO BE INSTITUTED OR IN ANY WAY VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROSECUTION OF ANY COMPLAINTS OR CHARGES AGAINST ANY PERSONS OR ENTITIES RELEASED BY THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR OTHER COURT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY OR OTHER FORUM CONCERNING ANY CLAIMS RELEASED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EMPLOYEE WAIVES THE RIGHT TO RECOVER FROM ANY COMPLAINTS, CHARGES, OR LAWSUITS FILED BY EMPLOYEE, OR BY ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY ON EMPLOYEE’S BEHALF, CONCERNING ANY CLAIMS RELEASED BY THIS AGREEMENT. |