EXHIBIT 10.1
LAW OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Option Plan are to
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attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants of
the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary and to promote the success of the
Company's business. Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock
Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the
time of grant of an option and subject to the applicable provisions of Section
422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
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(a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees appointed
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pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
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(c) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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(d) "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board of Directors
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in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(e) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.
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(f) "Company" means Law Office Information Systems, Inc.
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(g) "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company or any
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Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services and is
compensated for such services and any director of the Company whether
compensated for such services or not. If and in the event the Company registers
any class of any equity security pursuant to the Exchange Act, the term
Consultant shall thereafter not include directors who are not compensated for
their services or are paid only a director's fee by the Company.
(h) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means that the
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employment or consulting relationship with the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary
is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. A
leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military
leave, or any other personal leave. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no
such leave may exceed 90 days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave
is guaranteed by statute or contract, including Company policies. If
reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is
not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option
held by the Optionee shall
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cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax
purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(i) "Disability" means total and permanent disability, as defined in
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Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(j) "Employee" means any person, including officers and directors,
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employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The payment
of a director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to constitute
"employment" by the Company.
(k) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
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amended.
(l) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
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Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange
or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National
Market or The Nasdaq Small Cap Market of the Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair
Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing
bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the
last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in The
Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock
on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock,
the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
(m) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as
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an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(n) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
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qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(o) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
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(p) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.
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(q) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an
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Option.
(r) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
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existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(s) "Plan" means this 1996 Stock Option Plan.
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(t) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange
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Act of 1934, as amended.
(u) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
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accordance with Section 11 below.
(v) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
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hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 of
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the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 500,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unused, or
reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised
in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an option exchange program authorized by
the Administrator, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under
the Plan shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for
future distribution under the Plan, except that if unvested Shares are
repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price, and the original
purchaser of such Shares did not receive any benefits of ownership of such
Shares, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, voting rights shall not be considered a
benefit of Share ownership.
4. Administration of the Plan.
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(a) Initial Plan Procedure. Prior to the date, if any, upon which
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the Company becomes subject to the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered
by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board.
(b) Plan Procedure after the Date, if any, upon Which the Company
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becomes Subject to the Exchange Act.
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(i) Administration With Respect to Directors and Officers Subject to
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Section 16(B). With respect to Option grants made to Employees who are also
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Officers or Directors subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Plan
shall be administered by (A) the Board, if the Board may administer the Plan in
a manner complying with the rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested
administration of employee benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt
discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made, or (B) a
committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which committee shall
be constituted to comply with the rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the
disinterested administration of employee benefit plans under which Section 16(b)
exempt discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made.
Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in its designated
capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may
increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members, remove
members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill
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vacancies (however caused), and remove all members of the Committee and
thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the
rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested administration of employee
benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards
of equity securities are to be made.
(ii) Administration With Respect to Other Persons. With respect to
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Option grants made to Employees or Consultants who are neither Directors nor
Officers of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B)
a committee designated by the Board, which committee shall be constituted to
satisfy the legal requirements, if any, relating to the administration of
incentive stock option plans of state corporate and securities laws, of the
Code, and of any stock exchange or national market system upon which the Common
Stock is then listed or traded (the "Applicable Laws"). Once appointed, such
Committee shall serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the
Board. The Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional
members, remove members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill
vacancies (however caused), and remove all members of the Committee and
thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by
Applicable Laws.
(c) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
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Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities,
including the approval, if required, of any stock exchange or national market
system upon which the Common Stock is then listed, the Administrator shall have
the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in
accordance with Section 2(l) of the Plan;
(ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options may from
time to time be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are granted
hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered
by each such award granted hereunder.
(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions
may include., but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when
Options may be exercised, any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture
restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or the
Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;
(vii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may
be settled in cash under Section 9(e) instead of Common Stock.
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(viii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then current
Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by such
Option has declined since the date the Option was granted;
(ix) to provide for the early exercise of Options for the purchase
of unvested Shares, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator
may determine; and
(x) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan.
(d) Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions,
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determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all Optionees and any other holders of any Options.
5. Eligibility.
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(a) Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Employees and
Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. An
Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option may, if otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Options.
(b) Each Option shall be designated in the written option agreement
as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were, granted, and the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(c) The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with
respect to the continuation of the Optionee's employment or consulting
relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with, the
Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate the Optionee's employment,
or consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.
(d) Upon the Company or a successor corporation issuing any class
of common equity securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act or upon the Plan being assumed by a corporation having a class of
common equity securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, the following limitations shall apply to grants of Options to
Employees:
(i) No Employee shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the
Company, Options to purchase more than 100,000 Shares.
(ii) In connection with his or her initial employment, and Employee
may be: granted Options to purchase up to an additional 100,000 Shares which
shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above.
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(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in
connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in
Section 11.
(iv) If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company
in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described
in Section 11), the cancelled Option will be counted against the limit set forth
in subsection (i) above. For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option
is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option and
the grant of a new Option.
6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
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occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors of its approval by the
shareholders of the Company, as described in Section 17 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under
Section 13 of the Plan.
7. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
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the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
(10) years from the date of grant thereof. However, in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time of the Option is granted,
owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter
term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.
8. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
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(a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued
pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the
Board, but shall be subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of
such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%)
of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee
described in the preceding paragraph, the per Share exercise price shall be no
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per share
exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator.
(b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of (1) cash, (2)
check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired
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upon exercise of an Option have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
months on the date of surrender and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such
Option shall be exercised, (5) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice
together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price, or
(6) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making its
determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator shall
consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.
9. Exercise of Option.
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(a) Procedure for Exercise, Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
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granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Administrator, including performance criteria with respect
to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible under the terms
of the Plan.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment may, as authorized by the Administrator, consist of any
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(b) of the Plan.
Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other fights as a shareholder shall exist with respect the Optioned Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to
be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 11 of the Plan.
Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in
the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the
Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.
(b) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. Upon
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termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant,
other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise
his or her Option, but only within such period of time as is specified in the
Notice of Grant, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to
exercise it at the date of termination (but in no event later than the
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). In
the absence of a specified time in the Notice of Grant, the Option shall remain
exercisable for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination. In the
case of any Incentive Stock Option, such period of time for exercise shall not
exceed three (3) months from the date of termination. If, on the date of
termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise the Optionee's entire
Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall
revert
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to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her
Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
Notwithstanding the above, in the event of an Optionees change in
status from Consultant to Employee or Employee to Consultant, an Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not automatically terminate
solely as a result of such change in status. However, in such event, an
Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an
Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory
Stock Option three months and one day following such change of status.
(c) Disability of Optionee. In the event of termination of an
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Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of his or
her Disability, the Optionee may, but only within twelve (12) months from the
date of such termination (and in no event later than the expiration date of the
term of his or her Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the
Option to the extent the Optionee was otherwise entitled to exercise it on the
date of such termination. To the extent that the Optionee is not entitled to
exercise the Option on the date of termination, or if the Optionee does not
exercise the Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by the Option shall revert to
the Plan.
(d) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee, the
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Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date
of death (but in no event later than, the expiration of the term of such Option
as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person
who has acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but
only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the
date of death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after death,
the Optionee's estate or a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option
by bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.
(e) Buyout Provisions. Administrator may at any time offer to buy out
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for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the
Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
(f) Rule 16b-3. Options granted to persons subject to Section 16(b)
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of the Exchange Act must comply with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such
additional conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify
for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to
Plan transactions.
10. Non-Transferability of Options. Options may not be sold, pledged,
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assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.
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11. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merge.
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(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
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shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as, the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
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dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option shall lapse as to all such Shares,
provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in
the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an
Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
action.
(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
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with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the
successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to
assume or substitute for the Option, the Optionee shall have the right to
exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to
which it would not otherwise be exercisable. If an Option is exercisable in
lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets,
the Administrator shall notify the Optionee that the Option shall be fully
exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and
the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes
of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if, following the
merger or sale of assets, the option confers the right to purchase or receive,
for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the
merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other
securities or properly) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of
Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and
if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration
chosen by the holders of
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a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such
consideration received in the merger or sale of assets was not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or
its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.
12. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
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all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Option, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to
whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.
13. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
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(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
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alter, suspend or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, suspension
or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of any Optionee
under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In addition, to
the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange
Act or with Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation,
including the requirements of any stock exchange or national market system upon
which the Common Stock is then listed), the Company shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as
required.
(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or
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termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted, and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and
the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the
Company.
14. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
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pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange or national market system
upon which the Common Stock is then listed or traded, and, shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require
the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
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15. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
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shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory
body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to
be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall
relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell
such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
16. Agreements. Options shall be evidenced by written agreements in such
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form as the Administrator shall approve from time to time.
17. Shareholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
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approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained
in the degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law and the
rules of any stock exchange or national market system upon which the Common
Stock is then listed or traded.
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LAW OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
NOTICE OF GRANT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Notice of Grant.
[Optionee's Name: and Address]
__________________________
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement,
as follows:
Grant Number _______________________
Date of Grant _______________________
Vesting Commencement Date _______________________
Exercise Price per Share $______________________
Total Number of Shares Granted _______________________
Total Exercise Price $______________________
Type of Option: ________ Incentive Stock Option
________ Nonstatutory Stock Option
Term/Expiration Date: _______________________
Vesting Schedule:
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This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule:
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares subject to this Option shall vest
twelve (12) months after the Vesting Commencement Date, and one forty-eighth
(1/48th) of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest each month thereafter.
Termination Period:
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This Option may be exercised for three (3) months after termination of
employment or consulting relationship, or such longer period as may be
applicable upon death or Disability of
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Optionee as provided in the Plan, but in no event later than the Term/Expiration
Date as provided above.
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LAW OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
OPTION AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Option. Law Office Information Systems, Inc. (the
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"Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee (the "Optionee") named in the Notice
of Grant, an option (the "Option") to purchase the total number of shares of
Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise
price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject
to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the
same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO"),
this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in
Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be Incentive
Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section
422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").
2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
------------------
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with
the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan as follows:
(a) Right to Exercise.
-----------------
(i) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
(ii) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant,
the exercisability of the Option is governed by Sections 6, 7 and 8 below,
subject to the limitation contained in subsection 2(i)(c).
(iii) In no event may this Option be exercised after the date of
expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written
------------------
notice (in the form attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the election to
exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is
being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the
holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as may be
required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written
notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by
certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be
accomplished by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to
be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by
the Exercise Price.
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law
and the requirements of any stock exchange or national market systems upon which
the Common Stock is then listed. Assuming such
14
compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred
to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to
such Shares.
3. Optionee's Representations. In the event the Shares purchasable
--------------------------
pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option is exercised,
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment
Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
4. Lock-Up Period. Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the
--------------
Company or any representative of the underwriters, (the "Managing Underwriter")
in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the
Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer
any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such
longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and
agreed to in writing by the Company) (the "Market Standoff Period") following
the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the
Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the
first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the
Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to
the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The
Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject
to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period.
5. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
-----------------
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
(i) cash; or
(ii) check; or
(iii) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company option,
have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of
surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to
the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or
(iv) to the extent authorized by the Company, delivery of a properly
executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the
Administrator and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise
of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required
to pay the Exercise Price.
6. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the
------------------------
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the
Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the
Company may require Optionee
15
to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any
applicable law or regulation
7. Termination of Relationship. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
---------------------------
Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates, Optionee may, to the extent
otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"),
exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of
Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at
the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
8. Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
----------------------
above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant as a result of his or her Disability, Optionee may, but
only within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination (and in no
event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Notice of Grant) exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to
exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee is not
entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does
not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.
9. Death of Optionee. In the event of termination of Optionee's
-----------------
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of the death of
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at
the date of death.
10. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
-----------------------------
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of
this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs
successors and assigns of the Optionee.
11. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
--------------
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out
in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options
and Options granted to more than ten percent (10%) shareholders shall apply to
this Option.
12. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
----------------
of this Option of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of this
Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE,
AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT
A TAX ADVISOR BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(a) Exercise of an I SO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there
-------------------
will be no regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option,
although the excess, if any, of the Fair
16
Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will
be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax
purposes and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year
of exercise.
(b) Exercise of an NSO. There may be a regular federal income tax
------------------
liability upon the exercise of an NSO. The Optionee will be treated as having
received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the
excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise
over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an Employee, the Company will be
required to withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from Optionee and
pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this
compensation income at the time of exercise.
(c) Disposition of Shares. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are held
---------------------
for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. In the case
of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least
one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the Date of
Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as
long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. If Shares purchased
under an ISO are disposed of within such one-year period or within two years
after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated
as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the
difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (1) the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price of the
Shares.
(d) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Option
-------------------------------------------------
granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one
year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the
Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized by the Optionee.
Law Office Information Systems, Inc.
By: ________________________________________
OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL
OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR
ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR
17
THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY
TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he
is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this
Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof Optionee has reviewed
the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the
advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all
provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon
any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to
notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Dated:________________ _____________________________________________
Optionee
Residence Address:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
-----------------
The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the terms
and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In consideration of the
Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set forth
in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be
similarly bound. The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as
attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.
_____________________________________________
Spouse of Optionee
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Exhibits to Stock Option Plan
Exhibit A 1996 Stock Option Plan Exercise Notice
Exhibit B Investment Representation Statement