LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
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OF
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ALLEGIANCE CAPITAL, LLC
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This LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as
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of September 5, 1997, is entered into among the parties listed on the signature
pages hereof.
RECITALS
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A. On or about September 5, 1997, the Certificate of Formation
for Allegiance Capital, LLC, a limited liability company under the laws of the
State of Delaware (the "Company"), will be filed with the Delaware Secretary of
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State; and
B. The parties hereto desire to adopt and approve a limited
liability company agreement for the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained
herein, and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties hereto, by this Agreement, set
forth the limited liability company agreement for the Company under the laws of
the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE I
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Certain Defined Terms; Certain Rules of Construction
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1.1 Certain Defined Terms. As used herein:
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"Act" means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, codified at
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Delaware code Title 6, Sections 18.101 et seq.
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"Adjusted Capital Contribution" means, with respect to Point West as of
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any date of determination, the Capital Contributions of Point West made pursuant
to Section 3.1.1, increased by the amount of the Point West Primary Preferred
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Return accrued thereon (computed without regard to the limits on allocation set
forth in Section 6.1.2(a)) and by the amount of the Point West Secondary
Preferred Return accrued thereon (computed with regard to the limits on
allocation set forth in Section 6.1.2(b) and reduced by the cumulative amounts
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distributed to Point West pursuant to Section 6.5.1.
"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person directly or
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indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person.
The term "control," as used in the immediately preceding sentence, means the
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possession, whether direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of another Person.
"Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the introduction hereto.
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"Bankruptcy" means: (a) the filing of an application by a Member for,
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or such Person's consent to, the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or
custodian of such Person's assets; (b) the entry of an order for relief with
respect to a Member in proceedings under the federal bankruptcy code, as amended
or superseded from time to time; (c) the making by a Member of a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; (d) the entry of an order, judgment, or
decree by any court of competent jurisdiction appointing a trustee, receiver, or
custodian of the assets of a Member unless the proceedings and the Person
appointed are dismissed within
ninety (90) days; or (e) the failure by a Member generally to pay such Person's
debts as such debts become due within the meaning of the federal bankruptcy
code, as determined by the relevant bankruptcy court, or by the admission in
writing of such Person's inability to pay such Person's debts as they become
due.
"Capital Account" means, as to any Member, the capital account which
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the Company establishes and maintains for such Member pursuant to Section 3.4.
"Capital Contribution" means as to any Member, the total amount of cash
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and the fair market value of property (including promissory notes or other
obligations to contribute cash or property) contributed to the Company by such
Member pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2.
"Certificate" means the Certificate of Formation for the Company.
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"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any applicable
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Regulations thereunder.
"Company" has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
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"Company Minimum Gain" has the meaning ascribed to the term
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"Partnership Minimum Gain" in Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).
"Dissolution Event" means, with respect to any Member, one or more of
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the following: the death, insanity, withdrawal, resignation, Bankruptcy,
dissolution, or liquidation of any Member.
"Fiscal Year" means the Company's fiscal year, which is the calendar
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year.
"Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
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"Isard" means Daniel M. Isard, an individual.
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"Isard Employment Agreement" means that certain Employment Agreement,
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dated as of even date herewith, between Isard and the Company.
"Majority Voting Interest" means more than fifty percent (50%) of all
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Voting Interests.
"Manager" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.2.
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"McDermitt" means Michael W. McDermitt, an individual.
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"McDermitt Employment Agreement" means that certain Employment
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Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, between McDermitt and the Company.
"Member" means each Person who: (a) is an initial signatory to this
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Agreement, has been admitted to the Company as a Member in accordance with the
Certificate and this Agreement, or is an assignee who has been substituted as a
Member in accordance with Article 7; and (b) is not the subject of a Dissolution
Event.
"Member Nonrecourse Debt" has the meaning ascribed to the term "Partner
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Nonrecourse Debt" in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
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"Member Nonrecourse Deductions" means items of Company loss, deduction,
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or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures which are attributable to Member
Nonrecourse Debt.
"Membership Interest" means, as to any Member, the percentage interest
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set forth opposite the name of such Member under the column "Member's Percentage
Interest" on Schedule I attached hereto, as such percentage may be adjusted from
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time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
"Net Profits" and "Net Losses" means the income, gain, loss,
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deductions, and credits of the Company in the aggregate or separately stated, as
appropriate, determined in accordance with the method of accounting used in the
preparation of the Company's partnership tax return filed for federal income tax
purposes.
"Nonrecourse Liability" has the meaning set forth in Regulations
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Section 1.752-l(a)(2).
"Person" means an individual, general partnership, limited partnership,
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limited liability company, corporation, trust, estate, real estate investment
trust, association, organization, including a government or political
subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof, or any other entity.
"Point West" means Point West Capital Corporation.
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"Point West Carryforwards" has the meaning given in Section 6.1.2(a).
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"Point West Primary Preferred Return" means for any taxable year (or
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portion thereof) during the term hereof, an amount equal to a return of ten
percent (10%) per annum, compounded monthly, on the amount of its Adjusted
Capital Contribution as of the close of each month.
"Point West Secondary Preferred Return" means for any taxable year (or
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portion thereof) during the term hereof, an amount equal to a return of five
percent (5%) per annum, compounded monthly, on the amount of its Adjusted
Capital Contribution as of the close of each month.
"Regulations" means, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
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the federal income tax code regulations currently in force as final or temporary
that have been issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury pursuant to its
authority under the Code.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933.
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"Voting Interest" means: (a) in the case of Isard, the lesser of (i)
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2-1/2% and (ii) Isard's Membership Interest; (b) in the case of McDermitt, the
lesser of (i) 2-1/2% and (ii) McDermott's Membership Interest; and (c) in the
case of Point West, the greater of (i) 95% and (ii) Point West's Membership
Interest; provided that each Members' Voting Interest shall equal the same
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percentage as its Membership Interest from and after the earlier of: (A) the
consummation of an initial public offering for interests of the Company or (B) a
sale, in accordance with Article 7, by Point West of all or any part of its
interest in the Company to any party other than Isard or McDermitt.
1.2 Certain Rules of Construction. References to the plural include the
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singular and to the singular include the plural. References to any gender
include any other gender. The part includes the whole. The term "including" is
not limiting, and the term "or" has, except where otherwise indicated, the
inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or." The words "hereof,"
"herein," "hereby," and "hereunder," and any other similar words, refer to this
Note as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Section,
subsection, clause, exhibit, and schedule references are to this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated. Section, subsection, clause, exhibit, and schedule
headings are for convenience of reference only,
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shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose, and shall
not affect the construction of this Agreement. Any reference to this Agreement
or any other agreement, document, or instrument (including the Certificate)
includes all permitted alterations, amendments, changes, extensions,
modifications, renewals, or supplements thereto or thereof, as applicable. Any
reference herein to the Code, the Regulations, the Act, the Corporations Code or
other statutes or laws will include all amendments, modifications, or
replacements of the specific sections and provisions concerned. Each exhibit and
schedule attached hereto is incorporated herein by this reference.
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ARTICLE 2
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Organization of the Company
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2.1 Formation. Pursuant to the Act, the Members have formed a limited
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liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware by filing the
Certificate with the Delaware Secretary of State and entering into this
Agreement. The rights and liabilities of the Members shall be as provided in the
Act, except as specifically modified by this Agreement. If the rights or
obligations of any Member are different by reason of any provision of this
Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, then this
Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.
2.2 Name. The name of the Company shall be "Allegiance Capital, LLC."
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2.3 Term. The term of this Agreement shall be co-terminus with the
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period of duration of the Company provided in the Certificate, unless extended
or sooner terminated as hereinafter provided.
2.4 Office and Agent. The principal executive office of the Company
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shall be located at 1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94111.
The Manager may, from time to time, upon 30-days advance written notice to each
Member, change the principal place of business of the Company or, without such
notice, establish additional places of business of the Company. The registered
agent shall be as stated in the Certificate or as otherwise determined by the
Manager, and the Manager, may, from time to time, change the registered agent
(or its office) through appropriate filings with the Delaware Secretary of
State.
2.5 Addresses of the Members and the Manager. The respective
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addresses for each Member and for the Manager are set forth on Schedule I
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attached hereto.
2.6 Purpose of Company. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any
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lawful activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the
Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the prior written consent of all of
the Members, the Company shall not engage in any business other than (i)
conducting a lending business focused on the death care industry, including
originating, acquiring, holding, servicing and disposing of loans and other
forms of financing for funeral homes, cemeteries and other businesses in the
death care industry and (ii) other activities directly related to the foregoing
business as may be necessary, advisable, or appropriate to further the foregoing
business.
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ARTICLE 3
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Contributions to Capital
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3.1 Initial Capital Contributions. Members shall make initial
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contributions as follows and shall receive in exchange therefore the Membership
Interest set forth opposite such Member's name on Schedule I attached hereto :
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3.1.1 Initial Point West Contributions. Point West shall contribute:
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(a) $50,000 at the time of execution of this Agreement and from
time to time thereafter, as needed, up to an additional $450,000 to be used as
working capital for the Company,
(b) approximately $1,500,000, as needed from time to time to
support the warehousing and equity components of loans to be funded in
connection with an initial securitization, and
(c) at Point West's discretion, after completion of an initial
securitization by the Company, up to approximately $1,500,000 to be
used to support the warehousing and equity components of a second
securitization.
All such Capital Contributions shall be entitled to earn the Point West Primary
Preferred Return and the Point West Secondary Preferred Return pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement.
3.1.2 Initial Contributions by Isard and McDermitt. Isard and
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McDermitt shall contribute to the Company all their interest in any agreements,
rights, intellectual property, written presentations or other written or
electronic materials previously developed or collected by them in respect of the
business of the Company. It is agreed by the parties that such property will be
deemed to have no value for purposes of Capital Account computations hereunder.
3.2 Additional Contributions. If the Manager determines that additional
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funds are required or advisable for the operation of the business of the
Company, it may request additional Capital Contributions from the Members. Such
request shall be in writing and shall indicate the purpose, amount, timing and
terms of the additional Capital Contributions being requested and such other
information as the Members may reasonably request. All Members shall have the
opportunity but not the obligation to participate in the making of such Capital
Contributions on a pro rata basis in accordance with their Membership Interests.
No Capital Contributions in addition to those provided for in Section 3.1 shall
be accepted absent approval of the terms thereof by the Members holding 100% of
the Voting Interests. Each Member's Capital Account shall be credited for such
contribution in accordance with Section 3.4 and the Membership Interests, as
reflected on Schedule I shall be adjusted, if and as agreed upon by the Members,
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to reflect the new relative Membership Interests of the Members. If the Members
do not consent to the additional Capital Contributions proposed by the Manager,
the Manager may lend or contribute capital to the Company on such terms as it
deems appropriate; provided however, that the Members shall have a right of
first refusal to cause the Company to obtain funds from another source on better
terms, using procedures similar to those provided for in Section 7.6.
3.3 Liability for Promised Contributions.A Member is obligated for any
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promise to make a Capital Contribution, even if the Member is unable to perform
for any reason (including death or disability).
3.4 Capital Accounts.The Company shall establish an individual Capital
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Account for each Member. If a Member transfers all or a part of such Member's
Membership Interest in accordance with this Agreement, then such Member's
Capital Account attributable to the transferred Membership Interest shall
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carry over to the new owner of such Membership Interest pursuant to Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Each Member's Capital Account shall equal the value
of the Capital Contribution initially made by it pursuant to Section 3.1 and
shall be (a) increased by the amount of (i) Net Profits allocated to the Member
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and (ii) any subsequent Capital Contributions by the Member to the Company in
accordance with Section 3.2, and (b) decreased by the amount of (i) Net Losses
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allocated to the Member and (ii) all cash and property distributed to the
Member. Each Capital Account shall otherwise be kept in accordance with the
applicable Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code. No Member
has any obligation to restore, or make contributions to the Company to restore,
a deficit balance in such Member's Capital Account.
3.5 No Interest; Return of Contributions. No Member shall be entitled
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to receive any interest on such Member's Capital Contributions. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member shall have the right to receive
the return of any Capital Contribution or any withdrawal from the Company,
except upon a dissolution of the Company.
3.6 Organizational Costs. Upon receipt of reasonable documentation, the
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Company shall reimburse each Member for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred on or after August 6, 1997 in connection with the organization of the
Company or advanced with respect to the Company on or before the date of
execution of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 4
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Certain Rights and Liabilities of Members
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4.1 Limited Liability. Except as required under the Act or as expressly
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set forth in this Agreement, no Member shall be personally liable for any debt,
obligation, or liability of the Company, whether that liability or obligation
arises in contract, tort, or otherwise.
4.2 Admission of Additional Members. The Manager, with the approval of
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all of the Members, may admit additional members to the Company. Any additional
Members shall obtain Membership Interests and will participate in the
management, Net Profits, Net Losses, and distributions of the Company on such
terms as are provided herein and as may be approved by the Members.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, substitute members may only be admitted in
accordance with Article 7.
4.3 Withdrawals or Resignations. Except as otherwise specifically
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provided herein, no Member may withdraw or resign from the Company.
4.4 Repurchase of a Membership Interest. Upon the transfer of a
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Member's Membership Interest in violation of this Agreement or the occurrence of
a Dissolution Event as to a Member that does not result in the dissolution of
the Company, such Member's Voting Interest shall terminate and the Company shall
have the right to purchase the Membership Interest of such Member at the fair
value of such interest, and if the Company does not exercise such right to
purchase the remaining Members shall have such right on the same terms. Failure
to exercise such right of purchase shall not limit any right of first refusal
otherwise available under this Agreement. Each Member acknowledges and agrees
that this provision is not unreasonable under the circumstances existing as of
the date hereof .
4.5 Transactions with the Company. Notwithstanding that it may
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constitute a conflict of interest, any Member, or any of such Member's
Affiliates, may engage in any transaction with the Company (including making
loans or causing loans to be made to the Company) so long as: (a) such
transaction is not expressly prohibited by this Agreement; (b) the terms and
conditions of such transaction, on an overall basis, are fair and reasonable to
the Company and are at least as favorable to the Company as those that are
generally available from Persons, not Members (or their Affiliates), dealing
with the Company on an arms-length basis; (c) the nature of such transaction is
fully disclosed to the Manager; and (d) any such transaction that involves a
contract for services is approved by Members holding 100% of the Voting
Interests and not otherwise the subject of Section 4.4.
4.6 Remuneration to Members. Except as otherwise specifically provided
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herein, no Member is entitled to remuneration for acting in the Company
business, subject to the entitlement of Members winding up the affairs of the
Company to reasonable compensation pursuant to Section 9.3.
4.7 Members Are Not Agents. The management of the Company is vested in
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the Manager. The Members shall have no power to participate in the management of
the Company except as expressly authorized by this Agreement or the Certificate
and except as expressly required by the Act. Unless expressly and duly
authorized in writing to do so by the Manager, no Member shall have any power or
authority to bind or act on behalf of the Company in any way (as agent or
otherwise).
4.8 Voting Rights. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
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Members shall have no voting, approval, or consent rights. A Member may vote
either in person or by written proxy or consent signed by the Member or such
Member's duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Members shall have the right to
approve or disapprove matters as specifically stated in this Agreement,
including the following:
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4.8.1 Unanimous Approval. The following matters shall require
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the vote, approval or consent of Members holding 100% of the Voting Interests
and who are not otherwise the subject Section 4.4: (a) a decision to continue
the business of the Company after the occurrence of a Dissolution Event; (b) the
transfer of a Membership Interest except as permitted in Article 7 or the
admission of an assignee as a substitute Member of the Company; (c) a change in
the purpose of the Company other than as provided in Section 2.6; (d) the
admission of a new member to the Company; (e) the merger or consolidation of the
Company or a sale of substantially all of its assets that is coupled with the
granting of a noncompete; (f) any amendment of the Certificate or this Agreement
that could have a material adverse effect on the economic interests of a Member;
(g) a decision to compromise the obligation of a Member to make a Capital
Contribution or return money or property paid or distributed in violation of the
Act; (h) the declaration or making of any payment or distribution not
contemplated by Article 6; or (i) any other matter for which unanimous consent
is specifically provided for in this Agreement.
4.8.2 Approval by Members Holding a Majority Voting Interest.
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Except as set forth in Section 4.8.1, in all other matters in which a vote,
approval or consent of the Members is required, the vote, consent, or approval
of Members holding a Majority Voting Interest (or, in instances in which there
are defaulting or interested members, non-defaulting or disinterested Members,
as applicable, who hold a majority of the Voting Interests held by all
non-defaulting or disinterested, as applicable, Members) shall be sufficient to
authorize or approve such act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
or any other provision to the contrary, but subject to Section 4.8.1, the
affirmative vote or written consent of Members holding a Majority Voting
Interest shall be required to approve the following matters (provided that the
Members shall not vote for or consent to any such action if prohibited under any
contract or agreement to which the Company is a party): (a) the dissolution or
winding up of the Company; (b) the sale, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
encumbrance, lease or other disposition or transfer of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company that is not coupled with the granting of a
noncompete; or (c) the declaration or payment of any payment or distribution
contemplated by Article 6. Prior to taking any action taken pursuant to an
affirmative vote under subsections (a) or (b) above, the dissenting Members
shall have the right to propose, within 30 days of such vote, a more
economically advantageous alternative to the proposed action. If such a proposal
is made, the Members shall hold a meeting in accordance with Section 4.9 to
discuss and vote on it.
4.9 Meetings.
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4.9.1 Meetings of Members. Meetings of Members for any proper
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purpose may be called at any time and from time to time by any Member. Members
may participate in any meeting through the use of a conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all individuals participating
in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute
presence in person at the meeting. The Company shall give written notice of the
date, time, place and purpose of any meeting to all Members at least ten (10)
days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Notice may be waived by any Member, which waiver will be in writing.
4.9.2 Consent of Members. Any action required or permitted to
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be taken at any annual or special meeting of Members may be taken by a written
consent without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote. The written
consent shall set forth the action so taken and shall be signed by Members
having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to
authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Members entitled to vote
thereon were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action by
written consent shall be given to all Members who did not sign the written
consent.
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ARTICLE 5
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Management and Control of the Company
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5.1 Management of the Company by the Manager.
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5.1.1 Exclusive Management by the Manager. Except for
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situations in which the approval of the Members is expressly required by the
Certificate or this Agreement, the business, property, and affairs of the
Company shall be managed exclusively by, or under the authority of, the Manager.
The Manager may, from time to time, appoint Persons to act on behalf of the
Company and may hire employees and agents and appoint officers to perform such
functions as from time to time shall be delegated to such employees, agents, and
officers by the Manager. The Manager may, from time to time, determine the
compensation of any employees, agents, or officers of the Company or may
delegate some or all compensation decisions to officers or employees of the
Company. Pursuant and subject to the terms and conditions of the McDermitt
Employment Agreement, the Manager hereby appoints McDermitt as the initial
President of the Company. Pursuant and subject to the terms and conditions of
the Isard Employment Agreement, the Manager hereby appoints Isard as the initial
Vice President of Marketing of the Company.
5.1.2 Initial Manager; Term. The initial Manager shall be
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Point West. The Manager shall hold office until the effective date of the
earlier of its resignation or removal hereunder. Any new or replacement Manager
shall be elected by the affirmative vote or written consent of Members holding
100% of the Voting Interest, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The Manager need not be a Member, an individual, a resident of the State of
Delaware, or a citizen of the United States.
5.1.3 Resignation. The Manager may resign at any time by
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giving written notice to the Members without prejudice to the rights, if any, of
the Company under any contract to which the Manager is a party; provided that,
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if the Manager is also a Member, then the Manager's resignation shall not affect
the Manager's rights as a Member or constitute a withdrawal of such Member and
provided, further, unless the Manager cannot act as a matter of law, no such
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resignation shall be effective until a replacement manager has been appointed.
The Manager shall immediately tender its resignation upon any transfer for value
(other than by way of general encumbrance, pledge, lien or the like or pursuant
to Section 7.4) and upon any admission of a substitute Member as to all or
substantially all of its Membership Interest (other than pursuant to Section
7.4).
5.1.4 Removal. The Manager may be removed with or without
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cause by the affirmative vote of Members holding a Majority Voting Interest;
provided that, if the Manager is also a Member, then such removal shall not
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affect the Manager's rights as a Member or constitute a withdrawal of such
Member and provided, further, unless the Manager cannot act as a matter of law,
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no such removal shall be effective until a replacement manager has been
appointed.
5.1.5 Standard of Operations. The Manager shall, to the extent
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practicable, consistent with its responsibilities and those of the Company under
this Agreement, and adhering to professional lending and credit standards,
manage the Company with a view towards maximizing the monetary value to the
Members (taken as a whole) of the Company as an operating entity independent
from its Members. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Manager is also a
Member, nothing in this provision shall be construed so as to impose an economic
obligation on such Member other than that imposed on Members generally under
this Agreement.
5.1.6 Executive Committee. Prior to taking actions material to
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the operations of the Company, the Manager shall consult with an Executive
Committee which shall be comprised of Isard, McDermitt, Alan Perper, Brad Rotter
and Ward Rotter and shall make non-binding recommendations.
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5.2 Performance of Duties: Liability of the Manager. The Manager shall
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carry out its duties hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care. Subject
to the foregoing, the Manager shall not be liable to the Company or to any
Member for any loss or damage sustained by the Company or any Member, unless the
loss or damage shall have been the result of fraud, deceit, gross negligence,
willful or reckless misconduct, or a knowing violation of law by the Manager. In
performing its duties, the Manager shall be entitled to rely on information,
opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other
financial data, from officers, agents, attorneys, accountants, or other Persons
employed by the Company or the Manager, unless it has knowledge concerning the
matter in question that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted.
5.3 Devotion of Time. The Manager is not obligated to devote all of its
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time or business efforts to the affairs of the Company. The Manager shall devote
whatever time, effort, and skill as it reasonably deems appropriate for the
operation of the Company.
5.4 Competing Activities. While acting as Manager of the Company and
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for 18 months thereafter, the Manager and its officers, directors, shareholders,
partners, members, managers, agents, employees, and Affiliates shall not engage
or invest in, independently or with others, any business activity of any type or
description that might be the same as or similar to the Company's business as
described in the second sentence of Section 2.6 and that might be in direct or
indirect competition with the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
activity involving any of the following shall be deemed to be in competition
with the business of the Company: (i) the origination, acquisition, holding or
disposition of viatical settlements, (ii) the acquisition, holding or
disposition of debt or equity securities of any public company or investment
vehicle, or (iii) any transactions or programs directly by the Manager or
indirectly through a debtor of the Manager involving the extension of credit of
any type which transactions or programs do not describe or promote activities
that are the same as or in competition with the Company's business as described
in the second sentence of Section 2.6. The Members acknowledge that the Manager
and its Affiliates own or manage other businesses, including businesses that may
compete with the Company for the Manager's time. Except as provided in Section
5.3 and this Section, the Members hereby waive any and all rights and claims
which they may otherwise have against the Manager and its officers, directors,
shareholders, partners, members, managers, agents, employees, and Affiliates as
a result of any of such activities.
5.5 Transactions between the Company and the Manager. Notwithstanding
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that it may constitute a conflict of interest, the Manager may, and may cause
its Affiliates to, engage in any transaction (including the purchase, sale,
lease, or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service, or the
establishment of any salary, other compensation, or other terms of employment)
with the Company so long as: (a) such transaction is not expressly prohibited by
this Agreement; and (b) the terms and conditions of such transaction, on an
overall basis, are (i) fair and reasonable to the Company and are at least as
favorable to the Company as those that are generally available from Persons
capable of similarly performing them and in similar transactions between parties
operating at arm's length and (ii) approved in writing by more than fifty
percent (50%) of the Membership Interests of Members having no interest in such
transaction (other than their interests as Members), which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
5.6 Payments to the Manager. The Manager shall not be entitled to any
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compensation for its services as Manager, but shall be reimbursed by the Company
for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of
the Company.
5.7 Limited Liability of the Manager. Except as required under the Act
--------------------------------
or as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no Person who is a Manager shall be
personally liable under any judgment of a court, or
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in any other manner, for any debt, obligation, or liability of the Company,
whether that liability or obligation arises in contract, tort, or otherwise.
12
ARTICLE 6
=========
Allocations of Net Profits, Net Losses and Distributions
========================================================
6.1 Allocations of Net Profit and Net Loss.
--------------------------------------
6.1.1 Net Loss. Net Loss for each taxable year shall be
---------
allocated as follows:
(a) First, to the Members in accordance with their respective
Membership Interests until the cumulative amount of Net Losses allocated to the
Members pursuant to this Section 6.1.1(a) equals the cumulative amount of Net
Profits allocated to the Members pursuant to Section 6.1.2(d);
(b) Second, to Point West until the cumulative amount of Net Losses
allocated to Point West pursuant to this Section 6.1.1(b) equals the sum of the
cumulative amount of Net Profits allocated to it pursuant to Section 6.1.2(a)
and (b) plus its Capital Contributions included for purposes of its Adjusted
Capital Contribution; and
(c) Third, to the Members in accordance with their respective
Membership Interests.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, loss allocations to a Member shall be
made only to the extent that such loss allocations will not create a deficit
Capital Account balance for that Member in excess of an amount, if any, equal to
such Member's share of Company Minimum Gain that would be realized on a
foreclosure of the Company's property. Any loss not allocated to a Member
because of the foregoing provision shall be allocated to the other Members (to
the extent the other Members are not limited in respect of the allocation of
losses under this Section 6.1.1). Any loss reallocated under this Section 6.1.1
shall be taken into account in computing subsequent allocations of income and
losses pursuant to this Article 6, so that the net amount of any item so
allocated and the income and losses allocated to each Member pursuant to this
Article 6, to the extent possible, shall be equal to the net amount that would
have been allocated to each such Member pursuant to this Article 6 if no
reallocation of losses had occurred under this Section 6.1.1.
6.1.2 Net Profit. Net Profit of the Company for each taxable
----------
year shall be allocated as follows:
(a) First, to Point West in an amount equal to the sum of the Point
West Primary Preferred Return plus any Point West Carryforwards; provided that,
--------
if the Company does not have sufficient Net Profits in a given year to make such
allocation in full, then any shortfall (the "Point West Carryforwards") shall be
------------------------
carried forward indefinitely to the next taxable year or years in which Net
Profits are sufficient to make such allocation;
(b) Second, to Point West in an amount equal to the Point West
Secondary Preferred Return; provided that, if the Company does not have
--------
sufficient Net Profits in a given year to make such allocation, then any
shortfall shall not be carried forward;
(c) Third, to Point West to the extent of any Net Losses allocated
to Point West pursuant to Section 6.1.1(b); and
(d) Fourth, to the Members in accordance with their respective
Membership Interests.
13
6.2 Special Allocations.
-------------------
6.2.1 Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding Section 6.1, if
-----------------------
there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each
Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such
Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, in subsequent fiscal years) in an amount equal
to the portion of such Member's share of the net decrease in Company Minimum
Gain that is determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(2).
This Section 6.2.1 is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback
requirement contained in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
6.2.2 Chargeback of Minimum Gain Attributable to Member
-------------------------------------------------------
Nonrecourse Debt. Notwithstanding Section 6.1 of this Agreement, if there is a
- ----------------
net decrease in Company Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt,
during any Fiscal Year, each Member who has a share of the Company Minimum Gain
attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be specially allocated items
of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, in
subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to that portion of such Member's
share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain attributable to such Member
Nonrecourse Debt. A Member's share of net decrease in Company Minimum Gain
attributable to each Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be determined pursuant to
Regulations Section 1.702-2(g)(2). This Section 6.2.2 is intended to comply with
the minimum gain chargeback requirement contained in Regulations Section
1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
6.2.3 Nonrecourse Deductions. Notwithstanding Section 6.1, any
----------------------
nonrecourse deductions (as defined in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any
Fiscal Year or other period shall be specially allocated to the Members in
proportion to their Membership Interests.
6.2.4 Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Notwithstanding Section
------------------------------
6.1, those items of Company loss, deduction, or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B)
expenditures which are attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt for any Fiscal
Year or other period shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears the
economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such
items are attributable in accordance with Regulations Section l.704-2(i).
6.2.5 Qualified Income Offset. Notwithstanding Section 6.1, if
-----------------------
a Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions
described in Regulations Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), or any
other event creates a deficit balance in such Member's Capital Account in excess
of such Member's share of Company Minimum Gain, items of Company income and gain
shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient
to eliminate such excess deficit balance as quickly as possible. Any special
allocations of items of income and gain pursuant to this Section 6.2.5 shall be
taken into account in computing subsequent allocations of income and gain
pursuant to this Article 6 so that the net amount of any item so allocated and
the income, gain, and losses allocated to each Member pursuant to this Article 6
to the extent possible, shall be equal to the net amount that would have been
allocated to each such Member pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.2.5
if such unexpected adjustments, allocations, or distributions had not occurred.
6.3 Code Section 704(c) Allocations. Notwithstanding any other
-----------------------------------
provision in this Article 6, in accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the
Regulations promulgated thereunder, income, gain, loss, and deduction with
respect to any property contributed in-kind to the capital of the Company shall,
solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of
any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for
federal income tax purposes and its fair market value on the date of
contribution. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.3 are solely for purposes
of federal, state and local taxes.
14
As such, they shall not affect or in any way be taken into account in computing
a Member's Capital Account or share of profits, losses, or other items of
distributions pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
6.4 Allocation of Net Profits and Losses and Distributions in Respect
-------------------------------------------------------------------
of a Transferred Interest. If any Membership Interest is transferred, or is
- --------------------------
increased or decreased by reason of the admission of a new Member or otherwise,
during any Fiscal Year of the Company, unless the Members determine that another
method permitted under the Code is more equitable, each item of income, gain,
loss, deduction, or credit of the Company for such Fiscal Year shall be assigned
pro rata to each day in the particular period of such fiscal year to which such
item is attributable (i.e., the day on or during which it is accrued or
otherwise incurred) and the amount of each such item so assigned to any such day
shall be allocated to the Member based upon such Person's respective Membership
Interest at the close of such day.
However, for purposes of accounting convenience and simplicity, the
Company shall treat a transfer of, or an increase or decrease in, a Membership
Interest which occurs at any time during a semi-monthly period (commencing with
the semi-monthly period including the date hereof) as having been consummated on
the last day of such semi-monthly period, regardless of when during such
semi-monthly period such transfer, increase, of decrease actually occurs (i.e.,
sales and dispositions made during the first fifteen (15) days of any month will
be deemed to have been made on the fifteenth day of the month).
Notwithstanding any provision above to the contrary, gain or loss of
the Company realized in connection with a sale or other disposition of any of
the assets of the Company shall be allocated solely to the parties owning
Membership Interests as of the date such sale or other disposition occurs.
6.5 Distributions by the Company. Subject to applicable law and any
-----------------------------
limitations contained elsewhere in this Agreement, distributions of cash or
other assets of the Company shall be made in the following order of priority:
6.5.1 First, to Point West an amount sufficient to reduce its
Adjusted Capital Contribution to zero; and
6.5.2 Second, to the Members in accordance with their
Membership Interests.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that cash would be
available for distribution hereunder, the Company shall first (i) advance to
each Member an amount (a "Tax Advance") sufficient to cover the estimated
federal and state taxes of such Member (based on the combined maximum effective
federal and state income tax rates then in effect for each such Member)
resulting from estimated allocations of Net Profits to such Member for prior
quarters and for which no prior Tax Advance or distribution has been made and
(ii) upon filing of the Company's federal and state tax returns for a Fiscal
Year, distribute an amount to each Member at least equal to the amount of such
Member's federal and state taxes (based on the combined maximum effective
federal and state income tax rates then in effect for each such Member) on the
Net Profits actually allocated to such Member for such Fiscal Year, computed
taking into account any prior allocations of Net Losses available to offset such
income and other distributions to such Member in such Fiscal Year and each
Member shall repay any outstanding Tax Advances related to such Fiscal Year.
All distributions shall be made only to the Persons who, according to
the books and records of the Company, are the holders of record of the
Membership Interests in respect of which such distributions are made on the
actual date of distribution. Neither the Company nor any Member shall incur any
liability for making distributions in accordance with this Section 6.5.
15
6.6 Form of Distribution. A Member, regardless of the nature of the
---------------------
Member's Capital Contribution, has no right to demand and receive any
distribution from the Company in any form other than cash. Except upon a
dissolution and the winding up of the Company, or as agreed to by Members
holding 100% of the Voting Interests, no Member may be compelled to accept, nor
shall it accept, a distribution in kind.
6.7 Restriction on Distributions.
----------------------------
6.7.1 No distribution shall be made if, after giving effect to
the distribution: (a) the Company would not be able to pay its debts as they
become due in the usual course of business; (b) the Company's ability to effect
its business plan over the following twelve months would be impaired; or (c) the
Company's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus,
unless this Agreement provides otherwise, the amount that would be needed if the
Company were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the
preferential rights of other Members, if any, upon dissolution that are superior
to the rights of the Member receiving the distribution.
6.7.2 The Manager may base a determination that a distribution
is not prohibited on any of the following: (a) financial statements prepared on
the basis of generally accepted accounting practices and principles then
generally employed by the Company; (b) a determination of fair market value by a
qualified unrelated third party or, if agreed to by the Members holding 100% of
the Voting Interests, by the Manager; or (c) any other method that is reasonable
in the circumstances and agreed to by Members holding 100% of the Voting
Interests.
The effect of a distribution is measured as of the date the
distribution is authorized if the payment occurs within 120 days after the date
of authorization, or the date payment is made if it occurs more than 120 days of
the date of authorization.
6.7.3 A Member or Manager who votes for a distribution in
violation of this Agreement or the Act is personally liable to the Company for
the amount of the distribution that exceeds what could have been distributed
without violating this Agreement or the Act if it is established that the Member
or Manager did not act in compliance with Section 6.7.2 or Section 9.4. Any
Member or Manager who is so liable shall be entitled to compel contribution
from: (a) each other Member or Manager who also is so liable; and (b) each
Member or Manager for the amount the Member received with knowledge of facts
indicating that the distribution was made in violation of this Agreement or the
Act.
6.8 Return of Distributions. Except for distributions made in violation
-----------------------
of the Act or this Agreement, no Member shall be obligated to return any
distribution to the Company or pay the amount of any distribution for the
account of the Company or to any creditor of the Company. The amount of any
distribution returned to the Company by a Member or paid by a Member for the
account of the Company or to a creditor of the Company shall be added to the
account or accounts from which it was subtracted when it was distributed to the
Member.
6.9 Obligations of Members to Report Allocations. The Members are aware
--------------------------------------------
of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article 6 and
hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article 6 in reporting their
shares of Company income and loss for income tax purposes.
6.10 Withholding. Each of the Members hereby authorizes the Company to
-----------
withhold from distributions to be made to such Member, or with respect to
allocations to be made to such Member, and to pay over to a federal, state or
local government, any amounts required to be withheld pursuant to the Code or
any provisions of any other federal, state or local law. Any amounts so withheld
shall be treated as
16
distributed to such Member pursuant to this Article 6 for all purposes of this
Agreement and shall be offset against the net amounts otherwise distributable to
such Member. The Company may also withhold from distributions that would
otherwise be made to such Member, and apply to the obligations of such Member,
any amounts that such Member owes to the Company. In addition, any tax imposed
upon the Company resulting from the Membership Interest of any Member shall be
treated as a distribution to such Member and shall be offset against future
distributions to such Member.
6.11 Status of the Company. The Members acknowledge that this Agreement
---------------------
creates a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes (and only for
such purposes) and hereby agree not to elect to be excluded from the application
of Subchapter K of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Code or any similar state
statute.
6.12 Tax Elections. The Manager shall, upon the written request of any
-------------
Member benefited thereby, cause the Company to file an election under Section
754 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder to adjust the basis of
the Company assets under Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code and a
corresponding election under the applicable sections of state and local law. The
Manager shall have the authority to make all other Company elections permitted
under the Code, including elections of methods of depreciation.
6.13 Company Tax Returns. The Manager shall cause the necessary federal
-------------------
income and other tax returns and information returns for the Company to be
prepared. Each Member shall provide such information, if any, as may be needed
by the Company for purposes of preparing such tax returns and information
returns. The Manager shall deliver to each Member within ninety (90) days after
the end of each fiscal year a copy of the federal income tax returns for the
Company as filed with the appropriate taxing authorities, and upon the written
request of any Member, a copy of any state and local income tax return as filed.
6.14 Certain Tax Matters.
-------------------
6.14.1 The Manager is hereby appointed as the initial tax
matters partner of the Company. The tax matters partner of the Company is
authorized to and shall (a) maintain Capital Accounts and make partnership
allocations and (b) file, if necessary, a Form 8832 with the Internal Revenue
Service and make the election provided for to have the Company be classified as
a partnership for federal income tax purposes. If at any time the Manager cannot
or elects not to serve as the tax matters partner of the Company, is removed by
the Members from acting in such capacity, or ceases to be a Member, Members
holding a Majority Voting Interest shall select another Member to be the tax
matters partner of the Company. The tax matters partner of the Company, as an
authorized representative of the Company, shall direct the defense of any claims
made by the Internal Revenue Service or other tax authority to the extent that
such claims relate to the adjustment of Company items at the Company level.
6.14.2 The Manager shall promptly deliver to each Member a
copy of all notices, communications, reports or writings of any kind with
respect to income or similar taxes received from any state or local taxing
authority relating to the Company that might materially and adversely affect any
Member, and shall keep Members advised of all material developments with respect
to any proposed adjustment of Company items that come to its attention.
6.14.3 Each Member shall continue to have the rights described
in this Section 6.14 with respect to tax matters relating to any period during
which it was a Member, whether or not it is a Member at the time of the tax
audit or contest.
17
ARTICLE 7
=========
Transfers of Membership Interests; Admission of Members
=======================================================
7.1 Transfers of Member Interests Generally.
---------------------------------------
7.1.1 No Member shall be entitled to transfer, assign, convey,
sell, encumber or in any way alienate all or any part of such Person's
Membership Interest or to cause any permitted transferee to become a substituted
Member except as provided in Section 7.2, 73. and 7.4 below. The consent of any
Member that is required pursuant to this Article may be given or withheld,
conditioned or delayed (as allowed by this Agreement or the Act), as such Member
may determine in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding any transfer of any part
of a Membership Interest, the Membership Interest so transferred shall continue
to be subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and any further
transfers shall be required to comply with all the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
7.1.2 Notwithstanding any other provision in the Article 7, no
admission (or purported admission) of a Member, and no transfer (or purported
transfer) of all or any part of a Member's interest (economic or otherwise) in
the Company, whether to another Member or to a Person not a Member, shall be
effective, and any such admission or transfer (or purported admission or
transfer) shall be void ab initio, and no Person shall otherwise become a Member
if (a) at the time of such admission or transfer (or purported admission or
transfer) any interest (economic or otherwise) in the Company is traded on an
established securities market or readily tradeable on a secondary market or the
substantial equivalent thereof or (b) after such admission or transfer (or
purported admission or transfer) the Company would have more than 100 Members.
For purposes of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence, an established
securities market is a national securities exchange that is either registered
under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or exempt from
registration because of the existence or involvement of a limited volume of
transactions, a foreign securities exchange that, under the law of the
jurisdiction where it is organized, satisfies regulatory requirements that are
analogous to the regulatory requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
a regional or local exchange, or an interdealer quotation system that regularly
disseminates firm buy or sell quotations by identified brokers or dealers by
electronic means or otherwise. For purposes of such clause (a), any interest
(economic or otherwise) in the Company is readily tradeable on a secondary
market or the substantial equivalent thereof if (i) interests (economic or
otherwise) in the Company are regularly quoted by any Person, such as a broker
or dealer, making a market in the interests, (ii) any Person regularly makes
available to the public (including customers or subscribers) bid or offer quotes
with respect to interests (economic or otherwise) in the Company and stands
ready to effect buy or sell transactions at the quoted prices for itself or on
behalf of others, (iii) the holder of an interest (economic or otherwise) in the
Company has a readily available, regular, and ongoing opportunity to sell or
exchange such interest through a public means of obtaining or providing
information of offers to buy, sell or exchange such interests, or (iv)
prospective buyers and sellers otherwise have the opportunity to buy, sell or
exchange interests (economic or otherwise) in the Company in a time frame and
with the regularity and continuity that is comparable to that described in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this sentence. For purposes of determining
whether the Company will have more than 100 Members, each Person indirectly
owning an interest (economic or otherwise) in the Company through a partnership
(including any entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes),
a grantor trust or an S corporation shall be treated as a Member unless the
Manager determines in its sole and absolute discretion that less than
substantially all of the value of the beneficial owner's interest in any such
entity is attributable to such entity's interest (direct or indirect) in the
Company.
7.2 Permitted Transfers of Interests. A Member shall be permitted to
transfer, assign, convey, sell, encumber or otherwise alienate its economic
rights associated with its Membership Interest without the consent of other
Members so long as such transaction: (a) is not prohibited by Sections 7.1.2 or
11.9
18
hereof, (b) would not cause a material adverse tax consequence to the
Company or the other Members, and (c) has complied with Section 7.5 hereof. If a
permitted transfer of a Membership Interest does not comply with Section 7.3
hereof as to admissions, the transferee shall have no right to vote or
participate in the management of the business, property and affairs of the
Company or to exercise any rights of a Member other than the right to receive
proceeds of a Membership Interest.
7.3 Admission and Substitution of Members. A new Member may be admitted
-------------------------------------
only if (a) Members holding 100% of the Voting Interests consent to such
admission; (b) such Person becomes a party and agrees to be bound by the terms
and provisions of this Agreement; and (c) such Person pays any reasonable
expenses in connection with such Person's admission as a Member. A permitted
transferee of a Membership Interest shall have the right to be admitted as a
substitute Member only if the requirements of Sections 7.1 and 7.2 have been met
and the conditions set forth in the prior sentence have been met. The admission
of a substitute Member shall not result in the release of the Member who
assigned the Membership Interest from any liability of such Member accrued prior
to such date.
7.4 Family and Affiliate Transfers. Subject to compliance with Section
------------------------------
7.1, 7.2 and 7.3(b) and (c), the Membership Interest of any Member may be
transferred as follows, and the transferee thereof admitted as a substitute
Member without the prior written consent of all Members but with the consent of
the Manager, which shall not be unreasonably withheld: (a) by inter vivos gift
or by testamentary transfer to any spouse, parent, sibling, in-law, child or
grandchild of the Member, or to a trust for the benefit of the Member or such
spouse, parent, sibling, in-law, child or grandchild of the Member; or (b) to
any Affiliate of the Member so long as such Affiliate is majority owned and
controlled by such Member; it being agreed that, in executing this Agreement,
each Member has consented to such transfers.
7.5 Right of First Refusal. Each time a Member proposes to transfer,
-----------------------
assign, convey, sell, encumber, or in any way alienate all or any part of such
Person's Membership Interest , including by operation of law, by foreclosure or
other involuntary transfer but not including a transfer pursuant to Section 7.4
or the granting by a Member of a security interest in its assets generally, such
Member shall first offer such Membership Interest to the Company and the
non-transferring Members in accordance with the following provisions:
7.5.1 Such Member shall deliver a written notice (a "Transfer
Notice") to the Company and the other Members stating: (a) such Member's bona
fide intention to transfer such Membership Interest; (b) the name and address of
the proposed transferee; (c) the Membership Interest to be transferred; and (d)
the terms of payment for which the Member proposes to transfer such Membership
Interest.
7.5.2 Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Transfer
Notice, each non-transferring Member shall notify the other Members in writing
of such Person's desire to purchase a portion of the Membership Interest being
so transferred. The failure of any Member to submit a notice within the
applicable period shall constitute an election on the part of that Member not to
purchase any of the Membership Interest which may be so transferred. Each Member
so electing to purchase shall be entitled to purchase a portion of such
Membership Interest in the same proportion that the Membership Interest of such
Member bears to the aggregate of the Membership Interests of all of the Members
electing to so purchase the Membership Interest being transferred. In the event
any Member elects to purchase none or less than all of such Person's pro rata
share of such Membership Interest, then the other Members can elect to purchase
more than their pro rata share. If such Members fail to purchase the entire
Membership Interest being transferred, the Company may, with the consent of the
non-transferring Members, purchase any remaining share of such Membership
Interest.
19
7.5.3 Within sixty (60) days after receipt of the Transfer
Notice, the Company and the Members electing to purchase such Membership
Interest shall have the first right to purchase or obtain such Membership
Interest upon the price and terms of payment designated in such notice. If such
notice provides for the payment of non-cash consideration, then the Company and
such purchasing Members each shall pay the consideration in cash equal to the
good faith estimate of the present fair market value of the noncash
consideration offered.
7.5.4 If the Company or the other Members elect not to
purchase or obtain all of the Membership Interest designated in such notice,
then the transferring Member may transfer the Membership Interest described in
the notice to the proposed transferee, providing such transfer: (a) is completed
within thirty (30) days after the expiration of the Company's and the other
Members' right to purchase such Membership Interest; (b) is made substantially
on the terms designated in the Transfer Notice; and (c) the requirements of
Section 7.2 are otherwise met. If such Membership Interest is not so
transferred, then the transferring Member must give notice in accordance with
this Section prior to any other or subsequent transfer of such Membership
Interest.
20
ARTICLE 8
=========
Accounting, Records, and Reporting
==================================
8.1 Books and Records. The Company shall maintain complete and accurate
-----------------
books and records of the Company's business and affairs in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The books and
records shall be maintained at the principal place of business of the Company
and shall be accessible to the Members in accordance with the Act.
8.2 Fiscal Year; Accounting. The Company's fiscal year shall be the
-----------
calendar year. The accounting methods and principles to be followed by the
Company shall be those selected from time to time by the Manager and approved in
advance by Members holding 100% of the Voting Interests.
8.3 Reports. The Company shall provide to the Members reports
-------
concerning the financial condition and results of operation of the Company and
the Members' Capital Accounts within ninety (90) days after the end of each
fiscal year and interim operating reports at least quarterly.
8.4 Bank Accounts. The Manager shall maintain the funds of the Company
-------------
in one or more separate bank accounts in the name of the Company and shall not
permit the funds of the Company to be commingled in any fashion with the funds
of any other Person. The funds of the Company shall be deposited in such bank or
other financial institution account or accounts, or invested in such
interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing investments, as shall be designated by
the Manager in investments that are at least rated investment grade by one
nationally recognized statistical rating agency. All withdrawals from any such
bank account(s) shall be made only by the Manager or by such Persons as are duly
appointed by the Manager.
21
ARTICLE 9
=========
Dissolution and Winding Up
==========================
9.1 Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved, its assets shall be
-----------
disposed of, and its affairs wound up on the first to occur of the following:
(a) upon the happening of any event of dissolution specified in the Certificate;
(b) 90 days after the occurrence of a Dissolution Event with respect to any
Member unless the remaining Members vote within such 90 days to continue the
Company; (c) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to the
Act; (d) 60 days after the vote of Members holding a Majority in Interest or of
non-defaulting Members holding a majority of the Membership Interests held by
all non-defaulting Members (provided that the Members shall not vote for or
consent to a dissolution or winding up of the Company if prohibited under any
agreement or contract to which the Company is a party); or (e) the sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of Company.
9.2 Certificate of Dissolution. As soon as possible following the
-----------------------------
occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 9.1, the Manager, to the
extent it has not wrongfully dissolved the Company, or, if so, then the Members,
shall execute a Certificate of Dissolution in such form as shall be prescribed
by the Delaware Secretary of State and file such certificate as required by the
Act.
9.3 Winding Up. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in Section
----------
9.1, the Company shall continue solely for the purpose of winding up its affairs
in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets, and satisfying the claims of its
creditors. The Manager, to the extent it has not wrongfully dissolved the
Company, or, if so, then the Members, shall be responsible for overseeing the
winding up and liquidation of Company. The Persons winding up the affairs of the
Company shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation as has been approved
by the Members.
9.4 Distributions in Kind. Any noncash asset distributed to one or more
---------------------
Members shall first be valued at its fair market value to determine the Net
Profit or Net Loss that would have resulted if such asset were sold for such
value, such Net Profit or Net Loss shall then be allocated pursuant to Article
6, and the Members' Capital Accounts shall be adjusted to reflect such
allocations. The amount distributed and charged to the Capital Account of each
Member receiving an interest in such distributed asset shall be the fair market
value of such interest (net of any liability secured by such asset that such
Member assumes or takes subject to). The fair market value of such asset shall
be determined by a qualified unrelated third party, or if Members holding 100%
of the Voting Interest shall agree, the Manager.
9.5 Distribution of Assets. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the
----------------------
Company, the Manager shall pay or make reasonable provision to pay all claims
and obligations of the Company, including all costs and expenses of the
liquidation and all contingent, conditional, or unmatured claims and obligations
that are known to the Manager but for which the identity of the claimant is
unknown. If there are sufficient assets, then such claims and obligations shall
be paid in full and any such provision shall be made in full. If there are
insufficient assets, then such claims and obligations shall be paid or provided
for according to their priority and, among claims and obligations of equal
priority, ratably to the extent of assets available therefor. Any remaining
assets shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with their respective
positive Capital Accounts, after giving effect to all Capital Contributions,
distributions, and allocations for all periods.
9.6 Limitations on Payments Made in Dissolution. Except as otherwise
--------------------------------------------
specifically provided in this Agreement, each Member shall only be entitled to
look solely at the assets of Company for the return of such Member's positive
Capital Account balance and shall have no recourse for such Member's Capital
Contribution or share of Net Profits (upon dissolution or otherwise) against the
Manager or any other Member except as provided in Article 10.
22
ARTICLE 10
==========
Indemnification and Insurance
=============================
10.1 Indemnification of Agents. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
-------------------------
the Company shall be permitted to indemnify any Person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit, or proceeding by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member,
Manager, officer, employee, attorney, accountant, or other agent of the Company
or that, being or having been such a Manager, Member, officer, employee,
attorney, accountant, or other agent of the Company, such Person is or was
serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, employee,
attorney, accountant, or other agent of another limited liability company,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise (any such
Person being referred to hereinafter as an "Indemnified Person") against all
-------------------
claims, damages, liabilities, losses, expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees and expenses and other costs and expenses incurred in defending such
action, suit, or proceeding), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement
actually incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with such action,
suit, or proceeding, except to the extent that such claims, damages,
liabilities, losses, expenses, judgments, fines, or amounts paid in settlement
arise by virtue of such Indemnified Person's fraud, deceit, gross negligence, or
willful misconduct. The Manager is authorized, on behalf of the Company, to
enter into indemnity agreements from time to time with any Person entitled to be
indemnified by the Company hereunder (i) consistent with the foregoing (or
lesser) terms, or (ii) on such other terms as Members holding 100% of the Voting
Interests may approve.
10.2 Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
--------
incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the
Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking, in form and substance acceptable to the Manager,
by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Company under this Article 10 or under any other contract or
agreement between such Indemnified Person and the Company. Such expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by employees or agents of the
Company may be so paid upon the receipt of the undertaking previously referred
to and such other terms and conditions, if any, as the Manager deems
appropriate.
10.3 Not Exclusive. The indemnification and advancement of expenses
-------------
provided by this Article 10 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any by-law, agreement, vote of Members or otherwise, both as to action in
such Indemnified Person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office, and shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to
be a Member, Manager, officer, employee, attorney, accountant, or other agent
and shall inure to the benefit of the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and
administrators of such a Person.
10.4 Insurance. The Company shall have the power to purchase and
---------
maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was an Indemnified Person
against any liability asserted against such Person and incurred by such Person
in any such capacity, or arising out of such Person's status as an Indemnified
Person, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person
against such liability under the provisions of Section 10.1 or under applicable
law.
23
ARTICLE 11
==========
Investment Representations
==========================
Each Member represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the other
Members and the Company as follows:
11.1 Pre-existing Relationship or Experience. (a) Such Member has a
-----------------------------------------
preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company or one or more of
the other Members; or (b) by reason of such Member's business or financial
experience, or by reason of the business or financial experience of such
Member's financial advisor who is unaffiliated with and who is not compensated,
directly or indirectly, by the Company or any affiliate or selling agent of the
Company, such Member is capable of evaluating the risks and merits of the
investment to be made by such Person hereunder and of protecting such Person's
interests in connection with such investment.
11.2 No Advertising. Such Member has not seen, received, been presented
--------------
with, or been solicited by any leaflet, public promotional meeting, newspaper or
magazine article or advertisement, radio or television advertisement, or any
other form of advertising or general solicitation with respect to the sale of
the Membership Interests.
11.3 Investment Intent. Such Member is acquiring a Membership Interest
-----------------
for investment purposes and for such Person's own account only and not with a
view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution of all or any part of
the Membership Interests, and no other Person will have any direct or indirect
beneficial interest in or right to the Membership Interests purchased by such
Person except as permitted hereby.
11.4 Purpose of Entity. If such Member is a corporation, partnership,
-----------------
limited liability company, trust, or other entity, then (a) such Member was not
organized for the specific purpose of acquiring any Membership Interests, and
(b) such Member may legally acquire, invest in and own Membership Interests, and
(c) such Member may legally act as Manager of the Company.
11.5 Economic Risk. Such Member is financially able to bear the
--------------
economic risk of the investment being made by such Member, including the total
loss of such Person's Membership Interests.
11.6 No Registration of Membership Interests. Such Member acknowledges
---------------------------------------
that: (a) the sale of the Membership Interests referred to herein has not been
registered under the Securities Act or qualified under the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as amended, or any other applicable securities or blue sky laws
of any state or jurisdiction in reliance, in part, on such Member's
representations, warranties, and agreements contained herein; and (b) the
Membership Interests may not be resold unless the resale is registered under the
Securities Act and qualified under all applicable securities or blue sky laws
(or is exempt from these registration and qualification requirements).
11.7 Membership Interests are Restricted Securities. Such Member
--------------------------------------------------
understands that the Membership Interests are or may be restricted securities
under the Securities Act in that the Membership Interests will be acquired from
the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering, and that the
Membership Interests may be resold without registration under the Securities Act
only in certain limited circumstances and that otherwise the Membership
Interests must be held indefinitely. In this connection, such Member understands
the resale limitations imposed by the Securities Act and is familiar with SEC
Rule 144, as presently in effect, and the conditions which must be met in order
for that Rule to be available for resale of restricted securities, including the
requirement that the securities must be held for at least two (2) years after
purchase thereof from the Company prior to resale (three (3) years in the
absence of publicly available information about the Company) and the condition
that there be available to the public current information
24
about the Company under certain circumstances. Such Member understands that the
Company has not made such information available to the public and has no present
plans to do so.
11.8 No Obligation to Register. Such Member represents, warrants, and
-------------------------
agrees that the Company and the other Members are under no obligation to
register or qualify the Membership Interests under the Securities Act or under
any state securities or blue sky laws, or to assist such Member in complying
with any exemption from registration and qualification.
11.9 No Disposition in Violation of Law. Without limiting the
---------------------------------------
representations set forth above or the other provisions of this Agreement, such
Member shall not make any disposition of all or any part of such Person's
Membership Interests which would result in the violation by such Person or by
the Company of the Securities Act, the Act, Delaware General Corporation Law, as
amended, or any other applicable securities or blue sky laws. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, such Member agrees not to make any disposition
of all or any part of the Membership Interests acquired by such Person unless
and until: (a) there is then in effect a registration statement under the
Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made
in accordance with such registration statement and any applicable requirements
of state securities laws; or (b) such Person has notified the Company of the
proposed disposition and has furnished the Company with a detailed statement of
the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and, if reasonably
requested by the other Members, such Person has furnished the Company with a
written opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such
disposition will not require registration of any securities under the Securities
Act or the consent of or a permit from appropriate authorities under any
applicable state securities law.
In the case of any disposition of all or any part of such Member's
Membership Interests pursuant to SEC Rule 144, such Person shall, among other
things, promptly forward to the Company a copy of any Form 144 filed with the
SEC with respect to such disposition and a letter from the executing broker
satisfactory to the Company evidencing compliance with SEC Rule 144. If SEC Rule
144 is amended or if the SEC's interpretations thereof in effect at the time of
any such disposition have changed from its present interpretations thereof, such
Member shall provide the Company with such additional documents as the other
Member or the Company may reasonably require.
11.10 Legends. Such Member understands that the certificates (if any)
-------
evidencing the Membership Interests may bear one or all of the following legends
or other legends as may be appropriate:
(a) "THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR QUALIFIED UNDER THE SECURITIES OR BLUE
SKY LAWS OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION, INCLUDING THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND HAVE
BEEN TAKEN BY THE ISSUEE FOR SUCH PERSON'S OR ENTITY'S OWN ACCOUNT AND NOT WITH
A VIEW TO THEIR DISTRIBUTION. NEITHER SUCH SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN
MAY BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS
THEY ARE REGISTERED UNDER SUCH ACT AND QUALIFIED UNDER ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES
AND BLUE SKY LAWS, OR IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY, EXEMPTIONS FROM
REGISTRATION AND QUALIFICATION ARE AVAILABLE. THESE SECURITIES ARE ALSO SUBJECT
TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE LIMITED LIABILITY AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
SEPTEMBER 4, 1997, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME."
(b) Any legend required by applicable state securities or blue
sky laws.
25
11.11 Investment Risk. Such Member acknowledges that such Member's
----------------
investment as provided for herein is a speculative investment that involves a
substantial degree of risk of loss by such Member, including such Person's
entire investment in the Company, that such Member understands and takes full
cognizance of the risk factors related to such Person's investment outlined
herein, and that the Company is newly organized and has no financial or
operating history.
11.12 Investment Experience. Unless otherwise disclosed, such Member is
---------------------
an experienced investor in unregistered and restricted securities of
corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, or closely held
companies.
11.13 Restrictions on Transferability. Such Member acknowledges that
--------------------------------
there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of the Membership
Interests pursuant to this Agreement, that there is no public market for the
Membership Interests and none is expected to develop, and that, accordingly, it
may not be possible for such Member to liquidate such Member's investment in the
Company.
11.14 Information Reviewed. Such Member has received and reviewed all
---------------------
information such Person considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether
to make the investment contemplated hereby, has had an opportunity to ask
questions and receive answers from the Company and the other Members regarding
the terms and conditions of the investments contemplated hereby (including the
purchase of the Membership Interests) and regarding the business, financial
affairs, and other aspects of the Company, and has had the opportunity to obtain
all information (to the extent the Company possesses or can acquire such
information without unreasonable effort or expense) which such Person deems
necessary to evaluate the investment and to verify the accuracy of information
otherwise provided to such Person.
11.15 No Representations by the Company. Neither any Manager, nor any
---------------------------------
agent or employee of the Company or of any Manager, nor any other Person has at
any time expressly or implicitly represented, guaranteed, or warranted to such
Member that such Member may freely transfer any of the Membership Interests
acquired by such Member pursuant to the terms hereof, that past performance or
experience on the part of any such Person or their Affiliates or any other
Person in any way indicates the predictable results of the ownership of the
Membership Interests or of the overall Company business, that any cash
distributions from Company operations or otherwise will be made to the
Membership Interests by any specific date or will be made at all, or that any
specific tax benefits will accrue as a result of an investment in the Company.
11.16 Consultation with Attorney. Such Member has been advised to
----------------------------
consult with such Member's own attorney regarding all legal matters concerning
an investment in the Company and the tax consequences of investing and
participating in the Company and has either done so or voluntarily and knowingly
elected not to seek such advice.
11.17 Tax Consequences; Consultation with Tax Advisors. Such Member
---------------------------------------------------
acknowledges that the tax consequences to such Member of the transactions
contemplated hereby will depend on such Member's particular circumstances, and
neither the Company, nor the Manager, nor the other Members, nor the partners,
shareholders, members, managers, agents, officers, directors, employees,
Affiliates, attorneys, accountants or consultants of any of them will be
responsible or liable for the tax consequences to such Member of its investment
or participation in the Company unless otherwise expressly agreed. Such Member
has and will look solely to, and rely upon, such Member's own tax advisors with
respect to the tax consequences of its investment and participation in the
Company.
11.18 Indemnity. Such Member shall indemnify and hold harmless the
---------
Company, each and every Manager, each and every other Member, and any officers,
directors, shareholders, managers, members, employees, partners, agents,
attorneys, accountants, registered representatives, and control persons of any
26
such entity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of or arising from any
misrepresentation or misstatement of facts or omission to represent or state
facts made by such Member, including the information in this Agreement, against
losses, liabilities, and expenses of the Company, each and every Manager, each
and every other Member, and any officers, directors, shareholders, managers,
members, employees, partners, attorneys, accountants, agents, registered
representatives, and control persons of any such Person (including attorneys'
fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, payable as incurred)
incurred by such Person in connection with such action, suit, proceeding, or the
like.
27
ARTICLE 12
==========
General Provisions
==================
12.1 Further Assurances. Each party to this Agreement shall perform
-------------------
any further acts and execute and deliver any additional documents that may be
reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.
12.2 Time. Time is of the essence in the performance of all provisions
----
under this Agreement.
12.3 Remedies Cumulative. The remedies under this Agreement are
--------------------
cumulative and shall not exclude any other remedies to which any person may be
lawfully entitled.
12.4 Estoppel Certificate. Each Member shall, within ten (10) days
---------------------
after written request by any Manager or other Member, deliver to the requesting
Person a certificate stating, to the Member's knowledge, that: (a) this
Agreement is in full force and effect; (b) this Agreement has not been modified
except by any instrument or instruments identified in the certificate; and (c)
there is no default hereunder by the requesting Person or, if there is a
default, the nature or extent thereof.
12.5 Specific Performance. The parties recognize that irreparable
---------------------
injury will result from a breach of any provision of this Agreement and that
money damages will be inadequate to fully remedy the injury. Accordingly, in the
event of a breach or threatened breach of one or more of the provisions of this
Agreement, any party who may be injured (in addition to any other remedies which
may be available to that party) shall be entitled to one or more preliminary or
permanent orders: (a) restraining and enjoining any act which would constitute a
breach; or (b) compelling the performance of any obligation which, if not
performed, would constitute a breach.
12.6 Authority of Persons Signing Agreement. Each Member represents and
--------------------------------------
warrants to the other Members that it is duly authorized to enter into this
Agreement and that the Agreement is valid, binding and enforceable as to it. If
a Member is not a natural person, neither the Company nor any Member will: (a)
be required to determine the authority of the individual signing this Agreement
to make any commitment or undertaking on behalf of such Person or to determine
any fact or circumstance bearing upon the existence of the authority of such
individual; or (b) be responsible for the application or distribution of
proceeds paid or credited to individuals signing this Agreement on behalf of
such Person.
12.7 Parties in Interest. Except as expressly provided in the Act,
--------------------
nothing in this Agreement shall confer any rights or remedies under or by reason
of this Agreement on any Persons other than the Members and their respective
successors and assigns nor shall anything in this Agreement relieve or discharge
the obligation or liability of any other Person to any party to this Agreement,
nor shall any provision give any other Person any right of subrogation or action
over or against any party to this Agreement.
12.8 Notices. All notices required to be given to any party hereunder
-------
shall be deemed given upon the first to occur of: (a) either (i) five days after
deposit thereof in the United States mail, certified mail, First Class postage
prepaid or (ii) forty-eight (48) hours after delivery to an aviation express
delivery service; and transmittal by electronic means (with a copy sent by
regular United States mail) to a receiver under the control of the party to whom
notice is being given; or (b) actual receipt by the party to whom notice is
being given, or an employee or agent of thereof. For purposes hereof, the
addresses of the parties are as set forth on Schedule I hereof or as may
otherwise be specified from time to time in a writing sent to the other parties
in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
28
12.9 Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may be
-----------------------
waived, altered, amended, or repealed in whole or in part only upon the written
consent of the Members as provided in Section 4.8 hereof. Any waiver of any of
the terms hereof shall only be valid and effective in the instance given and
shall not be valid or effective in any other instance. No waiver of any of the
terms hereof shall require or imply that a like waiver will be made in any other
instance(s). Copies of all proposed waivers or amendments to this Agreement or
the Certificate shall be delivered to all Members 3 days prior to their becoming
effective.
12.10 Severability of Provisions. If any one or more of the provisions
--------------------------
contained in this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in
any respect, then such provision(s) shall be ineffective only to the extent of
such prohibition or invalidity, and the validity, legality, and enforceability
of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.
12.11 Successors and Assigns. Subject to the provisions hereof relating
----------------------
to transferability, this Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives,
successors, and assigns.
12.12 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any
----------------------------
number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect
as if all signatures were upon the same instrument. Delivery of an original
executed counterpart of the signature page to this Agreement by telefacsimile
shall be effective as manual delivery of an original executed original
counterpart of this Agreement, and any party delivering such an original
executed counterpart of the signature page to this Agreement by telefacsimile to
any other party shall thereafter also promptly deliver an original executed
counterpart of this Agreement to such other party by mail or personal delivery,
provided that the failure to so deliver such original executed counterpart shall
- --------
not affect the validity, enforceability, or binding effect of this Agreement.
This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above upon the
execution and delivery of a counterpart hereof by each of Point West, Isard, and
McDermitt.
12.13 Legal Counsel and Representation; Accountants. The parties hereto
---------------------------------------------
have agreed to the preparation of this Agreement by Giancarlo & Gnazzo, A
Professional Corporation, counsel for Point West, not withstanding any conflict
of interest(s) that may exist between or among any of the other parties hereto
or the Company. Each Member who is a party hereto and not represented by
Giancarlo & Gnazzo, A Professional Corporation further acknowledges that such
Person has been advised to seek advice of such Person's own independent counsel
regarding the transactions contemplated herein and has either done so or
voluntarily and knowingly elected not to seek such advice. Each such Person
further acknowledges that this Agreement and any other agreements, documents,
and instruments referenced herein may have tax consequences for such Person and
that such Person has been advised to seek advice of independent accountants or
other tax advisors as to such matters and has either done so or voluntarily and
knowingly elected not to seek such advice.
12.14 Ambiguities. The parties have carefully read all of the terms of
-----------
this Agreement and all of the agreements attached hereto and have had an
opportunity to ask questions regarding the language used therein and to suggest
changes thereto. Therefore, the parties waive any rule of construction that
ambiguities are to be construed more harshly against any party as drafter.
12.15 Fees, Costs, and Expenses; Recovery. The prevailing party in any
------------------------------------
action, proceeding or arbitration arising out of or related to this Agreement or
any agreement, document, or instrument referred to herein, shall be entitled to
reasonable fees, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees,
costs, and expenses) incurred by or on behalf of such Person in connection with
such action or proceeding, as determined by the court or arbitrator(s).
29
12.16 Complete Agreement. This Agreement and the Certificate constitute
------------------
the complete and exclusive statement of agreement among the Members with respect
to the subject matter herein and therein and replace and supersede all prior
written and oral agreements, representations, or statements by and among the
Members or any of them. No representation, statement, condition or warranty not
contained in this Agreement or the Certificate will be binding on the Members or
have any force or effect whatsoever. To the extent that any provision of the
Certificate conflict with any provision of this Agreement, the Certificate shall
control.
12.17 Arbitration. ANY CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO
-----------
RISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED
HEREUNDER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE CONSTRUCTION OR APPLICATION OF ANY
OF THE TERMS, COVENANTS, OR CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, SHALL, ON WRITTEN
REQUEST OF ONE PARTY SERVED UPON THE OTHER, BE SUBMITTED TO FINAL AND BINDING
ARBITRATION GOVERNED BY THE COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES OF THE AMERICAN
ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION AND, TO THE EXTENT NOT INCONSISTENT, THE CALIFORNIA CODE
OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. THE ARBITRATOR SHALL MAKE THE DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER
THE CONTROVERSY IS SUBJECT TO THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION; IN ADDITION, THE
ARBITRATOR SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. THE ARBITRATION
SHALL TAKE PLACE IN THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA AND SHALL BE CONDUCTED
BY ONE (1) ARBITRATOR. EACH OF THE PARTIES SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE
OTHER PARTY IN SUCH ARBITRATION SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISCOVERY. ARBITRATION
SHALL BE THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ANY AWARD OF
THE ARBITRATOR(S) SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING UPON THE PARTIES HERETO. JUDGMENT
UPON THE ARBITRATION AWARD MAY BE ENTERED IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION.
12.18 Governing Law. EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY STATED IN SECTION 12.17,
-------------
THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER OR EVIDENCED HEREBY
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED UNDER, AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
30
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, all of the Members of the Company have executed
this Agreement as of the date first written above.
POINT WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
By:/s/Alan B. Perper
----------------------------------
Title: President
By:/s/ Michael W. McDERMITT,
-----------------------------------
an individual
By:/s/ Daniel M. Isard,
-----------------------------------
an individual
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------------
OF
--
ALLEGIANCE CAPITAL, LLC
-----------------------
SCHEDULE I
==========
Member Information Member's Percentage Interest
================== ============================
Point West Capital Corporation 51%
c/o Dignity Partners, Inc.
1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 250
San Francisco, CA 94111
Attn: Alan Perper
TIN: 94-3165263
Telephone Number: (415) 394-9467
Facsimile Number: (415) 394-9471
Michael W. McDermitt 24.5%
c/o Westhill Financial Inc.
11400 W. Olympic Blvd., 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90064
SSN: ###-##-####
Telephone Number: (310) 312-9535
Facsimile Number: (310) 312-9536
Daniel M. Isard 24.5%
c/o Foresight Analysts, Inc.
5353 N. 16th Street, Suite 370
Phoenix, AZ 85016
SSN: ###-##-####
Telephone Number: (602) 274-6464
Facsimile Number: (602) 277-6722
with a copy to:
Renee Gerstman, Esq.
Gerstman & Associates, PC
5353 N. 16th Street, Suite 320
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Facsimile Number: 602-265-9415