Services Agreement
EX-10.10 13 d58022exv10w10.htm SERVICES AGREEMENT exv10w10
EXHIBIT 10.10
Execution Copy
SERVICES AGREEMENT
by and between
Crusader Energy Group Inc.
and
Robert J. Raymond
SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made and entered into effective as of the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Contribution Agreement (as defined below) (the Effective Date), by and between Crusader Energy Group Inc. (f/k/a Westside Energy Corporation), a Nevada corporation (the Company), and Robert J. Raymond (Raymond).
RECITALS:
A. Raymond possesses valuable skills and knowledge in the field of business of the Company and desires to be retained by the Company as non-executive Chairman of the Board on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
B. The Company desires to retain Raymond on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENTS:
In consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Person in question. As used in this definition of Affiliate, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of Voting Securities, by contract, or otherwise.
(b) Beneficial Owner or Beneficial Ownership or Beneficially Owns shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in, or be interpreted in a manner consistent with, Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and any successor to such rule.
(c) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company and any committee thereof.
(d) Cause means Raymonds:
(i) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, mis-appropriation, willful misconduct, bad faith or dishonesty against the Company;
(ii) material breach of this Agreement which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt of written notice from the Company specifically identifying the manner in which the Company believes that Raymond has materially breached this Agreement;
(iii) conviction, plea of no contest or nolo contendere, deferred adjudication or unadjudicated probation for any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; or
(iv) violation of the Companys substance abuse policy.
(e) Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) Subject to the last paragraph of this definition, the acquisition by any Person or Group of Beneficial Ownership of forty percent (40%) or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (the Outstanding Company Stock) or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or similar governing body (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities and, together with the Outstanding Company Stock, the Company Securities); or
(ii) Members of the Incumbent Board cease to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; or
(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or an acquisition of assets of another company (a Business Combination), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the Persons who were the Beneficial Owners of Company Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock or common equity interests and the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including without limitation an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Company Securities, (B) no Person or Group (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or the entity resulting from such Business Combination) Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, forty percent (40%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock or common equity interests of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities of such entity except to the extent that such ownership results solely from ownership of the Company that existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors or similar governing body of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (i) of this definition: (x) the following acquisitions (whether the acquiring Person or Group acquires Beneficial Ownership of forty percent (40%) or
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more of the Outstanding Company Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities or any such acquisition results in any other Person or Group (other than the acquiring Person or Group) Beneficially Owning forty percent (40%) or more of the Outstanding Company Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities) shall not constitute a Change in Control unless, following such acquisition, any Person or Group (other than the acquiring Person or Group effecting the acquisition pursuant to the following clauses (A) through (D)) who becomes the Beneficial Owner of forty percent (40%) or more of the Outstanding Company Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities as a result of one or more of such acquisitions shall thereafter acquire any additional shares of Company Securities and, following such acquisition, Beneficially Owns forty percent (40%) or more of either the Outstanding Company Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities, in which case such acquisition shall constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company or (D) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of the foregoing clause (iii) of this definition; and (y) the acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock by the Crusader Parent Entities pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the corresponding acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock by any other Person or Group deemed to Beneficially Own the Common Stock so acquired by the Crusader Parent Entities (any such Person and/or Group, collectively with the Crusader Parent Entities and the Crusader Distributees, the Crusader Group) and the acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock as a result of the distribution by a Crusader Parent Entity to Crusader Distributees of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Contribution Agreement or directly from the Company prior to the date of the Contribution Agreement shall not constitute a Change of Control, provided that if, (1) for so long as the shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by any member of the Crusader Group equals or exceeds forty percent (40%) of the Outstanding Company Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, such member of the Crusader Group shall obtain Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock (other than as a result of any acquisition described in the foregoing clauses (A) through (D) of this paragraph or pursuant to an award issued under any equity based compensation plan of the Company, including without limitation the LTIP) representing one percent (1%) or more of the Outstanding Company Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities or (2) at any time after such member of the Crusader Group shall cease to Beneficially Own forty percent (40%) or more of the Outstanding Company Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, such member of the Crusader Group shall obtain Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock (other than as a result of any acquisition described in the foregoing clauses (A) through (D) of this paragraph or pursuant to an award issued under any equity based compensation plan of the Company, including without limitation the LTIP) representing forty percent (40%) or more of either the Outstanding Company Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities, then in the case of either (1) or (2) a Change of Control shall be deemed to occur.
(f) Common Stock means the Companys common stock, par value $.01 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted (or resubstituted) for such Common Stock.
(g) Compensation Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
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(h) Contribution Agreement means the Contribution Agreement among the Company and Crusader Management Corporation, David D. Le Norman, Knight Energy Management Holding Company, LLC, Knight Energy Group II Holding Company, LLC, Knight Energy Group I Holding Co., LLC, Crusader Energy Group Holding Co., LLC, Hawk Energy Fund I Holding Company, LLC, RCH Energy Opportunity Fund I, L.P., Knight Energy Group, LLC, Knight Energy Group II, LLC, Knight Energy Management, LLC, Hawk Energy Fund I, LLC, RCH Upland Acquisition, LLC and Crusader Energy Group, LLC dated as of December 31, 2007.
(i) Crusader Distributees means holders of equity interests in any Crusader Parent Entity who receives a distribution from such Crusader Parent Entity of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Contribution Agreement or directly from the Company prior to the date of the Contribution Agreement.
(j) Crusader Parent Entities has the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
(k) Disability means Raymonds inability to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the essential functions of Raymonds position hereunder for a period of 180 consecutive days due to mental or physical incapacity, as determined by mutual agreement of a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and a physician selected by Raymond; provided, however, that if the opinion of the Companys physician and Raymonds physician conflict, the Companys physician and Raymonds physician shall together agree upon a third physician, whose opinion shall be binding. The foregoing definition of Disability is not intended to and shall not affect the definition of disability or any similar term in any insurance policy the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may provide. Notwithstanding the foregoing definition of Disability, Raymond will not be considered to have a Disability under any provision of this Agreement that would trigger the payment of deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code unless Raymonds Disability also meets the Section 409A definition of Disability.
(l) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(m) Good Reason means, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
(i) any removal of Raymond from the office of Chairman of the Board of the Company except, in any such case, in connection with the termination of Raymonds retention hereunder by the Company for Disability or for Cause or by Raymond other than for Good Reason;
(ii) any termination or material reduction of a material benefit under any Investment Plan or Welfare Plan in which Raymond participates unless (A) there is substituted a comparable benefit that is economically substantially equivalent to the terminated or reduced benefit prior to such termination or reduction or (B) benefits under such Investment Plan
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or Welfare Plan are terminated or reduced with respect to all Raymonds previously granted benefits thereunder;
(iii) any reduction in Raymonds Annual Base Salary;
(iv) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 3(b);
(v) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any material breach by the Company of this Agreement other than an isolated, insubstantial, and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by Raymond; or
(vi) a Change in Control,
(n) Group shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.
(o) Incumbent Board shall mean individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any other individual who becomes a director of the Company after that date and whose election or appointment by the Board or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board.
(p) LTIP means the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company.
(q) Person means any individual, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust, association, or other entity or organization.
(r) Pro Rata Bonus means the amount equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Annual Bonus (as defined in Section 3(b)(ii)), if any, to which Raymond would have been entitled for the calendar year in which Raymonds Date of Termination occurs if Raymond was not terminated during such calendar year, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed since the beginning of such calendar year through (but not including) Raymonds Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such calendar year. The amount, if any, of the Annual Bonus to which Raymond would have been entitled for the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole reasonable discretion; provided, however, that for purposes of determining the amount of the Pro Rata Bonus in connection with a termination of Raymonds retention upon a Change of Control, Raymond shall be deemed to have been entitled to an Annual Bonus of not less than the amount of the last Annual Bonus awarded to Raymond prior to such Change in Control, and provided further however that any determination by the Compensation Committee as to satisfaction of a performance standard shall be made in the same manner as such determination is made for the other similarly-situation executives of the Company.
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(s) Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
(t) Voting Securities means any securities that vote generally in the election of directors, in the admission of general partners, or in the selection of any other similar governing body.
(u) Without Cause means a termination by the Company of Raymonds retention hereunder during the Term at the Companys sole discretion for any reason other than a termination based upon Cause, death or Disability; provided that, without Cause does not include termination of this Agreement and Raymond s retention pursuant to Section 2.
2. Term; Non-Renewal of Term. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to retain Raymond, and Raymond hereby agrees to be retained by the Company, for the period (the Term) commencing on the Effective Date and, unless Raymond is sooner terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, expiring at 5:00 p.m., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma time, on December 31, 2011; provided, however, that on January 1, 2009, and on each January 1 occurring thereafter, the Term shall automatically (without any action by either party) be extended for one additional calendar year unless, at least 30 days prior to each such January 1, the Company or Raymond shall have given written notice (a Non-Renewal Notice) that it or Raymond, as applicable, does not wish to extend this Agreement (a Non-Renewal). Either party may elect not to renew this Agreement. The term Term, as utilized in this Agreement, shall refer to the Term as so automatically extended. The Term shall expire as a result of any Non-Renewal at 5:00 p.m., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma time, on the last day of the Term during which a Non-Renewal Notice is given, and the retention of Raymond shall terminate at that time.
3. Terms.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Term, Raymond shall serve as Chairman of the Board of the Company. In so doing, Raymond shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board, so long as such powers and duties are reasonable and customary for a non-executive chairman of the board of an enterprise comparable to the Company.
(ii) During the Term, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which Raymond is entitled, Raymond agrees to (a) use Raymonds reasonable efforts to perform diligently, faithfully, effectively and efficiently his responsibilities, and (b) use Raymonds reasonable efforts to promote the interests of the Company.
(iii) Raymond shall not be an employee of the Company, and may engage in any other business endeavors during the Term, including those which compete with the Company; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be deemed to modify or limit Raymonds covenants, agreements and obligations under Section 3(a)(ii), Section 8 or Section 9. Raymond is an independent contractor with respect to the services he provides to the Company.
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(b) Compensation.
(i) Annual Base Salary. During the Term, Raymond shall receive an annual base salary (Annual Base Salary), which shall be paid bi-weekly in accordance with the customary payroll practices for executives of the Company, in the initial amount of $100,000 per year. At least annually (by no later than January 31 of each year) during the Term, the Compensation Committee shall review the Annual Base Salary of Raymond and may increase (but not decrease) the Annual Base Salary by such amount as the Compensation Committee shall deem appropriate. The term Annual Base Salary as used in this Agreement shall refer to the Annual Base Salary as it may be so increased.
(ii) Annual Bonus. During the Term, Raymond shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus, in addition to the Annual Base Salary, (each, an Annual Bonus), in such amounts and subject to such requirements as shall be determined by the Compensation Committee.
(iii) Option. Raymond shall be entitled to exercise the option to purchase shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company issued to Raymond pursuant to Section 6(i) of the Companys 2008 Long Term Incentive Plan (the Option). The Option may be exercised only in the time and manner described in the Option.
(iv) Incentive, Savings, Stock Option and Retirement Plans. During the Term, Raymond shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings, stock option, equity-based, profit sharing and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to directors of the Company (Investment Plans), subject to all of the terms and conditions of such Investment Plans.
(v) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Term, Raymond and Raymonds family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (Welfare Plans) provided by the Company (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, short-term and long-term disability, salary continuance, executive life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other directors of the Company, subject to all of the terms and conditions of such Welfare Plans.
(vi) Expenses. During the Term, Raymond shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable business-related expenses incurred by Raymond in the performance of Raymonds duties in accordance with the Companys policies, practices and procedures.
(vii) Pro-ration. Any payments or benefits payable to Raymond hereunder in respect of any calendar year during which Raymond is retained by the Company for less than the entire year, unless otherwise provided in the applicable plan or arrangement, shall be pro-rated in accordance with the number of days in such calendar year during which Raymond is so retained.
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4. Termination.
(a) Death. Raymonds retention hereunder shall terminate automatically upon Raymonds death during the Term.
(b) Disability. If the Disability of Raymond has occurred during the Term, the Company may give to Raymond a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(a)) in accordance with Section 6(a) of its intention to terminate Raymonds retention hereunder. In such event, Raymond s retention by the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by Raymond (the Disability Effective Date) provided that, within 30 days after receipt of the Notice of Termination, Raymond shall not have returned to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the essential functions of Raymonds position. During any period of Raymonds Disability, the Company may assign Raymonds duties to any other director on an interim basis and any such action shall not be deemed Good Reason for Raymond to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 4(d)(i) so long as Raymond continues to receive the compensation and benefits under Section 3 during such period.
(c) Termination by Company. Subject to Section 6(d), the Company may terminate Raymonds retention at any time during the Term for Cause or without Cause.
(d) Resignation by Raymond. At Raymonds option, Raymond may terminate Raymonds retention hereunder (i) subject to Section 6(c), for Good Reason or (ii) without Good Reason.
5. Compensation Upon Termination. Raymond shall be entitled to the following compensation from the Company upon the termination of Raymonds retention by the Company during the Term. The compensation provided for in this Section 5 shall be in lieu of any other severance pay to which Raymond might otherwise be entitled (whether contractual or under a severance plan, the WARN Act, any other applicable law, or otherwise) and shall be conditioned on the execution and delivery of a Release (as defined in Section 6(f)) signed by Raymond or Raymonds legal representative pursuant to Section 6(f). The timing of payments pursuant to this Section 5 shall also be subject to the requirements of Section 6(g) and Section 409A of the Code:
(a) Death or Disability. If Raymonds retention by the Company is terminated by reason of Raymonds death or Disability, the Company shall pay to Raymond or Raymonds legal representatives:
(i) within 30 days after Raymonds Date of Termination as defined in Section 6(b), a lump sum in cash equal to the sum of Raymonds Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not previously paid and any compensation previously deferred by Raymond (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) (the Accrued Obligations);
(ii) the amount of any Annual Bonus to which Raymond was entitled for the calendar year ending prior to the Date of Termination to the extent not previously paid and the amount of any Pro Rata Bonus, each of which amounts shall be paid no later than the later of 30 days after the Date of Termination or 10 business days after the date on which the
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Company has available to it the information reasonably required to determine the amount to be paid;
(iii) any amounts arising from Raymonds participation in, or benefits under, any Investment Plan (the Accrued Investments), which amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Investment Plan; and
(iv) any amounts to which Raymond or Raymonds spouse, beneficiaries or estate are entitled from Raymonds participation in, or benefits under, any Welfare Plan (Accrued Welfare Benefits), which amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Welfare Plan.
Except as described in this Section 5(a), in the event of Raymonds termination by reason of Raymonds death or Disability, Raymond and Raymonds legal representatives, as applicable, shall forfeit all rights to any other compensation.
(b) For Cause; Resignation by Raymond Without Good Reason; Non-Renewal Election by Raymond. If the Company shall terminate the retention of Raymond hereunder for Cause, or if Raymond resigns without Good Reason, or if Raymonds retention by the Company is terminated due to a Non-Renewal election by Raymond, the Company shall have no further obligations to Raymond other than the obligation for payment of:
(i) the Accrued Obligations, which shall be payable within 30 days after Raymonds Date of Termination;
(ii) the amount of any Annual Bonus to which Raymond was entitled for the calendar year ending prior to the Date of Termination to the extent not previously paid, which amount shall be paid no later than the later of 30 days after the Date of Termination;
(iii) the Accrued Investments, which amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment Plans; and
(iv) the Accrued Welfare Benefits, which amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Welfare Plans.
Except as described in this Section 5(b), in the event of Raymonds termination by the Company for Cause or by Raymond without Good Reason or due to a Non-Renewal election by Raymond, Raymond shall forfeit all rights to any other compensation.
(c) Without Cause; Resignation by Raymond for Good Reason: Non-Renewal Election by the Company. If the Company terminates the retention of Raymond hereunder without Cause (other than by reason of Raymonds death or Disability or a Non-Renewal by Raymond) or Raymond resigns for Good Reason or the retention of Raymond hereunder is terminated due to a Non- Renewal election by the Company, then the Company shall pay or provide Raymond:
(i) within 30 days after Raymonds Date of Termination, a lump sum in cash equal to the aggregate of the Accrued Obligations;
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(ii) the amount of any Annual Bonus to which Raymond was entitled for the calendar year ending prior to the Date of Termination to the extent not previously paid and any Pro Rata Bonus, each of which amounts shall be paid no later than the later of 30 days after the Date of Termination or 10 business days after the date on which the Company has available to it the information reasonably required to determine the amount to be paid;
(iii) the Accrued Investments, which amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Investment Plans;
(iv) the Accrued Welfare Benefits, which amounts shall be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Welfare Plans;
(v) a lump-sum payment within 30 days of the Date of Termination equal to the greater of (A) the undiscounted amount of Annual Base Salary Raymond would have received for the rest of the Term based upon the highest Annual Base Salary to which Raymond was entitled during the 24-month period ending on the Date of Termination or (B) two years of the highest Annual Base Salary to which Raymond was entitled during the 24-month period ending on the Date of Termination; and
(vi) if Raymond is entitled on the Date of Termination to coverage under the medical, prescription, and dental portions of the Welfare Plans, continuation at the Companys sole cost and expense of such coverage for Raymond and Raymonds dependents for a period ending on the later to occur of (A) the second anniversary of the Date of Termination or (B) the end of the full Term. Notwithstanding any provision of the foregoing to the contrary, the continued coverage provided pursuant to this Section 5(c)(vi) will count towards the depletion of any continued health care coverage rights that Raymond and Raymonds dependents may have pursuant to COBRA, and Raymonds or Raymonds dependents rights to continued health care coverage pursuant to this Section 5(c)(vi) shall terminate at the time Raymond or Raymonds dependents become covered, as described in COBRA, under another group health plan that does not limit coverage with respect to any preexisting conditions of Raymond or Raymonds dependents, and shall also terminate as of the date the Company ceases to provide coverage to its senior executives generally under any such Welfare Plan.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in the event Raymonds retention is terminated in connection with a Change in Control, the consideration payable to Raymond under Section 5(c)(v) hereof is related to the additional efforts and services that will have been required of the Raymond in connection with such Change in Control transaction and to Raymonds obligations under Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement.
Except as described in this Section 5(c), in the event of Raymonds termination by the Company without Cause or by Raymond for Good Reason or due to a Non-Renewal election by the Company, Raymond shall forfeit all rights to any other compensation.
6. Other Provisions Relating to Termination.
(a) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause or by reason of Raymonds Disability, or by Raymonds resignation for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other
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party hereto given in accordance with Section 10(b). For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Raymond under the provision so indicated. The failure by the Company or Raymond to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause or Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Company or Raymond hereunder or preclude the Company or Raymond from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Companys or Raymonds rights hereunder.
(b) Date of Termination. Date of Termination means (i) if Raymond is terminated by reason of Raymonds death, the date of Raymonds death; (ii) if Raymond is terminated by reason of Raymonds Disability, the Disability Effective Date (provided that Raymond shall not have returned to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of Raymonds position during the 30-day period provided for in Section 4(b)); (iii) if Raymond is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Raymond for Good Reason or without Good Reason, then, subject to Section 6(c), the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which date shall be a date between the date that the Notice of Termination is given and 30 days thereafter (inclusive)); (iv) if Raymond is terminated by the Company for Cause then, subject to Section 6(d), the date on which the Notice of Termination is given; and (v) if Raymond is terminated due to a Non-Renewal election by Raymond or the Company, the date on which the Term expires.
(c) Good Reason. Upon Raymonds learning of the occurrence of any event described in the definition of Good Reason in Section 1(j), Raymond may resign his responsibilities hereunder for Good Reason within 60 days thereafter by giving a Notice of Termination to the Company to that effect and describing in reasonable detail the facts or circumstances giving rise to Raymonds right to terminate his responsibilities for Good Reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of Raymond to terminate for Good Reason under Section 4(d)(i) shall not limit the Companys right to terminate Raymond for Cause under Section 4(c) if Cause is determined to exist prior to the time Good Reason is determined to exist.
(d) Cause. Upon the Company learning of the occurrence of any event described in Section 1(c), the Company may terminate Raymonds retention hereunder for Cause within 60 days thereafter by giving Raymond a Notice of Termination to that effect and describing in reasonable detail the facts or circumstances giving rise to the Companys right to terminate for Cause. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of the Company to terminate Raymonds retention for Cause under Section 4(c) shall not limit Raymonds right to resign for Good Reason under Section 4(d)(i) if Good Reason is determined to exist prior to the time Cause is determined to exist.
(e) Full Settlement; Mitigation. In no event shall Raymond be obligated to seek other similar positions or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Raymond under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Raymond obtains another similar position. The Company shall not be liable to Raymond for any damages for breach of this Agreement in addition to the amounts payable under Section 5 arising out of the termination of Raymond hereunder prior to the end of
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the Term. The Company shall be entitled to seek damages from Raymond for any breach of Section 8 by Raymond.
(f) Release and Other Agreements. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, in consideration for receiving the severance benefits described in Sections 5(c)(v) and 5(c)(vi), Raymond hereby agrees to execute (and not revoke) a Release and Separation Agreement and a Waiver and Release within 60 days of the Date of Termination in substantially the forms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Release). If Raymond fails to properly execute and deliver the Release (or revokes the Release), Raymond agrees that Raymond shall not be entitled to receive such severance benefits.
(g) 409A Compliance. To the extent required by section 409A of the Code, if on Raymonds Date of Termination he is a specified executive within the meaning of section 409A of the Code, any amounts that are payable to Raymond by reason of his termination pursuant to Section 5 and that are not excluded from application of Section 409A of the Code by reason of the short term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code will be delayed for a period of six months following the Date of Termination. Any payments that would have been paid to Raymond pursuant during such six-month period and that are delayed pursuant to this Section 6(g) shall be paid to him in the form of a lump sum payment at the end of the six-month period.
7. Disclosure of, Access to and Entrustment of Confidential Information, Business Opportunities and Business Goodwill. During the Term, the Company shall disclose to Raymond, or place Raymond in a position to have access to or develop, Confidential Information (as defined in Section 8(a)(i)), and/or shall entrust Raymond with business opportunities of the Company, and/or shall place Raymond in a position to develop business goodwill on behalf of the Company. There is a need and desire on the part of the Company and Raymond to specify the parties rights and obligations with respect to the ownership and protection of such Confidential Information, business opportunities and goodwill. Accordingly, as a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, in consideration for the compensation and other benefits payable hereunder to Raymond, to protect the Companys Confidential Information that has been and will be in the future disclosed or entrusted to Raymond (the disclosure of which by Raymond in violation of this Agreement would adversely affect the business goodwill of the Company), the business goodwill of the Company that has been and will in the future be developed in Raymond and the business opportunities that have been and will in the future be disclosed or entrusted to Raymond by the Company; and for other good and valuable consideration, Raymond agrees to comply with, and be bound by, Section 8 and Section 9. As used in this Section 7 and in Sections 8 and 9, Company shall include the Company and any of its Subsidiaries.
8. Confidential Information; Ownership of Property.
(a) Obligations to Maintain Confidentiality.
(i) Raymond acknowledges that the Company has trade, business and financial secrets and other confidential and proprietary information regarding the Company and its business, in whatever form, tangible or intangible (collectively, the Confidential
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Information), and that, during the course of Raymonds retention by the Company, Raymond has received, shall receive or be placed in a position to have access to or develop Confidential Information. Raymond further acknowledges and agrees that Raymonds use of Confidential Information in the conduct of business on behalf of a competitor of the Company would constitute unfair competition with the Company and would adversely affect the business goodwill of the Company. Confidential Information includes sales materials, technical information, processes and compilations of information, records, specifications and information concerning customers, prospective customers, customer and prospective customer lists, and information regarding methods of doing business, As defined herein, Confidential Information shall not include information that is or was (i) obtained by Raymond from a source other than the Company or its Affiliates, which source is not under a duty of non-disclosure in regard to such information or (ii) becomes generally available to the public other than through disclosure by Raymond in violation of the provisions of this Agreement.
(ii) Raymond is aware of those policies implemented by the Company to keep its Confidential Information secret, including those policies limiting the disclosure of information on a need-to-know basis and requiring the keeping of information in secure areas. Raymond acknowledges that the Confidential Information has been or will be developed or acquired by the Company through the expenditure of substantial time, effort and money and provides or will provide the Company with an advantage over competitors who do not know or use such Confidential Information.
(iii) During and following Raymonds retention by the Company, Raymond shall hold in confidence and not directly or indirectly disclose, use (for Raymonds commercial advantage or otherwise), copy, make lists of, or make available to others any Confidential Information except in Raymonds good faith performance of Raymonds duties to the Company or to the extent authorized in writing by the Board or required by law or compelled by legal process. Raymond agrees to use reasonable efforts to give the Company notice of any and all attempts to compel disclosure of any Confidential Information. Raymond further agrees not to use any Confidential Information for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Company.
(iv) Raymond agrees that all Confidential Information and other files, documents, materials, records, notebooks, customer lists, business proposals, contracts, agreements and other repositories containing information concerning the Company or the business of the Company, in whatever form, tangible or intangible (including all copies thereof), that Raymond shall prepare, or use, or be provided with as a result of Raymonds retention by the Company, shall be and remain the sole property of the Company. Upon termination of Raymonds retention hereunder, Raymond agrees that all Confidential Information and other files, documents, materials, records, notebooks, customer lists, business proposals, contracts, agreements and other repositories containing information concerning the Company or the business of the Company (including all copies thereof) in Raymonds possession, custody or control, whether prepared by Raymond or others, shall remain with or be returned to the Company promptly after the Date of Termination. The materials required to be returned pursuant to this Section 8(a)(iv) shall not include personal correspondence or other personal property of Raymond that does not relate to the Company or the business of the Company.
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(b) Ownership of Work Product. Raymond acknowledges that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, processes, programs, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications, copyrightable work and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) that relate to the Companys or its Affiliates actual or anticipated business, research and development, or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed, contributed to, made, or reduced to practice by Raymond (either solely or jointly with others) while retained by the Company (including any of the foregoing that constitutes any proprietary information or records) (Work Product) belong to the Company or its Affiliates, as applicable, and Raymond hereby assigns, and agrees to assign, all of the above Work Product to the Company or its Affiliates, as applicable.
9. Non-Solicitation and Related Matters.
(a) Raymond agrees that during the Term and for a period commencing upon the termination of Raymonds retention hereunder and ending upon the first anniversary thereof, unless otherwise extended pursuant to the terms of this Section 9, Raymond will not solicit, directly or indirectly, in the capacity of employee, consultant, or in any other capacity whatsoever, one or more of the employees, directors, officer or other persons who, at the time of solicitation, or in the 180-day period prior thereto, are working full-time or part time for the Company and will not endeavor, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, to encourage any of such person to leave his or her job with the Company and will not endeavor, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, to incite or induce any client or customer of the Company to terminate, in whole or in part, its business relations with the Company except to the extent the solicitation is made through a public advertisement in a newspaper, trade journal or similar public medium. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), however, Raymond shall have no further obligations under this Section 9(a) in the event of a termination of Raymonds retention by the Company without Cause or in the event of Raymonds resignation for Good Reason or if Raymonds retention is terminated as a result of the Companys Non-Renewal election or if there is Change in Control.
(b) The representations and covenants contained in this Section 9 on the part of Raymond will be construed as ancillary to and independent of any other provision of this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action of Raymond against the Company or any officer, director, or shareholder of the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants of Raymond contained in this Section 9. In addition, the provisions of this Section 9 shall continue to be binding upon Raymond in accordance with their terms, notwithstanding the termination of Raymond hereunder for any reason.
(c) If Raymond violates any covenant contained in this Section 9 and the Company brings legal action for injunctive or other relief, the Company shall not, as a result of the time involved in obtaining the relief, be deprived of the benefit of the full period of any such covenant. Accordingly, the covenant of Raymond contained in the Section 9 shall be deemed to have the duration as specified above, which period shall commence upon the later of (i) the termination of Raymonds retention hereunder and (ii) the date of entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of a final judgment enforcing the covenant of Raymond in this Section 9.
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10. Successors; Binding Agreement.
(a) This Agreement is personal to Raymond and shall not be assignable by Raymond otherwise than by will or the by laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Raymonds personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by a written agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Raymond, to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle Raymond to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as Raymond would be entitled to pursuant to Section 5 if Raymond terminated for Good Reason after the occurrence of a Change in Control, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in this Agreement and after any such succession, Company shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor and/or assigns as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Construction. This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by both the parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against any party shall not apply. The headings in this Agreement are only for convenience and are not intended to affect construction or interpretation. Any references to paragraphs, subparagraphs, sections, subsections or clauses are to those parts of this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Also, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, (i) the plural includes the singular and the singular includes the plural; (ii) and and of are each used both conjunctively and disjunctively; (iii) any, all, each, or every means any and all, and each and every; (iv) includes and including are each without limitation; (v) herein, hereof hereunder and other similar compounds of the word here refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular paragraph, subparagraph, section or subsection; and (vi) all pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the entities or persons referred to may require.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
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If to Employee | If to the Company | |
Robert J. Raymond | Crusader Energy Group Inc. | |
200 Crescent Court, Suite 1060 | 4747 Gaillardia Parkway | |
Dallas, TX 75201 | Oklahoma City, OK 73142 |
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.
(d) Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) No Waiver. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no waiver by either party at any time of any breach by the other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at any time.
(f) Equitable and Other Relief. Raymond acknowledges that money damages would be both incalculable and an insufficient remedy for a breach of Section 8 by Raymond and that any such breach would cause the Company irreparable harm. Accordingly, the Company, in addition to any other remedies at law or in equity it may have, shall be entitled, without the requirement of posting of bond or other security, to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, in connection with a breach of Section 8 by Raymond. If the Company files a pleading with a court seeking immediate injunctive relief and this pleading is challenged by Raymond and injunctive relief sought is not awarded, the Company shall pay all of Raymonds costs and attorneys fees. The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent state courts or federal courts in the State of Nevada for all litigation which may be brought with respect to the terms of; and the transactions and relationships contemplated by, this Agreement. The parties further consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state court located within a district which encompasses assets of a party against which a judgment has been rendered for the enforcement of such judgment or award against the assets of such party.
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(g) Entire Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire and complete understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous oral and written agreements, representations and understandings of the parties, which are hereby terminated. Raymond and the Company acknowledge and represent that there are no other promises, terms, conditions or representations (or written) regarding any matter relevant hereto.
(h) Attorney Fees. The prevailing party in any dispute or controversy under or in connection with this Agreement shall be entitled to reimbursement from the non-prevailing party for all costs and reasonable legal fees incurred by such prevailing party.
(i) Survival. Sections 1 and 4 through 11 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(j) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEVADA WITHOUT REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS OF NEVADA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
(k) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any time except by a written instrument approved by the Board and executed by the Company and Raymond.
(l) Raymond Acknowledgement. Raymond acknowledges that Raymond has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representatives or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on Raymonds own judgment.
(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Any counterpart of this Agreement that has attached to it separate signature pages which together contain the signature of all parties hereto shall for all purposes be deemed a fully executed original. Facsimile signatures shall constitute original signatures.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date and year first above written.
COMPANY: CRUSADER ENERGY GROUP INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ David D. Le Norman | |||
David D. Le Norman, President | ||||
/s/ Robert J. Raymond | ||||
Robert J. Raymond | ||||
SIGNATURE PAGE TO SERVICES AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT A
RELEASE AND SEPARATION AGREEMENT
THIS RELEASE AND SEPARATION AGREEMENT (the Release Agreement) made and entered into effective , by and between Crusader Energy Group Inc., a corporation (the Company) and Robert J. Raymond (Raymond).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Raymond is not and has not been an employee of the Company; and
WHEREAS, Raymond has provided services to the Company pursuant to the terms of a Services Agreement signed and dated (the Services Agreement); and
WHEREAS, the Company has decided to terminate the retention of Raymond without Cause (other than by reason of Raymonds death or Disability or a Non-Renewal by Raymond) or Raymond has decided to resign for Good Reason or Raymonds retention is terminated due to Non-Renewal election by the Company;
WHEREAS, as provided in Sections 5 and 6(f) of the Services Agreement, in exchange for a release, the parties have agreed that the Company will provide Raymond with the benefits described in Sections 5(c)(v) and 5(c)(vi) of the Services Agreement; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties hereto are willing to enter into this agreement upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and provisions set forth herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Separation and Resignation from Officer Positions.
Effective as of the close of business on , , Raymond will no longer provide his services to the Company (the Separation Date). At that time, Raymond agrees to resign any and all director, officer, or other positions he holds with the Company or any of its affiliates and/or subsidiaries.
2. Special Compensation for Waiver and Release.
Waiver and Release. Raymond shall have up to twenty-one (21) calendar days to consider whether to sign and return this Release Agreement to the Company by first class mail, by hand delivery or by scanned document sent via facsimile or electronic mail. In consideration for Raymonds execution of and compliance with this agreement, including but not limited to the execution of the Waiver and Release attached hereto as Attachment I, the Company shall
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Robert J. Raymond
Separation Agreement
Separation Agreement
provide Raymond benefits as set forth in Sections 5(c)(v) and 5(c)(vi) of the Services Agreement. The value of such benefits is in excess of what Raymond is otherwise entitled to. This consideration is provided subject to the binding execution by Raymond (without revocation) of the Waiver and Release. No payment shall be made or other benefit described hereunder provided until the expiration of the seven-day revocation period described in the Waiver and Release following Raymonds signing of the Waiver and Release (the Effective Waiver Date).
3. Restrictive Covenants. As a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Release Agreement, Raymond agrees that the covenants set forth in Sections 7 through 9 of the Services Agreement remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.
4. Amendment of Agreement. This Release Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
5. Waiver. No term or condition of this Release Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be an estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel.
6. Notices. All notices or communications hereunder shall be made in accordance with Section 11 (b) of the Services Agreement.
7. Severability. If any provision of this Release Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or part, such invalidity will not affect any otherwise valid provision, and all other valid provisions will remain in full force and effect.
8. Counterparts. This Release Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one document.
9. Titles. The titles and headings preceding the text of the sections and subsections of this Release Agreement have been inserted solely for convenience of reference and do not constitute a part of this agreement or affect its meaning, interpretation or effect.
10. Drafting. The agreements between Raymond and Company contained herein shall not be construed in favor of or against the other party but shall be construed as if all parties prepared this agreement.
11. Release Not To Be Used As Evidence. This Release Agreement shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding except one in which a party to this Release Agreement seeks to enforce this Release Agreement or alleges this Release Agreement has been breached, or one in which a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction orders Raymond or the Company to produce this Release Agreement.
12. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEVADA,
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Robert J. Raymond
Separation Agreement
Separation Agreement
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.
13. Entire Agreement. The Services Agreement and the Release Agreement, together with Attachment I hereto constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
14. 409A Compliance. The parties acknowledge that all payments and benefits provided under this Release Agreement are intended to meet the requirements and restrictions of the nonqualified deferred compensation rules contained in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (to the extent applicable thereto).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement in multiple counterparts, all of which shall constitute one agreement, effective as of the date and year first above written.
CRUSADER ENERGY GROUP INC. | ||||
By: | ||||
David D. Le Norman, President | ||||
ROBERT J. RAYMOND | ||||
By: | ||||
Robert J. Raymond | ||||
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Attachment I
CRUSADER ENERGY GROUP INC.
Waiver And Release
Waiver And Release
Crusader Energy Group Inc. has offered to pay me certain severance benefits (the Benefits) under the Release and Separation Agreement, dated as of (the Release Agreement), which Release Agreement includes benefits to which I am not otherwise entitled. These Benefits were offered to me in exchange for my agreement, among other things, to waive all of my claims against and release Crusader Energy Group Inc. and its predecessors, successors and assigns (collectively referred to as the Company), all of the affiliates (including parents and subsidiaries) of the Company (collectively referred to as the Affiliates) and the Companys and Affiliates directors and officers, employees and agents, insurers, employee benefit plans and the fiduciaries and agents of said plans (collectively, with the Company and Affiliates, referred to as the Corporate Group) from any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating in any way to my service to, or termination of such service, the Company or the Affiliates; provided, however, that this Waiver and Release shall not apply to any claim or cause of action to enforce or interpret any provision contained in the Release Agreement that may arise after the date this Waiver and Release is executed. I have read this Waiver and Release and the Release Agreement. I choose to accept this offer.
I understand that signing this Waiver and Release is an important legal act. I acknowledge that the Company has advised me in writing to consult an attorney before signing this Waiver and Release. I understand that, in order to be eligible for Benefits, I must sign and return to Crusader Energy Group Inc. this Waiver and Release before 5 p.m. on . I acknowledge that I am not and have never been an employee of the Company. I also acknowledge that I have been given sufficient time to consider whether to sign the Release Agreement and whether to execute this Waiver and Release.
In exchange for the payment to me of Benefits, which are in addition to any remuneration or benefits to which I am already entitled, I, among other things, (1) agree not to sue in any local, state and/or federal court regarding or relating in any way to my service to, or termination of service, to the Company or the Affiliates, and (2) knowingly and voluntarily waive all claims and release the Corporate Group from any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, and damages, whether known or unknown, arising out of or relating in any way to my employment with or separation from the Company or the Affiliates.1 This Waiver and Release includes, but is not limited to, claims and causes of action under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
1 | Although I was never an employee of the Company, nothing in this Waiver and Release or the Release Agreement should be construed as a waiver of my rights vested under the terms of employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company or the Affiliates or with respect to such rights or claims as may arise after the date this Waiver and Release is executed or to amounts owed to me pursuant to the terms of my Services Agreement with the Company. Additionally, I am not waiving any rights that I may have under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 or the Fair Labor Standards Act. Furthermore, although I waive all rights to recovery of any compensation or benefits that I might be entitled to as a result of filing charges or claims with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, I am not giving up any right that I may have to file charges or claims with these governmental agencies. Finally, I am not waiving any rights that cannot by law be released by private agreement. |
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amended (Title VII); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (ADEA); the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); the Energy Reorganization Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. ss 5851; the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988; the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; claims in connection with workers compensation or whistle blower statutes; and/or contract, tort, defamation, slander, wrongful termination or any other state or federal regulatory, statutory or common law. Further, I expressly represent that no promise or agreement which is not expressed in the Release Agreement has been made to me in executing this Waiver and Release, and that I am relying on my own judgment in executing this Waiver and Release, and that I am not relying on any statement or representation of the Company, any of the Affiliates or any other member of the Corporate Group or any of their agents. I agree that this Waiver and Release is valid, fair, adequate and reasonable, is with my full knowledge and consent, was not procured through fraud, duress or mistake and has not had the effect of misleading, misinforming or failing to inform me.
I acknowledge that payment of Benefits to me by the Company is not an admission by the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group that they engaged in any wrongful or unlawful act or that the Company or any member of the Corporate Group violated any federal or state law or regulation.
Should any of the provisions set forth in this Waiver and Release be determined to be invalid by a court, agency or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction, it is agreed that such determination shall not affect the enforceability of other provisions of this Waiver and Release. I acknowledge that this Waiver and Release and the Release Agreement set forth the entire understanding and agreement between me and the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group concerning the subject matter of this Waiver and Release and supersede any prior or contemporaneous oral and/or written agreements or representations, if any, between me and the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group. I understand that for a period of 7 calendar days following the date that I sign this Waiver and Release, I may revoke my acceptance of the offer, provided that my written statement of revocation is received on or before that seventh day by Crusader Energy Group Inc., in which case the Waiver and Release will not become effective. In the event I revoke my acceptance of this offer, the Company shall have no obligation to provide me Benefits. I understand that failure to revoke my acceptance of the offer within 7 calendar days from the date I sign this Waiver and Release will result in this Waiver and Release being permanent and irrevocable.
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I acknowledge that I have read this Waiver and Release, have had an opportunity to ask questions and have it explained to me and that I understand that this Waiver and Release will have the effect of knowingly and voluntarily waiving any action I might pursue, including breach of contract, personal injury, retaliation, discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, national origin, or disability and any other claims arising prior to the date of this Waiver and Release. By execution of this document, I do not waive or release or otherwise relinquish any legal rights I may have which are attributable to or arise out of acts, omissions, or events of the Company or any other member of the Corporate Group which occur after the date of the execution of this Waiver and Release.
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