CONSULTING AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Human Resources - Consulting Agreements
EX-10.1 2 v134092_ex10-1.htm

CONSULTING AGREEMENT


THIS AGREEMENT is between COMPLIANCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Nevada, whose address is 90 Pratt Oval, Glen Cove, NY 11542 (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”); and SUMMIT TRADING LIMITED, located at 120 Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 (hereinafter referred to as the “Consultant”).

WHEREAS, the Consultant is in the business of assisting public companies in strategic business planning and investor and public relations services designed to make the investing public knowledgeable about the Company by distributing full, fair, and accurate information about the Company; and
 
WHEREAS, the Consultant may, during the period of time covered by this Agreement, present to the Company one or more plans of public and investor relations to utilize other business entities to achieve the Company’s goals of making the investing public knowledgeable about the Company by distributing full, fair and accurate information about the Company; and
 
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the Consultant is not in the business of stock brokerage, investment advice or any other activities which require registration under either the Securities Act of 1933 (hereinafter “the Act”) or the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (hereinafter “the Exchange Act”), underwriting, banking, is not an insurance Company, nor does it offer services to the Company which may require regulation under federal or state securities laws and does not perform services or engage in acts which violate federal or state laws, including but not limited to federal or state securities or telecommunications laws (collectively the "Regulated Services"); and
 
WHEREAS, the parties agree, after having a complete understanding of the services desired and the services to be provided, that the Company desires to retain Consultant to provide such assistance through its services for the Company, and the Consultant is willing to provide such services to the Company;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
 
1. Duties and Involvement.
 
The Company hereby engages Consultant to provide one or more plans, for coordination in executing the agreed-upon plan, and for using various business services as agreed by both parties. The plans may include, but not by way of limitation, the following services: consulting with the Company’s management concerning marketing surveys, availability to expand investor base, investor support, strategic business planning, broker relations, conducting due diligence meetings, attendance at conventions and trade shows, assistance in the preparation and dissemination of press releases and stockholder communications, review and assistance in updating a business plan, review and advise on the capital structure for the Company, assist in the development of an acquisition profile and structure, recommend financing alternatives and sources and consult on corporate finance and/or investment banking issues. The agreement is limited to the United States. In no event shall Consultant engage in any Regulated Services.

 
 
 

 
 
2. Relationship Among the Parties.
 
Consultant acknowledges that it is not an officer, director or agent of the Company, it is not, and will not be, responsible for any management decisions on behalf of the Company, and may not commit the Company to any action. The Company represents that the Consultant does not have, through stock ownership or otherwise, the power neither to control the Company, nor to exercise any dominating influences over its management. Consultant understands and agrees that Consultant may be provided material, and non-public information and Consultant agrees not to trade any of the Company's securities while Consultant possesses or knows any of the material non-public information.
 
Consultant understands and acknowledges that this Agreement shall not create or imply any agency relationship among the parties, and Consultant will not commit the Company in any manner, except when a commitment has been specifically authorized in writing by the Company. The Company and the Consultant agree that the relationship among the parties shall be that of independent contractor.
 
3. Effective Date, Term and Termination.
 
This Agreement shall be effective on December 1, 2008 and will continue until November 30, 2010 (the "Term"). This two-year Agreement can be modified only if mutually agreeable and in writing.
 
4. Option to Renew and Extend.
 
Company may renew this Agreement on the same terms by providing written notice to Consultant at any time prior to the expiration hereof.
 
5. Compensation and Payment of Expenses.
 
The Company agrees to pay Consultant the total sum one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000.00) payable in the form of Twenty-six Million Six Hundred Sixty-six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-seven (26,666,667) shares of unregistered common stock of the Company valued at $.00525 per share, deliverable in four (4) equal installments as total and complete consideration for the services to be provided by the Consultant to the Company. The Company shall issue the stock upon execution of this Agreement and shall hold the Stock in escrow and deliver the stock to Consultant on each due date. The first installment is due and payable upon signing with an installment due and payable 90 days, 180 days and 270 days from signing. The stock shall contain a Rule 144 restriction and shall be delivered to the Consultant upon the execution of this agreement with the time for delivery not to exceed ten days. Consultant agrees to make Chuck Arnold ("Arnold") personally available to the Company to perform the services. In the event Arnold dies during the Term or Arnold becomes Disabled (as defined herein) during the Term, the Company shall have the right to immediately terminate the Agreement, and upon termination Consultant agrees that any shares held by the Company in escrow shall be forfeited. For the purposes of this Agreement, Arnold shall be deemed "Disabled" in the event Arnold can not perform the services on behalf of the Consultant for sixty (60) consecutive days during the Term, or if Arnold is unable to perform the services on behalf of the Consultant for a total of ninety (90) days out of any three hundred sixty (360) day period during the Term.

Company agrees to pay for all reasonable costs and expenses necessary for the employees working with Consultant and its representatives, including lodging, meals and travel as necessary. Company agrees to pay the costs of printing, due diligence shows, email, radio, television and other outside services that it approves in writing in conjunction with Consultant.
 
 
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6. Investment Representation.
 
i.  The Company represents and warrants that it has provided Consultant, with access to all information available to the Company concerning its condition, financial and otherwise, its management, its business and its prospects. The Company represents that it has provided Consultant with all copies of the Company’s filings for the prior twelve (12) months, if any, (the “Disclosure Documents”) made under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as amended. Consultant acknowledges that the acquisition of the securities to be issued to Consultant, involves a high degree of risk. Consultant represents that it and its advisors have been afforded the opportunity to discuss the Company with its management. The Company represents that it has and will continue to provide Consultant, with any information or documentation necessary to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the Disclosure Documents and will promptly notify Consultant upon the filing of any registration statement or other periodic reporting documents filed pursuant to the Act or the Exchange Act. This information will include DTC sheets which shall be provided to Consultant no less than every two (2) weeks.
 
ii. Consultant represents that neither it nor its officers, directors or employees including but not limited to Chuck Arnold is not the subject to any disciplinary action by either FINRA any stat securities regulatory body or the Securities and Exchange Commission by virtue of any violations of their rules and regulations and neither is its affiliates nor subcontractors subject to any such disciplinary action. Consultant understands that it is Consultant's sole responsibility to comply will all applicable federal and state securities laws in the performance of the services and in the event Consultant is accused of or engaging in Regulated Services or engages in Regulated Services, Consultant shall be solely responsible and shall indemnify the Company for all losses, including legal fees as a result of being accused or engaging in Regulated Services. Consultant shall be responsible for the actions of any sub-contractors or entities recommended by Consultant, including, but not limited to, Regulated Services or violations of any federal or state law. Consultant agrees it is Consultant's sole responsibility to obtain appropriate licenses in the event Consultant engages in Regulated Services.
 
iii. If required by United States law or regulation, Consultant will take necessary steps to prepare and file any necessary forms to comply with the transfer of the shares of stock from Company to Consultant, including, if required, form 13(d).
 
 
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7. Issuance of and Registration of Securities and Liquidated Damages.
 
Consultant understands and acknowledges that the shares of common stock are being acquired by Consultant for its own account, not on behalf of any other person, and are being acquired for investment purposes and not for distribution. Consultant represents that the common stock will be a suitable investment for Consultant taking into consideration the restrictions on transferability affecting the common stock.
 
Company warrants to Consultant that it has complied with all corporate and legal requirements to issue said stock to Consultant, including, but not by way of limitations, directors’ approval of said issuance.
 
8. Services Not Exclusive.
 
Consultant shall devote such of its time and effort necessary to the discharge of its duties hereunder. The Company acknowledges that Consultant is engaged in other business activities, and that it will continue such activities during the term of this Agreement. Consultant shall not be restricted from engaging in other business activities during the term of this Agreement.
 
9. Confidentiality.
 
Consultant acknowledges that it may have access to confidential information regarding the Company and its business. Consultant agrees that it will not, during or subsequent to the term of this Agreement, divulge, furnish or make accessible to any person (other than with the written permission of the Company) any knowledge or information or plans of the Company with respect to the Company or its business, including, but not by way of limitation, the products of the Company, whether in the concept or development stage, or being marketed by the Company on the effective date of this Agreement or during the term hereof.
 
10. Covenant Not to Compete.
 
During the term of this Agreement, Consultant warrants, represents and agrees that it will not directly participate in the information developed for and by the Company and will not compete directly with the Company in the Company’s primary industry or related fields.
 
11. Indemnification.
 
Company and Consultant agree to indemnify and hold harmless the other and its respective agents, officers, directors, subsidiaries, shareholders and employees against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which either party, or any such other person, may become subject, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, suits or proceedings in respect thereof) arise out of a breach of this Agreement, a violation of federal or state law or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration statement, any preliminary prospectus, the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto; or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the violating party shall reimburse the non-violating party, or any such other person, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the non-violating party, or any such other person, in connection with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action, suit or proceeding.
 
 
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12. “Piggyback Registration”.
 
If the Company proposes to register any equity securities under the Securities Act for sale to the public for cash, whether for its own account or for the account of other security holders, or both, on each such occasion the Company will give written notice to Consultant, no less than fifteen (15) business days prior to the anticipated filing date, of its intention to do so. Upon the written request of Consultant, received by the Company no later than the tenth (10th) business day after receipt by the Consultant of the notice sent by the Company, to register, on the terms and conditions as the securities otherwise being sold pursuant to such registration, any of its registrable securities (which request shall state the intended method of disposition thereof), the Company will cause the registerable securities as to which registration shall have been so requested to be included in the securities to be covered by the Registration Statement proposed to be filed by the Company, on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities included therein, all to the extent requisite to permit the sale or other disposition by the Consultant (in accordance with its written request) of such registerable securities so registered; provided, however, that the Company may, at any time prior to the effectiveness of any such Registration Statement, in its sole discretion and with the consent of the Consultant, abandon the proposed offering in which the Consultant had requested to participate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company shall have no obligation to register any shares that are eligible for resale under Rule 144.

13. Miscellaneous Provisions
 
Section a  {THIS SECTION HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}
 
Section b  Presumption. This Agreement or any section thereof shall not be construed against any party due to the fact that said Agreement or any section thereof was drafted by said party.
 
Section c  Computation of Time. In computing any period of time pursuant to this Agreement, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, in which event the period shall begin to run on the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, in which event the period shall run until the end of the next day thereafter which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
 
Section d  Titles and Captions. All article, section and paragraph titles or captions contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of the context nor affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
 
Section e  Pronouns and Plurals. All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the identity of the Person or Persons may require.
 
 
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Section f  Further Action. The parties hereto shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or forbear from all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
 
Section g  Good Faith, Cooperation and Due Diligence. The parties hereto covenant, warrant and represent to each other good faith, complete cooperation, due diligence and honesty in fact in the performance of all obligations of the parties pursuant to this Agreement. All promises and covenants are mutual and dependent.
 
Section h  Savings Clause. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.
 
Section i  Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the written consent of the other, but shall be binding upon the successors of the parties.
 
Section j  Arbitration.
 
i. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules including the Emergency Interim Relief Procedures, and judgment on the award rendered by a single arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
 
ii. Any provisional remedy, which would be available from a court of law, shall be available to the parties to this Agreement from the Arbitrator pending arbitration.
 
iii. The situs of the arbitration shall be Nassau County, New York.
 
iv. In the event that a dispute results in arbitration, the parties agree that the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees to be fixed by the arbitrator.
 
Section k  Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be delivered, either personally or by express delivery service, to the party to be notified. Notice to each party shall be deemed to have been duly given upon delivery, personally or by courier (such as Federal Express or similar express delivery service), addressed to the attention of the officer at the address set forth heretofore, or to such other officer or addresses as either party may designate, upon at least ten (10) days’ written notice, to the other party.
 
Section l  Governing law. The Agreement shall be construed by and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
 
Section m  Entire agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement among the parties. There are no other agreements, conditions or representations, oral or written, express or implied, with regard thereto. This Agreement may be amended only in writing signed by all parties.
 
 
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Section n  Waiver. A delay or failure by any party to exercise a right under this Agreement, or a partial or single exercise of that right, shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right.
 
Section o  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in duplicate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that the document is signed by one party and faxed to another the parties agree that a faxed signature shall be binding upon the parties to this agreement as though the signature was an original.
 
Section p  Successors. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and assigns.
 
Section q  Counsel. The parties expressly acknowledge that each has been advised to seek separate counsel for advice in this matter and has been given a reasonable opportunity to do so.
 

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement to be effective as of the day and year provided herein.
 
     
  CONSULTANT:
  SUMMIT TRADING LIMITED
 
 
 
 
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard J. Fixaris
 
Richard J. Fixaris, Attorney-in-fact
   
 
     
  COMPANY:
  COMPLIANCE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
  By:   /s/ Barry M. Brookstein
 
Barry M. Brookstein, Chief Financial Officer
   
 
 
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