Separation Agreement

EX-10.4 5 c27426exv10w4.htm SEPARATION AGREEMENT Separation Agreement

Exhibit 10.4

CONFIDENTIAL

AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Michael M. Searles, a resident of Minnesota (“Executive”), and Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”).

BACKGROUND

A. Executive was employed by the Company as its Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated November 22, 2004, as modified and amended March 2, 2005, September 14, 2005 and December 21, 2006 (the “Employment Agreement”).

B. The parties have agreed that it is in their mutual interests that Executive resign as an employee, officer, and director of the Company effective at the end of the day on April 3, 2008 (the “Separation Date”) and that the parties provide for a smooth transition in connection with Executive’s resignations.

C. The Company desires to secure cooperation from Executive with the transition of his duties, and to ensure Executive’s availability to consult with the Company from time to time with respect to the business and operations of the Company.

D. The parties are concluding their relationship amicably, but mutually recognize that such a relationship may give rise to potential claims or liabilities. The parties desire to resolve all issues Executive may have relating to the termination of Executive’s relationship with the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and provisions contained in this Agreement and the Release referred to below, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

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AGREEMENTS

1. Resignation. By signing this Agreement, Executive confirms his resignation as an employee, officer and director of the Company, effective April 3, 2008. Executive will sign such other documents as deemed reasonably necessary to accurately reflect such resignations in the Company’s corporate records.

2. Final Pay/Benefits Continuation. Executive confirms that he has been paid in full for his base salary, compensation, and benefits owing to him to date, and the Company will pay Executive’s final base salary and accrued and unused vacation time in the amount of $3,018.31 (10.46 hours), earned through the Separation Date, in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he will not receive an incentive bonus award under the Wilsons Leather Corporate Leadership Team Incentive Plan for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2008 or under any other annual incentive bonus plan. Executive will have the right to continue his group health, dental and/or vision insurance coverage after the Separation Date under such terms as are made available to similarly-situated former employees of the Company, pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan documents and laws regarding continuation coverage. Except as provided in subparagraph 5.b of this Agreement, such continuation coverage will be at Executive’s own expense. To the extent that Executive is currently a participant in any retirement, pension, or profit sharing plans of the Company, Executive will be entitled to his rights and benefits under these plans at the times and under the terms and conditions set forth in any such plan.

3. Expense Reimbursement. The Company will reimburse Executive for his regular and necessary business expenses incurred through the Separation Date in accordance

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with the Company’s regular policies and practices. Executive will submit all requests for

reimbursement to the Company no later than April 30, 2008.

4. Release by Executive. At the same time that Executive executes this Agreement, he shall execute a Release in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A (the “Release”). This Agreement will not be interpreted or construed to limit the Release in any manner.

5. Severance Arrangements. The Company will make the severance payments and other consideration set forth in subparagraphs 5.a. and 5.b. below in lieu of any further payments or compensation that Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive under any agreement with the Company or any affiliate or as an employee, officer or director of the Company or any Affiliate. The Company will make such payments and provide such consideration only if (i) Executive has signed this Agreement and the Release and has not rescinded this Agreement or the Release within the rescission period set forth in paragraph 23 below (the “Rescission Period”), and (ii) Executive has not breached his obligations pursuant to this Agreement, the Release or the continuing provisions of the Employment Agreement.

a. Salary Continuation. The Company will pay Executive as salary continuation an amount equal to Executive’s monthly base salary as of the Separation Date for a period of six (6) months. Payment will be made in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule for the pay period commencing after expiration of the Rescission Period and continuing for six (6) months thereafter.

b. Health Insurance. If Executive elects to continue his group health, dental and/or vision insurance under the terms of paragraph 2 above and the terms of the applicable plans, Executive will complete all paperwork necessary to carry out such election

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effective April 30, 2008, as specified by the Company or its agents in accordance with the applicable plans. Upon such election by Executive, the Company will pay on Executive’s behalf a portion of the cost of the premiums that he is required to pay to maintain such continuation coverage for a period of up to six (6) months following the Separation Date, or, if earlier, until such continuation coverage ceases in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and laws. The premium portion to be paid by the Company will be equal to the portion of the health, dental and/or vision insurance premiums that would be paid by the Company if Executive were an employee of the Company, at the same level of coverage that was in effect on the Separation Date. The Company will deduct Executive’s portion of such premiums from payments to Executive pursuant to subparagraph 5.a., provided, however, if payments owed to Executive pursuant to subparagraph 5.a. are not sufficient to cover Executive’s portion of the premiums, Executive will pay such portion to the Company in accordance with the requirements of continuation coverage.

6. Stock Options. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the options listed in this paragraph below are Executive’s only options to purchase shares of the common stock of the Company, and that such options are exercisable only to the extent reflected in the “Amount Exercisable” column below. All such options were granted pursuant to the Company’s 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”). Executive further agrees and acknowledges that all of the options to purchase common stock of the Company will expire and cease to be outstanding in accordance with the terms of the applicable Stock Option Agreements and the Plan.


Date of	Exercise		Number of		Amount
Grant	Price		Shares		Exercisable
12/01/04	$	5.00		350,000		350,000
06/02/05	$	5.88		450,000		300,000
12/13/07	$	1.10		100,000		0

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b. Restricted Stock. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he owns no restricted stock of the Company.

7. Confidential Information and Restrictive Covenants. Executive acknowledges and confirms his continuing obligations following the Separation Date to comply with the provisions of the Employment Agreement that continue and survive after termination of his employment, including without limitation the obligations set forth in Sections 6, 8, 9, 12 and 13 of the Employment Agreement, except that Executive and the Company agree that the obligations of Executive under Section 8(a) of the Employment Agreement shall end six (6) months following the Separation Date and the obligations of Executive under Sections 8(b) and 8(c) of the Employment Agreement shall end twelve (12) months following the Separation Date.

8. Cooperation; Consulting Services. At any time upon reasonable request and notice from the Company, Executive will, without further consideration but at no expense to Executive, (a) timely execute and deliver such acknowledgements, instruments, certificates, and other ministerial documents (including without limitation, certification as to specific actions performed by Executive in his capacity for the Company or any of its affiliates) as may be necessary or appropriate to formalize and complete the Company’s or any affiliate’s corporate records; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph 8 will require Executive to take any action that he reasonably believes to be unlawful or unethical or to make any inaccurate statement of actual facts, and (b) provide complete and truthful information to, and otherwise cooperate fully with, the Company, any of its affiliates, and any of its or their legal counsel, agents, insurers and representatives in connection with any investigations, litigation or other matters relating to the Company or any of its affiliates in which the

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Company determines that Executive may have relevant information. In addition, at the Company’s reasonable request and upon reasonable notice, for a period of six (6) months following the Separation Date, Executive will make himself reasonably available, without further consideration, to discuss and consult with the Company regarding business matters, including without limitation matters with which he was directly and substantially involved while employed by the Company, and to assist in transitioning his duties as Chief Executive Officer.

9. Claims Involving the Company. Executive will not recommend or suggest to any potential claimants or plaintiffs or their attorneys or agents that they initiate claims or lawsuits against the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of its or their directors, officers, employees, or agents, nor will Executive voluntarily aid, assist, or cooperate with any claimants or plaintiffs or their attorneys or agents in any claims or lawsuits now pending or commenced in the future against the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of its or their directors, officers, employees, or agents; provided, however, that this paragraph 9 will not be interpreted or construed to prevent Executive from providing information to any governmental or law enforcement agency or from giving testimony in response to questions asked pursuant to a legally enforceable subpoena, deposition notice or other legal process.

10. Records, Documents, and Property. Executive confirms that he has delivered to the Company any and all Company or affiliate records and any and all Company or affiliate property in his possession or under his control, including without limitation, manuals, books, blank forms, documents, letters, memoranda, notes, notebooks, reports, printouts, computer disks, computer tapes, digital storage media, data, tables, or calculations and all copies thereof, documents that in whole or in part contain any trade secrets or confidential, proprietary, or other secret information of the Company or of any of its

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affiliates, and all copies thereof, and keys, access cards, access codes, source codes, passwords, raw materials, products, product samples, credit cards, personal computers, telephones, and other electronic equipment belonging to the Company or any of its affiliates; provided, however, that Executive may retain the laptop computer and BlackBerry he used in connection with his employment but prior to the Separation Date will allow the Company to inspect such equipment and to remove all Company software and information.

11. Non-Disparagement. Executive will not at any time disparage, defame or besmirch the reputation, character, image, products or services of the Company, any of its affiliates, or the reputation or character of any of their current or former directors, officers, employees or agents.

12. Actions Taken by Executive. Executive represents and warrants that, during the entire period that he has been an employee or officer of the Company or any of its affiliates, he acted in good faith and had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

13. Indemnification. Notwithstanding Executive’s separation from the Company, with respect to events that occurred during his tenure as an employee, officer or director of the Company, Executive will be entitled, as a former employee, officer or director of the Company, to the same rights that are afforded to other current or former employees, officers or directors of the Company, now or in the future, to indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided in the charter documents of the Company and under applicable law, and to indemnification and a legal defense to the extent provided from time to time to current officers or directors by any applicable general liability and/or directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company.

14. Confidentiality.

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a. General Standard. It is understood and agreed that this Agreement and summaries thereof may be disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and summarized in proxy statements disseminated to shareholders of the Company. Notwithstanding such public filings, in order to minimize disruption and distraction from on-going business operations, it is the intent of the parties that the terms of Executive’s separation from the Company, including the provisions of this Agreement and the Release (collectively “Confidential Separation Information”), will be forever treated as confidential. Accordingly, except as provided in subparagraph 14.b. below, Executive will not disclose Confidential Separation Information to anyone at any time and will not comment on Confidential Separation Information to anyone at any time.

b. Exceptions.

	i.		It will not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to disclose Confidential Separation Information in reports to governmental agencies as required by law, including, but not limited to, any federal or state tax authority.

	ii.		It will not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to disclose Confidential Separation Information to his immediate family, his attorneys, his accountants or tax advisors.

	iii.		It will not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to disclose Confidential Separation Information in connection with any litigation proceeding involving the parties’ rights or obligations under this Agreement or the Release.

	iv.		It will not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to disclose Confidential Separation Information in the course of any job search, in response to questions from prospective employers about Executive’s departure from the Company or Executive’s obligations under paragraph 7 of this Agreement, or under the Employment Agreement.

15. Full Compensation. Executive understands that the payments made and other consideration provided by the Company under this Agreement will fully compensate

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Executive for and extinguish any and all of the potential claims Executive is releasing in the Release, including without limitation, his claims for attorneys’ fees and costs and any and all claims for any type of legal or equitable relief.

16. Withholding of Taxes. The Company shall withhold from payments and benefits hereunder income and employment taxes and other amounts to the extent required by law. It is the intention of the parties that no amounts payable hereunder constitute deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, and this Agreement should be interpreted accordingly.

17. No Admission of Wrongdoing. Executive understands that this Agreement does not constitute an admission that the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of its or their directors, officers, employees, or agents has violated any local ordinance, state or federal statute, or principle of common law, or that the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of its or their directors, officers, employees, or agents has engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct toward Executive. Executive will not characterize this Agreement or the payment of any money or other consideration in accordance with this Agreement as an admission that the Company or any of its affiliates has engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct toward him or treated him unfairly.

18. Authority. Executive represents and warrants that he has the authority to enter into this Agreement and the Release, and that no causes of action, claims, or demands released pursuant to this Agreement and the Release have been assigned to any person or entity not a party to this Agreement and the Release.

19. Legal Representation. Executive acknowledges that he has been advised by the Company to consult with his own attorney before executing this Agreement and the Release, that he has had a full opportunity to consider this Agreement and the Release, that

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he has had a full opportunity to ask any questions that he may have concerning this Agreement, the Release, or the settlement of his potential claims against the Company and others, and that he has not relied upon any statements or representations made by the Company, its affiliates or its or their attorneys, written or oral, other than the statements and representations that are explicitly set forth in this Agreement, the Release, and any qualified employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company in which Executive is a participant.

20. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, by Executive without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may, without the consent of Executive, assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Release, the continuing provisions of the Employment Agreement and any qualified employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company in which Executive is a participant are intended to define the full extent of the legally enforceable undertakings of the parties, and no promises or representations, written or oral, that are not set forth explicitly in this Agreement, the Release, the Employment Agreement or any qualified employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company in which Executive is a participant are intended by either party to be legally binding. All other agreements and understandings between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates are hereby cancelled, terminated, and superseded.

22. Period to Consider the Release and the Agreement. Executive understands that he has 21 days to consider whether to sign this Agreement and the Release. If Executive signs this Agreement and the Release before the end of the 21-day period, it will be his voluntary decision to do so because he has decided he does not need any additional time to decide whether to sign this Agreement and the Release.

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23. Right to Rescind or Revoke. Executive understands that he has the right to rescind or revoke this Agreement and the Release for any reason within fifteen (15) calendar days after he signs them. Executive understands that this Agreement will not become effective or enforceable unless and until he has not rescinded this Agreement or the Release and the Rescission Period has expired. Executive understands that if he wishes to rescind, the rescission must be in writing and hand-delivered or mailed to the Company. If hand-delivered, the rescission must be (a) addressed to Corrie Lapinsky, Director Legal Services, 7401 Boone Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428, and (b) delivered to Corrie Lapinsky within the fifteen-day period. If mailed, the rescission must be (a) postmarked within the fifteen-day period and (b) addressed to Corrie Lapinsky at the address in the preceding sentence.

24. Headings. The descriptive headings of the paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

26. Governing Law. This Agreement and the Release will be interpreted and construed in accordance with, and any dispute or controversy arising from any breach or asserted breach of this Agreement or the Release will be governed by, the laws of the State of Minnesota.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date stated below.


Dated: March 26, 2008	/s/ Michael M. Searles
	Michael M. Searles

Dated: March 28, 2008	Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc.

	BY:	/s/ Michael T. Sweeney

		Michael T. Sweeney
		Its Chairman of the Board

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RELEASE BY MICHAEL M. SEARLES

Definitions. I intend all words used in this Release to have their plain meanings in ordinary English. Specific terms that I use in this Release have the following meanings:

	A.		I, me, and my include both me and anyone who has or obtains any legal rights or claims through me.

	B.		Wilsons means Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc., any company related to Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc. in the present or past (including without limitation any of their predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint venture partners), and any successors of Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc.

	C.		Company means Wilsons; the present and past officers, directors, committees, and employees of Wilsons; any company providing insurance to Wilsons in the present or past; the present and past fiduciaries of any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by Wilsons (other than multiemployer plans); the attorneys for Wilsons; and anyone who acted on behalf of Wilsons or on instructions from Wilsons.

	D.		Agreement means the Agreement between Wilsons and me that I have executed on the same date as I am executing this Release, including all of the documents attached to the Agreement.

	E.		My Claims mean all of my rights that I now have to any relief of any kind from the Company, whether or not I now know about those rights, including without limitation:

	1.		all claims arising out of or relating to my employment with Wilsons, my status as an officer and/or director of Wilsons, or the termination of such relationships;

	2.		all claims arising out of or relating to the statements, actions, or omissions of the Company;

	3.		all claims for any alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation or reprisal, or other alleged unlawful practices arising under any federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or regulation, including without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, and workers’ compensation non-interference or non-retaliation statutes (such as Minn. Stat. § 176.82);

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	4.		all claims for alleged wrongful discharge; breach of contract; breach of implied contract; failure to keep any promise; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing; breach of fiduciary duty; estoppel; my activities, if any, as a “whistleblower”; defamation; infliction of emotional distress; fraud; misrepresentation; negligence; harassment; retaliation or reprisal; constructive discharge; assault; battery; false imprisonment; invasion of privacy; interference with contractual or business relationships; any other wrongful employment practices; and violation of any other principle of common law;

	5.		all claims for compensation of any kind, including without limitation, bonuses, commissions, stock-based compensation or stock options, vacation pay, relocation expenses, perquisites, and expense reimbursements;

	6.		all claims for back pay, front pay, reinstatement, other equitable relief, compensatory damages, damages for alleged personal injury, liquidated damages, and punitive damages;

	7.		all rights I have under California Civil Code section 1542, which states that: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor;” and

	8.		all claims for attorneys’ fees, costs, and interest.

However, My Claims do not include any claims that the law does not allow to be waived, any claims that may arise after the date on which I sign this Release, or any claims for breach of the Agreement.

Agreement to Release My Claims. I will receive consideration from Wilsons as set forth in the Agreement if I sign and do not rescind this Release as provided below. I understand and acknowledge that the consideration is in addition to anything of value that I would be entitled to receive from Wilsons if I did not sign this Release or if I rescinded this Release. In exchange for that consideration I give up and release all of My Claims (including but not limited to any rights under California Civil Code section 1542). I will not make any demands or claims against the Company for compensation or damages relating to My Claims. The consideration that I am receiving is a fair compromise for the release of My Claims.

Additional Agreements and Understandings. Even though Wilsons will provide consideration for me to settle and release My Claims, the Company does not admit that it is responsible or legally obligated to me. In fact, the Company denies that it is responsible or legally obligated to me for My Claims, denies that it engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct toward me, and denies that it treated me unfairly.

Confidentiality. I understand that the terms of this Release are confidential and that I may not disclose those terms to any person except under the circumstances described in the Agreement.

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Advice to Consult with an Attorney. I understand and acknowledge that I am hereby being advised by the Company to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release and I have done so. My decision whether to sign this Release is my own voluntary decision made with full knowledge that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney.

Period to Consider the Release. I understand that I have 21 days from the day that I receive this Release, not counting the day upon which I receive it, to consider whether I wish to sign this Release. If I sign this Release before the end of the 21-day period, it will be my voluntary decision to do so because I have decided that I do not need any additional time to decide whether to sign this Release. I also agree that any changes made to this Release or the Agreement before I sign it, whether material or immaterial, will not restart the 21-day period.

My Right to Rescind this Release. I understand that I may rescind this Release at any time within 15 days after I sign it, not counting the day upon which I sign it. This Release will not become effective or enforceable unless and until the 15-day rescission period has expired without my rescinding it.

Procedure for Accepting or Rescinding the Release. To accept the terms of this Release, I must deliver the Release, after I have signed and dated it, to Wilsons by hand or by mail within the 21-day period that I have to consider this Release. To rescind my acceptance, I must deliver a written, signed statement that I rescind my acceptance to Wilsons by hand or by mail within the 15-day rescission period. All deliveries must be made to Wilsons at the following address:

Corrie Lapinsky
Director, Legal Services
Wilsons Leather
7401 Boone Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428

If I choose to deliver my acceptance or the rescission of my acceptance by mail, it must be postmarked within the period stated above and properly addressed to Wilsons at the address stated above.

Interpretation of the Release. This Release should be interpreted as broadly as possible to achieve my intention to resolve all of My Claims against the Company. If this Release is held by a court to be inadequate to release a particular claim encompassed within My Claims, this Release will remain in full force and effect with respect to all the rest of My Claims.

My Representations. I am legally able and entitled to receive the consideration being provided to me in settlement of My Claims. I have not been involved in any personal bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings at any time since I began my employment with Wilsons. No child support orders, garnishment orders, or other orders requiring that money owed to me by Wilsons be paid to any other person are now in effect.

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I have read this Release carefully. I understand all of its terms. In signing this Release, I have not relied on any statements or explanations made by the Company except as specifically set forth in the Agreement and the Release signed by Wilsons. I am voluntarily releasing My Claims against the Company. I intend this Release and the Agreement to be legally binding.


Dated:
			Michael M. Searles

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