EX-3.2 4 d671951dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

OF

STONEMOR INC.

(Effective December 31, 2019)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

Section 2. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the state of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of Directors shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix. Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. The Board of Directors may, at any time prior to holding an annual or special meeting of stockholders cancel, reschedule or postpone any previously scheduled annual or special meeting.

Annual Meetings

Section 2. Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. At the annual meeting, the stockholders shall elect Directors pursuant to Article III of these Bylaws, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances, at any meeting of stockholders at which Directors are to be elected, Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall give written notice of the annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.


Section 4.

(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of such meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 4.

(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 4(a)(iii) above, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement by the Corporation of the date of such annual meeting is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. Such stockholder’s notice (whether provided pursuant to this Section 4(b) or Section 6(c) must set forth:

(i) as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a Director (1) all information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (2) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among each stockholder giving notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, (3) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected, and (4) attaching (A) a completed Director nominee questionnaire in the form required by the Corporation (which form the stockholder providing notice shall request from the Secretary and shall be provided by the Corporation within ten (10) days of such request) and (B) a completed and signed written representation and agreement, in the form required by the Corporation (which form the stockholder providing notice shall request from the Secretary and shall be provided by the Corporation within ten (10) days of such request), that such person (I) is not and will not become a party to any

 

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agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a Director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a Director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (II) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a Director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (III) would be in compliance, if elected as a Director of the Corporation, and will comply with, applicable law, applicable rules of the U.S. exchange upon which the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock trade and all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, corporate opportunity, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation, (IV) will tender, promptly following such person’s election or reelection, an irrevocable resignation effective upon such person’s failure to receive the required vote for re-election at the next meeting at which such person would face re-election and upon acceptance of such resignation by the Board of Directors, in accordance with the Board of Director’s policies or guidelines on Director elections and (V) intends to serve a full term if elected as a Director of the Corporation;

(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (2) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and (3) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment); and

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and held of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below) who is not an individual, (4) the disclosure of any short positions or other derivative positions relating to the Corporation’s shares of such stockholder and such beneficial owner, such information to include, and be updated to reflect any material change in, such positions from the period beginning six (6) months prior to the nomination through the time of the annual meeting, (5) a description of any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder and such beneficial owner has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation, (6) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting, will continue to be a holder of record of stock entitled to vote at such meeting through the date of the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring such nomination or other business before the meeting, (7) a representation as to whether such stockholder or beneficial owner intends or is part of a group that intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or to elect each such nominee, and (8) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect

 

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to the nomination or other business between or among such stockholder, beneficial owner or any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable). A stockholder providing notice of a nomination or other business to be brought before an annual meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date) and not later than seven (7) business days prior to the date for the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to any postponement or adjournment thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent Director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

(c) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4 and Section 6 shall be eligible to serve as Directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4 and Section 6. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation as the same may be amended from time to time and including any certificate (such certificate being hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, option or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, thereof (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these Bylaws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4 and Section 6, and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance herewith, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.

(d) For purposes of this Section 4 and Section 6, the term “public announcement” shall mean disclosure by the Corporation in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(e) For purposes of this Section 4, the term “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

 

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(f) For purposes of these Bylaws, shares shall be treated as “beneficially owned” by a person if the person beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing): (i) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both), (ii) the right to vote such shares, alone or in concert with others and/or (iii) the investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares, alone or in concert with others.

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4 or Section 6, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. If information submitted pursuant to this Section 4 or Section 6 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a Director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with these Bylaws. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two business days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4 or Section 6, upon written request by the Secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five (5) business days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (i) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 4 or Section 6, and (ii) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 4 or Section 6 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with these Bylaws. Nothing in this Section 4 or Section 6 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. In order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement for a meeting of stockholders, stockholders must provide notice as required by Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and otherwise satisfy its requirements.

Stock Ledger

Section 5. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

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Special Meetings

Section 6.

(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any lawful purpose or purposes may be called pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, or upon the written request to the Board of Directors by stockholders owning at least twenty percent (20%) of the entire capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter or matters to be brought before the proposed special meeting (the “requisite amount”) at the time such request is delivered. Except as otherwise required by law, and except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by any other person or persons. The business permitted to be conducted at any special meeting of the stockholders is limited to the business brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.

(b) Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.

(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which Directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of such meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that Directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is, at the time of giving of notice of the special meeting, (A) entitled to vote at the meeting and (B) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(c) and Section 4(b). In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more Directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by Section 4(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date of the first public announcement by the Corporation of the date of the special meeting.

(d) In order for a special meeting requested by the stockholders to be called by the Board of Directors, one or more written requests for a special meeting signed by stockholders (or their duly authorized agents) who own or who are acting on behalf of persons who own, as of the ownership record date, at least the requisite percent (the “special meeting request”), shall be delivered to the Board of Directors. A special meeting request shall: (i) state the business (including the identity of nominees for election as a director, if any) proposed to be acted on at the meeting; (ii) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or duly authorized agent) submitting the special meeting request; (iii) set forth the name and address of each stockholder

 

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submitting the special meeting request, as they appear on the Corporation’s books; (iv) contain the information required by Section 4 of Article II above with respect to any director nominations or other business proposed to be presented at the special meeting, and as to each stockholder requesting the meeting and each other person (including any beneficial owner) on whose behalf the stockholder is acting, other than stockholders or beneficial owners who have provided such request solely in response to any form of public solicitation for such requests; (v) include documentary evidence that the requesting stockholders own the requisite percent as of the ownership record date; provided, however, that if the requesting stockholders are not the beneficial owners of the shares representing the requisite percent, then to be valid, the special meeting request must also include documentary evidence of the number of shares owned by the beneficial owners on whose behalf the special meeting request is made as of the ownership record date; and (vi) be delivered to the Board of Directors at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. The special meeting request shall be updated and supplemented within five business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the stockholder requested special meeting, and in either case such information when provided to the Corporation shall be current as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting. In addition, the requesting stockholder and each other person (including any beneficial owner) on whose behalf the stockholder is acting, shall provide such other information as the Corporation may reasonably request within 10 business days of such a request.

Quorum

Section 7.

(a) The holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock (as defined below), present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn or recess the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. Subject to applicable law, if a quorum initially is present at any meeting of stockholders, the stockholders may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum, but if a quorum is not present at least initially, no business other than adjournment or recess may be transacted.

(b) For the purpose of these Bylaws and subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, “Voting Stock” shall mean the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors. In any vote required by or provided for in these Bylaws, each share of Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it generally in the election of Directors.

 

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Adjournment

Section 8. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting, except as otherwise required by this Section 8, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At an adjourned or recessed meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If an adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn, postpone, or recess any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, at any time and for any reasonable reason, whether or not there is a quorum, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, subject to any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors.

Vote Required

Section 9. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, except as provided to the contrary by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

One Vote Per Share

Section 10. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), each holder of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such stock held of record by such holder that has voting power upon the subject matter in question. Every stockholder entitled to vote for Directors, or on any other matter, shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more persons authorized to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary of the Corporation a revocation of the proxy or executed new proxy bearing a later date.

No Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting

Section 11. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing of stockholders.

Presiding Officer

Section 12. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chief Executive Officer or, in his or her absence, by another person designated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary of the Corporation, or in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, a person whom the chairman of the meeting shall appoint, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep a record of the proceedings thereof.

 

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Rules of Conduct at Meetings of Stockholders

Section 13. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations, if any, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including, without limitation, such regulation of the time and manner of voting, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record and their duly appointed proxies and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants, as, in his or her judgment, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the conduct of the meeting and restrictions on the use of audio or video recording devices at the meeting. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Number, Classification, Removal

Section 1. The number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by the majority of Directors then in office, but shall not be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) persons. There shall initially be seven (7) Directors. The Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of Article II, or, if applicable, at a special meeting called for such purpose and in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of Article II, and each Director elected shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

Section 2. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors and any vacancy on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining Director. Any Director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the next election of the class to which such Director shall have been assigned by the Board of Directors. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of an incumbent Director.

Section 3. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances, any Director may be removed from office, but only for cause. At any annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or at any special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the notice of which shall state that the removal of a Director or Directors is among the purposes of the meeting, the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, may remove such Director or Directors.

 

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Section 4. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

Section 5. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

Section 6. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such time and place, if any, as shall be specified in a notice given in the manner hereinafter provided, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the Directors.

Section 7. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place, if any, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or by two or more of the Directors. Notice of the time and place, if any, of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be made orally or in writing, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least forty-eight (48) hours before the date and time of the meeting.

Section 9. Except as provided in these Bylaws to the contrary, at all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the total number of Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the vote of a majority of the Directors entitled to vote and present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the Certificate of Incorporation shall require a vote of a greater number. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 10. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

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Section 11. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order as from time to time the Board of Directors may determine.

At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside, and in his or her absence a person shall be chosen by the Board from among the Directors present to act as chairman of the meeting.

The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of the meeting of the Board of Directors, but in the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as Secretary of the meeting.

Committees of Directors

Section 12. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the Directors then in office, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one (1) or more of the Directors of the Corporation. Such committee or committees shall have such members as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one (1) or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence of disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation (except pursuant to a resolution relating to the issuance of capital stock pursuant to Section 151 of Title 8 of the DGCL); adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation; recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets; recommending to the stockholders the dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution; or amending these Bylaws and, unless the resolution or Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.

Section 13. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors.

Compensation of Directors

Section 14. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, Directors may receive such compensation, if any, for their services on the Board of Directors and its committees, and such reimbursement of expenses, as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE IV

NOTICES

Section 1. Whenever notice is required to be given to any Director or stockholder pursuant to a statutory provision or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, such notice may be given personally or by mail, or by electronic transmission to the extent permitted by Section 232 of the DGCL. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail addressed to such Director or stockholder, at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. Notices to Directors may also be given by the means set forth in Article III, Section 8 of these Bylaws. Notice by electronic transmission shall be deemed given as provided in Section 232 of the DGCL. An affidavit that notice has been given, executed by the Secretary of the Corporation, Assistant Secretary or any transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the notice in the absence of fraud. Notice shall be deemed to have been given to all stockholders who share an address if notice is given in accordance with the “householding” rules set forth in Rule 14a-3(e) under the Exchange Act and Section 233 of the DGCL.

Section 2. Whenever notice is required to be given pursuant to a statutory provision or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall be a chief executive officer, a president, a vice president, a chief financial officer, a secretary and a treasurer. The Board of Directors may also choose additional vice presidents and one or more assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.

Section 2. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a chief executive officer (the “Chief Executive Officer”), a president (the “President”), one or more vice presidents (a “Vice President”), a chief financial officer (the “Chief Financial Officer”), a secretary (the “Secretary”) and a treasurer (the “Treasurer”).

Section 3. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board.

 

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Section 4. The salaries of the officers of the Corporation and the manner and time of the payment of such salaries shall be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors and may be altered by the Board of Directors from time to time as it deems appropriate, subject to the rights, if any, of such officers under any contract of employment.

Section 5. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

The Chief Executive Officer

Section 6. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation, shall be responsible for corporate policy and strategy, and shall report directly to the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws or determined by the Board of Directors, all other officers of the Corporation shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or as otherwise determined by the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall, if present and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, preside at meetings of the stockholders.

The President

Section 7. The President shall be the chief operating officer of the Corporation, with general responsibility for the management and control of the operations of the Corporation. The President shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time determine.

The Vice Presidents

Section 8. Each Vice President shall have such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by his or her superior officer, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. A Vice President shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or another duly authorized officer may from time to time determine.

The Chief Financial Officer

Section 9. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. He or she shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositaries as may be designated by the Board. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, or the President, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He or she shall render to the Chairman of the Board, the President and the Board at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may request it, an account of all his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer may direct the Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and the Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

 

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The Secretary and the Assistant Secretary

Section 10. The powers and duties of the Secretary are: (i) to act as Secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors, of the committees of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and to record the proceedings of such meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; (ii) to see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given and served; (iii) to act as custodian of the seal of the Corporation and affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all certificates of stock of the Corporation and to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; (iv) to have charge of the books, records and papers of the Corporation and see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and (v) to perform all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may from time to time determine.

Section 11. The Assistant Secretary (or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or, if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may from time to time prescribe.

The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer

Section 12. The Treasurer shall supervise and be responsible for all the funds and securities of the Corporation, the deposit of all moneys and other valuables to the credit of the Corporation in depositories of the Corporation, borrowings and compliance with the provisions of all indentures, agreements and instruments governing such borrowings to which the Corporation is a party, the disbursement of funds of the Corporation and the investment of its funds, and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may from time to time determine.

Section 13. The Assistant Treasurer (or, if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors, or, if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may from time to time prescribe.

 

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ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

Section 1. The shares of the Corporation’s stock may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided under Delaware law, and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation and registered as they are issued. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, or an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation certifying the number and class of shares of stock of the Corporation owned by the holder thereof. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

Section 2. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Lost Certificates

Section 3. The Board of Directors may issue a certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares in place of any certificate(s) theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate(s) of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate(s), or his or her legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate(s) alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Transfers of Stock

Section 4. Transfers of shares may be made only by the record holder of such shares, or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing, which transfer shall be made on the books of the Corporation, and, in the case of shares represented by a certificate, such transfer may only be made upon surrender of the certificate to the Corporation. The Corporation shall cancel any such surrendered certificate.

 

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Fixing Record Date

Section 5. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Registered Stock Holders

Section 6. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Dividends

Section 1. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meetings, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

Checks

Section 2. From time to time, the Board of Directors shall determine the method, and designate (or authorize officers of the Corporation to designate) the person or persons who shall have authority, to sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money and notes, bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable by the Corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse such instruments.

 

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Fiscal Year

Section 3. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December of the same year, or shall extend for such other 12 consecutive months as the Board of Directors may designate.

Seal

Section 4. The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary of the Corporation. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

Corporate Contracts and Instruments; Delegation

Section 5.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may determine the method, and designate (or authorize officers of the Corporation to designate) the person or persons who shall have authority to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, or within the power incident to a person’s office or other position with the Corporation, no person shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

(b) The Chief Executive Officer or any other officer of the Corporation authorized by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or other equity interests of any other corporation or entity or corporations or entities, standing in the name of the Corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by the person having such authority.

(c) The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VII.

Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records

Section 6. Each Director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such Director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend and repeal these Bylaws in any manner not inconsistent with the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation, as it may deem appropriate for the management of the Corporation. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Indemnification

Section 1.

(a) Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, judicial, administrative or legislative hearing, or any other threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise, including any and all appeals, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a Director or an officer of the Corporation or while a Director or officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), or by reason of anything done or not done by him or her in any such capacity, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, penalties and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of the indemnitee) actually and reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection therewith, all on the terms and conditions set forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law or provided in Section 3 with respect to suits to enforce rights under this Article IX, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding, or part thereof, voluntarily initiated by such indemnitee (including claims and counterclaims, whether such counterclaims are asserted by: (i) such indemnitee; or (ii) the Corporation in a proceeding initiated by such indemnitee) only if such proceeding, or part thereof, was authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors otherwise determines that indemnification or advancement of expenses is appropriate.

(b) To receive indemnification under this Section 1, an indemnitee shall submit a written request to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such request shall include documentation or information that is necessary to determine the entitlement of the indemnitee to indemnification and that is reasonably available to the indemnitee. Such indemnification shall be paid in full by the

 

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Corporation not later than sixty (60) days after receipt by the Secretary of the Corporation of a written request for indemnification, unless within such sixty (60) day period, the indemnitee shall be determined to not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 1(a) of the Bylaws by the following person or persons who shall be empowered to make such determination, as selected by the Board of Directors (except with respect to clause (v) of this Section 1(b): (i) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Directors who are not parties to such proceeding, whether or not such majority constitutes a quorum; (ii) a committee of such Directors designated by a majority vote of such Directors, whether or not such majority constitutes a quorum; (iii) if there are no such Directors, or if such Directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the indemnitee; (iv) the stockholders of the Corporation; or (v) in the event that a change of control (as defined below) has occurred, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the indemnitee. For purposes of this Section 1(b), a “change of control” will be deemed to have occurred if, with respect to any particular 24-month period, the individuals who, at the beginning of such 24-month period, constituted the Board of Directors (the “incumbent board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the beginning of such 24-month period whose election, or nomination for election by the stockholders of the Corporation, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Directors then comprising the incumbent board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the incumbent board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of Directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board of Directors.

Advancement of Expenses

Section 2.

(a) In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 1 above, an indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that an advancement of expenses shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision of a court of competent jurisdiction from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article IX or otherwise.

(b) To receive an advancement of expenses under this Section 2, an indemnitee shall submit a written request to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such request shall reasonably evidence the expenses incurred by the indemnitee and shall include or be accompanied by the undertaking required by Section 2(a). Each such advancement of expenses shall be made within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Secretary of the Corporation of a written request for advancement of expenses.

 

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Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit

Section 3. In the event that a determination is made that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or if payment is not timely made following a determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 1(b) or if an advancement of expenses is not timely made under Section 2(b), the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware seeking an adjudication of entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Further, in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. Further, the termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under applicable law, this Article IX or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

Non-Exclusivity of Rights

Section 4. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors, provisions of a certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or otherwise. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to enter into a contract with any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise providing for indemnification rights equivalent to or, if the Board of Directors so determines, greater than those provided in this Article IX.

 

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Insurance

Section 5. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL. The Corporation may create a trust fund, grant a security interest and/or use other means (including, without limitation, letters of credit, surety bonds and/or other similar arrangements), as well as enter into contracts providing indemnification to the full extent authorized or permitted by law and including as part thereof provisions with respect to any or all of the foregoing to ensure the payment of such amounts as may become necessary to effect indemnification as provided therein, or elsewhere.

Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation

Section 6. The Corporation may, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, and to the extent authorized from time to time, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation.

Nature of Rights

Section 7. The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article IX shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a Director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article IX that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. The rights to indemnification provided under this Article IX shall extend to the testator or intestate of the person to whom such rights are granted.

Settlement of Claims

Section 8. Notwithstanding anything in this Article IX to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify any indemnitee under this Article IX for any amounts paid in settlement of any proceeding effected without the Corporation’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Subrogation

Section 9. In the event of payment under this Article IX, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee (excluding insurance obtained on the indemnitee’s own behalf), and the indemnitee shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

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Severability

Section 10. If any provision or provisions of this Article IX shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article IX containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not by themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article IX containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent of the parties that the Corporation provide protection to the indemnitee to the fullest extent set forth in this Article IX.

 

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