0001193125-15-337529.txt : 20151005 0001193125-15-337529.hdr.sgml : 20151005 20151005163306 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-15-337529 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 19 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20150930 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in Control of Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20151005 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20151005 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PJT Partners Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001626115 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INVESTMENT ADVICE [6282] IRS NUMBER: 364797143 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-36869 FILM NUMBER: 151143645 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 345 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10154 BUSINESS PHONE: 212-583-5000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 345 PARK AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10154 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: Blackstone Advisory Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20141120 8-K 1 d21345d8k.htm 8-K 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 30, 2015

 

 

PJT Partners Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36869   36-4797143

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York

  10017

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(212) 364-7800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Agreements with Blackstone Related to the Spin-Off

On October 1, 2015, The Blackstone Group L.P. (together with its subsidiaries, “Blackstone”) completed a previously-announced transaction pursuant to which its financial and strategic advisory services, restructuring and reorganization advisory services and Park Hill Group businesses were combined with PJT Capital LP, a global independent financial advisory firm founded by Paul J. Taubman, and the combined business was distributed to Blackstone’s unitholders to form an independent, publicly traded company called PJT Partners Inc. (the “Company” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “PJT Partners”) (such transactions, collectively, the “Spin-Off”).

On October 1, 2015, in connection with the Spin-Off, the Company entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement by and among Blackstone, Blackstone Holdings I L.P., New Advisory GP L.L.C., the Company and PJT Partners Holdings LP (the “Separation Agreement”), as well as certain ancillary agreements that set forth the principal transactions required to effect the separation of Blackstone’s financial and strategic advisory services, restructuring and reorganization advisory services and Park Hill Group business from Blackstone and provide for the allocation between PJT Partners and Blackstone of various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations (including employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities), and govern certain aspects of the relationship between PJT Partners and Blackstone after completion of the Spin-Off.

The ancillary agreements include:

 

    an Employee Matters Agreement by and among Blackstone, Blackstone Holdings I L.P., New Advisory GP L.L.C., the Company, PJT Partners Holdings LP, PJT Capital LP and PJT Management, LLC, dated as of October 1, 2015 (the “Employee Matters Agreement”) that governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of the parties from and after the Spin-Off with respect to employee-related liabilities and the respective retirement plans, annual incentive arrangements, health and welfare benefit plans and equity-based compensation plans (including the treatment of outstanding awards thereunder) of Blackstone and PJT Partners. The Employee Matters Agreement generally provides for the allocation and treatment of assets, account balances and liabilities, as applicable, arising out of incentive plans, retirement plans and employee health and welfare benefit programs in which the employees of PJT Partners participated prior to the Spin-Off;

 

    a Tax Matters Agreement by and among Blackstone, Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., the Company, PJT Partners Holdings LP, StoneCo IV Corporation, PJT Capital LP, PJT Management, LLC and the seller parties defined therein, dated as of October 1, 2015 (the “Tax Matters Agreement”) that sets forth the parties’ agreements with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax contests and other tax sharing regarding U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes, other tax matters and related tax returns; and

 

    a Transition Services Agreement between Blackstone Holdings I L.P. and PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015 (the “Transition Services Agreement”), under which Blackstone has agreed to offer to provide to PJT Partners certain services, as described below, until October 1, 2017 (subject to the earlier termination of the agreement or any or all of the services provided thereunder in the circumstances set forth therein). Blackstone has agreed to offer to provide to PJT Partners certain finance, information technology, human resources and compensation, facilities, legal and compliance, external relations and public company services. PJT Partners will pay Blackstone for any such services at agreed amounts as set forth in the Transition Services Agreement. Payments will be made on a quarterly basis. In addition, from time to time during the term of the agreement, PJT Partners and Blackstone may mutually agree on additional services to be provided by Blackstone to PJT Partners at pricing based on market rates that are reasonably agreed by the parties.

 

2


Descriptions of the material terms of the Separation Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement and Transition Services Agreement are set forth in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Blackstone Related to the Spin-Off” in the Company’s Information Statement (the “Information Statement”) included in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, which was filed on September 2, 2015 (the “Registration Statement”) and are incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the agreements contained therein and herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement and Transition Services Agreement, which are included herewith as Exhibits 2.1, 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

Revolving Credit Facility

On October 1, 2015, PJT Partners Holdings LP, as borrower (in such capacity, the “Borrower”), entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) and related documents with First Republic Bank, as lender (the “Lender”). The Loan Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility with aggregate commitments in an amount equal to $60.0 million, which aggregate commitments may be increased, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Loan Agreement, to up to $80.0 million during the period beginning December 1 each year through March 1 of the following year. The revolving credit facility will mature and the commitments thereunder will terminate on October 2, 2017, subject to extension by agreement of the Borrower and Lender.

Collateral

Indebtedness under the Loan Agreement is not guaranteed by the Company or any subsidiaries of the Borrower, but is secured by first priority liens on all accounts receivable, including placement and advisory fees, payable to the Borrower, Park Hill Group, LLC and PJT Partners LP.

Covenants

The Loan Agreement contains certain financial covenants that require the Borrower, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, to:

 

    maintain minimum consolidated tangible net worth of $150.0 million;

 

    comply with a maximum ratio of total indebtedness to Adjusted EBITDA (as determined in accordance with the Loan Agreement) of 2.00 to 1.00 (if Adjusted EBITDA is greater than or equal to $35.0 million); 1.50 to 1.00 (if Adjusted EBITDA is less than $35.0 million but greater than or equal to $20.0 million); and 1.00 to 1.00 (if Adjusted EBITDA is less than $20.0 million); and

 

    maintain a minimum consolidated liquidity ratio of 1.25 to 1.00, calculated as the ratio of (x) the sum of cash and marketable securities plus eligible accounts receivable to (y) current liabilities.

In addition, the Loan Agreement contains a covenant that limits or restricts the ability of the Borrower (subject to certain qualifications and exceptions) to incur additional indebtedness in excess of $20.0 million.

 

3


Interest Rates and Fees

Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility will accrue interest at a per annum rate of prime minus 1.0%

During an event of default, overdue principal under the revolving credit facility may bear interest at a rate 2.0% in excess of the otherwise applicable rate of interest.

In connection with the closing of the Loan Agreement, the Borrower paid the Lender certain closing costs and fees. In addition, on and after the closing date, the Borrower will also pay a commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility of 0.125% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears.

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Loan Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference, and other Loan Documents, as defined in the Loan Agreement.

Organizational and Equityholder Agreements of PJT Partners

In addition, in connection with the Spin-Off, the following agreements were entered into on October 1, 2015:

 

    the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among PJT Partners, as the general partner, the limited partners whose names are set forth in the books and records of PJT Partners Holdings LP and the other parties thereto (the “Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement”);

 

    the Exchange Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, among the Company, PJT Partners Holdings LP and the holders of partnership units from time to time party thereto (the “Exchange Agreement”);

 

    the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among the Company, PJT Partners Holdings LP and each of the limited partners from time to time party thereto (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”);

 

    the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among the Company and the covered persons from time to time party thereto; and

 

    the Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent (the “Stockholder Rights Agreement”).

Descriptions of the material terms of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, the Exchange Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Stockholder Rights Agreement are set forth in the sections entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Other Agreements” and “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Our Amended and Restated Bylaws, Our Stockholder Rights Agreement and Certain Provisions of Delaware Law” in the Information Statement included in the Company’s Registration Statement and are incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the agreements contained therein and herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, the Exchange Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Stockholder Rights Agreement, which are included herewith as Exhibits 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 and 10.9, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

 

4


Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth under “—Revolving Credit Facility” of Item 1.01 of this report is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The description of the Stockholder Rights Agreement set forth under Item 1.01 above and the information set forth under Item 5.03 below is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

 

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

The Spin-Off described in the Information Statement was consummated on October 1, 2015.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Appointments and Resignations of Officers and Directors; Director Compensation

On October 1, 2015, Stephen A. Schwarzman resigned as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Company’s board of directors; Michael S. Chae resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and as a member of the Company’s board of directors; and Kathleen Skero resigned as Senior Managing Director and Secretary of the Company and ceased serving as the Company’s principal accounting officer. Effective concurrently with such resignations, Paul J. Taubman was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Helen T. Meates was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company and will also serve as the Company’s principal accounting officer. Biographical information regarding Mr. Taubman, age 54, and Ms. Meates, age 53, has previously been reported on pages 114 and 116, respectively, of the Information Statement under the section entitled “Management—Directors and Executive Officers” and is incorporated herein by reference.

As previously reported in the Information Statement, on October 1, 2015, each of Paul J. Taubman, as chairman, Emily K. Rafferty, Thomas M. Ryan and Kenneth C. Whitney were appointed to the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Whitney and Ms. Rafferty serve as members of the audit committee of the board of directors, along with Dennis S. Hersch, who was previously named a member of the audit committee; Mr. Ryan and Mr. Hersch serve as members of the compensation committee of the board of directors; and Mr. Taubman, Ms. Rafferty and Mr. Ryan serve as members of the nominating/corporate governance committee of the board of directors.

As previously reported in the Information Statement, the Company’s board of directors is divided into three classes. The initial terms of the Class I, Class II and Class III directors will expire at each of the first three annual meetings of the Company’s stockholders following the consummation of the Spin-Off, respectively, and in each case, when any successor has been duly elected and qualified. Upon the expiration of each initial term, directors will subsequently serve three-year terms if renominated and reelected. The initial Class I directors are Mr. Taubman and Ms. Rafferty; the initial Class II directors are Messrs. Hersch and Ryan, and the initial Class III director is Mr. Whitney.

 

5


Each non-employee director will be entitled to receive an annual retainer in the amount of $125,000, payable in quarterly installments in arrears, in the form of cash, stock, stock-based awards or a combination thereof, as determined by such director.

On September 16, 2015, the Company approved one-time grants of restricted stock units, effective October 1, 2015, to its non-employee directors under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, representing the amount of the directors’ annual equity award for fiscal 2015. Each of the non-employee directors was granted $100,000 worth of restricted stock units based on the closing trading price per share of the Company’s Class A common stock on October 1, 2015, which corresponded to 4,762 restricted stock units per non-employee director. Such restricted stock units in respect of the one-time grant will vest annually over four years, subject to continued service as a director, and will settle on the earlier of the termination of service of such non-employee director or the fourth anniversary of the grant.

Certain Benefit Plans

Effective September 30, 2015, the Omnibus Incentive Plan was approved and adopted by the board of directors and sole stockholder of the Company and the PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Bonus Deferral Plan (the “Bonus Deferral Plan”) was approved and adopted by the board of directors of the Company. The material terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Bonus Deferral Plan are described on pages 121-126 of the Information Statement under the section entitled “Management—PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan” and “Management—Bonus Deferral Plan,” respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein. The descriptions of the Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Bonus Deferral Plan contained therein and herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Omnibus Incentive Pan and the Bonus Deferral Plan, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.10 and 10.11, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

Partner Agreement with Paul J. Taubman

On October 9, 2014, PJT Partners Holdings LP (f/k/a New Advisory L.P.) and Paul J. Taubman entered into a letter agreement (the “CEO Agreement”), which governs the terms of Mr. Taubman’s employment from and after the consummation of the Spin-Off. The material terms of the CEO Agreement, including the compensation arrangements with Mr. Taubman and the partnership interests in PJT Partners Holdings LP acquired by Mr. Taubman upon consummation of the Spin-Off, are set forth on pages 119-121 of the Information Statement under the section entitled “Management—Executive Compensation—Actions Taken in Anticipation of Separation—Partner Agreement with Paul J. Taubman” and are incorporated herein by reference. The description of the CEO Agreement contained therein and herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CEO Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.12 and incorporated herein by reference.

Partner Agreement with Helen T. Meates

On October 1, 2015, PJT Partners Holdings LP and Helen T. Meates entered into a letter agreement (the “Partner Agreement”), which governs the terms of her employment from and after the consummation of the Spin-Off. The Partner Agreement provides for an annual draw of $350,000.

Pursuant to the Partner Agreement, Ms. Meates is generally subject to covenants of non-competition and non-solicitation of employees, consultants, clients and investors during her service to PJT Partners Holdings LP and for a period of one year following the termination of her service to PJT Partners Holdings LP in the case of the non-competition and non-solicitation of clients and investors restrictions, and two years following the termination of her service to PJT Partners Holdings LP in the case of the non-solicitation of employees and consultants restrictions (the “Restricted Period”). If Ms. Meates

 

6


is terminated by PJT Partners Holdings LP without “cause” or she resigns for “good reason” (each as defined in the Partner Agreement), the foregoing periods of time during which she will be subject to the non-competition restrictions will be reduced to 90 days. Ms. Meates is also subject to perpetual covenants of confidentiality and non-disparagement.

Pursuant to the Partner Agreement, Ms. Meates acquired upon consummation of the Spin-Off, an aggregate of 100,000 unvested Founder LTIP Units in PJT Partners Holdings LP (the “Founder Units”), which are a series of LTIP Units that will participate, from issuance, in all distributions by PJT Partners Holdings LP, other than liquidating distributions, ratably, on a per unit basis, with Partnership Units and will be subject to time-based vesting.

Ms. Meates also acquired upon consummation of the Spin-Off, an aggregate of 50,000 unvested Founder Earn-Out Units in PJT Partners Holdings LP (the “Earn-Out Units”), which are a series of LTIP Units that will not participate prior to satisfying the applicable performance vesting target in any distributions by PJT Partners Holdings LP other than tax distributions. The Earn-Out Units are subject to both time and performance vesting.

Descriptions of the Founder Units and the Earn-Outs are set forth on pages 64-65 of the Information Statement under the sections entitled “The Spin-Off—Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP”, and are incorporated by reference herein. Except as described below, the Founder Units and the Earn-Out Units have the same vesting terms as Mr. Taubman’s Founder Units and Earn-Out Units, respectively, which are described on pages 119-120 of the Information Statement under the section entitled “Management—Actions Taken in Anticipation of Separation—Partner Agreement with Paul J. Taubman” and incorporated by reference herein.

If Ms. Meates’ service terminates for any reason other than her resignation without good reason or by PJT Partners Holdings LP for cause, then (i) all of Ms. Meates’ unvested Founder Units will remain outstanding and continue to vest during the Restricted Period, provided, that all Founder Units will fully vest upon the earlier of (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period, (y) the date of Ms. Meates’ death and (z) a change in control and (ii) the unvested Earn-Out Units will fully vest to the extent the applicable stock price performance conditions are met on or prior to the date of termination and, unless otherwise determined by Mr. Taubman, all remaining unvested Earn-Out Units will be forfeited.

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On October 1, 2015, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), in substantially the same form previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement, and the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “Amended and Restated By-Laws”), in substantially the same form previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement, became effective. A description of the material terms of each are set forth on pages 148-157 of the Information Statement under the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock” and are incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated By-Laws contained therein and herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated By-Laws, which are filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, on October 1, 2015, the Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate of Designation”) relating to a series of authorized but unissued preferred stock designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Shares”) became effective. As described on page 150 of the Information Statement under the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock—Preferred Stock—Junior Participating Preferred Stock” of the Information Statement,” which description

 

7


is incorporated herein by reference, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock are accompanied by a right (the “Rights”) to purchase, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Stockholder Rights Agreement, from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of the Preferred Shares. The material terms of the Stockholder Rights Agreement are set forth on pages 151-153 of the Information Statement under the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Our Amended and Restated Bylaws, Our Stockholder Rights Agreement and Certain Provisions of Delaware Law,” and is incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the Certificate of Designation and the Stockholder Rights Agreement contained therein and herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Certificate of Designation and the Stockholder Rights Agreement, which are filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1.1 and Exhibit 10.9, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events

On October 1, 2015, PJT Partners issued a press release announcing the consummation of the Spin-Off. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

Exhibit 2.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement by and among The Blackstone Group L.P., Blackstone Holdings I L.P., New Advisory GP L.L.C., PJT Partners Inc. and PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PJT Partners Inc.
Exhibit 3.1.1    Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of PJT Partners Inc.
Exhibit 3.2    Amended and Restated By-Laws of PJT Partners Inc.
Exhibit 10.1    Employee Matters Agreement by and among The Blackstone Group L.P., Blackstone Holdings I L.P., New Advisory GP L.L.C., PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP, PJT Capital LP, and PJT Management, LLC, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.2    Tax Matters Agreement by and among The Blackstone Group L.P., Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP, StoneCo IV Corporation, PJT Capital LP, PJT Management, LLC and the seller parties defined therein, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.3    Transition Services Agreement between Blackstone Holdings I L.P. and PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.4    Credit Agreement dated as of October 1, 2015, between PJT Partners Holdings LP, as borrower and First Republic Bank.
Exhibit 10.5    Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.6    Exchange Agreement by and among PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP and the holders of partnership units from time to time party thereto, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.7    Tax Receivable Agreement by and among PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP and each of the limited partners from time to time party thereto, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.8    Registration Rights Agreement by and among PJT Partners Inc. and the covered persons from time to time party thereto, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.9    Stockholder Rights Agreement between PJT Partners Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.10    PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.11    PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Bonus Deferral Plan, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.12    Partner Agreement between PJT Partners Holdings LP and Paul J. Taubman, dated as of October 9, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36869) filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 11, 2015).
Exhibit 99.1    Press release issued by PJT Partners Inc. on October 1, 2015.

 

8


Safe Harbor Statement

Certain material presented herein contains forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance improvements, benefits resulting from its separation from Blackstone, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “could” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained herein. The Company does not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements.

The risk factors discussed in “Risk Factors” in the Information Statement, as well as the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may be other risks and uncertainties that the Company is unable to predict at this time or that it currently does not expect to have a material adverse effect on its business. Any such risks could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.

 

9


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 5, 2015

 

PJT Partners Inc.
By:  

/s/ Salvatore Rappa

Name:   Salvatore Rappa
Title:   Corporate Secretary

 

10


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

Exhibit 2.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement by and among The Blackstone Group L.P., Blackstone Holdings I L.P., New Advisory GP L.L.C., PJT Partners Inc. and PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PJT Partners Inc.
Exhibit 3.1.1    Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of PJT Partners Inc.
Exhibit 3.2    Amended and Restated By-Laws of PJT Partners Inc.
Exhibit 10.1    Employee Matters Agreement by and among The Blackstone Group L.P., Blackstone Holdings I L.P., New Advisory GP L.L.C., PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP, PJT Capital LP, and PJT Management, LLC, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.2    Tax Matters Agreement by and among The Blackstone Group L.P., Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP, StoneCo IV Corporation, PJT Capital LP, PJT Management, LLC and the seller parties defined therein, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.3    Transition Services Agreement between Blackstone Holdings I L.P. and PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.4    Credit Agreement dated as of October 1, 2015, between PJT Partners Holdings LP, as borrower and First Republic Bank.
Exhibit 10.5    Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.6    Exchange Agreement by and among PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP and the holders of partnership units from time to time party thereto, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.7    Tax Receivable Agreement by and among PJT Partners Inc., PJT Partners Holdings LP and each of the limited partners from time to time party thereto, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.8    Registration Rights Agreement by and among PJT Partners Inc. and the covered persons from time to time party thereto, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.9    Stockholder Rights Agreement between PJT Partners Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.10    PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.11    PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Bonus Deferral Plan, dated as of October 1, 2015.
Exhibit 10.12    Partner Agreement between PJT Partners Holdings LP and Paul J. Taubman, dated as of October 9, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36869) filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 11, 2015).
Exhibit 99.1    Press release issued by PJT Partners Inc. on October 1, 2015.

 

11

EX-2.1 2 d21345dex21.htm EX-2.1 EX-2.1

Exhibit 2.1

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

by and among

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.,

BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I L.P.,

NEW ADVISORY GP L.L.C.

PJT PARTNERS INC.,

and

PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP

Dated as of October 1, 2015


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     2   

Section 1.1.

 

General

     2   

Section 1.2.

 

References; Interpretation

     15   

ARTICLE II THE SEPARATION

     16   

Section 2.1.

 

General

     16   

Section 2.2.

 

Transfer of Assets; Blackstone Retained Assets

     16   

Section 2.3.

 

Assumption and Satisfaction of Liabilities

     19   

Section 2.4.

 

Treatment of Shared Contracts

     20   

Section 2.5.

 

Intercompany Accounts

     21   

Section 2.6.

 

Transfers Not Effected At or Prior to the Effective Time; Transfers Deemed Effective as of the Effective Time

     21   

Section 2.7.

 

Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments

     24   

Section 2.8.

 

Further Assurances

     25   

Section 2.9.

 

Novation of Liabilities

     25   

Section 2.10.

 

Non-Applicability to Taxes and Employee Matters

     26   

ARTICLE III CERTAIN ACTIONS AT OR PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION

     26   

Section 3.1.

 

Organizational Documents

     26   

Section 3.2.

 

Carbon Reorganization

     26   

Section 3.3.

 

Resignations

     27   

Section 3.4.

 

Cash; PJT Revolver

     27   

Section 3.5.

 

Ancillary Agreements

     27   

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BLACKSTONE PARTIES

     27   

Section 4.1.

 

Sufficiency of Assets

     27   

Section 4.2.

 

No Undisclosed Liabilities

     28   

Section 4.3.

 

Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties

     28   

ARTICLE V THE DISTRIBUTION

     28   

Section 5.1.

 

Stock Dividend to BX Common Unitholders

     28   

Section 5.2.

 

Fractional Shares

     29   

Section 5.3.

 

Delivery of Ancillary Agreements

     29   

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO THE DISTRIBUTION

     30   

Section 6.1.

 

Condition to Distribution

     30   

 

i


ARTICLE VII CERTAIN COVENANTS

     30   

Section 7.1.

 

Opinions

     30   

Section 7.2.

 

Efforts

     30   

Section 7.3.

 

No Solicit; No Hire

     31   

Section 7.4.

 

Non-Competition

     31   

Section 7.5.

 

Intellectual Property

     32   

Section 7.6.

 

Cooperation

     33   

Section 7.7.

 

Guarantees

     33   

Section 7.8.

 

Insurance Matters

     35   

Section 7.9.

 

Extension of Termination Date

     36   

Section 7.10.

 

Build-Out Costs

     36   

ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION

     36   

Section 8.1.

 

Release of Pre-Distribution Claims

     36   

Section 8.2.

 

Indemnification by BX

     38   

Section 8.3.

 

Indemnification by PJT

     38   

Section 8.4.

 

Procedures for Indemnification

     38   

Section 8.5.

 

Cooperation In Defense And Settlement

     40   

Section 8.6.

 

Indemnification Payments

     41   

Section 8.7.

 

Contribution

     41   

Section 8.8.

 

Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts

     41   

Section 8.9.

 

Additional Matters; Survival of Indemnities

     41   

ARTICLE IX CONFIDENTIALITY; ACCESS TO INFORMATION

     42   

Section 9.1.

 

Provision of Corporate Records

     42   

Section 9.2.

 

Access to Information

     43   

Section 9.3.

 

Litigation Matters; Witness Services

     43   

Section 9.4.

 

Reimbursement; Other Matters

     43   

Section 9.5.

 

Confidentiality

     44   

Section 9.6.

 

Privileged Matters

     44   

Section 9.7.

 

Ownership of Information

     46   

Section 9.8.

 

Other Agreements

     46   

ARTICLE X DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     47   

Section 10.1.

 

Arbitration

     47   

Section 10.2.

 

Continuity of Service and Performance

     48   

Section 10.3.

 

Consolidation

     48   

 

ii


ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

     48   

Section 11.1.

 

Complete Agreement; Construction

     48   

Section 11.2.

 

Ancillary Agreements

     49   

Section 11.3.

 

Counterparts

     49   

Section 11.4.

 

Survival of Agreements

     49   

Section 11.5.

 

Expenses

     49   

Section 11.6.

 

Notices

     49   

Section 11.7.

 

Waivers and Consents

     50   

Section 11.8.

 

Amendments

     50   

Section 11.9.

 

Assignment

     51   

Section 11.10.

 

Certain Termination and Amendment Rights

     51   

Section 11.11.

 

Payment Terms

     51   

Section 11.12.

 

No Circumvention

     51   

Section 11.13.

 

Subsidiaries

     52   

Section 11.14.

 

Third Party Beneficiaries

     52   

Section 11.15.

 

Title and Headings

     52   

Section 11.16.

 

Exhibits and Schedules

     52   

Section 11.17.

 

Governing Law

     52   

Section 11.18.

 

Severability

     52   

Section 11.19.

 

Force Majeure

     52   

Section 11.20.

 

Interpretation

     53   

Section 11.21.

 

No Duplication; No Double Recovery

     53   

List of Schedules

 

Schedule 1.1(A)    BAP Engagement Letters
Schedule 1.1(B)    Blackstone Retained Contracts
Schedule 1.1(C)    Carbon Contracts
Schedule 1.1(D)    Carbon Offices
Schedule 2.2(a)(v)    Carbon Assets
Schedule 2.2(a)(vi)    Carbon Licenses and Permits

 

iii


Schedule 2.2(b)(viii)    Blackstone Retained Assets
Schedule 2.3(a)(ii)    Carbon Litigation
Schedule 2.3(a)(iv)    Carbon Liabilities
Schedule 2.3(b)(ii)    Blackstone Retained Liabilities
Schedule 2.3(b)(iii)    Carbon Reorganization Liabilities
Schedule 2.4(a)    Shared Contracts
Schedule 7.7(a)(i)    Released PJT Group Guarantees
Schedule 7.7(a)(ii)    Released Blackstone Group Guarantees
Schedule 7.10    Build-Out Costs
Schedule 11.5    Carbon Reorganization and Separation Expenses
List of Exhibits   
Exhibit A    PJT HoldCo Certificate of Incorporation
Exhibit B    PJT HoldCo Bylaws
Exhibit C    Second A&R PJT LP Agreement
Exhibit D    Employee Matters Agreement
Exhibit E    Exchange Agreement
Exhibit F    Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit G    Plan of Carbon Reorganization
Exhibit H    Tax Matters Agreement
Exhibit I    Tax Receivables Agreement
Exhibit J    Transition Services Agreement

 

iv


SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among (i) The Blackstone Group L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“BX”), (ii) Blackstone Holdings I L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Blackstone Holdings” and together with BX, collectively, the “Blackstone Parties”), (iii) New Advisory GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Blackstone Holdings (“Original PJT GP”), (iv) PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PJT HoldCo”), and (v) PJT Partners Holdings LP (“PJT LP”), a Delaware limited partnership wholly-owned by Blackstone Holdings and certain of its Affiliates (as limited partners) and Original PJT GP (as general partner). Each of BX, Blackstone Holdings, Original PJT GP, PJT HoldCo and PJT LP are sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively, as the “Parties”.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, BX, acting through its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, currently conducts a number of businesses, including the Carbon Business (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, the Parties are party to that certain Transaction Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2014 (as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Transaction Agreement”), among BX, Blackstone Holdings, Original PJT GP, PJT LP, PJTC, PJTM, the Founder and the other Seller Parties (as defined therein);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Blackstone Group Management L.L.C. (the “Board”), as general partner of BX, has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of BX and the BX Common Unitholders (as defined herein) to separate the Carbon Business from Blackstone (the “Separation”) and to divest the Carbon Business in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Agreement;

WHEREAS, in order to effect the Separation, the Board has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of BX and the BX Common Unitholders (i) to enter into a series of transactions whereby PJT LP, either directly or through one or more direct or indirect Subsidiaries, will, collectively, own all of the Carbon Assets and assume (or retain) all of the Carbon Liabilities and (ii) for BX to distribute to the BX Common Unitholders on a pro rata basis (without consideration being paid by such unitholders) all of the issued and outstanding PJT Class A Shares held by BX upon the consummation of the Carbon Reorganization (as defined herein);

WHEREAS, each of the Parties has determined that it is necessary and desirable, at or prior to the Distribution and with effect from the Effective Time (as defined herein), (i) to allocate and transfer to the applicable Party or its Subsidiaries those Assets, and to allocate and assign to the applicable Party or its Subsidiaries responsibility for those Liabilities, in respect of the activities of the applicable Businesses of such entities, (ii) to consummate the Carbon Reorganization (as defined herein) and (iii) to allocate, transfer and/or assign, as applicable, to the applicable Party or its Subsidiaries those Assets and Liabilities in respect of other current and former businesses and activities of BX and its current and former Subsidiaries, in each case in accordance with this Agreement;


WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Parties that (i) the contributions of certain assets and liabilities relating to the Carbon Business to Big SpinCo and Little SpinCo by the applicable Distributing Corporation qualify as reorganizations within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and that no gain or loss be recognized under Section 361 of the Code with respect to such contributions, (ii) the Big Spin and the Little Spin qualify as tax-free distributions under Sections 355 and 361 of the Code and that no gain or loss be recognized under Section 355 of the Code with respect to such distributions and (iii) the Merger qualifies as a reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to set forth the principal arrangements among them regarding the foregoing transactions and to make certain covenants and agreements specified herein in connection therewith and to prescribe certain conditions relating thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1. General. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Acquirer Regulatory Approvals” shall have the meaning set forth in the Transaction Agreement.

Action” shall mean any action, cause of action, arbitration, assessment, hearing, claim, demand, suit, proceeding, citation, summons, subpoena, examination, audit, review, inquiry or investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, regulatory or otherwise, in law or in equity, by or before any Governmental Authority.

Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person at any point in time or during any period (including any future time or period), any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such first Person as of such time or during such period; provided, however, that no Blackstone Fund or any portfolio company or investment of any such Blackstone Funds or any special purpose entity formed to acquire or hold any such portfolio company or investment, regardless of whether any such Blackstone Fund, portfolio company, investment or special purpose entity is consolidated with BX for purposes of financial reporting shall be an Affiliate of any member of the Blackstone Group for any purpose under this Agreement. The term “control” (including its correlative meanings “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or other ownership interests, by contract, or otherwise).

 

2


It is expressly agreed that no Party or member of any Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of another Party or member of such other Party’s Group by reason of having one or more directors in common.

Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Agreement Disputes” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(a).

Allowance” shall mean the landlord reimbursement obligations relating to the Build-Out Costs pursuant to the leases (and any amendments relating thereto) for the Carbon Offices included as numbers 1 and 6 on Schedule 1.1(D), which landlord reimbursement obligations include (i) the “Tenant Fund” (as such term is defined in the applicable lease, or amendment thereto, for the Carbon Office located at 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY) and (ii) the “Landlord’s Relocation Contribution” and the “Landlord’s Expansion Contribution” (as each term is defined in the applicable lease, or amendment thereto, for the Carbon Office located at 101 California Street, San Francisco, CA).

Ancillary Agreements” shall mean all of the written Contracts, instruments, assignments, licenses, guarantees, indemnities or other arrangements (other than this Agreement) entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Transaction Agreement, including the Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments, the Exchange Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and the Omnibus Reorganization Agreement.

Applicable Law” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any Law (including those of FINRA or any other self-regulatory organization) or any agreement with any Governmental Authority applicable to and legally binding on such Person or to which any of such Person’s properties or other assets is subject, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise.

Assets” shall mean assets, properties, claims and rights (including goodwill), and the right to retain all monies, proceeds and recoveries therefrom, wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other third parties or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the Records or financial statements of any Person, including the following:

(i) all accounting and other legal and business books, records, ledgers and files whether printed, electronic or written;

(ii) all apparatuses, fixtures, machinery, equipment, furniture, office equipment, IT Assets and other tangible personal property;

(iii) all interests in and rights with respect to real property of whatever nature, including easements, whether as owner, mortgagee or holder of a Security Interest in real property, lessor, sublessor, lessee, sublessee or otherwise;

 

3


(iv) all interests in any capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary or any other Person, all bonds, notes, debentures or other securities issued by any Subsidiary or any other Person, all loans, advances or other extensions of credit or capital contributions to any Subsidiary or any other Person and all other investments in securities of any Person;

(v) all licenses, Contracts, leases of personal property and other Contracts or commitments;

(vi) all deposits, letters of credit and performance and surety bonds;

(vii) all Information;

(viii) all Intellectual Property and all physical or tangible items embodying or incorporating same (including source code, documentation, and website and social media content);

(ix) all prepaid expenses, trade accounts and other accounts and notes receivables;

(x) all rights under Contracts, all claims or rights against any Person, causes in action or similar rights, whether accrued or contingent;

(xi) all rights under insurance policies and all rights in the nature of insurance, indemnification or contribution;

(xii) all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations which have been issued by any Governmental Authority;

(xiii) all cash or cash equivalents, bank accounts, lock boxes and other third-party deposit arrangements; and

(xiv) all interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap or other hedging or similar Contracts or arrangements.

Assume” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a); and the terms “Assumed” and “Assumption” shall have their correlative meanings.

BAP” shall mean Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

BAP Engagement Letters” shall mean any engagement letter, indemnification letter or similar letter entered into with a client or prospective client by BAP, The Blackstone Group International Partners LLP, The Blackstone Group Spain S.L.U. or The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited which relates exclusively or primarily to the Carbon Business, including those set forth on Schedule 1.1(A) (as such schedule may be updated from time to time until the Closing).

Big Spin” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

4


Big SpinCo” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Blackstone” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Blackstone Funds” shall mean, collectively, any investment vehicle (whether open-ended or closed-ended), including an investment fund or company, a general or limited partnership, a trust, a company or other business entity organized in any jurisdiction, that is (i) sponsored or promoted by any of the Blackstone Parties or their Affiliates, (ii) for which any of the Blackstone Parties or their Affiliates acts as a general partner or managing member (or in a similar capacity) or (iii) for which any of the Blackstone Parties or their Affiliates acts as an investment adviser or investment manager.

Blackstone Group” shall mean BX and each Person (other than any member of the PJT Group) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of BX as of the date hereof, and each Business Entity that is formed as or otherwise becomes a Subsidiary of Blackstone after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, which shall include BAP.

Blackstone Holdings” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Blackstone Indemnitees” shall mean BX, each member of the Blackstone Group, each of their respective current and former directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing, and each Person who controls any member of the Blackstone Group within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except, in each case, the PJT Indemnitees.

Blackstone Marks” all Trademarks containing “BLACKSTONE”, “BX”, “BAP”, “BLACKSTONE ADVISORY PARTNERS”, “GSO” or “IRBD”, including, in each case, any abbreviation or derivative thereof.

Blackstone Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

“Blackstone Retained Assets” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Blackstone Retained Business” shall mean all businesses (other than the Carbon Business) operated by any member of the Blackstone Group, including: (i) Blackstone’s capital markets and related capital markets services business, Blackstone’s private wealth unit and businesses and activities related to the funds of Blackstone and its Affiliates, including “IRBD” and “GSO”, (ii) (w) the Private Equity segment of BX, (x) the Real Estate segment of BX, (y) the Hedge Fund Solutions segment of BX and (z) the Credit segment of BX, in each of clauses (w) through (z), as described in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K of BX filed with the Commission, (iii) any other business conducted exclusively or primarily through the use of the Blackstone Retained Assets prior to the Distribution, (iv) Blackstone’s ownership of equity in Pátria Investments limited and Pátria Investimentos Ltda., and (v) the businesses and operations of Business Entities acquired or established by or for Blackstone or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the operation of the Blackstone Retained Business after the date of this Agreement.

 

5


Blackstone Retained Contracts” shall mean the following Contracts (or parts thereof) to which BX or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Assets is bound, whether or not in writing, except for any such Contract (or part thereof) that is expressly contemplated to be Transferred, or to remain with, a member of the PJT Group pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement:

(i) any Contract that exclusively or primarily relates to the Blackstone Retained Business;

(ii) any Contract (or part thereof), that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 2.4) or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to or retained by any member of the Blackstone Group; and

(iii) any Contract set forth on Schedule 1.1(B).

Blackstone Retained Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(b).

Blackstone Retained Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

Build-Out Costs” shall mean the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection with (a) fixed assets necessary for occupancy of the Carbon Offices including leasehold improvements (e.g., partitions, doors, ceiling and carpet), furniture (fixed and loose) and signage, (b) the outfitting of the Carbon Offices with office equipment (e.g., printers, copiers and supplemental cooling equipment), computer hardware (including personal computers and racks for the technology room) and communications equipment, (c) one-time upfront implementation of software systems and (d) the items set forth on Schedule 7.10, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), solely to the extent incurred or otherwise in respect of work completed prior to the Closing Date, or, if not completed prior to the Closing Date, contracted for prior to the Closing Date and expected to be completed prior to December 31, 2015 (it being agreed that the PJT Group will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such completion to occur as promptly as practicable following the Closing Date).

Board” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Business” shall mean the Blackstone Retained Business or the Carbon Business, as applicable.

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a day on which banks in New York City are required or authorized by Law to close.

Business Entity” shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity which may legally hold title to Assets.

BX” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

6


BX Common Units” shall mean the issued and outstanding common units representing limited partner interests of BX.

BX Common Unitholders” shall mean holders of BX Common Units.

“Carbon Assets” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

Carbon Business” shall mean the BX businesses (conducted through certain of its Subsidiaries) of (i) providing financial and strategic advisory services (which does not include, for the avoidance of doubt, BX’s capital markets and related capital markets services business, BX’s private wealth unit and wealth management services business, and businesses and activities related to the funds of BX and its Affiliates, including those that are designated by BX as “IRBD” or “GSO”), (ii) restructuring and reorganization advisory services and (iii) fund placement services (conducted through the Park Hill Group).

Carbon Contracts” shall mean the following Contracts (or parts thereof, subject to Section 2.4) to which BX or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Assets is bound, whether or not in writing, except for any such Contract (or part thereof) that is expressly contemplated to be Transferred to, or to remain with, a member of the Blackstone Group, pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement:

(i) any Contract that relates exclusively or, subject to Section 2.4, primarily to the Carbon Business (or the Combined Business to the extent owned by the PJT Group);

(ii) any BAP Engagement Letter;

(iii) any Contract (or part thereof), that is otherwise expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to Section 2.4) or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to any member of the PJT Group; and

(iv) any Contract set forth on Schedule 1.1(C).

Carbon Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

Carbon Offices” shall mean the offices of the PJT Group located at the locations set forth on Schedule 1.1(D).

Carbon Reorganization” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

Carbon Target Cash Balance” shall mean an amount equal to $25,000,000; provided, however, that in the event the Effective Time AR is less than $145,000,000, the Carbon Target Cash Balance shall mean an amount equal to $25,000,000 plus the amount by which the Effective Time AR is less than $145,000,000.

Closing” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Transaction Agreement.

 

7


Closing Date” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Transaction Agreement.

Code” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Combined Business” shall mean the Carbon Business and the PJT Business as operated during the Interim Period.

Commission” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Confidential Information” shall mean all non-public, confidential or proprietary Information (x) concerning a Party and/or its Subsidiaries or their past, current or future affairs, activities, strategies, Businesses or operations, (y) of a Party’s and/or its Subsidiaries’ former, existing or prospective clients or (z) that was provided to a Party by a third party in confidence, except for any Information that (i) is publicly available through no fault of the receiving Party or its Subsidiaries, (ii) is lawfully acquired by such Party or its Subsidiaries from other sources, (iii) is independently developed by the receiving Party, (iv) must be disclosed for a Party to enforce its rights under this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, provided that the receiving Party promptly notifies the disclosing Party of any such requirement and discloses no more Information than is so required or (v) is required to be disclosed pursuant to Applicable Law (including in connection with financial statements or Tax Returns), stock exchange rule, subpoena or legal process, provided that the receiving Party promptly notifies the disclosing Party of any such requirement, discloses no more Information than is so required and cooperates at the disclosing Party’s expense in any attempt to obtain a protective order or similar treatment.

Consents” shall mean any consents, waivers or approvals from, or notification requirements to, any Person other than a Governmental Authority.

Contract” shall mean any agreement, contract, subcontract, obligation, binding understanding, note, indenture, instrument, option, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, license, sublicense, insurance policy, benefit plan, purchase order or legally binding commitment or undertaking of any nature (whether written or oral and whether express or implied).

Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments” shall mean, collectively, the various Contracts and other documents entered into to effect the Transfer of Assets and the Assumption of Liabilities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements as each may be amended or modified from time to time, or otherwise relating to, arising out of or resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any IP Assignments, in such form or forms as are consistent with the requirements of Section 2.7 and are agreed by the Founder and Blackstone, acting reasonably.

CPR Rules” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(a).

 

8


Default Interest Rate” shall mean a rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points calculated on the basis of a year of three-hundred sixty (360) days.

Distributing Corporation” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Distribution” shall mean the distribution (immediately following the Closing and the consummation of the Carbon Reorganization) on the Closing Date to holders of record of BX Common Units as of the Distribution Record Date of the PJT Class A Shares owned by BX.

Distribution Agent” shall mean the distribution agent selected by Blackstone in connection with the Distribution.

Distribution Record Date” shall mean such date and time as may be determined by the Board as the record date for the Distribution, in accordance with Applicable Law.

Effective Time” shall mean 12:01 a.m., Eastern Time on the Closing Date.

“Effective Time AR” shall mean the total amount of accounts receivable included in the Carbon Assets at the Effective Time.

Employee Matters Agreement” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement by and among certain members of the Blackstone Group and certain members of the PJT Group, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time that reference is made thereto.

Exchange Agreement” shall mean the Exchange Agreement by and among PJT LP and its limited partners, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Force Majeure” shall mean, with respect to a Party, an event beyond the control of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which by its nature could not have been foreseen by such Party (or such Person), or, if it could have been foreseen, was unavoidable, and includes acts of God, storms, floods, riots, labor unrest, pandemics, nuclear incidents, fires, sabotage, civil commotion or civil unrest, interference by civil or military authorities, acts of war (declared or undeclared) or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity or one or more acts of terrorism or failure of energy sources or distribution facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receipt by a Party of a hostile takeover offer, even if unforeseen or unavoidable, and such Party’s response thereto shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.

Founder” shall mean Mr. Paul J. Taubman.

 

9


Framework Agreement” shall mean the agreement dated as of October 9, 2014 by and among BX, Blackstone Holdings, Original PJT GP, PJT LP, PJTC, PJTM and the Founder.

GAAP” shall mean the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Governmental Authority” means any U.S., foreign, federal, national, state or local government or political subdivision thereof, any entity, agency, authority or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any court, tribunal or arbitrator, and any self-regulatory organization.

Group” shall mean the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group, as applicable.

Guarantee Release” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.7(b).

ICC Rules” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(a).

Income Taxes” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Indemnifiable Loss” and “Indemnifiable Losses” shall mean any and all damages, losses, deficiencies, Liabilities, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, fines, interest, costs and expenses (including the costs and expenses of any and all Actions and demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and the reasonable costs and expenses of attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder), excluding special, consequential, indirect and punitive damages (other than special, consequential, indirect and/or punitive damages awarded to any third party against an Indemnitee) and Taxes and any other amounts payable pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement.

Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(b).

Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(b).

Information” shall mean information, content and data in written, oral, electronic, computerized, digital, social, mobile or other tangible or intangible media, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, lists, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, marketing plans, customer names, information and content collected by websites and social media pages and venues, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), communications and other materials otherwise related to or made or prepared in connection with or in preparation for any legal proceeding, and other technical, research, financial, employee or business information or data, documents, analyses, correspondence, materials, product literature, files, policies, procedures and manuals including any prepared by consultants and other third parties.

 

10


Insurance Proceeds” shall mean those monies actually received by an insured from an insurance carrier, net of (i) any costs or expenses incurred by, or on behalf of, an insured in pursuing or obtaining such monies and (ii) any resulting increase to premiums (including future premiums) or deductibles in respect of the insurance coverage pursuant to which such monies were received.

Intellectual Property” shall mean U.S. and foreign intellectual property, including (i) patents and patent applications, together with all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, extensions and reexaminations thereof; (ii) copyrights and copyrightable works (including software, code, applications, databases, website content, documentation and related items in any and all forms and media), and registrations and applications to register or renew the registration of any of the foregoing; (iii) trade secrets and confidential or proprietary information including know-how, inventions, discoveries and improvements; and (iv) Trademarks.

Interim Period” shall mean the period beginning on (and including) January 1, 2015 up to (and including) the last day prior to the Closing Date.

IP Assignments” shall mean the trademark assignments, copyright assignments and domain name assignments to be entered into to effect the Transfer of Assets and the Assumption of Liabilities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.

“IT Assets” shall mean computer hardware and other electronic data processing, information technology and communications equipment, systems and infrastructure (including Software but excluding personal computers and mobile devices).

Knowledge of the Blackstone Parties” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term “Knowledge of Acquirer” in the Transaction Agreement.

Law” shall mean any domestic or foreign, federal, state or local statute, law, ordinance, rule, administrative code, administrative interpretation, regulation, order, writ, injunction, directive, judgment, decree, policy, ordinance, decision, guideline or other requirement of any Governmental Authority.

Liabilities” shall mean any and all debts, liabilities, costs, expenses, interest and obligations, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, reserved or unreserved, determined or determinable, and including those arising under any Law, claim, demand, Action, whether asserted or unasserted, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority and those arising under any Contract or any fines, damages or equitable relief which may be imposed and including all costs and expenses related thereto regardless of (i) when or where they arose or arise, (ii) whether the facts upon which they are based occurred prior to, on or subsequent to the Effective Time or (iii) where or against whom they are asserted or determined.

Liable Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

LIBOR” shall mean during any period, an interest rate per annum equal to the one-year LIBOR reported, on the date two days prior to the first day of such period, on the

 

11


Telerate Page 3750 (or if such screen shall cease to be publicly available, as reported on Reuters Screen page “LIBOR01” or by any other publicly available source of such market rate) for London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits for such period.

Little Spin” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Little SpinCo” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Merger” shall mean the merger of Little SpinCo with and into PJT HoldCo, with PJT HoldCo surviving.

NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Omnibus Reorganization Agreement” shall mean an Omnibus Reorganization Agreement to be entered into by certain members of the Blackstone Group and the PJT Group to effect the Carbon Reorganization, in such form as is agreed by the Founder and Blackstone, acting reasonably.

Original PJT GP” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Other Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

Park Hill Group” shall mean PHG, PHG CP and each Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of PHG at the Effective Time.

Park Hill Marks” all Trademarks containing “PARK HILL” or any abbreviation or derivative thereof.

Party” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, company, partnership (limited or general), limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

PHG” shall mean PHG Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

PHG CP” shall mean PHG CP Inc., a Delaware corporation.

PJT Class A Shares” shall mean the shares of Class A common stock of PJT HoldCo, par value $0.01 per share.

PJT Entities” shall mean PJTM, PJTC and any of their respective Subsidiaries.

PJT HoldCo” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

PJT HoldCo Bylaws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

PJT HoldCo Certificate of Incorporation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

12


PJT HoldCo Registration Statement” shall mean that certain registration statement on Form 10 or other appropriate form to be filed by PJT HoldCo with the Commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

PJT Indemnitees” shall mean PJT HoldCo and each of its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Time and their respective current and former directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.

PJTC” shall mean PJT Capital LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

PJT Business” shall mean the business and operations of the PJT Entities.

PJT Group” shall mean PJT HoldCo, PJT LP, the PJT Entities, the Park Hill Group and each other Person that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of PJT LP immediately after the Effective Time, and each Person that becomes a direct or indirect Subsidiary of PJT LP after the Effective Time.

PJT LP” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

PJT Revolver” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(b).

PJTM” shall mean PJT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of PJTC.

Records” shall mean copies of any Contracts, data, documents, books, records or files (including e-mails).

Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement by and among PJT LP and its limited partners, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F.

Representatives” shall mean for any Person, the officers, directors, employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors, consultants, agents (including any placement agents), any associated person and other representatives of such person.

Restricted Business Lines” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(b)(ii).

Second A&R PJT LP Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time that reference is made thereto.

Security Interest” shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, right of first refusal, deed of trust, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, servitude, encroachment, permit restriction, restriction on transfer, restrictions or limitations on use of real personal property or any other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, excluding, however, restrictions on transfer under securities Laws.

 

13


Seller Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the Transaction Agreement.

Separation” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Shared Contract” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Shared Information” shall mean all Information used in both the Carbon Business and the Blackstone Retained Business.

Software” shall mean all computer programs (whether in source code, object code, or other form), algorithms, databases, compilations and data, and technology supporting the foregoing, and all documentation, including flowcharts and other logic and design diagrams, technical, functional and other specifications, and user and training materials and other tangible embodiments related to any of the foregoing. For clarity, the above shall not include any Intellectual Property incorporated in such items.

Solvency Opinion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b).

“Specified Action” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii).

Subsidiary” shall mean with respect to any Person (i) a corporation, fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting or capital stock of which is, as of the time in question, directly or indirectly owned by such Person and (ii) any other partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity in which such Person, directly or indirectly, owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity economic interest thereof or has the power to elect or direct the election of fifty percent (50%) or more of the members of the governing body of such entity or otherwise has control over such entity (e.g., as the general partner of a partnership, managing or sole member of a limited liability company or in a similar capacity), but shall not mean any Blackstone Funds or any portfolio company or investment of such Blackstone Funds or any special purpose entity formed to acquire or hold any such portfolio company or investment, regardless of whether any such Blackstone Fund, portfolio company, investment or special purpose entity is consolidated with BX for purposes of financial reporting.

Target” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(b)(ii).

Tax” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Tax Benefits” shall mean, with respect to an Indemnifiable Loss, Tax benefits actually realized in cash (or as a reduction in cash Taxes otherwise payable) by an Indemnitee that is a member of a Group (or any other member of its Group) in connection with such Indemnifiable Loss. The determination of whether there has been a Tax Benefit and the amount thereof shall be made in the reasonable discretion of the Indemnitee (exercised in good faith).

 

14


Tax Contest” shall have the meaning of the definition of “Proceeding” as set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Tax Matters Agreement” shall mean the Tax Matters Agreement by and among BX, Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., a Delaware corporation, PJT HoldCo, PJT LP, StoneCo IV Corporation, a Delaware corporation, PJTC, PJTM, and the Seller Parties, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H.

Tax Receivable Agreement” shall mean the Tax Receivable Agreement by and among PJT HoldCo, PJT LP and each of the other parties thereto, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I.

Tax Return” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Third Party Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(b).

Third Party Proceeds” shall mean, with respect to an Indemnifiable Loss, proceeds actually received by an Indemnitee from any third party for indemnification for such Indemnifiable Loss that actually reduce the amount of the Indemnifiable Loss, net of any costs or expenses incurred by, or on behalf of, the Indemnitee in pursuing or obtaining such proceeds.

Trademarks” shall mean all U.S. and foreign trademarks, service marks, corporate names, trade names, domain names, social media identifiers, logos, slogans, designs, trade dress and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing.

Transaction Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Transfer” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a); and the term “Transferred” shall have its correlative meaning.

Transition Services Agreement” shall mean the Transition Services Agreement by and between Blackstone Holdings and PJT LP, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J.

Section 1.2. References; Interpretation. References in this Agreement to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “include”, “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase does not simply mean “if”. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “hereof”, “hereby” and “herein” and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or

 

15


provision of this Agreement. All accounting terms shall have their respective meanings under GAAP. All references to any period of days shall be to the relevant number of calendar days unless otherwise specified. All references to dollars or $ shall be references to United States dollars.

ARTICLE II

THE SEPARATION

Section 2.1. General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Transaction Agreement, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Separation and the Distribution to occur as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby, including using its reasonable best efforts to obtain all consents, permits, authorizations and approvals of, and to make all filings, notifications or registrations with, all Governmental Authorities and other Persons and to execute and deliver, and to cause their respective Group members to execute and deliver such instruments of transfer, in each case, which are necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements; provided that, subject to the requirements of Section 6.4 of the Transaction Agreement in respect of the obligations of the Parties to obtain the Acquirer Regulatory Approvals under the Transaction Agreement, no Party shall be required to make any payment (except to the extent advanced, Assumed or agreed in advance to be reimbursed by any member of the other Group) other than for fees and disbursements of outside counsel and any other advisors, commit to any third party on behalf of itself or any member of its Group to assume any material obligations or offer or grant any material concession to obtain any such consent, permit, authorization or approval; and provided further, that neither Party shall be obligated to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby prior to September 30, 2015. This Agreement supersedes and replaces the Framework Agreement.

Section 2.2. Transfer of Assets; Blackstone Retained Assets. At or prior to the Distribution and with effect from the Effective Time and to the extent not already completed (but subject to Section 2.6, pursuant to which some of such Transfers may occur following the Effective Time in accordance with such Section 2.6), pursuant to the Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments and/or the Omnibus Reorganization Agreement:

(a) BX shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to, transfer, contribute, assign and convey or cause to be transferred, contributed, assigned and conveyed (“Transfer”) to PJT LP or one or more of its Subsidiaries, effective no later than the Effective Time, all of its and its Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to the following Assets (the “Carbon Assets”):

(i) 100% of the equity interests in the Park Hill Group and all rights of any member of the Blackstone Group in the Park Hill Marks;

(ii) the assets of BAP that are exclusively or primarily used, or held for exclusive or primary use, in (x) the financial and strategic advisory services conducted by BAP and/or (y) the restructuring and reorganization advisory services conducted by BAP;

 

16


(iii) cash and cash equivalents in an amount equal to the Carbon Target Cash Balance;

(iv) all Carbon Contracts, any rights or claims arising thereunder, and any other rights or claims or contingent rights or claims primarily relating to or arising from any Carbon Asset or the Carbon Business (or the Combined Business to the extent owned by the PJT Group);

(v) the Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(a)(v) and any and all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets which have been or are to be Transferred to PJT LP or any other member of the PJT Group, including any Assets Transferred or to be Transferred to a member of the PJT Group pursuant to any Conveyancing and Assumption Instrument;

(vi) the licenses and permits issued or granted by any Governmental Authority to BX or any of its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 2.2(a)(vi).

(vii) (A) sole ownership of all Information, including all originals and copies thereof (subject to Section 8.5(b)), used exclusively in the Carbon Business (or the Combined Business to the extent owned by the PJT Group) and (B) co-ownership and the right to retain copies of all Shared Information;

(viii) any and all furnishings and office equipment located at a physical site to the extent the ownership or leasehold interest with respect to such physical site is being Transferred to PJT LP or any other member of the PJT Group; provided, that personal computers (including mobile devices) shall be Transferred to PJT LP or any other member of the PJT Group only if, following the Effective Time, a member of the PJT Group employs the applicable employee who, prior to the Effective Time, used such personal computer or mobile device; and

(ix) except as expressly set forth herein, any and all Assets otherwise owned or held immediately prior to the Effective Time by any member of the Blackstone Group that are exclusively or primarily used, or held for exclusive or primary use, in the Carbon Business (or the Combined Business to the extent owned by the PJT Group).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Carbon Assets shall not include any Assets expressly contemplated by this Agreement to be Blackstone Retained Assets.

In the event of any inconsistency or conflict that may arise in the application or interpretation of this definition or the definition of “Blackstone Retained Assets”, for purposes of determining what is and is not a Carbon Asset the explicit inclusion of an item on a Schedule referred to in this definition shall take priority over any textual provision of this definition or the definition of “Blackstone Retained Assets” that would otherwise operate to exclude such Asset from the definition of “Carbon Assets”.

(b) PJT HoldCo shall, and shall cause the other members of the PJT Group, as applicable, to, Transfer, effective no later than the Effective Time, to BX or another member of the Blackstone Group, as directed by BX, all of its and its Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to all assets owned, held or used by BX and any of its Affiliates not included as a Carbon Asset (the “Blackstone Retained Assets”), including:

(i) any and all Assets owned or held immediately prior to the Effective Time by any member of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group that exclusively or primarily relate to, or are held for exclusive or primary use in, the Blackstone Retained Business;

 

17


(ii) the ownership interests in those Business Entities that are included in the definition of Blackstone Group, including BAP;

(iii) any Blackstone Retained Contract, any rights or claims arising thereunder, and any other rights or claims or contingent rights or claims exclusively or primarily relating to or arising from any Blackstone Retained Asset or the Blackstone Retained Business;

(iv) any license or permit issued or granted by any Governmental Authority to BX or any of its Subsidiaries other than those listed on Schedule 2.2(a)(vi).

(v) all cash and cash equivalents of BX and its Subsidiaries in excess of the Carbon Target Cash Balance;

(vi) the Blackstone Marks;

(vii) (A) sole ownership of all Information, including all originals and copies thereof (subject to Section 8.5(b)), used exclusively in the Blackstone Retained Business and (B) co-ownership and the right to retain copies of all Shared Information;

(viii) the Assets set forth on Schedule 2.2(b)(viii) and any and all Assets that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Assets that have been or that are to be Transferred to or retained by BX or any other member of the Blackstone Group; and

(ix) any and all furnishings and office equipment located at a physical site to the extent the ownership or leasehold interest with respect to such physical site is being Transferred to or retained by BX or any other member of the Blackstone Group; provided, that personal computers shall be Transferred to or retained by such member of the Blackstone Group if, following the Effective Time, a member of the Blackstone Group employs the applicable employee who, prior to the Effective Time, used such personal computer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Blackstone Retained Assets shall not include any Assets expressly contemplated by this Agreement to be Carbon Assets.

In the event of any inconsistency or conflict that may arise in the application or interpretation of this definition or the definition of “Carbon Assets”, for purposes of determining what is and is not a Blackstone Retained Asset the explicit inclusion of an item on a Schedule referred to in this definition shall take priority over any textual provision of this definition or the definition of “Carbon Assets” that would otherwise operate to exclude such Asset from the definition of “Blackstone Retained Assets”.

 

18


Section 2.3. Assumption and Satisfaction of Liabilities.

(a) Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, from and after the Effective Time, PJT LP shall, or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries to, accept, assume (or, as applicable, retain) and perform, discharge and fulfill, in accordance with their respective terms (“Assume”) the following specifically identified Liabilities (collectively, the “Carbon Liabilities”), regardless of (A) when or where such Liabilities arose or arise, (B) whether the facts upon which they are based occurred prior to, on or subsequent to the Effective Time or (C) where or against whom such Liabilities are asserted or determined:

(i) any and all Liabilities to the extent exclusively or primarily relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Carbon Business, the Combined Business or the ownership of Carbon Assets;

(ii) all Liabilities in respect of those Actions set forth on Schedule 2.3(a)(ii) and, to the extent not, to the Knowledge of the Blackstone Parties, pending or threatened as of the date hereof, any other Action exclusively or primarily relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Carbon Business, the Combined Business or the ownership of the Carbon Assets (each, a “Specified Action” and collectively, the “Specified Actions”);

(iii) any and all Liabilities that are contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or Assumed by any member of the PJT Group, including any Liability arising out of any Carbon Contract;

(iv) the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(a)(iv);

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Carbon Liabilities shall not include (x) any Liabilities expressly contemplated by this Agreement to be Blackstone Retained Liabilities or (y) any Liabilities expressly discharged pursuant to Section 2.5.

In the event of any inconsistency or conflict that may arise in the application or interpretation of this definition or the definition of “Blackstone Retained Liabilities”, for purposes of determining what is and is not a Carbon Liability the explicit inclusion of an item on a Schedule referred to in this definition shall take priority over any textual provision of this definition or the definition of “Blackstone Retained Liabilities” that would otherwise operate to exclude such Liability from the definition of “Carbon Liabilities”.

(b) Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, from and after the Effective Time, BX shall, or shall cause a member of the Blackstone Group to, Assume any and all Liabilities of BX or any of its Affiliates not included as a Carbon Liability (the “Blackstone Retained Liabilities”), regardless of (A) when or where such Liabilities arose or arise, (B) whether the facts upon which they are based occurred prior to, on or subsequent to the Effective Time or (C) where or against whom such Liabilities are asserted or determined, including:

(i) any and all Liabilities that are contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to be retained or Assumed by any member of the Blackstone Group, including any Liability arising out of any Blackstone Retained Contract;

 

19


(ii) any and all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(ii);

(iii) Liabilities of the types set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(iii) incurred in connection with the implementation of the Carbon Reorganization; and

(iv) any Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any indebtedness for borrowed money of BX or any of its Affiliates (other than the PJT Revolver or any indebtedness of any Partnership Entity existing as of the Closing).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Blackstone Retained Liabilities shall not include (x) any Liabilities expressly contemplated by this Agreement to be Carbon Liabilities or (y) any Liabilities expressly discharged pursuant to Section 2.5.

In the event of any inconsistency or conflict that may arise in the application or interpretation of this definition or the definition of “Carbon Liabilities”, for purposes of determining what is and is not a Blackstone Retained Liability the explicit inclusion of an item on a Schedule referred to in this definition shall take priority over any textual provision of this definition or the definition of “Carbon Liabilities” that would otherwise operate to exclude such Liability from the definition of “Blackstone Retained Liabilities”.

For the sake of clarity, no Liability shall be a Blackstone Retained Liability solely as a result of BX or any of its Affiliates being named as party to or in any Action due to such Person’s status as the remaining and legacy Business Entity, or as a result of its status as the direct or indirect equity owner of any Business Entity (unless such Business Entity is (A) a member of the Blackstone Group and (B) such Liability exclusively or primarily relates to the Blackstone Retained Business or is otherwise a Blackstone Retained Liability pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) above).

Section 2.4. Treatment of Shared Contracts. Without limiting the generality of the obligations set forth in Section 2.2:

(a) Any Contract that is listed on Schedule 2.4(a) (each, a “Shared Contract”) shall be assigned in part to the applicable member(s) of the applicable Group, if so assignable, or appropriately amended with effect from the Effective Time so that each of BX or PJT LP or the members of their respective Groups as of the Effective Time shall be entitled to the rights and benefits, and shall Assume the related portion of any Liabilities, inuring to their respective Businesses; provided, however, that (x) in no event shall any member of any Group be required to assign (or amend) any Shared Contract) which is not assignable (or cannot be amended) by its terms (including any terms imposing consents or conditions on an assignment where such consents or conditions have not been obtained or fulfilled, subject to Section 2.6(a)) and (y) if any Shared Contract cannot be so partially assigned by its terms or otherwise, or cannot be amended or if such assignment or amendment would impair the benefit the parties thereto derive from such Shared Contract, the Parties shall, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to, take such other reasonable and permissible actions to cause a member

 

20


of the PJT Group or the Blackstone Group, as the case may be, to receive the benefit of that portion of each Shared Contract that relates to the Carbon Business or the Blackstone Retained Business, as the case may be, as if such Shared Contract had been assigned to a member of the applicable Group pursuant to this Section 2.4 (or appropriately amended) and to bear the burden of the corresponding Liabilities (including any Liabilities that may arise by reason of such arrangement) as if such Liabilities had been Assumed by a member of the applicable Group pursuant to this Section 2.4.

(b) Each of BX and PJT HoldCo shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, (i) treat for all Income Tax purposes the portion of each Shared Contract inuring to its respective Businesses as Assets owned by, and/or Liabilities of, as applicable, such Group as of the Effective Time and (ii) neither report nor take any Income Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by applicable Tax Law or good faith resolution of a Tax Contest relating to Income Taxes).

(c) No member of either Group will amend, renew, extend or otherwise modify any Shared Contract without the consent of the applicable member of the other Group to the extent such amendment, renewal, extension or modification would adversely affect or impose any obligations on any member of such other Group.

Section 2.5. Intercompany Accounts.

(a) Prior to or at the Distribution and with effect from the Effective Time, except as set forth in Section 7.1(b) or as otherwise specifically provided for under this Agreement, all intercompany receivables, payables and loans between any member of the Blackstone Group, on the one hand, and any member of the PJT Group, on the other hand, which exist as of the Effective Time shall be satisfied and/or settled or otherwise cancelled and terminated or extinguished (in each case with no further liability or obligation).

(b) As between any two Parties (and the members of their respective Group) all payments and reimbursements received after the Effective Time by any Party (or member of its Group) that relate to a Business, Asset or Liability of another Party (or member of its Group), shall be held by such Party in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (provided that the Party entitled thereto shall reimburse the Party holding such payment or reimbursement in trust for all out-of-pocket expenses related thereto other than for fees and disbursements of outside counsel and any other advisors) and, promptly upon receipt by such Party of any such payment or reimbursement, such Party shall pay or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to pay over to the Party entitled thereto the amount of such payment or reimbursement without right of set-off.

Section 2.6. Transfers Not Effected At or Prior to the Effective Time; Transfers Deemed Effective as of the Effective Time.

(a) The Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts prior to the Distribution to obtain, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date hereof, the Consents required to Transfer, with effect from the Effective Time, any Assets, Contracts, licenses, permits and authorizations issued by any Governmental Authority or parts thereof as contemplated by this

 

21


Agreement, provided that (x) no Party shall be required to, or shall be required to cause any member of its Group to, make any payments other than for fees and disbursements of outside counsel and any other advisors, commit to any third party on behalf of itself or any member of its Group to assume any material obligations or offer or grant any material concession to obtain any such Consents. For the avoidance of doubt, the required efforts and responsibilities of the Parties to seek the Acquirer Regulatory Approvals shall be governed by Section 6.4 of the Transaction Agreement.

(b) To the extent that any Transfers or Assumptions contemplated by this Article II shall not have been consummated at or prior to the Distribution with effect from the Effective Time, the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to effect such Transfers or Assumptions as promptly following the Distribution as shall be practicable. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Transfer of any Assets or the Assumption of any Liabilities which by their terms or operation of Law cannot be Transferred or Assumed; provided, however, that the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries shall cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to seek to obtain, in accordance with Applicable Law, any necessary Consents or Governmental Approvals for the Transfer of all Assets and Assumption of all Liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law contemplated to be Transferred and Assumed pursuant to this Article II. In the event that any such Transfer of Assets or Assumption of Liabilities has not been consummated, from and after the Effective Time (i) the Party retaining such Asset shall, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to, thereafter hold such Asset for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (provided that the Party entitled thereto shall reimburse the Party retaining such Asset for all out-of-pocket expenses related to such retention other than for fees and disbursements of outside counsel and any other advisors) and (ii) the Party intended to Assume such Liability shall, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to, pay or reimburse the Party or its applicable Group member retaining such Liability for all amounts paid or incurred in connection with the retention of such Liability. In addition, the Party or its applicable Group member retaining such Asset or Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, treat such Asset or Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the Party to which such Asset is to be Transferred or by the Party intended to Assume such Liability in order to place such Party, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as if such Asset or Liability had been Transferred or Assumed as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Asset or Liability, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Asset or Liability, are to inure from and after the Effective Time to the member or members of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group entitled to the receipt of such Asset or required to Assume such Liability. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties agree that, as of the Effective Time, each Party shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership over all of the Assets, together with all rights, powers and privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have Assumed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, which such Party is entitled to acquire or required to Assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(c) If and when the Consents, Governmental Approvals and/or conditions, the absence or non-satisfaction of which caused the deferral of Transfer of any Asset or deferral of the Assumption of any Liability pursuant to Section 2.6(b), are obtained or satisfied, the

 

22


Transfer, assignment, Assumption or novation of the applicable Asset or Liability shall be effected in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

(d) The Party or applicable Group member retaining any Asset or Liability due to the deferral of the Transfer of such Asset or the deferral of the Assumption of such Liability pursuant to Section 2.6(b) shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to incur any out-of-pocket expenses unless the necessary funds are advanced, assumed, or agreed in advance to be reimbursed by the Party entitled to such Asset or the Party intended to be subject to such Liability, other than reasonable attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by the Party entitled to such Asset or the Party intended to be subject to such Liability.

(e) On and prior to the eighteen (18) month anniversary following the Effective Time, if any Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) owns any Asset, that, although not Transferred pursuant to this Agreement, is agreed by such Party and the other applicable Party in their good faith judgment to be an Asset that more properly belongs to the other Party or a Subsidiary of the other Party, or an Asset that such other Party or Subsidiary was intended to have the right to continue to use (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, as between any two Parties, for any Asset acquired from an unaffiliated third party by a Party or member of such Party’s Group following the Effective Time), then the Party or applicable Group member owning such Asset shall, as applicable (i) Transfer any such Asset to the Party identified as the appropriate transferee and following such Transfer, such Asset shall be a Carbon Asset or a Blackstone Retained Asset, as the case may be, or (ii) grant such mutually agreeable rights with respect to such Asset to permit such continued use, subject to, and consistent with this Agreement, including with respect to Assumption of associated Liabilities, in all events, subject to the relevant Parties’ agreement (I) as to the most cost efficient means of effecting such Transfer or grant of rights and (II) to share any incremental costs arising as a result of such Transfer or grant of rights; provided, that if the relevant Parties cannot agree on a means of effecting the Transfer or grant of rights within thirty (30) days from the date that all relevant Parties have notice of the discovery of such Asset, then the Asset shall be immediately Transferred or such rights shall be immediately granted in accordance with Sections 2.6(a) and 2.6(b).

(f) After the Effective Time, a Party (or any member of its Group) may receive mail, packages and other communications properly belonging to another Party (or any member of its Group). Accordingly, at all times after the Effective Time, each Party authorizes the other applicable Parties to receive and, if necessary to identify the proper recipient in accordance with this Section 2.6(f), open all mail, packages and other communications received by such Party that belongs to such other Party, and to the extent that they do not relate to the business of the receiving Party, the receiving Party shall promptly deliver such mail, packages or other communications (or, in case the same also relates to the business of the receiving Party or another Party, copies thereof) to such other Party as provided for in Section 10.6. The provisions of this Section 2.6(f) are not intended to, and shall not, be deemed to constitute an authorization by any Party to permit the other to accept service of process on its behalf and no Party is or shall be deemed to be the agent of any other Party for service of process purposes.

 

23


(g) In the event that, at any time from and after the Effective Time, any Party (or any member of its Group) discovers that it or one of the members of its Group is the owner of, receives or otherwise comes to possess or benefit from any Asset (including the receipt of payments made pursuant to Contracts and proceeds from accounts receivable with respect to such Asset) or is liable for any Liability that is otherwise allocated to any Person that is a member of the other Group pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (except in the case of any acquisition of Assets or assumption of Liabilities from the other Party for value subsequent to the Effective Time), such Party shall promptly Transfer, or cause to be Transferred, such Asset or Liability to the Person so entitled thereto (and the applicable Party shall cause such entitled Person to accept such Asset or Assume such Liability) for no further consideration. Prior to any such transfer, such Asset shall be held in accordance with the other provisions of this Section 2.6.

(h) With respect to Assets and Liabilities described in Section 2.6(b), each of BX and PJT HoldCo shall, and shall cause the members of its respective Group to, (i) treat for all Income Tax purposes (A) the deferred Assets as assets having been Transferred to and owned by the Party entitled to such Assets as of the Effective Time and (B) the deferred Liabilities as liabilities having been Assumed and owned by the Person intended to be subject to such Liabilities not later than the Effective Time and (ii) neither report nor take any Income Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by applicable Tax Law or good faith resolution of a Tax Contest relating to Income Taxes).

Section 2.7. Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments. In connection with, and in furtherance of, the Transfers of Assets and the acceptance and Assumptions of Liabilities contemplated by this Agreement, the Parties shall execute and deliver to each other or cause to be executed and delivered, on or after the date hereof by the appropriate entities to the extent not executed prior to the date hereof, any Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments necessary to evidence the valid and effective Assumption by the applicable Party of its Assumed Liabilities and the valid Transfer to the applicable Party or member of such Party’s Group of all right, title and interest in and to its Assets for Transfers and Assumptions to be effected pursuant to Delaware Law or the Laws of one of the other states of the United States or, if appropriate for a given Transfer or Assumption, pursuant to applicable non-U.S. Laws, in such form as the Parties shall reasonably agree, including, if applicable, the Transfer of real property with deeds as may be appropriate and in form and substance as may be required by the jurisdiction in which the real property is located. The Transfer of capital stock or other equity interests shall be effected by means of executed stock powers and/or notation on the stock record books of the corporation or other legal entities involved, as applicable, or by such other means as may be required in any non-U.S. jurisdiction to Transfer title to stock and, only to the extent required by Applicable Law, by notation on public registries. All Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments shall be prepared, executed and delivered in a manner agreed by the Founder, PJT LP and BX, in each case, acting reasonably. Except as agreed by the Founder, PJT LP and BX, in each case, acting reasonably, the Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments shall not contain any representations or warranties or indemnities, shall not conflict with this Agreement and, to the extent that any provision of a Conveyancing and Assumption Instrument conflicts with any provision of this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern and control.

 

24


Section 2.8. Further Assurances.

(a) In addition to and without limiting the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, including Section 2.6, each of the Parties shall cooperate with each other and use (and shall cause the members of its respective Group to use) reasonable best efforts, at and after the Distribution, to take, or to cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary on its part under Applicable Law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, at and after the Distribution, each Party shall cooperate with the other Parties, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party from and after the Effective Time, to execute and deliver, or use reasonable best efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of Transfer or title, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all Consents and/or Governmental Approvals, any permit, license, Contract, indenture or other instrument (including any Consents or Governmental Approvals), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by any other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, and the Transfers and recordings of the applicable Assets and the assignment and Assumption of the applicable Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party shall, at the reasonable request, cost and expense of the other Party, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other Party such title as possessed by the transferring Party to the Assets allocated to such other Party under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, free and clear of any Security Interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so.

Section 2.9. Novation of Liabilities.

(a) Each Party, at the request of another Party, shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, at or prior to the Distribution and with effect from the Effective Time or as soon as practicable thereafter, any Consent, Governmental Approval, substitution or amendment required to novate or assign to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law all obligations under Contracts and Liabilities for which a member of such Party’s Group and a member of another Party’s Group are jointly or severally liable and that do not constitute Liabilities of such other Party as provided in this Agreement (such other Party, the “Other Party”), or to obtain in writing the unconditional release of all parties to such arrangements (other than any member of the Group which Assumed or retained such Liability as set forth in this Agreement), so that, in any such case, the members of the applicable Group shall be solely responsible for such Liabilities.

(b) If the Parties are unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such Consent, Governmental Approval, release, substitution or amendment required to novate, fully assign or fully release any such obligations under Contracts or any Liabilities as set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2.9, (i) the Other Party shall nonetheless use reasonable best efforts to assign or release, including by executing any such assignment which does not release the Other Party from its obligations under such Contract or from such Liability, to the fullest extent

 

25


permitted and (ii) the Other Party or a member of such Other Party’s Group shall continue to be bound by such Contract that does not constitute a Liability of such Other Party and, unless not permitted by Law or the terms thereof, as agent or subcontractor for such Party, the Party or member of such Party’s Group who Assumed or retained such Liability as set forth in this Agreement (the “Liable Party”) shall, or shall cause a member of its Group to, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such Other Party or member of such Other Party’s Group thereunder from and after the Effective Time and otherwise take such action as may be reasonably requested by such Other Party so as to put such Other Party in the same position as if such Other Party were fully released from such Contract or Liability. The Other Party shall, without further consideration, promptly pay and remit, or cause to be promptly paid or remitted, to the Liable Party or, at the direction of the Liable Party, to another member of the Liable Party’s Group, all money, rights and other consideration received by it or any member of its Group in respect of such performance by the Liable Party (unless any such consideration is an Asset of such Other Party pursuant to this Agreement). If and when any such Consent, Governmental Approval, release, substitution or amendment shall be obtained or such agreement, lease, license or other rights or obligations shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, the Other Party shall promptly Transfer or cause the Transfer of, as applicable, all rights, obligations and other Liabilities thereunder of such Other Party or of any member of such Other Party’s Group to the Liable Party or to another member of the Liable Party’s Group without payment of any further consideration and the Liable Party, or another member of such Liable Party’s Group, without the payment of any further consideration, shall Assume such rights and Liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law.

Section 2.10. Non-Applicability to Taxes and Employee Matters. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Tax matters shall be exclusively governed by the Tax Matters Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement, employees or employee matters shall be governed by the Employee Matters Agreement and, in the event of any inconsistency between the Employee Matters Agreement and this Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement and this Agreement or the Tax Matters Agreement and this Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, Tax Receivable Agreement or Tax Matters Agreement, as applicable, shall control.

ARTICLE III

CERTAIN ACTIONS AT OR PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION

Section 3.1. Organizational Documents. In accordance with Section 2.5(a) of the Transaction Agreement, at or prior to the Distribution and with effect from the Effective Time, BX shall take, or cause to be taken, all necessary actions to adopt (i) an amended and restated certificate of incorporation of PJT HoldCo substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “PJT HoldCo Certificate of Incorporation”), (ii) amended and restated bylaws of PJT HoldCo substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “PJT HoldCo Bylaws”), and (iii) a second amended and restated limited partnership agreement of PJT LP substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Second A&R PJT LP Agreement”).

Section 3.2. Carbon Reorganization. At or prior to the Distribution and with effect from the Effective Time (to the extent not already completed as of the date hereof), Blackstone shall (and shall cause its applicable Subsidiaries, including PJT HoldCo and PJT LP,

 

26


to) take the requisite actions to consummate the restructuring steps set forth on Exhibit G with such modifications as the Parties may mutually agree, acting reasonably (the “Carbon Reorganization”).

Section 3.3. Resignations. At or prior to the Distribution, BX shall cause all its employees and any employees of its Affiliates (excluding any employees of any member of the PJT Group) to resign, effective as of the Effective Time, from all positions as officers or directors of any member of the PJT Group in which they serve.

Section 3.4. Cash; PJT Revolver.

(a) At or prior to the Effective Time, either (A) PJT LP will transfer (or cause to be transferred) funds to BX (or to such other member of the Blackstone Group as BX designates) or (B) BX will transfer (or cause to be transferred) funds to PJT LP (or to such other member of the PJT Group as PJT LP designates) such that PJT LP’s cash balance in its accounts immediately prior to the Effective Time shall equal the Carbon Target Cash Balance.

(b) At or prior to the Distribution, BX will use reasonable best efforts to procure from one or more third party financing sources a revolving credit facility for PJT LP in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million (the “PJT Revolver”), and PJT LP and/or one or more members of the PJT Group shall enter into the PJT Revolver subject to the approval of the Founder. Unless otherwise agreed by BX and the Founder, the PJT Revolver shall have a maturity of one year and shall be on terms (including pricing) consistent with then current market conditions. In the event that BX, despite using its reasonable best efforts, cannot arrange for third party financing sources to provide the PJT Revolver, the Founder shall have the right, in his reasonable discretion, to require BX (such other member of the Blackstone Group as BX designates) to provide the PJT Revolver at or prior to the Distribution. No amounts shall be drawn under the PJT Revolver through the Closing Date.

Section 3.5. Ancillary Agreements. On or prior to the Distribution, with effect from the Effective Time, each of BX and PJT HoldCo shall enter into, and/or (where applicable) shall cause a member or members of their respective Group to enter into the Ancillary Agreements.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BLACKSTONE PARTIES

Each of the Blackstone Parties hereby represents and warrants to PJT HoldCo, PJT LP, PJTC, PJTM and the Founder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including the Carbon Reorganization, as follows:

Section 4.1. Sufficiency of Assets. The assets, properties and rights of the PJT Group, together with the licenses, services and other rights made available pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement and the other agreements contemplated by this Agreement, will constitute all of the assets, properties and rights required to permit the PJT Group to operate the

 

27


Carbon Business independent from the Blackstone Group following the Distribution in all material respects (i) in compliance with Applicable Law and (ii) in a manner consistent with the operation of the Carbon Business as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Section 4.2. No Undisclosed Liabilities. PJT HoldCo has no Liabilities that would be required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP other than Liabilities (i) disclosed or reserved for in the most recent combined statement of financial condition included in the PJT HoldCo Registration Statement, (ii) incurred by PJT HoldCo after the date of such combined statement of financial condition in the ordinary course of operating the Carbon Business that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have an Acquirer Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Transaction Agreement) or (iii) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.3. Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties. EACH OF BX (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE BLACKSTONE GROUP), AND PJT LP (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE PJT GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENT IS MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IN ANY WAY. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL SUCH ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (I) ANY CONVEYANCE SHALL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST AND (II) ANY NECESSARY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

ARTICLE V

THE DISTRIBUTION

Section 5.1. Stock Dividend to BX Common Unitholders. On the Closing Date, subject to Section 5.2, BX will cause the Distribution Agent to distribute all of the outstanding shares of PJT Class A Shares then owned by BX (following the consummation of the Carbon Reorganization) to BX Common Unitholders as of the Distribution Record Date, by crediting the appropriate number of such shares of PJT Class A Shares to book entry accounts for each such BX Common Unitholder or designated transferee or transferees of such holder of PJT Class A Shares or by delivery of a physical certificate, where applicable. For BX Common Unitholders who own BX Common Units through a broker or other nominee, their shares of PJT Class A Shares will be credited to their respective accounts by such broker or nominee. Subject to Section 5.2, each BX Common Unitholder as of the Distribution Record Date (or such BX Common Unitholder’s designated transferee or transferees) will be entitled to receive in the Distribution a number of shares of PJT Class A Shares for every one share of BX Common Units

 

28


held by such BX Common Unitholder equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of PJT Class A Shares then owned by BX following the consummation of the Carbon Reorganization and the denominator of which is the number of BX Common Units issued and outstanding as of the Distribution Record Date. No action by any such BX Common Unitholder shall be necessary for such BX Common Unitholder (or such BX Common Unitholder’s designated transferee or transferees) to receive the applicable number of shares of (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to Section 5.2) PJT Class A Shares such BX Common Unitholder is entitled to in the Distribution. Neither the Distribution Agent, nor any of the Parties or their Affiliates, will be liable to any Person in respect of any shares of (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to Section 5.2) PJT Class A Shares (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) that are properly delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.

Section 5.2. Fractional Shares. BX Common Unitholders holding a number of BX Common Units as of the Distribution Record Date, which would entitle such BX Common Unitholders to receive less than one whole share of PJT Class A Shares in the Distribution, will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. Fractional shares of PJT Class A Shares will not be distributed in the Distribution nor credited to book-entry accounts. The Distribution Agent shall, as soon as practicable after the Closing Date, (a) determine the number of whole shares and fractional shares of PJT Class A Shares allocable to each holder of record or beneficial owner of BX Common Units as of the Distribution Record Date, (b) aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares and sell the whole shares obtained thereby in open market transactions, in each case, at then prevailing trading prices on behalf of holders who would otherwise be entitled to fractional share interests, and (c) distribute to each such holder, or for the benefit of each such beneficial owner, such holder or owner’s ratable share of the aggregate net proceeds of such sales after making appropriate deductions for any amount required to be withheld for Tax purposes and any brokerage fees and commissions and other expenses or Taxes incurred in connection with such sales and distribution. None of the Parties or the Distribution Agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of PJT Class A Shares. No Party will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The Distribution Agent acting on behalf of the applicable Party will have the sole discretion to select the broker-dealers through which to sell the aggregated fractional shares and to determine when, how and at what price to sell such shares. Neither the Distribution Agent nor the broker-dealers through which the aggregated fractional shares are sold will be Affiliates of BX or PJT LP.

Section 5.3. Delivery of Ancillary Agreements. Prior to the Distribution, each Party shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the other Parties (to the extent not already in their possession) executed counterparts to all Ancillary Agreements to which such Party or a member of its Group is a party, including all Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments.

 

29


ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO THE DISTRIBUTION

Section 6.1. Condition to Distribution. The consummation of the Distribution is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by BX) as of immediately prior to the Distribution of the following conditions, which are for the benefit of each Party:

(a) There shall be no (i) injunction, restraining order or decree of any nature of any Governmental Authority in effect that restrains, prohibits or makes illegal the Distribution or the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby or by any of the Ancillary Agreements or (ii) pending Action which seeks to restrain or prohibit the Distribution or the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby or by any of the Ancillary Agreements.

(b) The Closing shall have occurred pursuant to the Transaction Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

CERTAIN COVENANTS

Section 7.1. Opinions.

(a) Tax Opinion. The Blackstone Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a written opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel to the Blackstone Parties (or other legal counsel reasonably satisfactory to Blackstone and the Founder) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Blackstone Parties, to the effect (i) that the contributions of certain assets and liabilities relating to the Carbon Business to Big SpinCo and Little SpinCo by the applicable Distributing Corporation should qualify as reorganizations within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and that no gain or loss should be recognized under Section 361 of the Code with respect to such contributions, (ii) that the Big Spin and the Little Spin should qualify as tax-free distributions under Sections 355 and 361 of the Code and that no gain or loss should be recognized under Section 355 of the Code with respect to such distributions and (iii) that the Merger should qualify as a reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code, provided that in rendering the foregoing opinions, counsel shall be permitted to rely upon customary assumptions and assume the accuracy of customary representations provided by the Blackstone Parties, PJT HoldCo, PJT LP (and any subsidiary thereof), the Seller Parties and the PJT Entities.

(b) Solvency Opinion. The Blackstone Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain an opinion (the “Solvency Opinion”), dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Blackstone and the Founder, from a nationally recognized solvency valuation firm, that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Carbon Reorganization, the Separation and the Distribution) and by the Transaction Agreement, such transactions shall not leave PJT LP or PJT HoldCo “insolvent” or otherwise unable to pay their respective obligations as they come due. BX shall provide the Founder with a copy of the report prepared by the nationally recognized solvency valuation firm engaged to provide such Solvency Opinion.

Section 7.2. Efforts. Subject to the conditions and upon the terms of this Agreement and, where applicable, the Transaction Agreement, each of the Blackstone Parties and the PJT Entities shall use reasonable best efforts (subject to, and in accordance with, Applicable Law) to take promptly, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties hereto in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, the

 

30


Transaction Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Distribution, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions hereof and thereof.

Section 7.3. No Solicit; No Hire. Until the second (2nd) anniversary of the date of the Transaction Agreement, each of BX and PJT HoldCo shall not, and shall cause their respective Affiliates not to, without the prior written consent of the other Party, directly or indirectly, solicit or hire (or cause or seek to cause to leave the employ of the other Party or any of its Affiliates), whether as an officer, employee or consultant or other independent contractor, any individual who is currently or hereafter becomes a senior officer (or senior managing director) or other management-level employee of the other Party or any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that the restrictions of this Section 7.3 shall not apply to (x) any general advertisement, or any search firm engagement which, in any such case, is not directed or focused on personnel employed by the other Party or any of its Affiliates, (y) the solicitation or hiring of any individual whose employment or term in office was terminated by Party or any of its Affiliates or (z) any portfolio company of a Blackstone Fund or any special purpose entity formed to acquire or hold any such portfolio company, regardless of whether any such portfolio company or special purpose entity is consolidated with BX for purposes of financial reporting.

Section 7.4. Non-Competition.

(a) From and after the Distribution, and until the third (3rd) anniversary of the Closing Date, each of the Blackstone Parties and its Affiliates shall not engage (whether as an owner, operator, manager, employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor, representative or otherwise), directly or indirectly, anywhere in the world in a business that competes with the business lines operated by the Carbon Business or the PJT Business as of the Effective Time.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 7.4(a), nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit or otherwise restrict:

(i) the conduct of any business of the Blackstone Parties or any of their Affiliates (including Pátria Investimentos Ltda. and its Affiliates and BX’s capital markets business, and advisory services provided by BX and its Affiliates to its funds and their portfolio companies) (other than the Carbon Business) in a manner consistent in all material respects with the way such business is conducted as of the date hereof;

(ii) the acquisition of or any investment by any of the Blackstone Parties or any of their Affiliates in any Person (a “Target”) whose aggregate annual revenue (including the revenue of such Person’s Subsidiaries) from providing investment banking services, financial and strategic advisory services (of the same type as the services provided by the Carbon Business as of the date hereof), restructuring and reorganization advisory services and fund placement services (the “Restricted Business Lines”) does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of such Target’s aggregate annual revenue (including the revenue of such Person’s Subsidiaries); provided, however, that, any Blackstone Party or Affiliate thereof may undertake any such acquisition or investment if, promptly following the consummation thereof, the Target divests itself of the Restricted Business Lines.

 

31


(iii) the business or operation of any direct or indirect portfolio companies of, investment funds of, or vehicles or accounts managed or sponsored by, any of the Blackstone Parties or any of their Affiliates or any of the fund management or advisory business of any of the Blackstone Parties or any of their Affiliates; and

(iv) ownership by any of the Blackstone Parties or any of their Affiliates of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any publicly-traded corporation.

(c) The Blackstone Parties acknowledge that the provisions of this Section 7.4 are in consideration of good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged. The Blackstone Parties agree and acknowledge that the potential harm of non-enforcement to the Carbon Business or the PJT Business after the Distribution outweighs any harm to the Blackstone Parties and their Affiliates of enforcement by injunction or otherwise. The Blackstone Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that each and every restraint imposed by this Agreement is reasonable with respect to the subject matter, time period and geographical area. In the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section 7.4, PJT HoldCo or any member of the PJT Group may, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or equitable relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security). The PJT Group need not engage in settlement negotiations or mediation prior to applying to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of this Section 7.4. If, at the time of enforcement of this Section 7.4, a court or an arbitrator shall hold that the duration, scope or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under the circumstances then existing, the Parties agree that the maximum duration, scope or area reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope or area and that the court or arbitrator shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period, scope and area permitted by Law.

Section 7.5. Intellectual Property.

(a) PJT HoldCo agrees that, from and after the Distribution, it will not use or allow others (including the other members of the PJT Group) to use the Blackstone Marks, except as set forth below. From and after the Distribution, PJT HoldCo shall and shall cause the members of the PJT Group to delete the Blackstone Marks from all of their outward-facing websites, social, mobile and similar media venues. For clarity, the PJT Group may use the Blackstone Marks (and BX and its Affiliates may use any Trademarks included in the Carbon Assets) from and after the Distribution (i) in a neutral, non-trademark manner to describe the history of the Parties, (ii) on any legal documents, business correspondence and similar items that are not customer-facing and/or (iii) as required or permitted by applicable law.

(b) At or prior to the Distribution and with effect from the Effective Time, certain members of the Blackstone Group may (in the sole discretion of BX) enter into certain nonexclusive, non-transferrable, revocable license agreements providing for the limited use of certain Intellectual Property by certain members of the PJT Group.

(c) BX, on behalf of itself and each member of the Blackstone Group, hereby grants to each member of the PJT Group an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, fully

 

32


paid-up, non-exclusive license to exercise and exploit all rights in any patents, copyrights, trade secrets, methods, processes, inventions and know-how that (i) are owned by the Blackstone Group and its Affiliates immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) were used in connection with the Carbon Business as of the Effective Time, in connection with the current and future operation of the Carbon Business and all current and future products and services therein.

(d) PJT HoldCo on behalf of itself and each member of the PJT Group, hereby grants to BX and each of its Affiliates an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, non-exclusive license to exercise and exploit all rights in any patents, copyrights, trade secrets, methods, processes, inventions and know-how that (i) are included in the Carbon Assets and (ii) were in existence and/or used in connection with the Blackstone Retained Business as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, in connection with the current and future operation of the Blackstone Retained Business and all current and future products and services therein.

(e) Each licensed party in Section 7.5(c) or (d), as applicable, may sublicense the license granted therein solely to (x) any successors or acquirers of any of their businesses (solely for use in connection with the divested business but not for use in connection with any other businesses or Affiliates of the successor or acquirer) or (y) their vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, service providers, distributors, customers and end-users, in each case, in connection with the operation of the licensed party’s business, but not for the unrelated use of such parties. The Parties agree that no Party or its Affiliates has any delivery, training, maintenance, support, notification, assertion, or enforcement obligations with respect to the intellectual property licensed in this Section 7.5.

Section 7.6. Cooperation.

(a) The Blackstone Parties shall keep the Founder apprised in reasonable detail with respect to its plans related to, and the status of their implementation of, the Carbon Reorganization and the Distribution.

(b) The Blackstone Parties shall give the Founder a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the drafts of (i) any Conveyancing and Assumption Instruments to be entered into in connection with this Agreement and relating to the PJT Group, (ii) the Omnibus Reorganization Agreement and (iii) any written consents, resolutions, organizational documents or other ancillary documents prepared in connection with the implementation of the documents described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), and shall consult with the Founder in good faith regarding any comments made by the Founder or his Representatives.

(c) The Blackstone Parties shall provide the Founder with copies of any material written communication sent to or received from a Governmental Authority or other third party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements as each may be amended or modified from time to time.

Section 7.7. Guarantees.

(a) Except as otherwise specified in any Ancillary Agreement, with effect from the Effective Time or as soon as practicable thereafter, (i) each of the Blackstone Parties shall (with the reasonable cooperation of the applicable member of the PJT Group) use its

 

33


commercially reasonable efforts to have all members of the PJT Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Blackstone Retained Liability, including in respect of any letter of credit, security deposit or performance bond, to the extent that they relate to Blackstone Retained Liabilities, including those set forth on Schedule 7.7(a)(i) and (ii) PJT HoldCo and PJT LP shall (with the reasonable cooperation of the applicable member of the Blackstone Group) use their commercially reasonable efforts to have all members of the Blackstone Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Carbon Liability, including in respect of any letter of credit, security deposit or performance bond, to the extent that they relate to Carbon Liabilities, including those set forth on Schedule 7.7(a)(ii); provided, however, that in no event shall PJT HoldCo nor PJT LP be required to make a cash payment to obtain a consent to a release of any such guarantee, letter of credit, security deposit or performance bond.

(b) In furtherance of clause (a) of this Section 7.7 and unless otherwise specified on Schedule 7.7(a)(ii), to the extent required to obtain a release from a guaranty, or to replace or refund a letter of credit or performance bond (a “Guarantee Release”):

(i) of any member of the Blackstone Group, PJT LP (or such other member of its Group, as applicable) agrees to (x) execute a guaranty agreement in the form of the existing guaranty or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guaranty agreement, except to the extent that such existing guaranty contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which PJT LP (or such other member of its Group, as applicable) would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which would be reasonably expected to be breached, (y) provide or cause to be provided an equivalent letter of credit or performance bond or (z) reimburse, promptly after the Effective Time, the applicable member of the Blackstone Group for any cash deposited or posted if such security deposit or similar posting or deposit of cash cannot otherwise be released, replaced or refunded to the applicable member of the Blackstone Group (such reimbursement to be made in United States dollars), provided that in the case of such reimbursement, PJT LP (or such other member of its Group, as applicable) shall be entitled to any subsequent refund by the relevant depositee of the deposit or posted amount; and

(ii) of any member of the PJT Group, BX (or such other member of its Group, as applicable) agrees to (x) execute a guaranty agreement in the form of the existing guaranty or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guaranty agreement, except to the extent that such existing guaranty contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which BX (or such other member of its Group, as applicable) would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which would be reasonably expected to be breached or (y) provide or cause to be provided an equivalent letter of credit, security deposit or performance bond.

(c) If BX, on the one hand, or PJT HoldCo and/or PJT LP, on the other hand, is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required Guarantee Release as set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7.7, (i) the relevant member of the Blackstone Group or PJT Group, as applicable, that has assumed the Liability with respect to such guaranty, letter of credit, security deposit or performance bond shall or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor to pay, perform and discharge fully all the

 

34


obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor or obligor thereunder and otherwise take such action as may be reasonably requested by the relevant member of the Blackstone Group or PJT Group, as applicable, that would not be subject to such Liability but for the failure to obtain such Guarantee Release so as to put such Group member in the same position as if such Guarantee Release were obtained and (ii) each of BX on the one hand, and PJT HoldCo and PJT LP, on the other hand, on behalf of themselves and the members of their respective Groups, agree not to renew or extend the term of, increase its obligations under, or Transfer to a third party, any loan, guarantee, lease, contract or other obligation for which another Party or member of such Party’s Group is or may be liable without the prior written consent of such other Party, unless all obligations of such other Party and the other members of such Party’s Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such Party; provided, however, with respect to leases, in the event a Guarantee Release is not obtained and the relevant beneficiary wishes to extend the term of such guaranteed or secured lease, then such beneficiary shall have the option of extending the term if it provides such security as is reasonably satisfactory to the guarantor under such guaranteed or secured lease.

Section 7.8. Insurance Matters.

(a) The Parties agree that: (i) coverage for PJT LP and each member of the PJT Group, the Carbon Assets and the Carbon Business for the period after the Effective Time under all of the insurance policies maintained by BX or any member of the Blackstone Group prior to the Effective Time will be terminated effective as of the Effective Time and (ii) upon such termination, PJT LP and each member of the PJT Group, the Carbon Assets and the Carbon Business will cease to be covered under such policies with respect to the period after the Effective Time.

(b) Each of the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate to obtain for PJT LP and the PJT Group at or prior to the Effective Time any insurance policies agreed by BX and the Founder, acting reasonably, to be reasonably necessary to replace the coverage currently provided by the insurance policies maintained by BX and the members of the Blackstone Group with respect to the Carbon Assets and the Carbon Business for incidents arising prior to the Effective Time. All reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by BX or any member of the Blackstone Group pursuant to this Section 7.8(b) shall be reimbursed by PJT LP promptly after the Effective Time.

(c) In the event that the PJT Group, any of the Carbon Assets or the Carbon Business suffers or has suffered any loss that is insured under the insurance policies maintained by BX or the members of the Blackstone Group and arises or has arisen prior to the Effective Time, BX shall, or shall cause the appropriate member of its Group to, surrender to PJT LP after the Effective Time any Insurance Proceeds received by BX or any Blackstone Group member under any such insurance policy with respect to such loss. BX or any of its Affiliates may, at any time, without liability or obligation to any member of the PJT Group or any of the Parties, amend, commute, terminate, buy out, extinguish liability under or otherwise modify any insurance policy maintained by BX or any of its Affiliates. Neither BX nor any of its Affiliates shall bear any Liability for the failure of an insurer to pay any claim under any insurance policy maintained by BX or any member of the Blackstone Group.

 

35


Section 7.9. Extension of Termination Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Transaction Agreement, the Framework Agreement, or any Ancillary Agreement the Parties agree, pursuant to Sections 10.3(b) and 10.4 of the Transaction Agreement, to extend the Termination Date, as such term is used and defined in the Transaction Agreement, to December 31, 2015.

Section 7.10. Build-Out Costs. BX shall (or shall cause a member of the Blackstone Group to) either pay, or reimburse PJT LP or the applicable member of the PJT Group to the extent PJT LP or another member of the PJT Group has paid, for any Build-Out Costs; provided that in no event shall the aggregate amount of all Build-Out Costs (net of Allowances) paid or reimbursed, whether pursuant to this Section 7.10 or otherwise, exceed $33,000,000. The PJT Group shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Allowances as promptly as reasonably practicable. Upon receipt by any member of the PJT Group of a payment in respect of any Allowance, such member of the PJT Group shall promptly notify Blackstone of such receipt and thereafter promptly pay to Blackstone (to an account or accounts designated by Blackstone) the amount of such payment received.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1. Release of Pre-Distribution Claims.

(a) Except (i) as provided in Section 8.1(b), (ii) as may be otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement and (iii) for any matter for which any Party is entitled to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Article VIII, effective as of the Effective Time, each Party, for itself and each member of its respective Group, their respective Affiliates and all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time were directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of their Group (in their respective capacities as such), in each case, together with their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, do hereby remise, release and forever discharge the other Parties and the other members of such other Parties’ Group, their respective Affiliates and all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time were unitholders, members, stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of such other Party or any member of such other Parties’ Group (in their respective capacities as such), in each case, together with their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from any and all Liabilities whatsoever, whether at Law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Effective Time, including in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as each may be amended or modified from time to time, and all other activities to implement the Distribution and any of the other transactions contemplated hereunder and under the Ancillary Agreements.

(b) Nothing contained in Section 8.1(a) shall impair or otherwise affect any right of any Party, and as applicable, a member of the Party’s Group to enforce this Agreement, the Transaction Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement in each case in accordance with its terms. In addition, nothing contained in Section 8.1(a) shall release any Person from:

(i) (A) with respect to BX or any member of its Group, any Blackstone Retained Liability, (B) with respect to PJT LP or any member of its Group, any Carbon Liability;

 

36


(ii) any Liability for unpaid amounts for products or services or refunds owing on products or services due on a value-received basis for work done by a member of one Group or its Affiliates at the request or on behalf of a member of another Group;

(iii) any Liability provided in or resulting from any other Contract or understanding that is entered into after the Effective Time between any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group or any of their respective Affiliates), on the one hand, and any other Party or Parties (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group or any of their respective Affiliates), on the other hand;

(iv) any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise for claims brought against the Parties by third Persons, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article VII and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements; and

(v) any Liability for fraud or willful misconduct.

In addition, nothing contained in Section 8.1(a) shall release BX from indemnifying any director, officer or employee of PJT HoldCo or of any member of the PJT Group who was a director, officer or employee of any member of the Blackstone Group at or prior to the Effective Time to the extent such director, officer or employee is or becomes a named defendant in any Action with respect to which he or she was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to then-existing obligations.

(c) Effective as of the Effective Time, each Party shall not, and shall not permit any member of its Group to make, any claim, demand or offset, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against any other Party or any member of any other Party’s Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 8.1(a), with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section 8.1(a).

(d) It is the intent of each Party, by virtue of the provisions of this Section 8.1, to provide, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, for a full and complete release and discharge, effective as of the Effective Time, of all Liabilities existing or arising from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur and all conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Effective Time, whether known or unknown, between or among any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, and any other Party or Parties (and/or a member of such Party’s or parties’ Group), on the other hand (including any contractual agreements or arrangements existing or alleged to exist between or among any such members on or before the Effective Time), except as specifically set forth in Sections 8.1(a) and 8.1(b). The release in this Section 8.1 includes a release of any rights

 

37


and benefits with respect to such Liabilities that PJT LP and each member of the PJT Group, and their respective successor and assigns, now has or in the future may have conferred upon them by virtue of any statute or common law principle which provides that a general release does not extend to claims which a party does not know or suspect to exist in its favor at the time of executing the release, if knowledge of such claims would have materially affected such party’s settlement with the obligor. In this connection, PJT LP hereby acknowledges that it is aware that factual matters now unknown to it may have given or may hereafter give rise to Liabilities that are presently unknown, unanticipated and unsuspected, and it further agrees that this release has been negotiated and agreed upon in light of that awareness and it nevertheless hereby intends to release the Persons described in Section 8.1(a) from the Liabilities described in the first sentence of Section 8.1(a). At any time, at the reasonable request of any other Party, each Party shall cause each member of its respective Group and, to the extent practicable, each other Person on whose behalf it released Liabilities pursuant to this Section 8.1 to execute and deliver releases reflecting the provisions hereof.

Section 8.2. Indemnification by BX. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement, following the Effective Time, BX shall and shall cause the other members of the Blackstone Group to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the PJT Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the PJT Indemnitees, arising, whether prior to or following the Effective Time out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (a) the Blackstone Retained Liabilities or alleged Blackstone Retained Liabilities, including the failure of BX or any member of the Blackstone Group to pay, perform, fulfill, discharge and, to the extent applicable, comply with, in due course and in full, any such Liabilities or (b) any breach by BX, subsequent to the Effective Time, of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides for separate indemnification therein, in which case any such indemnification claims shall be made thereunder.

Section 8.3. Indemnification by PJT. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, or the Transaction Agreement, following the Effective Time, PJT HoldCo shall and shall cause the other members of the PJT Group to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Blackstone Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the Blackstone Indemnitees arising, whether prior to or following the Effective Time, out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (a) the Carbon Liabilities or alleged Carbon Liabilities, including the failure of PJT HoldCo or any member of the PJT Group to pay, perform, fulfill, discharge and, to the extent applicable, comply with, in due course and in full, any such Carbon Liabilities or (b) any breach by PJT LP, subsequent to the Effective Time, of any provision of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement unless such Ancillary Agreement expressly provides for separate indemnification therein, in which case any such indemnification claims shall be made thereunder.

Section 8.4. Procedures for Indemnification.

(a) Direct Claims. An Indemnitee shall give the Indemnifying Party notice of any matter that an Indemnitee has determined has given or could give rise to a right of indemnification under this Agreement (other than a Third Party Claim which shall be governed by Section 8.4(b)), within thirty (30) days of such determination, stating the amount of the

 

38


Indemnifiable Loss claimed, if known, and method of computation thereof, and containing a reference to the provisions of this Agreement in respect of which such right of indemnification is claimed by such Indemnitee or arises; provided, however, that the failure to provide such written notice shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure.

(b) Third Party Claims. If a claim or demand is made against a Blackstone Indemnitee or a PJT Indemnitee (each, an “Indemnitee”) by any Person who is not a party to this Agreement or a Subsidiary of a Party (a “Third Party Claim”) as to which such Indemnitee is or reasonably expects to be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the Party that is or may be required pursuant to this Article VIII, or pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement to make such indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third Party Claim promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third Party Claim; provided, however, that the failure to provide such notice of any such Third Party Claim shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure. Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days) after the Indemnitee’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third Party Claim; provided, however, that the failure to forward such notices and documents shall not release the Indemnifying Party from any of its obligations except and solely to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure.

(c) An Indemnifying Party may, at its election, assume and control the defense of any Third Party Claim, at such Indemnifying Party’s own cost and expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, that is reasonably acceptable to the applicable Indemnitees, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice from such Indemnitees; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party may only assume the defense of a Third Party Claim if it acknowledges in writing that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification for such Indemnifiable Loss and agrees in writing to forego any reservations or exceptions to such defense and to its obligation pursuant to this Agreement to indemnify the Indemnitee in connection with any Indemnifiable Loss resulting from such Third Party Claim. In connection with the Indemnifying Party’s defense of a Third Party Claim, such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, at its own expense and, in any event, shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent Information, materials and information in such Indemnitee’s possession or under such Indemnitee’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that in the event of a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the applicable Indemnitee(s), such Indemnitee(s) shall be entitled to retain, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, separate counsel as required by the applicable rules of professional conduct with respect to such matter.

(d) If an Indemnifying Party fails for any reason to assume responsibility for defending a Third Party Claim within the time specified, such Indemnitee may defend such Third

 

39


Party Claim at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnitee is conducting the defense against any such Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnitee in such defense and make available to the Indemnitee all witnesses, pertinent Information, and material in such Indemnifying Party’s possession or under such Indemnifying Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the Indemnitee.

(e) Unless the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, no Indemnitee may settle or compromise any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(f) In the case of a Third Party Claim, no Indemnifying Party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of the Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee if the effect thereof is to permit any injunction, declaratory judgment, other order or other non-monetary relief (including any criminal conviction) to be entered, directly or indirectly, against any Indemnitee.

(g) Absent fraud or willful misconduct by an Indemnifying Party, the indemnification provisions of this Article VIII shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of an Indemnitee for any monetary or compensatory damages or losses resulting from any breach of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement (except as and to the extent otherwise expressly provided in such Ancillary Agreement) and each Indemnitee expressly waives and relinquishes any and all rights, claims or remedies such Person may have with respect to the foregoing other than under this Article VIII against any Indemnifying Party.

Section 8.5. Cooperation In Defense And Settlement.

(a) With respect to any Third Party Claim that implicates BX or any member of the Blackstone Group, on the one hand, and PJT LP or any member of the PJT Group on the other hand, in any material respect due to the allocation of Liabilities or the responsibilities for management of defense and related indemnities pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, the applicable Parties agree to use (and shall cause their applicable Group members to use) reasonable best efforts to cooperate fully and maintain a joint defense (in a manner that will preserve for both Parties and their applicable Group members the attorney-client privilege, joint defense or other privilege with respect thereto). The Party or applicable Group member that is not responsible for managing the defense of such Third Party Claim shall, upon reasonable request, be consulted with respect to significant matters relating thereto and may, if necessary or helpful, retain counsel to assist in the defense of such claims.

(b) Each Party agrees that at all times from and after the Effective Time, if an Action is commenced by a third party (or any member of such Party’s respective Group) with respect to which one or more named Parties (or any member of such Party’s respective Group) is a nominal defendant and/or such Action is otherwise not a Liability allocated to such named Party under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then the other Party or Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to cause such nominal defendant to be removed from such Action, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

40


Section 8.6. Indemnification Payments. Indemnification required by this Article VIII shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof in a timely fashion during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or an Indemnifiable Loss or Liability is incurred.

Section 8.7. Contribution.

(a) If the indemnification provided for in Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4, is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnitee under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement in respect of any Liabilities referred to herein or therein, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnitee as a result of such Liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnitee in connection with the actions or omissions that resulted in Liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. With respect to the foregoing, the relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnitee shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the misstatement or alleged misstatement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to Information supplied by such Indemnifying Party or Indemnitee, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to Information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(b) The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8.7 were determined by a pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8.8(a). The amount paid or payable by an Indemnitee as a result of the Liabilities referred to in Section 8.8(a) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with investigating any claim or defending any Action. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

Section 8.8. Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts. Any Indemnifiable Loss subject to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Article VIII, will be calculated (i) net of Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of the Indemnifiable Loss, (ii) net of any Third Party Proceeds, and (iii) net of any Tax Benefits.

Section 8.9. Additional Matters; Survival of Indemnities.

(a) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Article VIII shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee; (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnitee of Indemnifiable Losses for which it might be entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder; and (iii) any termination of this Agreement.

(b) The rights and obligations of each Party and their respective Indemnitees under this Article VIII shall survive the sale or other Transfer by any Party or its respective Subsidiaries of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities.

(c) Each Party shall, and shall cause the members of its respective Group to, preserve and keep their Records relating to financial reporting, internal audit, employee benefits, past acquisition or disposition transactions, claims, demands, and actions (and email files and backup tapes regarding any of the foregoing) as such pertains to any period prior to the Effective Time in their possession (but only to the extent such Records have not already been provided to PJT LP (or its Group member) or are not already in such Person’s possession or control), whether in electronic form or otherwise, until the latest of, as applicable (i) seven (7) years following the Closing Date or (ii) the date on which such Records are no longer required to be retained pursuant Applicable Law or to such Party’s applicable record retention policy and schedules as in effect from time to time.

 

41


ARTICLE IX

CONFIDENTIALITY; ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Section 9.1. Provision of Corporate Records. Other than for matters related to provision of Tax records (in which event the provisions of the Tax Matters Agreement will govern), and subject to any applicable provisions of this Agreement (including Sections 8.4(c), 8.4(d) and 8.5), any Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement:

(a) After the Closing Date, upon the prior written request by PJT LP for specific and identified Information which relates to (x) PJT LP or the conduct of the Carbon Business, as the case may be, up to the Effective Time, or (y) any Ancillary Agreement, BX shall (or shall cause its applicable Subsidiary to) provide, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, appropriate copies of such Information (or the originals thereof if PJT LP (or its Group member) has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of BX or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items so relate and have not already been provided to PJT LP (or its Group member) or are not already in such Person’s possession or control; provided, however, that BX (or its applicable Subsidiary) shall not be required to provide such copies to the extent that the provision of such would not be permissible under Applicable Law or would require Blackstone (or its applicable Subsidiary) to breach any confidentiality covenant or waive any attorney-client or other legal privilege.

(b) After the Closing Date, upon the prior written request by BX or any of its Affiliates for specific and identified Information which relates to (x) BX or the conduct of the Carbon Business (or the Combined Business) or the Blackstone Retained Business, up to the Effective Time, or (y) any Ancillary Agreement, PJT HoldCo shall (or shall cause its Group member to) provide, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of such request, appropriate copies of such Information (or the originals thereof if Blackstone (or its Affiliate) has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of PJT LP or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items so relate and have not already been provided to BX (or its Affiliate) or are not already in such Person’s possession or control; provided, however, that PJT LP (or its applicable Group member) shall not be required to provide such copies to the extent that the provision of such would not be permissible under Applicable Law or would require PJT LP (or its applicable Group member) to breach any confidentiality covenant or waive any attorney-client or other legal privilege.

 

42


Section 9.2. Access to Information. Other than in circumstances in which indemnification is sought pursuant to Article VII (in which event the provisions of such Article will govern) or for access with respect to Tax matters (in which event the provisions of the Tax Matters Agreement will govern), from and after the Closing Date, each of BX and PJT HoldCo shall afford to the other and its authorized accountants, counsel and other designated Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to any applicable provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, to the personnel, properties, and Information of such Party and its Subsidiaries insofar as such access is reasonably required by the other Party and relates to (x) such other Party or the conduct of its business prior to the Effective Time or (y) any Ancillary Agreement; provided that neither BX nor PJT HoldCo shall be required to provide such access to the extent that the provision of such would require such Party (or one of its Subsidiaries) to breach any confidentiality covenant or waive any attorney-client or other legal privilege or unreasonably interfere with its business. Nothing in this Section 9.2 shall require any Party or its applicable Subsidiary to violate any agreement with any third party regarding the confidentiality of confidential and proprietary information relating to that third party or its business; provided, however, that in the event that a Party is required to disclose any such Information, such Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek to obtain such third party Consent to the disclosure of such Information; further provided that the disclosing Party shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to incur any out-of-pocket expenses unless the necessary funds are advanced or assumed by the Party requesting such Information.

Section 9.3. Litigation Matters; Witness Services. At all times from and after the Closing Date, (a) BX shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, at the sole cost and expense of PJT HoldCo and its Affiliates, cooperate fully with PJT HoldCo and its Affiliates in the prosecution, defense and/or settlement and all other aspects of the administration of the Specified Actions to the extent such cooperation does not unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of BX and its Affiliates and (b) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of BX and PJT HoldCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to make available to the others, upon reasonable written request, its and its Subsidiaries’ officers, directors, employees, consultants and agents as witnesses to the extent that (i) such Persons may reasonably be required to testify in connection with the prosecution or defense of any Action in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved (except for claims, demands or Actions between any Subsidiary of BX, on the one hand, and any member of the PJT Group, on the other hand) and (ii) there is no conflict in the Action between the requesting Party and the requested Party (or any of the their Affiliates), as applicable. A Party providing a witness to the other Party under this Section 9.3 shall be entitled to receive from the recipient of such services, upon the presentation of invoices therefor, payments for such amounts, relating to disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses (which shall not include the costs of salaries and benefits of employees who are witnesses or any pro rata portion of overhead or other costs of employing such employees which would have been incurred by such employees’ employer regardless of the employees’ service as witnesses), as may be reasonably incurred and properly paid under Applicable Law.

Section 9.4. Reimbursement; Other Matters. Except to the extent otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, a Party providing Information or access to Information to any other Party under this Article IX shall be entitled to receive from the recipient, upon the presentation of invoices therefor, payments for such amounts, relating to supplies, disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses, as may be reasonably incurred in providing such Information or access to such Information.

 

43


Section 9.5. Confidentiality.

(a) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, for a period of three (3) years from the Closing (or, in the case of Confidential Information disclosed after the Effective Time, (3) years from the date of such disclosure), each Party and the members of its Group shall (i) hold in strict confidence (and at a standard of care no less than they use for their own similar information and in accordance with the terms of all applicable third-party agreements), (ii) disclose, provide, transfer, share or make available only to their and their Subsidiaries’ officers, employees, agents, consultants, auditors, attorneys and advisors (or potential buyers, lenders, investors, or similar transaction counterparties pursuant to any due diligence process), only on a “need to know” basis, and (iii) not use for any purpose other than to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, to enforce or defend any of its rights hereunder or thereunder or to the extent otherwise expressly permitted pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or, in the case of Shared Information, in any manner consistent with such Party’s (or its Group’s) customary use prior to the Effective Time, all Confidential Information to the extent relating to the business or clients of any other Party or any member(s) of such Party’s Group. To the extent that any Party or any member of its Group has Confidential Information related to another Party or its clients or a member of such other Party’s Group that is the subject of this Section 9.5 (other than any Shared Information or any Blackstone Retained Information) such first Party shall, and shall cause each member of its Group to (in each case, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement), to the extent such Confidential Information is documented or exists in written, photographic or other physical form, return such information (and any copies made thereof) to such other Party or Group, and to the extent it is stored in electronic form, make a copy available to such other Party or Group and expunge such information from any computer or other data carrier, in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the discovery thereof. Each Party is liable hereunder for any unauthorized disclosure or use of the other Parties’ Confidential Information by its recipients, including any members of its Group.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, BX and each member of the Blackstone Group shall have the right to retain copies (including those stored in email files and backup tapes) of any Information to the extent required to be retained by Applicable Law or by such Person’s applicable record retention policy and schedules as in effect as of the Effective Time (the “Blackstone Retained Information”).

Section 9.6. Privileged Matters.

(a) Pre-Separation Services. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of each of the members of the Blackstone Group and the PJT Group, and that each of the members of the Blackstone Group and the PJT Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such pre-separation services for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be asserted under Applicable Law.

 

44


(b) Post-Separation Services. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time which will be rendered solely for the benefit of BX or PJT LP (and/or their respective Affiliates), as the case may be. With respect to such post-separation services, the Parties agree as follows:

(i) BX shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged Information which relates solely to the Blackstone Retained Business, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession of or under the control of BX or PJT LP (or any their respective Affiliates). BX shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged Information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Blackstone Retained Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated against or by BX (or any of its Affiliates), whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession of or under the control of BX or PJT LP (or any their respective Affiliates);

(ii) PJT LP shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged Information which relates solely to the Carbon Business, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession of or under the control of BX or PJT LP (or any their respective Affiliates). PJT LP shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged Information that relates solely to the subject matter of any claims constituting Carbon Liabilities, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any lawsuits or other proceedings initiated against or by PJT LP (or any member of the PJT Group), whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession of or under the control of BX or PJT LP (or any of their respective Affiliates).

(c) The Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, with equal right to assert or waive, subject to the restrictions in this Section 9.6, with respect to all privileges not allocated pursuant to the terms of Section 9.6(b). All privileges relating to any claims, proceedings, litigation, disputes, or other matters which involve two or more of BX or PJT LP (or their respective Affiliates) in respect of which two or more of such Parties retain any responsibility or Liability under this Agreement, shall be subject to a shared privilege among them.

(d) No Party may waive any privilege which could be asserted under any Applicable Law, and in which any other Party has a shared privilege, without the consent of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed or as provided in subsections (e) or (f) below. Consent shall be in writing, or shall be deemed to be granted unless written objection is made within twenty (20) days after notice upon the other Party requesting such consent.

(e) In the event of any litigation or dispute between or among any of the Parties, or between any Subsidiary of BX, on the one hand, and any member of the PJT Group, on the other hand, any such party may waive a privilege in which the other party has a shared privilege, without obtaining the consent of the other party; provided, that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of Information with respect to the litigation or dispute between the relevant parties, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to third parties.

 

45


(f) If a dispute arises between or among the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of any Party, each Party agrees that it shall negotiate in good faith, shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Parties, and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by another Party. Each Party specifically agrees that it will not withhold consent to waiver for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests.

(g) Upon receipt by any Party or by any Subsidiary thereof of any subpoena, discovery or other request which arguably calls for the production or disclosure of Information subject to a shared privilege or as to which another Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege, or if any Party obtains knowledge that any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ current or former directors, officers, agents or employees have received any subpoena, discovery or other requests which arguably calls for the production or disclosure of such privileged Information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party or Parties of the existence of the request and shall provide the other Party or Parties a reasonable opportunity to review the Information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section 9.6 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged Information.

(h) The transfer of all Information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement the Parties as set forth in Sections 9.5 and 9.6, to maintain the confidentiality of privileged Information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges. The access to Information being granted pursuant to Sections 8.5, 9.1 and 9.2 hereof, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Sections 8.5 and 9.3 hereof, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts contemplated by Section 8.5 hereof, and the transfer of privileged Information between and among the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted pursuant to applicable law.

Section 9.7. Ownership of Information. Any Information owned by one Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to this Article IX shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Party. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such Information.

Section 9.8. Other Agreements. The rights and obligations granted under this Article IX are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange or confidential treatment of Information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.

 

46


ARTICLE X

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 10.1. Arbitration.

(a) Except for matters governed by the Transaction Agreement (in which case the provisions of the Transaction Agreement shall control), any and all disputes (including any ancillary claims) arising out of, or in any way related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including the breach, termination or validity thereof (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) and any tort claims (collectively, “Agreement Disputes”), such Agreement Dispute shall be submitted to and finally resolved by arbitration in accordance with the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration (“CPR Rules”) then currently in effect, except the scope of discovery, if any, shall be in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure then currently in effect (as interpreted and enforced by the applicable arbitration panel). The composition of the arbitration panel shall be determined in accordance with CPR Rule 5.4. The arbitration panel shall consist of three arbitrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any dispute otherwise subject to arbitration pursuant to this Section 10.1 involves, as a party in their individual capacity, multiple senior managing directors of Blackstone who have agreed to exclusive arbitration clauses using the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC Rules”), then all references herein to “CPR Rules” shall instead refer to the ICC Rules) and the arbitrator-selection process contained in such other agreements.

(b) The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq., and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof; provided, however, performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. The place of arbitration shall be in New York City, New York. The language of the arbitration shall be in English.

(c) The arbitral panel’s award shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon the parties to the arbitration subject only to the right (if any) of any party to commence proceedings to vacate the award on any ground permitted under 9 U.S.C. § 10.

(d) The procedures specified in this Section 10.1 shall be the sole and exclusive procedures for the resolution of disputes of the nature described in clause (a) above; provided, however, that a party may file a complaint to seek a preliminary injunction or other provisional judicial relief, including for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, or enforcing an arbitration award hereunder, if, in its sole judgment, such action is necessary. Despite such action, the parties will continue to participate in good faith pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Section 10.1.

(e) To the extent a party brings an action pursuant to clause (d) above, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 10.1, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (a). The parties acknowledge that the forum designated by this Section 10.1 has, and will have, a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another.

 

47


(f) Each of the parties hereto waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection which such party now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in this Section 10.1 and agrees not to plead or claim the same.

(g) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ANCILLARY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 10.1.

Section 10.2. Continuity of Service and Performance. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties will continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article X with respect to all matters not subject to such dispute resolution.

Section 10.3. Consolidation. The arbitrators may consolidate an arbitration under this Agreement with any arbitration arising under or relating to the Ancillary Agreements or any other agreement between the parties entered into pursuant hereto, as the case may be, if the subject of the Agreement Disputes thereunder arise out of or relate essentially to the same set of facts or transactions. Such consolidated arbitration shall be determined by the arbitrator appointed for the arbitration proceeding that was commenced first in time.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1. Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules, the Ancillary Agreements and the Transaction Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all prior negotiations, commitments, course of dealings and writings with respect to such subject matter, and this Agreement shall specifically supersede the Framework Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any Schedule hereto, the Schedule shall prevail unless specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement. In the event and to the extent that there shall be a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement, such Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement, as applicable, shall control; provided, that with respect to any Conveyancing and Assumption Instrument, this Agreement shall control unless specifically stated otherwise in such Conveyancing and Assumption Instrument. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement: (a) all matters relating to Taxes and Tax Returns of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries shall be governed exclusively by the Tax Matters Agreement; and (b) for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement, on the one hand, and the Tax Matters Agreement, on the other hand, with respect to such matters, the terms and conditions of the Tax Matters Agreement shall govern.

 

48


Section 11.2. Ancillary Agreements; Transaction Agreement. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements or the Transaction Agreement.

Section 11.3. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 11.4. Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transaction Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall survive the Distribution and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement (or in any Ancillary Agreement, except as expressly set forth therein) shall survive the Distribution.

Section 11.5. Expenses. Except as otherwise provided (i) in this Agreement, (ii) in any Ancillary Agreement or (iii) in the Transaction Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, all fees, legal or otherwise, and out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party incurring such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the expenses set forth on Schedule 11.5 shall be paid by the Blackstone Parties.

Section 11.6. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, transmitted by facsimile or e-mail (and confirmed), mailed by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or sent by commercial overnight courier, courier fees prepaid (if available; otherwise, by the next best class of service available), to the parties at the following addresses:

To any member of the Blackstone Group:

The Blackstone Group L.P.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attn: Michael Chae, John Finley

Facsimile: (212) 583-5749

E-mail: Chae@Blackstone.com; John.Finley@Blackstone.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Josh Bonnie; Eric Swedenburg

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

Email: jbonnie@stblaw.com; eswedenburg@stblaw.com

 

49


To any member of the PJT Group:

PJT Partners Holdings LP

280 Park Avenue

16th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale

E-mail: jyl@pjtpartners.com; cuminale@pjtpartners.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10153

Attn: Barry M. Wolf; Michael J. Aiello

Facsimile: (212) 310-8007

E-mail: barry.wolf@weil.com; michael.aiello@weil.com

or to such other Person or address as any party shall specify by notice in writing to the other parties in accordance with this Section 11.6. All such notices or other communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of the personal delivery or delivery by e-mail (if confirmed) or facsimile (if delivery confirmation is received), or on the third Business Day after the mailing or dispatch thereof; provided that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

Section 11.7. Waivers and Consents. The failure of any Party to require strict performance by any other Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that Party’s right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof. Any consent required or permitted to be given by any Party to the other Parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by the Party giving such consent and shall be effective only against such Party (and its Group).

Section 11.8. Amendments.

(a) This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of the Blackstone Parties, PJT HoldCo, PJT LP, the Founder and the PJT Entities.

(b) At any time prior to the Distribution, any Party hereto which is entitled to the benefits hereof may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Parties, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of any other Party contained herein or in any schedule hereto or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements of any other Party or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a Party hereto to any such

 

50


extension or waiver shall be valid only with respect to the Party agreeing to such extension or waiver and only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed and delivered on behalf of such Party.

Section 11.9. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any Party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 11.10. Certain Termination and Amendment Rights.

(a) This Agreement may not be terminated except (x) to the extent the Transaction Agreement has been terminated according to its terms, in which case this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect or (y) after the Closing Date, by written consent of each of the Parties.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Article VIII shall not be terminated or amended after the Distribution in a manner adverse to the third party beneficiaries thereof without the Consent of any such Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated or amended as among any Parties that remain Affiliates, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect any Party that is no longer an Affiliate, in which case, only with the consent of such Party.

Section 11.11. Payment Terms.

(a) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, any amount to be paid or reimbursed by any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, to any other Party or Parties (and/or a member of such Party’s or Parties’ Group), on the other hand, under this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed hereunder within thirty (30) days after presentation of an invoice or a written demand therefor and setting forth, or accompanied by, reasonable documentation or other reasonable explanation supporting such amount.

(b) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement (and any amount billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that is not paid within thirty (30) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall bear interest at the Default Interest Rate, calculated for the actual number of days elapsed, accrued from the date on which such payment was due up to the date of the actual receipt of payment.

Section 11.12. No Circumvention. The Parties agree not to directly or indirectly take any actions, act in concert with any Person who takes an action, or cause or allow any member of any such Party’s Group to take any actions (including the failure to take a reasonable action) such that the resulting effect is to materially undermine the effectiveness of any of the provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including adversely affecting the rights or ability of any Party to successfully pursue indemnification, contribution or payment pursuant to Article VIII).

 

51


Section 11.13. Subsidiaries. BX shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any member of the Blackstone Group. PJT HoldCo shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any member of the PJT Group.

Section 11.14. Third Party Beneficiaries.

(a) Except (i) for PJTC, PJTM and the Founder, each of whom is an express third party beneficiary of this Agreement, (ii) as provided in Article VIII relating to Indemnitees and for the release under Section 7.1 of any Person provided therein and (iii) as specifically provided in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, obligation, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 11.15. Title and Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 11.16. Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein. Nothing in the Exhibits or Schedules constitutes an admission of any liability or obligation of any member of the PJT Group or Blackstone Group or any of their respective Affiliates to any third party, nor, with respect to any third party, an admission against the interests of any member of the PJT Group or Blackstone Group or any of their respective Affiliates.

Section 11.17. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Section 11.18. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

Section 11.19. Force Majeure. No Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) shall have any liability or responsibility for failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) under this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, or any Ancillary Agreement, so long as and to the extent to which the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure.

 

52


A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event: (a) notify the other applicable Parties of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as feasible.

Section 11.20. Interpretation. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

Section 11.21. No Duplication; No Double Recovery. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer to or impose upon any Party a duplicative right, entitlement, obligation or recovery with respect to any matter arising out of the same facts and circumstances (including with respect to the rights, entitlements, obligations and recoveries that may arise out of one or more of the following Sections: Section 3.4; Section 8.2; Section 8.3; and Section 8.4).

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

53


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.
By:   Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., as general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael Chae

  Name:   Michael Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I L.P.
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael Chae

  Name:   Michael Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Chae

  Name:   Michael Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP
By:   New Advisory GP L.L.C., as general partner
By:   Blackstone Holdings I L.P., as sole member
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael Chae

  Name:   Michael Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT]


NEW ADVISORY GP L.L.C.
By:   Blackstone Holdings I L.P., as sole member
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael Chae

  Name:   Michael Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
EX-3.1 3 d21345dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

PJT PARTNERS INC.

The present name of the corporation is PJT Partners Inc. (the “Corporation”). The Corporation was incorporated under the name “Blackstone Advisory Inc.” by the filing of its original certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 5, 2014 (such certificate of incorporation as amended to the date hereof, the “Original Certificate of Incorporation”). This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, which amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the Original Certificate of Incorporation, was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and by the written consent of the stockholders in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

Section 1.1. Name. The name of the corporation is “PJT Partners Inc.” (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

Section 2.1. Address. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, New Castle County. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III

Section 3.1. Purpose. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE IV

Section 4.1. Capitalization. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 3,301,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 300,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 3,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), and (iii) 1,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”). The number of authorized shares of any of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the


DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of any of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor, unless a vote of any such holder is required pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock).

Section 4.2. Preferred Stock.

(A) The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions, at any time and from time to time, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series and to cause to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of designations with respect thereto. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

(B) Except as otherwise required by law, holders of a series of Preferred Stock, as such, shall be entitled only to such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to such series).

Section 4.3. Common Stock.

(A) Voting Rights.

(1) Each holder of Class A Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of Class A Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

(2) Each holder of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled, without regard to the number of shares of Class B Common Stock (or fraction thereof) held by such holder, to a number of votes that is equal to the product of (x) the total number of vested and unvested Partnership Units (as defined in the Exchange Agreement dated on or about the date hereof as amended from time to time (the “Exchange


Agreement”), by and among the Corporation, PJT Partners Holdings LP and the holders of Partnership Units from time to time party thereto), held of record by such holder (including for this purpose the number of Partnership Units that would be held by such holder assuming the conversion on such date of all vested and unvested LTIP Units (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP dated as of or about the date hereof, as amended from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”)) held of record by such holder at the then applicable LTIP Conversion Ratio (as defined in the Partnership Agreement)) multiplied by (y) the Exchange Rate (as defined in the Exchange Agreement) on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that, with respect to the election of directors to serve on the Board of the Corporation and the removal of directors from the Board of the Corporation, each holder of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall initially be entitled to one vote for each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by such holder, which voting power shall be subject to increase as provided in this Section 4.3(A)(2); provided, further, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL. Notwithstanding the foregoing, by written notice to the Corporation, each holder of Class B common stock may, at any time, request that such holder become entitled to a number of votes in respect of such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock in the election of directors to serve on the Board of the Corporation and the removal of directors from the Board of the Corporation not to exceed at any time the number of votes to which such holder is then entitled in respect of such shares of Class B common stock on other matters presented to stockholders, or such lesser number of votes as may be specified in such holder’s request. The Board of the Corporation, in its sole discretion, may approve or decline any such request, and no such holder shall become entitled to such requested voting power in respect of such shares of Class B common stock unless and until the Board of the Corporation approves such request.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class (or, if the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock, as a single class with the holders of such other series of Preferred Stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders generally.

(B) Dividends and Distributions. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and other distributions in cash, property of the Corporation or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, such dividends and other distributions may be declared and


paid on the Class A Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board in its discretion shall determine. Dividends and other distributions shall not be declared or paid on the Class B Common Stock.

(C) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock as to distributions upon dissolution or liquidation or winding up , the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder. The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to receive any assets of the Corporation in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

(D) Retirement of Class B Common Stock. In the event that any holder of an outstanding share of Class B Common Stock ceases to hold any Partnership Units, then any share or shares of Class B Common Stock held by such holder shall automatically and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class B Common Stock be transferred to the Corporation for no consideration.

ARTICLE V

Section 5.1. By-Laws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized to make, amend, alter, change, add to or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of all the then- outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to make, amend, alter, change, add to or repeal any provision of the by-laws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI

Section 6.1. Board of Directors.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The total number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be determined from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board. The directors (other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Initially, the


total number of directors shall be five and there shall be two Class I directors, two Class II directors and one Class III director. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date that the Class A Common Stock of the Corporation is first publicly traded (the “Spin-Off Date”), Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Spin-Off Date and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Spin-Off Date. Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Spin-Off Date, the directors of the class to be elected at each annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term. If the number of such directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any such additional director of any class elected to fill a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director. Any such director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Subject to the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to their respective class.

(B) Subject to the rights granted to the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any newly-created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

(C) Any or all of the directors (other than the directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

(D) During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more series, have the right to elect additional directors, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of directors constituting the Board shall automatically be increased by such specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect any such additional director so provided for or fixed pursuant to said provisions, and (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in the terms of such series, each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation,


retirement, disqualification or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate, each such director shall automatically cease to be qualified, and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be reduced accordingly.

(E) Directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the By-laws of the Corporation shall so provide.

(F) The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation as of the close of business on the date this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is first effective, to the extent that such Chief Executive Officer serves as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Corporation, shall (1) serve as Chairman of the Board, (2) be assigned to Class I, (3) be nominated as a Class I director at the annual meeting of stockholders at which his initial term expires, and (4) serve as the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance committee of the Board for so long as such service is permitted under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange and shall select the other members of the Nominating and Governance committee of the Board. At such time as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is not serving as the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance committee, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board shall select the chairman and other members of the Nominating and Governance committee of the Board, subject to the applicable rules of New York Stock Exchange.

ARTICLE VII

Section 7.1. Meetings of Stockholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of stock of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders unless such action is recommended by all directors of the Corporation then in office; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class, or, to the extent expressly permitted by the certificate of designations relating to one or more series of Preferred Stock, by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant class or series having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.


ARTICLE VIII

Section 8.1. Limited Liability of Directors. No director of the Corporation will have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or hereafter may be amended. Neither the amendment nor the repeal of this Article VIII shall eliminate or reduce the effect thereof in respect of any state of facts existing or act or omission occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article VIII, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE IX

Section 9.1. Severability. If any provision or provisions (or any part thereof) of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

ARTICLE X

Section 10.1. Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any stockholder or any director, officer, or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article X.

ARTICLE XI

Section 11.1. Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation providing a lesser vote, in addition to any other vote expressly required by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the following provisions in this Amended and Restated


Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII and this Article XI. The other provisions or any new provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

EX-3.1.1 4 d21345dex311.htm EX-3.1.1 EX-3.1.1

Exhibit 3.1.1

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

OF

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

OF

PJT PARTNERS INC.

We, Michael S. Chae, as Chief Financial Officer, and Daniel Lee, as Assistant Secretary, of PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:

That the Board of Directors adopted the following resolution creating a series of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be, and it hereby is, created, and that the designation and amount thereof and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:

SECTION 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock,” par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock”), and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 3,000,000, which number may from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number then outstanding) by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Dividends and Distributions. (a) The dividend rate on the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be for each quarterly dividend (hereinafter referred to as a “Quarterly Dividend Period”), which Quarterly Dividend Periods shall commence on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”) (or in the case of original issuance, from the date of original issuance) and shall end on and include the day next preceding the first date of the next Quarterly Dividend Period, at a rate per Quarterly Dividend Period (rounded to the nearest cent) subject to the provisions for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to the greater of (a) $1.000 and (b) 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in cash, based upon the fair market value at the time the non-cash dividend or other distribution is declared as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of common stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of common stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared (but not withdrawn) on the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) during the immediately preceding quarterly dividend period, or, with respect to the first quarterly dividend period, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after October 1, 2015 (the “Rights Declaration Date”) (i) declare


any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 45 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

(c) So long as any shares of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends or other distributions shall be declared, paid or distributed, or set aside for payment or distribution, on the Common Stock unless, in each case, the dividend required by this Section 2 to be declared on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have been declared.

(d) The holders of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions except as provided herein.

SECTION 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

(a) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a

 

2


fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) or by applicable law, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class for the election of directors of the Corporation and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

(c) Except as set forth herein, in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or by applicable law, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for authorizing or taking any corporate action.

(d) If, at the time of any annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the equivalent of six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on any share or shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be increased by two. In addition to voting together with the holders of Common Stock for the election of other directors of the Corporation, the holders of record of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled at said meeting of stockholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders), unless all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment prior thereto, to vote for the election of two directors of the Corporation, the holders of any Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock being entitled to cast a number of votes per share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as is specified in paragraph (a) of this Section 3. Until the default in payments of all dividends which permitted the election of said directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall have been so elected pursuant to the preceding sentence may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at the time entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of any such director at a special meeting of such holders called for that purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled by the vote of such holders. If and when such default shall cease to exist, the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be divested of the foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent like default in payments of dividends. Upon the termination of the foregoing special voting rights, the terms of office of all persons who may have been elected directors pursuant to said special voting rights shall forthwith terminate, and the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced by two. The voting rights granted by this Section 3(d) shall be in addition to any other voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in this Section 3.

SECTION 4. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancelation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

3


SECTION 5. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, plus an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock or (2) to the holders of stock ranking on parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock except distributions made ratably on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all other such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event pursuant to clause (2) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

SECTION 6. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the then outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

SECTION 7. No Redemption; No Sinking Fund. (a) The shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation or at the option of any holder of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in the open market or by offer to any holder or holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

 

4


(b) The shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.

SECTION 8. Fractional Shares. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement in whole shares or in any fraction of a share that is one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share or any integral multiple of such fraction which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to receive dividends, exercise voting rights, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation, prior to the first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, may elect (1) to make a cash payment as provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a share other than one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share or any integral multiple thereof or (2) to issue depository receipts evidencing such authorized fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Corporation and a depository selected by the Corporation; provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depository receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. All payments made with respect to fractional shares hereunder shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent.

SECTION 9. Certain Restrictions. (a) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;

(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; or

 

5


(iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

(b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (a) of this Section 9, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

SECTION 10. Ranking. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation but senior to each of the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation as to dividends and upon liquidation, unless the Board of Directors shall specifically determine otherwise in fixing the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

SECTION 11. Amendment. None of the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended in any manner which would alter or change the powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

This Certificate of Designation shall be effective at 12:02 A.M. eastern time on October 1, 2015.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designation to be duly executed in its corporate name on this day of September 30, 2015.

 

PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

Name:   Michael S. Chae
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
EX-3.2 5 d21345dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BY-LAWS

OF

PJT PARTNERS INC.

 

 

ARTICLE I.

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. The annual meeting of the stockholders of PJT Partners Inc. (the “Corporation”) for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on such date, and at such time and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated from time to time by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), or in the event there is no Chairman, by the Board. The Corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled.

Section 2. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

Section 3. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of the date, time, place (if any), the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of the meeting of stockholders shall be given not more than sixty (60), nor less than ten (10), days previous thereto, to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting at such address as appears on the records of the Corporation.

Section 4. The holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, 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 herein, by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation; but if at any meeting of stockholders there shall be less than a quorum present, the chairman of the meeting or, by a majority in voting power thereof, the stockholders present thereat in person or by proxy may, to the extent permitted by law, adjourn the meeting from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to


that vote on that matter. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Except as provided in these Bylaws, notice need not be given of any adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting.

Section 5. The Chairman of the Board, or in the Chairman’s absence or at the Chairman’s direction, the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or at the Chief Executive Officer’s direction, any officer of the Corporation shall call all meetings of the stockholders to order and shall act as chairman of any such meetings. The Secretary of the Corporation or, in such officer’s absence, an Assistant Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting. If neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint a secretary of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise determined by the Board prior to the meeting, the chairman of the meeting shall determine the order of business and shall have the authority in his or her discretion to regulate the conduct of any such meeting, including, without limitation, convening the meeting and adjourning the meeting (whether or not a quorum is present), announcing the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote, imposing restrictions on the persons (other than stockholders of record of the Corporation or their duly appointed proxies) who may attend any such meeting, establishing procedures for the transaction of business at the meeting (including the dismissal of business not properly presented), maintaining order at the meeting and safety of those present, restricting entry to the meeting after the time fixed for commencement thereof and limiting the circumstances in which any person may make a statement or ask questions at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 6. At all meetings of stockholders, any stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority: (1) a stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy, and execution of the writing may be accomplished by the stockholder or the stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature; or (2) a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing by means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be

 

2


determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that such electronic transmissions are valid, the inspector or inspectors of stockholder votes or, if there are no such inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information upon which they relied.

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 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 a new proxy bearing a later date.

Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Section 6 may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

Proxies shall be filed with the secretary of the meeting prior to or at the commencement of the meeting to which they relate.

Section 7. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the matter shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the DGCL a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required and a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by shares of such class or series or classes or series shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the DGCL a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

Section 8. (A) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or 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

 

3


may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

(B) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders 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 may fix a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 9. At any time when the Certificate of Incorporation permits action by one or more classes or series of stockholders of the Corporation to be taken by written consent, the provisions of this section shall apply. All consents properly delivered in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL shall be deemed to be recorded when so delivered. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation as required by the DGCL, written consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to take such corporate action are so delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by statute, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by statute, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

Section 10. 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

 

4


list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), 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 for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall 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. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

Section 11. The Board, in advance of all meetings of the stockholders, may appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes, who may be employees or agents of the Corporation or stockholders or their proxies, but who shall not be directors of the Corporation or candidates for election as directors. In the event that the Board fails to so appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes or, in the event that one or more inspectors of stockholder votes previously designated by the Board fails to appear or act at the meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes to fill such vacancy or vacancies. Inspectors of stockholder votes appointed to act at any meeting of the stockholders, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector of stockholder votes with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability and the oath so taken shall be subscribed by them. Inspectors of stockholder votes shall take all actions required under the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

Section 12. (A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (a) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Article I, Section 3 of these By-Laws, (b) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote on such election or such other business at the meeting, who complied with the notice procedures set forth in subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this paragraph (A) of this Section 12 and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice was delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation.

(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation, and, in the case of business other than nominations of persons for election to the Board, such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the

 

5


principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days 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 advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than seventy (70) days, from such anniversary date, 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 the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. For purposes of the application of Rule 14a-4(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (or any successor provision), the date for notice specified in this paragraph (A)(2) shall be the earlier of the date calculated as hereinbefore provided or the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 14a-4. For purposes of the first annual meeting of stockholders following the adoption of these By-Laws, the date of the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting shall be deemed to be May 31, 2016.

(3) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth the following information:

(a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person; (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such person; (iii) the class or series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such person and any affiliates or associates of such person, and the name of each nominee holder of shares of all stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, and the number of such shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder; (iv) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation; (v) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, (vi) such person’s written representation and agreement that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to any 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, (B) 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 of the Corporation that has not been disclosed to the Corporation in such representation and agreement and (C) in such person’s individual capacity, would be in compliance, if

 

6


elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with, all applicable publicly disclosed confidentiality, corporate governance, conflict of interest, Regulation FD, code of conduct and ethics, and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation; and (vii) all other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, 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 By-Laws, the language of the proposed amendment), 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;

(c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and record address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books and records, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the stock of the Corporation at the time of the giving of the notice, will be entitled to vote at such meeting and will appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (iv) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, will be or is part of a group which will (A) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (B) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination, (v) a certification regarding whether such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and/or the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation and (vi) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(d) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal and/or the voting of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation between or among the stockholder giving the notice, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, any of their respective affiliates or associates and/or any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing (collectively, “proponent persons”); and

(e) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including without limitation any contract to purchase or sell, acquisition or grant of any option, right or warrant to purchase or sell, swap or other instrument) the intent or effect of which may be (i) to transfer to or from any proponent person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security of the Corporation, (ii) to increase or decrease the voting power of any proponent person with respect to shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation and/or (iii) to provide any proponent person, directly or indirectly, with the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from, or to otherwise benefit economically from, any increase or decrease in the value of any security of the Corporation.

 

7


(4) A stockholder providing notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting (whether given pursuant to this paragraph (A)(2) or paragraph (B) of this Section 12) shall update and supplement such notice from time to time to the extent necessary so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, provided that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting is less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the information shall be supplemented and updated as of such later date. Any such update and supplement shall be delivered in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), not later than ten (10) days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof) and not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, but no later than the date prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of a date less than fifteen (15) days prior the date of the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation and to determine the independence of such director under the Exchange Act and rules and regulations thereunder and applicable stock exchange rules. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in subparagraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this paragraph (A) of this Section 12. If the Chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, such nomination shall be disregarded, and the Chairman shall so declare to the meeting.

(5) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 12 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is

 

8


increased, effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 12, and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 12 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which a public announcement of such increase is first made by the Corporation; provided that, if no such announcement is made at least ten (10) days before the meeting, then no such notice shall be required.

(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting pursuant to Article I, Section 3 of these By-Laws. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board or a committee thereof or (b) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote on such election at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 12 and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors 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 as required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 12 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting.

(C) General. (1) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 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 12. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, 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 in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 12, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in

 

9


respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 12, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(2) For purposes of this Section 12, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service, in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise disseminated in a manner constituting “public disclosure” under Regulation FD promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(3) No adjournment or postponement or notice of adjournment or postponement of any meeting shall be deemed to constitute a new notice of such meeting for purposes of this Section 12, and in order for any notification required to be delivered by a stockholder pursuant to this Section 12 to be timely, such notification must be delivered within the periods set forth above with respect to the originally scheduled meeting.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, 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 in this Section 12; provided however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any references in these By-Laws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 12 (including paragraphs (A)(1)(c) and (B) hereof), and compliance with paragraphs (A)(1)(c) and (B) of this Section 12 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business. Nothing in this Section 12 shall apply to the right, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE II.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the total number of directors constituting the Board shall be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board. Directors shall (except as hereinafter provided for the filling of vacancies and newly created directorships and except as otherwise expressly provided in the Certificate of Incorporation) be elected by the holders of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of such directors. A majority of the total number of directors then in office (but not less than one-third of the number of directors constituting the entire Board) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of

 

10


business. Except as otherwise provided by law, these By-Laws or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. Directors need not be stockholders.

Section 2. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, unless otherwise required by the DGCL or Article II, Section 4 of these By-Laws, any newly created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, removal, retirement, disqualification or otherwise) shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

Section 3. Meetings of the Board shall be held at such place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board or as may be specified in the notice of any meeting. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board and special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, by oral or written notice, including facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission, duly served on or sent and delivered to each director to such director’s address, e-mail address or telephone or telecopy number as shown on the books of the Corporation not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. The notice of any meeting need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders at the same place, if any, at which such meeting is held. Notice need not be given of regular meetings of the Board held at times fixed by resolution of the Board. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any director who shall attend such meeting (except when the director 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), or who shall waive notice thereof, before or after such meeting, in writing (including by electronic transmission).

Section 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal, and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) applicable thereto.

Section 5. Subject to Section 6.1(F) of the Certificate of Incorporation (or any successor provision), the Board may from time to time establish one or more committees of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board, which shall be comprised of such members of the Board and have such duties as the Board shall from time to time determine. Any director may belong to any number of committees of the Board. The Board may designate one 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 or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified

 

11


member. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or the resolution of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and may delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

Section 6. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing (including by electronic transmission), and the writing or writings (including any electronic transmission or transmissions) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.

Section 7. The members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence in person at such a meeting.

Section 8. The Board may establish policies for the compensation of directors and for the reimbursement of the expenses of directors, in each case, in connection with services provided by directors to the Corporation.

ARTICLE III.

OFFICERS

Section 1. The Board shall elect officers of the Corporation, including a Chief Executive Officer and a Secretary. The Board may also from time to time elect such other officers (including, without limitation, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Investment Officer, a General Counsel, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers) as it may deem proper or may delegate to any elected officer of the Corporation the power to appoint and remove any such other officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authorities and duties. Any Vice President may be designated Executive, Senior or Corporate, or may be given such other designation or combination of designations as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may determine. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation as of the date of the adoption of these By-Laws shall be the Chairman of the Board and shall serve in such capacity for so long as he serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and as a director. From and after such time, the Board may elect or appoint from its ranks a new Chairman of the Board, who may or may not also be an officer of the Corporation. The Board may elect or appoint co-Chairmen of the Board, co-Presidents or co-Chief Executive Officers and, in such case, references in these By-Laws to the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer shall refer to either such co-Chairman of the Board, co-President or co-Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be.

 

12


Section 2. All officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall hold office for such terms as may be determined by the Board or, except with respect to his or her own office, the Chief Executive Officer, or until their respective successors are chosen and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time either with or without cause by the Board, or, in the case of appointed officers, by any elected officer upon whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the Board.

Section 3. Each of the officers of the Corporation elected by the Board or appointed by an officer in accordance with these By-Laws shall have the powers and duties prescribed by law, by these By-Laws or by the Board and, in the case of appointed officers, the powers and duties prescribed by the appointing officer, and, unless otherwise prescribed by these By-Laws or by the Board or such appointing officer, shall have such further powers and duties as ordinarily pertain to that office.

Section 4. Unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws, in the absence or disability of any officer of the Corporation, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may, during such period, delegate such officer’s powers and duties to any other officer or to any director and the person to whom such powers and duties are delegated shall, for the time being, hold such office.

ARTICLE IV.

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

Section 1. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (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”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article IV with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such indemnitee, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. For the avoidance of doubt, only persons named as officers of the Corporation by action of the Board of Directors shall be “officers” of the Corporation for purposes of this Article IV.

 

13


Section 2. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 1 of this Article IV, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in appearing at, participating in or defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article IV (which shall be governed by Section 3 of this Article IV) (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if (x) the DGCL requires or (y) in the case of an advance made in a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made solely 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 after final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article IV or otherwise.

Section 3. If a claim under Section 1 or 2 of this Article IV is not paid in full by the Corporation within (i) sixty (60) days after a written claim for indemnification has been received by the Corporation or (ii) twenty (20) days after a claim for an advancement of expenses has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if the indemnitee is 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. In (i) 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, and (ii) 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 for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including by 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 by 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. 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 this Article IV or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

Section 4. The provision of indemnification to or the advancement of expenses and costs to any indemnitee under this Article IV, or the entitlement of any indemnitee to

 

14


indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs under this Article IV, shall not limit or restrict in any way the power of the Corporation to indemnify or advance expenses and costs to such indemnitee in any other way permitted by law or be deemed exclusive of, or invalidate, any right to which any indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs may be entitled under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such indemnitee’s capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Corporation and as to action in any other capacity.

Section 5. The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article IV 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 IV that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate, or impair 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 or repeal.

Section 6. The Corporation may purchase and 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.

Section 7. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article IV with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

ARTICLE V.

CORPORATE BOOKS

The books of the Corporation may be kept inside or outside of the State of Delaware at such place or places as the Board may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE VI.

CHECKS, NOTES, PROXIES, ETC.

All checks and drafts on the Corporation’s bank accounts and all bills of exchange and promissory notes, and all acceptances, obligations and other instruments for the payment of money, shall be signed by such officer or officers or agent or agents as shall be authorized from time to time by the Board or such officer or officers who may be delegated such authority. Proxies to vote and consents with respect to securities of other corporations or entities owned by or standing in the name of the Corporation may be executed and delivered from time to time on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or by such officers as the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Board may from time to time determine.

 

15


ARTICLE VII.

FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be, unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board, the calendar year ending on December 31.

ARTICLE VIII.

CORPORATE SEAL

The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation. In lieu of the corporate seal, when so authorized by the Board or a duly empowered committee thereof, a facsimile thereof may be impressed or affixed or reproduced.

ARTICLE IX.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of any meeting need not be given to any person who shall attend 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), or who shall waive notice thereof, before or after such meeting, in writing (including by electronic transmission).

Section 2. Section headings in these By-Laws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

Section 3. In the event that any provision of these By-Laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the provision of these By-laws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

ARTICLE X.

AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be made, amended, altered, changed, added to or repealed as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

16

EX-10.1 6 d21345dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

by and among

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I L.P.,

NEW ADVISORY GP L.L.C.,

PJT PARTNERS INC.,

PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP,

PJT CAPITAL LP,

and

PJT MANAGEMENT, LLC,

Dated as of October 1, 2015


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     2   

Section 1.1

    

Definitions

     2   

Section 1.2

    

References; Interpretation

     7   

Section 1.3

    

Relation to Other Documents

     7   

ARTICLE II GENERAL PRINCIPLES

     7   

Section 2.1

    

Assumption and Retention of Liabilities; Related Assets

     7   

Section 2.2

    

Treatment of Cash Compensation and Severance Arrangements

     9   

Section 2.3

    

Participation in Blackstone Benefit Arrangements

     10   

Section 2.4

    

Service Recognition

     10   

Section 2.5

    

No Acceleration of Benefits

     10   

Section 2.6

    

Amendment Authority

     11   

Section 2.7

    

No Commitment to Employment or Benefits

     11   

Section 2.8

    

Certain Employment Transfers

     11   

ARTICLE III QUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

     11   

Section 3.1

    

Participation of PJT Personnel in the Blackstone Savings Plan; Vesting

     11   

Section 3.2

    

PJT Savings Plan

     11   

Section 3.3

    

Transfer of Plan Assets and Liabilities

     12   

ARTICLE IV HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

     12   

Section 4.1

    

Health and Welfare Plan Participation

     12   

Section 4.2

    

Reimbursement Account Plans

     12   

Section 4.3

    

Certain Liabilities

     13   

Section 4.4

    

Time-Off Benefits

     13   

ARTICLE V EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AWARDS

     13   

Section 5.1

    

Treatment of Blackstone Equity Awards of PJT Personnel

     13   

Section 5.2

    

True-Up of Replacement Awards

     14   

Section 5.3

    

Forfeiture of Replacement Awards

     14   

Section 5.4

    

Change of Control; Separation from Service

     15   

Section 5.5

    

New PJT Equity Plan

     15   

Section 5.6

    

Retention Awards

     15   

Section 5.7

    

Savings Clause

     15   

Section 5.8

    

SEC Registration

     15   

ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION MATTERS

     16   

Section 6.1

    

Workers’ Compensation Liabilities

     16   

Section 6.2

    

Code Section 409A

     16   

 

i


Section 6.3

    

Certain Payroll and Annual Cash Incentive Matters

     16   

Section 6.4

    

Tax Benefits

     18   

ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION

     18   

Section 7.1

    

Indemnification

     18   

ARTICLE VIII GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

     18   

Section 8.1

    

Sharing of Information

     18   

Section 8.2

    

Reasonable Efforts/Cooperation

     19   

Section 8.3

    

Effect on Employment

     19   

Section 8.4

    

Consent of Third Parties

     19   

Section 8.5

    

Access to Employees

     19   

Section 8.6

    

Beneficiary Designation/Release of Information/Right to Reimbursement

     20   

Section 8.7

    

Certain Compensation Arrangements

     20   

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     20   

Section 9.1

    

Entire Agreement

     20   

Section 9.2

    

Governing Law

     20   

Section 9.3

    

Waiver of Jury Trial

     21   

Section 9.4

    

Notices

     21   

Section 9.5

    

Amendments; Waivers and Consents

     22   

Section 9.6

    

Termination

     22   

Section 9.7

    

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

     22   

Section 9.8

    

Assignability; Binding Effect

     22   

Section 9.9

    

Construction; Interpretation

     23   

Section 9.10

    

Severability

     23   

Section 9.11

    

Counterparts

     23   

Section 9.12

    

Relationship of Parties

     23   

Section 9.13

    

Subsidiaries

     23   

Section 9.14

    

Dispute Resolution

     23   

Section 9.15

    

Payroll and Related Taxes

     24   

 

Exhibits   
Exhibit A    Retained Personnel
Exhibit B    PJT Personnel
Exhibit C    Form of Release

 

ii


Schedules   
Schedule A    Severance Protections
Schedule B-1    Retention Awards
Schedule B-2    Retention Award Recipients

 

iii


EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

This Employee Matters Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among (i) The Blackstone Group L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“BX”), (ii) Blackstone Holdings I L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Blackstone Holdings” and together with BX, collectively, the “Blackstone Parties”), (iii) New Advisory GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Blackstone Holdings (“Original PJT GP”), (iv) PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PJT HoldCo”), (v) PJT Partners Holdings LP (“PJT LP”), a Delaware limited partnership wholly-owned by Blackstone Holdings and certain of its Affiliates (as limited partners) and Original PJT GP (as general partner), (vi) PJT Capital LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“PJTC”), and (vii) PJT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the PJTC (“PJTM”). Each of the Blackstone Group and the PJT Group (as defined in the Separation Agreement) are sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively, as the “Parties”.

R E C I T A L S:

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Blackstone Group Management L.L.C. (the “Board”), as a general partner of BX, determined that it is appropriate, desirable, and in the best interests of BX and the Blackstone Common Unitholders to separate the PJT Business from Blackstone (the “Separation”) and to divest the PJT Business in the manner contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement by and among BX, Blackstone Holdings, Original PJT GP, PJT HoldCo and PJT LP, dated as of October 1, 2015 (the “Separation Agreement”);

WHEREAS, in order to effect the Separation, the Board has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of BX and the Blackstone Common Unitholders (as defined herein) (i) to enter into a series of transactions whereby PJT LP, either directly or through one or more direct or indirect Subsidiaries, will, collectively, own all of the PJT Assets and assume (or retain) all of the PJT Liabilities and (ii) for BX to distribute to the Blackstone Common Unitholders on a pro rata basis (without consideration being paid by such unitholders) all of the issued and outstanding PJT Class A Shares held by BX upon the consummation of the PJT Reorganization;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Parties have entered into this Agreement for the purpose of allocating Assets, Liabilities and responsibilities with respect to certain employee matters and employee compensation and benefit plans and programs between and among them and to address certain other employment-related matters.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties and covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Separation Agreement and the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Benefit Arrangement” means, with respect to an entity, each compensation or employee benefit plan, program, policy, agreement or other arrangement, whether or not “employee benefit plans” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA), including any benefit plan, bonuses, program, policy, agreement or arrangement providing cash- or equity-based compensation or incentives, health, medical, dental, vision, disability, accident or life insurance benefits or vacation, severance, retention, change in control, termination, deferred compensation, individual employment or consulting, retirement, pension or savings benefits, supplemental income, retiree benefit, relocation or other fringe benefit (whether or not taxable), or employee loans, that are sponsored or maintained by such entity (or to which such entity contributes or is required to contribute or in which it participates), and excluding workers’ compensation plans, policies, programs and arrangements.

Blackstone Benefit Arrangement” means any Benefit Arrangement sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any member of the Blackstone Group or any ERISA Affiliate thereof.

Blackstone Bonus Deferral Plan” means the Sixth Amended and Restated Blackstone Group Bonus Deferral Plan (including, as applicable to prior year’s awards, the prior versions of such Bonus Deferral Plan).

Blackstone Common Unit” means an issued and outstanding common unit representing a limited partner interest of BX.

Blackstone Common Unitholder” means a holder of Blackstone Common Units.

Blackstone Equity Award” means an equity award granted by BX or Blackstone Holdings under the Blackstone Bonus Deferral Plan or the Blackstone Equity Incentive Plan.

Blackstone Equity Incentive Plan” means the Blackstone Group Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

Blackstone Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Blackstone Holdings Units” means the issued and outstanding common units of Blackstone Holdings.

Blackstone Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Blackstone Post-Distribution Value” means the closing per unit price of Blackstone Common Units on the Closing Date.

 

2


Blackstone Pre-Distribution Value” means the closing per unit price of Blackstone Common Units on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Distribution Date.

Blackstone Reimbursement Account Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Blackstone Savings Plan” means The Blackstone Group 401(k) Savings Plan.

Blackstone VWAP” means, for any specified period, the volume weighted average per share price of Blackstone Common Units trading on the NYSE.

Blackstone Welfare Plans” means any employee welfare benefit plan maintained by BX or any member of the Blackstone Group and in which PJT Personnel participate.

Board” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

BX” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any successor statute), as amended from time to time.

Converted Blackstone Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a).

Converted Blackstone Award Post-Separation Value” means, during the True-Up Measurement Period (or, if applicable, a designated period within such True-Up Measurement Period), the sum of (x) the product of (i) the Blackstone VWAP during such period and (ii) the number of shares of Blackstone Common Units or Blackstone Holdings Units, as applicable, that were subject to a Converted Blackstone Award immediately prior to its conversion into a Replacement Award and (y) the product of (i) the PJT VWAP during such period and (ii) the number of shares of PJT Class A Shares that would have been distributed in respect of such Converted Blackstone Award if the Blackstone Common Units or Blackstone Holdings Units underlying such Converted Blackstone Award has been issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time.

Employment Tax Return” means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return, amended tax return, claim for refund or declaration of estimated Employment Tax) required to be supplied to, or filed with, a Tax authority in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Employment Tax or the administration of any laws, regulations or administrative requirements relating to any Employment Tax (whether or not a payment is required to be made with respect to such filing).

Employment Taxes” means any federal, state, local or foreign Taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, rates or other assessments or obligations imposed on, due or asserted to be due from (i) employees or deemed employees of the Blackstone Group or employees or deemed employees of the PJT Group or (ii) the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group as employers or deemed employers of such employees, including employers’ and employees’ portions of Federal

 

3


Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) Taxes, employers’ Federal Unemployment Tax Act (“FUTA”) taxes and state and local unemployment insurance taxes (“SUTA”), and employers’ withholding, reporting and remitting obligations with respect to any such Taxes or employees’ federal, state and local income taxes that are imposed on or due from employees or deemed employees of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

ERISA Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, each business or entity which is a member of a “controlled group of corporations,” under “common control” or a member of an “affiliated service group” with such Person within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c) or (m) of the Code, or required to be aggregated with such Person under Section 414(o) of the Code, or under “common control” with such Person within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

Forfeited Replacement Award Reimbursement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.

Former PJT Personnel” means any individual who, immediately prior to such individual’s separation from the Blackstone Group, PJTC, or their respective Affiliates, primarily provided services in respect of the PJT Business.

Founder” means Mr. Paul J. Taubman.

HIPAA” means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended.

IRS” means the United States Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service.

Leave of Absence” means any approved leave of absence, whether paid or unpaid, that is protected by Law or provided for under a policy, program or agreement of any member of the Blackstone Group including USERRA Leave, leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or corresponding state law or any short-term or long-term disability policy, program, or arrangement of any member of the Blackstone Group.

New PJT Equity Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.

Non-Competition Agreement” means any agreement, and any attachments or schedules thereto, entered into by and between an individual and BX or its Affiliates, pursuant to which the individual has agreed, among other things, to certain restrictions relating to non-competition, non-solicitation and/or confidentiality, in order to protect the business of BX and its Affiliates.

OPEB Plan” means health and welfare plans that provide post-employment welfare benefits (i.e., any retiree medical, dental, vision and/or life benefits) and, when immediately preceded by “Blackstone,” means any OPEB Plan maintained by any member of the Blackstone Group and, when immediately preceded by “PJT,” means any OPEB Plan maintained by any member of the PJT Group.

 

4


Order” means any: (i) order, judgment, injunction, edict, decree, ruling, pronouncement, determination, decision, opinion, verdict, sentence, subpoena, writ or award issued, made, entered, rendered or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any court, administrative agency or other Governmental Authority or any arbitrator or arbitration panel or (ii) Contract with any Governmental Authority entered into in connection with any Action.

Original PJT GP” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Park Hill Bonus Plan” means the document identified on Schedule 1.5(a) attached hereto.

Participating Company” means BX or any Person (other than an individual) participating in a Blackstone Benefit Arrangement.

Party” or “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a Governmental Authority.

PHG” shall mean PHG Holdings LLC.

PHG GP” shall mean PHG GP Inc.

PJTC” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

PJTM” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

PJT Benefit Arrangement” means any Benefit Arrangement sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the PJT Business.

PJT Business” means the BX businesses (conducted through certain of its Subsidiaries) of (i) providing financial and strategic advisory services (which does not include, for the avoidance of doubt, BX’s capital markets and related capital markets services business, BX’s private wealth unit and wealth management services business, and businesses and activities related to the funds of BX and its Affiliates, including those that are designated by BX as “IRBD” or “GSO”), (ii) restructuring and reorganization advisory services and (iii) fund placement services (conducted through the Park Hill Group).

PJT HoldCo” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

PJT LP” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

PJT LP Unit” means a unit of limited partnership interests in PJT LP.

PJT Per Share TEV” means $39.50.

PJT Personnel” means any individual who primarily provides services to any member of the PJT Business as of the Effective Time (other than any Retained Personnel), which individuals are listed on Exhibit B hereto. Such PJT Personnel may include individuals who are employed by, or otherwise primarily providing services to, either a member of the PJT Business or the Blackstone Group as of immediately before the Effective Time.

 

5


PJT Personnel Retained Blackstone Equity Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b).

PJT Reimbursement Account Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

PJT RSUs” means restricted share units of PJT HoldCo and settled in PJT Class A Shares or in cash, at the election of PJT HoldCo.

PJT Savings Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

PJT VWAP” means, for any specified period, the volume weighted average per share price of PJT Class A Shares trading on the NYSE.

PJT Welfare Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

Replacement Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a).

Replacement Award Post-Separation Value” means, during the True-Up Measurement Period (or, if applicable, a designated period within such True-Up Measurement Period), the product of (x) the PJT VWAP during such applicable period and (y) the number of shares of PJT Class A Shares or PJT LP Units, as applicable, subject to a Replacement Award.

Retained Personnel” means the individuals identified on Exhibit A.

Retention Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

Separation” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Separation Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Severance Protections” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

Special Equity Award” means an equity award of deferred Blackstone Common Units or Blackstone Holdings Units identified as a “Special Equity Award,” “Wealth Accumulation Plan Award,” or “Star Award” and issued under the Blackstone Equity Incentive Plan.

Third Party Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4(b).

Trading Day” means the period of time during any given calendar day, commencing with the determination of the opening price on the NYSE and ending with the determination of the closing price on the NYSE.

True-Up Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.

True-Up Measurement Period” means the 180 calendar days following the Closing Date, commencing with the first Trading Day after the Closing Date.

 

6


USERRA Leave” means a leave of absence in respect of which reemployment rights are protected under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Section 1.2 References; Interpretation. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement;

(b) references in this Agreement to any time shall be to the then prevailing New York City, New York time unless otherwise expressly provided herein; and

(c) references to an individual as an “Employee” are descriptive only and are not necessarily intended to mean that an individual is in fact an employee of any Party.

Section 1.3 Relation to Other Documents. To the extent there is any inconsistency between this Agreement and the terms of another agreement pertaining to the Separation that is the subject of this Agreement and such inconsistency (i) arises in connection with or as a result of employment with or the performance of services before or after the Separation for any member of the Blackstone Group or PJT Group and (ii) relates to the allocation of Liabilities attributable to the employment, service, termination of employment or termination of service of all present or former Blackstone employees or PJT Personnel or any of their dependents and beneficiaries (and any alternate payees in respect thereof) and other service providers (including any individual who is, or was or is determined to be an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement, or relationship with any member of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group), the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

ARTICLE II

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Section 2.1 Assumption and Retention of Liabilities; Related Assets.

(a) Effective as of the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, Blackstone shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, assume or retain, as applicable, and pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full:

(i) all Liabilities under all Blackstone Benefit Arrangements (other than PJT Benefit Arrangements) which exist as of the Effective Time;

(ii) subject to Section 2.1(a)(iii) below, all Liabilities with respect to the employment, service, termination of employment or termination of service (or otherwise) of all (A) employees (other than PJT Personnel and Former PJT Personnel) of any member of the Blackstone Group and their dependents and beneficiaries (and any alternate payees in respect thereof) and (B) other service providers (including any individual who is, or was, or is determined to be an

 

7


independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement, or relationship with any member of the Blackstone Group), in each case to the extent such other service provider Liability arose in connection with or as a result of the performance of services for businesses other than the PJT Business before, at or after the Effective Time or the performance of services for any member of the Blackstone Group before the Effective Time;

(iii) all Liabilities with respect to the employment, service, termination of employment or termination of service of Former PJT Personnel whose employment or services with the Blackstone Group terminated prior to the Separation and other Liabilities to Former PJT Personnel solely to the extent such Liabilities arose out of, or were related to, events that occurred prior to the Separation, except in each case to the extent such Liabilities are described on or arise out of contracts set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)(iii) attached hereto; and

(iv) any other Liabilities or obligations expressly assigned to BX or any of its Affiliates under this Agreement.

(b) Effective as of the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement but notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1(a), PJT LP shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, assume or retain, as applicable, and pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full:

(i) all Liabilities under all PJT Benefit Arrangements;

(ii) all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 2.1(a)(iii) attached hereto and all other Liabilities (other than with respect to Liabilities retained by the Blackstone Group pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(iii)) with respect to the employment, service, termination of employment or termination of service (or otherwise) of (A) all PJT Personnel and their dependents and beneficiaries (and any alternate payees in respect thereof) and (B) other service providers (including any individual who is, or was, or is determined to be an independent contractor, temporary employee, temporary service worker, consultant, freelancer, agency employee, leased employee, on-call worker, incidental worker, or non-payroll worker or in any other employment, non-employment, or retainer arrangement, or relationship with any member of the PJT Group), in each case to the extent such Liability arose in connection with or as a result of the performance of services for the PJT Business before, at or after the Effective Time; and

(iii) any other Liabilities or obligations expressly assigned to PJT LP or any of its Affiliates under this Agreement.

(c) From time to time after the Effective Time, the Parties shall promptly reimburse one another, upon reasonable request of the Party requesting reimbursement and the presentation by such Party of such substantiating documentation as the other Party shall reasonably request, for the cost of any obligations or Liabilities satisfied or assumed by the Party requesting reimbursement or its Affiliates that are, or that have been made pursuant to this Agreement, the responsibility of the other Party or any of its Affiliates. Any such reimbursement shall be on a fair-market-value, arm’s-length basis.

 

8


(d) Subject to Section 8.7, BX shall be the responsible party for preparing and timely filing or causing to be prepared and timely filed all Employment Tax Returns of any member of the Blackstone Group. BX shall be liable for all Employment Taxes due on any such Employment Tax Return. BX, at its sole expense, shall have exclusive control over the conduct and resolution of any audit, litigation, contest, dispute, or other proceeding relating to Employment Taxes of any member of the Blackstone Group.

(e) Subject to Section 8.7, PJT HoldCo shall be the responsible party for preparing and timely filing or causing to be prepared and timely filed all Employment Tax Returns of any member of the PJT Group with respect to periods (or portions thereof) following the Closing Date. PJT HoldCo shall be liable for all Employment Taxes due on any such Employment Tax Return. PJT HoldCo, at its sole expense, shall have exclusive control over the conduct and resolution of any audit, litigation, context, dispute, or other proceeding relating to Employment Taxes of the PJT Group.

Section 2.2 Treatment of Cash Compensation and Severance Arrangements.

(a) For a period of at least twelve (12) months following the Effective Time, PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause a member of the PJT Group to, provide to each PJT Personnel who remains employed during such period with (i) a base salary/draw and annual cash bonus opportunity (expressed as a percentage of base salary/draw) that are no less favorable in the aggregate (excluding guarantees) than those provided to such PJT Personnel immediately before the Effective Time and (ii) other compensation and employee benefits (excluding equity and/or equity-based compensation) that are substantially similar in the aggregate to those benefits provided to such PJT Personnel immediately before the Effective Time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, PJT shall maintain the Park Hill Bonus Plan in accordance with the terms of each Park Hill Bonus Plan.

(b) Until the first anniversary of the Effective Time, PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause a member of the PJT Group to, provide severance protections described on Schedule A to PJT Personnel described on Schedule A (“Severance Protections”). BX shall, or shall cause a member of the Blackstone Group to, reimburse PJT in cash on a monthly basis for the PJT Group’s pre-tax costs of providing the Severance Protections, including the employer portion of the payroll tax obligations arising in connection with providing the Severance Protections, whether paid as severance or pursuant to settlement of litigation or potential litigation arising out of the termination of the employment of any PJT Personnel identified on Schedule A; provided, that no reimbursement shall be provided for (x) any termination of PJT Personnel that occurs after the first anniversary of the Effective Time or (y) the value of any accelerated vesting of equity or equity-based awards. To the extent PJT HoldCo, or any member of the PJT Group, provides severance benefits to PJT Personnel identified on Schedule A in amounts greater than, or to individuals not covered by, the Severance Protections, BX will have no obligation to, or to cause a member of the Blackstone Group to, reimburse PJT HoldCo, or any member of the PJT Group, for such excess benefits unless otherwise approved in writing by Blackstone’s Global Head of Human Resources.

 

9


Section 2.3 Participation in Blackstone Benefit Arrangements. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement or as otherwise expressly agreed to in writing between the Parties, (i) effective as of the Effective Time, PJT HoldCo and each member of the PJT Group, to the extent applicable, shall cease to be a Participating Company in any Blackstone Benefit Arrangement and (ii) each PJT Participant, effective as of the Effective Time, shall cease to participate in, be covered by, accrue benefits under, be eligible to contribute to or have any rights under any Blackstone Benefit Arrangement except to the extent of obligations that accrued before the Effective Time, which obligations will remain a liability of the Blackstone Group unless expressly assumed by the PJT Group pursuant to this Agreement), and Blackstone and PJT HoldCo shall, or cause the applicable member of the PJT Group to, take all necessary action to effectuate each such cessation.

Section 2.4 Service Recognition. Effective as of the Effective Time PJT HoldCo shall, and shall cause each member of the PJT Group to, give each PJT Personnel full credit for purposes of eligibility, vesting, determination of level of benefits, and, to the extent applicable, benefit accruals and benefit subsidies under any PJT Benefit Arrangement (other than under any equity-based plan or arrangements covering grants made after the Effective Time to the extent not otherwise expressly provided for herein or in any other agreement) for such individual’s service with any member of the Blackstone Group or PJT Group or any predecessor thereto prior to the Closing Date, to the same extent permitted by Applicable Law and the terms of the applicable PJT Benefit Arrangements and to the same extent such service was recognized by an applicable similar Blackstone Benefit Arrangement immediately prior to the Closing Date; provided, that, such service shall not be recognized to the extent such recognition would result in the duplication of benefits. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, (i) PJT HoldCo shall cause each PJT Personnel to be immediately eligible to participate, without any waiting time, in any and all PJT Benefit Arrangements to the extent coverage under the PJT Benefit Arrangement is comparable to a Blackstone Benefit Arrangement in which the PJT Personnel participated immediately before the Closing Date and (ii) for purposes of each PJT Benefit Arrangement providing medical, dental, pharmaceutical or vision benefits to any PJT Personnel, PJT HoldCo shall cause all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work requirements of such PJT Benefit Arrangement to be waived for such employee and his or her covered dependents, except to the extent such conditions would not have been waived under the comparable Blackstone Benefit Arrangement in which such employee participated immediately prior to the Closing Date, and PJT HoldCo shall cause any eligible expenses incurred by such employee and his or her covered dependents during the portion of the plan year of the Blackstone Benefit Arrangement ending on the date such employee’s participation in the corresponding PJT Benefit Arrangement begins to be taken into account under such PJT Benefit Arrangement for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of pocket requirements applicable to such employee and his or her covered dependents for the applicable plan year as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with the PJT Benefit Arrangement.

Section 2.5 No Acceleration of Benefits. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed to create any right, or accelerate vesting or entitlement, to any compensation or benefit whatsoever on the part of any PJT Personnel or other former, current or future employee of the Blackstone Group or PJT Group under any Benefit Arrangement of the Blackstone Group or PJT Group.

 

10


Section 2.6 Amendment Authority. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit any member of the Blackstone Group, PJT Group or PJT Group from amending or terminating any employee benefit plans, policies and compensation programs at any time on or after the Closing Date.

Section 2.7 No Commitment to Employment or Benefits. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed (i) as a commitment or agreement on the part of any person to continue employment with the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group or, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, (ii) as a commitment on the part of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group to continue the compensation or benefits of any person for any period, (iii) to provide any recall or similar rights to an individual on layoff or any type of Leave of Absence, (iv) to establish, amend or modify any benefit plan or arrangement, or (v) to prevent the PJT Group from terminating any employee for any reason. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Blackstone Group and the PJT Group and, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or Liabilities under this Agreement upon any Person, including any PJT Personnel or other current or former employee, officer, director or contractor of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group, other than the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 2.8 Certain Employment Transfers. BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, cause each of the PJT Personnel to be employed by a member of the PJT Group immediately before the Effective Time.

ARTICLE III

QUALIFIED DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

Section 3.1 Participation of PJT Personnel in the Blackstone Savings Plan; Vesting. BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, cause each PJT Personnel to become fully vested in such PJT Personnel’s account balances under the Blackstone Savings Plan as of the date on which such PJT Personnel ceases to be employed by the Blackstone Group (which, generally, will be the Closing Date).

Section 3.2 PJT Savings Plan. Effective as of the Closing Date, PJT HoldCo shall, or shall have caused one or more members of the PJT Group to, establish or maintain a defined contribution savings plan or plans and related trust or trusts intended to satisfy the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code (such defined contribution savings plan or plans, the “PJT Savings Plan”). PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, be responsible for taking all necessary, reasonable, and appropriate action to establish, maintain and administer the PJT Savings Plan so that it is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, that it satisfies the requirements of Section 401(k) of the Code and that the related trust thereunder is exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code, and as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, take all steps reasonably necessary to obtain a favorable determination from the IRS as to such qualification if one is not then applicable to the PJT Savings Plan. PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, be responsible for any and all Liabilities (including Liability for funding) and other obligations with respect to the PJT Savings Plan.

 

11


Section 3.3 Transfer of Plan Assets and Liabilities. As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, cause any and all accounts of PJT Personnel under the Blackstone Savings Plan, and the value of the assets attributable to such accounts, to be transferred to the PJT Savings Plan in a “transfer of assets or liabilities” in accordance with Section 414(l) of the Code. BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, effectuate at least one subsequent transfer no later than seven (7) months following the Effective Time with respect to any individuals who become PJT Personnel after the Effective Time. The assets to be transferred shall be transferred in-kind (except as a third-party administrator may otherwise require), including as applicable in the form of promissory notes evidencing plan loans. PJT HoldCo shall cause the administrator of, and the trustee of the trust established under, the PJT Savings Plan to accept such transfer, subject to Applicable Law. Prior to the transfer, BX and PJT HoldCo or their respective Affiliates shall notify the IRS of the transfer by timely filing Forms 5310-A, to the extent such filings are required.

ARTICLE IV

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

Section 4.1 Health and Welfare Plan Participation. Effective as of the Closing Date, PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause an Affiliate to, establish or maintain health and welfare plans for the benefit of PJT Personnel (collectively, the “PJT Welfare Plans”).

Section 4.2 Reimbursement Account Plans. Effective as of the Closing Date PJT HoldCo shall, or shall have caused one or more members of the PJT Group to, have established a health and dependent care reimbursement account plan (the “PJT Reimbursement Account Plan”) with features substantially similar to those contained in the Blackstone Administrative Services Partnership LP Health and Welfare Plan (or any successor thereto) as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date (the “Blackstone Reimbursement Account Plan”). PJT shall assume responsibility for administering under the PJT Reimbursement Account Plan all reimbursement claims of PJT Personnel incurred in the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs, whether such claims arose before, on and after the Closing Date. No more than forty-five (45) calendar days following the Closing Date (or such later time as mutually agreed by BX and PJT HoldCo), (A) BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, cause to be transferred to PJT HoldCo, or such member of the PJT Group as PJT HoldCo designates, an amount in cash, cash-like securities or other cash equivalents equal to the excess, if any, of all contributions to the Blackstone Reimbursement Account Plan made with respect to the calendar year in which the Closing occurs (and, if the transfer occurs in any calendar year before April 1, the preceding calendar year) by or on behalf of any PJT Personnel prior to the Closing Date over the amount previously distributed to the PJT Personnel under the Blackstone Reimbursement Account Plan for the calendar year in which the Closing occurs (and, if the transfer occurs in any calendar year before April 1, the preceding calendar year), and (B) PJT HoldCo shall cause to be transferred to BX, or such member of the Blackstone Group as BX designates, an amount in cash, cash-like securities or other cash equivalents equal to the excess, if any, of the amount previously distributed

 

12


to the PJT Personnel under the Blackstone Reimbursement Account Plan for the calendar year in which the Closing occurs (and, if the transfer occurs in any calendar year before April 1, the preceding calendar year) over all contributions to the Blackstone Reimbursement Account Plan made with respect to the calendar year in which the Closing occurs (and, if the transfer occurs in any calendar year before April 1, the preceding calendar year) by or on behalf of any PJT Personnel prior to the Closing Date.

Section 4.3 Certain Liabilities.

(a) Insured Benefits. With respect to employee welfare and fringe benefits that are provided through the purchase of insurance, BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, timely pay all premiums in respect of coverage of PJT Personnel who participated in Blackstone Benefit Arrangements in respect of the period through the Closing Date, and PJT HoldCo Welfare Plans shall maintain Liability in respect of any and all claims of PJT Personnel that are incurred under such plans.

(b) Self-Insured Benefits. With respect to employee welfare and fringe benefits that are provided on a self-insured basis, (i) BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, fully perform, pay and discharge, under the Blackstone Welfare Plans, all claims of PJT Personnel that are incurred under such plans through the Closing Date and (ii) PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, fully perform, pay and discharge, under the PJT Welfare Plans, after the Closing Date, all claims of PJT Personnel that are incurred on or after the Closing Date. For purposes of this Section 4.3(b), a claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred: with respect to medical, dental, vision and/or prescription drug benefits, upon the rendering of health services giving rise to such claim or Liability; with respect to life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and business travel accident insurance, upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to such claim or Liability; and with respect to disability benefits, upon the date of an individual’s disability, as determined by the disability benefit insurance carrier or claim administrator, giving rise to such claim or Liability.

Section 4.4 Time-Off Benefits. PJT HoldCo shall credit (or continue to credit) or cause to be credited (or cause to continue to be credited) each PJT Personnel as of the Closing Date with the amount of accrued but unused vacation time, paid time off and other time-off benefits as such PJT Personnel had with BX as of immediately prior to the Closing Date.

ARTICLE V

EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AWARDS

Section 5.1 Treatment of Blackstone Equity Awards of PJT Personnel.

(a) Immediately following the Effective Time, except as otherwise agreed in writing between BX and an award holder, fifty percent (50%) of each outstanding unvested Blackstone Equity Award held by PJT Personnel, other than any such unvested Blackstone Equity Award which is scheduled to vest within 180 calendar days following the Effective Time, will be converted and cancelled (each, a “Converted Blackstone Award”) and replaced by a comparable

 

13


equity award in accordance with this Agreement (a “Replacement Award”). Such Replacement Award will be (ii) an award of PJT RSUs for each Converted Blackstone Award denominated in Blackstone Common Units and (ii) denominated in PJT LP Units for each Converted Blackstone Award denominated in Blackstone Holdings Units. The number of shares of PJT Class A Shares or PJT LP Units, as applicable, subject to each Replacement Award will be equal to a quotient, the numerator of which is equal to the product of (x) the number of Blackstone Common Units or Blackstone Holdings Units, as applicable, subject to the Converted Blackstone Award and (y) the Blackstone VWAP for the twenty (20)-Trading Day period ended on August 14, 2015, and the denominator of which is the PJT Per-Share TEV. The Replacement Award will be subject to identical vesting and settlement terms as those that applied to such Converted Blackstone Award immediately before the Effective Time; provided, that any vesting conditions and settlement based on continued service to Blackstone or its Affiliates will be based on continued service to PJT HoldCo or its Affiliates.

(b) The portion of any Blackstone Equity Award held by PJT Personnel that is not a Converted Blackstone Award will remain a Blackstone Equity Award (the “PJT Personnel Retained Blackstone Equity Award”). Each PJT Personnel Retained Blackstone Equity Award, except as otherwise agreed in writing between BX and an award holder, either (i) will be adjusted to reflect the value of a distribution of PJT Class A Shares or PJT LP Units or (ii) will receive a distribution from BX of PJT Class A Shares or PJT LP Units, in each case, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of the Blackstone Equity Incentive Plan, as determined by BX.

Section 5.2 True-Up of Replacement Awards. If during every full twenty-Trading Day period within the True-Up Measurement Period, the Replacement Award Post-Separation Value is less than the Converted Blackstone Award Post-Separation Value during the applicable twenty-Trading Day period, then the Replacement Award holder will be credited with an adjustment to such Replacement Award (a “True-Up Adjustment”). The True-Up Adjustment, if applicable, will provide the holder of a Replacement Award with the right to receive equity or a cash payment based on the excess, if any (the “True-Up Value”), of (x) the Converted Blackstone Award Post-Separation Value for the last 20 Trading Days of the True-Up Measurement Period over (y) the value of the Replacement Award Post-Separation Value for the last 20 Trading Days of the True-Up Measurement Period. The True-Up Adjustment will be payable by BX and settled in cash, Blackstone Common Units, or PJT Class A Shares, as determined by BX in its sole discretion as soon as practicable following the True-Up Measurement Period. If the True-Up Adjustment is settled in Blackstone Common Units or PJT Class A Shares, the Replacement Award holder will receive a number of units or shares, as applicable, with a value equal to the True-Up Value using the Blackstone VWAP or PJT VWAP, as applicable, during the last 20 Trading Days of the True-Up Measurement Period. The True-Up Adjustment will be subject to such other terms and conditions as determined by BX in its sole discretion after consultation with PJT HoldCo. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of a Replacement Award that is forfeited prior to the end of the True-Up Measurement Period will not be entitled to receive a True-Up Adjustment in respect of such Replacement Award.

Section 5.3 Forfeiture of Replacement Awards. On the tenth (10th) Business Day following the end of the each fiscal quarter, PJT HoldCo or one of its Affiliates will pay to BX or one its Affiliates an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of Replacement Award

 

14


shares or units forfeited during the preceding fiscal quarter and (y) the twenty (20)-Trading Day PJT VWAP immediately preceding and including the last day of the preceding fiscal quarter (the “Forfeited Replacement Award Reimbursement”). The Forfeited Replacement Award Reimbursement will be paid in cash or in PJT Class A Shares, at the election of PJT HoldCo. For the avoidance of doubt, PJT HoldCo will not reimburse BX for the value of any forfeited True-Up Adjustment or any forfeited Replacement Award which corresponds to a Converted Blackstone Award that was granted with respect to the 2014 calendar year pursuant to the Blackstone Bonus Deferral Plan. PJT Holdco shall promptly notify Blackstone upon the termination of services of any PJT Personnel resulting in a forfeited Replacement Award.

Section 5.4 Change of Control; Separation from Service. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Separation shall not constitute a “Change of Control” under the Blackstone Equity Plan or the Blackstone Bonus Deferral Plan (or their respective underlying documents) and (ii) the transfer of employment and services by a holder of Blackstone Equity Awards from BX and its Affiliates to PJT HoldCo and its Affiliates (and the Separation) shall not constitute a “separation of service” (to the extent not otherwise prohibited by applicable law) for purposes of the Blackstone Equity Plan or the Blackstone Bonus Deferral Plan (or their respective underlying award agreements).

Section 5.5 New PJT Equity Plan. No later than the Effective Time, PJT shall adopt a plan that will provide equity-based awards (including, without limitation, the Replacement Awards) to PJT Personnel (the “New PJT Equity Plan”). The New PJT Equity Plan shall be approved by the shareholders of PJT HoldCo prior to the Effective Time.

Section 5.6 Retention Awards. At the Effective Time, BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, cause PJT HoldCo, in consultation with the Founder, to issue to PJT Personnel retention awards in the form of PJT Class A Shares, PJT LP Units, and cash-based awards (collectively, the “Retention Awards”) on such terms as set forth on Schedule B-1 hereto, with the form of equity and amount of such award for each recipient as specified on Schedule B-2.

Section 5.7 Savings Clause. The Parties hereby acknowledge that the provisions of this ARTICLE V are intended to achieve certain Tax, legal and accounting objectives and, in the event such objectives are not achieved, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith regarding such other actions that may be necessary or appropriate to achieve such objectives.

Section 5.8 SEC Registration. As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, PJT HoldCo shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 (or another appropriate form) registering under the Securities Act the offering of at least a number of PJT Class A Shares issuable under the New PJT Equity Plan. PJT HoldCo shall keep such registration statement effective (and maintain the current status of the prospectus required thereby) for so long as any PJT Class A Shares issued pursuant to this ARTICLE V remain outstanding.

 

15


ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION MATTERS

Section 6.1 Workers’ Compensation Liabilities. Effective as of the Closing Date, PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, assume all Liabilities for PJT Personnel related to any and all workers’ compensation claims and coverage, whether arising under any law of any state, territory, or possession of the U.S. or the District of Columbia, and arising after the Closing Date (the “Workers’ Compensation Liabilities”), and PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, be fully responsible for the administration of all such claims; provided, however, if the event giving rise to a workers’ compensation claim occurs over a period both preceding and following the Closing Date, the claim shall be jointly covered under the applicable plans of PJT Holdco and BX and equitably apportioned between them in accordance with Applicable Law or the applicable plan documents. If no member of the PJT Group is able to assume any Workers’ Compensation Liabilities or the administration of any related claim because of the operation of applicable state law or for any other reason, BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, retain such Liabilities and PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, reimburse and otherwise fully indemnify BX and all members of the Blackstone Group for all Workers’ Compensation Liabilities, including the costs of administering the plans, programs or arrangements under which any such Liabilities have accrued or otherwise arisen.

Section 6.2 Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including the treatment of supplemental and deferred compensation plans, outstanding long-term incentive awards and annual incentive awards as described herein), the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith regarding the need for any treatment different from that otherwise provided herein to ensure that the treatment of such supplemental or deferred compensation or long-term incentive award, annual incentive award or other compensation does not cause the imposition of a Tax under Section 409A of the Code. In no event, however, will any Party be liable to another in respect of any Taxes imposed under Section 409A of the Code. For the avoidance of doubt, the transfer of employment and services by a holder of Blackstone Equity Awards from BX and its Affiliates to PJT HoldCo and its Affiliates (and the Separation) on or prior to the Effective Date shall not be intended to constitute a “separation of service” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

Section 6.3 Certain Payroll and Annual Cash Incentive Matters.

(a) Post-Distribution Payroll for Pre-Distribution Service. Subject to Section 9.15, in the case of each PJT Personnel, the employer of such individual as of immediately before the Closing Date shall be responsible for paying (and the W-2 and other payroll reporting obligations for) the payroll amount due to such individual for the payroll period (or portion thereof) ending on the Closing Date.

 

16


(b) Annual Cash Incentives. At the Effective Time, except as set forth below with respect to partners and non-U.S. based employees (and subject to BX’s payment obligations to PJT HoldCo as set forth below), PJT HoldCo shall, or shall cause one or more members of the PJT Group to, assume responsibility for making payments to PJT Personnel in respect of their annual incentive arrangements (“Bonus Arrangements”). BX and PJT HoldCo shall satisfy their respective obligations with respect to the Bonus Arrangements as follows:

(i) Bonus Payments to Employees. PJT HoldCo, or one or more members of the PJT Group, shall pay the Bonus Arrangements in respect of 2015 to PJT Personnel who are employees (and not partners) no later than 75 calendar days following the Effective Date (the “PJT NPP Bonus Payment Date”). On the day immediately preceding the PJT NPP Bonus Payment Date, BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to pay PJT HoldCo an amount equal to the cash portion of any Bonus Arrangements accrued to such PJT Personnel as of the Effective Date (the “NPP Accrued Bonuses”); provided, that the foregoing shall not apply with respect to PJT Personnel who are employees (and not partners) located in a jurisdiction other than the United States, and instead, on the PJT NPP Bonus Payment Date, BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to pay such PJT Personnel an amount equal to the cash portion of any Bonus Arrangements accrued to such PJT Personnel as of the Effective Date in satisfaction of BX’s Bonus Arrangement obligations with respect to such individuals.

(ii) Bonus Payments to Partners. (A) PJT HoldCo, or one or more members of the PJT Group, shall pay the Bonus Arrangements in respect of the period in 2015 following the Effective Date to PJT Personnel who are partners (and not employees) no later than such time as Bonus Arrangements are typically paid by the PJT Group to such PJT Personnel in the ordinary course of business (the “PJT Partner Payment Date”); and (B) on the PJT Partner Payment Date, BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, pay to such PJT Personnel an amount equal to the cash portion of any Bonus Arrangements accrued to such PJT Personnel as of the Effective Date (the “Partner Accrued Bonuses” and together with the NPP Accrued Bonuses, the “Accrued Bonuses”) in satisfaction of BX’s Bonus Arrangement obligations with respect to such individuals.

(iii) Certain Adjustments; Treatment of Non-Cash Bonuses. Subject to BX’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), in the event that due to subsequent developments or events occurring following the Effective Time, including, without limitation, an increase in the levels of compensation in the investment banking industry, there is a material increase in bonuses actually paid to such PJT Personnel above the levels anticipated by the Accrued Bonuses, BX shall be obligated to pay to PJT HoldCo its pro rata portion of such incremental increase based on the portion of the calendar year prior to the Effective Time. On the Effective Date, with respect to any portion of the Accrued Bonuses which is deferred compensation or would have been denominated in Blackstone Common Units or Blackstone Holdings Units pursuant to the terms of the Blackstone Bonus Deferral Plan (the “Non-Cash Portion”), BX shall, or shall cause one or more members of the Blackstone Group to, pay to PJT Holdco or such member of the PJT Group as PJT HoldCo designates an amount in cash equal to the Non-Cash Portion of the Accrued Bonuses. Payment of Bonus Arrangements in respect of 2015 shall be made in accordance with the terms set forth on Schedule 8.7.

 

17


Section 6.4 Tax Benefits. If any member of the PJT Group actually realizes a cash benefit (including a reduction in payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement or a reduction in cash Taxes otherwise payable) as a result of (i) any True-Up Adjustment (including, without limitation, in connection with the receipt, vesting or delivery of any cash, equity or other property as a result of such True-Up Adjustment), (ii) any PJT Personnel Retained Blackstone Equity Award (including, without limitation, in connection with the receipt, vesting or delivery of any cash, equity or other property pursuant to the foregoing) or (iii) the payment (whether by a member of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group) of any Accrued Bonuses (including, without limitation, in connection with the receipt, vesting or delivery of any cash, equity or other property attributable to the cash or Non-Cash Portion of any Accrued Bonuses), then PJT HoldCo shall pay the net amount of such cash benefit or such reduction in Taxes to BX (or such member of the Blackstone Group as BX designates). Any such payments shall be made on an annual basis within 9 months following the end of the relevant taxable period in which the applicable member of the PJT Group actually realized such cash benefit or such reduction in Taxes and shall be net of the tax costs on income, if any, to any member of the PJT Group resulting from the payments made by BX in connection with any of its foregoing obligations. PJT HoldCo shall cooperate (and shall cause other members of the PJT Group to cooperate) with BX’s reasonable requests in determining the amount of any cash benefit or reduction in Taxes that could give rise to a payment under this Section 6.4.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1 Indemnification. The Parties acknowledge that any claim for indemnification, whether or not based upon, attributable to, resulting from or arising under this Agreement shall be subject to and made in accordance with Article VIII (Indemnification) of the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Section 8.1 Sharing of Information. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, BX and PJT HoldCo shall provide to each other and their respective agents and vendors all Information (other than attorney-client privileged Information or attorney work product) as the other may reasonably request to enable the requesting Party to defend or prosecute claims, to administer efficiently and accurately each of its Benefit Arrangements (including in connection with audits or other proceedings maintained by any Governmental Authority), to facilitate the treatment of equity awards and compensation matters as contemplated under this Agreement, to timely and accurately comply with and report under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Code, to determine the scope of, as well as fulfill, all of its other

 

18


obligations under this Agreement, and otherwise to comply with provisions of Applicable Law. Such Information shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be provided in the format and at the times and places requested, but in no event shall the Party providing such Information be obligated to incur any out-of-pocket expenses not reimbursed by the Party making such request or make such Information available outside of its normal business hours and premises. Any Information shared or exchanged pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth in ARTICLE IX of the Separation Agreement; provided, that, notwithstanding anything in such ARTICLE IX and without otherwise limiting the provisions of such ARTICLE IX, each of the Parties shall comply with any requirement of Applicable Law in regard to the confidentiality of the Information (whether relating to employee records or otherwise) that is shared with another Party in accordance with this Section 8.1. The Parties also hereby agree to enter into any business associate agreements that may be required for the sharing of any Information pursuant to this Agreement to comply with the requirements of HIPAA. The Parties shall use their best efforts to secure consents or authorizations from employees, former employees and their respective dependents to the extent required to permit the Parties to share Information as contemplated in this Section 8.1.

Section 8.2 Reasonable Efforts/Cooperation. Each of the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to, and in accordance with Applicable Law) to be take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done promptly, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under Applicable Laws or contractual obligations to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, adopting plans or plan amendments and facilitating the treatment of equity awards and compensation matters as contemplated under this Agreement. Each of the Parties shall cooperate fully on any issue relating to the transaction contemplated by this Agreement for which the other Party seeks a determination letter or private letter ruling from the IRS, an advisory opinion from the Department of Labor or any other filing, consent or approval with respect to or by a Governmental Authority.

Section 8.3 Effect on Employment. Without limiting Section 2.3 or Section 2.4, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the mere occurrence of the Separation shall not cause any employee to be deemed to have incurred a termination of employment which entitles such individual to the commencement of benefits under any of the Blackstone Benefit Arrangements (provided that PJT Personnel may become eligible for a distribution from the Blackstone Savings Plan in accordance with the terms of such plan).

Section 8.4 Consent of Third Parties. If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the Consent of any third party and such Consent is withheld, the Parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to implement the applicable provisions of this Agreement to the fullest extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, the Parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision (as applicable) in a mutually satisfactory manner.

Section 8.5 Access to Employees. On and after the Closing Date, BX and PJT HoldCo shall, and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to, use their best efforts to make available to each other those of their employees who may reasonably be needed in order to defend or prosecute any legal or administrative Action (other than a legal action between or among any of

 

19


the Parties) to which any employee, director or Benefit Arrangement of the Blackstone Group or PJT Group is a party and which relates in any way to their respective employment or to their respective Benefit Arrangements prior to the Closing Date. The Party to whom an employee is made available in accordance with this Section 8.5 shall pay or reimburse the other Party for all reasonable, pre-approved expenses which may be incurred by such employee in connection therewith, including all reasonable travel, lodging, and meal expenses, but excluding any amount for such employee’s time spent in connection herewith.

Section 8.6 Beneficiary Designation/Release of Information/Right to Reimbursement. Without limiting the provisions of Section 2.7 or other provisions of this Agreement, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, all beneficiary designations, authorizations for the release of Information and rights to reimbursement made by or relating to PJT Personnel under Blackstone Benefit Arrangements shall be transferred to and be in full force and effect under the corresponding PJT Benefit Arrangements until such beneficiary designations, authorizations or rights are replaced or revoked by, or no longer apply, to the relevant PJT Personnel.

Section 8.7 Certain Compensation Arrangements. Without limiting the generality of this Article VIII, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith and share information to implement and administer the terms of the Replacement Awards, the PJT Personnel Retained Blackstone Equity Awards, the True-Up Adjustment, the Retention Awards and the Bonus Arrangements and any other applicable arrangements, in each case, as contemplated under the terms of this Agreement and as further set forth in Schedule 8.7 attached hereto, in order to facilitate the Parties’ respective obligations to each other and to the PJT Personnel.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules, and the Separation Agreement, including any related annexes, schedules and exhibits, as well as any other agreements and documents referred to herein and therein, shall together constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and shall supersede all prior negotiations, agreements and understandings of the Parties of any nature, whether oral or written, with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of the body of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Schedule or Exhibit, the terms and conditions of such Schedule or Exhibit shall control, unless specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement.

Section 9.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

20


Section 9.3 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 9.4 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, transmitted by facsimile or e-mail (and confirmed), mailed by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or sent by commercial overnight courier, courier fees prepaid (if available; otherwise, by the next best class of service available), to the parties at the following addresses:

 

  (a)    If to any member of the PJT Group:
     PJT Partners Inc.
     280 Park Avenue
     16th FloorNew York, NY 10017
     Attn: Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale
     E-mail: jyl@pjtpartners.com; cuminale@pjtpartners.com
     with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
     Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
     767 Fifth Avenue
     New York, NY 10153
     Attn: Barry Wolf, Esq.; Michael Aiello, Esq.
     Facsimile: (212) 310-8007
     Email:   Barry.Wolf@weil.com;
       Michael.Aiello@weil.com
  (b)    If to any member of the Blackstone Group:
     The Blackstone Group L.P.
     345 Park Avenue
     New York, NY 10154
     Attn: John Finley; Michael Chae
     Facsimile: (212) 583-5749
     E-mail:   John.Finley@blackstone.com
       Chae@blackstone.com
     with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
    

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017-3954

    

Attn: Gregory T. Grogan, Esq.

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

     E-mail:   ggrogan@stblaw.com

 

21


or to such other Person or address as any party shall specify in notice by writing to the other parties in accordance with this Section 9.4. All such notices or other communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of the personal delivery or delivery by e-mail (if confirmed) or facsimile (if delivery confirmation is received), or, on the third Business Day after the mailing or dispatch thereof; provided that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

Section 9.5 Amendments; Waivers and Consents.

(a) This Agreement may be amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of the Blackstone Parties, PJT HoldCo and PJT LP. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party hereto which is entitled to the benefits hereof may (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligations or other acts of the other parties, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements of any other party or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the party of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only with respect to the party agreeing to such extension or waiver and only if set forth in an instrument in writing, signed and delivered on behalf of such party.

(b) The failure of any Party to require strict performance by the other Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that Party’s right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof. Any consent required or permitted to be given by any Party to the other Parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by the Party giving such consent and shall be effective only against such party (and its Group).

Section 9.6 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate without further action at any time before the Closing upon termination of the Separation Agreement. If terminated, no Party shall have any Liability of any kind to the other Party or any other Person on account of this Agreement, except as provided in the Separation Agreement.

Section 9.7 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except (i) as provided in Article VII with respect to indemnification of Indemnitees, which is intended to benefit and be enforceable by the Persons specified therein as Indemnitees and (ii) as specifically provided herein, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and does not confer on third parties (including any employees of any member of the Blackstone Group or the PJT Group) any remedy, claim, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in addition to those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 9.8 Assignability; Binding Effect. This Agreement is not assignable by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties and any attempt to assign this Agreement without such consent shall be void and of no effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

22


Section 9.9 Construction; Interpretation. Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement or the Schedules and Exhibits hereto shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

Section 9.10 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

Section 9.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 9.12 Relationship of Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any third party as creating the relationship of principal and agent, partnership, joint venture or joint employer relationship between or among the Parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained herein, and no act of the Parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between or among the Parties other than the relationship set forth herein.

Section 9.13 Subsidiaries. BX shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any member of the Blackstone Group. PJT HoldCo shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any member of the PJT Group.

Section 9.14 Dispute Resolution. Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity, termination or breach of this Agreement or otherwise arising out of, or in any way related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be subject to the dispute resolutions procedures set forth in Article IX of the Separation Agreement.

 

23


Section 9.15 Payroll and Related Taxes. With respect to the PJT Personnel who were employees of a member of the Blackstone Group immediately prior to the Effective Time, the parties shall cause their respective Affiliates to (to the extent permitted by applicable Law and practicable) (a) treat the applicable member of the PJT Group as a “successor employer” and the applicable member of the Blackstone Group as a “predecessor,” within the meaning of Sections 3121(a)(1) and 3306(b)(1) of the Code, to the extent appropriate, for purposes of Taxes imposed under the United States Federal Insurance Contributions Act, as amended (“FICA”), or the United States Federal Unemployment Tax Act, as amended (“FUTA”) and (b) file tax returns, exchange wage payment information, and report wage payments made by the respective predecessor and successor employer on IRS Forms W-2 or similar earnings statements to such PJT Personnel for the tax year in which the Effective Time occurs, in a manner provided in Section 4.02(1) of Revenue Procedure 2004-53. For the avoidance of doubt, the collection of payroll taxes under FICA and FUTA for the tax year during which the Effective Time occurs will not restart upon or following the Effective Time with respect to the PJT Personnel who were employees of a member of the Blackstone Group immediately prior to the Effective Time.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

24


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.
By:  

Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., as

general partner

By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

  Name:   John G. Finley
  Title:   Chief Legal Officer
BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I L.P.
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

  Name:   John G. Finley
  Title:   Chief Legal Officer
PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP
By:   New Advisory GP L.L.C., as general partner
By:   Blackstone Holdings I L.P., as sole member
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

  Name:   John G. Finley
  Title:   Chief Legal Officer


PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP
BY:   PJT Partners Inc., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
NEW ADVISORY GP L.L.C.
By:   Blackstone Holdings I L.P., as sole member
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

  Name:   John G. Finley
  Title:   Chief Legal Officer
PJT CAPITAL LP
By:  

/s/ James Cuminale

Name:   James Cuminale
Title:   Authorized Signatory
PJT MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ James Cuminale

  Name:   James Cuminale
  Title:   Authorized Signatory
EX-10.2 7 d21345dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

by and among

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.,

BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I/II GP INC.,

PJT PARTNERS INC.,

PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP,

STONECO IV CORPORATION,

BLACKSTONE LITTLE SPINCO INC.,

PJT CAPITAL LP,

PJT MANAGEMENT, LLC

and

the Seller Parties (as defined herein)

Dated as of October 1, 2015


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS      2   

SECTION 1.1.

  General      2   

SECTION 1.2.

  References; Interpretation      6   
ARTICLE II. ALLOCATION OF TAX LIABILITIES      6   

SECTION 2.1.

  Payment of Taxes      6   

SECTION 2.2.

  Indemnity      8   

SECTION 2.3.

  Contests      8   

SECTION 2.4.

  Treatment of Payments; After Tax Basis      9   
ARTICLE III. PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS      10   

SECTION 3.1.

  BX’s Responsibility for the Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns      10   

SECTION 3.2.

  Carbon HoldCo’s Responsibility for the Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns      10   

SECTION 3.3.

  Seller Parties’ Responsibility for the Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns      10   

SECTION 3.4.

  Manner of Preparation      10   

SECTION 3.5.

  Costs and Expenses of Preparation      11   

SECTION 3.6.

  Carrybacks      11   

SECTION 3.7.

  Retention of Records; Access      11   

SECTION 3.8.

  Confidentiality; Ownership of Information; Privileged Information      12   
ARTICLE IV. DISTRIBUTIONS AND RELATED TAX MATTERS      12   

SECTION 4.1.

 

Opinion Requirement for Major Transactions Undertaken by Carbon HoldCo During the Restricted Period

     12   

SECTION 4.2.

  Indemnification for Reorganization Taxes      14   

SECTION 4.3.

  Refund of Amounts      14   

SECTION 4.4.

  Protective Section 336(e) Elections      15   
ARTICLE V. MISCELLANEOUS      15   

SECTION 5.1.

  Tax Sharing Agreements      15   

SECTION 5.2.

  Complete Agreement; Construction      15   

SECTION 5.3.

  Counterparts      15   

SECTION 5.4.

  Survival of Agreements      16   

SECTION 5.5.

  Notices      16   

SECTION 5.6.

  Waivers and Consents      16   

SECTION 5.7.

  Amendments      17   

SECTION 5.8.

  Assignment      17   

SECTION 5.9.

  Certain Termination and Amendment Rights      17   

SECTION 5.10.

  Subsidiaries      17   


SECTION 5.11.

  Third Party Beneficiaries      17   

SECTION 5.12.

  Title and Headings      17   

SECTION 5.13.

  Exhibits      17   

SECTION 5.14.

  Governing Law      17   

SECTION 5.15.

  Severability      17   

SECTION 5.16.

  Force Majeure      18   

SECTION 5.17.

  Interpretation      18   

SECTION 5.18.

  No Duplication; No Double Recovery      18   


TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“BX”), BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I/II GP INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings I/II GP”), PJT PARTNERS INC., a Delaware corporation (“Carbon HoldCo”), PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Carbon LP”), STONECO IV CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“StoneCo IV”), Blackstone Little SpinCo Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Little SpinCo”), PJT CAPITAL LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“PJTC”), (vi) PJT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of PJTC (“PJTM”) and (vii) the Persons identified as Seller Parties on the signature pages hereto (the “Seller Parties”) (each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, BX, acting through its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, currently conducts a number of businesses, including the Carbon Business;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of BX (the “Board”) has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of BX and its unitholders to separate the Carbon Business from BX and to divest the Carbon Business in the manner contemplated by the Separation Agreement and the Transaction Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2014 (as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Transaction Agreement”), among BX, Blackstone Holdings, Original Carbon GP, Carbon LP, PJTC, PJTM and the Founder;

WHEREAS, in order to effect the Separation, the Board has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of BX and its unitholders (i) to enter into a series of transactions whereby Carbon HoldCo and/or one or more members of the Carbon Group will, collectively, own all of the Carbon Assets and, where appropriate, assume (or retain) all of the Carbon Liabilities and (ii) for BX to distribute to the holders of BX Common Units on a pro rata basis (without consideration being paid by such unitholders) all of the Carbon Class A Shares held by BX upon the consummation of the Carbon Reorganization;

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Parties that the Distributions and the Merger qualify for the Intended Tax-Free Treatment; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the Acquisition, the Separation, the Distributions and the Merger, the Parties desire to enter into this Tax Matters Agreement to provide for certain Tax matters, including the assignment of responsibility for the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, the payment of and indemnification for Taxes (including Taxes with respect to the Distributions, the Merger and related transactions as contemplated in the Separation Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements), entitlement to refunds of Taxes, and the prosecution and defense of any Tax controversies.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the forgoing and the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:


ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. General. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings that such terms have in the Separation Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Agreement” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Ancillary Agreements” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Acquisition” means the acquisition of the Acquired Interests by Acquirer, as defined in and contemplated by the Transaction Agreement.

Big Spin” means the distribution of the stock of Carbon HoldCo by Holdings I/II GP to BX.

Blackstone Group” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Blackstone Holdings” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Board” is defined in the recitals hereof.

Breaching Party” is defined in Section 4.2.

Business” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Business Day” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

BX” is defined in the preamble hereof.

BX Common Units” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

BX Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of BX other than a Carbon Party.

Capped Percentage” means 48%.

Carbon HoldCo” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Carbon Assets” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Carbon Business” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Carbon Class A Shares” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Carbon Class B Shares” shall mean the shares of Class B common stock of Carbon HoldCo, par value $0.01 per share.

Carbon Group” is defined in the Separation Agreement.


Carbon Liabilities” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Carbon LP” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Carbon Party” means Carbon HoldCo, any Carbon Subsidiary, Little SpinCo, and any Little SpinCo Subsidiary, as applicable.

Carbon Reorganization” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Carbon Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Carbon HoldCo.

Closing of the Books Method” means the apportionment of items between portions of a taxable period based on a closing of the books and records on the Distribution Date (as if the Distribution Date was the end of the taxable period).

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Consents” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Consolidated Tax Return” means any Tax Return filed pursuant to Section 1502 of the Code, or any comparable combined, consolidated, or unitary group Tax Return filed under state, local or foreign Tax law with respect to which BX or a BX Subsidiary is the parent entity and that includes any Carbon Party.

Conversion or Exchange Event” is defined in Section 4.1(c).

Default Interest Rate” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Distributing Corporation” or “Distributing Corporations” means Holdings I/II GP and/or StoneCo IV, individually or collectively, as applicable.

Distribution” or “Distributions” means the Big Spin and the Little Spin, individually or collectively, as applicable.

Distribution Date” means the day on which the Distributions and the Separation are effected.

Effective Time” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Employee Matters Agreement” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Exchange Agreement” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Final Determination” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax for any taxable period, including any related interest or penalties, by or as a result of: (i) a final and unappealable decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or comparable agreement under the laws of other jurisdictions which resolves the entire Tax liability for any taxable period; (iii) any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such refund may be recovered by the jurisdiction imposing the Tax; or (iv) any other final disposition.


Force Majeure” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Founder” means Mr. Paul J. Taubman.

Framework Agreement” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Group” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Holdings I/II GP” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Income Tax” means any income, franchise or similar Taxes imposed on (or measured by) net income or net profits.

Income Tax Returns” means all Tax Returns relating to Income Taxes.

Intended Tax-Free Treatment” means (i) that the contributions of certain assets and liabilities relating to the Carbon Business to Big SpinCo and Little SpinCo by the applicable Distributing Corporation qualify as reorganizations within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and that no gain or loss be recognized under Section 361 of the Code with respect to such contributions, (ii) that the Big Spin and the Little Spin qualify as tax-free distributions under Sections 355 and 361 of the Code and that no gain or loss be recognized under Section 355 of the Code with respect to such distributions and (iii) that the Merger qualifies as a reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Little Spin” means the distribution of the stock of Little SpinCo by StoneCo IV, to Blackstone Holdings III L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

Little SpinCo” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Little SpinCo Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Little SpinCo.

Losses” has the meaning ascribed to the term “Indemnifiable Losses” in the Separation Agreement.

Measurement Percentage” is defined in Section 4.1(c).

Merger” means the merger of Little SpinCo with and into Carbon HoldCo, with Carbon HoldCo surviving.

Non-Breaching Party” is defined in Section 4.2.

Opinion” means the opinion delivered by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Separation Agreement.

Original Carbon GP” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Party” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Payment Period” is defined in Section 2.4(d).


Person” means any individual, corporation, company, partnership (limited or general), limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

PJTC” is defined in the preamble hereof.

PJT Entity” means PJTM, PJTC and any of their respective Subsidiaries.

PJTM” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Proceeding” means any audit, examination or other proceeding involving any Taxing Authority with respect to Taxes.

Prohibited Acts” is defined in Section 4.1(a).

Pro-Rated Method” means the apportionment of items between portions of a Straddle Period based on the number of days in the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Distribution Date in comparison to the number of days in the portion of such Straddle Period beginning after the Distribution Date (i.e., without regard to when any items are realized within such taxable period).

Reorganization Taxes” means Taxes that are (i) imposed or incurred as a result of either Distribution failing to qualify for the Intended Tax-Free Treatment and (ii) imposed on Carbon HoldCo or Little SpinCo as a result of the Merger failing to qualify for the Intended Tax-Free Treatment.

Replacement Award” is defined in the Employee Matters Agreement.

Restricted Period” means the two-year period commencing on the Distribution Date.

Retention Award” is defined in the Employee Matters Agreement.

Ruling” means the letter ruling, if any, issued by the IRS in response to the ruling request submitted by Holdings I/II GP and StoneCo IV on March 24, 2015 (as supplemented) regarding certain aspects of the Big Spin and the Little Spin for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 355(e) Calculations” means the illustrative calculations set forth in Exhibit A.

Seller Parties” is defined in the preamble hereof.

“Separation” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Separation Agreement” means the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of             , 2015, between BX, Blackstone Holdings, Original Carbon GP, Carbon HoldCo and Carbon LP.

Starting Percentage” means 14.42% in the case of the Big Spin and 30.88% in the case of the Little Spin, as reflected in the Section 355(e) Calculations.

StoneCo IV” is defined in the preamble hereof.

Straddle Period” is defined in Section 2.1(a).


Stub Taxable Period” is defined in Section 3.4(c).

Subsidiary” is defined in the Separation Agreement.

Tax” or “Taxes” means (i) all taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments imposed by a Taxing Authority, including all income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, gains, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, property estimated taxes, custom duties, fees, assessments and charges of any kind whatsoever and (ii) any liability for the payment of any amount of the type described in clause (i) above payable by reason of contract or assumption (other than pursuant to a commercial agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, the primary subject matter of which is not Tax matters) or transferee or successor liability or operation of law or arising as a result of being (or having been) a member of any group or being (or having been) included or required to be included in any Tax Return related thereto. Whenever the term “Tax” or “Taxes” is used, it shall include penalties, fines, additions to tax and interest thereon.

Taxing Authority” means any governmental authority (whether United States or non-United States, and including, any state, municipality, political subdivision or governmental agency) responsible for the imposition of any Tax.

Tax Returns” means all reports, returns, statements, schedules, notices, forms or other documents or information (including any elections, declarations, schedules, estimates, claims for refunds, information returns and amended returns) required to be filed or that may be filed for any period with any Taxing Authority in connection with any Tax or Taxes (whether domestic or foreign).

Tax Sharing Agreements” is defined in Section 5.1.

Transaction Agreement” is defined in the recitals hereof.

SECTION 1.2. References; Interpretation. References in this Agreement to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and vice versa. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections and Exhibits shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, such Agreement. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase does not simply mean “if”. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “hereof,” “hereby” and “herein” and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or provision of this Agreement. All references to any period of days shall be to the relevant number of calendar days unless otherwise specified. All references to dollars or $ shall be references to United States dollars.


ARTICLE II.

ALLOCATION OF TAX LIABILITIES

SECTION 2.1. Payment of Taxes.

(a) Taxes Upon Filing and Adjusted Taxes. The Party responsible for, or responsible for causing, the preparation of a Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2 shall pay or cause to be paid to the relevant Taxing Authority all Taxes due or payable in connection with such Tax Return (including any amounts relating to adjustments to such Tax Return) and shall be entitled to any refunds (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any similar credit or offset against Taxes) in connection therewith; provided, however, (i) except as provided in clause (ii) of this sentence, with respect to any Tax Return of a Carbon Party for (a) any taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date, BX shall be responsible for, and shall be entitled to any refunds of, Taxes (including any amounts relating to adjustments to such Tax Return) relating to such taxable period and (b) any taxable period that begins on or before and includes but does not end on the Distribution Date (a “Straddle Period”), BX shall be responsible for, and shall be entitled to any refunds of, Taxes (including any amounts relating to adjustments to such Tax Return) relating to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Distribution Date and Carbon HoldCo shall be responsible for, and shall be entitled to any refunds of, Taxes (including any amounts relating to adjustments to such Tax Return) relating to the portion of the Straddle Period beginning after the Distribution Date; and (ii) with respect to any Tax Return of a PJT Entity for (x) any taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date, the Seller Parties shall be responsible for, and shall be entitled to any refunds of, any Taxes (including any amounts relating to adjustments to such Tax Return) relating to such taxable period and (y) any Straddle Period, the Seller Parties shall be responsible for, and shall be entitled to any refunds of, any Taxes (including any amounts relating to adjustments to such Tax Return) relating to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on the Distribution Date and Carbon HoldCo shall be responsible for, and shall be entitled to any refunds of, any Taxes (including any amounts relating to adjustments to such Tax Return) relating to the portion of the Straddle Period beginning after the Distribution Date. For the purposes of this Section 2.1(a), (i) Taxes imposed on a periodic basis (such as real or personal property Taxes or Taxes that are based upon occupancy) shall be apportioned between the two portions of a Straddle Period in accordance with the Pro-Rated Method and (ii) Taxes not described in clause (i) above (such as Taxes that are based upon or related to income or receipts or Taxes imposed in connection with any sale or other transfer or assignment of property) shall be apportioned between the two portions of a Straddle Period in accordance with the Closing of the Books Method. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.1(a), any Taxes imposed on a Carbon Party accrued on the Distribution Date but after the Separation in respect of transactions that are outside the ordinary course of business shall be allocated to the taxable period beginning after the Distribution Date or the portion of a Straddle Period ending after the Distribution Date, as the case may be.

(b) Reorganization Taxes. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.1 to the contrary, and except as provided in Article IV, BX shall be responsible for, and shall be entitled to any refunds of, any Reorganization Taxes.

(c) Income Taxes prior to the Distribution. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.1 to the contrary, and except as provided in Article IV, (i) BX shall be responsible for any Income Taxes attributable to allocations of income to it or any BX Subsidiary as a result of any ownership of any Carbon Party or any entity conducting the Carbon Business and (ii) the Seller Parties shall be responsible for any Income Taxes attributable to allocations of income to them as a result of their ownership of any PJT Entity, in each case, for any taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date or the portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Distribution Date. Unless prohibited by applicable law, the Parties agree to close the taxable period of each Carbon Party as of the close of business on the Distribution Date. If applicable law does not permit such action, the taxable period of any Carbon Party that is treated as a partnership (or other pass-through entity) shall, for purposes of this Section 2.1(c), be deemed to terminate at the end of the Closing Date.


SECTION 2.2. Indemnity.

(a) Subject to Article IV, BX shall (and shall cause the other members of the Blackstone Group to) indemnify Carbon HoldCo and its Affiliates and the Seller Parties from all liability for Taxes for which BX is responsible pursuant to Section 2.1 and any related Losses.

(b) Subject to Article IV, Carbon HoldCo shall (and shall cause the other members of the Carbon Group to) indemnify BX and its Affiliates (or the applicable Distributing Corporation) and the Seller Parties from all liability for Taxes for which Carbon HoldCo is responsible pursuant to Section 2.1 and any related Losses.

(c) Subject to Article IV, the Seller Parties shall indemnify BX and its Affiliates and Carbon HoldCo and its Affiliates from all liability for Taxes for which the Seller Parties are responsible pursuant to Section 2.1 and any related Losses.

(d) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the indemnifying Party shall pay to the indemnified Party the amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.2(a), (b) or (c) above within thirty (30) days of being notified of the amount due by the indemnified Party. The notice by the indemnified Party requesting such payment shall be accompanied by the calculations and other information used to determine the indemnifying Party’s obligations hereunder. Such payment shall be paid by the indemnifying Party to the indemnified Party by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the indemnified Party by written notice to the indemnifying Party prior to the due date of such payment.

SECTION 2.3. Contests.

(a) The right to control the conduct of any Proceeding shall belong to the Party responsible (or whose Affiliate is responsible) under applicable law for the underlying Taxes to which such Proceeding relates; provided, that if the Party not controlling a Proceeding could have an indemnification obligation for an adjustment to Tax resulting from such Proceeding, such Party shall be entitled to participate in (but not control) such Proceeding at its own cost and expense. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.3(a), (i) BX shall have the right to control the conduct of any Proceeding that relates to a Tax Return of any Carbon Party (other than any PJT Entity) for a taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date, (ii) if a Proceeding relates to a Tax Return of any Carbon Party for a Straddle Period, BX and Carbon HoldCo shall have joint control over such Proceeding, and neither BX nor Carbon HoldCo shall settle such Proceeding without the other’s consent, (iii) BX shall have the right to control any Proceeding with respect to a Consolidated Tax Return and (iv) if the right to control the conduct of a Proceeding with respect to any taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date, any Straddle Period, or any Stub Taxable Period belongs to Carbon HoldCo or Carbon LP, Carbon HoldCo or Carbon LP shall use reasonable best efforts to defend in such Proceeding any position that relates to the past practices of BX and its Affiliates.

(b) After the Distribution Date, each Party shall promptly notify the other Party in writing upon receipt of written notice of the commencement of any Proceeding or of any demand or claim upon it, which, if determined adversely, would be grounds for indemnification from such other Party under this Agreement; provided that failure to provide notice pursuant to this sentence shall not relieve any Party of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement except to the extent such Party is actually prejudiced as a result thereof. Each Party shall, on a timely basis, keep such other Party informed of all developments in any such Proceeding and provide such other Party with copies of all pleadings, briefs, orders, and other correspondence pertaining thereto.

(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.8, BX, Carbon HoldCo and Seller Parties shall (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to) reasonably cooperate with one another in a timely manner with respect to any Proceeding or of any demand or claim, which, if determined adversely, would be grounds for indemnification under this Agreement. BX, Carbon HoldCo and Seller Parties agree that such cooperation shall include making available to the other Party, during normal business hours, all books, records and information, officers and employees (without substantial interruption of employment) necessary or useful in connection with any such Proceeding. The Party requesting or otherwise entitled to any books, records, information, officers or employees pursuant to this Section 2.3(c) shall bear all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (except reimbursement of salaries, employee benefits and general overhead) incurred in connection with providing such books, records, information, officers or employees.


SECTION 2.4. Treatment of Payments; After Tax Basis.

(a) Unless otherwise required by a Final Determination, this Agreement or as otherwise agreed to between the Parties, any payment made pursuant to this Agreement (other than any payment of interest pursuant to Section 2.4(c)) by: (i) any Carbon Party to BX or a Distributing Corporation shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a distribution by Carbon HoldCo to the applicable Distributing Corporation with respect to the stock of Carbon HoldCo or Little SpinCo, as applicable, occurring immediately before the relevant Distribution; (ii) BX or a Distributing Corporation to any Carbon Party shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a tax-free contribution by the applicable Distributing Corporation to Carbon HoldCo or Little SpinCo, as applicable, with respect to its stock occurring after Carbon HoldCo or Little SpinCo, as applicable, is directly owned by such Distributing Corporation and immediately before the relevant Distribution; (iii) a Seller Party shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a contribution by such Seller Party to the applicable PJT Entity immediately before the Acquisition; or (iv) any Carbon Party to a Seller Party shall be treated for all Tax purposes as a distribution by the applicable PJT Entity immediately before the Acquisition; and in each case, no Party shall take any position inconsistent with such treatment. In the event that a Taxing Authority asserts that a Party’s treatment of a payment pursuant to this Agreement should be other than as required pursuant to this Agreement (ignoring any potential inconsistent or adverse Final Determination), such Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to contest such challenge.

(b) To the extent that any liability for Taxes or Losses that is subject to indemnification under this Agreement gives rise to a deduction, credit or other Tax benefit to the indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates, the amount of any payment made under this Agreement shall be decreased by taking into account any actual reduction in Taxes (determined on a with and without basis) of the indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates resulting from such Tax benefit (including as a result of the Merger or any election set forth in Section 4.4). If (i) such actual reduction in Taxes of the indemnified Party or its Affiliate occurs in a taxable period following the period in which the indemnification payment is made or (ii) there is any adjustment to the liability for Taxes for which one Party or any Affiliates is responsible hereunder as a result of the Merger or any Distribution failing to qualify for the Intended Tax-Free Treatment (including as a result of the effectiveness of any election set forth in Section 4.4) and such adjustment gives rise to a deduction, credit or other Tax benefit to the other Party or any of its Affiliates, the indemnified Party (or, in the case of (ii), the other Party) shall on an annual basis pay the indemnifying Party (or, in the case of (ii), the responsible Party) the amount of the actual reduction in Taxes (determined on a with and without basis).

(c) Payments made pursuant to this Agreement that are not made within the period prescribed in this Agreement or, if no period is prescribed, within thirty (30) days after demand for


payment is made (the “Payment Period”) shall bear interest for the period from and including the date immediately following the last date of the Payment Period through and including the date of payment at the Default Interest Rate. Such interest will be payable at the same time as the payment to which it relates and shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 days and the actual number of days for which due.

ARTICLE III.

PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS

SECTION 3.1. BX’s Responsibility for the Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.

(a) BX shall prepare or cause to be prepared all Consolidated Tax Returns and any Income Tax Returns of any Carbon Party (other than any PJT Entity) for a taxable period ending on or before the Distribution Date.

(b) To the extent any Carbon Party is included in any Consolidated Tax Return of a Distributing Corporation for a taxable period that includes the Distribution Date, such Distributing Corporation shall cause to be included in such Consolidated Tax Return the results of such Carbon Party on the basis of the Closing of the Books Method consistent with Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(i); provided; however; that any items arising from any transactions outside the ordinary course of business that occur on the Distribution Date but after the Separation shall be treated as occurring on the day after the Separation under Treas. Reg. Section 1.1502-76(b)(1)(ii)(2)(B).

SECTION 3.2. Carbon HoldCo’s Responsibility for the Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns. Subject to Sections 3.1(a), 3.3 and 3.4, Carbon HoldCo shall prepare or cause to be prepared all Tax Returns for any taxable period ending on or before the Distribution Date or any Straddle Period that it or any other Carbon Party (other than any PJT Entity) is legally obligated to file after the Distribution Date according to the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction and with the appropriate Taxing Authority.

SECTION 3.3. Seller Parties’ Responsibility for the Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns. The Seller Parties shall prepare or cause to be prepared all Tax Returns of the PJT Entities for periods that end on or before the Distribution Date.

SECTION 3.4. Manner of Preparation.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 3.1 of this Agreement, Carbon HoldCo shall have the right to review, comment on and approve (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) any Tax Returns that any Carbon Party has an obligation to file but are required to be prepared, or required to be caused to be prepared, by BX pursuant to Section 3.1. BX shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, deliver to Carbon HoldCo any such Tax Returns at least thirty (30) days prior to the date on which they are required to be filed, and Carbon HoldCo shall respond with any comments on, or approval of, such Tax Returns as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt. In the event the Parties are unable to agree on any items included in such Tax Return, then a reasonable amount of time prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return, any disputed issues shall be submitted to an independent accounting firm to determine whether there is “substantial authority” (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.6662-4(d)) to support BX’s position with respect to any disputed items. The independent accounting firm’s determination with respect to such disputed items will be final and binding on the Parties, and any disputed items for which the independent accounting firm determines there is “substantial authority” to support BX’s position shall be reflected on any applicable Tax Return. The cost of the independent accounting firm shall be shared equally by BX and Carbon HoldCo.


(b) Notwithstanding Section 3.2 of this Agreement, BX shall have the right to review, comment on and approve (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) any Tax Returns required to be prepared, or required to be caused to be prepared, by Carbon HoldCo for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Distribution Date. Carbon HoldCo shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, deliver to BX any such Tax Returns at least thirty (30) days prior to the date on which they are required to be filed, and BX shall respond with any comments on, or approval of, such Tax Returns as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt. In the event the Parties are unable to agree on any items included in such Tax Return, then a reasonable amount of time prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return, any disputed issues shall be submitted to an independent accounting firm for a final binding resolution, the cost of which shall be shared equally by BX and Carbon HoldCo. If any dispute with respect to a Tax Return is not resolved prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return, such Tax Return shall be filed in the manner that Carbon HoldCo deems correct without prejudice to BX’s rights hereunder.

(c) To the extent permitted by law, any taxable period of any Carbon Party for any federal, state, local or foreign Tax purposes that would otherwise include but not end on the Distribution Date shall be bifurcated into two separate taxable periods, one ending on the Distribution Date and the other beginning on the day following the Distribution Date (each a “Stub Taxable Period”), and a separate Tax Return for each Stub Taxable Period shall be prepared and filed by the Party responsible for such preparation and filing pursuant to Sections 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3.

(d) All Tax Returns for which Carbon HoldCo is responsible pursuant to Section 3.2 shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practices of BX and any of its Affiliates (including with respect to any Tax Return filed pursuant to Section 1502 of the Code), except as otherwise required by applicable law.

(e) All Tax Returns filed on or after the Distribution Date shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with the Opinion, the Ruling, or any other rulings obtained from other Taxing Authorities in connection with the Distributions (in the absence of a Final Determination to the contrary) and shall be prepared and filed on a timely basis (including pursuant to extensions) by the Party responsible for such preparation and filing pursuant to Sections 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3.

(f) Except to the extent required by a Final Determination, no Carbon Party shall amend any Tax Return relating to a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before to the Distribution Date without the written consent of BX (which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion); provided that this Section 3.4(f) shall not apply to any PJT Entity.

SECTION 3.5. Costs and Expenses of Preparation. The Party responsible for preparing any Tax Return under Sections 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 shall be responsible for the costs and expenses associated with preparing and filing such Tax Returns.

SECTION 3.6. Carrybacks. To the extent permitted by law, each Carbon Party shall elect to forego a carryback of any net operating losses, capital losses or credits for any taxable period ending after the Distribution Date to a taxable period, or portion thereof, ending on or before the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Carbon Party shall have any right to receive the benefit of any carryback of Tax attributes created in a taxable period beginning after the Distribution Date into a Consolidated Tax Return.

SECTION 3.7. Retention of Records; Access.

(a) BX and Carbon HoldCo shall, and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to, retain adequate records, documents, accounting data and other information (including computer data) necessary


for the preparation and filing of all Tax Returns required to be filed by BX or Carbon HoldCo (or their respective Subsidiaries) hereunder and for any Proceeding relating to such Tax Returns or to any Taxes payable by BX or Carbon HoldCo (or their respective Subsidiaries) hereunder.

(b) BX and Carbon HoldCo shall, and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to, provide reasonable access to (i) all records, documents, accounting data and other information (including computer data) necessary for the preparation and filing of all Tax Returns required to be filed by BX or Carbon HoldCo (or their respective Subsidiaries) and for any Proceeding relating to such Tax Returns or to any Taxes payable by BX or Carbon HoldCo (or their respective Subsidiaries) and (ii) its personnel and premises, for the purpose of the preparation, review or audit of such Tax Returns, or in connection with any Proceeding, in each case, as reasonably requested by either BX or Carbon HoldCo.

(c) The obligations set forth above in Sections 3.7(a) and 3.7(b) shall continue until the longer of (i) the time of a Final Determination or (ii) expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations, to which the records and information relate. For purposes of the preceding sentence, each Party shall assume that no applicable statute of limitations has expired unless such Party has received notification or otherwise has actual knowledge that such statute of limitations has expired.

SECTION 3.8. Confidentiality; Ownership of Information; Privileged Information. The provisions of Article VIII of the Separation Agreement relating to confidentiality of information, ownership of information, privileged information and related matters shall apply with equal force to any records and information prepared and/or shared by and among the Parties in carrying out the intent of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV.

DISTRIBUTIONS AND RELATED TAX MATTERS

SECTION 4.1. Opinion Requirement for Major Transactions Undertaken by Carbon HoldCo During the Restricted Period.

(a) Other than (i) the transactions occuring under the Separation Agreement, (ii) with respect to any Replacement Award of Carbon Class A Shares or any Retention Award of Carbon Class A Shares or (iii) with respect to any awards of restricted Carbon Class A Shares or restricted stock units of Carbon Class A Shares made on the Distribution Date to members of the board of directors of Carbon HoldCo pursuant to the PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, Carbon HoldCo agrees that following the Effective Time and during the Restricted Period it shall not (i) merge or consolidate with or into any other entity, (ii) liquidate or partially liquidate (within the meaning of such terms as defined in Section 346 and Section 302, respectively, of the Code), (iii) sell or transfer or permit Carbon LP to sell or transfer all or substantially all of its assets or Carbon LP’s assets, as applicable (within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 77-37, 1977-2 C.B. 568) in a single transaction or series of related transactions, or sell or transfer any portion of its assets that would violate the “continuity of business enterprise” requirement of Treas. Reg. Section 1.368-1(d), (iv) modify the terms of its equity (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to take any action (or fail to take any action) that results in the acquisition by a holder of its equity of power to vote in the election of directors of its board), (v) redeem or otherwise repurchase any of its capital stock other than pursuant to open market stock repurchase programs meeting the requirements of Section 4.05(1)(b) of Rev. Proc. 96-30, 1996-1 C.B. 696, (vi) cease the active conduct of its (or Little SpinCo’s) trade or business within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code, (vii) issue any of its equity or issue rights to acquire any of its equity, (viii) cause or permit any class of equity to become entitled to an increased vote with respect to the election of directors of its board, (ix) take any action or positions inconsistent with any representations or covenants of Carbon HoldCo that are included in any representation letter from Carbon HoldCo relating to the Opinion or (x) enter into any negotiations, agreements or arrangements with


respect to transactions or events (including any transactions described in clauses (i)-(viii) (and, for this purpose, including any redemptions made pursuant to open market stock repurchase programs), stock issuances (pursuant to the exercise of options or otherwise), option grants, capital contributions or acquisitions, entering into any partnership or joint venture arrangements, or a series of such transactions or events, but excluding the Distributions), that may cause either Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more persons acquire directly or indirectly stock of Carbon HoldCo in a manner that may cause Section 355(e) of the Code to apply to either Distribution (the acts listed in clauses (i)-(x) collectively, the “Prohibited Acts”).

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.1(a), Carbon HoldCo may take any of the Prohibited Acts, subject to Section 4.2, if (x) it first obtains (at its expense) an opinion at no less than a “should level” in form and substance reasonably acceptable to BX of a nationally recognized law firm or a “big four” accounting firm reasonably acceptable to BX, which opinion may be based on usual and customary factual representations (reasonably acceptable to BX) or (y) at Carbon HoldCo’s request, BX (at the expense of Carbon HoldCo) obtains a ruling from the IRS, that such Prohibited Act or Prohibited Acts, and any transaction related thereto, should not or will not , as the case may be (a) affect (i) any of the conclusions set forth in the Opinion, (ii) the qualification of either Distribution as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(D) and tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code, (iii) the status of the stock of Carbon HoldCo or Little SpinCo distributed in either Distribution as qualified property pursuant to Section 355(d) or Section 355(e) of the Code, (iv) the nonrecognition of gain to a Distributing Corporation or its shareholders in either Distribution and (v) the qualification of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code in which no gain or loss is recognized by Carbon HoldCo, Little SpinCo or their respective shareholders or (b) cause the Measurement Percentage to exceed the Capped Percentage. Carbon HoldCo may also take any of the Prohibited Acts, subject to Section 4.2, with the consent of the BX in BX’s sole and absolute discretion. During the Restricted Period, Carbon HoldCo shall provide all information reasonably requested by BX relating to any transaction involving an acquisition (directly or indirectly) of stock of Carbon HoldCo (including as successor to Little SpinCo) within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 4.1(a), Carbon HoldCo may (w) issue or cause to be transferred Carbon Class A Shares to holders of Carbon LP units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement or (x) cause or permit all or any portion of the voting power of any Carbon Class B Shares to become entitled to an increased vote with respect to the election of directors of Carbon HoldCo (as described in Section 4.3(A)(2) of Carbon HoldCo’s Certificate of Incorporation) (each, a “Conversion or Exchange Event”) to the extent that the Measurement Percentage (as determined by Carbon HoldCo taking into account BX’s reasonable comments as provided in this Section 4.1(c)) with respect to each Distribution would not exceed the Capped Percentage immediately after a Conversion or Exchange Event occurs; provided, however, that no later than twenty (20) days prior to any Conversion or Exchange Event (other than a Conversion or Exchange Event that Carbon HoldCo may effect pursuant to Section 4.1(b) and for which Carbon HoldCo receives an opinion or ruling pursuant to Section 4.1(b) that provides such Conversion or Exchange Event should or will, as the case may be, not result in a direct or indirect acquisition (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) of stock of Carbon HoldCo that is part of a plan (or series of related transactions) that involves the Distribution), (i) Carbon HoldCo shall provide notice to BX of such Conversion or Exchange Event, (ii) such notice shall include, with respect to both Distributions, Carbon HoldCo’s calculations of the Measurement Percentages both immediately before and immediately after such Conversion or Exchange Event occurs, the underlying factual assumptions made in making such calculations and documentary evidence reasonably satisfactory to BX corroborating such factual assumptions and (iii) Carbon HoldCo shall take into account any reasonable comments of BX (which BX shall provide no later than ten (10) days after receipt of such notice) in reaching a final determination of the Measurement Percentages. Solely for the purposes of Sections 4.1(b) and 4.1(c), the “Measurement Percentage”, with respect to each Distribution, shall equal the total percentage (by vote or value) of the stock of Carbon HoldCo (as successor to Little SpinCo in the case of the Little Spin) directly or indirectly


acquired as part of a plan that includes such Distribution pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire stock in Carbon HoldCo or Little SpinCo (or Carbon HoldCo as successor to Little SpinCo) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, as a result of any Conversion or Exchange Event), it being understood that (a) the Starting Percentages shall represent the Measurement Percentages immediately following the Separation, (b) any change in the ownership of the vote or value of Carbon HoldCo caused by a transaction for which Carbon HoldCo has obtained an opinion or ruling pursuant to Section 4.1(b) that provides such transaction should or will, as the case may be, not result in a direct or indirect acquisition (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) of stock of Carbon HoldCo that is part of a plan (or series of related transactions) that involves the Distribution shall not be considered as acquired as part of such a plan, (c) any change in the ownership of the vote or value of Carbon HoldCo as a result of any Conversion or Exchange Event for which Carbon HoldCo has not obtained an opinion or ruling pursuant to Section 4.1(b) that provides such Conversion or Exchange Event should or will, as the case may be, not result in a direct or indirect acquisition (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) of stock of Carbon HoldCo that is part of a plan (or series of related transactions) that involves the Distribution shall be considered as acquired as part of such a plan, (d) the Measurement Percentages shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the methodologies reflected in the Section 355(e) Calculations and (e) the facts and circumstances as they exist at the time shall be taken into account (including the effect, if any, of any rulings received in the Ruling and any acquisitions of stock of Carbon HoldCo made in the open market or otherwise by any “controlling shareholder” or “ten-percent shareholder” of Carbon HoldCo, as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7 and taking into account the relevant acquisition). This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted accordingly by the Parties in good faith.

SECTION 4.2. Indemnification for Reorganization Taxes. If, after the Effective Time, (i) a Party or any of its Affiliates takes any action or enters into any agreement to take any action, including any of the Prohibited Acts as defined in Section 4.1(a), or (ii) if there is any direct or indirect acquisition (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) of a Distributing Corporation’s stock, Carbon HoldCo’s stock, or Little SpinCo’s stock, and as a result any Reorganization Taxes are imposed on or incurred by a Party or any of its Affiliates, then such Party (the “Breaching Party”) shall indemnify and hold harmless the other Party or Parties (the “Non-Breaching Party”) and any of their Affiliates against any such Taxes (and any related Losses) imposed upon or incurred by the Non-Breaching Party or any of its Affiliates (and any such Taxes of BX unitholders to the extent the Non-Breaching Party or any BX Subsidiary is liable with respect to such Taxes, whether to a Taxing Authority, to a unitholder or to any other person (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Tax distributions BX unitholders may be entitled to receive from BX as a result of such Reorganization Taxes)) as a result, unless such Taxes would, in any event, have been imposed upon or incurred by the Non-Breaching Party or any or its Affiliates without regard to such actions, breaches or events, as determined at such time; provided, however, that Carbon Holdco and its Affiliates shall not be required to indemnify BX or its Affiliates pursuant to this Section 4.2 for any Taxes described in clause (i) of the definition of Reorganization Taxes that would not have been imposed but for the IRS or any other Taxing Authority successfully asserting that, immediately before the Acquisition, (i) (a) the total percentage (by vote or value) of the stock of Carbon HoldCo directly or indirectly acquired as part of a plan that includes the Big Spin pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire stock in Carbon HoldCo, exceeded (b) the Starting Percentage for the Big Spin or (ii) (x) the total percentage (by vote or value) of the stock of Carbon HoldCo (as successor to Little SpinCo) directly or indirectly acquired as part of a plan that includes the Little Spin pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire stock in Little SpinCo (or Carbon HoldCo as successor to Little SpinCo), exceeded (y) the Starting Percentage for the Little Spin. The Non-Breaching Party and any of its Affiliates shall be indemnified and held harmless under this Section 4.2 without regard to whether an opinion or ruling pertaining to the action pursuant to Section 4.1(b) was obtained, whether the Non-Breaching Party gave its consent to such action pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or otherwise or whether Carbon HoldCo was otherwise permitted to take such action pursuant to Section 4.1.


SECTION 4.3. Refund of Amounts. Should a Party or any of its Affiliates receive a refund in respect of any Taxes for which such Party was indemnified by the other Party pursuant to this Article IV, or should any such amounts that would otherwise be refundable to such Party or any of its Affiliates be applied or credited by the Taxing Authority to obligations of such Party or any of its Affiliates unrelated to such Taxes, then such Party shall, promptly following receipt (or notification of credit), remit such refund or an amount equal to such credit (including any statutory interest that is included in such refund or credited amount) to the other Party, net of any Taxes and expenses incurred in connection with the receipt thereof.

SECTION 4.4. Protective Section 336(e) Elections.

(a) For Carbon HoldCo. Holdings I/II GP and Carbon HoldCo shall make a protective election under Section 336(e) of the Code (and any similar election under state or local law) with respect to the Big Spin in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.336-2(h) and (j) (and any applicable provisions under state and local law) and shall cooperate in the timely completion and/or filings of such elections and any related filings or procedures (including filing or amending any Tax Returns to implement an election that becomes effective). This Section 4.4(a) is intended to constitute a binding, written agreement to make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the Big Spin.

(b) For Little SpinCo. StoneCo IV and Carbon HoldCo (as successor to Little SpinCo) shall make a protective election under Section 336(e) of the Code (and any similar election under state or local law) with respect to the Little Spin in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.336-2(h) and (j) (and any applicable provisions under state and local law) and shall cooperate in the timely completion and/or filings of such elections and any related filings or procedures (including filing or amending any Tax Returns to implement an election that becomes effective). This Section 4.4(b) is intended to constitute a binding, written agreement to make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the Little Spin.

ARTICLE V.

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 5.1. Tax Sharing Agreements. Any benefit or liability resulting from any Tax sharing, indemnification or similar agreements, written or unwritten, as between any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any other third party, on the other hand (other than the Separation Agreement, this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement) (“Tax Sharing Agreements”), shall remain the benefit or liability of such Party or its respective Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Party responsible under this Agreement for any Taxes shall be responsible for any related liability in respect of such Taxes under any Tax Sharing Agreement, and be entitled to any related benefit in respect of such Taxes under any Tax Sharing Agreement. No Party shall be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement in respect of Taxes to the extent such Party or one of its Subsidiaries is indemnified under any Tax Sharing Agreement, and the Parties shall (and shall cause their Subsidiaries to) use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue any indemnification rights under any Tax Sharing Agreement if such indemnification would reduce the other Party’s responsibility for such Taxes under this Agreement.

SECTION 5.2. Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including any Exhibits, the other Ancillary Agreements, the Separation Agreement and the Transaction Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all prior negotiations, commitments, course of dealings and writings with respect to such


subject matter. Except as expressly set forth in any other Ancillary Agreement, the Separation Agreement or the Transaction Agreement: (a) all matters relating to Taxes and Tax Returns of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries shall be governed exclusively by this Agreement; and (b) for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between any other Ancillary Agreement, the Separation Agreement or the Transaction Agreement, on the one hand, and this Agreement, on the other hand, with respect to such matters, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 5.3. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

SECTION 5.4. Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.5. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, transmitted by facsimile or e-mail (and confirmed), mailed by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or sent by commercial overnight courier, courier fees prepaid (if available; otherwise, by the next best class of service available), to the parties at the following addresses:

To any member of the Blackstone Group:

The Blackstone Group L.P.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attn: Michael Chae, John Finley

Facsimile: (212) 583-5749

E-mail: Chae@Blackstone.com; John.Finley@Blackstone.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Josh Bonnie; Eric Swedenburg

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

Email: jbonnie@stblaw.com; eswedenburg@stblaw.com

To any member of the Carbon Group:

PJT Partners Holdings LP

280 Park Avenue

16th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale

E-mail: jyl@pjtpartners.com; cuminale@pjtpartners.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10153

Attn: Barry M. Wolf; Michael J. Aiello

Facsimile: (212) 310-8007

E-mail: barry.wolf@weil.com; michael.aiello@weil.com


To any Seller Party by a member of the Blackstone Group:

c/o PJT Partners Holdings LP

280 Park Avenue

16th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale

E-mail: jyl@pjtpartners.com; cuminale@pjtpartners.com

To any Seller Party by a member of the Carbon Group, at the address and other contact information set forth in the records of Carbon LP from time to time

or to such other Person or address as any party shall specify by notice in writing to the other parties in accordance with this Section 5.5. All such notices or other communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of the personal delivery or delivery by e-mail (if confirmed) or facsimile (if delivery confirmation is received), or on the third Business Day after the mailing or dispatch thereof; provided that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

SECTION 5.6. Waivers and Consents. The failure of any Party to require strict performance by any other Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that Party’s right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof. Any consent required or permitted to be given by any Party to the other Parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by the Party giving such consent and shall be effective only against such Party (and its Group).

SECTION 5.7. Amendments.

(a) This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of BX, Blackstone Holdings, Carbon HoldCo, Carbon LP and the Founder (on behalf of himself, the PJT Entities and the other Seller Parties); provided, however, that this Agreement may not be amended in any manner that would adversely and disproportionately affect any Seller Party in any material respect (as compared to any other Seller Party) except by an instrument in writing signed and delivered on behalf of such Seller Party.

(b) At any time prior to the Effective Time, any Party hereto which is entitled to the benefits hereof may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Parties and (ii) waive compliance with any of the agreements of any other Party or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a Party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only with respect to the Party agreeing to such extension or waiver and only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed and delivered on behalf of such Party.

SECTION 5.8. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any Party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 5.9. Certain Termination and Amendment Rights. This Agreement may not be terminated except (x) to the extent the Transaction Agreement has been terminated according to its terms, in which case this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect or (y) after the Distribution Date, by written consent of each of the Parties.


SECTION 5.10. Subsidiaries. BX shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any member of the Blackstone Group. Carbon HoldCo shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any member of the Carbon Group.

SECTION 5.11. Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, obligation, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

SECTION 5.12. Title and Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

SECTION 5.13. Exhibits. Any Exhibits shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein. Nothing in the Exhibits constitutes an admission of any liability or obligation of any member of the Carbon Group or Blackstone Group or any of their respective Affiliates to any third party, nor, with respect to any third party, an admission against the interests of any member of the Carbon Group or Blackstone Group or any of their respective Affiliates.

SECTION 5.14. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

SECTION 5.15. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

SECTION 5.16. Force Majeure. No Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) shall have any liability or responsibility for failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) under this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, or any other Ancillary Agreement or the Separation Agreement, so long as and to the extent to which the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event: (a) notify the other applicable Parties of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as feasible.

SECTION 5.17. Interpretation. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.


SECTION 5.18. No Duplication; No Double Recovery. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer to or impose upon any Party a duplicative right, entitlement, obligation or recovery with respect to any matter arising out of the same facts and circumstances.

[Signature Pages Follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP, L.P.
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Schwarzman

  Name:   Stephen A. Schwarzman
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I/II GP INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Schwarzman

  Name:   Stephen A. Schwarzman
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
STONECO IV CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Schwarzman

  Name:   Stephen A. Schwarzman
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


BLACKSTONE LITTLE SPINCO INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen A. Schwarzman

  Name:   Stephen A. Schwarzman
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
PJT CAPITAL LP
By:  

/s/ James Cuminale

  Name:   James Cuminale
  Title:   Authorized Signatory
PJT MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

/s/ James Cuminale

  Name:   James Cuminale
  Title:   Authorized Signatory
SELLER PARTY
By:  

/s/ Paul J. Tabuman

  Name:   Paul J. Taubman
EX-10.3 8 d21345dex103.htm EX-10.3 EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I L.P.

AND

PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP

DATED AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2015

 

 


TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 1, 2015, by and among Blackstone Holdings I L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Service Provider” or “Blackstone Holdings”), and PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Service Recipient” or “Carbon LP”). Each of the Service Provider and the Service Recipient is sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively, as the “Parties”. All capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Separation Agreement (as defined below) or the Transaction Agreement (as defined below), as applicable.

RECITALS

A. The board of directors of Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., as general partner of The Blackstone Group L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“BX” and together with Blackstone Holdings, collectively, the “Blackstone Parties”), has determined that it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of BX and the holders of the issued and outstanding common units representing limited partner interests of BX to separate the Carbon Business from Blackstone and to divest the Carbon Business in the manner contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement (as such may be amended from time to time, the “Separation Agreement”), dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among BX, Blackstone Holdings, New Advisory GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Blackstone Holdings (“Original Carbon GP”), PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Carbon HoldCo”), and Carbon LP, and the Transaction Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2014 (as such may be amended from time to time, the “Transaction Agreement”), by and among the Blackstone Parties, Original Carbon GP, Carbon, PJT Capital LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“PJTC”), PJT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of PJTC, Mr. Paul J. Taubman and the other parties thereto.

B. In order to provide for an orderly transition under the Separation Agreement, the Service Provider desires to provide to the Service Recipient certain services for specified periods following the Closing Date, in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE TRANSITION SERVICES

Section 1.01 Agreement.

(a) The Service Provider hereby agrees to provide, or cause one or more members of its Group or its Affiliates or, with the prior consent of Carbon LP (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), a contractor, subcontractor, vendor or other


third party provider (each, a “Third Party Provider”) to provide, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Transition Services (as defined below) to the Service Recipient, and the Service Recipient hereby agrees to pay to the Service Provider the Service Fees (as defined below) and any other fees or costs payable pursuant Sections 2.01, 2.05 or 3.01; provided, however, that (i) any Service Fees payable hereunder shall not, subject to the requirements of Section 2.01(a), be increased as a result of any such outsourcing and (ii) the Service Provider shall remain primarily responsible for the performance of the Transition Services by any such Third Party Provider in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 1.01(b) hereof. Irrespective of whether the Service Provider, an Affiliate or a Third Party Provider is providing a Transition Service, the Service Recipient may direct that any such Transition Service be provided directly to the Service Recipient or any other member of the Carbon Group.

(b) The Service Provider shall (and shall cause the respective members of its Group, Affiliates or Third Party Providers to) provide the Transition Services at consistent levels and with a consistent degree of care, diligence, priority, frequency and, as necessary, volume as such Transition Services were provided in the three (3) months prior to the date of the Transaction Agreement; provided, however, that the Service Provider shall in no event be obligated to provide services that are more extensive in type or scope than similar or comparable services provided by BX to the Carbon Business as of the date of the Transaction Agreement.

(c) The Parties declare and agree that each Party is engaged in a business that is independent from that of the other Party and the Service Provider shall perform its obligations as an independent contractor. It is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create an agency relationship, affiliate relationship or a partnership or joint venture. Neither Party is an agent or employee of the other. Neither Party has authority to represent or bind the other Party as to any matters.

Section 1.02 Transition Services.

(a) As used in this Agreement, the term “Transition Services” means the services set forth in Schedule B attached hereto (the “Scheduled Services”) and any Additional Services (as defined below) or Alternative Arrangements (as defined below).

(b) During the Term (as defined below), the Service Recipient may request, by providing the Service Provider with reasonable prior written notice, the provision of additional services, including the expansion of the scope of any existing Transition Services, that (i) are reasonably necessary for the operation of the Carbon Business and the Partnership Business as conducted in the last twelve (12) months prior to the Closing Date and (ii) cannot reasonably be provided by a member of the Carbon Group (the “Additional Services”). If the Parties mutually agree that such Additional Services shall be provided, taking into account the availability of such services from a third party on reasonable terms, the Parties hereto shall mutually agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, on the terms upon which the Service Provider would provide such Additional Services; provided that, the Service Fees (as defined below) of such Additional Services shall be based on market rates that are reasonably agreed to by the Parties to the extent not set forth in Schedule B. In the event that any such Additional Services are mutually agreed among the Parties, the Parties will enter into an amendment to this Agreement amending Schedule B to reflect such Additional Services.

 

2


Section 1.03 Cooperation; Access; Computer Security. The respective obligations of the Service Provider to provide the Transition Services are conditioned upon being provided with reasonable access at all applicable times, and all necessary rights to utilize, the Service Recipient’s IT Assets, Information facilities, personnel and assets to the extent reasonably requested by the Service Provider in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder. Each Party shall, and shall cause the respective members of its Group, its Affiliates, any Third Party Providers, if applicable, and its and their agents and representatives to, cooperate with each other and will cause their respective employees, agents and representatives to facilitate the provision of Transition Services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Service Recipient shall (i) make available (or cause to be provided) to the Service Provider reasonable access to IT Assets, facilities, personnel and assets to the extent required to perform the Transition Services, (ii) notify the Service Provider of any changes to operating environments or key personnel to the extent related to the provision of the Transition Services and (iii) provide timely decisions, approvals and acceptances required by the Service Provider to perform its obligations hereunder in a timely and efficient manner. While using or accessing any IT Assets of the other Party, each Party shall and shall cause the respective members of its Group, its Affiliates, any Third Party Providers, if applicable, and its and their agents and Representatives to (i) adhere in all respects to the other Party’s controlled processes, policies and procedures (including any of the foregoing with respect to computer and network security), as may be communicated to such Party from time to time in writing, (ii) limit its use of or access to the other Party’s IT Assets solely for purposes of providing or receiving the Transition Services; and (iii) cooperate with the other Party, at the other Party’s request and expense, in the investigation of any apparent unauthorized access to such other Party’s IT Assets.

Section 1.04 Transition Period.

(a) The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence as of the Closing Date and shall continue until the date that is twenty four (24) months from the Closing Date (the “Expiration Date”), subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 7.01 or Section 7.02.

(b) The Service Provider shall provide or cause to be provided the Transition Services during the period commencing on the Closing Date, unless a later date is otherwise agreed by the Parties pursuant to Section 1.02(b) for the provision of any Additional Services, and ending on the Expiration Date, unless an earlier date is otherwise specified for a Transition Service in Schedule B (for each Transition Service, such period being herein referred to as the “Transition Period”).

(c) Each Transition Service provided hereunder shall be terminated at the end of its applicable Transition Period, unless otherwise terminated earlier pursuant to Section 7.01 or Section 7.02. The Service Provider shall be under no obligation to provide a Transition Service to the Service Recipient after the Transition Period applicable to such Transition Service.

 

3


Section 1.05 Limitations on Transition Services.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in Schedule B, the Service Provider shall have no obligation under this Agreement to: (i) operate the Service Recipient or any members of its Group or any portion thereof; (ii) advance funds; (iii) provide any Transition Service to the extent that the provision of such Transition Service would require the Service Provider to violate any applicable Law, client confidentiality, contractual obligations or fiduciary responsibilities; (iv) implement IT Assets, processes, plans or initiatives developed, acquired or utilized by the Service Recipient after the Closing Date except as otherwise agreed; (v) perform or cause to be performed any of the Transition Services for the benefit of any third party; or (vi) purchase, lease or license any IT Assets or equipment, expand its facilities, incur long-term capital expenses, maintain the employment of any specific employee or employ additional personnel in order to provide the Transition Services.

(b) To the extent that the provision of any Transition Services to the Service Recipient under this Agreement requires any new or additional third-party consents, licenses, rights, approvals or permissions by or on behalf of the Service Provider (the “Third Party Consents”) for the Service Recipient to receive and enjoy the full benefit of the Transition Services, and to use any deliverables provided in connection therewith, the obligation to provide such Transition Services is contingent upon receipt by the Service Provider of such Third Party Consents, it being acknowledged and understood that those third parties are not bound to this Agreement. The Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such Third Party Consents and shall keep the Service Recipient reasonably informed of the process to obtain such Third Party Consent; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall require the Service Provider, or any member of its Group, to pay any fees or other payments to obtain such Third Party Consents other than those expressly set forth in Schedule B. Service Recipient shall reasonably assist the Service Provider in such efforts to obtain such Third Party Consents. If (i) the Service Provider fails to obtain the requisite Third Party Consent for any Transition Service or (ii) the provision of any Transition Service would violate any client confidentiality or fiduciary responsibilities, in each case, the Service Provider shall use commercially reasonably efforts to devise a reasonable alternative to such Transition Service which does not require such Third Party Consent or violate such client confidentiality or fiduciary responsibilities, as applicable (an “Alternative Arrangement”). All reasonable fees or costs associated with such Alternative Arrangements (“Alternative Arrangement Costs”) shall be shared equally by the Service Provider, on the one hand, and the Service Recipient, on the other. Nothing contained herein shall require the Service Provider to provide a Transition Service for which a Third Party Consent is required but has not been obtained.

(c) All employees and representatives of the Service Provider, members of its Group and its Affiliates shall be deemed for all purposes to be employees or representatives of the Service Provider, members of its Group or such Affiliates, as applicable. In performing the Transition Services, such employees and representatives shall be under the direction, control and supervision of the Service Provider, members of its Group or the applicable Affiliate thereof, and the Service Provider, members of its Group and its Affiliates shall have the sole right to exercise all authority with respect to the employment (including termination of employment), assignment and compensation of such employees and representatives.

(d) The Transition Services shall be available only for purposes of operating such business lines of the Carbon Business and the Partnership Business as existed as of the date of the Transaction Agreement and in such geographies as the Carbon Business and Partnership Business operated as of the date of the Transaction Agreement.

 

4


Section 1.06 Divestiture, Sale or Transfer of Assets. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the Service Provider’s ability to divest, sell or otherwise transfer any of its assets necessary to provide the Transition Services; provided that the Service Provider’s obligations to provide or cause to be provided the Transition Services in accordance with this Agreement for the duration of the applicable Transition Period shall not be abrogated or affected thereby.

ARTICLE II

PAYMENT FOR TRANSITION SERVICES

Section 2.01 Service Fees; Costs and Expenses.

(a) In consideration for any of the Transition Services, the Service Recipient shall pay the Service Provider (or any designee of the Service Provider) fees (the “Service Fees”) for each Transition Service in an amount equal to the amount set forth in Schedule B in respect of a particular Transition Service. Except as otherwise noted therein, quarterly fees set forth in Schedule B for Transition Services rendered for a period that is less than one whole calendar quarter shall be determined by multiplying the quarterly rate for the relevant Transition Service set forth in Schedule B by the ratio of the number of days in the calendar quarter such Transition Service was provided over 90.

(b) The Service Recipient shall pay the Service Provider one half of any Alternative Arrangement Costs in addition to the Service Fees with respect to the applicable Scheduled Service.

(c) Any fees, license costs or other costs incurred by the Service Provider in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including any fees or other costs to obtain any Third Party Consents pursuant to Section 1.05(b) but excluding any Alternative Arrangement Costs which are subject to Section 2.01(b), shall be paid (or reimbursed) by the Service Recipient in addition to the Service Fees.

(d) Any costs and expenses incurred in connection with retaining Third Party Providers may be billed directly to the Service Recipient; provided, that to the extent the Service Provider is required to make payments on behalf of the Service Recipient to Third Party Providers in connection with the provision of Transition Services, the Service Recipient shall promptly reimburse the Service Provider for the actual cost of such payments in addition to all applicable Service Fees.

Section 2.02 Invoicing Fees. Promptly after the end of each calendar quarter during the applicable Transition Period, the Service Provider will submit a statement of account to the Service Recipient with respect to the Service Fees for all of the Transition Services performed during such calendar quarter and other fees or costs payable pursuant to Sections 2.01, 2.05 or 3.01 (the “Invoiced Amount”). Unless otherwise specified in Schedule B, all invoices shall be

 

5


paid by the Service Recipient to the Service Provider by wire transfer of immediately available funds not later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of such invoice in accordance with the wiring instructions provided therein. To the extent necessary, local currency conversion on any such invoice shall be based on the Service Provider’s then applicable internal exchange rate for the then-current month. To the extent that the Service Recipient and the Service Provider mutually determine that any amounts which have been invoiced hereunder are inaccurate, the Service Provider and the Service Recipient shall effect a “true-up” to reimburse the Service Recipient or the Service Provider, as applicable, promptly after such mutual determination (but in no event later than ten (10) business days following such mutual determination). To the extent that one Party makes such determination and the other Party disagrees with such determination or the amount of the disputed inaccuracy, the Parties shall comply with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 8.11(a) below. If the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute after first complying with Section 8.11(a), the Service Recipient and the Service Provider shall submit any such disagreement to a nationally recognized independent certified public accountant, mutually selected by the Parties, under appropriate confidentiality provisions that are no less strict than as provided in Section 8.5 of the Separation Agreement (the “Accountant”). The determination of the Accountant with respect to any such dispute shall be completed within fifteen (15) days after the appointment of the Accountant (or as soon thereafter as the Accountant is able to render its determination), shall be determined in accordance with this Agreement and shall be final and binding upon the Service Recipient and the Service Provider (and, for the avoidance of doubt, neither Party shall have recourse to Section 8.11(b)). Any “true-up” payment shall be made to the other Party in accordance with the Accountant’s determination no later than five (5) business days following such determination. The Accountant shall adopt the position of either the Service Recipient or the Service Provider with respect to the disputed item. The Service Provider and the Service Recipient shall bear the fees and expenses of the Accountant equally.

Section 2.03 No Right of Setoff. The Service Recipient will have no right to set off, discount or otherwise reduce or refuse to pay any Service Fees due to the Service Provider, whether because of: alleged payments, damages or liabilities owed by the Service Provider to Service Recipient; alleged or actual claims against the Service Provider; or any other financial obligation of the Service Provider to the Service Recipient, in each case, whether under the Separation Agreement, this Agreement, the Transaction Agreement or otherwise.

Section 2.04 Payment Only for Services Received. The Service Recipient shall compensate the Service Provider only for Transition Services actually received. The Service Recipient shall not make, or shall receive an appropriate credit with respect to, payment for Transition Services that are not provided to the Service Recipient for any reason.

Section 2.05 Migration and Integration; Disconnection and Disintegration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the Transaction Agreement or the Separation Agreement, (i) the Service Recipient shall bear all costs or expenses associated with integrating the Transition Services with the IT Assets, Information, facilities, personnel and assets of the Service Recipient and (ii) the Service Provider shall bear all costs or expenses associated with preparing the IT Assets, Information, facilities, personnel and assets of the Service Provider necessary to provide the Transition Services at a level sufficient to operate the Carbon Business as conducted prior to the Closing Date, including any disconnection and

 

6


separation of the Transition Services from any IT Assets, Information, facilities, personnel and assets of the Service Provider resulting from such preparation. Each Party shall reimburse the other Party for any costs or expenses incurred by such other Party which are to be borne by such Party pursuant to this Section 2.05.

Section 2.06 Default Rate. Any amounts not paid when due will accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points calculated on the basis of a year of three-hundred sixty (360) days (the “Applicable Rate”), calculated for each day from the due date until the date of the actual receipt of payment.

Section 2.07 Sales Taxes. All amounts payable under this Agreement are exclusive of any goods, sales, services, use, turnover, value added or other tax of a similar nature (“Sales Tax”). If Sales Tax is chargeable in respect of any Transition Service provided in accordance with this Agreement for which the Service Provider is required to account to the relevant tax authority, the Service Recipient shall pay to the Service Provider (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such Transition Service) an amount equal to the amount of such Sales Tax.

Section 2.08 Record Keeping and Audits. The Service Provider shall maintain true and correct records of all receipts, invoices, reports and other documents relating to the Transition Services rendered hereunder in accordance with its standard accounting practices and procedures, consistently applied. The Service Provider shall retain such accounting records and make them available to Service Recipient’s auditors, for a period of not less than six (6) years from the close of each fiscal year of the Service Recipient during which Transition Services were provided; provided, however, that the Service Provider may, at its option, provide one copy of such accounting records to the Service Recipient, and thereby terminate the above retention requirements. The Service Recipient may, at its sole cost and expense, have the applicable records of the Service Provider audited to verify the accuracy, completeness and appropriateness of the charges for the Transition Services hereunder; provided, however, that (x) Service Provider shall not be required to provide information to Service Recipient or its Representatives that would reasonably be expected to (i) result in the waiver or limitation of any attorney-client or other legal privilege available to Service Provider or its Affiliates, (ii) result in a breach of any confidentiality obligation of Service Provider or its Affiliates to a third party or (iii) violate any applicable Law. Any such audit shall be conducted no more than twice and shall be conducted during the Term or within 90 calendar days following the conclusion thereof upon at least thirty (30) days’ advance notice during normal business hours and in a manner that does not interfere unreasonably with the Service Provider’s business. Any underpayment or overbilling determined by such audit shall be addressed in accordance with Section 2.02.

ARTICLE III

ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Section 3.01 Access to Service Providers. The Service Provider hereby covenants and agrees that the Service Recipient’s employees and agents will be given access during regular business hours to individuals responsible for the Transition Services and shall provide such Persons with all information, materials, data and records as they may reasonably request and that are necessary for the purposes of allowing such Persons to exercise general oversight and to

 

7


monitor the performance of the Transition Services. The Service Recipient shall bear all of the out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, but excluding reimbursement for general overhead, salaries and employee benefits) reasonably incurred by the Service Provider in connection with the foregoing.

Section 3.02 Disaster Recovery Procedures. The Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that all IT Assets owned and controlled by Service Provider and related to the provision of Transition Services have disaster recovery procedures consistent with, but in no event more extensive than, those in place in the last twelve (12) months prior to the date of the Transaction Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

DISCLAIMER; FORCE MAJEURE; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 4.01 Warranty Disclaimer. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE SERVICE PROVIDER AND THE SERVICE RECIPIENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSITION SERVICES. UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL TRANSITION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

Section 4.02 Force Majeure. Except for the obligation to pay for Transition Services already provided, no Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) shall have any liability or responsibility for failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) under this Agreement so long as and to the extent to which the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event: (a) notify the other applicable Parties of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement as soon as feasible.

Section 4.03 Limitation of Liability. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY, MEMBERS OF ITS GROUP OR ITS AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF THEIR SHAREHOLDERS, ITS OWNERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE FOR ANY PUNITIVE OR SPECIAL DAMAGES OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES THAT ARE REMOTE, SPECULATIVE OR NOT REASONABLY FORESEEABLE AND PROXIMATELY CAUSED BY THE PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE HEREUNDER GIVING RISE TO INDEMNIFICATION OR THE PROVISION OF OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE ANY OF THE TRANSITION SERVICES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR LOSS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOSS, LOSS OF FUTURE REVENUE, PROFITS OR INCOME, LOSS OF BUSINESS REPUTATION, LOSS OF CUSTOMERS OR OPPORTUNITY OR SIMILAR DAMAGES), EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO A THIRD PARTY CLAIM FOR WHICH A PARTY IS ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION

 

8


HEREUNDER. THE AGGREGATE DAMAGES FOR WHICH THE SERVICE PROVIDER, MEMBERS OF ITS GROUP, AND ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDERS, OWNERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES, TAKEN TOGETHER, SHALL BE LIABLE IN CONNECTION WITH OR AS A RESULT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSITION SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF SERVICE FEES REASONABLY EXPECTED TO RECEIVED BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT (OTHER THAN SERVICE FEES THAT ARE CHARGED TO THE SERVICE RECIPIENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF DIRECT THIRD PARTY COSTS) ASSUMING THAT ALL TRANSITION SERVICES WERE PROVIDED THROUGH AND UNTIL THE EXPIRATION DATE.

Section 4.04 Indemnification.

(a) Each Party will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party, the members of its Group and its Affiliates and their respective stockholders, members, managers, officers, directors, agents and other representatives (collectively, the “Other Party Indemnitees”) from any and all Liabilities suffered, paid or incurred by such Other Party Indemnitees and arising out of or resulting from third-party claims due to (i) any gross negligence or willful or intentional misconduct or (ii) any knowing and intentional material breach of this Agreement that is a consequence of a deliberate act or deliberate omission to act undertaken by the breaching party with the actual knowledge of and intent by the members of any such breaching party’s board of directors (or equivalent governing body) or executive officers that the taking of such act, or failure to act, would result in a material breach of the Agreement on the part of the indemnifying Party relating to such Party’s performance under this Agreement.

(b) Service Recipient shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Service Provider, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives (the “Provider Indemnified Parties”) from and against all Liabilities (including in respect of any third party claim) arising out of, relating to or in connection with:

(i) any act or omission of Service Provider, its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives in the performance of the Transition Services or of any duty, obligation or service under this Agreement (other than any Liabilities for which Service Provider has indemnified Service Recipient pursuant to Section 4.04(a)); and

(ii) any breach of any payment obligation of Service Recipient under this Agreement.

Section 4.05 Exclusion of Other Remedies. The provisions of Section 4.04 of this Agreement shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, be the sole and exclusive remedies of the Other Party Indemnitees and the Provider Indemnified Parties, as applicable, for any claim, loss, damage, expense or liability, whether arising from statute, principle of common or civil law, principles of strict liability, tort, contract or otherwise under this Agreement.

 

9


ARTICLE V

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 5.01 Confidentiality. The Parties acknowledge that certain Confidential Information may be shared or disclosed during the performance of this Agreement. The Parties agree that all Confidential Information will be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 8.5 of the Separation Agreement and such Confidential Information will be used only for the purposes of this Agreement and in connection with performing the Transition Services. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein or in Section 8.5 of the Separation Agreement, the obligations of the Parties under this Section 5.01 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that in any event, the obligations of the Parties under this Section 5.01 shall expire on the third anniversary of the Closing Date (or, in the case of Confidential Information disclosed after the Effective Time, three (3) years from the date of such disclosure). “Confidential Information” of a Party hereunder shall include (i) all user access credentials and passwords to a Party’s IT Assets; and (ii) all non-public, confidential or proprietary information concerning or provided by a Third Party Provider.

ARTICLE VI

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Section 6.01 Ownership of Intellectual Property. Unless expressly agreed otherwise in the Separation Agreement, the Transaction Agreement, this Agreement or in Schedule B, each Party agrees that any Intellectual Property of the other Party, member of its Group or its Affiliates or licensors made available to such Party, members of its Group or its Affiliates in connection with the Transition Services, and any derivative works, additions, modifications, translations or enhancements thereof created by a Party, member of its Group or its Affiliates pursuant to this Agreement, are and shall remain the sole property of the original owner of such Intellectual Property.

Section 6.02 License to Intellectual Property. If the provision or receipt of the Transition Services requires the use by Services Provider or Services Recipient (or, in each case, a member of its Group or its Affiliates), as applicable, of the Intellectual Property (other than Trademarks) of the other Party, then the other Party hereby grants to Services Provider or Services Recipient (or, in each case, a member of its Group or its Affiliates), as applicable, the limited, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable (except as to Third Party Providers in connection with the provision or receipt of the Transition Services, but not for the unrelated use of such parties), non-transferable and royalty-free right, on an “as is,” warranty-free basis, to use and exercise all rights in such Intellectual Property for the sole purpose of, and only to the extent and duration necessary for, the provision or receipt of the Transition Services, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, the foregoing license in no way limits or broadens the licenses provided in Sections 6.5(c) and 6.5(d) of the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION

Section 7.01 Termination Rights. This Agreement or any or all of the Transition Services may be terminated at any time prior to the Expiration Date:

(a) by the Service Recipient at any time during the thirty-day period immediately following the date hereof, in which case, the Service Recipient shall not be required to pay the Service Fees or any other fees or expenses in connection with the Transition Services so terminated, provided that no such terminated Transition Services had been provided prior to termination;

 

10


(b) by the Service Recipient upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice and effective immediately upon the expiration of such thirty (30) day period, except that if any Transition Service is being provided by a Third Party Provider, the timing of the effectiveness of an early termination of such Transition Service shall be mutually agreed upon by the Service Provider and the Service Recipient so that there is no material disruption to, or additional costs to be incurred with respect to, any services provided by such Third Party Provider (including services provided by such Third Party Provider that are outside of the scope of this Agreement);

(c) by the Service Provider, if the Service Recipient commits a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or obligations contained in this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within sixty (60) days after receipt of notice thereof; provided that the failure by Service Recipient to pay any amount, not subject to dispute in accordance with Section 2.02, for more than thirty (30) days after such payment was due shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement; or

(d) by either Party immediately upon written notice if (i) the other Party (A) commences a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) seeks the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, (C) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any action to authorize any of the foregoing or (ii) required to do so by any Governmental Authority.

Section 7.02 Termination Upon Change in Control Event. This Agreement will terminate and be of no further force or effect immediately upon transfer or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Carbon LP, Carbon HoldCo or PJTC or other similar direct or indirect change in control (including by sale of voting securities or by merger or otherwise) of Carbon LP, Carbon HoldCo or PJTC.

Section 7.03 Effect of Termination. In the event of early termination of this Agreement or any or all Transition Services by the Service Recipient, the Service Recipient shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by the Service Provider attributable thereto and which would not have been incurred but for the provision of such Transition Services, including fees for early termination or cancellation of contracts. The provisions of Section 4.01 (Warranty Disclaimer), Section 4.03 (Limitation of Liability), Section 4.04 (Indemnification), Article V (Confidentiality) and Article VIII (General Provisions) shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both Parties. The provisions of Article II (Payments for Transition Services) shall survive such termination or expiration and the Service Recipient shall remain liable to the Service Provider for all amounts payable thereunder in respect of Transition Services provided prior to the effective date of such termination or expiration.

 

11


ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 8.01 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided, that no such consent shall be required for (a) the Service Recipient to assign any or all of its rights or obligations arising under this Agreement to its Affiliates that operate the Carbon Business and the Partnership Business or (b) the Service Provider to assign any or all of its rights or obligations arising under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates that is reasonably capable of providing the Transition Services or as provided in Section 1.01; provided further, that the Parties shall remain primarily responsible for the performance of their obligations under this Agreement notwithstanding any such assignment pursuant to either clause (a) or (b) of this Section 8.01.

Section 8.02 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 8.03 Title and Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 8.04 Interpretation. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

Section 8.05 Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of both Parties.

Section 8.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 8.07 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the legal or economic substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such a determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

12


Section 8.08 Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Law of the State of Delaware.

Section 8.09 Conflicts. In the case of a conflict between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any Schedule to this Agreement, the terms and conditions of such Schedule shall control and govern as it relates to the Transition Services to which such terms and conditions apply.

Section 8.10 No Agency, Authority or Franchise. Neither the Service Recipient nor the Service Provider shall act or represent or hold itself out as having authority to act as an agent or partner of the other, or in any way bind or commit the other to any obligations. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a partnership, joint venture, agency, trust or other association of any kind, each Party being individually responsible only for its obligations as set forth in this Agreement. Furthermore, nothing contained in this Agreement, or any Party’s performance under this Agreement, shall be construed as creating a franchisee/franchisor relationship. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Separation Agreement, the Service Provider shall have no obligation to provide any assistance of any kind or character to the Service Recipient in connection with the Service Recipient’s conduct of its business or affairs or otherwise, including the applicable business of the Service Recipient.

Section 8.11 Dispute Resolution.

(a) Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, relating to or in connection with this Agreement, or the breach, termination or validity thereof (a “Dispute”), shall be resolved by submitting such Dispute first to the supervising managers of the Parties most immediately responsible for the issue giving rise to the Dispute who shall seek to resolve such Dispute through informal good faith negotiation. If the Dispute is not resolved at that level of management within seven (7) Business Days after the claiming Party verbally notifies the other Party of the Dispute, then the Dispute shall be escalated to the applicable Parties’ designated senior executive for resolution.

(b) In the event such designated senior executives fail to meet or, if they meet, fail to resolve the Dispute within an additional seven (7) Business Days, then the claiming Party will provide the other Party with a written notice describing the nature of the Dispute, and the Dispute shall be submitted to and finally resolved by arbitration in accordance with the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration (“CPR Rules”) then currently in effect, except the scope of discovery, if any, shall be in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure then currently in effect (as interpreted and enforced by the applicable arbitration panel). The composition of the arbitration panel shall be determined in accordance with CPR Rule 5.4. The arbitration panel shall consist of three arbitrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any dispute otherwise subject to arbitration pursuant to this Section 8.11(b) involves, as a party in their individual capacity, multiple senior managing directors of BX who have agreed to exclusive arbitration clauses using the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC Rules”), then all references herein to “CPR Rules” shall instead refer to the ICC Rules and the arbitrator-selection process contained in such other agreement.

 

13


(c) The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq., and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof; provided, however, performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. The place of arbitration shall be in New York City, New York. The language of the arbitration shall be in English.

(d) The arbitral panel’s award shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon the parties to the arbitration subject only to the right (if any) of any party to commence proceedings to vacate the award on any ground permitted under 9 U.S.C. § 10.

(e) The procedures specified in this Section 8.11 shall be the sole and exclusive procedures for the resolution of any Dispute; provided, however, that a party may file a complaint to seek a preliminary injunction or other provisional judicial relief, including for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, or enforcing an arbitration award hereunder, if, in its sole judgment, such action is necessary. Despite such action, the Parties will continue to participate in good faith pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Section 8.11.

(f) To the extent a party brings an action pursuant to clause (d) or (e) above, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 8.11, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (a). The Parties acknowledge that the forum designated by this Section 8.11 has, and will have, a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the Parties’ relationship with one another.

(g) Each of the Parties hereto waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection which such party now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in this Section 8.11 and agrees not to plead or claim the same. Each Party agrees (i) that service of process, summons, notice or document by registered mail addressed to them in accordance with Section 8.16 shall be effective service of process against it for any such Proceeding brought in any such court, (ii) to waive and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of, and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of, any such proceeding in any such court, and (iii) that a final judgment in any such proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Law. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect or eliminate any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Laws.

(h) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ANCILLARY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 8.11.

(i) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties will continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8.11 with respect to all matters not subject to such dispute resolution.

 

14


Section 8.12 Schedules. All schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein.

Section 8.13 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to, and will not, confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Section 8.14 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the schedules hereto), together with the Separation Agreement and the Transaction Agreement, constitute the entire agreement of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof, both written and oral. None of this Agreement, the Separation Agreement and the Transaction Agreement shall be deemed to contain or imply any restriction, covenant, representation, warranty, agreement or undertaking of any Party with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than those expressly set forth herein or therein, and none shall be deemed to exist or be inferred with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 8.15 Time Periods. Unless specified otherwise, any action required hereunder to be taken within a certain number of days shall be taken within that number of calendar days (and not Business Days); provided, however, that if the last day for taking such action falls on a weekend or a holiday in the United States, the period during which such action may be taken shall be automatically extended to the next Business Day.

Section 8.16 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, transmitted by facsimile or e-mail (and confirmed), mailed by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or sent by commercial overnight courier, courier fees prepaid (if available; otherwise, by the next best class of service available), to the parties as the following addresses:

 

  (i) if to BX:

 

The Blackstone Group L.P.

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

Attn:    Michael Chae, John Finley
Fax:    (212) 583-5749
Email:    Chae@Blackstone.com;
John.Finley@Blackstone.com

 

15


with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attn:    Josh Bonnie; Eric Swedenburg
Fax:    (212) 455-2502
Email:    jbonnie@stblaw.com;
eswedenburg@stblaw.com

 

  (ii) if to Carbon LP:

 

PJT Partners Holdings LP
280 Park Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, New York 10017
Attn:    Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale
Email:    jyl@pjtpartners.com;
cuminale@pjtpartners.com
with a copy to:
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
Attn:    Barry M. Wolf; Michael J. Aiello
Fax:    (212) 310-8007
Email:    barry.wolf@weil.com;
michael.aiello@weil.com

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS THIS PAGE]

 

16


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

BLACKSTONE HOLDINGS I L.P.
By: Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

  Name:   John G. Finley
  Title:   Chief Legal Officer
PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP
By:   PJT Partners Inc., as general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
EX-10.4 9 d21345dex104.htm EX-10.4 EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

 

LOGO

LOAN AGREEMENT

(Line of Credit)

This Loan Agreement (Line of Credit) (the “Agreement”), dated as of October 1, 2015, is executed by and between PJT Partners Holdings LP (“Borrower”), and First Republic Bank (the “Lender”), with reference to the following facts:

A. Borrower has requested a line of credit loan in the original principal amount of Sixty Million and no/100 Dollars ($60,000,000.00), as may be increased from time to time subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (referred to herein as the “Loan” or the “Line of Credit Loan”) from the Lender for the purposes set forth in this Agreement.

B. Borrower and the Lender desire to enter into this Agreement to establish certain terms and conditions relating to the Line of Credit Loan.

THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, Borrower and the Lender agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

1.1 Borrower’s Application. The written application, if any, and all financial statements and other information submitted by Borrower to the Lender in connection with the Lender’s approval of the Line of Credit Loan.

1.2 Business Day. Any day other than a day on which commercial banks in California are authorized or required by law to close.

1.3 Collateral. As defined in the Security Agreements.

1.4 Commitment. An amount equal to the principal face amount of the Note, as amended from time to time.

1.5 Default. Any event which, with notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

1.6 Event of Default. As defined in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

1.7 Governmental Authorities. (a) the United States; (b) the state, county, city or other political subdivision in which any of the Collateral is located; (c) all other governmental or quasi-governmental authorities (including but not limited to self-regulatory organizations such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, of which the Pledgor is a member), boards, bureaus, agencies, commissions, departments, administrative tribunals, instrumentalities and authorities; and (d) all judicial authorities and public utilities having or exercising jurisdiction over Borrower or the Collateral. The term “Governmental Authority” means any one of the Governmental Authorities.

1.8 Governmental Permits. All permits, approvals, licenses, and authorizations now or hereafter issued by any Governmental Authorities for or in connection with the conduct of Borrower’s business or the ownership or use by Borrower of the Collateral or any of its other assets.

1.9 Governmental Requirements. All existing and future laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, and requirements of all Governmental Authorities applicable to Borrower, the Collateral or any of Borrower’s other assets.

1.10 Line of Credit Advance. Each advance of principal under the Note made by the Lender to or for the benefit of Borrower pursuant to a Request for Advance or otherwise.

1.11 Loan Closing. The first date on which all or any part of the proceeds of the Line of Credit Loan are initially disbursed by the Lender to or for the benefit of Borrower.

1.12 Loan Documents. The Note, Security Agreements, this Agreement, the Third Party Pledge Agreements, all certificates and other documents now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party and delivered to the Lender at the Lender’s request in connection with the Line of Credit Loan that govern or evidence the Obligations, and all extensions, renewals, modifications and replacements of any or all of such documents.


1.13 Loan Fee. The loan fees specified in Section 4 of the Loan Schedule which shall be payable by Borrower to the Lender prior to or on the Loan Closing.

1.14 Loan Party. The Borrower and the Third Party Pledgors.

1.15 Loan Schedule. The Loan Schedule attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.

1.16 Maturity Date. The stated maturity date of the Note.

1.17 Note. (a) the promissory note dated the same date as this Agreement executed by Borrower evidencing the Line of Credit Loan and all extensions, renewals, modifications and replacements of such promissory note; and/or (b) any additional note or notes now or hereafter executed by Borrower in favor of the Lender which specifically recite that they arise out of this Agreement, and all extensions, renewals, modifications and replacements of any or all of such note or notes.

1.18 Obligations. All debts, obligations, and liabilities of Borrower to the Lender currently existing or hereafter made, incurred or created, whether voluntary or involuntary, and however arising or evidenced, whether direct or acquired by the Lender by assignment or succession, whether due or not due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined, whether under this Agreement, the Note, any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, and whether Borrower may be liable individually or jointly, or whether recovery upon such debt may be or become barred by any statute of limitations or otherwise unenforceable, including all attorneys’ fees and costs now or hereafter payable by Borrower to the Lender under the Loan Documents or in connection with the collection and enforcement of such debts, obligations and liabilities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not secure and the term “Obligations” shall not include, any debts that are or may hereafter constitute “consumer credit” which is subject to the disclosure requirements of the federal Truth-In Lending Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1601, et seq.) or any similar state law in effect from time to time, unless the Lender and Borrower shall otherwise agree in a separate written agreement.

1.19 Permitted Liens. Liens granted to the Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents, liens of a depository or securities intermediary which arise as a matter of law on items in the course of collection or encumbering deposits or other similar liens (including the right of set-off) and non-consensual liens, if any, imposed on the property of any Loan Party not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

1.20 Person. Any natural person or any entity, including any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trustee, or Governmental Authority.

1.21 Request for Advance. A written request (or other form of request acceptable to the Lender) for an advance of principal under the Note submitted by Borrower to the Lender pursuant to this Agreement.

1.22 Request for Increase. A written (or other form of request acceptable to the Lender) for a temporary increase of the Commitment up to Eighty Million and no/100 Dollars ($80,000,000.00) pursuant to this Agreement.

1.23 Security Agreements. Collectively, the Security Agreement dated on or about the date hereof (the “Security Agreement”) between Borrower and Lender and any and all other personal security agreements and pledge agreements (including any Third Party Pledge Agreements) now or hereafter executed by Borrower, any Third Party Pledgor or any other Person pursuant to which Borrower or such Person grants a security interest to the Lender in any property or asset of any kind to secure any or all of the Obligations, and all extensions, renewals, modifications and replacements of any or all of such documents.

1.24 Third Party Pledge Agreements. Any pledge of or grant of a security interest to the Lender in any property or asset of any kind, now or hereafter executed by any Third Party Pledgor to secure any or all of the Obligations, and all extensions, renewals, modifications and replacements of any or all of such documents (collectively, the “Third Party Pledge Agreements”).

1.25 Third Party Pledgors. Collectively, the Person or Persons, now or hereafter entering into a Third Party Pledge Agreement, including Park Hill Group LLC and PJT Partners LP, to secure any or all of the Obligations, including in each case the Persons identified as Third Party Pledgors in the Loan Schedule.

1.26 Other Terms. All accounting terms with an initial capital letter that are used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.


ARTICLE 2

DISBURSEMENT OF LOAN PROCEEDS

2.1 Line of Credit. The Lender agrees, on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to make a Line of Credit Loan to Borrower during the period from the date of the Closing up to but not including the Maturity Date in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any time the amount of the Commitment.

(a) Borrower may, on or after November 1st of any year, submit a Request for Increase to increase the Commitment (an “Increase”) between December 1st and March 1st of the immediately following calendar year (or a portion of such period). Each Request for Increase shall state the time period during the upcoming three-month period for the Increase to be in place (such period of time for such increase, the “Increase Period”). The Request for Increase must be accompanied by a certificate of the Borrower executed by the chief financial officer or other officer or representative of the Borrower, in a form reasonably acceptable to Lender, that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that all representations and warranties in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Request for Increase.

(b) If an Increase is put into place, Borrower must repay to Lender Line of Credit Advances such that by the end of the Increase Period (but which shall in no event be after March 1st (or if such date is not a Business Day, then the next succeeding Business Day) of any year in which an Increase is in place) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Line of Credit Advances is not greater than $60,000,000. At the end of the Increase Period the Commitment shall automatically be reduced to $60,000,000, and in no event shall the Commitment exceed $60,000,000 at any time between March 2nd and November 30th in any calendar year.

2.2 Use of Loan Proceeds. All proceeds of the Line of Credit Loan received by Borrower shall be used by Borrower solely for payment of those costs, charges, and other items shown in the Loan Disbursement Instructions executed by Borrower in connection with the Loan and for working capital or general corporate purposes. The Lender shall have no obligation to monitor or verify the use or application of any proceeds of Line of Credit Loan disbursed by the Lender. Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, use all or any part of the Line of Credit Loan proceeds for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Board of Governors”) or to extend credit to any Person for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock or for any purpose which violates or is inconsistent with Regulation X of the Board of Governors, unless such use has been expressly approved in writing by the Lender, in its discretion.

2.3 Loan Fees. Concurrently with or prior to the date of the Loan Closing and at such other times as are required by this Agreement, Borrower shall pay to the Lender the Loan Fees specified in the Loan Schedule. The entire amount of the Loan Fees shall be deemed to be fully earned by the Lender on each date such fees are paid, and no part of the Loan Fees shall be refundable to Borrower, whether or not the principal balance of the Loan is prepaid or the Commitment is terminated prior to the Maturity Date.

2.4 Requests for Advances Under Line of Credit. Each Request for Advance under the Line of Credit Loan shall indicate the proposed date for the Line of Credit Advance requested by Borrower in the Request for Advance (which date shall be referred to as the “Advance Date”). Each Request for Advance shall be furnished to Lender no later than 11 A.M. Eastern Time on the Advance Date. Each Advance Date shall be a Business Day. Provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that all representations and warranties in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects and on and as of such date, not later than 4 P.M. Eastern Time on the Advance Date, the Lender shall make the Line of Credit Advance available to Borrower in immediately available funds by deposit or credit to an account in Borrower’s name established or to be established at one of the Lender’s offices, by check payable directly to Borrower or to a payee designated by Borrower, or by such other method as may be designated by the Lender, in each case as determined by the Lender.

2.5 Reliance by Lender. The Lender may conclusively presume that all requests, statements, information, certifications, and representations, whether written or oral, submitted or made by Borrower or any of its agents to the Lender in connection with the Line of Credit Loan are true and correct, and the Lender shall be entitled to rely thereon, without investigation or inquiry of any kind by the Lender, in disbursing the Line of Credit Loan proceeds and taking or refraining from taking any other action in connection with the Line of Credit Loan. Without limiting the generality of this Section, Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (a) it is in the best interest of Borrower that the Lender respond to and be entitled to rely upon Requests for Advances and Requests for Increases that are given by Borrower in writing, by telephone (if permitted hereunder), or by other telecommunication method acceptable to the Lender without the Lender having to inquire into the actual authority of the Person making such request and purporting to act on behalf of Borrower; (b) therefore, the Lender may conclusively rely on any and all Requests for Advances and Requests for Increases (whether made in writing, by telephone (if permitted hereunder), or by other telecommunication method) made by (i) any Person who purports to be one of the agents of Borrower who has been authorized to act for Borrower in any resolution or other form of authorization of any kind delivered to the Lender (a “Borrower Authorization”); and (ii) any other Person who the Lender in good faith believes to be authorized to act for Borrower (notwithstanding the fact that such other Person is not identified in any Borrower Authorization);


and (c) Borrower assumes all risks arising out of any lack of actual authority by any Person submitting any form of Request for Advance or Request for Increase (whether made in writing, by telephone (if permitted hereunder), or by other telecommunication method) to the Lender and the Lender’s reliance on such Request for Advance or Request for Increase (except to the extent such reliance results from the Lender’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct).

ARTICLE 3

BORROWER’S COVENANTS

3.1 Existence of Borrower. Borrower shall maintain its existence in good standing under the laws of the state in which it is organized and maintain its qualification as a foreign entity in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business requires qualification as a foreign entity (except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole)).

3.2 Books and Records; Inspections by Lender. Borrower shall keep and maintain books and records relating to its business and the Collateral that are complete and accurate in all material respects and may be accessed at its principal place of business. The Lender shall have access to such books and records at all reasonable times upon not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice to Borrower for the purposes of examination, inspection, verification, copying and for any other reasonable purpose relating to the Loan Documents. Borrower authorizes the Lender, at its option but without any obligation of any kind to do so, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of Borrower and the Collateral with any of its officers and directors, and after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, with Borrower’s independent accountants and auditors, and Borrower authorizes all accountants and auditors employed or retained by Borrower to respond to and answer all requests from the Lender for financial and other information regarding Borrower. Borrower agrees not to assert the benefit of any accountant-client privilege precluding or limiting the disclosure or delivery of any of its books and records to the Lender (provided that Borrower will not be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any documents, information or other matter that (a) constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (b) in respect of which disclosure to the Lender (or its representatives or contractors) is prohibited by law or any binding agreement to which the Borrower or its affiliates is a party, or (c) is subject to attorney-client privilege or constitutes attorney work product).

3.3 Reports. Without limiting any of the other terms of the Loan Documents, from time to time within ten (10) Business Days (or such later time as the Lender may reasonably agree) after the Lender’s written reasonable request to Borrower, Borrower shall deliver to the Lender such reports and information available to Borrower concerning the business, financial condition and affairs of Borrower or the Collateral as the Lender may reasonably request.

3.4 Payment of Obligations; Compliance with Financial Covenants. Borrower shall pay all of its indebtedness under the Note and pay and perform all of its other Obligations under the Loan Documents as and when the same become due. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, Borrower shall comply with all of the financial covenants contained in Section 1 of Exhibit B (the “Financial Covenants”) and the other terms set forth in the Exhibit B.

3.5 Notice of Material Adverse Changes. Borrower shall immediately notify the Lender in writing of (a) any material adverse change in the financial condition of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole); (b) any material adverse change in (including any material decline in the value of) the Collateral; and (c) any claim, proceeding, litigation or investigation in the future threatened or instituted by or against Borrower involving any claim or claims which, individually or in the aggregate, may cause or result in a material adverse change in the financial condition or business of Borrower or any material impairment in the ability of Borrower to carry on its business in substantially the same manner as it is now being conducted.

3.6 Further Assurances. Upon the Lender’s request, Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Lender such further documents and agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, as the Lender may reasonably require to grant, preserve or protect the validity of the security interests created or intended to be created by the Security Agreements.

3.7 Claims. Subject to Section 3.9, Borrower shall pay when due all claims which, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge on any or all of the properties or assets of Borrower.

3.8 Taxes. Subject to Section 3.9, Borrower shall pay when due all material foreign, federal, state and local taxes, assessments, and governmental charges now or hereafter levied upon or against Borrower or any of its properties or assets (including the Collateral), including all material income, franchise, personal property, real property, excise, withholding, sales and use taxes, except taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves.

3.9 Contest. Borrower shall not be in default hereunder for failure to pay any tax, assessment, charge or claim referred to in Section 3.7 or 3.8 above (a) to the extent such failure would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of


the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) or (b) to the extent Borrower is contesting the payment of such tax, assessment, charge or claim in good faith by appropriate proceedings or has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.

3.10 Pension Plans. Borrower shall pay all amounts necessary to fund each of its present and future employee benefit plans (if any) that are subject to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended in accordance with its terms, and Borrower shall not permit the occurrence of any event with respect to any such plan which would result in any liability of Borrower, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other Governmental Authority, that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole).

3.11 Insurance. Borrower shall maintain insurance in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of the Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business and the availability of insurance on a cost effective basis.

3.12 Maintenance of Properties. Borrower shall maintain its properties in good condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole).

3.13 Licenses. Borrower shall maintain all Governmental Permits necessary for the ownership of its properties and the conduct of its businesses, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole).

3.14 Compliance with Applicable Laws. Borrower shall at all times comply with and keep in effect all Governmental Permits relating to Borrower, the Collateral, and Borrower’s other assets, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole). Borrower shall at all times comply with, and shall cause the Collateral to comply with (a) all Governmental Requirements, including all hazardous substance laws; (b) all requirements and orders of all judicial authorities which have jurisdiction over Borrower or the Collateral; and (c) all covenants, conditions, restrictions and other documents relating to Borrower or the Collateral, except in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole).

3.15 Place of Business; Borrower’s Name. Borrower shall promptly give the Lender written notice of any change in the location of Borrower’s chief executive office except that Borrower shall obtain Lender’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) thereto if the change in location of the chief executive office is to a place outside of the United States. Borrower shall give the Lender not less than fifteen (15) days prior written notice before changing its name or doing business under any other name. Borrower has complied, and will in the future comply, in all material respects with all Governmental Requirements relating to the conduct of Borrower’s business under a fictitious business name.

3.16 Sale; Merger. Borrower shall not sell or transfer all or any substantial part of its assets, merge with or into any other Person, or change its jurisdiction of organization in each case without at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice to Lender; provided that Borrower shall not be required to give prior notice to the extent doing so would violate any Governmental Requirements which cannot be satisfied by the execution of a confidentiality agreement by Lender; and provided further the provisions of this Section 3.16 shall not permit Borrower to transfer any Collateral in violation of any provisions of the Security Agreements.

3.17 Other Financial Information. Borrower shall deliver to Lender, or cause to be delivered to Lender, the financial information regarding the Loan Parties set forth on Exhibit B and such other financial information regarding the Loan Parties as Lender may reasonably request from time to time. Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.17 that are made publicly available via EDGAR, or any successor system of the SEC, in the Borrower’s (or its general partner’s) Annual Report on Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, shall be deemed delivered to the Lender on the date such documents are made so available, provided that Buyer complies with the delivery of the compliance certificate required by Section 2.3 of Exhibit B hereof.

3.18 Collateral. Borrower at all times will have (a) legal and equitable title to the Collateral owned by it, free and clear of all liens and other interests (except Permitted Liens), and (b) the right to grant the security interests in the Collateral owned by it. The grant by Borrower of the security interests in the Collateral will not at any time violate any Government Requirement applicable to Borrower or any agreement to which Borrower is a party.


ARTICLE 4

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

4.1 Events of Default. The Lender, at its option, may declare Borrower to be in default under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any or all of the following events (the declaration of such a default by the Lender by written notice to Borrower shall constitute an “Event of Default”):

(a) Payment of Note and Other Monetary Obligations. If Borrower fails to (x) pay any of its indebtedness under the Note or (y) pay any of its other obligations under the Loan Documents or under any other document with Lender requiring the payment of money to the Lender (provided that such failure under any such other document shall constitute a default hereunder only to the extent the aggregate principal amount of the relevant indebtedness exceeds $25,000), in each case within three (3) days after the date on which such indebtedness or monetary obligation is due, including failure to repay any Line of Credit Advances before the end of any Increase Period as required pursuant to Section 2.1(b) hereof; provided, however, that the three (3) day grace period contained in this Section 4.1(a) shall not apply to Borrower’s obligation to pay the outstanding principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest under the Note on the Maturity Date;

(b) Failure to Comply with Financial Covenants, Permit Inspections, or to Perform Certain Non-Monetary Obligations Under Other Loan Documents. If (i) Borrower fails to comply with any or all of the Financial Covenants or Section 2 of Exhibit B hereto; (ii) Borrower fails to permit any inspection of the Collateral or any of Borrower’s books and records in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents; or (iii) Borrower breaches any of its non-monetary obligations to (x) the Lender or any third Person under any of the Loan Documents or (y) under any other document with Lender, in each case after written notice by the Lender to Borrower setting forth such non-monetary obligation, which breach is not reasonably susceptible to being cured by Borrower (provided that in the case of clause (y), the breach under any such document shall constitute a default hereunder only to the extent the aggregate principal amount of the relevant indebtedness exceeds $25,000);

(c) Performance of Non-Monetary Obligations Under Other Loan Documents Which are Curable. If (i) Borrower fails to perform any of its non-monetary obligations (x) to the Lender (other than those set forth in Section 4.1(b) above) under any of the Loan Documents or (y) under any other document with Lender, in each case when due (provided that in the case of clause (y), the breach under any such document shall constitute a default hereunder only to the extent the aggregate principal amount of the relevant indebtedness exceeds $25,000); and (ii) Borrower fails to diligently complete a cure of its breach of such non-monetary obligation as soon as reasonably practicable after written notice by the Lender to Borrower setting forth such non-monetary breach, but in any event within thirty (30) days after such notice is given; provided, however, that the thirty (30) day cure period contained in this Section 4.1(c) shall not be deemed to apply if Borrower commits more than two (2) such non-monetary breaches within any twelve (12) calendar month period. Without limiting any of the terms of this Section 4.1(c), the cure provision contained in this Section 4.1(c) (the “Cure Provision”) shall not apply with respect to Borrower’s failure to comply with the Financial Covenants or Borrower’s breach of any non-monetary obligation of Borrower that is not reasonably susceptible to being cured by Borrower, including any transfer of the Collateral in violation of the terms of the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.1(c) or Section 4.1(a) above, if Borrower breaches any of the terms of the Loan Documents, and if the Lender, in its discretion, determines that such breach impairs the Lender’s security for the Line of Credit Loan, the Lender, immediately upon the occurrence of any such breach, shall have the right to take such actions and exercise such remedies under the Loan Documents as the Lender may in good faith determine to be necessary or appropriate to avoid such impairment;

(d) Misrepresentation. If any written statement, certification, representation, or warranty submitted or made by Borrower to the Lender in connection with the Line of Credit Loan is false or misleading in any material respect as of the date hereof;

(e) Insolvency of Borrower. If (i) a petition is filed by or against Borrower under the federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law; (ii) a receiver, liquidator, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, or other similar official is appointed to take possession of Borrower, the Collateral, or any material part of Borrower’s other assets, or Borrower consents to such appointment; (iii) Borrower makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) Borrower takes any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; provided, however, that Borrower shall have sixty (60) days within which to cause any involuntary bankruptcy proceeding to be dismissed or the involuntary appointment of any receiver, liquidator, trustee, custodian, or sequestrator to be discharged. The cure provision contained in this Section shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any and all other cure provisions contained in the Loan Documents;

(f) Insolvency of Other Persons. If any of the events specified in clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 4.1(e) above occurs with respect to any Third Party Pledgor, as if such Third Party Pledgor were the Borrower described therein;


(g) Performance of Obligations to Third Persons. If Borrower or any Third Party Pledgor fails to pay any of its indebtedness or to perform any of its obligations when due, in each case under any document between Borrower or such Third Party Pledgor and any other Person and such failure to pay or perform entitles the holder thereof to accelerate such indebtedness; provided such failure shall constitute a default hereunder only to the extent the aggregate principal amount of relevant indebtedness exceeds $5 million;

(h) Attachment. If all or any material part of the Collateral or the other assets of any Loan Party are attached, seized, subjected to a writ or levied upon by any court process and such Loan Party fails to cause such attachment, seizure, writ or levy to be fully released or removed within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such event. The cure provision contained in this Section shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any and all other cure periods contained in the Loan Documents;

(i) Injunctions. If a court order is entered against any Loan Party enjoining the conduct of all or part of such Person’s business and Borrower or such Third Party Pledgor fails to cause such injunction to be fully stayed, dissolved or removed within sixty (60) days after such order is entered. The cure provision contained in this Section shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any and all other cure periods contained in the Loan Documents;

(j) Dissolution. The dissolution, liquidation, or termination of existence of any Loan Party;

(k) Transfers of Interests. The sale or transfer of an aggregate of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the beneficial interests in Borrower (other than to any Loan Party or any affiliate of any Loan Party) without the Lender’s prior written consent;

(l) Impairment of Security Interest or Lender’s Rights. If (i) the validity or priority of the Lender’s security interest in the Collateral is impaired for any reason; or (ii) the value of the Collateral has deteriorated, declined or depreciated as a result of any intentional act or omission by a Loan Party;

(m) Default by Third Party Pledgors. If any default occurs under any of the Third Party Pledge Agreements and is not cured within any applicable cure period, if any Third Party Pledgor fails to pay any of its indebtedness or perform any of its obligations under any of the Third Party Pledge Agreements when due (after giving effect to any applicable cure period), or if any Third Party Pledgor revokes, limits or terminates or attempts to revoke, limit or terminate any of the obligations of any Third Party Pledgor under any of the Third Party Pledge Agreements;

(n) Misrepresentation by Third Party Pledgors. If any written statement, certification, representation, or warranty submitted or made by any Third Party Pledgor to the Lender in connection with the Loan, is false or misleading in any material respect and the aderse effect of the failure of such representation or warranty shall not have been cured within five (5) Business Days after written notice thereof is delivered to such Third Party Pledgor by the Lender; or

(o) Material Adverse Change. If Lender determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that a material adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower and its affiliates (taken as a whole) has occurred after the date hereof and that such change materially impairs Borrower’s ability to perform any or all of the Obligations, and within 60 days after the Lender notifies Borrower of the same the Borrower does not either cure or substantially remedy the adverse change or provide the Lender a detailed business plan reasonably satisfactory to Lender to remedy the adverse change within the next 90 days.

4.2 Remedies. Upon the Lender’s election to declare Borrower to be in default under the Loan Documents pursuant to Section 4.1 above, Borrower shall be deemed to be in default under the Loan Documents, and the Lender shall have the right to do any or all of the following:

(a) Acceleration. The Lender shall have the right to declare any or all of the Obligations to be immediately due and payable, including the entire principal amount and all accrued but unpaid interest under the Note, and notwithstanding the Maturity Date, such Obligations shall thereupon be immediately due and payable;

(b) Remedies Under Other Loan Documents. The Lender may exercise any or all rights and remedies which the Lender may have under any or all of the Loan Documents and applicable law;

(c) Discontinuation of Disbursements. The Lender may discontinue or withhold any or all advances of the proceeds of Line of Credit Loan, and the Lender shall have no further obligation to make any Line of Credit Advance; and

(d) Discontinuation of Other Extensions of Credit. The Lender may discontinue advancing money or extending credit to or for the benefit of Borrower in connection with any other document between the Lender and Borrower.

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 4.2, if an Event of Default described in Section 4.1(e) shall occur, then all of the Obligations under the Loan Documents shall, automatically and without any action of or notice by Lender, become immediately due and payable and Lender’s commitment to lend under the Note and the other Loan Documents shall automatically terminate.


ARTICLE 5

WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS

5.1 Borrower’s Warranties and Representations. As a material inducement to the Lender’s extension of credit to Borrower in connection with the Line of Credit Loan, Borrower warrants and represents to the Lender as follows:

(a) Existence. Borrower is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state in which Borrower is organized, and Borrower is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the ownership of the Collateral pledged by it and its other assets or the conduct of its business requires qualification as a foreign entity (except where the failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obigations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole)).

(b) Authority to Own Assets; Collateral. Borrower has the full power and authority to own its assets and to transact the business in which it is now engaged. Borrower is the owner of all of the Collateral in which it has granted to Lender a security interest and has the right to grant Lender the security interests in the Collateral.

(c) Authority to Execute Loan Documents. Borrower has the full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents and grant the security interests in the Collateral, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of Borrower. The Person or Persons signing the Loan Documents on behalf of Borrower are duly authorized to execute the Loan Documents and all other documents necessary to consummate the Line of Credit Loan on behalf of Borrower.

(d) Valid Obligations. The Loan Documents are legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower and each Third Party Pledgor, respectively, enforceable in accordance with their terms (except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally). The Security Agreement is effective to create a valid security interest in the Collateral.

(e) No Consents Required. No consent of any other Person and no consent, approval, authorization or other action by or filing with any Governmental Authority not previously obtained by Borrower is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by Borrower or the grant by Borrower of the security interest in the Collateral pledged by it, except for filings required by the Security Agreements.

(f) Chief Executive Office. Borrower’s chief executive office is located at the address set forth in Section 13 of Exhibit A.

(g) Borrower’s Name. Borrower has set forth above its full and correct name, and Borrower does not use any other names or tradenames, except for the tradenames disclosed in the Loan Schedule.

(h) No Violations. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and compliance with their respective terms will not conflict with or result in a violation or breach in any material respect of any of the terms or conditions of any document to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower is bound or any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority binding on Borrower.

(i) Organizational Documents. Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and Borrower’s compliance with their respective terms (i) will not violate any material Governmental Requirements applicable to Borrower; or (ii) Borrower’s Certificate of Limited Partnership or Limited Partnership Agreement, of which Borrower has furnished Lender accurate and complete copies.

(j) Tax Claims. There are no claims or adjustments proposed by any taxing authority for any of Borrower’s prior tax years which could result in additional taxes becoming due and payable by Borrower that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole). Each Loan Party has filed all federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed under applicable Governmental Requirements and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees, penalties, and other governmental charges that are due and payable in connection therewith, except (a) taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole).

(k) Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting Borrower or any Third Party Pledgor in any court or before any other Governmental Authority which would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, on the Collateral or on the business of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole).


(l) Financial Statements. All financial statements respecting the financial condition of Borrower which have been furnished to the Lender prior to the Closing Date (i) present fairly the financial condition and results of operations of the Person to whom the financial statement applies as of the dates and for the periods shown on such statements; and (ii) disclose all contingent liabilities affecting the Person to whom the financial statement applies to the extent that such disclosure is required by generally accepted accounting principles. Since the last date covered by any such statement, there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower, and Borrower is now and at all times hereafter shall continue to be solvent.

(m) Periodic Financial Statements. All financial statements respecting the financial condition of Borrower hereafter delivered to the Lender by Borrower shall satisfy the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5.1(l) above.

(n) Margin Stock. Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and no part of the proceeds of the Line of Credit Loan shall be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock, unless such use is approved in writing by the Lender or otherwise expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(o) Licenses and Governmental Requirements. No Loan Party (i) is in violation in any material respect of any Governmental Permits or Governmental Requirements (including all hazardous substance laws) to which it is subject; or (ii) has failed to obtain any Governmental Permits necessary for the ownership of its properties or the Collateral or the conduct of its business.

(p) Material Adverse Change. There has been no material adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition as represented to Lender in connection with Lender’s approval of the Line of Credit Loan, which would reasonably be expected to have a material impairment on Borrower’s ability to perform any or all of the Obligations.

5.2 OFAC; Patriot Act Compliance.

(a) Borrower is not a Person (i) whose property or interest in property is blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)) (the “Executive Order”), (ii) who engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by Section 2 of the Executive Order, or (iii) who is on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to the limitations or prohibitions under any other U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regulation or executive order (“OFAC”). To Borrower’s knowledge, Borrower is not engaged in any transactions or dealings with any Person who is in violation of Section 2 of the Executive Order.

(b) Borrower is in compliance with the Patriot Act in all material respects. No proceeds of the Line of Credit Loan will be used, directly or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, indirectly, for the purpose of making or offering payments to any governmental official or employee, political party or its officials, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

5.3 Borrower’s Warranties. Borrower’s warranties and representations set forth in Section 5.1 above shall be true and correct at the time of execution of this Agreement and as of the date of the Loan Closing, shall survive the closing of the Line of Credit Loan, and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date on which such warranties and representations are given. For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the term “to the best of Borrower’s knowledge” shall be deemed to mean to the best knowledge of Borrower after a commercially reasonable and diligent investigation, inspection and inquiry by Borrower.

ARTICLE 6

MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Relationship of Parties. The Lender shall not be deemed to be, nor do the Lender or Borrower intend that the Lender shall ever become, a partner, joint venturer, trustee, fiduciary, manager, controlling person, or other business associate or participant of any kind in the business or affairs of Borrower, whether as a result of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents. In exercising its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents, the Lender shall at all times be acting only as a lender to Borrower within the normal and usual scope of activities of a lender.

6.2 Indemnification. Borrower shall indemnify and hold the Lender and its officers, directors, agents, employees, representatives, shareholders, affiliates, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, damages (including special and consequential damages), liabilities, actions, causes of action, legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, suits, injuries, costs, losses, debts, liens, interest, fines,


charges, penalties and expenses (including attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’, and expert witness fees and costs) of every kind and nature (collectively, the “Claims”) arising directly or indirectly out of or relating to any or all of the following: (i) Borrower’s breach of any of its Obligations or warranties under the Loan Documents; (ii) any act or omission by Borrower or any of its employees or agents; (iii) Borrower’s use of the Collateral or any other activity or thing allowed or suffered by Borrower to be done on or about any of Borrower’s properties; and (iv) any claims for commissions, finder’s fees or brokerage fees arising out of the Line of Credit Loan or the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, if such claim is based on any act, omission or agreement by Borrower or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section, Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify any Indemnified Party for any liabilities resulting solely from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or intentional tortious conduct of such Indemnified Party which such Indemnified Party is determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed. Borrower’s obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Parties under this Section 6.2 shall survive the cancellation of the Note and the release of the Lender’s security interests under the Security Agreements.

6.3 Power of Attorney. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, Borrower irrevocably appoints the Lender, with full power of substitution, as Borrower’s attorney-in-fact, coupled with an interest, with full power, in the Lender’s own name or in the name of Borrower to sign, record and file all documents referred to in Section 3.6 above related to the Collateral. The Lender shall have the right to exercise the power of attorney granted in this Section directly. Nothing contained in the Loan Documents shall be construed to obligate the Lender to act on behalf of Borrower as attorney-in-fact.

6.4 Confidentiality. The Lender agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its affiliates and to its and its affiliates’ managers, administrators, trustees, partners, directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors on a need-to-know basis (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or self-regulatory body, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, provided that the Lender gives the Borrower prompt notice of any request to disclose information (unless such notice is prohibited by law, subpoena, similar process or by the applicable regulatory authority) so that the Borrower may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy (including by participation in any proceeding to which the Lender is a party, and the Lender hereby agrees to use reasonable effort to permit the Borrower to do so), (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) with the consent of the Borrower or (g) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or its affiliates.

For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information (including financial statements, certificates and reports and analyses, compilations and studies prepared by or on behalf of the Lender based on any of the foregoing) received from or on behalf of the Borrower or any Third Party Pledgor relating to the Borrower, any Third Party Pledgor or any affiliate thereof or such Person’s business or relating to any employee, member or partner or customer of any such Person, other than any such information that is or becomes available to the Lender on a nonconfidential basis. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

6.5 Actions. Whether or not an Event of Default has occurred, the Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, to commence, appear in, or defend any action or proceeding which affects or which the Lender determines may affect (a) the Collateral; (b) Borrower’s or the Lender’s respective rights or obligations under the Loan Documents; (c) the Line of Credit Loan; or (d) the disbursement of any proceeds of the Line of Credit Loan.

6.6 Attorneys’ Fees and Costs and Other Expenses. Upon Lender’s demand, Borrower shall reimburse Lender for all reasonable and documented attorney’s fees and costs, incurred by Lender in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Loan Documents; the exercise of any or all of Lender’s rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; the enforcement of any of all Obligations, whether or not any legal proceedings are instituted by Lender; or the defense of any action or proceeding by Borrower or any other Person relating to the Line of Credit Loan (“Attorneys’ Fee”). Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, such Attorneys’ Fee cost shall include all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by Lender in connection with any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar proceeding by or against Borrower or any Third Party Pledgor which in any way affects Lender’s exercise of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents. Borrower’s obligation to reimburse Lender under this Section shall include payment of interest on all amounts expended by Lender from the date of expenditure at the rate of interest applicable to principal under the Note.

6.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries. The Loan Documents are entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the Lender, Borrower and Third Party Pledgors, as applicable, and their respective permitted successors and assigns. No other Person shall have any rights or causes of action under the Loan Documents.


6.8 Documents. The form and substance of all documents and instruments which Borrower is required to deliver to the Lender under this Agreement shall be subject to the Lender’s reasonable approval.

6.9 Notices. All notices and demands by the Lender to Borrower under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective on the earliest of (a) personal delivery to Borrower; (b) two (2) days after deposit in first class or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to Borrower at the address set forth in the Loan Schedule; and (c) one (1) business day after deposit with a reputable overnight delivery service, delivery charges prepaid, addressed to Borrower at the address set forth in the Loan Schedule. All notices and demands by Borrower to the Lender under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be effective on actual receipt by the Lender at the Lender’s address shown in the Loan Schedule; provided, however, that non-receipt of any such notice or demand by the Lender as a result of the Lender’s refusal to accept delivery or the Lender’s failure to notify Borrower of the Lender’s change of address shall be deemed to constitute receipt by the Lender. The addresses specified in the Loan Schedule may be changed by notice given in accordance with this Section.

6.10 Severability; No Offsets. If any provision of the Loan Documents shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, voidable, void, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be deemed to be severable from and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Loan Documents. No Obligations shall be offset by all or part of any claim, cause of action, or cross-claim of any kind, whether liquidated or unliquidated, which Borrower now has or may hereafter acquire or allege to have acquired against the Lender. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Borrower waives the benefits of any applicable law, regulation, or procedure which provides, in substance, that where cross demands for money exist between parties at any point in time when neither demand is barred by the applicable statute of limitations, and an action is thereafter commenced by one such party, the other party may assert the defense of payment in that the two demands are compensated so far as they equal each other, notwithstanding that an independent action asserting the claim would at the time of filing the response be barred by the applicable statute of limitations.

6.11 Interpretation. Whenever the context of this Agreement reasonably requires, all words used in the singular shall be deemed to have been used in the plural, and the neuter gender shall be deemed to include the masculine and feminine gender, and vice versa. The headings to sections of this Agreement are for convenient reference only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) the term “including” shall be deemed to mean “including without limitation”; (b) the term “document” shall be deemed to include all written contracts, commitments, agreements, and instruments; and (c) the term “discretion,” when applied to any determination, consent, or approval right by the Lender, shall be deemed to mean the Lender’s sole but good faith business judgment.

6.12 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance of each provision of the Loan Documents by Borrower and/or any Third Party Pledgors.

6.13 Amendments. The Loan Documents (excluding the Third Party Pledge Agreements) may be modified only by a written agreement signed by Borrower and the Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms in this Agreement, the Note or other Loan Documents, the Line of Credit Loan may be renewed or the Maturity Date extended repeatedly and/or for any length of time as mutually agreed to by Borrower and Lender.

6.14 Counterparts. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document.

6.15 Entire Agreement. The Loan Documents contain the entire agreement concerning the subject matter of the Loan Documents and supersede all prior and contemporaneous negotiations, agreements, statements, understandings, terms, conditions, representations and warranties, whether oral or written, by and among the Lender, Borrower and Third Party Pledgors concerning the Loan which is the subject matter of the Loan Documents.

6.16 No Waiver by Lender. No waiver by the Lender of any of its rights or remedies in connection with the Obligations or of any of the terms or conditions of the Loan Documents shall be effective unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the Lender.

6.17 Cumulative Remedies. No right or remedy of the Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be exclusive of any other right or remedy under the Loan Documents or to which the Lender may be entitled. The Lender’s rights and remedies under the Loan Documents are cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies which the Lender may have under any other document with Borrower and under applicable law.

6.18 Joint and Several Liability. [Intentionally Deleted]

6.19 Assignment. Borrower shall not assign, encumber, or otherwise transfer any or all of Borrower’s rights under the Loan Documents, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, or by operation of law, without the Lender’s prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in the Lender’s discretion. Unless an Event of Default exists or the Lender is merged into or otherwise acquired by a third Person, in which case no consent shall be required, Lender shall not assign, encumber or otherwise transfer any or all of Lender’s rights under the Loan Documents, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, or by operation of


law, without Borrower’s prior written consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld (provided, that if in any case that Borrower’s consent is required, the refusal of Borrower to consent to the assignment, encumbrance or other transfer to a Competitor shall not be deemed unreasonable). For purposes of this Section 6.19, “Competitor” means any direct corporate competitor of Borrower or any of its affiliates operating as an investment bank advisory firm and/or institutional asset manager. Any purported assignment, encumbrance or transfer by either party in violation of this Section shall be void.

6.20 Waivers. Borrower waives presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of demand, dishonor, protest and non-payment, and all other notices and demands in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default under, and enforcement of the Loan Documents. Borrower waives the right to assert any statute of limitations as a defense to the enforcement of any or all of the Loan Documents to the fullest extent permitted by law. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, in the event of Borrower’s payment in partial satisfaction of any or all of the Obligations, Lender shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to designate the portion of the Obligations that is to be satisfied. Borrower and all Persons holding a lien of any kind affecting all or part of the Collateral who have actual or constructive notice of this Agreement waive (a) all rights to require marshalling of assets or liens in the event of Lender’s exercise of any of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents; and (b) all rights to require Lender to exercise any other right or power or to pursue any other remedy which Lender may have under any document or applicable law before exercising any other such right, power, or remedy.

6.21 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction. The Loan Documents shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each of the parties hereto agrees that the courts of the State of New York and Federal District Courts located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any action or proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or related to the negotiation, execution, delivery, performance, breach, enforcement or interpretation of this Agreement and all of the other Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by or related to any or all of the Loan Documents, regardless of whether or not any claim, counterclaim or defense in any such action or proceeding is characterized as arising out of fraud, negligence, intentional misconduct, breach of contract or fiduciary duty, or violation of any Governmental Requirements. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts, to such venue, and to the service of process in the manner provided for the giving of notices in this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto waives all objections to such jurisdiction and venue, including all objections that are based upon inconvenience or the nature of the forum.

6.22 Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. Each party hereto irrevocably waives all rights to a jury trial in any action, suit, proceeding or counterclaim of any kind directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way relating to the Line of Credit Loan, this Agreement, any agreement securing the Note, or any of the other Loan Documents, any or all of the collateral securing the Line of Credit Loan, or any of the transactions which are contemplated by the Loan Documents. The jury trial waiver contained in this section is intended to apply, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to any and all disputes and controversies that arise out of or in any way related to any or all of the matters described in the immediately preceding sentence, including without limitation contract claims, tort claims, and all other common law and statutory claims of any kind. This Agreement may be filed with any court of competent jurisdiction as each party’s written consent to such party’s waiver of a jury trial.

6.23 Borrower Acknowledgement. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (1) Borrower has carefully read and understands all of the terms of the Loan Documents; (2) Borrower has executed the Loan Documents freely and voluntarily, after having consulted with Borrower’s independent legal counsel and after having had all of the terms of the Loan Documents explained to it by its independent legal counsel or after having had a full and adequate opportunity to consult with Borrower’s independent legal counsel; (3) the waivers contained in the Loan Documents are reasonable, not contrary to public policy or law, and have been intentionally, intelligently, knowingly, and voluntarily agreed to by Borrower; (4) the waivers contained in the Loan Documents have been agreed to by Borrower with full knowledge of their significance and consequences, including full knowledge of the specific nature of any rights or defenses which Borrower has agreed to waive pursuant to the Loan Documents; (5) Borrower has had a full and adequate opportunity to negotiate the terms contained in the Loan Documents; (6) Borrower is experienced in and familiar with loan transactions of the type evidenced by the Loan Documents; and (7) the waivers contained in the Loan Documents are material inducements to the Lender’s extension of credit to Borrower, and the Lender has relied on such waivers in making the Line of Credit Loan to Borrower and will continue to rely on such waivers in any related future dealings with Borrower. The waivers contained in the Loan Documents shall apply to all subsequent extensions, renewals, modifications, and replacements of the Loan Documents, except to the extent expressly provided therein.

6.24 Termination. The Borrower may, at any time, in whole permanently terminate the Commitment upon prior written notice to the Lender. Upon any such termination and repayment in full of any outstanding Line of Credit Loan, accrued interest and any fees and expenses under the Loan Documents, the Lender shall execute and deliver to the Borrower and/or authorize the filing of, at the Borrower’s expense, all documents that the Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such termination and the release of liens and termination of each Loan Document.

6.25 Successors. Subject to the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents, the Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Lender and Borrower and their respective permitted successors and assigns.


[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]


Borrower:     Lender:
PJT Partners Holdings LP     First Republic Bank
By:       PJT Partners Inc., its General Partner     By:   /s/ Joseph Harpster
  By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

    Name:   Joseph Harpster
  Name:   Michael S. Chae     Title:   Senior Vice President
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer      


Exhibit A

LOAN SCHEDULE

This Loan Schedule is an integral part of the Line of Credit Loan Agreement between the Lender and Borrower, and the following terms are incorporated in and made a part of the Loan Agreement to which this Loan Schedule is attached:

 

 

 

 

1. Borrower: Borrower represents that its name, address and trade name are as follows:

 

1.1   Name:   PJT Partners Holdings LP
1.2   Trade Name or DBA:   None
1.3   Notice Address:   c/o Helen Meates, Chief Financial Officer
    280 Park Avenue
    New York, NY 10017

 

 

 

 

2. Third Party Pledgors: Each of Park Hill Group LLC and PJT Partners LP

 

 

 

 

3.   Lender’s Notice Address:   First Republic Bank
    111 Pine Street
    San Francisco, California 94111
    Attention: Manager, Commercial Loan Operations

 

 

 

 

4. Fees. Borrower hereby agrees to pay to Lender the following fees at the times specified.

 

  4.1 Closing Loan Fee. At or before the Closing Date, a loan fee of $120,000.00 and a documentation fee of $1,000 are payable.

 

  4.2 Unused Commitment Fee. An unused commitment fee of 0.125% per annum of the aggregate unused Commitment (including pursuant to any Increase), payable quarterly in arrears within 15 days after the end of each quarter and on the Maturity Date.

 

  4.3 Other Fees. Any other fees payable concurrently herewith and detailed on the Loan Disbursement Instructions.

 

 

 

 

5. Nature of Line of Credit Loan. The Line of Credit Loan is a revolving line of credit loan, and within the limits of the Commitment, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow the principal amount of the Line of Credit Loan from time to time.

 

 

 

 

6. Account Authorizations.

6.1 Automatic Payment Authorization. Borrower authorizes the Lender to make automatic deductions (“Auto Debit”) from the following deposit account (the “Account”) maintained by Borrower at Lender’s offices in order to pay, when and as due, all installment payments of interest, and/or principal, renewal, modification or other fees or payments (a “Payment”) that Borrower is required or obligated to pay Lender under the Note:

Account No:

Without limiting any of the terms of the Loan Documents, Borrower acknowledges and agrees that if Borrower defaults in its obligation to make a Payment because the collected funds in the Account are insufficient to make such Payment in full on the date that such Payment is due, then Borrower shall be responsible for all late payment charges and other consequences of such default by Borrower under the terms of the Loan Documents.


6.2 Revocation of Authorization. Subject to the Section immediately following this Section, this authorization shall continue in full force and effect until the date which is five (5) business days after the date on which Lender actually receives written notice from Borrower expressly revoking the authority granted to the Lender to charge the Account for Payments in connection with the Line of Credit Loan. No such revocation by Borrower shall in any way release Borrower from or otherwise affect Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents, including Borrower’s obligations to continue to make all Payments required under the terms of the Note.

6.3 Termination by Lender. The Lender, at its option and in its discretion, reserves the right to terminate the arrangement for Auto Debit pursuant to this Section at any time effective upon written notice of such election (a “Termination Notice”) given by Lender to Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, the Lender may elect to give a Termination Notice to Borrower if Borrower fails to comply with any of the Lender’s rules, regulations, or policies relating to the Account, including requirements regarding minimum balance, service charges, overdrafts, insufficient funds, uncollected funds, returned items, and limitations on withdrawals.

6.4 Increase in Interest Rate Upon Termination of Auto Debit. The date on which the arrangement for Auto Debit terminates (whether as a result of Borrower’s revocation of such arrangement or any Termination Notice given by the Lender), is referred to as the “Auto Debit Termination Date”. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Lender would not have been willing to make the Line of Credit Loan at the interest rate contained in the Note in the absence of the arrangement for Auto Debit from the Account pursuant to this authorization. Therefore, effective on the first due date of a Payment following the Auto Debit Termination Date, Lender, at its option and in its discretion, shall have the right to increase the interest rate on the outstanding principal balance of the Note to a rate which is equal to one-half of one percent (0.5%) per annum (the “Percentage Rate Increase”) above the otherwise applicable interest rate under the terms of the Note.


Exhibit B

COVENANTS

This Exhibit B is an integral part of the Agreement between the Lender and Borrower, and the following terms are incorporated in and made a part of the Agreement to which this Exhibit B is attached:

 

 

 

 

1. Financial Covenants.

1.1 No Additional Indebtedness. Without the prior written consent of the Lender, Borrower: (a) shall not incur indebtedness for borrowed money during the term of this Agreement, excluding (i) debts owing by Borrower as of the date of this Agreement that were previously disclosed in writing to Lender, (ii) other borrowing from the Lender (or an affiliate of Lender), (iii) unsecured debt incurred in the ordinary course of business, (vi) indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets (including capital lease obligations) and any indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets, (v) debts owing by Borrower to another Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party and (vi) other indebtedness up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding (which other indebtedness under this clause (iv) shall include but not be limited to all indebtedness that is excluded from liabilities pursuant to Sections (b) and (c) of the definition of “Tangible Net Worth” in Section 1.2 of this Exhibit B and all indebtedness that is excluded from the definition of “Debt” in Section 1.3 of this Exhibit B); and (b) shall not directly or indirectly make, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any guaranty of any kind of any indebtedness of any other Person during the term of this Agreement, excluding (i) any guaranties by Borrower as of the date of this Agreement previously disclosed in writing to Lender, (ii) guaranties by Borrower incurred in connection with any employee loan program arranged by Lender, (iii) guaranties incurred in connection with lease agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of its affiliates and other guaranties incurred in the ordinary course of business (including in respect of any leasehold obligations) and not in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money and (iv) guaranties in respect of indebtedness of Borrower’s affiliates if the Borrower would have been able to incur such indebtedness directly under the foregoing clause (a), provided that the amount of such guaranties under this Section (1.1)(iii) and (iv) do not exceed an aggregate face value of $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

1.2 Minimum Tangible Net Worth. Borrower shall at all times maintain a Tangible Net Worth of not less than $150,000,000 measured as of the last day of each quarter.

“Tangible Net Worth” is defined as the excess of total assets minus total liabilities, in each case determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles with the following adjustments: (a) there will be excluded from assets (i) notes, accounts receivable and other obligations owing from officers, members, partners or affiliates, and (ii) all assets which would be classified as intangible assets under generally accepted accounting principles including goodwill, licenses, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, capitalized software and organizational costs and franchises; (b) there will be excluded from liabilities all indebtedness which is either secured on a junior lien basis with respect to the Obligations, unsecured or subordinated to the Obligations; and (c) there will be excluded from liabilities all liabilities in respect of any deferred rent obligations.

1.3 Leverage Ratio. Borrower shall at all times maintain a ratio of Debt to Adjusted EBITDA as follows, measured as of the last day of each quarter:

(a) if Adjusted EBITDA is equal to or greater than $35,000,000, then such ratio shall not exceed 2.00:1.00;

(b) if Adjusted EBITDA is equal to or greater than $20,000,000 but less than $35,000,000, then such ratio shall not exceed 1.50:1.00; and

(c) if Adjusted EBITDA is less than $20,000,000, then such ratio shall not exceed 1.00:1.00.

The term “Debt” means total liabilities of Borrower (x) minus any all indebtedness which is either secured on a junior lien basis with respect to the Obligations, unsecured or subordinated to the Obligations and (y) any unsecured indebtedness that is junior in priority to the Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, “Debt” shall include the indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which the Borrower is a general partner) to the extent the Borrower is liable therefor as a result of the Borrower’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such indebtedness expressly provide that the Borrower is not liable therefor.

The term “Adjusted EBITDA” means Borrower’s EBITDA for the previous four quarters plus any recorded non-cash expenses related to restricted stock units granted to employees during such four quarters.


1.4 Liquidity. Borrower shall at all times maintain on a consolidated basis a ratio of Unencumbered Liquid Assets to then total current liabilities of not less than 1.25:1.00. This ratio shall be measured quarterly as of the last day of each quarter.

“Unencumbered Liquid Assets” is defined as the following assets: (a) cash and certificates of deposit; (b) the fair market value of treasury bills and other obligations of the U.S. Federal Government; (c) readily marketable securities that can be converted into cash within three (3) days without penalty or prepayment fee; (d) commercial paper; (e) Eligible Accounts Receivable and (f) money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (d) of this definition. Excluded from assets are (g) retirement accounts and (h) restricted stock and stock subject to provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The term “Eligible Accounts Receivable” means (a) 50% of all bona fide accounts receivable generated in the ordinary course of business of Park Hill Group LLC, and (b) 75% of all bona fide accounts receivable generated in the ordinary course of business of Borrower and PJT Partners LP; provided, however, that the term Eligible Accounts Receivable shall not include (i) any accounts receivable in which Lender does not have a perfected security interest of first priority or (ii) any accounts receivable:

(A) that have been invoiced and not paid within 90 days of the due date;

(B) for which any of the actions described in Sections 4.1(e), (h), (i) or (j) hereof has occurred with respect to the account debtor;

(C) with respect to which the account debtor disputes liability or makes any claim and Lender reasonably believes that there is a basis for such dispute (but only up to the disputed or claimed amount);

(D) with respect to which the Borrower or any of its affiliates owes the account debtor, but only to the amount owed (i.e., contra accounts); or

(E) with respect to which the account debtor is an affiliate of the Borrower or an officer or director of the Borrower or any or its affiliates, or any Person having the power or ability to control the Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, The Blackstone Group L.P. and its subsidiaries shall not be deemed affiliates of the Borrower.

The Eligible Accounts Receivable shall be determined from the quarterly accounts receivable aging statement submitted by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

2. Reporting Covenants.

2.1 Annual Financial Statements for General Partner of the Borrower. Borrower shall deliver to Lender annual financial statements, including balance sheet and income statements, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, which financial statements shall be audited by an independent certified public accountant of national standing (or otherwise reasonably acceptable to Lender).

2.2 Interim Financial Statements for General Partner of the Borrower. Borrower shall deliver to Lender internally prepared quarterly financial statements (excluding any notes thereto), including balance sheet and income statements, within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, certified by such entity’s chief financial officer or other officer or representative of such entity acceptable to Lender.

2.3 Compliance Certificate. Borrower shall deliver to Lender quarterly a compliance certificate, on Lender’s standard form, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, certified by Borrower’s chief financial officer or other officer or representative of Borrower acceptable to Lender.

2.4 Accounts Receivable Aging Statement. Borrower shall, and shall ensure that each Pledgor shall, deliver to Lender quarterly accounts receivable aging statements, substantially in the form delivered to Lender in connection with the Loan Closing, within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower/Pledgor or other officer or representative of each such entity acceptable to Lender.


 

 

 

3. Conditions to Closing.

3.1 Documents. Lender shall have received in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, the documents listed in the Loan Disbursement Instructions, and an Accounts Receivable Aging Statement for Borrower as of August 31, 2015.

3.2 No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

EX-10.5 10 d21345dex105.htm EX-10.5 EX-10.5

Exhibit 10.5

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

OF

PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP

Dated as of October 1, 2015

 

 

 

THE PARTNERSHIP UNITS OF PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, PROVINCE OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND ARE BEING SOLD IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. SUCH UNITS MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR PROVINCE, AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; AND (III) ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BETWEEN THE GENERAL PARTNER AND THE APPLICABLE LIMITED PARTNER. THE UNITS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OF RECORD EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS; THIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; AND ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE GENERAL PARTNER AND THE APPLICABLE LIMITED PARTNER. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS AND OTHER TRANSFEREES OF SUCH UNITS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT OR ACQUISITION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.


Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1   

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

     1   

ARTICLE II FORMATION, TERM, PURPOSE AND POWERS

     11   

Section 2.01.

 

Formation

     11   

Section 2.02.

 

Name

     12   

Section 2.03.

 

Term

     12   

Section 2.04.

 

Offices

     12   

Section 2.05.

 

Agent for Service of Process; Existence and Good Standing; Foreign Qualification

     12   

Section 2.06.

 

Business Purpose

     13   

Section 2.07.

 

Powers of the Partnership

     13   

Section 2.08.

 

Partners; Admission of New Partners

     13   

Section 2.09.

 

Withdrawal

     13   

Section 2.10.

 

Investment Representations of Partners

     13   

ARTICLE III MANAGEMENT

     14   

Section 3.01.

 

General Partner

     14   

Section 3.02.

 

Compensation

     14   

Section 3.03.

 

Expenses

     14   

Section 3.04.

 

Officers

     15   

Section 3.05.

 

Authority of Partners

     15   

Section 3.06.

 

Action by Written Consent or Ratification

     16   

Section 3.07.

 

Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority

     16   

Section 3.08.

 

Restrictions on Termination Transactions

     17   

ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTIONS

     19   

Section 4.01.

 

Distributions

     19   

Section 4.02.

 

Liquidation Distribution

     20   

Section 4.03.

 

Limitations on Distribution

     20   

ARTICLE V CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; TAX ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS

     20   

Section 5.01.

 

No Additional Capital Contributions

     20   

Section 5.02.

 

Capital Accounts

     20   

Section 5.03.

 

Allocations of Profits and Losses

     20   

Section 5.04.

 

Special Allocations

     23   

 

i


Section 5.05.

 

Tax Allocations

     25   

Section 5.06.

 

Tax Advances

     26   

Section 5.07.

 

Tax Matters

     26   

Section 5.08.

 

Other Allocation Provisions

     26   

Section 5.09.

 

Allocations upon Final Liquidation

     26   

ARTICLE VI BOOKS AND RECORDS; REPORTS

     27   

Section 6.01.

 

Books and Records

     27   

ARTICLE VII PARTNERSHIP UNITS

     27   

Section 7.01.

 

Units

     27   

Section 7.02.

 

Register

     29   

Section 7.03.

 

Registered Partners

     29   

ARTICLE VIII VESTING; FORFEITURE OF INTERESTS; TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

     30   

Section 8.01.

 

Vesting of Unvested Units

     30   

Section 8.02.

 

Forfeiture of Units

     30   

Section 8.03.

 

Limited Partner Transfers

     31   

Section 8.04.

 

Mandatory Exchanges

     32   

Section 8.05.

 

Encumbrances

     32   

Section 8.06.

 

Further Restrictions

     33   

Section 8.07.

 

Rights of Assignees

     34   

Section 8.08.

 

Allocation of Profits and Losses Upon Transfer

     34   

Section 8.09.

 

Admissions, Withdrawals and Removals

     34   

Section 8.10.

 

Admission of Assignees as Substitute Limited Partners

     34   

Section 8.11.

 

Withdrawal and Removal of Limited Partners

     35   

ARTICLE IX DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

     35   

Section 9.01.

 

No Dissolution

     35   

Section 9.02.

 

Events Causing Dissolution

     35   

Section 9.03.

 

Distribution upon Dissolution

     36   

Section 9.04.

 

Time for Liquidation

     37   

Section 9.05.

 

Termination

     37   

Section 9.06.

 

Claims of the Partners

     37   

Section 9.07.

 

Survival of Certain Provisions

     37   

ARTICLE X LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

     37   

Section 10.01.

 

Liability of Partners

     37   

Section 10.02.

 

Indemnification

     38   

 

ii


ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

     41   

Section 11.01.

 

Severability

     41   

Section 11.02.

 

Notices

     41   

Section 11.03.

 

Cumulative Remedies

     42   

Section 11.04.

 

Binding Effect

     42   

Section 11.05.

 

Interpretation

     42   

Section 11.06.

 

Counterparts

     42   

Section 11.07.

 

Further Assurances

     43   

Section 11.08.

 

Entire Agreement

     43   

Section 11.09.

 

Governing Law

     43   

Section 11.10.

 

Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

     43   

Section 11.11.

 

Expenses

     44   

Section 11.12.

 

Amendments and Waivers

     44   

Section 11.13.

 

No Third Party Beneficiaries

     45   

Section 11.14.

 

Headings

     45   

Section 11.15.

 

Power of Attorney

     45   

Section 11.16.

 

Separate Agreements; Schedules

     46   

Section 11.17.

 

Partnership Status

     46   

Section 11.18.

 

Delivery by Facsimile or Email

     46   

Schedule I – LTIP Units

  

Schedule II — Certain Limited Partners

  

Schedule III – Founder Group Partners

  

Exhibit A – Notice of Election by Partnership of Force Conversion of LTIP Units into Class A Units

  

 

iii


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF

PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) of PJT Partners Holdings LP (the “Partnership”), is made as of October 1, 2015 by and among PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the general partner and the Limited Partners whose names are set forth in the books and records of the Partnership, and, solely to acknowledge its consent and approval of the amendments to the Existing Agreement (as defined below) set forth in this Agreement and to the admission to the Partnership of PJT Partners Inc., as general partner, and to evidence its withdrawal as general partner of the Partnership, New Advisory GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Former General Partner”).

R-E-C-I-T-A-L-S

WHEREAS, the Partnership was formed as a limited partnership pursuant to the Act by the filing of a Certificate of Limited Partnership (the “Certificate”) in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the execution of a limited partnership agreement, and is currently governed pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of December 16, 2014 (the “Existing Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, substantially concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Former General Partner has transferred and assigned all of its right, title and interest as General Partner (as such term is defined in the Existing Agreement) of the Partnership to PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “General Partner”), and with effect simultaneously with the effectiveness of such assignment and transfer, the General Partner has been admitted as General Partner of the Partnership and the Partnership continued without dissolution; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the Existing Agreement in its entirety and to enter into this Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein made and intending to be legally bound hereby the parties hereto agree to amend and restate the Existing Agreement in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the following meanings (such meanings being equally applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms defined):

Act” means, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del. C. Section 17-101, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.

Additional Credit Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(ii).

 

1


Adjusted Capital Account Balance” means, with respect to each Partner, the balance in such Partner’s Capital Account adjusted (i) by taking into account the adjustments, allocations and distributions described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6); and (ii) by adding to such balance such Partner’s share of Partnership Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), and any amounts such Partner is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or by applicable Law. The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Balance is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Amended Tax Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(ii).

Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.07.

Assumed Tax Rate” means 50%.

Available Cash” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of cash on hand which the General Partner, in its sole discretion, deems available for distribution to the Partners, taking into account all debts, liabilities and obligations of the Partnership then due and amounts which the General Partner, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to expend or retain for working capital or to place into reserves with respect to the Partnership’s operations.

Award Agreement” means any award agreement entered into by the Partnership with a Service Provider to whom the Partnership grants Units in connection with the issuance to such Service Provider of such Units.

Board Change of Control” means a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner ceasing to be Continuing Directors.

Book-Up Target” means, for an LTIP Unit, as of any determination date, the amount required to be allocated to such LTIP Unit for the Economic Capital Account Balance, to the extent attributable to such LTIP Unit, to be equal to the Class A Unit Economic Balance as of such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Book-Up Target shall be zero for any LTIP Unit for which the Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to such LTIP Unit has at any time reached an amount equal to the Class A Unit Economic Balance determined as of such time.

Capital Account” means the separate capital account maintained for each Partner in accordance with Section 5.02 hereof.

 

2


Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Partner, the aggregate amount of money contributed to the Partnership and the Carrying Value of any property (other than money), net of any liabilities assumed by the Partnership upon contribution or to which such property is subject, contributed to the Partnership pursuant to Article V.

Carrying Value” means, with respect to any Partnership asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that the initial carrying value of assets contributed to the Partnership shall be their respective gross fair market values on the date of contribution as determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion, and the Carrying Values of all Partnership assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective fair market values, in accordance with the rules set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), except as otherwise provided herein, as of: (a) the date of the acquisition of any additional interest in the Partnership by any new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution; (b) the grant of more than a de minimis interest in the Partnership as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Partnership by an existing Partner acting in a partner capacity or by a new Partner acting in a partner capacity or in anticipation of becoming a Partner (c) the date of the distribution of more than a de minimis amount of Partnership assets to a Partner; (d) the date an interest in the Partnership is relinquished to the Partnership; or (e) any other date specified in the Treasury Regulations; provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (a), (b) (c), (d) and (e) above shall be made only if such adjustments are deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Partner in its sole discretion to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners. The Carrying Value of any Partnership asset distributed to any Partner shall be adjusted immediately before such distribution to equal its fair market value. In the case of any asset that has a Carrying Value that differs from its adjusted tax basis, Carrying Value shall be adjusted by the amount of depreciation calculated for purposes of the definition of “Profits” and “Losses” rather than the amount of depreciation determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and depreciation shall be calculated by reference to Carrying Value rather than tax basis once Carrying Value differs from tax basis.

Cause” with respect to any particular Limited Partner has the meaning set forth in any effective Award Agreement, employment agreement or other written contract of engagement entered into between such Limited Partner and the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or if none, then “Cause” means any of the following: (i) (w) any material breach by such Limited Partner of any covenant undertaken in Article VIII herein, any effective Award Agreement, employment agreement or any written non-disclosure, non-competition, or non-solicitation covenant or agreement with the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, (x) any material breach by such Limited Partner of any material rules or regulations of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates applicable to such Limited Partner that have been provided to such Limited Partner in writing and has a material adverse effect on the business of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or (y) such Limited Partner’s deliberate and repeated failure to perform substantially such Limited Partner’s duties to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, as applicable; (ii) any act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or similar conduct by such Limited Partner against the General Partner or any of its Affiliates; or (iii) such Limited Partner’s being convicted (on the basis of a trial or by an accepted plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, or a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction, by a regulatory body or by a self-regulatory

 

3


body having authority with respect to securities laws, rules or regulations, that such Limited Partner individually has violated any securities laws or any rules or regulations thereunder, or any rules of any such self-regulatory body (including, without limitation, any licensing requirement), if such conviction or determination has a material adverse effect on (A) such Limited Partner’s ability to perform his or her duties to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates taking into account the services required of such Limited Partner and the nature of the business of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, or (B) the business of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates.

Certificate” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Charitable Organization” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.03(a).

Class” means the classes of Units into which the partnership interests in the Partnership may be classified or divided from time to time by the General Partner in its sole discretion pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. Subclasses within a Class shall not be separate Classes for purposes of this Agreement. For all purposes hereunder and under the Act, only such Classes expressly established under this Agreement, including by the General Partner in accordance with this Agreement, shall be deemed to be a class of partnership interests in the Partnership. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that the General Partner holds interests in the Partnership of any Class, the General Partner shall not be deemed to hold a separate Class of such interests from any other Limited Partner because it is the General Partner.

Class A Unit Economic Balance” means the Capital Account balance of a Partner had such Partner contributed cash on October 1, 2015 equal to the fair market value of one Class A Unit on such date in exchange for such Class A Unit, plus the amount of such Partner’s share of any Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain or Partnership Minimum Gain, in either case to the extent attributable to such Partner’s ownership of Class A Units and computed on a hypothetical basis after taking into account all allocations, distributions or other relevant transactions or adjustments through the applicable date.

Class A Units” means the Units of partnership interest in the Partnership designated as the “Class A Units” herein and having the rights pertaining thereto as are set forth in this Agreement.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Compensation Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(c).

Contingencies” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(a).

Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner who: (i) was a member of such Board of Directors immediately following the consummation by The Blackstone Group L.P. of the distribution to its common unitholders of shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner (as contemplated by the General Partner’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36869); or (ii) was nominated for election or elected or appointed to such Board of

 

4


Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment, 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.

Control” (including the terms “Controlled by” and “under common Control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise, including, without limitation, the ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar body governing the affairs of such Person.

Credit Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(ii).

Disabling Event” means the General Partner ceasing to be the general partner of the Partnership pursuant to Section 17-402 of the Act.

Dissolution Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02.

Economic Capital Account Balance” means, with respect to a Partner, an amount equal to its Capital Account balance, plus the amount of its share of any Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain or Partnership Minimum Gain.

Encumbrance” means any mortgage, hypothecation, claim, lien, encumbrance, conditional sales or other title retention agreement, right of first refusal, preemptive right, pledge, option, charge, security interest or other similar interest, easement, judgment or imperfection of title of any nature whatsoever.

ERISA” means The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Agreement” means the exchange agreement dated as of or about the date hereof among the Partnership, General Partner, the Limited Partners of the Partnership from time to time party thereto, and the other parties thereto, as amended from time to time.

Exchange Transaction” means an exchange of Units for cash or shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Agreement.

Existing Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Final Tax Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(ii).

 

5


Fiscal Year” means, unless otherwise determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion in accordance with Section 11.12, (i) the period commencing upon the formation of the Partnership and ending on December 31, 2015 or (ii) any subsequent twelve-month period commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31.

Forfeited Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(c).

Former General Partner” means New Advisory GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.

Founder” means Mr. Paul J. Taubman.

Founder Group Partners” means the Limited Partners set forth on Schedule III.

Founder LTIP Unit” shall mean a Unit which is designated as a Founder LTIP Unit in the relevant Award Agreement or other documentation pursuant to which such Founder LTIP Unit is granted or issued, having the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications and limitations set forth in Schedule I hereto or in this Agreement in respect of the holder of such Founder LTIP Unit, as well as the relevant Award Agreement or other documentation pursuant to which such Founder LTIP Unit is granted or issued.

GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.

General Partner” means PJT Partners Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any successor general partner admitted to the Partnership in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Incapacity” means, with respect to any Person, the bankruptcy, dissolution, termination, entry of an order of incompetence, or the insanity, permanent disability or death of such Person.

Indemnitee” (a) the General Partner, (b) the Former General Partner, (c) any additional or substitute General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a Tax Matters Partner, officer or director of the General Partner, the Former General Partner or any additional or substitute General Partner, (e) any Person the General Partner in its sole discretion designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement, (f) any Person that is required to be indemnified by the General Partner in accordance with the By-Laws of the General Partner as in effect from time to time and (g) any heir, executor or administrator with respect to Persons named in clauses (a) through (f).

Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree or other order issued or promulgated by any national, supranational, state, federal, provincial, local or municipal government or any administrative or regulatory body with authority therefrom with jurisdiction over the Partnership or any Partner, as the case may be.

 

6


Limited Partner” means each of the Persons from time to time listed as a limited partner in the books and records of the Partnership, and, for purposes of Sections 8.01, 8.02, 8.03, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06, any Personal Planning Vehicle of such Limited Partner.

Liquidating Gains” shall mean any Profits realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including upon the occurrence of any event of liquidation of the Partnership), including but not limited to Profits realized in connection with an adjustment to the book value of Partnership assets under the first sentence of the definition of Carrying Value.

Liquidating Losses” shall mean any Losses realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership (including upon the occurrence of any event of liquidation of the Partnership), including but not limited to Losses realized in connection with an adjustment to the book value of Partnership assets under the first sentence of the definition of Carrying Value.

Liquidation Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.

LTIP Unit Forced Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7 of Schedule I hereto.

LTIP Unit” shall mean a Unit which is designated as an LTIP Unit in the relevant Award Agreement or other documentation pursuant to which such LTIP Unit is granted or issued, having the rights, powers, privileges, restrictions, qualifications and limitations set forth in Schedule I hereto or in this Agreement in respect of the holder of such LTIP Unit, as well as the relevant Award Agreement or other documentation pursuant to which such LTIP Unit is granted or issued. For the avoidance of doubt, each Founder LTIP Unit shall constitute an LTIP Unit for the purposes of this Agreement.

LTIP Unit Limited Partner” shall mean any Person that holds LTIP Units or Class A Units resulting from a conversion of LTIP Units.

Net Taxable Income” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).

Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1). The amount of Nonrecourse Deductions of the Partnership for a Fiscal Year equals the net increase, if any, in the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain of the Partnership during that Fiscal Year, determined according to the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).

Officer” means each Person designated as an officer of the Partnership by the General Partner pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.04, subject to any resolutions of the General Partner appointing such Person as an officer of the Partnership or relating to such appointment.

Operating Profits” means Profits determined without taking into account any Liquidating Gains or Liquidating Losses.

 

7


Operating Losses” means Losses determined without taking into account any Liquidating Gains or Liquidating Losses.

“Participating LTIP Unit” shall mean (i) a LTIP Unit that has satisfied the applicable condition or conditions specified in in the relevant Award Agreement (or other documentation pursuant to which such LTIP Unit is granted) for becoming a “Participating LTIP Unit” thereunder, and (ii) each Founder LTIP Unit.

Partners” means, at any time, each person listed as a Partner (including the General Partner) on the books and records of the Partnership, in each case for so long as he, she or it remains a partner of the Partnership as provided hereunder.

Partnership” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Partnership Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” means an amount with respect to each partner nonrecourse debt (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such partner nonrecourse debt were treated as a nonrecourse liability (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2)) determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Performance Condition” has the meaning set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

Performance Tranche” has the meaning set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

Person” means any individual, estate, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated or governmental organization or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Personal Planning Vehicle” means, in respect of any Person that is a natural person, any other Person that is not a natural person designated as a “Personal Planning Vehicle” of such natural person in the books and records of the Partnership.

Preferred Unit Purchase Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(d).

Profits” and “Losses” means, for each Fiscal Year or other period, the taxable income or loss of the Partnership, or particular items thereof, determined in accordance with the accounting method used by the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the following adjustments: (a) all items of income, gain, loss or deduction allocated pursuant to Section 5.04 shall not be taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss; (b) any income of the Partnership that is exempt from U.S. federal income taxation

 

8


and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss; (c) if the Carrying Value of any asset differs from its adjusted tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any gain or loss resulting from a disposition of such asset shall be calculated with reference to such Carrying Value; (d) upon an adjustment to the Carrying Value (other than an adjustment in respect of depreciation) of any asset, pursuant to the definition of Carrying Value, the amount of the adjustment shall be included as gain or loss in computing such taxable income or loss; (e) if the Carrying Value of any asset differs from its adjusted tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of depreciation, amortization or cost recovery deductions with respect to such asset for purposes of determining Profits and Losses, if any, shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such Carrying Value as the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions bears to such adjusted tax basis (provided that if the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction is zero, the General Partner may use any reasonable method for purposes of determining depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deductions in calculating Profits and Losses); and (f) except for items in (a) above, any expenditures of the Partnership not deductible in computing taxable income or loss, not properly capitalizable and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses pursuant to this definition shall be treated as deductible items.

Service Provider” means any Limited Partner (in his, her or its individual capacity) or other Person, who at the time in question, is employed by or providing services to the General Partner, the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(c).

Significant Limited Partner” means any Limited Partner that, together with any Personal Planning Vehicle of such Limited Partner, held, immediately following the consummation of the distribution by The Blackstone Group L.P. to its common unitholders of shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner (as contemplated by the General Partner’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36869)) and, as of any subsequent date of determination, continues to hold, a number of Units (vested and unvested) equal to not less than five percent (5%) of the total number of Units (vested and unvested) then outstanding.

Similar Law” means any law or regulation that could cause the underlying assets of the Partnership to be treated as assets of the Limited Partner by virtue of its limited partner interest in the Partnership and thereby subject the Partnership and the General Partner (or other persons responsible for the investment and operation of the Partnership’s assets) to laws or regulations that are similar to the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions contained in Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

9


Stockholder Rights Agreement” means the stockholder rights agreement dated as of or about the date hereof between the General Partner and the rights agent named therein, as amended from time to time.

Successor Shares Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.08(b).

Target Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a)(ii).

Tax Advances” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06.

Tax Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).

Tax Distributions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).

Tax Matters Partner” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.07.

Tax Receivable Agreement” means the tax receivable agreement dated as of or about the date hereof among the Partnership, General Partner and the other parties thereto, as amended from time to time.

Termination Transaction” means any direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of the General Partner’s interest in the Partnership in connection with, or the other occurrence of, (a) a merger, consolidation or other combination involving the General Partner, on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other, (b) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the General Partner not in the ordinary course of its business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (c) a reclassification, recapitalization or change of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar subdivision, including in connection with the distribution, exchange, redemption or exercise of preferred stock purchase rights under the Stockholder Rights Agreement or securities issuable in respect of such rights), (d) the adoption of any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the General Partner, or (e) a direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of the General Partner’s interest in the Partnership, other than a Transfer effected in accordance with Section 3.08(a) or Section 3.08(b).

Total Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Partner, the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the number of Class A Units (vested and unvested) and Participating LTIP Units (vested and unvested) then owned by such Partner by (y) the number of Class A Units (vested and unvested) and Participating LTIP Units (vested and unvested) then owned by all Partners. For the avoidance of doubt, the Total Percentage Interest for each LTIP Unit Limited Partner shall not be affected by the Book-Up Target for any LTIP Unit owned by such Partner.

Transaction Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.08(a).

Transfer” means, in respect of any Unit, property or other asset, any sale, assignment, transfer, distribution, exchange, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation or other

 

10


disposition thereof, whether voluntarily or by operation of Law, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, including, without limitation, the exchange of any Unit for any other security.

Transferee” means any Person that is a permitted transferee of a Partner’s interest in the Partnership, or part thereof.

Treasury Regulations” means the income tax regulations, including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Units” means the Class A Units, LTIP Units and any other Class of Units that is established in accordance with this Agreement, which shall constitute partnership interests in the Partnership as provided in this Agreement and under the Act, entitling the holders thereof to the relative rights, title and interests in the profits, losses, deductions and credits of the Partnership at any particular time as set forth in this Agreement, and any and all other benefits to which a holder thereof may be entitled as a Partner as provided in this Agreement, together with the obligations of such Partner to comply with all terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Unvested LTIP Units” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2 of Schedule I hereto.

Unvested Units” means those Units from time to time listed as unvested Units in the books and records of the Partnership.

Vested LTIP Units” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2 of Schedule I hereto.

Vested Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Partner, the quotient obtained by dividing the number of Vested Units then owned by such Partner by the number of Vested Units then owned by all Partners.

Vested Units” means those Units listed as vested Units in the books and records of the Partnership, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

FORMATION, TERM, PURPOSE AND POWERS

Section 2.01. Formation. The Partnership is a limited partnership formed pursuant to the Act and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Partnership shall continue upon the execution of this Agreement. If requested by the General Partner, the Limited Partners shall promptly execute all certificates and other documents consistent with the terms of this Agreement necessary for the General Partner to accomplish all filing, recording, publishing and other acts as may be appropriate to comply with all requirements for (a) the formation and operation of a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, (b) if the General Partner

 

11


in its sole discretion deems it advisable, the operation of the Partnership as a limited partnership, or entity in which the Limited Partners have limited liability, in all jurisdictions where the Partnership proposes to operate and (c) all other filings required to be made by the Partnership. The rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of the Partners shall be determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement. To the extent that the rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of any Partner are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control. The execution, delivery and filing of the Certificate and each amendment thereto is hereby ratified, approved and confirmed by the Partners.

Section 2.02. Name. The name of the Partnership shall be, and the business of the Partnership shall be conducted under the name of “PJT Partners Holdings LP” and all Partnership business shall be conducted in that name or in such other names that comply with applicable law as the General Partner in its sole discretion may select from time to time. Subject to the Act, the General Partner in its sole discretion may change the name of the Partnership (and amend this Agreement to reflect such change) at any time and from time to time without the consent of any other Person. Prompt notification of any such change shall be given to all Partners.

Section 2.03. Term. The term of the Partnership commenced on the date of the filing of the Certificate, and the term shall continue until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with Article IX. The existence of the Partnership shall continue until cancellation of the Certificate in the manner required by the Act.

Section 2.04. Offices. The Partnership may have offices at such places either within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner from time to time may select in its sole discretion. As of the date hereof, the principal place of business and office of the Partnership is located at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

Section 2.05. Agent for Service of Process; Existence and Good Standing; Foreign Qualification.

(a) The registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at c/o Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808. The name and address of the registered agent of the Partnership for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808.

(b) The General Partner in its sole discretion may take all action which may be necessary or appropriate (i) for the continuation of the Partnership’s valid existence as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware (and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to enable the Partnership to conduct the business in which it is engaged) and (ii) for the maintenance, preservation and operation of the business of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and applicable laws and regulations. The General Partner may file or cause to be filed for recordation in the proper office or offices in each other jurisdiction in which the Partnership is formed or qualified, such certificates (including certificates of limited partnership and fictitious name certificates) and other documents as are required by the applicable statutes, rules or regulations of any such jurisdiction or as are required to reflect the identity of the

 

12


Partners. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to comply, to the extent procedures are available and those matters are reasonably within the control of the Officers, with all requirements necessary to qualify the Partnership to do business in any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

Section 2.06. Business Purpose. The Partnership was formed for the object and purpose of, and the nature and character of the business to be conducted by the Partnership is, engaging in any lawful act or activity for which limited partnerships may be formed under the Act.

Section 2.07. Powers of the Partnership. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Partnership will possess and may exercise all of the powers and privileges granted to it by the Act including, without limitation, the ownership and operation of the assets and other property contributed to the Partnership by the Partners, by any other Law or this Agreement, together with all powers incidental thereto, so far as such powers are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the purpose of the Partnership set forth in Section 2.06.

Section 2.08. Partners; Admission of New Partners. Each of the Persons listed in the books and records of the Partnership, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, by virtue of such Person’s execution of the Existing Agreement or this Agreement, is admitted as a Partner of the Partnership. The rights, duties and liabilities of the Partners shall be as provided in the Act, except as is otherwise expressly provided herein, and the Partners consent to the variation of such rights, duties and liabilities as provided herein. Subject to Section 8.10 with respect to substitute Limited Partners, a Person may be admitted from time to time as a new Limited Partner with the written consent of the General Partner in its sole discretion. Each new Limited Partner shall execute and deliver to the General Partner an appropriate supplement to this Agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the new Limited Partner agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time. A new General Partner or substitute General Partner may be admitted to the Partnership solely in accordance with Section 8.09 or Section 9.02(e) hereof.

Section 2.09. Withdrawal. No Partner shall have the right to withdraw as a Partner of the Partnership other than following the Transfer of all Units owned by such Partner in accordance with Article VIII.

Section 2.10. Investment Representations of Partners. Each Partner hereby represents, warrants and acknowledges to the Partnership that: (a) such Partner has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Partnership and is making an informed investment decision with respect thereto; (b) such Partner is acquiring interests in the Partnership for investment only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution to the public or public offering thereof; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by such Partner.

 

13


ARTICLE III

MANAGEMENT

Section 3.01. General Partner

(a) The business, property and affairs of the Partnership shall be managed under the sole, absolute and exclusive direction of the General Partner, which may from time to time delegate authority to Officers or to others to act on behalf of the Partnership.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.01, the General Partner shall have the general power to manage or cause the management of the Partnership (which may be delegated to Officers of the Partnership), including, without limitation, the following powers:

(i) to develop and prepare a business plan each year which will set forth the operating goals and plans for the Partnership;

(ii) to execute and deliver or to authorize the execution and delivery of contracts, deeds, leases, licenses, instruments of transfer and other documents on behalf of the Partnership;

(iii) to make any expenditures, to lend or borrow money, to assume or guarantee, or otherwise contract for, indebtedness and other liabilities, to issue evidences of indebtedness and to incur any other obligations;

(iv) to establish and enforce limits of authority and internal controls with respect to all personnel and functions;

(v) to engage attorneys, consultants and accountants for the Partnership;

(vi) to develop or cause to be developed accounting procedures for the maintenance of the Partnership’s books of account; and

(vii) to do all such other acts as shall be authorized in this Agreement or by the Partners in writing from time to time.

Section 3.02. Compensation. The General Partner shall not be entitled to any compensation for services rendered to the Partnership in its capacity as General Partner.

Section 3.03. Expenses. The Partnership shall pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses and other expenses of the Partnership (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the activities of the Partnership. The Partnership shall also, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, bear and/or reimburse the General Partner for (i) any costs, fees or expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with serving as the General Partner and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership’s business (including expenses allocated to the General

 

14


Partner by its Affiliates). To the extent that the General Partner determines in its sole discretion that such expenses are related to the business and affairs of the General Partner that are conducted through the Partnership and/or its subsidiaries (including expenses that relate to the business and affairs of the Partnership and/or its subsidiaries and that also relate to other activities of the General Partner), the General Partner may cause the Partnership to pay or bear all expenses of the General Partner, including, without limitation, compensation and meeting costs of any board of directors or similar body of the General Partner, any salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person including Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the Partnership, litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, accounting and legal costs and franchise taxes, provided that the Partnership shall not pay or bear any income tax obligations of the General Partner, or obligations of the General Partner under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 3.03 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 10.02.

Section 3.04. Officers. Subject to the direction and oversight of the General Partner, the day-to-day administration of the business of the Partnership may be carried out by persons who may be designated as officers by the General Partner, with titles including but not limited to “assistant secretary,” “assistant treasurer,” “chairman,” “chief executive officer,” “chief financial officer,” “chief operating officer,” “director,” “general counsel,” “managing director,” “partner,” “president,” “principal accounting officer,” “secretary,” “senior chairman,” “senior managing director,” “treasurer,” “vice chairman” or “vice president,” and as and to the extent authorized by the General Partner in its sole discretion. The officers of the Partnership shall have such titles and powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the General Partner and otherwise as shall customarily pertain to such offices. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. In its sole discretion, the General Partner may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable. All officers and other persons providing services to or for the benefit of the Partnership shall be subject to the supervision and direction of the General Partner and may be removed, with or without cause, from such office by the General Partner and the authority, duties or responsibilities of any employee, agent or officer of the Partnership may be suspended by the General Partner from time to time, in each case in the sole discretion of the General Partner. The General Partner shall not cease to be a general partner of the Partnership as a result of the delegation of any duties hereunder. No officer of the Partnership, in his or her or its capacity as such, shall be considered a general partner of the Partnership by agreement, as a result of the performance of his or her or its duties hereunder or otherwise.

Section 3.05. Authority of Partners. No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in or have any control over the business of the Partnership. Except as expressly provided herein, the Units do not confer any rights upon the Limited Partners to participate in the affairs of the Partnership described in this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein, no Limited Partner shall have any right to vote on any matter involving the Partnership, including with respect to any merger, consolidation, combination or conversion of the Partnership, or any other matter that a limited partner might otherwise have the ability to vote on or consent with respect to under the Act, at law, in equity or otherwise. Except as expressly provided herein, the conduct, control and management of the Partnership shall be vested exclusively in the General Partner. In all matters relating to or arising out of the conduct of the operation of the Partnership, the decision of the General Partner shall be the decision of the Partnership. Except as required or permitted by Law, or expressly provided in the ultimate sentence of this Section 3.05 or by separate agreement

 

15


with the Partnership, no Partner who is not also a General Partner (and acting in such capacity) shall take any part in the management or control of the operation or business of the Partnership in its capacity as a Partner, nor shall any Partner who is not also the General Partner (and acting in such capacity) have any right, authority or power to act for or on behalf of or bind the Partnership in his or its capacity as a Partner in any respect or assume any obligation or responsibility of the Partnership or of any other Partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Partnership may from time to time appoint one or more Partners as officers or employ one or more Partners as employees, and such Partners, in their capacity as officers or employees of the Partnership (and not, for clarity, in their capacity as Limited Partners of the Partnership), may take part in the control and management of the business of the Partnership to the extent such authority and power to act for or on behalf of the Partnership has been delegated to them by the General Partner.

Section 3.06. Action by Written Consent or Ratification. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Partners pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken if all Partners whose consent or ratification is required consent thereto or provide a consent or ratification in writing.

Section 3.07. Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, from and after the occurrence of any Board Change of Control, the General Partner shall not authorize, approve or ratify any of the following actions or undertake or enter into any plan with respect thereto on behalf of itself or on behalf of the Partnership, without the prior approval of Limited Partners holding a majority of the Units (vested and unvested) held by all Limited Partners (excluding any Limited Partners controlled by the General Partner), including each Significant Limited Partner:

(i) any removal or appointment of any “officer” of the General Partner as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act, including the Chief Executive Officer;

(ii) the creation, authorization or issuance of any new Class or series of equity interest in the Partnership;

(iii) the incurrence of any indebtedness (other than inter-company indebtedness) by the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or Controlled Affiliates that would, or is intended to, result in a material increase in the amount of consolidated indebtedness of the Partnership as compared to immediately prior to such Board Change of Control;

(iv) any extraordinary distribution by the Partnership whether payable in cash or other assets or property;

(v) any change in the Partnership’s distribution policy as in effect immediately prior to such Board Change of Control that would, or is intended to, result in a material increase in the amount or frequency of distributions of the Partnership as compared to periods prior to such Board Change of Control;

(vi) any change in the Partnership’s policy regarding the repurchase of Units, including without limitation from the General Partner, as in effect immediately prior to such Board Change of Control that would, or is intended to, result in a material increase in the amount or frequency of Unit repurchases as compared to periods prior to such Board Change of Control;

 

16


(vii) the entry into any merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, or sale of the Partnership or of all or any significant portion of the assets of the Partnership or consummation of a similar transaction involving the Partnership or entering into any agreement providing therefor;

(viii) voluntarily initiating any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership or permitting the commencement of a proceeding for bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar action with respect to the Partnership or any of their subsidiaries or Controlled Affiliates;

(ix) calling any meeting of the Limited Partners of the Partnership or submitting any matter for the vote or consent of the Limited Partners of the Partnership;

(x) any settlement or compromise of any litigation directly against or otherwise relating to indemnification of the General Partner or its directors or officers or their Affiliates or representatives or any litigation regarding tax matters; or

(xi) any amendment to this Agreement.

Section 3.08. Restrictions on Termination Transactions. The General Partner shall not engage in, or cause or permit, a Termination Transaction, unless either (x) the Termination Transaction has been approved by Limited Partners holding a majority of the Class A Units held by all Limited Partners (excluding any Limited Partners controlled by the General Partner), including each Significant Limited Partner, or (y) the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) in connection with any such Termination Transaction, (i) each holder of Class A Units (other than the General Partner and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each Class A Unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner into which a Class A Unit is then exchangeable pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and (y) the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to a holder of one share of Class A common stock of the General Partner in consideration of one share of Class A common stock of the General Partner pursuant to the terms of such Termination Transaction provided, that the condition set forth in this Section 3.08(a)(i) shall be deemed to have been satisfied if, in connection with such Termination Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner, each holder of Class A Units (other than the General Partner and its wholly owned subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property which such holder of Class A Units would have received had such Class A Units been exchanged for shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner in an Exchange Transaction immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and had thereupon accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer and then such Termination Transaction shall have been consummated (the fair market value, at the time of the Termination Transaction, of the amount specified herein with respect to each Class A Unit is referred to as the “Transaction Consideration”); and (ii) the Partnership receives an opinion from nationally recognized tax counsel to the effect that such Termination Transaction will be tax-free to each holder of Class A Units (other than the General Partner and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) for U.S. federal income tax purposes of (except to the extent of cash, marketable securities or other property received); or

 

17


(b) all of the following conditions are met: (i) substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by the Partnership prior to the announcement of the Termination Transaction are, immediately after the Termination Transaction, owned directly or indirectly by (x) the Partnership or (y) another limited partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof, which is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the Partnership (in each case, the “Surviving Partnership”); (ii) the Surviving Partnership is classified as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes; (iii) the Limited Partners (other than entities controlled by the General Partner) that held Class A Units immediately prior to the consummation of such Termination Transaction own a percentage interest of the Surviving Partnership based on the relative fair market value of the net assets of the Partnership and the other net assets of the Surviving Partnership immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction; (iv) the rights of such Limited Partners with respect to the Surviving Partnership are at least as favorable as those of Limited Partners holding Class A Units (including any rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement, unless such Termination Transaction constitutes a “Change of Control” for purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement or otherwise results in payments of cash to holders of Class A Units equivalent to (and in lieu of) the payments that would be required to be made to such holders pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement if such Termination Transaction did constitute a “Change of Control” for such purposes) immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction (except to the extent that any such rights are consistent with clause (v) below) and as those applicable to any other limited partners or non-managing members of the Surviving Partnership; and (v) such rights include: (A) if the General Partner or its successor has a single class of publicly traded common equity securities, the right, to the same extent provided to holders of Class A Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, to exchange their interests in the Surviving Partnership for: (1) a number of such publicly traded common equity securities with a fair market value, as of the date of consummation of such Termination Transaction, equal to the Transaction Consideration, subject to antidilution adjustments comparable to those set forth in Section 2.5 of the Exchange Agreement (the “Successor Shares Amount”); and/or (2) cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Successor Shares Amount at the time of such exchange, determined in a manner consistent with the definition of “Value” as set forth in the Exchange Agreement; or (B) if the General Partner or its successor does not have any class of publicly traded common equity securities, the right to exchange their interests in the Surviving Partnership on a quarterly basis for cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of such interest at the time of exchange, as determined at least once every calendar quarter by an independent appraisal firm of recognized national standing retained by the Surviving Partnership.

(c) In connection with any Termination Transaction permitted by Section 3.08(b) hereof, the relative fair market values shall be reasonably determined by the General Partner as of the time of such transaction and, to the extent applicable, shall be no less favorable to the Limited Partners than the relative values reflected in the terms of such transaction.

 

18


ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 4.01. Distributions

(a) The General Partner, in its sole discretion, may authorize distributions by the Partnership to the Partners, which distributions shall (subject to Section 9.03) be made pro rata in accordance with the Partners’ respective Total Percentage Interests.

(b) (i) In addition to the foregoing, if the General Partner reasonably determines that the taxable income of the Partnership for a Fiscal Year will give rise to taxable income for the Partners (“Net Taxable Income”), the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute Available Cash in respect of income tax liabilities (the “Tax Distributions”) to the extent that other distributions made by the Partnership for such year were otherwise less than the Tax Amount. The aggregate Tax Distributions payable with respect to any Fiscal Year shall be computed based upon the General Partner’s estimate of the allocable Net Taxable Income in accordance with Article V, multiplied by the Assumed Tax Rate (the “Tax Amount”) and shall be made to Partners pro rata in accordance with the number of Units held by the Partners. For purposes of computing the Tax Amount, the Net Taxable Income shall be determined without regard to any special adjustments of tax items required as a result of any election under Section 754 of the Code, including adjustments required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

(ii) Tax Distributions shall be calculated and paid no later than one day prior to each quarterly due date for the payment by corporations on a calendar year of estimated taxes under the Code in the following manner (A) for the first quarterly period, 25% of the Tax Amount, (B) for the second quarterly period, 50% of the Tax Amount, less the prior Tax Distributions for the Fiscal Year, (C) for the third quarterly period, 75% of the Tax Amount, less the prior Tax Distributions for the Fiscal Year and (D) for the fourth quarterly period, 100% of the Tax Amount, less the prior Tax Distributions for the Fiscal Year. Following each Fiscal Year, and no later than one day prior to the due date for the payment by corporations of income taxes for such Fiscal Year, the General Partner shall make an amended calculation of the Tax Amount for such Fiscal Year (the “Amended Tax Amount”), and shall cause the Partnership to distribute a Tax Distribution, out of Available Cash, to the extent that the Amended Tax Amount so calculated exceeds the cumulative Tax Distributions previously made by the Partnership in respect of such Fiscal Year. If the Amended Tax Amount is less than the cumulative Tax Distributions previously made by the Partnership in respect of the relevant Fiscal Year, then the difference (the “Credit Amount”) shall be applied against, and shall reduce, the amount of Tax Distributions made for subsequent Fiscal Years. Within 30 days following the date on which the Partnership files a tax return on Form 1065, the General Partner shall make a final calculation of the Tax Amount of such Fiscal Year (the “Final Tax Amount”) and shall cause the Partnership to distribute a Tax Distribution, out of Available Cash, to the extent that the Final Tax Amount so calculated exceeds the Amended Tax Amount. If the Final Tax Amount is less than the Amended Tax Amount in respect of the relevant Fiscal Year, then the difference (“Additional Credit Amount”) shall be applied against, and shall reduce, the amount of Tax Distributions made for subsequent Fiscal Years. Any Credit Amount and Additional Credit Amount applied against future Tax Distributions shall be treated as an amount actually distributed pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) for purposes of the computations herein.

 

19


Section 4.02. Liquidation Distribution. Distributions made upon dissolution of the Partnership shall be made as provided in Section 9.03.

Section 4.03. Limitations on Distribution. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not make a distribution to any Partner if such distribution would violate Section 17-607 of the Act or other applicable Law.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS;

TAX ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS

Section 5.01. No Additional Capital Contributions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article V, no Partner shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership without the consent of such Partner or permitted to make additional capital contributions to the Partnership without the consent of the General Partner, which may be granted or withheld in its sole discretion.

Section 5.02. Capital Accounts. A separate capital account (a “Capital Account”) shall be established and maintained for each Partner in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). The Capital Account of each Partner shall be credited with such Partner’s Capital Contributions, if any, all Profits allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 5.03 and any items of income or gain which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.04; and shall be debited with all Losses allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 5.03, any items of loss or deduction of the Partnership specially allocated to such Partner pursuant to Section 5.04, and all cash and the Carrying Value of any property (net of liabilities assumed by such Partner and the liabilities to which such property is subject) distributed by the Partnership to such Partner. Any references in any section of this Agreement to the Capital Account of a Partner shall be deemed to refer to such Capital Account as the same may be credited or debited from time to time as set forth above. In the event of any transfer of any interest in the Partnership in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent it relates to the transferred interest.

Section 5.03. Allocations of Profits and Losses.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Operating Profits and Liquidating Gains of the Partnership shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First, Operating Profits and Liquidating Gains shall be allocated to the General Partner to the extent the cumulative Operating Losses and Liquidating Losses allocated to the General Partner under Section 5.03(b)(iii) below exceeds the cumulative Operating Profits and Liquidating Gains allocated to the General Partner under this Section 5.03(a)(i), provided that the allocation under this Section shall first be made out of Operating Profits to the extent of available Operating Profits as of the time any allocation is being made, and thereafter to the extent of any available Liquidating Gains as of such time;

 

20


(ii)

 

  (A) Next, Liquidating Gains shall first be allocated to the Partners holding LTIP Units until the Economic Capital Account Balances of such Partners, to the extent attributable to their ownership of LTIP Units, are equal to (1) the Class A Unit Economic Balance, multiplied by (2) the number of their LTIP Units (with respect to each Partner holding LTIP Units, the “Target Balance”). For the avoidance of doubt, Liquidating Gains allocated with respect to an LTIP Unit pursuant to this subparagraph (A) shall reduce (but not below zero) the Book-Up Target for such LTIP Unit. Any such allocations shall be made (i) first, among the holders of Founder LTIP Units in proportion to the aggregate amounts required to be allocated to each under this subparagraph and (ii) second, among the holders of LTIP Units that are not Founder LTIP Units in proportion to the aggregate amounts required to be allocated to each under this subparagraph, unless the relevant Award Agreement or other documentation pursuant to which an LTIP Unit is granted provides for a reduced allocation with respect to such LTIP Unit.

 

  (B) Liquidating Gains allocated to a Partner under this Section 5.03(a)(ii) will be attributed to specific LTIP Units of such Partner for purposes of determining (1) allocations under this Article V, (2) the effect of the forfeiture or conversion of specific LTIP Units on such Partner’s Capital Account and (3) the ability of such Partner to convert specific LTIP Units into Class A Units. Such Liquidating Gains will generally be attributed in the following order: (1) first, to Vested LTIP Units held for more than two years, (2) second, to Vested LTIP Units held for two years or less, (3) third, to Unvested LTIP Units that have remaining vesting conditions that only require continued employment or service to the Partnership, the General Partner or their Affiliates for a certain period of time (with such Liquidating Gains being attributed in order of vesting from soonest vesting to latest vesting), and (4) fourth, to other Unvested LTIP Units (with such Liquidating Gains being attributed in order of the Performance Tranche with the lowest stock price Performance Condition to the Performance Tranche with the highest stock price Performance Condition). Within each category, Liquidating Gains will be allocated seriatim (i.e., entirely to the first unit in a set, then entirely to the next unit in the set, and so on, until a full allocation is made to the last unit in the set) in the order of smallest Book-Up Target to largest Book-Up Target.

 

21


  (C) After giving effect to the special allocations set forth above, if, due to distributions with respect to Class A Units in which the LTIP Units do not participate, forfeitures or otherwise, the Economic Capital Account Balance of any Partner attributable to such Partner’s LTIP Units exceeds the Target Balance, then Liquidating Losses shall be allocated to such Partner to eliminate the disparity; provided, however, that if Liquidating Losses are insufficient to completely eliminate all such disparities, such losses shall be allocated among LTIP Units in a manner reasonably determined by the General Partner.

 

  (D) The parties agree that the intent of this Section 5.03(a)(ii) is (1) to the extent possible to make the liquidation value associated with each LTIP Unit the same as the liquidation value of a Class A Unit, and (2) to allow conversion of a LTIP Unit (assuming it is a Vested LTIP Unit) when sufficient Liquidating Gains have been allocated to such LTIP Unit pursuant to this clause (ii) or Losses, Operating Losses and/or Liquidating Losses have been allocated to Class A Units under Section 5.03(b)(i) so that either an LTIP Unit’s initial Book-Up Target has been reduced to zero or the parity described in subclause (1) above has been achieved. The General Partner shall be permitted to interpret this Section and to amend this Agreement to the extent necessary and consistent with this intention.

 

  (E) If a Partner forfeits any LTIP Units to which Liquidating Gains has previously been allocated under Section 5.03(a)(ii)(A) above, (1) the portion of such Partner’s Capital Account attributable to such Liquidating Gains allocated to such forfeited LTIP Units will be re-allocated to that Partner’s remaining LTIP Units that were outstanding on the date of the initial allocation of such Liquidating Gain, using a methodology similar to that described in clause (B) above as reasonably determined by the General Partner, to the extent necessary to cause such Partner’s Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to each such LTIP Unit to equal the Class A Unit Economic Balance and (2) such Partner’s Capital Account will be reduced by the amount of any such Liquidating Gains not re-allocated pursuant to the foregoing subclause (1) above. Any such reductions in Capital Accounts pursuant to the foregoing subclause (2) shall be reallocated to the LTIP Units in accordance with the rules for allocations set forth in this Section 5.03(a)(ii), provided that the General Partner shall have the discretion to limit reallocations to LTIP Units in any manner the General Partner reasonably determines is necessary to prevent such LTIP Units from participating in Liquidating Gains realized prior to the issuance of such LTIP Units; and

(iii) Thereafter, Operating Profits to the holders of Class A Units and LTIP Units pro rata in proportion to the Class A Units and LTIP Units held by such Partners and any remaining Liquidating Gains after the special allocation provided in Section 5.03(a)(ii) to the holders of Class A Units and LTIP Units in proportion to the Class A Units and LTIP Units held by such Partners.

 

22


(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, Operating Losses and Liquidating Losses of the Partnership for each Fiscal Year or other applicable period shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First, Operating Losses shall be allocated with respect to each Class A Unit and LTIP Unit in proportion to and to the extent that Operating Profits were allocated with respect to such Unit in previous periods in excess of the sum of Operating Losses allocated with respect to such Unit in previous periods and distributions made with respect to such Unit in all periods;

(ii) Subject to the prior application of Section 5.03(a)(ii)(C), first, Operating Losses shall be allocated to the holders of Class A Units and LTIP Units in proportion to the Class A Units and LTIP Units held by such Partners, and Liquidating Losses shall be allocated to the holders of Class A Units and LTIP Units in proportion to the Class A Units and LTIP Units held by such Partners; provided that the Losses allocated in respect of a Class A Unit and LTIP Unit pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) shall not exceed the maximum amount of Losses that could be allocated in respect of such Unit without causing a holder of such Unit to have a deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance determined as if the holder held only that Unit, provided further that (A) in the event the first proviso of this subparagraph (ii) applies to limit an allocation of Losses in respect of an LTIP Unit, the Losses allocable to the LTIP Unit shall first be made out of Operating Loss to the extent the cumulative Operating Profits in excess of cumulative Operating Losses allocated to that LTIP Unit exceeds cumulative distributions in respect of that LTIP Unit, and any remaining allocation of Losses to that LTIP Unit shall be made proportionately out of Operating Losses and Liquidating Losses, and (B) in the event the first proviso of this subparagraph (ii) applies to limit an allocation of Losses in respect of a Class A Unit, the Losses allocable to the Class A Unit shall be made proportionately out of Operating Losses and Liquidating Losses remaining after the allocation of Losses in respect of LTIP Units as provided in clause (A) of this subparagraph (ii);

(iii) Thereafter, Operating Losses and Liquidating Losses shall be allocated to the General Partner.

Section 5.04. Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Article V:

(a) Minimum Gain Chargeback. If there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain or Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(d) and 1.704-2(i)) during any Partnership

 

23


taxable year, the Partners shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to their respective shares of such net decrease during such year, determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5). The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 5.04(a) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in such Treasury Regulations Sections and shall be interpreted consistently therewith; including that no chargeback shall be required to the extent of the exceptions provided in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f) and 1.704-2(i)(4).

(b) Qualified Income Offset. If any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the deficit balance in such Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account Balance created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as promptly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.04(b) shall be made only to the extent that a Partner would have a deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article V have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.04(b) were not in this Agreement. This Section 5.04(b) is intended to comply with the “qualified income offset” requirement of the Treasury Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(c) Special Allocation to LTIP Units. Items of gross income of the Partnership shall be specially allocated to a Partner in an amount necessary to eliminate any deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance attributable to an LTIP Unit of such Partner. Any such allocations shall be made first from items of income constituting Operating Profits or Operating Losses, and only thereafter from items of income constituting Liquidating Gains or Liquidating Losses. For purposes of determining the amount of gross income that must be specially allocated under this Section, the Partnership shall initially allocate all items amongst the Partners in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and only if a Partner has an deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance after such initial allocation shall a special allocation be made pursuant to this Section and only in an amount equal to the gross income allocation needed to eliminate such deficit Adjusted Capital Account Balance taking into account the remaining Profits that will be allocated to such Partner after applying the other provisions of this Article V.

(d) Special Allocation upon LTIP Unit Forced Conversion. After an LTIP Unit Forced Conversion, the Partnership will specially allocate Liquidating Gains and Liquidating Losses to the Partners until and in a manner that causes, as promptly as practicable, the portion of such Partner’s Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to the Class A Unit (or fraction thereof) received upon such conversion to equal the Class A Unit Economic Balance (or in the case where a fractional Class A Unit is received on such conversion, the Class A Unit Economic Balance multiplied by a fraction equal to the fraction of the Class A Unit issued in such conversion).

(e) Gross Income Allocation. If any Partner has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year which is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Partner is obligated to restore, if any, pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, and (ii) the amount such Partner is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations

 

24


Section 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.04(e) shall be made only if and to the extent that a Partner would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article V have been tentatively made as if Section 5.04(b) and this Section 5.04(e) were not in this Agreement.

(f) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Total Percentage Interests.

(g) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partner who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the liability to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(j).

(h) Ameliorative Allocations. Any special allocations of income or gain pursuant to Sections 5.04(b) or 5.04(c) hereof shall be taken into account in computing subsequent allocations pursuant to Section 5.03 and this Section 5.04(h), so that the net amount of any items so allocated and all other items allocated to each Partner shall, to the extent possible, be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each Partner if such allocations pursuant to Sections 5.04(b) or 5.04(c) had not occurred.

(i) Section 751 Allocation. Any gain or loss from items described in Section 751(c) or (d) that were previously held by Blackstone Holdings I L.P. or Blackstone Holdings II L.P. will be allocated in a manner that is consistent with Blackstone Holdings I L.P.’s and Blackstone Holdings II L.P.’s partners’ shares of such gain or loss immediately before the distribution of the Partnership by Blackstone Holdings I L.P. or Blackstone Holdings II L.P. Any gain or loss from items described in Section 751(c) or (d) that were previously held by PJT Capital LP will be allocated in a manner that is consistent with PJT Capital LP’s partners’ shares of such gain or loss immediately before the acquisition of PJT Capital LP by the Partnership.

Section 5.05. Tax Allocations. For income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as the corresponding items of Profits and Losses and specially allocated items are allocated for Capital Account purposes; provided that in the case of any asset the Carrying Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall be allocated solely for income tax purposes in accordance with the principles of Sections 704(b) and (c) of the Code (in any manner determined by the General Partner and permitted by the Code and Treasury Regulations) so as to take account of the difference between Carrying Value and adjusted basis of such asset; provided further that the Partnership shall use the traditional method (as provided in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b)) for all Section 704(c) allocations, limited to allocations of income or gain from the disposition of Partnership property where allocations of depreciation deductions have been limited by the ceiling rule throughout the term of the Partnership). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner shall make such allocations for tax purposes as it determines in its sole discretion to be appropriate to ensure allocations are made in accordance with a Partner’s interest in the Partnership.

 

25


Section 5.06. Tax Advances. To the extent the General Partner reasonably believes that the Partnership is required by law to withhold or to make tax payments on behalf of or with respect to any Partner or the Partnership is subjected to tax itself by reason of the status of any Partner (“Tax Advances”), the General Partner may cause the Partnership to withhold such amounts and cause the Partnership to make such tax payments as so required. All Tax Advances made on behalf of a Partner shall be repaid by reducing the amount of the current or next succeeding distribution or distributions which would otherwise have been made to such Partner or, if such distributions are not sufficient for that purpose, by so reducing the proceeds of liquidation otherwise payable to such Partner. For all purposes of this Agreement such Partner shall be treated as having received the amount of the distribution that is equal to the Tax Advance. Each Partner hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership and the other Partners from and against any liability (including, without limitation, any liability for taxes, penalties, additions to tax or interest other than any penalties, additions to tax or interest imposed as a result of the Partnership’s failure to withhold or make a tax payment on behalf of such Partner which withholding or payment is required pursuant to applicable Law) with respect to income attributable to or distributions or other payments to such Partner.

Section 5.07. Tax Matters. The General Partner shall be the initial “tax matters partner” within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (the “Tax Matters Partner”). The Partnership shall file as a partnership for federal, state, provincial and local income tax purposes, except where otherwise required by Law. All elections required or permitted to be made by the Partnership, and all other tax decisions and determinations relating to federal, state, provincial or local tax matters of the Partnership, shall be made by the Tax Matters Partner, in consultation with the Partnership’s attorneys and/or accountants. Tax audits, controversies and litigations shall be conducted under the direction of the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner shall keep the other Partners reasonably informed as to any material tax actions, examinations or proceedings relating to the Partnership. As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to send to each Partner a copy of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1, and any comparable statements required by applicable U.S. state or local income tax Law as a result of the Partnership’s activities or investments, with respect to such Fiscal Year. The Partnership also shall provide the Partners with such other information as may be reasonably requested for purposes of allowing the Partners to prepare and file their own tax returns, provided that any costs or expenses with respect to the foregoing shall be borne by the requesting Partner.

Section 5.08. Other Allocation Provisions. Certain of the foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such regulations. In addition to amendments effected in accordance with Section 11.12 or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement, Sections 5.02, 5.03 and 5.04 may also, so long as any such amendment does not materially change the relative economic interests of the Partners, be amended at any time by the General Partner if necessary, in the opinion of tax counsel to the Partnership, to comply with such regulations or any applicable Law.

Section 5.09. Allocations upon Final Liquidation. With respect to the Fiscal Year in which the final liquidation of the Partnership occurs in accordance with Article IX of the Agreement, and notwithstanding any other provision of Article V hereof, items of Partnership

 

26


income, gain, loss and deduction shall be specially allocated to the Partners in such amounts and priorities as are necessary so that the positive Capital Accounts of the Partners shall, as closely as possible, equal the amounts that will be distributed to the Partners pursuant to Section 9.03.

ARTICLE VI

BOOKS AND RECORDS; REPORTS

Section 6.01. Books and Records

(a) At all times during the continuance of the Partnership, the Partnership shall prepare and maintain separate books of account for the Partnership in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Except as limited by Section 6.01(c), each Limited Partner shall have the right to receive, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

(i) a copy of the Certificate and this Agreement and all amendments thereto, together with a copy of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which the Certificate and this Agreement and all amendments thereto have been executed; and

(ii) promptly after their becoming available, copies of the Partnership’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the three most recent years.

(c) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner determines in its sole discretion, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner believes is not in the best interests of the Partnership, could damage the Partnership or its business or that the Partnership is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential, including without limitation, information as to the Units held by any other Limited Partner. Furthermore, the Partners hereby acknowledge that pursuant to § 17-305(f) of the Act the rights of a Limited Partner to obtain information from the Partnership shall be limited to only those rights provided for in this Agreement, and that any other rights provided under § 17-305(a) of the Act shall not be available to the Limited Partners or applicable to the Partnership.

ARTICLE VII

PARTNERSHIP UNITS

Section 7.01. Units.

(a) Interests in the Partnership shall be represented by Units. At the execution of this Agreement, the Units are comprised of two Classes: (x) a Class of Units in the Partnership designated as “Class A Units” and (y) a Class of Units in the Partnership designated as “LTIP Units.” The designations, preferences rights, powers and duties applicable to the LTIP Units are as provided in this Agreement and Schedule I hereto, which is hereby adopted by the General Partner and incorporated by reference herein.

 

27


(b) The General Partner in its sole discretion may establish and issue, from time to time in accordance with such procedures as the General Partner shall determine from time to time, additional Units, in one or more additional Classes or series of Units, or other Partnership securities, at such price, and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing Units, Classes and series of Units or other Partnership securities), as shall be determined by the General Partner without the approval of any Partner or any other Person who may acquire an interest in any of the Units, including (i) the right of such Units to share in Profits and Losses or items thereof; (ii) the right of such Units to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights of such Units upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may or shall be required to exchange or redeem such Units (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether such Units are issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which such Units will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Total Percentage Interest as to such Units; (viii) the terms and conditions of the issuance of such Units (including, without limitation, the amount and form of consideration, if any, to be received by the Partnership in respect thereof, the General Partner being expressly authorized, in its sole discretion, to cause the Partnership to issue such Units for less than fair market value); and (ix) the right, if any, of the holder of such Units to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of such Units. The General Partner in its sole discretion, without the approval of any Partner or any other Person, is authorized (i) to issue Units or other Partnership securities of any newly established Class or any existing Class to Partners or other Persons who may acquire an interest in the Partnership and (ii) to amend this Agreement to reflect the creation of any such new Class, the issuance of Units or other Partnership securities of such Class, and the admission of any Person as a Partner which has received Units or other Partnership securities. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement to the contrary, any reference to “Units” shall include the Class A Units, LTIP Units and Units of any other Class or series that may be established in accordance with this Agreement. All Units of a particular Class shall have identical rights in all respects as all other Units of such Class, except in each case as otherwise specified in this Agreement.

(c) As soon as practicable following the occurrence of any event that causes the preferred stock purchase rights attached to shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner to become exercisable pursuant to the Stockholder Rights Agreement, the General Partner shall pursuant to its authority under Section 7.01(b) establish in accordance with this Agreement a Class of Units (“Series A Junior Participating Preferred Units”) that has substantially the same rights and preferences with respect to distributions of the Partnership in relation to Class A Units as shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the General Partner are entitled with respect to dividends and distributions of the General Partner in relation to shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner.

(d) Each Class A Unit (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Class A Units held by the General Partner) and each LTIP Unit has attached to it a right (each a “Preferred Unit Purchase Right”) that entitles the holder of such Class A Unit or such LTIP Unit, as the case may

 

28


be, to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Units of the Partnership as provided in this Section 7.01(d). Such Preferred Unit Purchase Rights will become exercisable, if at all, at such time and to the same extent as the preferred stock purchase rights attached to shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner shall become exercisable pursuant to the Stockholder Rights Agreement; provided that no Preferred Unit Purchase Right shall be exercisable by any holder of Class A Units or LTIP Units to the extent such holder is an “Acquiring Person” as such term is defined in the Stockholder Rights Agreement and the General Partner shall take such action as it may determine in its sole discretion to be necessary or advisable to give effect to this proviso. Each Preferred Unit Purchase Right will entitle its holder to purchase at an exercise price per Preferred Unit equal to the exercise price per share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the General Partner determined in accordance with the Stockholder Rights Agreement (1) Series A Junior Participating Preferred Units, or (2) in lieu of such Series A Junior Participating Preferred Units, a number of Class A Units equal to the number of shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner that a holder of a preferred stock purchase right attached to a share of Class A common stock of the General Partner would be entitled to purchase pursuant to the Stockholder Rights Agreement. In the event that holders of Class A common stock of the General Partner exercise or exchange the preferred stock purchase rights attached thereto for shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the General Partner, the General Partner shall exercise or exchange Preferred Unit Purchase Rights attached to Class A Units held by the General Partner for a corresponding number of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Units. In the event that holders of Class A common stock of the General Partner exercise or exchange the preferred stock purchase rights attached thereto for additional shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner, the General Partner shall exercise or exchange Preferred Unit Purchase Rights for a corresponding number of additional Class A Units of the Partnership. If at any time the ratio at which Class A Units are exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock of the General Partner pursuant to the Exchange Agreement changes from one-for-one, the General Partner shall make corresponding adjustments to the number of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Units or Class A Units, as the case may be, that a holder of Class A Units is entitled to receive upon exercise of or in exchange for a Preferred Unit Purchase Right as the General Partner shall determine in its sole discretion.

Section 7.02. Register. The books and records of the Partnership shall be the definitive record of ownership of each Unit and all relevant information with respect to each Partner. Unless the General Partner in its sole discretion shall determine otherwise, Units shall be uncertificated and recorded in the books and records of the Partnership.

Section 7.03. Registered Partners. The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person registered on its records as the owner of Units for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in Units on the part of any other Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the Act or other applicable Law.

 

29


ARTICLE VIII

VESTING; FORFEITURE OF INTERESTS; TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

Section 8.01. Vesting of Unvested Units.

(a) Unvested Units shall vest and shall thereafter be Vested Units for all purposes of this Agreement as agreed to in writing between the General Partner and the applicable Limited Partner and reflected in the books and records of the Partnership.

(b) The General Partner in its sole discretion may authorize the earlier vesting of all or a portion of Unvested Units owned by any one or more Limited Partners at any time and from time to time, and in such event, such Unvested Units shall vest and thereafter be Vested Units for all purposes of this Agreement. Any such determination in the General Partner’s discretion in respect of Unvested Units shall be final and binding. Such determinations need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Limited Partners, whether or not such Limited Partners are similarly situated, and shall not constitute the breach of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

(c) Upon the vesting of any Unvested Units in accordance with this Section 8.01, the General Partner shall modify the books and records of the Partnership to reflect such vesting.

Section 8.02. Forfeiture of Units

(a) Except as otherwise agreed to in writing between the General Partner and the applicable Person, if a Person that is a Service Provider ceases to be a Service Provider for any reason, all Unvested Units held by such Person (or any Personal Planning Vehicle of such Person), and/or in which such Person (or any Personal Planning Vehicle of such Person) has an indirect interest, as set forth in the books and records of the Partnership, shall be immediately forfeited without any consideration, and any such Person (or any such Personal Planning Vehicle) shall cease to own or have any rights, directly or indirectly, with respect to such forfeited Unvested Units.

(b) Except as otherwise agreed to in writing between the General Partner and the applicable Person, if the General Partner determines in good faith that Cause exists with respect to any Person that is or was at any time a Service Provider, the Units (whether or not vested) held by such Person (or any Personal Planning Vehicle of such Person), and/or in which such Person (or any Personal Planning Vehicle of such Person) has an indirect interest, as set forth in the books and records of the Partnership, shall be immediately forfeited without any consideration, and any such Person (or any such Personal Planning Vehicle) shall cease to own or have any rights, directly or indirectly, with respect to such forfeited Units. Such determinations need not be uniform and may be made selectively among such Persons, whether or not such Persons are similarly situated, and shall not constitute the breach by the General Partner or any of its directors, managers, officers or members of any duty (including any fiduciary duty) hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

(c) Any (i) Class A Units granted as a “Founder Unit Issuance” under an Award Agreement, (ii) LTIP Units granted as an “Earn-Out Unit Grant” under an Award Agreement, (iii)

 

30


Founder LTIP Units, or (iv) B ordinary shares in PJT Partners (Cayman) Limited (“Joiner Shares”) or shares of Class A common stock in the General Partner potentially issuable in respect of such Joiner Shares that in any of the foregoing cases were held by any of the Founder Group Partners and that expire, fail to become vested or are canceled, forfeited, terminated, or repurchased for nominal consideration (“Forfeited Units”) shall be reallocated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the “Compensation Committee”), in consultation with the Founder, to one or more other Partners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Founder has ceased to provide services to the Partnership, then Forfeited Units shall be reallocated to Founder Group Partners then providing services to the Partnership and holding like Units pro rata in accordance with their respective holdings of such like Units as of the date hereof (provided, however, that for purposes of applying such pro rata reallocation, Founder LTIP Units and such Joiner Shares shall be deemed to be Founder Units), such reallocation subject to the approval by a majority of the members of the Compensation Committee and, absent such approval, the Compensation Committee may determine the reallocation of the Forfeited Units in its discretion. Any Forfeited Unit that is reallocated in accordance with this Section 8.02(c) shall be subject to terms that are no more favorable than if such reallocation was deemed granted on the original date of grant as the underlying Forfeited Units.

(d) Upon the forfeiture of any Units in accordance with this Section 8.02, such Units shall be cancelled and the General Partner shall modify the books and records of the Partnership to reflect such forfeiture and cancellation or reallocation, as applicable.

Section 8.03. Limited Partner Transfers

(a) Except as otherwise agreed to in writing between the General Partner and the applicable Limited Partner and reflected in the books and records of the Partnership, no Limited Partner or Assignee thereof may Transfer (including pursuant to an Exchange Transaction) all or any portion of its Units or other interest in the Partnership (or beneficial interest therein) without the prior consent of the General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld, or made subject to such conditions (including, without limitation, the receipt of such legal opinions and other documents that the General Partner may require) as are determined by the General Partner, in each case in the General Partner’s sole discretion, and which consent may be in the form of a plan or program entered into or approved by the General Partner, in its sole discretion. Any such determination in the General Partner’s discretion in respect of Units shall be final and binding. Such determinations need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Limited Partners, whether or not such Limited Partners are similarly situated, and shall not constitute the breach of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise. Any purported Transfer of Units that is not in accordance with, or subsequently violates, this Agreement shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, null and void. Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary, the General Partner shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any Transfer of Units by any Significant Limited Partner to (i) any organization that is described in Section 170(c) (determined without reference to Section 170(c)(2)(A)), Section 2055(a) or Section 2522(a) of the Code (or any successor provisions) (“Charitable Organizations”) or (ii) a member or members of such Significant Limited Partner’s family (it being understood that “family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin; descendants of any degree of such Significant Limited Partner, or of such Significant Limited Partner’s spouse or siblings) or a trust, the beneficiaries of which are primarily such Significant Limited Partner or a member or members of such Limited Partner’s family and/or Charitable Organizations, or to any other entity that is wholly owned by or established primarily for the benefit of such persons.

 

31


(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto agree that the General Partner shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any Transfer of Vested Units by any Limited Partner or any Assignee thereof who is not a current or former Service Provider to (i) Charitable Organizations or (ii) a member or members of such Limited Partner’s or any such Assignee’s family (it being understood that “family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin; descendants of any degree of such Limited Partner or any such Assignee, or of such Limited Partner’s or any such Assignee’s spouse or siblings) or to a trust, the beneficiaries of which are primarily such Limited Partner or any such Assignee or a member or members of such Limited Partner’s or any such Assignee’s family and/or Charitable Organizations or to any other entity that is wholly owned by or established primarily for the benefit of such persons.

(c) Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary in this Section 8.03, each Limited Partner may Transfer Units in an Exchange Transaction pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Agreement. Notwithstanding Section 17-702(d) of the Act, any Class A Unit acquired by the Partnership (x) in exchange for a share of Class A common stock of the General Partner pursuant to an Exchange Transaction or (y) for cash pursuant to an Exchange Transaction that the General Partner elects to fund with the new issuance of a share of Class A common stock, in each case, shall not be cancelled and automatically shall be deemed re-issued to the General Partner by the Partnership.

(d) Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary in this Section 8.03, a Personal Planning Vehicle of a Limited Partner may Transfer Units: (i) to the donor thereof; (ii) if the Personal Planning Vehicle is a grantor retained annuity trust and the trustee(s) of such grantor retained annuity trust is obligated to make one or more distributions to the donor of the grantor retained annuity trust, the estate of the donor of the grantor retained annuity trust, the spouse of the donor of the grantor retained annuity trust or the estate of the spouse of the donor of the grantor retained annuity trust, to any such Persons; or (iii) upon the death of such Limited Partner, to the spouse of such Limited Partner or a trust for which a deduction under Section 2056 or 2056A (or any successor provisions) of the Code may be sought.

Section 8.04. Mandatory Exchanges. The General Partner may in its sole discretion at any time and from time to time, without the consent of any Limited Partner or other Person, cause to be Transferred in an Exchange Transaction any and all Units, except for Units held by any Person that is a Service Provider at the time in question and/or in which a Person that is a Service Provider at the time in question has an indirect interest as set forth in the books and records of the Partnership. Any such determinations by the General Partner need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Limited Partners, whether or not such Limited Partners are similarly situated. In addition, the General Partner may, with the consent of Partners whose Vested Percentage Interests exceed 75% of the Vested Percentage Interests of all Partners in the aggregate, require all Limited Partners to Transfer in an Exchange Transaction all Units held by them.

Section 8.05. Encumbrances. No Limited Partner or Assignee may create an Encumbrance with respect to all or any portion of its Units (or any beneficial interest therein) other

 

32


than Encumbrances that run in favor of the Limited Partner unless the General Partner consents in writing thereto, which consent may be given or withheld, or made subject to such conditions as are determined by the General Partner, in the General Partner’s sole discretion. Consent of the General Partner shall be withheld until the holder of the Encumbrance acknowledges the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Any purported Encumbrance that is not in accordance with this Agreement shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, null and void.

Section 8.06. Further Restrictions.

(a) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, the General Partner may impose such vesting requirements, forfeiture provisions, Transfer restrictions, minimum retained ownership requirements or other similar provisions with respect to any Units that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement or are created thereafter, with the consent of the holder of such Units. Such requirements, provisions and restrictions need not be uniform and may be waived or released by the General Partner in its sole discretion with respect to all or a portion of the Units owned by any one or more Limited Partners at any time and from time to time, and shall not constitute the breach of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

(b) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, in no event may any Transfer of a Unit be made by any Limited Partner or Assignee if:

(i) such Transfer is made to any Person who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own such Unit;

(ii) such Transfer would require the registration of such transferred Unit or of any Class of Unit pursuant to any applicable U.S. federal or state securities laws (including, without limitation, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) or other non-U.S. securities laws (including Canadian provincial or territorial securities laws) or would constitute a non-exempt distribution pursuant to applicable provincial or state securities laws;

(iii) such Transfer would cause (i) all or any portion of the assets of the Partnership to (A) constitute “plan assets” (under ERISA, the Code or any applicable Similar Law) of any existing or contemplated Limited Partner, or (B) be subject to the provisions of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any applicable Similar Law, or (ii) the General Partner to become a fiduciary with respect to any existing or contemplated Limited Partner, pursuant to ERISA, any applicable Similar Law, or otherwise; or

(iv) to the extent requested by the General Partner, the Partnership does not receive such legal and/or tax opinions and written instruments (including, without limitation, copies of any instruments of Transfer and such Assignee’s consent to be bound by this Agreement as an Assignee) that are in a form satisfactory to the General Partner, as determined in the General Partner’s sole discretion.

(c) In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the board of directors of the General Partner shall determine in good faith that additional restrictions on Transfers are necessary so that the Partnership is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code, the General Partner may impose such additional restrictions on Transfers as the board of directors of the General Partner has determined in good faith to be so necessary.

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Transfer in violation of this Article VIII shall be deemed null and void ab initio and of no effect.

 

33


Section 8.07. Rights of Assignees. Subject to Section 8.06(b), the Transferee of any permitted Transfer pursuant to this Article VIII will be an assignee only (“Assignee”), and only will receive, to the extent transferred, the distributions and allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or similar item to which the Partner which transferred its Units would be entitled, and such Assignee will not be entitled or enabled to exercise any other rights or powers of a Partner, such other rights, and all obligations relating to, or in connection with, such interest remaining with the transferring Partner. The transferring Partner will remain a Partner even if it has transferred all of its Units to one or more Assignees until such time as the Assignee(s) is admitted to the Partnership as a Partner pursuant to Section 8.10.

Section 8.08. Allocation of Profits and Losses Upon Transfer. If a Partner sells or exchanges Units or if a Partner is otherwise is admitted as a substitute Partner, Profits and Losses shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee by taking into account their varying Units during the Fiscal Year in accordance with Section 706(d) of the Code, using the interim closing of the books method described in proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.706-4(c) to the extent reasonably practicable or, to the extent such method is not reasonably practicable, any other permissible method (as determined by the General Partner).

Section 8.09. Admissions, Withdrawals and Removals

(a) No Person may be admitted to the Partnership as an additional General Partner or substitute General Partner without the prior written consent of each incumbent General Partner, which consent may be given or withheld, or made subject to such conditions as are determined by each incumbent General Partner, in each case in the sole discretion of each incumbent General Partner. A General Partner will not be entitled to Transfer all of its Units or to withdraw from being a General Partner of the Partnership unless another General Partner shall have been admitted hereunder (and not have previously been removed or withdrawn). Any additional General Partner or substitute general partner admitted as a General Partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Section 8.09 is hereby authorized to, and shall, continue the Partnership without dissolution.

(b) No Limited Partner will be removed or entitled to withdraw from being a Partner of the Partnership except in accordance with Section 8.11 hereof.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Article IX or the Act, no admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of a Partner will cause the dissolution of the Partnership. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any purported admission, withdrawal or removal that is not in accordance with this Agreement shall be null and void.

Section 8.10. Admission of Assignees as Substitute Limited Partners. An Assignee will become a substitute Limited Partner as of a specified effective date only upon the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:

(a) the General Partner consents in writing to such admission, which consent may be given or withheld, or made subject to such conditions as are determined by the General Partner, in each case in the General Partner’s sole discretion;

 

34


(b) if required by the General Partner, the General Partner receives written instruments (including, without limitation, copies of any instruments of Transfer and such Assignee’s consent to be bound by this Agreement as a substitute Limited Partner) that are in a form satisfactory to the General Partner (as determined in its sole discretion);

(c) if required by the General Partner, the General Partner receives an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the General Partner to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with this Agreement and all applicable Law; and

(d) if required by the General Partner, the parties to the Transfer, or any one of them, pays all of the Partnership’s reasonable expenses connected with such Transfer (including, but not limited to, the reasonable legal and accounting fees of the Partnership).

Section 8.11. Withdrawal and Removal of Limited Partners. Subject to Section 8.07, if a Limited Partner ceases to hold any Units, including as a result of a forfeiture of Units pursuant to Section 8.02, then such Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner and to have the power to exercise any rights or powers of a Limited Partner, and shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership.

ARTICLE IX

DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

Section 9.01. No Dissolution. Except as required by the Act, the Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Partners or withdrawal of Partners in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Partnership may be dissolved, liquidated, wound up and terminated only pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, and the Partners hereby irrevocably waive any and all other rights they may have to cause a dissolution of the Partnership or a sale or partition of any or all of the Partnership assets.

Section 9.02. Events Causing Dissolution. The Partnership shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, a “Dissolution Event”):

(a) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership under Section 17-802 of the Act upon the finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that it is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business of the Partnership in conformity with this Agreement;

(b) any event which makes it unlawful for the business of the Partnership to be carried on by the Partners;

(c) the written consent of all Partners;

 

35


(d) at any time there are no limited partners, unless the Partnership is continued in accordance with the Act;

(e) the Incapacity or removal of the General Partner or the occurrence of a Disabling Event with respect to the General Partner; provided that the Partnership will not be dissolved or required to be wound up in connection with any of the events specified in this Section 9.02(e) if: (i) at the time of the occurrence of such event there is at least one other general partner of the Partnership who is hereby authorized to, and elects to, carry on the business of the Partnership; or (ii) all remaining Limited Partners consent to or ratify the continuation of the business of the Partnership and the appointment of another general partner of the Partnership, effective as of the event that caused the General Partner to cease to be a general partner of the Partnership, within 120 days following the occurrence of any such event, which consent shall be deemed (and if requested each Limited Partner shall provide a written consent or ratification) to have been given for all Limited Partners if the holders of more than 50% of the Vested Units then outstanding agree in writing to so continue the business of the Partnership; or

(f) the determination of the General Partner in its sole discretion; provided that in the event of a dissolution pursuant to this clause (f), the relative economic rights of each Class of Units immediately prior to such dissolution shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable with respect to distributions made to Partners pursuant to Section 9.03 below in connection with the winding up of the Partnership, taking into consideration tax and other legal constraints that may adversely affect one or more parties hereto and subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, unless, and to the extent that, with respect to any Class of Units, holders of not less than 90% of the Units of such Class consent in writing to a treatment other than as described above.

Section 9.03. Distribution upon Dissolution. Upon dissolution, the Partnership shall not be terminated and shall continue until the winding up of the affairs of the Partnership is completed. Upon the winding up of the Partnership, the General Partner, or any other Person designated by the General Partner (the “Liquidation Agent”), shall take full account of the assets and liabilities of the Partnership and shall, unless the General Partner determines otherwise, liquidate the assets of the Partnership as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof. The proceeds of any liquidation shall be applied and distributed in the following order:

(a) First, to the satisfaction of debts and liabilities of the Partnership (including satisfaction of all indebtedness to Partners and/or their Affiliates to the extent otherwise permitted by law) including the expenses of liquidation, and including the establishment of any reserve which the Liquidation Agent shall deem reasonably necessary for any contingent, conditional or unmatured contractual liabilities or obligations of the Partnership (“Contingencies”). Any such reserve may be paid over by the Liquidation Agent to any attorney-at-law, or acceptable party, as escrow agent, to be held for disbursement in payment of any Contingencies and, at the expiration of such period as shall be deemed advisable by the Liquidation Agent for distribution of the balance in the manner hereinafter provided in this Section 9.03; and

(b) The balance, if any, to the Partners in proportion to the Class A Units and LTIP Units held by them; provided that (i) distributions to a Partner in respect of an LTIP Unit shall be limited to the Partner’s Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to such LTIP Unit as of the date of the final distribution (and after taking into account any allocations pursuant to the

 

36


dissolution) and (ii) amounts that otherwise would have been distributed to such Partners in respect of LTIP Units in the absence of clause (i) shall be distributed to the Partners holding Class A Units or LTIP Units in proportion to the Class A Units and LTIP Units held by them (excluding for this purpose all LTIP Units that are not eligible to participate in any further distributions as a result of the foregoing clause (i) of this Section 9.03(b)).

Section 9.04. Time for Liquidation. A reasonable amount of time shall be allowed for the orderly liquidation of the assets of the Partnership and the discharge of liabilities to creditors so as to enable the Liquidation Agent to minimize the losses attendant upon such liquidation.

Section 9.05. Termination. The Partnership shall terminate when all of the assets of the Partnership, after payment of or due provision for all debts, liabilities and obligations of the Partnership, shall have been distributed to the holders of Units in the manner provided for in this Article IX, and the Certificate shall have been cancelled in the manner required by the Act.

Section 9.06. Claims of the Partners. The Partners shall look solely to the Partnership’s assets for the return of their Capital Contributions, and if the assets of the Partnership remaining after payment of or due provision for all debts, liabilities and obligations of the Partnership are insufficient to return such Capital Contributions, the Partners shall have no recourse against the Partnership or any other Partner or any other Person. No Partner with a negative balance in such Partner’s Capital Account shall have any obligation to the Partnership or to the other Partners or to any creditor or other Person to restore such negative balance during the existence of the Partnership, upon dissolution or termination of the Partnership or otherwise, except to the extent required by the Act.

Section 9.07. Survival of Certain Provisions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions of Sections 5.06, 10.02, 11.09 and 11.10 shall survive the termination of the Partnership.

ARTICLE X

LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 10.01. Liability of Partners

(a) No Limited Partner and no Affiliate, manager, member, employee or agent of a Limited Partner shall be liable for any debt, obligation or liability of the Partnership or of any other Partner or have any obligation to restore any deficit balance in its Capital Account solely by reason of being a Partner of the Partnership, except to the extent required by the Act.

(b) This Agreement is not intended to, and does not, create or impose any duty (including any fiduciary duty) on any of the Partners (including without limitation, the General Partner) hereto or on their respective Affiliates. Further, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, the parties hereto agree that no Limited Partner or General Partner shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have duties (including fiduciary duties) to any other Partner or to the Partnership or to any other Person who is a party to or is bound by this Agreement, and in doing so, recognize, acknowledge and agree that their duties and obligations to one another and to the Partnership are only as expressly set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that each Partner shall have the duty to act in accordance with the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

37


(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, any Partner (including without limitation, the General Partner) has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership, to another Partner or to another Person who is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, the Partners (including without limitation, the General Partner) acting under this Agreement will not be liable to the Partnership, to any such other Partner or to any such other Person who is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Agreement, for their good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties and liabilities relating thereto of any Partner (including without limitation, the General Partner) otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace to that extent such other duties and liabilities of the Partners relating thereto (including without limitation, the General Partner).

(d) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants and financial or other advisors selected by it, and any act or omission taken by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or in furtherance of the interests of the Partnership in good faith in reliance upon and in accordance with the advice of such Person as to matters the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion or advice, and the General Partner will be fully protected in so acting or omitting to act so long as such counsel or accountants or financial or other advisors were selected with reasonable care.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or otherwise applicable provision of law or equity, whenever in this Agreement the General Partner is permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its “sole discretion” or “discretion” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, such General Partner shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Partnership or the Limited Partners, or (ii) in its “good faith” or under another expressed standard, such General Partner shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standards. For all purposes of this Agreement and notwithstanding any applicable provision of law or in equity, a determination or other action or failure to act by the General Partner, will be deemed to be made, taken or omitted to be made or taken in “good faith”, and shall not be a breach of this Agreement, unless the General Partner subjectively believed such determination, action or failure to act was opposed to the best interests of the Partnership. The belief of a majority of the directors of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or a duly appointed committee thereof shall be deemed to be the belief of the General Partner.

Section 10.02. Indemnification.

(a) Exculpation and Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, whether express or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Indemnitee shall be liable to the Partnership or any Partner for any act or omission in relation to the Partnership or this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby taken or omitted by an Indemnitee unless

 

38


such Indemnitee’s conduct constituted fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct. To the fullest extent permitted by law, as the same exists or hereafter be amended (but in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Partnership to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Partnership to provide prior to such amendment), the Partnership shall indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Partnership or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of his or her or its status as an Indemnitee or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted to be taken by Indemnitee in such capacity, for and against all loss and liability suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals; provided that such Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification hereunder if, but only to the extent that, such Indemnitee’s conduct constituted fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.02(c), the Partnership shall be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) (i) commenced by such Indemnitee only if the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) by such Indemnitee was authorized by the General Partner and (ii) by or in the right of the Partnership only if the General Partner has provided its prior written consent. The indemnification of any Indemnitee shall, to the extent not in conflict with such policy, be secondary to any and all payment to which such Indemnitee is entitled from any relevant insurance policy issued to or for the benefit of the Partnership or any Indemnitee.

(b) Advancement of Expenses. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall promptly pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by any Indemnitee in appearing at, participating in or defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, including appeals, upon presentation of an undertaking on behalf of such Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 10.02 or otherwise. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.02(c), the Partnership shall be required to pay expenses of an Indemnitee in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) (i) commenced by such Indemnitee only if the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) by such Indemnitee was authorized by the General Partner and (ii) by or in the right of the Partnership only if the General Partner has provided its prior written consent.

(c) Unpaid Claims. If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding) or advancement of expenses under this Section 10.02 is not paid in full within 30 days after a written claim therefor by any Indemnitee has been received by the Partnership, such Indemnitee may file proceedings to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the Partnership shall have the burden of proving that such Indemnitee is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable Law.

 

39


(d) Insurance. (i) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person described in Section 10.02(a) against any liability asserted against such person, whether or not the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Section 10.02 or otherwise.

(ii) In the event of any payment by the Partnership under this Section 10.02, the Partnership shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee from any relevant other Person or under any insurance policy issued to or for the benefit of the Partnership, such relevant other Person, or any Indemnitee. Each Indemnitee agrees to execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Partnership to bring suit to enforce any such rights in accordance with the terms of such insurance policy or other relevant document. The Partnership shall pay or reimburse all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such subrogation.

(iii) The Partnership shall not be liable under this Section 10.02 to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, and excise taxes with respect to an employee benefit plan or penalties) if and to the extent that the applicable Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under this Section 10.02 or any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The provisions of this Section 10.02 shall be applicable to all actions, claims, suits or proceedings made or commenced after the date of this Agreement, whether arising from acts or omissions to act occurring before or after its adoption. The provisions of this Section 10.02 shall be deemed to be a contract between the Partnership and each person entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.02 (or legal representative thereof) who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.02 and the relevant provisions of applicable Law, if any, are in effect, and any amendment, modification or repeal hereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or any action, suit or proceeding then or theretofore existing, or any action, suit or proceeding thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part on any such state of facts. If any provision of this Section 10.02 shall be found to be invalid or limited in application by reason of any law or regulation, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The rights of indemnification provided in this Section 10.02 shall neither be exclusive of, nor be deemed in limitation of, any rights to which any person may otherwise be or become entitled or permitted by contract, this Agreement or as a matter of law, both as to actions in such person’s official capacity and actions in any other capacity, it being the policy of the Partnership that indemnification of any person whom the Partnership is obligated to indemnify pursuant to Section 10.02(a) shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law.

For purposes of this Section 10.02, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Partnership” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Partnership which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries.

 

40


This Section 10.02 shall not limit the right of the Partnership, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to, and purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of, persons other than persons described in Section 10.02(a).

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

Section 11.02. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service (delivery receipt requested), by fax, by electronic mail or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 11.02):

 

  (a) If to the General Partner, to:

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Attention: General Counsel

Email: cuminale@pjtpartners.com

 

  (b) If to the Partnership, to:

PJT Partners Holdings LP

280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Attention: General Counsel

Email: cuminale@pjtpartners.com

 

41


with a copy to:

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Attention: General Counsel

Email: cuminale@pjtpartners.com

 

  (c) If to any Limited Partner, to:

c/o PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Attention: General Counsel

Email: cuminale@pjtpartners.com

The General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to forward any such communication to the applicable Partner’s address, email address or facsimile number as shown in the Partnership’s books and records.

Section 11.03. Cumulative Remedies. The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative and the use of any one right or remedy by any party shall not preclude or waive its right to use any or all other remedies. Said rights and remedies are given in addition to any other rights the parties may have by Law.

Section 11.04. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Section 11.05. Interpretation. Throughout this Agreement, nouns, pronouns and verbs shall be construed as masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural, whichever shall be applicable. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to “Articles,” “Sections” and paragraphs shall refer to corresponding provisions of this Agreement.

Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the parties hereto have participated collectively in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and that he or she or it has had the opportunity to draft, review and edit the language of this Agreement; accordingly, it is the intention of the parties that no presumption for or against any party arising out of drafting all or any part of this Agreement will be applied in any dispute relating to, in connection with or involving this Agreement. Accordingly, the parties hereby waive to the fullest extent permitted by law the benefit of any rule of law or any legal decision that would require that in cases of uncertainty that the language of a contract should be interpreted most strongly against the party who drafted such language.

Section 11.06. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of executed counterparts transmitted by telecopy or other electronic transmission service shall be considered original executed counterparts for purposes of this Section 11.06.

 

42


Section 11.07. Further Assurances. Each Partner shall perform all other acts and execute and deliver all other documents as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

Section 11.08. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

Section 11.09. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware.

Section 11.10. Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) Any and all disputes which cannot be settled amicably, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in New York in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the parties hereto may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each party hereto (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 11.10 to any such action or proceeding and (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate.

(c) (i) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 11.10, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another.

(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in the preceding paragraph of this Section 11.10 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

 

43


Section 11.11. Expenses. Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, the Partnership shall be responsible for all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and accountants, incurred in connection with its operation.

Section 11.12. Amendments and Waivers

(a) Except as otherwise required by this Agreement (including Section 3.7), this Agreement (including any annexes, schedules or supplements hereto) may be amended, supplemented, waived or modified by the General Partner in its sole discretion without the approval of any Limited Partner or other Person; provided that (1) no amendment, including any amendment effected by way of merger, consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Partnership, may materially and adversely affect (A) the rights of a holder of Units, as such, other than on a pro rata basis with other holders of Units of the same Class without the consent of such holder (or, if there is more than one such holder that is so affected, without the consent of a majority in interest of such affected holders in accordance with their holdings of such Class of Units) or (B) the rights of any Significant Limited Partner without the prior written consent of each Significant Limited Partner so affected; and (2) the General Partner may not amend, supplement, waive or modify, including by way of merger, consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Partnership, (A) the provisions of Section 3.07 hereof or this Section 11.12 without the approval by Limited Partners holding a majority of the Units held by all Limited Partners (excluding any Limited Partners controlled by the General Partner), including each Significant Limited Partner or (B) the provisions of Section 3.08 hereof without the approval by Limited Partners holding a majority of the Class A Units held by all Limited Partners (excluding any Limited Partners controlled by the General Partner), including each Significant Limited Partner; provided further, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may, without the written consent of any Limited Partner or any other Person, amend, supplement, waive or modify any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect: (1) any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification that the General Partner determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of Units or any Class or series of equity interest in the Partnership pursuant to Section 7.01 hereof; (2) the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement, including pursuant to Section 7.01 hereof; (3) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership; (4) any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification that the General Partner determines in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate to address changes in U.S. federal income tax regulations, legislation or interpretation; and/or (5) a change in the Fiscal Year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the Fiscal Year or taxable year of the Partnership including a change in the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership. If an amendment has been approved in accordance with this agreement,

 

44


such amendment shall be adopted and effective with respect to all Partners. Upon obtaining such approvals as may be required by this Agreement, and without further action or execution on the part of any other Partner or other Person, any amendment to this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the General Partner and the Limited Partners shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment.

(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder (other than a failure or delay beyond a period of time specified herein) shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Law.

(c) The General Partner may, in its sole discretion, unilaterally amend this Agreement on or before the effective date of the final regulations to provide for (i) the election of a safe harbor under Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-3(l) (or any similar provision) under which the fair market value of a partnership interest in the Partnership (or interest in an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is transferred is treated as being equal to the liquidation value of that interest, (ii) an agreement by the Partnership and each of its Partners to comply with all of the requirements set forth in such regulations and Notice 2005-43 (and any other guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to such election) with respect to all partnership interests in the Partnership (or interest in an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) transferred in connection with the performance of services while the election remains effective, (iii) the allocation of items of income, gains, deductions and losses required by the final regulations similar to Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(b) and (c), 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(b)(1) and any other related amendments.

(d) Except as may be otherwise required by law in connection with the winding-up, liquidation, or dissolution of the Partnership, each Partner hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights that it may have to maintain an action for judicial accounting or for partition of any of the Partnership’s property.

Section 11.13. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted assigns and successors and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person or entity, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement (other than pursuant to Section 10.02 hereof); provided, however that each employee, officer, director, agent or indemnitee of any Person who is bound by this Agreement or its Affiliates is an intended third party beneficiary of Section 11.10 and shall be entitled to enforce its rights thereunder.

Section 11.14. Headings. The headings and subheadings in this Agreement are included for convenience and identification only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 11.15. Power of Attorney. Each Limited Partner, by its execution hereof, hereby makes, constitutes and appoints the General Partner as its true and lawful agent and attorney in fact, with full power of substitution and full power and authority in its name, place and stead, to

 

45


make, execute, sign, acknowledge, swear to, record and file (a) this Agreement and any amendment to this Agreement that has been adopted as herein provided; (b) the original certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership and all amendments thereto required or permitted by law or the provisions of this Agreement; (c) all certificates and other instruments (including consents and ratifications which the Limited Partners have agreed to provide upon a matter receiving the agreed support of Limited Partner) deemed advisable by the General Partner to carry out the provisions of this Agreement (including the provisions of Section 8.05) and Law or to permit the Partnership to become or to continue as a limited partnership or entity wherein the Limited Partners have limited liability in each jurisdiction where the Partnership may be doing business; (d) all instruments that the General Partner deems appropriate to reflect a change or modification of this Agreement or the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement, including, without limitation, the admission of additional Partners or substituted Partners pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement; (e) all conveyances and other instruments or papers deemed advisable by the General Partner to effect the liquidation and termination of the Partnership; and (f) all fictitious or assumed name certificates required or permitted (in light of the Partnership’s activities) to be filed on behalf of the Partnership.

Section 11.16. Separate Agreements; Schedules. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, including Section 11.12, the General Partner in its sole discretion may, or may cause the Partnership to, without the approval of any Limited Partner or other Person, enter into separate subscription, letter or other agreements with individual Limited Partner with respect to any matter, which have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering, supplementing or amending the terms of, this Agreement, in each case, with respect to such Limited Partner. The parties hereto agree that any terms contained in any such separate agreement shall govern with respect to such Limited Partner(s) party thereto notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement. The General Partner in its sole discretion may from time to time execute and deliver to the Limited Partners schedules which set forth information contained in the books and records of the Partnership and any other matters deemed appropriate by the General Partner. Such schedules shall be for information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be part of this Agreement for any purpose whatsoever. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, this Agreement, the Exchange Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement, and any other separate agreement described in this Section 11.16 shall constitute a “partnership agreement” within the meaning of Section 761 of the Code.

Section 11.17. Partnership Status. The parties intend to treat the Partnership as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no election to the contrary shall be made.

Section 11.18. Delivery by Facsimile or Email. This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or email with scan or facsimile attachment, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

46


[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

47


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement or have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers, in each case as of the date first above stated.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

Name:   Michael S. Chae
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


LIMITED PARTNERS
Each of the Limited Partners set forth on Schedule II attached hereto.
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as attorney-in-fact
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

Name:   John G. Finley
Title:   Chief Legal Officer


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and, solely to acknowledge its consent and approval of the amendments to the Existing Agreement set forth in this Agreement and to the admission to the Partnership of PJT Partners Inc., as general partner, and to evidence its withdrawal as general partner of the Partnership, the undersigned has executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

FORMER GENERAL PARTNER:
NEW ADVISORY GP L.L.C.
By:   Blackstone Holdings L.P., its sole member
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., its general partner
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

Name:   John G. Finley
Title:   Chief Legal Officer


Schedule I

LTIP UNITS

1.1 Designation. A class of Units in the Partnership designated as “LTIP Units” is hereby established. LTIP Units are intended to qualify as “profits interests” in the Partnership, except as otherwise provided in the relevant Award Agreement. The number of LTIP Units that may be issued by the Partnership shall not be limited.

1.2 Vesting. LTIP Units may, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, be issued subject to vesting, forfeiture and additional restrictions on transfer pursuant to the terms of the relevant Award Agreement. The terms of any Award Agreement may be modified by the General Partner from time to time in its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions on amendment imposed by the relevant Award Agreement or by the terms of any equity incentive plan, including without limitation the PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to which the LTIP Units are issued, if applicable. LTIP Units that have vested and are no longer subject to forfeiture under the terms of an Award Agreement are referred to as “Vested LTIP Units;” all other LTIP Units are referred to as “Unvested LTIP Units.”

1.3 Forfeiture or Transfer of Unvested LTIP Units. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant Award Agreement, upon the occurrence of any event specified in an Award Agreement resulting in either the forfeiture of any LTIP Units or the repurchase thereof by the Partnership at a specified purchase price, then, upon the occurrence of the circumstances resulting in such forfeiture or repurchase by the Partnership, the relevant LTIP Units shall immediately, and without any further action, be treated as cancelled and no longer outstanding for any purpose. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant Award Agreement, no consideration or other payment (other than the repurchase payment, if any) shall be due with respect to any LTIP Units that have been forfeited; provided that with respect to any distribution declared with a record date prior to the effective date of such forfeiture, such forfeited LTIP Units shall be included in calculating the applicable holder’s Total Percentage Interest in accordance with Article IV of the Partnership Agreement.

1.4 Legend. Any certificate evidencing an LTIP Unit shall bear an appropriate legend indicating that additional terms, conditions and restrictions on transfer, including without limitation provisions set forth in the Award Agreement, apply to the LTIP Unit.

1.5 Adjustments. If an LTIP Unit Adjustment Event (as defined below) occurs, then the General Partner shall make a corresponding adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain the same correspondence between Class A Units and LTIP Units as existed prior to such LTIP Unit Adjustment Event. The following shall be “LTIP Unit Adjustment Events:” (A) the Partnership makes a distribution on all outstanding Class A Units in Class A Units, (B) the Partnership subdivides the outstanding Class A Units into a greater number of Units or combines the outstanding Class A Units into a smaller number of Units, or (C) the Partnership issues any Units in exchange for its outstanding Class A Units by way of a reclassification or recapitalization. If more than one LTIP Unit Adjustment Event occurs, the adjustment to the LTIP Units need be made only once using a single formula that takes into account each and every LTIP Unit Adjustment Event as if all LTIP Unit Adjustment Events occurred simultaneously. If the Partnership takes an action affecting the Class A Units other than actions specifically described above as LTIP Unit Adjustment Events, including any extraordinary distribution to holders of Class A Units, and in the opinion of the General Partner such action would require an adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain the correspondence between Class A Units and LTIP Units as it existed prior to such action, the General Partner shall make such adjustment to the LTIP Units, to the extent permitted by law and by the terms of any Award Agreement or equity incentive plan pursuant to which the LTIP Units have been issued, in such manner and at such time as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may determine to be

 

I-1


appropriate under the circumstances to maintain such correspondence. If an adjustment is made to the LTIP Units as herein provided, the Partnership shall promptly file in the books and records of the Partnership an officer’s certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment absent manifest error. Promptly after filing such certificate, the Partnership shall mail or otherwise provide notice to each holder of LTIP Units setting forth the adjustment to such holder’s LTIP Units and the effective date of such adjustment.

1.6 Conversion of LTIP Units into Class A Units. Except as otherwise agreed between the General Partner and the applicable LTIP Unit Limited Partner, subject to the expiration of any applicable LTIP Unit Restricted Period (as defined below), on the first date that a Participating LTIP Unit (including, for purposes of clarity, a Founder LTIP Unit) has attained a Book-Up Target of zero (such date, the “LTIP Unit Conversion Date”), such Participating LTIP Unit shall, without any action on the part of the holder of such LTIP Unit or any other Person, automatically be converted into a number (or fraction thereof) of fully paid and non-assessable Class A Units equal to the LTIP Conversion Factor (as defined below). No LTIP Units shall be convertible pursuant to this Section 1.6 of Schedule I prior to the expiration of a twenty-four month period (the “LTIP Unit Restricted Period”) ending on the day before the first twenty-four month anniversary of such holder’s becoming a holder of such LTIP Units; provided, however, that the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, shorten or lengthen the LTIP Unit Restricted Period applicable to any LTIP Units by written agreement with the holder thereof to a period of shorter or longer than twenty-four (24) months, without the consent of any other Partner and such written agreement shall govern the LTIP Unit Restricted Period with respect to such LTIP Units notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary herein. Any vesting, forfeiture and additional restrictions on transfer to which a Participating LTIP Unit is subject at the time of its conversion under the terms of the relevant Award Agreement shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any Class A Units received upon conversion of such LTIP Unit. “LTIP Conversion Factor” shall mean the quotient of (i) the Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to the LTIP Unit being converted as of the date of conversion, divided by (ii) the Class A Unit Economic Balance as of the date of conversion, provided that if the Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to an LTIP Unit has at any time reached an amount equal to the Class A Economic Balance determined as of such time, the LTIP Conversion Factor for such LTIP Unit shall be equal to one (1) (except to the extent of adjustments (if any) to the LTIP Conversion Factor made pursuant to Section 1.5 of this Schedule I, without duplication).

1.7 Forced Conversion by the Partnership into Class A Units.

(a) The Partnership may cause LTIP Units to be converted (a “LTIP Unit Forced Conversion”) into Class A Units at any time so long as the applicable holder thereof receives in respect of each LTIP Unit so converted a number (or fraction thereof) of fully paid and non-assessable Class A Units equal to the greater of (x) the LTIP Conversion Factor for such LTIP Unit (giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 1.5 of this Schedule I) and (y) one (1).

(b) In order to exercise its right to cause an LTIP Unit Forced Conversion, the Partnership shall deliver a notice (a “LTIP Unit Forced Conversion Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto to the applicable holder not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the date specified in such LTIP Unit Forced Conversion Notice (such date, the “LTIP Unit Forced Conversion Date”). A Forced LTIP Unit Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner in which notices are generally to be provided in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. Each holder of LTIP Units covenants and agrees with the Partnership that all LTIP Units to be converted pursuant to this Section 1.7 of this Schedule I shall be free and clear of all liens.

 

I-2


1.8 Conversion Procedures. A conversion of LTIP Units pursuant to Section 1.6 or 1.7 of this Schedule I shall occur automatically after the close of business on the applicable LTIP Unit Conversion Date or LTIP Unit Forced Conversion Date, as the case may be, without any action on the part of such holder of LTIP Units, as of which time such holder of LTIP Units shall be credited on the books and records of the Partnership with the issuance as of the opening of business on the next day of the number of Class A Units issuable upon such conversion. After the conversion of LTIP Units as aforesaid, the Partnership shall deliver to such holder of LTIP Units, upon his or her written request, a certificate certifying the number of Class A Units and remaining LTIP Units, if any, held by such Person immediately after such conversion.

1.9 Treatment of Capital Account. For purposes of making future allocations under the Partnership Agreement, reference to a Partner’s portion of its Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to his or her LTIP Units shall exclude, after the date of conversion of any of its LTIP Units, the portion of such Partner’s Economic Capital Account Balance attributable to the converted LTIP Units.

1.10 Mandatory Conversion in Connection with a Capital Transaction.

(a) If the Partnership or the General Partner shall be a party to any transaction (including without limitation a merger, consolidation, unit exchange, self tender offer for all or substantially all Class A Units or other business combination or reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets, but excluding any transaction which constitutes an LTIP Unit Adjustment Event) as a result of which Class A Units shall be exchanged for or converted into the right, or the holders of Class A Units shall otherwise be entitled, to receive cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof (any such transaction being referred to herein as a “Capital Transaction”), then, to the extent not already converted into Class A Units in accordance with Section 1.6 of this Schedule I, the General Partner shall, immediately prior to the consummation of the Capital Transaction, exercise its right to cause an LTIP Unit Forced Conversion with respect to any and all LTIP Units that have become Vested LTIP Units and the Book-Up Target of which is zero, taking into account any allocations that occur in connection with the Capital Transaction or that would occur in connection with the Capital Transaction if the assets of the Partnership were sold at the Capital Transaction price or, if applicable, at a value determined by the General Partner in good faith using the value attributed to the Class A Units in the context of the Capital Transaction (in which case the LTIP Unit Conversion Date shall be the effective date of the Capital Transaction and the conversion shall occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Capital Transaction).

(b) In anticipation of such LTIP Unit Forced Conversion and the consummation of the Capital Transaction, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each holder of such converting LTIP Units to be afforded the right to receive in connection with such Capital Transaction in consideration for the Class A Units into which such holder’s LTIP Units will be converted the same kind and amount of cash, securities and other property (or any combination thereof) receivable upon the consummation of such Capital Transaction by a holder of the same number of Class A Units, assuming such holder of Class A Units is not a Person with which the Partnership consolidated or into which the Partnership merged or which merged into the Partnership or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (a “Constituent Person”), or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person. In the event that holders of Class A Units have the opportunity to elect the form or type of consideration to be received upon consummation of the Capital Transaction, prior to such Capital Transaction the Partnership shall give prompt written notice to each holder of such converting LTIP Units of such election, and the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to afford such holders the right to elect, by written notice to the General Partner, the form or type of consideration to be received upon conversion of

 

I-3


each LTIP Unit held by such holder into Class A Units in connection with such Capital Transaction. If a holder of LTIP Units fails to make such an election, such holder (and any his or her transferees) shall receive upon conversion of each LTIP Unit held by him or her (or by any of his or her transferees) the same kind and amount of consideration that a holder of a Class A Unit would receive if such holder of Class A Units failed to make such an election.

(c) Subject to the rights of the Partnership and the General Partner under the relevant Award Agreement and the terms of any equity incentive plan, including without limitation the Plan, under which LTIP Units are issued, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the terms of any Capital Transaction to be consistent with the provisions of this Section 1.10, and (ii) in the event LTIP Units are not converted into Class A Units in connection with the Capital Transaction (including pursuant to Section 1.10(a) above), subject to the rights of the General Partner and the Partnership set forth in Section 1.12 below to the extent that they can act without the consent of holders of LTIP Units, the Partnership shall (A) enter into an agreement with the successor or purchasing entity, as the case may be, for the benefit of those holders of LTIP Units whose LTIP Units will not be converted into Class A Units in connection with the Capital Transaction that, to the extent not incompatible with the interests of the holders of Class A Units and the holders of Class A common stock of the General Partner, (x) contains reasonable provisions designed to allow such holders to subsequently convert, redeem or exchange their LTIP Units, if and when eligible for conversion, redemption or exchange into securities comparable as reasonably possible under the circumstances to the Class A Units, and (y) preserves as far as reasonably possible under the circumstances the distribution, special allocation, conversion, and other rights of such holders, or (B) otherwise provide for payment to be made to such LTIP Unit holders (in respect of any unconverted LTIP Units) that is reasonably determined by the General Partner to be comparable to the consideration received by holders of Class A Units in the Capital Transaction.

1.11 Exchange Rights of LTIP Unit Limited Partners.

(a) LTIP Units will not be redeemable at the option of the Partnership; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Partnership (i) from repurchasing LTIP Units from the holder thereof if and to the extent that such holder agrees to sell such LTIP Units or (ii) from exercising the right to cause a LTIP Unit Forced Conversion. For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any Class A Units received by a LTIP Unit Limited Partner upon conversion of LTIP Units, including a LTIP Unit Forced Conversion, such LTIP Unit Limited Partner shall have the right to exchange such Class A Units in accordance with the Exchange Agreement.

(b) Except as otherwise set forth in the relevant Award Agreement or other separate agreement entered into between the Partnership and a LTIP Unit Limited Partner, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein or in the Partnership Agreement, on or at any time after the applicable LTIP Unit Conversion Date or LTIP Unit Forced Conversion Date, each LTIP Unit Limited Partner will have the same right (and subject to the same terms and conditions and to be effected in the same manner) (i) to re exchange all or a portion of any vested Class A Units resulting from a conversion of any LTIP Units as the other holders of Class A Units in accordance with the Exchange Agreement and (ii) to receive payments of certain tax benefits as the other holders of Class A Units in accordance with the Tax Receivable Agreement.

1.12 Special Approval Rights. The General Partner and/or the Partnership shall not, without the affirmative approval of holders of more than 50% of the then outstanding LTIP Units affected thereby, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (voting separately as a class), take any action that would materially and adversely alter, change, modify or amend, whether by merger, consolidation or

 

I-4


otherwise, the rights, powers or privileges of such LTIP Units, subject to the following exceptions and qualifications: (i) no separate consent of the holders of LTIP Units will be required if and to the extent that any such alteration, change, modification or amendment would, in a ratable and proportional manner, alter, change, modify or amend the rights, powers or privileges of the Class A Units; (ii) a merger, consolidation or other business combination or reorganization of the Partnership or the General Partner, or any of their Affiliates shall not be deemed to materially and adversely alter, change, modify or amend the rights, powers or privileges of an LTIP Unit (and the holder of such LTIP Unit will not be entitled to any vote or consent with respect to such merger, consolidation or other business combination or reorganization in respect of such LTIP Unit) so long as any of the following apply: (w) such LTIP Unit is converted immediately prior to the effectiveness of the transaction into a number (or fraction thereof) of fully paid and non-assessable Class A Units equal to the greater of (i) the LTIP Conversion Factor for such LTIP Unit (giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 1.5 of this Schedule I) and (ii) one (1) (which Class A Units, for the avoidance of doubt, may be unvested to the extent the LTIP Unit so converted is not a Vested LTIP Unit); (x) the holder of such LTIP Unit either will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, in respect of such LTIP Unit an amount of cash, securities, or other property equal to the amount of cash, securities or other property that would be paid in respect of such LTIP Unit had it been converted into a Class A Unit (or fraction of a Class A Unit, as applicable under the terms of such LTIP Unit) immediately prior to the transaction; (y) such LTIP Unit remains outstanding with its terms materially unchanged; or (z) if the Partnership is not the surviving entity in such transaction, such LTIP Unit is exchanged for a security of the surviving entity with terms that are materially the same with respect to rights to allocations, distributions, redemption, conversion and voting as such LTIP Unit; (iii) any creation or issuance of Units (whether ranking junior to, on a parity with or senior to the LTIP Units in any respect), which either (x) does not require the consent of the holders of Class A Units or (y) is authorized by the holders of Class A Units shall not be deemed to materially and adversely alter, change, modify or amend the rights, powers or privileges of the LTIP Units; and (iv) any waiver by the Partnership or the General Partner of restrictions or limitations applicable to any outstanding LTIP Units with respect to any holder or holders thereof shall not be deemed to materially and adversely alter, change, modify or amend the rights, powers or privileges of the LTIP Units with respect to other holders. For the avoidance of doubt, the General Partner in its sole discretion may waive any restrictions or limitations (including vesting restrictions or transfer restrictions) applicable to any outstanding LTIP Units with respect to any holder or holders at any time and from time to time. Any such determination in the General Partner’s discretion in respect of such LTIP Units shall be final and binding. Such determinations need not be uniform and may be made selectively among holders of LTIP Units, whether or not such holders are similarly situated, and shall not constitute the breach of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise. The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, as of or prior to the time when the action with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be taken or be effective, all outstanding LTIP Units shall have been converted and/or redeemed, or provision is made for such redemption and/or conversion to occur as of or prior to such time.

1.13 Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer. Subject to the terms of the relevant Award Agreement or other document pursuant to which LTIP Units are granted and except in connection with the exercise of its exchange rights pursuant to Section 1.11 of this Schedule I, a holder of LTIP Units may not transfer all or any portion of such holder’s LTIP Units, except, in the case of Vested LTIP Units, to the extent, and subject to the same restrictions, that a holder of Class A Units is entitled to transfer Class A Units pursuant to Section 8.03 of the Partnership Agreement.

1.14 Allocations and Distributions.

(a) All distributions shall be made to holders of LTIP Units in accordance with the provisions of Article IV of the Partnership Agreement.

(b) All allocations, including allocations of Profits and Losses of the Partnership, special allocations and allocations upon final liquidation, shall be made to holders of LTIP Units in accordance with Article V of the Partnership Agreement.

 

I-5


EXHIBIT A

Notice of Election by Partnership of Force Conversion of LTIP Units into Class A Units

PJT Partners Holdings LP (the “Partnership”) hereby irrevocably elects to cause the number of LTIP Units held by the holder of LTIP Units set forth below to be converted into Class A Units in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated as of October 1, 2015, as amended from time to time (the “Agreement”).

To the extent that LTIP Units held by the holder are not free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, or should any such liens, claims and/or encumbrances exist or arise with respect to such LTIP Units, the Class A Units into which such LTIP Units are converted shall continue to be subject thereto.

Name of Holder:

Number of LTIP Units to be Converted:

Conversion Date:

 

A-1

EX-10.6 11 d21345dex106.htm EX-10.6 EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 1, 2015, among PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation, PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and the Partnership Unitholders (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto.

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to provide for the exchange of Partnership Units (as defined herein) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings contained herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

SECTION 1.1. Definitions

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Cash Amount” means, for each Partnership Unit that is Exchanged for the Cash Amount, an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock multiplied by (ii) the Exchange Rate.

Cash Amount Settlement Date” means the third Business Day following the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date, or, to the extent any Primary Issuance Funding is not settled on a Quarterly Exchange Date, the third Business Day following the applicable settlement date of a Primary Issuance Funding. For the avoidance of doubt, the final settlement date of any Permitted ATM Funding shall be no later than the third Business Day following the last day of the applicable Permitted ATM Distribution Period.

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Corporation” means PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

Cut-Off Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

Election of Exchange” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement.

Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.

 

1


Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Rate” means one (1), subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.5 of this Agreement.

Ineligible Partnership Unit” means any Partnership Unit that, as of the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date, has not been both outstanding and fully vested for at least six months, as reflected in the books and records of the Partnership.

Partnership” means PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor thereto.

Partnership Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

Partnership Unit” means (i) each Class A Unit (as such term is defined in the Partnership Agreement) issued as of the date hereof and (ii) each Class A Unit or other interest in the Partnership that may be issued by the Partnership in the future that is designated by the Corporation and the Partnership as a “Partnership Unit” for purposes of this Agreement.

Partnership Unitholder” means each holder of one or more Partnership Units that may from time to time be a party to this Agreement.

Permitted ATM Distribution Period” means, with respect to any Permitted ATM Funding, the period commencing on the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date and ending on the earlier of (x) the date when all Primary Issuance Shares in respect of the applicable Primary Issuance Funding have been sold and (y) the 20th Trading Day after such Quarterly Exchange Date.

Permitted ATM Funding” means any Primary Issuance Funding that satisfies each of the following requirements: (i) sales of the applicable Primary Issuance Shares in respect of such Primary Issuance Funding are made through one or more sales agents of the Corporation by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, or any successor to any of the foregoing, or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of the applicable sale; (ii) the fees or commissions payable to such sales agents are determined pursuant to an equity distribution or similar agreement negotiated in good faith by the Corporation and entered into on arms’ length terms; (iii) sales of the applicable Primary Issuance Shares in respect of such Primary Issuance Funding are executed during the applicable Permitted ATM Distribution Period; and (iv) to the extent any Primary Issuance Shares remain unsold at the end of the applicable Permitted ATM Distribution Period, a corresponding number of Primary Issuance Units are deemed withdrawn from the applicable Quarterly Exchange and may be tendered for exchange in respect of any subsequent Quarterly Exchange Date.

Permitted Transferee” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

2


Person” means any individual, estate, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated or governmental organization or any agency or political subdivision thereof

Primary Issuance Funding” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(b)(i) of this Agreement.

Primary Issuance Shares” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(b)(i) of this Agreement.

Primary Issuance Units” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(b)(i) of this Agreement.

Publicly Traded” means listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, or any successor to any of the foregoing.

Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Corporation.

Quarterly Exchange Date” means the date each Quarter that is the later to occur of either: (1) the second Trading Day after the date on which the Corporation makes a public news release of its quarterly earnings for the prior Quarter or (2) the first day of such Quarter that directors and executive officers of the Corporation are permitted to trade under the applicable polices of the Corporation relating to trading by directors and executive officers; provided that there shall be no Quarterly Exchange Date for any party prior to the first anniversary of the date that the Spin-Off is completed.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Significant Limited Partner” has the meaning given to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

Spin-Off” means the separation of PJT Partners Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries from The Blackstone Group L.P., including the pro rata distribution by The Blackstone Group L.P. to its common unitholders of shares of Class A Common Stock (as contemplated by the Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36869).

Stock Amount” means, for each Partnership Unit that is Exchanged for the Stock Amount, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock that is equal to the Exchange Rate.

Stock Settlement Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.

Subject Partnership Unitholder” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10 of this Agreement.

Trading Day” means a day on which shares of the Class A Common Stock (i) are not suspended from trading at the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange where the Class A Common Stock has been listed or admitted for

 

3


trading or any successor to any such exchange and (ii) have traded at least once on the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange where the Class A Common Stock has been listed or admitted for trading or any successor to any such exchange. If the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, or any successor to any of the foregoing, “Trading Day” means a Business Day.

Value” means, with respect to any outstanding share of Class A Common Stock that is Publicly Traded, the volume weighted average price per share on the Quarterly Exchange Date. If the shares of Class A Common Stock are not Publicly Traded, the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock means the amount that a holder of a share of Class A Common Stock would receive if each of the assets of the Corporation were to be sold for its fair market value on the Quarterly Exchange Date, the Corporation were to pay all of its outstanding liabilities, and the remaining proceeds were to be distributed to the holders of the Corporation’s equity. Such Value shall be determined by the Corporation, acting in good faith and based upon a commercially reasonable estimate of the amount that would be realized by the Corporation if each asset of the Corporation (and each asset of each partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture or other entity in which the Corporation owns a direct or indirect interest) were sold to an unrelated purchaser in an arms’ length transaction where neither the purchaser nor the seller were under economic compulsion to enter into the transaction (without regard to any discount in value as a result of the Corporation’s minority interest in any property or any illiquidity of the Corporation’s interest in any property).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Corporation elects to settle an Exchange of Partnership Units with the proceeds of a Primary Issuance Funding pursuant to Section 2.2(b), “Value” shall mean an amount per share of Class A Common Stock equal to the net proceeds per share of Class A Common Stock received by the Corporation from such Primary Issuance Funding, determined after deduction of any discounts and commissions or similar costs payable to any underwriters, broker/dealers or placement or selling agents, but not of any other expenses of the Corporation or any other Partnership Unitholder related thereto, including without limitation, legal and accounting fees and expenses, Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees, state blue sky and securities laws fees and expenses, printing expenses, FINRA filing fees, exchange listing fees and other out of pocket expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent the Primary Issuance Shares for a given Primary Issuance Funding are sold in multiple transactions rather than a single transaction or block, “Value” shall be determined by reference to the volume weighted average price per share received by the Corporation across all sales in respect of such Primary Issuance Funding and otherwise in accordance with this paragraph.

Withdrawing Partner” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(b)(iii) of this Agreement.

 

4


ARTICLE II

SECTION 2.1. Exchange of Partnership Units.

(a) In respect of each Quarterly Exchange Date, each Partnership Unitholder shall be entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to surrender Partnership Units (other than Ineligible Partnership Units) in exchange for the delivery to such exchanging Partnership Unitholder for each Partnership Unit so surrendered of the Cash Amount or, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Corporation, the Stock Amount (such exchange, an “Exchange”); provided that any such Exchange is for a minimum of the lesser of 1,000 Partnership Units or all of the Partnership Units (other than Ineligible Partnership Units) held by such Partnership Unitholder.

(b) The Corporation will provide notice thereof to each Partnership Unitholder eligible to Exchange Partnership Units on a Quarterly Exchange Date at least seventy-five (75) days prior to the anticipated date of such Quarterly Exchange Date. A Partnership Unitholder shall exercise its right to Exchange Partnership Units as set forth in Section 2.1(a) above by delivering to the Corporation and to the Partnership a written election of exchange at least sixty (60) days prior to the anticipated Quarterly Exchange Date substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (an “Election of Exchange”), duly executed by such holder or such holder’s duly authorized attorney in respect of the Partnership Units to be Exchanged, delivered during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Corporation and of the Partnership. Except as provided in Section 2.2(b)(iii) below with respect to applicable Primary Issuance Fundings, a Partnership Unitholder may not revoke an Election of Exchange delivered pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) without the consent of the Corporation, which consent may be provided or withheld, or made subject to such conditions, limitations or restrictions, as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion. Such determinations need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Partnership Unitholders, whether or not such Partnership Unitholders are similarly situated.

SECTION 2.2. Exchange for Cash Amount. On or prior to the applicable Cash Amount Settlement Date, the Partnership shall deposit or cause to be deposited in the account of each applicable exchanging Partnership Unitholder, as specified in such Partnership Unitholder’s Election of Exchange, the applicable Cash Amount with respect to the Partnership Units to be settled on such Cash Amount Settlement Date that are the subject of an Election of Exchange for the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date (and which has not been validly withdrawn in accordance Section 2.2(b)(iii) below, if applicable), other than any Partnership Unit in respect of which the Corporation has provided a Stock Settlement Notice on or prior to the applicable Cut-Off Date, against delivery to the Partnership of such Partnership Units.

(b) (i) Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary herein, the Corporation may cause the Partnership to settle the Exchange of Partnership Units that are the subject of an Election of Exchange in respect of any Quarterly Exchange Date (such Partnership Units, the “Primary Issuance Units”) with the proceeds of a primary issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock (“Primary Issuance Shares”), whether registered under the Securities Act or exempt from such registration, underwritten, sold directly to investors or through agents or other intermediaries, or otherwise distributed (a “Primary Issuance Funding”) pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.2(b).

(ii) Except as provided in Section 2.2(b)(iv) below with respect to Permitted ATM Fundings, the Corporation must provide notice (a “Primary Issuance Funding Notice”) of the exercise of its election described in Section 2.2(b)(i)

 

5


above to settle an Exchange of Partnership Units with the proceeds of a Primary Issuance Funding on or prior to the applicable Cut-Off Date. The Primary Issuance Funding Notice shall set forth:

(1) the anticipated settlement date of the Primary Issuance Funding;

(2) the estimated discounts and commissions or similar costs payable to any underwriters, broker/dealers or placement or selling agents in connection with such Primary Issuance Funding; and

(3) reasonably detailed information concerning the manner of distribution, including (x) whether the Primary Issuance Shares will be sold at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change or at negotiated prices; and (y) whether the Primary Issuance Shares will be sold on the New York Stock Exchange (including through at the market offerings); in the over-the-counter market; in a privately negotiated transaction; through broker/dealers, who may act as agents or principals; through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or best-efforts basis; in a block trade; directly to one or more purchasers; through agents; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

(iii) Except as provided in Section 2.2(b)(iv) below with respect to Permitted ATM Fundings, each exchanging Partnership Unitholder shall have the right to elect to withdraw its Election of Exchange with respect to Primary Issuance Units (an exchanging Partnership Unitholder making such an election being a “Withdrawing Partner”) by providing notice of such election to the Corporation on or before 5:00 p.m. (New York City Time) on the next Business Day following the Corporation’s delivery of the Primary Issuance Funding Notice (as such time may be extended by the Corporation in its sole discretion), whereupon the Partnership Units of such Withdrawing Partner shall be considered to be withdrawn from the related Exchange in respect of such Quarterly Exchange Date and the number of Primary Issuance Shares and Primary Issuance Units shall be reduced accordingly. If an exchanging Partnership Unitholder, within such time period, fails to notify the Corporation of such Partnership Unitholder’s election to become a Withdrawing Partner, then such Partnership Unitholder shall be deemed not to have withdrawn from the Exchange.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary herein, the Corporation shall not be required to provide a Primary Issuance Funding Notice and Partnership Unitholders shall not have the withdrawal rights set forth in Section 2.2(b)(iii) with respect to any Primary Issuance Funding to the extent it qualifies as a “Permitted ATM Funding” in accordance with the definition thereof.

(v) If the Corporation elects a Primary Issuance Funding pursuant to this Section 2.2(b), the Partnership shall settle the Exchange of each Primary Issuance Unit, other than any Primary Issuance Unit that has been withdrawn

 

6


pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(iii) above, to the extent applicable, for the Cash Amount, which shall be payable on or prior to the applicable Cash Amount Settlement Date, which may not be later than 30 days after the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date, or in the case of a Permitted ATM Funding, the fourth Business Day following the expiration of the applicable Permitted ATM Distribution Period.

SECTION 2.3. Exchange for Stock Amount.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article II, the Corporation may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by means of delivery of a written notice to such effect (a “Stock Settlement Notice”) by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the applicable Quarterly Exchange Date (such date and time the “Cut-Off Date”), elect to Exchange all or any portion (as specified in such notice) of the Partnership Units that are the subject of Elections of Exchange for such Quarterly Exchange Date by delivery of the Stock Amount against delivery to the Corporation of such Partnership Units. The Partnership shall be required to settle by paying the Cash Amount for the Exchange of all Partnership Units that are the subject of Elections of Exchange for such Quarterly Exchange Date (and which have not been validly withdrawn in accordance Section 2.2(b)(iii) above, if applicable) other than those in respect of which the Corporation has provided a Stock Settlement Notice on or prior to the applicable Cut-Off Date.

(b) In such event, on the Quarterly Exchange Date, upon the surrender for exchange of the applicable Partnership Units in the manner provided in this Article II, the Corporation shall deliver or cause to be delivered at the offices of the then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock or, if there is no then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Class A Common Stock, at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon such Exchange, registered in the name of the relevant exchanging Partnership Unitholder or its designee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Class A Common Stock is eligible for the depository and book-entry services of The Depository Trust Company, the Corporation will, subject to Section 2.6 below, upon the written instruction of an exchanging Partnership Unitholder, use its best efforts to deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable to such exchanging Partnership Unitholder, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, to the account of the participant of The Depository Trust Company designated by such exchanging Partnership Unitholder.

SECTION 2.4. Class A Common Stock to be Issued.

(a) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be deliverable upon any such Exchange where the Corporation has elected to pay the Stock Amount; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of the Exchange of the Partnership Units where the Corporation has elected to pay the Stock Amount by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or by delivery of purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof). The Corporation covenants that all Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

7


(b) The Partnership and the Corporation shall use their best efforts to ensure that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the Partnership and the Corporation and the consummation by each of the Partnership and the Corporation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation, the issuance of the Class A Common Stock) have been duly authorized by all necessary partnership or corporate action, as the case may be, on the part of the Partnership and the Corporation, including, but not limited to, all actions necessary to ensure that the acquisition of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the fullest extent of the Corporation’s board of directors’ power and authority and to the extent permitted by law, shall not be subject to any “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “business combination,” “fair price” or other form of anti-takeover laws and regulations of any jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) The Corporation and the Partnership covenant and agree that, to the extent that a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective and available for shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered with respect to any Exchange (and to the extent that the Corporation has elected to exchange such Partnership Units for the Stock Amount), the Corporation shall register under the Securities Act the delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock in respect of such Exchange. In the event that any Exchange in accordance with this Agreement is to be effected at a time when any required registration has not become effective or otherwise is unavailable (and to the extent that the Corporation has elected to exchange such Partnership Units for the Stock Amount), upon the request and with the reasonable cooperation of the Partnership Unitholder requesting such Exchange, the Corporation and the Partnership shall use best efforts to promptly facilitate such Exchange pursuant to any reasonably available exemption from such registration requirements. The Corporation and the Partnership shall use best efforts to list the Class A Common Stock to be delivered upon an Exchange prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange upon which the outstanding Class A Common Stock may be listed or traded at the time of such delivery.

SECTION 2.5. Adjustment. The Exchange Rate shall be adjusted accordingly if there is: (a) any subdivision (by any unit split, unit distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Partnership Units that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock; or (b) any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend or distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Partnership Units. If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Exchange where the Corporation has elected to pay the Stock Amount, an exchanging Partnership Unitholder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such exchanging Partnership Unitholder would have received if such Exchange had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification,

 

8


reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, and upon any subsequent Exchange where the Partnership is obligated to pay the Cash Amount, an exchanging Partnership Unitholder shall be entitled to receive the cash value of such security, securities or other property determined in a manner similar to the determination of the Cash Amount with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock as provided herein.

SECTION 2.6. Expenses. The Corporation, the Partnership and each exchanging Partnership Unitholder shall bear their own expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated, except that the Corporation or Partnership, as the case may be, shall bear any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, however, that if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered in a name other than that of the Partnership Unitholder that elected the Exchange, then such Partnership Unitholder and/or the person in whose name such shares are to be delivered shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, such Exchange or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

SECTION 2.7. Conflicts. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Partnership Unitholder shall not be entitled to exchange Partnership Units to the extent the Corporation determines that such Exchange (i) would be prohibited by law, (ii) would result in any breach of any debt agreement or other material contract of the Partnership or the Corporation or (iii) would cause unreasonable financial burden on the Partnership, as reasonably determined by the board of directors of the Corporation acting in good faith (it being understood that impact on the market price of Class A Common Stock shall not in and of itself be deemed to be an unreasonable financial burden on the Partnership); provided, that in the event that the Corporation cancels any Quarterly Exchange Date in reliance on clause (iii) of this Section 2.7, the Corporation shall not be entitled to cancel the Quarterly Exchange Date next succeeding such canceled Quarterly Exchange Date; provided, further, that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the rights and remedies of any Partnership Unitholder pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, no Exchange shall be deemed to be prohibited by law pertaining to the registration of securities if such securities have been so registered or if any exemption from such registration requirements is reasonably available.

SECTION 2.8. Other Exchange Procedures.

(a) The Partnership and the Corporation may adopt reasonable procedures for the implementation of the exchange provisions set forth in this Article II, including, without limitation, procedures requiring the use of designated administrators or brokers with respect to the sale of any shares of Class A Common Stock received in an Exchange and procedures for the delivery of an Election of Exchange.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the board of directors of the Corporation shall determine in good faith that additional restrictions on Exchange are necessary so that the Partnership is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under Section 7704 of the Code, the Corporation or the Partnership may impose such additional restrictions on Exchange as the board of directors of the Corporation has determined in good faith to be so necessary.

 

9


SECTION 2.9. Pro Rata Treatment of Exchanging Partnership Unitholders. Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary herein, the Corporation and the Partnership may settle the Exchange of Partnership Units that are the subject of Elections of Exchange in respect of any Quarterly Exchange Date for the Cash Amount (whether funded in whole or in part with one or more Primary Issuance Fundings, including Permitted ATM Fundings, or otherwise), the Stock Amount or any combination of the foregoing; provided, that each such method shall be applied to settle a portion of the Partnership Units of each exchanging Partnership Unitholder pro rata according to the respective number of Partnership Units each exchanging Partnership Unitholder has tendered for exchange (and not validly withdrawn in accordance Section 2.2(b)(iii), if applicable).

SECTION 2.10. Agreements of Certain Partnership Unitholders. Each Partnership Unitholder that, as of the date hereof, is a member of the Board of Directors of Blackstone Group Management L.L.C (each a “Subject Partnership Unitholder”) agrees that until the third anniversary of the completion of the Spin-Off or such earlier time as such Subject Partnership Unitholder shall cease to be employed by or provide services to Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., The Blackstone Group L.P., or any of their respective subsidiaries, such Subject Partnership Unitholder will (a) consult with the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation prior to submitting any Election of Exchange and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that dispositions (if any) of the Partnership Units or Class A Common Stock that such Subject Partnership Unitholder received in connection with the Spin-Off be effected through a plan of distribution that mitigates any sustained adverse effect on the market price of the Class A Common Stock.

ARTICLE III

SECTION 3.1. Additional Partnership Unitholders. To the extent a Partnership Unitholder validly transfers any or all of such holder’s Partnership Units to another person in a transaction in accordance with, and not in contravention of, the Partnership Agreement or any other agreement or agreements with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to which a transferring Partnership Unitholder may be party, then such transferee (each, a “Permitted Transferee”) shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, whereupon such Permitted Transferee shall become a Partnership Unitholder hereunder. To the extent the Partnership issues Partnership Units in the future, the Corporation and the Partnership shall be entitled, in their sole discretion, to make any holder of such Partnership Units a Partnership Unitholder hereunder through such holder’s execution and delivery of a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

 

10


SECTION 3.2. Addresses and Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by fax, by electronic mail (delivery receipt requested) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 3.2):

(a) If to the Corporation, to:

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: James Cuminale

Email: cuminale@pjtpartners.com

(b) If to the Partnership, to:

PJT Partners Holdings LP,

c/o PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: James Cuminale

Email: cuminale@pjtpartners.com

(c) If to any Partnership Unitholder, to the address and other contact information set forth in the records of the Partnership from time to time.

SECTION 3.3. Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

SECTION 3.4. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

SECTION 3.5. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

11


SECTION 3.6. Amendment. This Agreement (including any annexes, schedules or supplements hereto) may be amended, supplemented, waived or modified by the Partnership in its sole discretion without the approval of any Partnership Unitholder or other Person; provided that no amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of a Partnership Unitholder (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) without the consent of such Partnership Unitholder (or, if there is more than one such Partnership Unitholder that is so affected, without the consent of a majority in interest of such affected Partnership Unitholders (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) in accordance with their holdings of Partnership Units, including each so affected Significant Limited Partner).

SECTION 3.7. Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

SECTION 3.8. Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) Any and all disputes which cannot be settled amicably, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in New York in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the parties hereto may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each party hereto (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 3.8 to any such action or proceeding and (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate.

(c) (i) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 3.8, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another.

(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in the preceding paragraph of this Section 3.8 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

 

12


SECTION 3.9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of executed counterparts transmitted by telecopy, by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file or other electronic transmission service shall be considered original executed counterparts for purposes of this Section 3.9.

SECTION 3.10. Tax Treatment. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of the Partnership as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. As required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations, the parties shall report any Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of the Partnership Units by a Partnership Unitholder to the Corporation, other than any Exchange where the Partnership has elected to pay the Cash Amount with available cash of the Partnership (rather than the proceeds of a Primary Issuance Funding), and no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or communication with a taxing authority unless an alternate position is permitted under the Code and Treasury Regulations and the Corporation consents in writing.

SECTION 3.11. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

SECTION 3.12. Independent Nature of Partnership Unitholders’ Rights and Obligations. The obligations of each Partnership Unitholder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Partnership Unitholder, and no Partnership Unitholder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Partnership Unitholder hereunder. The decision of each Partnership Unitholder to enter into to this Agreement has been made by such Partnership Unitholder independently of any other Partnership Unitholder. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Partnership Unitholder pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Partnership Unitholders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Partnership Unitholders are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby and the Corporation acknowledges that the Partnership Unitholders are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Corporation will not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 3.13. Other Agreements. Neither the Corporation nor the Partnership shall enter into any contract, mortgage, loan or other agreement that prohibits or restricts (a) the

 

13


Corporation or the Partnership from performing their specific obligations under this Agreement or (b) a Partnership Unitholder from exercising its rights under this Agreement to effect an Exchange, except, in either case, with the written consent of each such Partnership Unitholder affected by the prohibition or restriction, or to the extent such prohibition or restriction affects all Partnership Unitholders (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) on a pro rata basis, with the written consent of a majority in interest of such affected Partnership Unitholders (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) in accordance with their holdings of Partnership Units, including each Significant Limited Partner.

SECTION 3.14. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

14


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered, all as of the date first set forth above.

 

PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP
By:   PJT Partners Inc., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer


PARTNERSHIP UNITHOLDERS
Each of the Partnership Unitholders set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as attorney-in-fact
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

Name:   John G. Finley
Title:   Chief Legal Officer and Secretary


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF]

ELECTION OF EXCHANGE

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Attention: James Cuminale

PJT Partners Holdings LP

c/o PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Attention: James Cuminale

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of                     (the “Exchange Agreement”), among PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation, PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and the holders of Partnership Units (as defined herein) from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The undersigned Partnership Unitholder hereby transfers to the Partnership or the Corporation (as specified in the Exchange Agreement) the number of Partnership Units set forth below in exchange for cash or, at the election of the Corporation in its sole and absolute discretion, shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued in its name as set forth below (or in the name of a designee as may be set forth below), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Agreement.

Legal Name of Partnership Unitholder:             

 

 

  

 

Address:   

 

 

Number of Partnership Units to be Exchanged:   

 

  

Account information for deposit of Cash Amount, if applicable:

 

Bank Name:   

 

ABA No.:   

 

Account No.:   

 

Account Name:   

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Election of Exchange and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Election of Exchange has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof, as the case may be, subject to applicable


bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies; (iii) the Partnership Units subject to this Election of Exchange are being transferred free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, equities or claim; and (iv) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned or the Partnership Units subject to this Election of Exchange is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the transfer of such Partnership Units.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of the Corporation or of the Partnership as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to exchange the Partnership Units subject to this Election of Exchange for cash or shares of Class A Common Stock on the books of the Corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Election of Exchange to be executed and delivered by the undersigned or by its duly authorized attorney.

 

 

Name:  
  Dated:  

 


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF]

JOINDER AGREEMENT

This Joinder Agreement (“Joinder Agreement”) is a joinder to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of                     (the “Agreement”), among PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and each of the Partnership Unitholders from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have their meanings given to them in the Agreement. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware. In the event of any conflict between this Joinder Agreement and the Agreement, the terms of this Joinder Agreement shall control.

The undersigned hereby joins and enters into the Agreement having acquired Partnership Units in the Partnership. By signing and returning this Joinder Agreement to the Corporation, the undersigned accepts and agrees to be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of and agreements of a Partnership Unitholder contained in the Agreement, with all attendant rights, duties and obligations of a Partnership Unitholder thereunder. The parties to the Agreement shall treat the execution and delivery hereof by the undersigned as the execution and delivery of the Agreement by the undersigned and, upon receipt of this Joinder Agreement by the Corporation and by the Partnership, the signature of the undersigned set forth below shall constitute a counterpart signature to the signature page of the Agreement.

 

Name:   

 

  
Address for Notices:      With copies to:   

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

Attention:  

 

    

 

EX-10.7 12 d21345dex107.htm EX-10.7 EX-10.7

Exhibit 10.7

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

dated as of

October 1, 2015


Table of Contents

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

  

  

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

     2   

ARTICLE II

DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFIT

  

  

Section 2.01.

 

Basic Adjustment Principles

     10   

Section 2.02.

 

Exchange Basis Schedule

     10   

Section 2.03.

 

Tax Benefit Schedule

     11   

Section 2.04.

 

Procedures, Amendments

     11   

ARTICLE III

TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

  

  

Section 3.01.

 

Payments

     12   

Section 3.02.

 

No Duplicative Payments

     13   

Section 3.03.

 

Pro Rata Payments

     13   

ARTICLE IV

TERMINATION

  

  

Section 4.01.

 

Early Termination and Breach of Agreement

     13   

Section 4.02.

 

Early Termination Notice

     14   

Section 4.03.

 

Payment upon Early Termination

     14   

ARTICLE V

SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

  

  

Section 5.01.

 

Subordination

     15   

Section 5.02.

 

Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer

     15   

ARTICLE VI

NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

  

  

Section 6.01.

 

The Corporate Taxpayer’s and the Partnership’s Tax Matters

     15   

Section 6.02.

 

Consistency

     15   

Section 6.03.

 

Cooperation

     15   

Section 6.04.

 

Tax Contests

     16   

 

i


ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

  

  

Section 7.01.

 

Notices

     16   

Section 7.02.

 

Counterparts

     16   

Section 7.03.

 

Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries

     17   

Section 7.04.

 

Governing Law

     17   

Section 7.05.

 

Severability

     17   

Section 7.06.

 

Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers

     17   

Section 7.07.

 

Titles and Headings

     18   

Section 7.08.

 

Resolution of Disputes

     18   

Section 7.09.

 

Reconciliation

     19   

Section 7.10.

 

Withholding

     20   

Section 7.11.

 

Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets

     20   

Section 7.12.

 

Confidentiality

     21   

Section 7.13.

 

Partnership Agreement

     22   

Section 7.14.

 

Change in Law

     22   

Section 7.15.

 

Independent Nature of Limited Partners’ Rights and Obligations

     22   

Section 7.16.

 

Interpretation

     23   

 

ii


This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of October 1, 2015, is hereby entered into by and among PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Taxpayer”), PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and each of the undersigned parties hereto identified as “Limited Partners.”

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Limited Partners hold limited partnership interests (“Partnership Units”) in the Partnership, which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

WHEREAS, the Corporate Taxpayer is the general partner of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, the Limited Partners have the right to redeem all or part of their Partnership Units for cash or, at the election of the Corporate Taxpayer, to exchange their Partnership Units for shares of the Corporate Taxpayer’s Class A common stock (the “Class A Shares”), subject to the provisions of the Partnership Agreement (as defined below) and the Exchange Agreement (as defined below);

WHEREAS, the Partnership, and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries that is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each, a “Subsidiary Partnership”) will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for each Taxable Year (as defined below) in which an exchange of Partnership Units for Class A Shares that the Corporate Taxpayer is party to or redemption of Partnership Units for cash or other consideration occurs, which elections are intended generally to result in an adjustment to the tax basis of the assets (including interests in any Subsidiary Partnerships) owned (or treated as owned) by the Partnership or any Subsidiary Partnerships at the time of such an exchange of Partnership Units for Class A Shares or redemption of Partnership Units for cash or other consideration (collectively, an “Exchange”) (such time, the “Exchange Date”) (such assets and any asset whose tax basis is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the adjusted basis of any such asset, the “Original Assets”) by reason of such Exchange and the receipt of payments under this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, expense and other Tax (as defined below) items of (i) the Partnership may be affected by the Basis Adjustment (as defined below) and (ii) the Corporate Taxpayer may be affected by the Imputed Interest (as defined below);

WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to make certain arrangements with respect to the effect of the Basis Adjustment and Imputed Interest on the actual liability for Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).

Acceleration Event” means each of the following:

(i) the Corporate Taxpayer’s default in any required payment under this Agreement when due, continued for 90 days;

(ii) the Corporate Taxpayer’s failure to comply with any other material obligation under this Agreement, which failure continues for 120 days after the Corporate Taxpayer’s first becoming aware of such failure to comply (including as a result of notice of such failure to comply provided by any Limited Partner);

(iii) the Corporate Taxpayer or the Partnership, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(B) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking an arrangement of debt, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(C) consents to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

(iv) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Corporate Taxpayer or the Partnership in a proceeding in which the Corporate Taxpayer or the Partnership is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(B) appoints a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Corporate Taxpayer or the Partnership, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Corporate Taxpayer or the Partnership; or

(C) orders the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporate Taxpayer or the Partnership;

 

2


and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement otherwise to the contrary, it shall not be an “Acceleration Event” if the Corporate Taxpayer fails to make any Tax Benefit Payment when due to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer has insufficient funds to make such payment in the reasonable judgment of the board of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer exercised in good faith; provided that the interest provisions of Section 5.02 shall apply to such late payment.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person at any point in time or during an period (including any future time or period), any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person as of such time or during such period.

Agreed Rate” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Agreement” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Amended Schedule” is defined in Section 2.04(b) of this Agreement.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, as amended, or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the tax basis of an Original Asset under Sections 732, 1012, 734(b), 743(b) and/or 754 of the Code (in situations where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, the Partnership becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for tax purposes) or Sections 734(b), 743(b) and/or 754 of the Code (in situations where, following an Exchange, the Partnership remains in existence as an entity for tax purposes) and, in each case, comparable sections of state, local and foreign tax laws (as calculated under Section 2.01 of this Agreement) as a result of an Exchange and the payments made pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more Partnership Units shall be determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such Partnership Units and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfer had not occurred.

A “Beneficial Owner” of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The terms “Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have correlative meanings.

Board” means the board of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

3


Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) any Person or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provisions thereto (excluding (a) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporate Taxpayer or (b) The Blackstone Group L.P. or any of its Affiliates, any “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 or any successor provisions thereto that includes The Blackstone Group L.P. or any of its Affiliates or any Person more than 50% of the combined voting power of then outstanding voting securities of which are owned by The Blackstone Group L.P. or any of its Affiliates or any such “group”) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporate Taxpayer representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporate Taxpayer’s then outstanding voting securities; or

(ii) Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer then serving; or

(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporate Taxpayer with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (x) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (y) the voting securities of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or

(iv) the shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporate Taxpayer or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale, lease or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporate Taxpayer of all or substantially all of the Corporate Taxpayer’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (ii) and clause (iii)(x) above, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate

 

4


ownership in, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporate Taxpayer immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

Class A Shares” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Code” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the board of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer who: (i) was a member of such board of directors immediately following the consummation by The Blackstone Group L.P. of the distribution to its common unitholders of Class A Shares (as contemplated by the Corporate Taxpayer’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-3689); or (ii) was nominated for election or elected or appointed to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment, 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.

Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Corporate Taxpayer” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Corporate Taxpayer Return” means the federal Tax Return and/or state and/or local and/or foreign Tax Return, as applicable, of the Corporate Taxpayer filed with respect to Taxes of any Taxable Year (which may include a consolidated Tax Return).

Date of Receipt” is defined in Section 2.04(a) of this Agreement.

Default Rate” means LIBOR plus 500 basis points.

Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of state, local and foreign tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of a Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.

Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.

Early Termination Notice” is defined in Section 4.02 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Schedule” is defined in Section 4.02 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Payment” is defined in Section 4.03(b) of this Agreement.

 

5


Early Termination Rate” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Exchange” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement. The term “Exchanged” shall have a correlative meaning.

Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Partnership, the Corporate Taxpayer and the Limited Partners.

Exchange Basis Schedule” is defined in Section 2.02 of this Agreement.

Exchange Date” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Exchange Payment” is defined in Section 5.01 of this Agreement.

Expert” is defined in Section 7.09 of this Agreement.

Imputed Interest” shall mean any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of state, local and foreign tax law with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations under this Agreement.

Interest Amount” is defined in Section 3.01(b) of this Agreement.

LIBOR” means during any period, an interest rate per annum equal to the one-year LIBOR reported, on the date two days prior to the first day of such period, on the Telerate Page 3750 (or if such screen shall cease to be publicly available, as reported on Reuters Screen page “LIBOR01” or by any other publicly available source of such market rate) for London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits for such period.

Limited Partner” means the parties hereto (other than the Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership) and each other individual who from time to time executes a joinder agreement.

Market Value” shall mean the closing price of the Class A Shares on the applicable Exchange Date on the principal national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided that if the closing price is not reported by the Wall Street Journal for the applicable Exchange Date, then the Market Value shall mean the closing price of the Class A Shares on the Business Day immediately preceding such Exchange Date on the principal national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided further, that if the Class A Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, “Market Value” shall mean the cash consideration paid for Class A Shares, or the fair market value of the other property delivered for Class A Shares, as determined by the board of directors of the Corporate Taxpayer in good faith.

Material Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02 of this Agreement.

 

6


Net Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.01(b) of this Agreement.

Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis” means, with respect to any asset at any time, the tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustment had been made.

Non-Stepped Up Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer or the other members of the consolidated group of which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member and (ii) without duplication, the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries but only with respect to Taxes imposed on the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer or to the other members of the consolidated group of which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member, in each case using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Return, but using the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis instead of the tax basis of the Original Assets and excluding any deduction attributable to the Imputed Interest. For the avoidance of doubt, Non-Stepped Up Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to the Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest, as applicable.

Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a) of this Agreement.

Original Assets” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Partnership” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Partnership Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership.

Partnership Units” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Payment Date” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.

Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

Pre-Exchange Transfer” means any transfer (including upon the death of a Limited Partner) of one or more Partnership Units (i) that occurs prior to an Exchange of such Partnership Units, and (ii) to which Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code applies.

Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Non-Stepped Up Tax Liability over the actual liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer or the other members of the consolidated group of which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member and (ii) without duplication, the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries but only with respect to Taxes imposed on the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries and allocable to Corporate Taxpayer or to the other members of the consolidated group of which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the actual tax liability for Taxes for the

 

7


Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.

Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the actual liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer or the other members of the consolidated group of which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member and (ii) without duplication, the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries but only with respect to Taxes imposed on the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer or to the other members of the consolidated group of which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member over the Non-Stepped Up Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the actual tax liability for Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.

Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.09 of this Agreement.

Reconciliation Procedures” shall mean those procedures set forth in Section 2.04(a) of this Agreement.

Separation Agreement” means the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2015, by and among The Blackstone Group L.P., Blackstone Holdings I L.P., New Advisory GP L.L.C., the Partnership and the Corporate Taxpayer.

Schedule” means any Exchange Basis Schedule, Tax Benefit Schedule and the Early Termination Schedule.

Section 734(b) Exchange” means any Exchange that results in a Basis Adjustment under Section 734(b) of the Code.

Senior Obligations” is defined in Section 5.01 of this Agreement.

Significant Limited Partner” means any Limited Partner that, as of any date of determination, would be entitled to receive at least 10% of the total amount of the Early Termination Payments payable to all Limited Partners hereunder if the Corporate Taxpayer had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such date of determination (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange).

Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such Person, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise Controls more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests or the sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such Person.

Subsidiary Partnership” is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Tax Benefit Payment” is defined in Section 3.01(b) of this Agreement.

 

8


Tax Benefit Schedule” is defined in Section 2.03 of this Agreement.

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.

Taxable Year” means a taxable year as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of state, local or foreign tax law, as applicable, (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than 12 months for which a Tax Return is made) ending on or after the Exchange Date in which there is a Basis Adjustment due to an Exchange.

Taxes” means any and all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments or similar charges measured with respect to net income or profits and any interest related to such Tax.

Taxing Authority” shall mean any domestic, foreign, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.

Treasury Regulations” means the final and temporary regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

Valuation Assumptions” shall mean, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that (1) in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, the Corporate Taxpayer will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the deductions arising from the Basis Adjustment and the Imputed Interest during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Year (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available, (2) the federal income tax rates and state, local and foreign income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date, (3) any loss carryovers or carryback generated by the Basis Adjustment or the Imputed Interest and available as of the Early Termination Date will be utilized by the Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from the Early Termination Date through the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers or carrybacks, (4) any non-amortizable assets are deemed to be disposed of on the fifteenth anniversary of the earlier of the applicable Basis Adjustment and the Early Termination Date; provided, that in the event of a Change of Control, such non-amortizable assets shall be deemed disposed of (a) at the time of sale of the relevant asset (if earlier than such fifteenth anniversary) in the case of Basis Adjustments with respect to Exchanges that have occurred as of the Change of Control or (b) at the earlier of the time of sale of the relevant asset or the fifteenth anniversary of the applicable Basis Adjustment in the case of Basis Adjustments with respect to Exchanges that have not occurred as of the Change of Control and (5) if, at the Early Termination Date, there are Partnership Units that have not been

 

9


Exchanged, then each such Partnership Unit shall be deemed to be Exchanged for Class A Shares with a Market Value of the Class A Shares that would be transferred if the Exchange occurred on the Early Termination Date.

ARTICLE II

DETERMINATION OF REALIZED TAX BENEFIT

Section 2.01. Basic Adjustment Principles. The Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the actual liability for Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer or the other members of the consolidated group of which the Corporate Taxpayer is a member (and such Persons’ allocable share of Taxes of the Partnership or its direct or indirect subsidiaries) for such Taxable Year attributable to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest, determined using a “with and without” methodology. For the avoidance of doubt, the actual liability for Taxes will take into account the deduction of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment (if any) that is accounted for as Imputed Interest. Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local income and franchise tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to the Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest and another portion that is not, such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology. The parties agree that, subject to a change in applicable law, (i) all Tax Benefit Payments attributable to the Basis Adjustments (other than amounts accounted for as Imputed Interest) will be treated as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments and have the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments to Original Assets for the Corporate Taxpayer in the year of payment, and (ii) as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the current year calculation and into future year calculations, as appropriate; provided that the foregoing treatment shall not be required to apply to payments hereunder to a Limited Partner in respect of a Section 734(b) Exchange by such Limited Partner that are attributable to a Basis Adjustment. For the avoidance of doubt, payments made under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest. The parties intend that (a) a Limited Partner that has made a Section 734(b) Exchange shall, with respect to the Basis Adjustment resulting from such Section 734(b) Exchange or any payments hereunder in respect of such Exchange, be entitled to Tax Benefit Payments in respect of such Basis Adjustments only to the extent such Basis Adjustments are allocable (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Corporate Taxpayer) to the Corporate Taxpayer following such Section 734(b) Exchange (without taking into account any concurrent or subsequent Exchanges) and (b) if, as a result of a subsequent Exchange, an increased portion of the Basis Adjustments resulting from such Section 734(b) Exchange or any payments hereunder in respect of such Exchange becomes allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Corporate Taxpayer), then the Limited Partner that makes such subsequent Exchange shall be entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment in respect of such increased portion.

Section 2.02. Exchange Basis Schedule. Within 90 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income tax return of the Corporate Taxpayer for each Taxable Year in which

 

10


any Exchange has been effected, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each applicable Limited Partner a schedule (the “Exchange Basis Schedule”) that shows for purposes of Taxes, (i) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Original Assets as of each applicable Exchange Date, (ii) the Basis Adjustment with respect to the Original Assets as a result of the Exchanges effected in such Taxable Year, calculated in the aggregate, (iii) the period or periods, if any, over which the Original Assets are amortizable and/or depreciable and (iv) the period or periods, if any, over which each Basis Adjustment is amortizable and/or depreciable (which, for non-amortizable assets shall be based on the Valuation Assumptions).

Section 2.03. Tax Benefit Schedule. Within 90 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income tax return of the Corporate Taxpayer for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, the Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to the applicable Limited Partner a schedule showing the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year and the portion thereof allocable to the applicable Limited Partner (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). The Schedule will become final as provided in Section 2.04(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.04(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.04(b)).

Section 2.04. Procedures, Amendments.

(a) Procedure. Every time the Corporate Taxpayer delivers to the applicable Limited Partner an applicable Schedule under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.04(b), but excluding any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, the Corporate Taxpayer shall also (x) deliver to the applicable Limited Partner schedules and work papers providing reasonable detail regarding the preparation of the Schedule and (y) allow the applicable Limited Partner reasonable access, at no cost to such Limited Partner, to the appropriate representatives at the Corporate Taxpayer in connection with a review of such Schedule. The applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on all parties 30 calendar days from the date (the “Date of Receipt”) on which all relevant Limited Partners are treated as having received the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto under Section 7.01, unless a Significant Limited Partner, within 30 calendar days from such Date of Receipt, provides the Corporate Taxpayer with notice of a material objection to such Schedule or amendment thereto (“Objection Notice”) made in good faith; provided, for the sake of clarity, only Significant Limited Partners shall have the right to object to any Schedule or Amended Schedule pursuant to this Section 2.04. If the parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in an Objection Notice within 30 calendar days of receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of such Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Significant Limited Partner shall employ the reconciliation procedures as described in Section 7.09 (the “Reconciliation Procedures”) provided, that if more than one Significant Limited Partner provides an Objection Notice with respect to a Schedule or an Amended Schedule, all issues raised by such Significant Limited Partners shall be subject to a single, consolidated proceeding that employs the Reconciliation Procedures.

(b) Amended Schedule. The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year shall be amended from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct material inaccuracies in the Schedule identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the

 

11


Schedule was provided to the applicable Limited Partner, (iii) to comply with the Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a material change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a material change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year, or (vi) to adjust the Exchange Basis Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”).

ARTICLE III

TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

Section 3.01. Payments.

(a) Payments. Within five (5) calendar days of a Tax Benefit Schedule delivered to an applicable Limited Partner becoming final in accordance with Section 2.04(a), the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to the applicable Limited Partner for such Taxable Year the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment determined pursuant to Section 3.01(b) that is allocable to such Limited Partner (determined in accordance with the principles set forth in Section 2.01). Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account of the applicable Limited Partner previously designated by such Limited Partner to the Corporate Taxpayer or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Limited Partner. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of estimated tax payments, including, without limitation, federal income tax payments.

(b) A “Tax Benefit Payment” means an amount, not less than zero, equal to 85% of the sum of the Net Tax Benefit and the Interest Amount. The “Net Tax Benefit” shall equal: (1) the Corporate Taxpayer’s Realized Tax Benefit, if any, for a Taxable Year plus (2) the amount of the excess, if any, of the Realized Tax Benefit reflected on an Amended Tax Benefit Schedule for a previous Taxable Year over the Realized Tax Benefit (or Realized Tax Detriment (expressed as a negative number)) reflected on the Tax Benefit Schedule for such previous Taxable Year, minus (3) an amount equal to the Corporate Taxpayer’s Realized Tax Detriment (if any) for the current or any previous Taxable Year, minus (4) the amount of the excess, if any, of the Realized Tax Benefit reflected on a Tax Benefit Schedule for a previous Taxable Year over the Realized Tax Benefit (or Realized Tax Detriment (expressed as a negative number)) reflected on the Amended Tax Benefit Schedule for such previous Taxable Year; provided, however, that to the extent the amounts described in 3.01(b)(2), (3) and (4) were taken into account in determining any Tax Benefit Payment in a preceding Taxable Year, such amounts shall not be taken into account in determining a Tax Benefit Payment attributable to any other Taxable Year; provided, further, for the avoidance of doubt, no Limited Partner shall be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment. The “Interest Amount” shall equal the interest on the Net Tax Benefit calculated at the Agreed Rate for the period from (and including) the due date (without extensions) for filing the Corporate Taxpayer Return with respect to Taxes for such Taxable Year until (but excluding) the Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each Taxable Year ending on or after the date of a Change of Control, all Tax Benefit Payments, whether paid with respect to Partnership Units that were Exchanged (i) prior

 

12


to the date of such Change of Control or (ii) on or after the date of such Change of Control, shall be calculated by utilizing Valuation Assumptions (1), (3) and (4), substituting in each case the terms “closing date of a Change of Control” for an “Early Termination Date”.

Section 3.02. No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the above provisions of this Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner as such intentions are realized.

Section 3.03. Pro Rata Payments.

(a) For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent the Corporate Taxpayer’s deduction with respect to the Basis Adjustment is limited in a particular Taxable Year or the Corporate Taxpayer lacks sufficient funds to satisfy its obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due in a particular Taxable Year, the limitation on the deduction, or the Tax Benefit Payments that may be made, as the case may be, shall be taken into account or made for each applicable Limited Partner on a pro rata basis relative to the total amount of deductions with respect to the aggregate Basis Adjustments for all of the applicable Limited Partners (determined in accordance with the principles set forth in Section 2.01).

(b) After taking into account Section 3.03(a), if for any reason the Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the Limited Partners agree that no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior Taxable Years have been made in full.

ARTICLE IV

TERMINATION

Section 4.01. Early Termination and Breach of Agreement.

(a) The Corporate Taxpayer may terminate this Agreement with respect to all amounts payable to the Limited Partners and with respect to all of the Partnership Units held (or previously held and exchanged) by all Limited Partners at any time by paying to each Limited Partner the Early Termination Payment in respect of such Limited Partner; provided, however, that this Agreement shall only terminate upon the receipt of the Early Termination Payment by all Limited Partners, and provided, further, that the Corporate Taxpayer may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.01(a) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon payment of the Early Termination Payment by the Corporate Taxpayer, neither the applicable Limited Partners nor the Corporate Taxpayer shall have any further payment obligations under this Agreement in respect of such Limited Partners, other than for any (a) Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Limited Partner as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (b) Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (b) is included in the Early Termination Payment). If an Exchange occurs after the Corporate Taxpayer exercises its termination rights under this Section 4.01(a), the Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.

 

13


(b) Upon the occurrence of any Acceleration Event all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Acceleration Event and shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Acceleration Event, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by the Corporate Taxpayer and any Limited Partners as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of such Acceleration Event, and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of an Acceleration Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an Acceleration Event, the Limited Partners shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in (1), (2) and (3), above or to seek specific performance of the terms hereof.

(c) The undersigned parties agree that the aggregate value of the Tax Benefit Payments cannot be ascertained with any reasonable certainty for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 4.02. Early Termination Notice. If the Corporate Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.01 above, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each Limited Partner notice of such intention to exercise such right (“Early Termination Notice”) and a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) specifying the Corporate Taxpayer’s intention to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment. The applicable Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on all parties unless a Significant Limited Partner, within 30 calendar days after receiving the Early Termination Schedule thereto provides the Corporate Taxpayer with notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (“Material Objection Notice”); provided, for the sake of clarity, only Significant Limited Partners shall have the right to object to any Schedule or Amended Schedule pursuant to this Section 4.02. If the parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such notice within 30 calendar days after receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of the Material Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Significant Limited Partner shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures as described in Section 7.09.

Section 4.03. Payment upon Early Termination. (a) Within three calendar days after the Early Termination Schedule becomes final and binding pursuant to this Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to each Limited Partner an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment applicable to such Limited Partner. Such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the applicable Limited Partner or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Limited Partner.

(b) The “Early Termination Payment” as of the date of the delivery of an Early Termination Schedule shall equal with respect to each Limited Partner the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of such date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be required to be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer to such Limited Partner beginning from the Early Termination Date assuming the Valuation Assumptions are applied.

 

14


ARTICLE V

SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

Section 5.01. Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment required to be made by the Corporate Taxpayer to the applicable Limited Partner under this Agreement (an “Exchange Payment”) shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries (“Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporate Taxpayer that are not Senior Obligations.

Section 5.02. Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer. The amount of all or any portion of any Exchange Payment not made to the applicable Limited Partner when due under the terms of this Agreement shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the date on which such Exchange Payment was due and payable.

ARTICLE VI

NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

Section 6.01. The Corporate Taxpayer’s and the Partnership’s Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership, including without limitation the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes.

Section 6.02. Consistency. The Corporate Taxpayer, the Partnership and the applicable Limited Partner agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including federal, state, local and foreign Tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Tax-related items (including without limitation the Basis Adjustment and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that specified by the Corporate Taxpayer in any Schedule required to be provided by or on behalf of the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement.

Section 6.03. Cooperation. The applicable Limited Partner shall (a) furnish to the Corporate Taxpayer in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the Corporate Taxpayer may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to the Corporate Taxpayer and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the Corporate Taxpayer or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter, and the Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse the applicable Limited Partner for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section.

 

15


Section 6.04. Tax Contests. The Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership shall use reasonable efforts (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the interests and entitlements of all Limited Partners under this Agreement) to defend the Tax treatment contemplated by this Agreement and any Schedule in any audit, contest or similar proceeding with any Taxing Authority.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.01. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, by facsimile upon confirmation of transmission by the sender’s fax machine if sent on a Business Day (or otherwise on the next Business Day) or by email upon confirmation of transmission or (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

If to the Corporate Taxpayer, to:

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale

E-mail: jyl@pjtpartners.com; cuminale@pjtpartners.com

with a copy to:

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10153

Attn: Barry M. Wolf; Michael J. Aiello

Facsimile: (212) 310-8007

E-mail: barry.wolf@weil.com; michael.aiello@weil.com

If to the applicable Limited Partner, to:

The address, facsimile number and email address set forth in the records of the Partnership.

Any party may change its address, fax number or email address by giving the other party written notice of its new address, fax number or email address in the manner set forth above.

Section 7.02. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become

 

16


effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or email transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 7.03. Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 7.04. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Section 7.05. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

Section 7.06. Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers.

(a) No Limited Partner may assign this Agreement to any person without the prior written consent of the Corporate Taxpayer; provided, however, (i) that, to the extent Partnership Units are effectively transferred in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the transferring Limited Partner shall assign to the transferee of such Partnership Units the transferring Limited Partner’s rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Partnership Units, as long as such transferee has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such transfer, executes and delivers, a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporate Taxpayer, agreeing to become a “Limited Partner” for all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such joinder, and (ii) that, once an Exchange has occurred, any and all payments that may become payable to a Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Exchange may be assigned to any Person or Persons, as long as any such Person has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such assignment, executes and delivers, a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporate Taxpayer, agreeing to be bound by Section 7.12 and acknowledging specifically the last sentence of Section 7.06(c). To the extent the Partnership issues Partnership Units in the future, the Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership shall be entitled, in their sole discretion, to make any holder of such Partnership Units a Limited Partner hereunder through such holder’s execution and delivery of a joinder to this Agreement, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership.

 

17


(b) No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by the Corporate Taxpayer, on behalf of itself and the Partnership, and by the Limited Partners who would be entitled to receive at least two-thirds of the total amount of the Early Termination Payments payable to all Limited Partners hereunder if the Corporate Taxpayer had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange); provided, that no such amendment shall be effective if such amendment will have a disproportionate effect on the payments certain Limited Partners will or may receive under this Agreement unless such amendment is consented in writing by the Limited Partners disproportionately affected who would be entitled to receive at least two-thirds of the total amount of the Early Termination Payments payable to all Limited Partners disproportionately affected hereunder if the Corporate Taxpayer had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange). No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

(c) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporate Taxpayer shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporate Taxpayer, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event a Significant Limited Partner transfers his Partnership Units to a Transferee (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), excluding any other Significant Limited Partner, such Significant Limited Partner shall have the right, on behalf of such transferee, to enforce the provisions of Sections 2.04 or 4.02 with respect to such transferred Partnership Units.

Section 7.07. Titles and Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 7.08. Resolution of Disputes.

(a) Any and all disputes which are not governed by Section 7.09 and cannot be settled amicably, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in New York in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator

 

18


within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language.

Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the Corporate Taxpayer may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each Limited Partner (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.08 to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate, and (iii) irrevocably appoints the Corporate Taxpayer as such Limited Partner’s agent for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise such Limited Partner of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Limited Partner in any such action or proceeding.

(c) (i) EACH LIMITED PARTNER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 7.08, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another.

(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in the preceding paragraph of this Section 7.08 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

Section 7.09. Reconciliation. In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Significant Limited Partner are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by Sections 2.04, 4.02 and 6.02 within the relevant period designated in this Agreement (“Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the “Expert”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to both parties. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting firm or a law firm, and the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with the Corporate Taxpayer or the applicable Significant Limited Partner or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, the Expert shall be appointed by the International

 

19


Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Exchange Basis Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within 30 calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within 15 calendar days or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne by the Corporate Taxpayer; except as provided in the next sentence. The Corporate Taxpayer and each applicable Significant Limited Partner shall bear their own costs and expenses of such proceeding, unless the Significant Limited Partner has a prevailing position that is more than 10% of the disputed amount of the payment at issue, in which case the Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse such Significant Limited Partner for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.09 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.09 shall be binding on the Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Significant Limited Partner and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.

Section 7.10. Withholding. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the applicable Limited Partner.

Section 7.11. Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.

(a) If the Corporate Taxpayer becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income tax return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state, local or foreign law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments or other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.

(b) If (i) the Partnership transfers (or is deemed to transfer for U.S. federal income tax purposes) any Original Asset or (ii) the Corporate Taxpayer (or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) transfers or is deemed to transfer any Partnership Unit, in either case, to a transferee that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than a member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) in a transaction in which the transferee’s basis in the property acquired is determined in whole or in part by reference to such transferor’s basis in such property, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership shall cause

 

20


such transferee to assume the obligation to make payments hereunder with respect to the applicable Basis Adjustments associated with any Original Asset or interest therein acquired (directly or indirectly) in such transfer (taking into account any gain recognized in the transaction) in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement as the transferee (or one of its Affiliates) actually realizes Tax benefits. If any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a) that owns any Partnership Unit deconsolidates from the group (or the Corporate Taxpayer deconsolidates from the group), then the Corporate Taxpayer shall cause such member (or the parent of the consolidated group in a case where the Corporate Taxpayer deconsolidates from the group) to assume the obligation to make payments hereunder with respect to the applicable Basis Adjustments associated with any Original Asset it owns (directly or indirectly) in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement as the member (or one of its Affiliates) actually realizes Tax benefits. If a transferee or a member of a group described in Section 7.11(a) assumes an obligation to make payments hereunder pursuant to either of the foregoing sentences, then the initial obligor is relieved of the obligation assumed.

(c) If the Corporate Taxpayer (or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) transfers (or is deemed to transfer for U.S. federal income tax purposes) any Partnership Unit in a transaction that is wholly or partially taxable, then for purposes of calculating payments under this Agreement the Partnership shall be treated as having disposed of the portion of any Original Asset that is indirectly transferred by the Corporate Taxpayer (i.e., taking into account the number of Partnership Units transferred) in a wholly or partially taxable transaction in which all income, gain or loss is allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer. The consideration deemed to be received by the Partnership shall be equal to the fair market value of the deemed transferred asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such asset, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest.

Section 7.12. Confidentiality. Each Limited Partner and assignee acknowledges and agrees that the information of the Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not to disclose to any Person all confidential matters, acquired pursuant to this Agreement, of the Corporate Taxpayer, or any of its Affiliates and successors and the other Limited Partners, including, without limitation, the business affairs of the Corporate Taxpayer its Affiliates and successors, the other Limited Partners learned by the Limited Partner heretofore or hereafter. This clause 7.12 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of such Limited Partner in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for a Limited Partner to prepare and file his or her tax returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any taxing authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any taxing authority with respect to such returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each Limited Partner (and each employee, representative or other agent of such Limited Partner) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of (x) the Corporate Taxpayer and (y) any of its transactions, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Limited Partners relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

 

21


If a Limited Partner or assignee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.12, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.12 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Subsidiaries or the other Limited Partners and the accounts and funds managed by the Corporate Taxpayer and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

Section 7.13. Partnership Agreement. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the partnership agreement of the Partnership as described in Section 761(c) of the Code, and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.

Section 7.14. Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in law, a Limited Partner reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by the Limited Partner upon any Exchange by such Limited Partner to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates) for U.S. federal income tax purposes or would have other material adverse tax consequences to such Limited Partner, then at the election of such Limited Partner and to the extent specified by such Limited Partner, this Agreement (i) shall cease to have further effect with respect to such Limited Partner, (ii) shall not apply to an Exchange by such Limited Partner occurring after a date specified by such Limited Partner, or (iii) shall otherwise be amended in a manner determined by such Limited Partner, provided that such amendment shall not result in an increase in payments under this Agreement at any time as compared to the amounts and times of payments that would have been due in the absence of such amendment or result in any other material adverse consequence to the Corporate Taxpayer, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates or any other Limited Partner.

Section 7.15. Independent Nature of Limited Partners’ Rights and Obligations. The obligations of each Limited Partner hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Limited Partner, and no Limited Partner shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Limited Partner hereunder. The decision of each Limited Partner to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Limited Partner independently of any other Limited Partner. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Limited Partner pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Limited Partners as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Limited Partners are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby and the Corporate Taxpayer acknowledges that the Limited Partners are not acting in concert or as a group, and the Corporate Taxpayer will not assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

22


Section 7.16. Interpretation. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

23


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer, the Partnership and each Limited Partner have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
PJT PARTNERS HOLDINGS LP
By:   PJT Partners Inc., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer


LIMITED PARTNERS
Each of the Limited Partners set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.
By:   Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as attorney-in-fact
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

Name:   John G. Finley
Title:   Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
EX-10.8 13 d21345dex108.htm EX-10.8 EX-10.8

Exhibit 10.8

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

OF

PJT PARTNERS INC.

Dated as of October 1, 2015

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER MATTERS   

Section 1.1

  

Definitions

     1   

Section 1.2

  

Definitions Generally

     4   
ARTICLE II   
REGISTRATION RIGHTS   

Section 2.1

  

Exchange Registration

     5   

Section 2.2

  

Demand Registration

     6   

Section 2.3

  

Piggyback Registration

     7   

Section 2.4

  

Lock-Up Agreements

     10   

Section 2.5

  

Registration Procedures

     10   

Section 2.6

  

Indemnification by the Company

     14   

Section 2.7

  

Indemnification by Registering Covered Persons

     14   

Section 2.8

  

Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings

     15   

Section 2.9

  

Contribution

     16   

Section 2.10

  

Participation by Covered Persons

     16   

Section 2.11

  

Parties in Interest

     16   

Section 2.12

  

Acknowledgement Regarding the Company

     17   

Section 2.13

  

Cooperation by the Company

     17   
ARTICLE III   
MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 3.1

  

Term of the Agreement; Termination of Certain Provisions

     17   

Section 3.2

  

Assignment; Successors

     17   

Section 3.3

  

Governing Law

     18   

Section 3.4

  

Severability

     18   

Section 3.5

  

Entire Agreement

     18   

Section 3.6

  

Successors and Assigns; Certain Transferees Bound Hereby

     18   

Section 3.7

  

Counterparts

     18   

Section 3.8

  

Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

     18   

Section 3.9

  

Notices

     19   

Section 3.10

  

Specific Performance

     20   

Section 3.11

  

Descriptive Headings

     20   

Appendix A

  

Covered Person Questionnaire

  

 

i


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (including Appendix A hereto, as such Appendix A may be amended from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, this “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of October 1, 2015, by and among PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the Covered Persons (defined below) from time to time party hereto.

WHEREAS, the Covered Persons are holders of Partnership Units (defined below), which, subject to certain restrictions and requirements, are exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for cash or, at the option of the Company, for shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) on a quarterly basis, from and after the first anniversary of the date that The Blackstone Group L.P. consummates the pro rata distribution to its common unitholders of Class A Common Stock (as contemplated by the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36869)) (the “Form 10”); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide the Covered Persons with registration rights as provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements, covenants and provisions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER MATTERS

Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without other definition shall, unless expressly stated otherwise, have the meanings specified in this Section 1.1:

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Class A Common Stock” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

Company” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble.

Covered Partnership Units” means, with respect to a Covered Person, such Covered Person’s Partnership Units.

Covered Person” means those persons, other than the Company, who shall from time to time be parties to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof (including Permitted Transferees).

Cut-Off Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

 

1


Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(d).

Demand Committee” shall mean a committee composed of each Covered Person that constitutes a “Significant Limited Partner” as defined in the Partnership Agreement, for so long as such Covered Person would, assuming the exchange of all such Covered Person’s Covered Partnership Units, hold Registrable Securities representing at least 2% of the then-outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. If at any time there is no such Covered Person, there shall cease to be a Demand Committee and Sections 2.2 and 2.3 hereof shall have no further force or effect.

Demand Notice” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Demand Registration” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Election of Exchange” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of or about the date hereof among the Company, the Partnership and holders of Partnership Units from time to time party thereto, as amended from time to time.

Exchange Rate” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Exchange Registration” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Governmental Authority” means any national, local or foreign (including U.S. federal, state or local) or supranational (including European Union) governmental, judicial, administrative or regulatory (including self-regulatory) agency, commission, department, board, bureau, entity or authority of competent jurisdiction.

Indemnified Parties” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.6.

Lock-Up Period” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4.

Maximum Offering Size” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(c).

Other Registration Rights” means any securities of the Company proposed to be included in such registration by the holders of registration rights granted other than pursuant to this Agreement.

Partnership” means PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

2


Partnership Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP dated as of or about the date hereof, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Partnership Unit” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Permitted Transferee” means any transferee of a Partnership Unit after the date hereof the transfer of which was permitted by the Partnership Agreement.

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a).

Primary Issuance Funding” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Primary Issuance Funding Securities” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Public Offering” means an underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any similar or successor form.

Quarterly Exchange Date” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Registering Covered Person” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.5(a).

Registrable Securities” means shares of Class A Common Stock that may be delivered in exchange for Partnership Units and other shares of Class A Common Stock otherwise held by Covered Persons from time to time. For purposes of this Agreement, Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) a registration statement covering resales of such Registrable Securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (ii) such Registrable Securities are eligible to be publicly resold by the Covered Person owning such Registrable Securities (including Registrable Securities deliverable to a Covered Person under an effective Exchange Registration) pursuant to Rule 144(b)(1) under the Securities Act or, in the case of Registrable Securities that are not “restricted securities” under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act (or, in each case, any successor provision then in effect) or (iii) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding (or issuable upon exchange).

Registration Expenses” means any and all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with any registration or marketing of securities, including all (i) SEC and securities exchange registration and filing fees, and all other fees and expenses payable in connection with the listing of securities on any securities exchange or automated interdealer quotation system, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with any securities or “blue sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the securities registered), (iii) expenses in connection with the preparation, printing, mailing and delivery of any registration statements, prospectuses and other documents in connection therewith and any

 

3


amendments or supplements thereto, (iv) security engraving and printing expenses, (v) internal expenses of the Company and the Partnership (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of the officers and employees of the Company or the Partnership performing legal or accounting duties), (vi) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company or the Partnership and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company or the Partnership (including the expenses relating to any comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent certified public accountants of any comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 2.5(i)), (vii) reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company or the Partnership in connection with such registration, (viii) in connection with a registration pursuant to Sections 2.2 or 2.3, reasonable fees of not more than one counsel for all of the Covered Persons participating in the offering selected by the Demand Committee, (ix) fees and expenses in connection with any review by FINRA of the underwriting arrangements or other terms of the offering, and all fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter,” including the fees and expenses of any counsel thereto, (x) fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, but excluding any underwriting fees, discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, (xi) costs of printing and producing any agreements among underwriters, underwriting agreements, any “blue sky” or legal investment memoranda and any selling agreements and other documents in connection with the offering, sale or delivery of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, (xii) transfer agents’ and registrars’ reasonable fees and expenses and the reasonable fees and expenses of any other agent or trustee appointed in connection with such offering, (xiii) expenses relating to any analyst or investor presentations or any “road shows” undertaken in connection with the registration, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities and (xiv) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Company, the Partnership or their appropriate officers in connection with their compliance with Section 2.5(m). Registration Expenses shall exclude any internal expenses of each Covered Person and any stock transfer taxes.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Stock Amount” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Suspension Period” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.5(k).

Section 1.2 Definitions Generally. Wherever required by the context of this Agreement, the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa, and references to any agreement, document or instrument shall be deemed to refer to such agreement, document or instrument as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time. When used herein:

(a) the word “or” is not exclusive;

 

4


(b) the words “including,” “includes,” “included” and “include” are deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(c) the terms “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision;

(d) the word “person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership or other legal entity or a government or any department or agency thereof or self-regulatory organization; and

(e) all section, paragraph or clause references not attributed to a particular document shall be references to such parts of this Agreement, and all exhibit, annex and schedule references not attributed to a particular document shall be references to such exhibits, annexes and schedules to this Agreement.

Nothing herein shall be construed to alter, amend, extend or otherwise modify the rights, obligations, terms and conditions of any other agreements involving the Company and the Covered Persons, including without limitation, the Exchange Agreement.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 2.1 Exchange Registration.

(a) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC prior to the time that Partnership Units held by Covered Persons become eligible for exchange pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement and cause to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the SEC promptly thereafter, one or more registration statements (the “Exchange Registration”) covering (i) the delivery by the Company from time to time to the Covered Persons of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would be deliverable to the Covered Persons in exchange for Partnership Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement assuming that all Partnership Units held by Covered Persons were exchanged for the Stock Amount or (ii) if the Company determines that the registration provided for in clause (i) is not available for any reason, the registration of resale of such shares of Class A Common Stock by the Covered Persons.

(b) The Company shall be liable for and pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Exchange Registration, regardless of whether such registration becomes effective.

(c) Upon notice to each Covered Person, the Company may postpone effecting a registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 for a reasonable time specified in the notice but not exceeding 90 days, if (i) the Board shall determine in good faith that effecting the registration would materially and adversely affect an offering of securities of the Company the preparation of which had then been commenced or (ii) the Company

 

5


is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which during the period specified in such notice the Board believes in good faith would not be in the best interests of the Company.

Section 2.2 Demand Registration.

(a) To the extent one or more Covered Persons have delivered Elections of Exchange pursuant to the Exchange Agreement in respect of any Quarterly Exchange Date covering Partnership Units having an aggregate market value (based on the most recent closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the securities exchange on which such Class A Common Stock is listed at the time of the applicable Demand Notice (as defined below)) of at least $75 million, the Demand Committee shall have the right at any time prior to the applicable Cut-Off Date to provide a written request to the Company (a “Demand Notice”) that the Company effect the registration under the Securities Act of, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, (x) the offer and sale by such Covered Persons of Registrable Securities that the Company shall deliver to such Covered Persons, at or prior to the settlement of such offering, in exchange for the Partnership Units that are the subject of such Elections of Exchange at the applicable Exchange Rate or (y) the offer and sale by the Company of a number of shares of Class A Common Stock (“Primary Issuance Funding Securities”) equal to the product of the number of Partnership Units that are the subject of such Elections of Exchange multiplied by the Exchange Rate, the net proceeds of which issuance (determined after deduction of any underwriting discounts and commissions, but not of any other offering expenses, including Registration Expenses) the Company shall use to acquire from such Covered Persons the Partnership Units that are the subject of such Elections of Exchange (a “Demand Registration”), whereupon the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable, subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Section 2.2, such registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities for which the Demand Committee has requested registration under this Section 2.2, all to the extent necessary to permit the offer and sale (in accordance with the intended methods thereof as aforesaid) of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities to be so registered; provided, however, that the Company will not be obligated to effect any such requested registration within 180 days after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration. The public offering price for any Public Offering of Primary Issuance Funding Securities shall be determined as mutually agreed upon between the Company and the lead managing underwriters of such a Public Offering. Each Demand Notice delivered pursuant to this section 2.2(a) shall include the information set forth under Section 2.5(j) to the extent applicable. The Company shall inform the Demand Committee immediately upon request of the number of Partnership Units in respect of which Covered Persons have delivered Elections of Exchange for any Quarterly Exchange Date.

(b) At any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating to a Demand Registration, the Demand Committee may revoke such Demand Notice by providing a notice to the Company revoking such Demand Notice. The Company shall be liable for and pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Demand Registration.

 

6


(c) If a Demand Registration involves a Public Offering and the sole or managing underwriters advise the Company that, in their view, the number of Registrable Securities, Primary Issuance Funding Securities and/or other securities that the Company and such Covered Persons intend to include in such registration exceeds the largest number of Registrable Securities, Primary Issuance Funding Securities and/or other securities that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the distribution of the securities being offered, the price that will be paid in such offering or the marketability thereof (the “Maximum Offering Size”), the Company shall include in such registration, in the following priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size:

(i) first, all Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities requested to be registered in the Demand Registration by the Demand Committee (allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, in such proportions as shall be determined by the Demand Committee);

(ii) second, any securities other than Primary Issuance Funding Securities proposed to be registered by the Company for its own account and any securities entitled to Other Registration Rights requested to be registered by the holders thereof, ratably among the Company and the holders of such Other Registration Rights, based (A) as between the Company and the holders of such Other Registration Rights, on the respective amounts of securities requested to be registered, and (B) as among the holders of such Other Registration Rights, on the respective amounts of securities subject to such Other Registration Rights held by each such holder.

(d) Upon notice to the Demand Committee, the Company may postpone filing (but not the preparation of) a registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 for a reasonable time not exceeding 60 days thereafter or 90 days in any 365-day period, if (i) the Board or a committee of the Board shall determine in good faith that the filing of such registration statement or effecting a registration would materially and adversely affect an offering of securities of the Company the preparation of which had then been commenced or (ii) the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which, during the period specified in such notice the Board or a committee of the Board believes in good faith, would not be in the best interests of the Company, or would have a material adverse effect on any active proposal by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to engage in any material acquisition, merger, consolidation, tender offer, other business combination, reorganization, securities offering or other material transaction.

Section 2.3 Piggyback Registration.

(a) Subject to any contractual obligations to the contrary, if the Company proposes at any time to register any of the equity securities issued by it under the Securities Act (other than (i) an Exchange Registration, (ii) a registration statement filed in connection with a Primary Issuance Funding under the Exchange Agreement, (iii) a registration on Form S-8 or any successor form relating to Class A Common Stock issuable in connection with any employee benefit or similar plan of the Company, (iv) a registration on Form S-4 or any successor form in connection with a direct or indirect

 

7


acquisition by the Company of another person or as a recapitalization or reclassification of securities of the Company, (v) a registration in connection with any dividend reinvestment or similar plan, or (vi) a registration in which the only common stock being registered is common stock issuable upon conversion of debt securities which are also being registered), whether or not for sale for its own account, the Company shall each such time give prompt notice at least 10 business days prior to the anticipated filing date of the registration statement relating to such registration to the Demand Committee, which notice shall offer the Demand Committee the opportunity to elect to require that the Company register in such registration statement (x) the number of Registrable Securities of the same class or series as those proposed to be registered as the Demand Committee may request or (y) in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, Primary Issuance Funding Securities of the same class or series as those proposed to be registered in such amount (a “Piggyback Registration”), subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(b). If the Demand Committee elects to effect a Piggyback Registration, the Company shall give notice of the registration statement relating to such registration to those Covered Persons whom the Demand Committee determines to afford participation in the Piggyback Registration. Upon the request of the Demand Committee, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities that the Company has been so requested to register by the Demand Committee, to the extent necessary to permit the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities to be so registered; provided that (i) if such registration involves a Public Offering and the Company has elected to register the offer and sale by Covered Persons of Registrable Securities rather than the offer and sale by the Company of Primary Issuance Funding Securities, all such Covered Persons to be included in the Company’s registration must sell their Registrable Securities to the underwriters selected by the Company on the same terms and conditions as apply to the Company or any other selling person, as applicable, and (ii) if, at any time after giving notice of its intention to register any securities pursuant to this Section 2.3(a) and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company shall give notice of such determination to the Demand Committee and, thereupon shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities in connection with such registration, or shall be permitted to delay registration of such securities, as the case may be. No registration effected under this Section 2.3 shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect an Exchange Registration or Demand Registration to the extent required by Section 2.1 or Section 2.2, respectively. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each Piggyback Registration.

 

8


(b) Subject to Section 2.2(c) and any other contractual obligations to the contrary, if a Piggyback Registration involves a Public Offering and the sole or managing underwriters advise the Company that, in their view, the number of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities that the Company and such Covered Persons intend to include in such registration exceeds the Maximum Offering Size, the Company shall include in such registration, in the following priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size:

(i) first, (A) where the Public Offering is initiated by the Company, any securities other than Primary Issuance Funding Securities proposed to be registered by the Company for its own account or (B) where the Public Offering is an underwritten secondary registration initiated by holders of Other Registration Rights (such holders, the “Initiating Holders”), any securities proposed to be registered pursuant to any demand registration rights of such Initiating Holders;

(ii) second, (A) where the Public Offering is initiated by the Company, (x) any Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities requested to be registered by the Demand Committee and (y) any Company securities entitled to Other Registration Rights that are pari passu with the Piggyback Registration rights of Covered Persons hereunder requested to be registered by the holders thereof, ratably among the participating Covered Persons and holders of such Other Registration Rights based on the respective amounts of securities each has requested to be included or (B) where the Public Offering is an underwritten secondary registration initiated by holders of Other Registration Rights, (x) any Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities requested to be registered by the Demand Committee, (y) any Company securities (other than those held by the Initiating Holders) entitled to Other Registration Rights that are pari passu with the Piggyback Registration rights of Covered Persons hereunder requested to be registered by the holders thereof and (z) any securities other than Primary Issuance Funding Securities proposed to be registered by the Company for its own account, ratably among the Company, such participating Covered Persons and such holders of Other Registration Rights based on the respective amounts of securities the Company has proposed to include and the Demand Committee and such holders of Other Registration Rights have requested to be included; and

(iii) third, any securities proposed to be registered for the account of any other persons with such priorities among them as the Company shall determine.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 2.3 or elsewhere in this Agreement, no provision relating to the registration of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities shall be construed as permitting any Covered Person to effect a transfer of securities, including shares of Class A Common Stock or Partnership Units, that is otherwise prohibited by the terms of any agreement between such Covered Person and the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Unless the Company shall otherwise consent, the Company shall not be obligated to provide notice or afford Piggyback Registration to any Covered Person pursuant to this Section 2.3 unless some or all of such person’s Registrable Securities are permitted to be transferred under the terms of applicable agreements between such person and the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(d) In connection with a Piggyback Registration pursuant to this Section 2.3, a participating Covered Person will, if requested by the Company, execute and deliver a custody agreement and power of attorney in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company with respect to such Covered Person’s Registrable Securities or Covered

 

9


Partnership Units (in the case of a registration of Primary Issuance Funding Securities) to be sold in connection with such Piggyback Registration and such other agreements as the Company may reasonably request to further evidence the provisions of this Section 2.3.

Section 2.4 Lock-Up Agreements. The Company and each Covered Person agree, and the Company will cause its Directors and each of its “officers,” as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act (the “Officers”) to agree, that in connection with any Public Offering of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, if so requested by the lead managing underwriters in any Public Offering, the Company will not and each Covered Person, without the written consent of the Demand Committee, will not (x) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of the securities being registered or any securities convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities or (y) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the securities being registered or any securities convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities (except, in each case, as part of such Public Offering), during the period (the “Lock-Up Period”), subject to customary exceptions as may be agreed among the Company, each of its Directors and each of its Officers and the lead managing underwriters of such Public Offering, beginning 14 days prior to the effective date of the applicable registration statement until the earlier of (i) such time as the Company and the lead managing underwriters shall agree and (ii) 180 days following the pricing of such Public Offering.

Section 2.5 Registration Procedures. In connection with any Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration pursuant to Sections 2.2 or 2.3, subject to the provisions of such Sections, the paragraphs below shall be applicable, and in connection with any Exchange Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, paragraphs (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (k), (l) and (n) below shall be applicable:

(a) The Company shall as expeditiously as reasonably practicable prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or that counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the registration of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as the case may be, to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such filed registration statement to become and remain effective for a period of not less than 40 days, or in the case of an Exchange Registration until all of the Registrable Securities of the Covered Persons included in any such registration statement (each, a “Registering Covered Person”) shall have actually been exchanged thereunder.

(b) Prior to filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, the Company shall, if requested, furnish to each Registering Covered Person, if any, and each underwriter, if any, of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter the Company shall furnish to such Registering Covered Person, if any, and underwriter, if any, such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case

 

10


including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 or Rule 430A under the Securities Act and such other documents as such Registering Covered Person, if any, or underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the applicable Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities. Each Registering Covered Person, if any, shall have the right to request that the Company modify any information contained in such registration statement, amendment and supplement thereto pertaining to such Registering Covered Person and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with such request, provided, however, that the Company shall not have any obligation to so modify any information if the Company reasonably expects that so doing would cause the prospectus to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

(c) After the filing of the registration statement, the Company shall (i) cause the related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, (ii) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as applicable, covered by such registration statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition set forth in such registration statement or supplement to such prospectus and (iii) promptly notify each Registering Covered Person, if any, holding Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement of any stop order issued or threatened by the SEC suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or any state securities commission and take all commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of such stop order or to obtain the withdrawal of such order if entered.

(d) To the extent any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) is used, the Company shall file with the SEC any free writing prospectus that is required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act and retain any free writing prospectus not required to be filed.

(e) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as applicable, covered by such registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Registering Covered Person holding any such Registrable Securities or each underwriter, if any, reasonably (in light of such member’s intended plan of distribution) requests and (ii) cause such Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as applicable, to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable any such Registering Covered Person to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such person, or, in the case of Primary Issuance Funding Securities, to permit the offer and sale by the Company of such Primary Issuance Funding Securities; provided, in each case, that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in

 

11


any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 2.5(e), (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.

(f) If, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act to purchasers of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, there shall occur an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, the Company shall immediately notify each Registering Covered Person, if any, or each underwriter, if any, of the occurrence of such event and promptly prepare and make available to each such Registering Covered Person, if any, or underwriter, if any, and file with the SEC any such supplement or amendment.

(g) The Demand Committee shall select an underwriter or underwriters in connection with any Public Offering, except in connection with Piggyback Registrations. In connection with any Public Offering, the Company shall enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form and reasonably acceptable to the Company) and take such all other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as applicable, in any such Public Offering, including if necessary the engagement of a “qualified independent underwriter” in connection with the qualification of the underwriting arrangements with FINRA.

(h) Subject to the execution of confidentiality agreements satisfactory in form and substance to the Company in the exercise of its good faith judgment, pursuant to the reasonable request of the Demand Committee or underwriter (if any), the Company will give to each Registering Covered Person (if any), each underwriter (if any) and their respective counsel and accountants (i) reasonable and customary access to its books and records and (ii) such opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its directors, officers, employees, counsel and the independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements, as shall be appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of counsel to such Registering Covered Person or underwriters, to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility.

(i) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to each such underwriter, if any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such underwriters, of (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel to the Company and (ii) a comfort letter or comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants, each in customary form and covering such matters of the kind customarily covered by opinions or comfort letters, as the case may be, as such underwriters reasonably request.

(j) Each Registering Covered Person, if any, registering securities under Sections 2.2 or 2.3 shall promptly furnish in writing to the Company the information set forth in Appendix A and such other information regarding itself and the distribution of

 

12


the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required or advisable in connection with such registration.

(k) Each Registering Covered Person, if any, and each underwriter, if any, agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.5(f), such Registering Covered Person or underwriters shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as applicable, pursuant to the registration statement covering such securities until such Registering Covered Person’s or underwriter’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.5(f), provided, however, that for a reasonable time not exceeding 60 days thereafter or 90 days in any 365-day period (the “Suspension Period”) the Company may suspend the use or effectiveness of any registration statement, if the Company’s Board determines, in its sole discretion, that the Company is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which during the period specified in such notice the Company believes in good faith would not be in the best interests of the Company. If the Company imposes a Suspension Period pursuant to this Section 2.5(k), it shall provide written notice of the same to the Demand Committee, each Registering Covered Person, if any, and each underwriter, if any, and specifying the length of such Suspension Period, and, if so directed by the Company, such Registering Covered Person, if any, or underwriter shall deliver to the Company all copies, other than any permanent file copies then in such Registering Covered Person’s or underwriter’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 2.5(a)) by the number of days during the period from and including the date that the use of such registration statement was first suspended pursuant to this Section 2.5(k) to the date when the Company shall file with the SEC a prospectus supplemented or amended to conform with the requirements of Section 2.5(f).

(l) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to list all Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities covered by such registration statement on any securities exchange or quotation system on which any of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities are then listed or traded.

(m) The Company shall cause appropriate officers of the Company or the Partnership to (i) prepare and make presentations at any “road shows” and before analysts and rating agencies, as the case may be, (ii) take other actions to obtain ratings for any Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as applicable, and (iii) otherwise use their commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the underwriters in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities.

(n) The Company shall facilitate the timely delivery of the Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities to be sold, which shall not bear any

 

13


restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names as such Registering Covered Persons, if any, or the underwriters, if any, may reasonably request at least two business days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities or Primary Issuance Funding Securities.

Section 2.6 Indemnification by the Company. In the event of any registration of any Registrable Securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Article II, the Company will, and it hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, a Registering Covered Person, each affiliate of such Registering Covered Person and their respective directors and officers or general and limited partners or members and managing members (including any director, officer, affiliate, employee, agent and controlling person of any of the foregoing) and each other person, if any, who controls such Registering Covered Person within the meaning of the Securities Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred) (together, “Losses”), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto under which such Registrable Securities were registered or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any such case to the extent that any such Losses are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding a Registering Covered Person furnished to the Company by such Registering Covered Person or other Indemnified Party with respect to such seller or any underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

Section 2.7 Indemnification by Registering Covered Persons. Each Registering Covered Person hereby severally and not jointly indemnifies and holds harmless, and the Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed in accordance with this Article II, that the Company shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from any underwriter to indemnify and hold harmless, the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities, each officer of the Company who signed the registration statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in Section 2.6 above, but only with respect to any Losses that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made

 

14


in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Registering Covered Person or any underwriter specifically for use in the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act in respect of the Registrable Securities, or amendment or supplement thereto. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company, any of the Registering Covered Persons or any underwriter, or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers or controlling persons and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such person. In no event shall any such indemnification liability of any Registering Covered Person be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such Registering Covered Person (after deduction of any underwriting discounts and commissions but before expenses) upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

Section 2.8 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Article II, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action; provided, that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Article II, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice.

In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, unless in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such Indemnified Party and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. It is understood and agreed that the indemnifying person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for any Covered Person, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Indemnified Party shall be designated in writing by the Demand Committee, (y) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Board. The indemnifying person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such

 

15


Indemnified Party, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.

Section 2.9 Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Article II from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and Indemnified Parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or Indemnified Parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party under this Section 2.9 as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.9 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

Section 2.10 Participation by Covered Persons. No Covered Person may participate in any Public Offering (or sell Partnership Units to the Company in connection with the Company’s issuance of Primary Issuance Funding Securities, as contemplated by Section 2.2(a)) unless such Covered Person (a) agrees to sell such Covered Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting or purchase arrangements approved by the Covered Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting or purchase agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and the provisions of this Agreement in respect of registration rights.

Section 2.11 Parties in Interest. Each Covered Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits of this Agreement and shall be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement by reason of such Covered Person’s election to participate in a registration under this Article II. To the extent Partnership Units are effectively transferred in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the Permitted Transferee of such Partnership Units shall be entitled to receive the benefits of this Agreement and shall be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement upon becoming bound hereby pursuant to Section 3.1(c).

 

16


Section 2.12 Acknowledgement Regarding the Company. Other than those determinations reserved expressly to the Demand Committee, all determinations necessary or advisable under this Article II shall be made by the Board, the determinations of which shall be final and binding.

Section 2.13 Cooperation by the Company. If the Covered Person shall transfer any Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Covered Person and shall provide to the Covered Person such information as may be required to be provided under Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.1 Term of the Agreement; Termination of Certain Provisions.

(a) The term of this Agreement shall continue until the first to occur of (i) such time as no Covered Person holds any Covered Partnership Units or Registrable Securities and (ii) such time as the Agreement is terminated by the Company and the Demand Committee. This Agreement may be amended only with the consent of the Company and the Demand Committee; provided that no amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of a Covered Person, as such, other than on a pro rata basis with other Covered Persons without the consent of such Covered Person (or, if there is more than one such Covered Person that is so affected, without the consent of a majority of such affected Covered Persons in accordance with their holdings of Covered Partnership Units and Registrable Securities, including each so affected Significant Limited Partner).

(b) Unless this Agreement is theretofore terminated pursuant to Section 3.1(a) hereof, a Covered Person shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement with respect to any Covered Partnership Units or Registrable Securities until such time as such Covered Person ceases to hold any Covered Partnership Units or Registrable Securities. Thereafter, such Covered Person shall no longer be bound by the provisions of this Agreement other than Sections 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 and 2.11 and this Article III.

(c) Any Permitted Transferee of a Covered Person shall be entitled to become part to this agreement as a Covered Person; provided, that, such Permitted Transferee shall first sign an agreement in the form approved by the Company acknowledging that such Permitted Transferee is bound by the terms and provisions of the Agreement.

Section 3.2 Assignment; Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the Covered Persons; provided, however, that a Covered Person may not assign this Agreement or any of his rights or obligations hereunder, and any purported assignment in breach hereof by a Covered Person shall be void except in connection with any transfer to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Agreement; and provided further that no assignment of this Agreement by the Company or to a successor of the Company (by operation of law or otherwise) shall be valid unless such assignment is made to a person which succeeds to the business of such person substantially as an entirety.

 

17


Section 3.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware.

Section 3.4 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

Section 3.5 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, this document embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

Section 3.6 Successors and Assigns; Certain Transferees Bound Hereby. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each of the Company and the Partnership and their successors and assigns, and by the Covered Persons and their respective successors and assigns so long as they hold shares of Class A Common Stock or Partnership Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by any person who continues to be a Covered Person but ceases to hold any shares of Class A Common Stock or Partnership Units.

Section 3.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 3.8 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) Any and all disputes which cannot be settled amicably, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this arbitration provision) shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in New York in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings.

 

18


(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), the parties hereto may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), each party hereto (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 3.8 to any such action or proceeding and (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate.

(c) (i) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 3.8, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the fora designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties’ relationship with one another.

(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in the preceding paragraph of this Section 3.8 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.

Section 3.9 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by fax, by electronic mail (delivery receipt requested) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 3.9):

(a) If to the Company at:

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale

E-mail: jyl@pjtpartners.com; cuminale@pjtpartners.com

with a copy to:

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

767 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10153-0119

Attention: Michael J. Aiello

Fax: (212) 310-8007

Email: michael.aiello@weil.com

 

19


Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017-3954

Attention: Joshua Ford Bonnie, Esq.

Fax: (212) 455-2502

Email: jbonnie@stblaw.com

(b) If to the Partnership at:

PJT Partners Holdings LP

c/o PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Ji-Yeun Lee; Jim Cuminale

E-mail: jyl@pjtpartners.com; cuminale@pjtpartners.com

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017-3954

Attention: Joshua Ford Bonnie, Esq.

Fax: (212) 455-2502

Email: jbonnie@stblaw.com

(c) If to any Covered Person, to the address and other contact information set forth in the records of the Partnership from time to time.

Section 3.10 Specific Performance. Each party hereto acknowledges that the remedies at law of the other parties for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, any party to this Agreement, without posting any bond, and in addition to all other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy that may be then available.

Section 3.11 Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

20


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed or caused to be duly executed this Agreement as of the dates indicated.

 

PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

Name:   Michael S. Chae
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


COVERED PERSONS
Each of the Covered Persons set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.
By: Blackstone Holdings I/II GP Inc., as attorney-in-fact
By:  

/s/ John G. Finley

Name:   John G. Finley
Title:   Chief Legal Officer and Secretary


Appendix A

PJT PARTNERS INC.

Covered Person Questionnaire

The undersigned Covered Person understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration of the shares of Class A Common Stock (as such may be amended, the “Registration Statement”), in accordance with Sections 2.2 or 2.3 of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of             , 2015 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Company and the Covered Persons referred to therein. A copy of the Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.

NOTICE

The undersigned Covered Person hereby gives notice to the Company of its intention to register Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under Item 3) pursuant to the Registration Statement. The undersigned, by signing and returning this Questionnaire, understands that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of this Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the undersigned has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company and all other prospective sellers of Registrable Securities within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities arising in connection with statements made or omissions concerning the undersigned in the Registration Statement, prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any “issuer information” in reliance upon the information provided in this Questionnaire.

The undersigned Covered Person hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and complete:

 

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Name.

 

  (a) Full Legal Name of Covered Person:

 

 

 

  (b) Full Legal Name of Covered Person (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3 below are held:

 

 


  (c) Full Legal name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same as (b) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item 3 below are held:

 

 

 

  (d) Full Legal Name of natural control person (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the Registrable Securities listed in Item 3 below):

 

 

2. Address for Notices to Covered Person:

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:  

 

Fax:  

 

Email:  

 

Contact Person:  

 

3. Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities:

Number of Registrable Securities beneficially owned:

 

 

 

 

4. Broker-Dealer Status:

 

  (a) Are you a broker-dealer?

Yes   ¨             No   ¨

 

  Note: If yes, the SEC’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

 

  (b) Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?

Yes   ¨             No   ¨

If yes, please identify the broker-dealer with whom the Covered Person is affiliated and the nature of the affiliation:

 

 

 

 


  (c) If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you bought the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities?

Yes  ¨            No   ¨

 

  Note: If no, the SEC’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.

 

  (d) If you are (1) a broker-dealer or (2) an affiliate of a broker-dealer and answered “no” to Question 4(c), do you consent to being named as an underwriter in the Registration Statement?

Yes  ¨            No   ¨

5. Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Covered Person.

Except as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned Covered Person is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item 3.

Type and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the Covered Person:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Relationships with the Company:

Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned Covered Person nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% or more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.

State any exceptions here:

 

 

 

 

 


7. Intended Method of Disposition of Registrable Securities (Only Applicable to a Demand Registration Effected Pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Registration Rights Agreement):

Intended Method or Methods of Disposition of Registrable Securities beneficially owned:

 

 

 

 


The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof and at any time while the Registration Statement remains in effect.

By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 7 and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.

 

Dated:  

 

    Beneficial Owner:  

 

      By:  

 

        Name:  

 

        Title:  

 

PLEASE SEND A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED QUESTIONNAIRE BY FAX OR ELECTRONIC MAIL, AND RETURN THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:

 

 

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Fax:

Email:

 
EX-10.9 14 d21345dex109.htm EX-10.9 EX-10.9

Exhibit 10.9

PJT PARTNERS INC.

AND

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC

as Rights Agent

STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Dated as of October 1, 2015


Table of Contents

 

            Page  
1.     

Certain Definitions

     1   
2.     

Appointment of Rights Agent

     8   
3.     

Issuance of Right Certificates

     9   
4.     

Form of Right Certificates

     10   
5.     

Countersignature and Registration

     11   
6.     

Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates

     12   
7.     

Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights

     13   
8.     

Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates

     14   
9.     

Reservation and Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock

     15   
10.     

Preferred Stock Record Date

     16   
11.     

Adjustments to Number and Kind of Shares, Number of Rights or Purchase Price

     16   
12.     

Certification of Adjustments or Number of Shares

     24   
13.     

Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power

     25   
14.     

Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares

     28   
15.     

Rights of Action

     29   
16.     

Agreement of Right Holders

     29   
17.     

Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder

     30   
18.     

Concerning the Rights Agent

     30   
19.     

Merger or Consolidation or Changed Name of Rights Agent

     31   
20.     

Duties of Rights Agent

     31   
21.     

Change of Rights Agent

     33   
22.     

Issuance of New Right Certificates

     34   
23.     

Redemption

     35   


24.     

Exchange of Rights for Common Stock

     36   
25.     

Notice of Proposed Actions

     37   
26.     

Notices

     38   
27.     

Supplements and Amendments

     38   
28.     

Successors

     39   
29.     

Benefits of this Rights Agreement

     39   
30.     

Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors

     39   
31.     

Governing Law

     40   
32.     

Counterparts

     40   
33.     

Descriptive Headings

     40   
34.     

Severability

     40   
35.     

Force Majeure

     40   


STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Stockholder Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”), is dated as of October 1, 2015, between PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Rights Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company on September 8, 2015 (i) authorized the issuance and declared a dividend of one right (“Right”) for each share of the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company outstanding on such date and time in advance of the Separation (as such term is hereinafter defined) as the Board of Directors has determined (such date and time, the “Record Date”), with the payment of such dividend being conditioned on the consummation of the Separation, each Right representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the Certificate of Designation attached hereto as Exhibit A upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, and (ii) further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each share of Common Stock (as such term is hereinafter defined) of the Company that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the Distribution Date (as such term is hereinafter defined);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties agree as follows:

1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Rights Agreement the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

(a) A Person shall be deemed to be “Acting in Concert” with another Person if such Person knowingly acts (whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether oral or in writing) in concert with such other Person in, or towards a common goal relating to, changing or influencing the control of the Company or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, in parallel with such other Person where at least one additional factor supports a determination by the Board of Directors that such Person intended to act in concert or in parallel with the other Person, which such additional factors may include exchanging information, attending meetings, conducting discussions or making or soliciting invitations to act in concert or in parallel. A Person who or which is Acting in Concert with another Person shall also be deemed to be Acting in Concert with any third party who is also Acting in Concert with such other Person.

(b) “Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates (as such term is hereinafter defined) and Associates (as such term is hereinafter defined) of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined) of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, but shall not include

(i) the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan or compensation arrangement of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity holding securities of the Company to the extent organized, appointed or established by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit plan or compensation arrangement; or

(ii) an Exempt Person (as such term is hereinafter defined);


provided, however, that in no event shall a Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, is the Beneficial Owner of less than 15% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, become an Acquiring Person solely as a result of

(A) a reduction of the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock due to the repurchase of outstanding shares of Common Stock by the Company (or any Subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company) unless and until such Person, after becoming aware that such Person has become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock, acquires beneficial ownership of additional shares of Common Stock representing 1% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding, unless upon the consummation of the acquisition of such shares of Common Stock such Person does not Beneficially Own 15% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock;

(B) acquisitions of Common Stock by way of a declaration and payment of a pro rata dividend payable in Common Stock (or securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock) on, or split or subdivision of, the Common Stock of the Company,

(C) acquisition of Common Stock by way of any unilateral grant of restricted stock or any other security by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or through the exercise of any options, warrants, rights or similar interests (including restricted stock) granted by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to its directors, officers and employees pursuant to any equity incentive or award plan, or

(D) acquisitions of Common Stock upon the exchange of Partnership Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, which reduction or acquisition, as applicable, increases the percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by such Person.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) the Board of Directors determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an Acquiring Person, as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 1(b), has become such inadvertently (including, without limitation, because (A) such Person was unaware that it Beneficially Owned a percentage of Common Stock that would otherwise cause such Person to be an Acquiring Person or (B) such Person was aware of the extent of its Beneficial Ownership but had no actual knowledge of the consequences of such Beneficial Ownership under this Rights Agreement) and without any intention of changing or influencing control of the Company, and, within two Business Days of being requested by the Company to advise the Company regarding same, such Person certifies in

 

2


writing that such Person acquired Beneficial Ownership of 15% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock inadvertently or without such knowledge and without such intention, and (ii) such Person divests as promptly as practicable, but in any event within ten Business Days of being requested by the Company to make such divestment, of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 1(b), then such Person shall not be deemed to be or to have become an “Acquiring Person” for any purposes of this Rights Agreement.

(c) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act (as such term is hereinafter defined) as in effect on the date of this Rights Agreement.

(d) A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, shall be deemed to “Beneficially Own” and shall be deemed to have “Beneficial Ownership” of, any securities

(i) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;

(ii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), whether or not in writing, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, to Beneficially Own or to have Beneficial Ownership of, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote or dispose of or has “beneficial ownership” of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, or any comparable or successor rule), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing); provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, to Beneficially Own, or to have Beneficial Ownership of, any securities if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report);

(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is Acting in Concert or has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting except as described in the proviso to clause (B) of subparagraph (ii) of this Section 1(d) or disposing of any securities of the Company; provided, however, that no Person who is an officer, director or employee of an Exempt Person shall be deemed, solely by reason of such Person’s status or authority as such, to be the Beneficial Owner

 

3


of, to have Beneficial Ownership of or to Beneficially Own any securities that are Beneficially Owned (as defined in this Section 1(d)), including, without limitation, in a fiduciary capacity, by an Exempt Person or by any other such officer, director or employee of an Exempt Person; or

(iv) which are the subject of, or the reference securities for, or that underlie, any Derivative Interest (as such term is hereinafter defined) of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, with the number of shares of Common Stock deemed beneficially owned being the notional or other number of shares of Common Stock specified in the documentation evidencing the Derivative Interest as being subject to be acquired upon the exercise or settlement of the Derivative Interest or as the basis upon which the value or settlement amount of such Derivative Interest is to be calculated in whole or in part or, if no such number of shares of Common Stock is specified in such documentation, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion to be the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Derivative Interest relates.

For all purposes of this Rights Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including any calculation for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.

(e) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Company’s Board of Directors.

(f) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which the NYSE (as such term is hereinafter defined) or banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

(g) “Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

(h) “Common Stock” when used with reference to the Company shall mean the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company. “Common Stock” when used with reference to any Person other than the Company which shall be organized in corporate form shall mean the capital stock or other equity security with the greatest per share voting power of such Person or, if such Person is a Subsidiary of or is controlled by another Person, the Person which ultimately controls such first-mentioned Person. “Common Stock” when used with reference to any Person other than the Company which shall not be organized in corporate form shall mean units of beneficial interest which shall represent the right to participate in profits, losses, deductions and credits of such Person and which shall be entitled to exercise the greatest voting power per unit of such Person.

(i) “Common Stock Equivalents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(j) “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

4


(k) “Current Market Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d) hereof.

(l) “Current Value” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(m) “Derivative Interest” shall mean any derivative securities (as defined in Rule 16a-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act) with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to, or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value (or change in value) of, any class or series of shares of the Company, including, but not limited to, a long convertible security, a long call option and a short put option position, in each case, regardless of whether (x) such interest conveys any voting rights in such security to any Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, (y) such interest is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of securities of the Company or through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise or (z) any other transactions exist to hedge the economic effect of such interest; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of Derivative Interest, the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination. A Derivative Interest shall not include any interest, right, option or security set forth in Rule 16a-1(c)(1)-(5) or (7) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

(n) “Distribution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

(o) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(p) “Exchange Agreement” shall mean that certain Exchange Agreement, dated October 1, 2015, by and among the Company, the Partnership, and the holders of Partnership Units from time to time party thereto.

(q) “Exchange Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(a) hereof.

(r) “Exempt Person” shall mean

(i) The Blackstone Group L.P., the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, including, without limitation, in its fiduciary capacity, any employee benefit plan or employee or director stock plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person, organized, appointed, established or holding Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or any Person funding other employee benefits for employees of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

5


(ii) any Person who, as of March 4, 2015, Beneficially Owned 15% or more of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding (and including as “Beneficially Owned” for purposes of this clause (ii) (A) any Common Stock which would have been issued to such Person by virtue of the consummation of the Separation if the Separation were consummated as of such date and (B) any Common Stock that may have been issued to such Person upon exchange pursuant to the Exchange Agreement of Partnership Units (whether or not vested) which would have been issued to such Person by virtue of the consummation of the Separation if the Separation were consummated as of such date ), except, with respect to the Persons named in this clause (ii), any such Person shall no longer be considered an Exempt Person if, at any time after March 4, 2015, such Person (A) Beneficially Owns less than 15% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company or (B) acquires any additional shares of Common Stock (other than (I) by way of acquisition of Common Stock as a result of the declaration and payment of a pro rata dividend payable in Common Stock (or securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock) on, or split or subdivision of, the Common Stock of the Company, (II) solely as a result of any unilateral grant of restricted stock or any other security by the Company or through the exercise of any options, warrants, rights or similar interests (including restricted stock) granted by the Company to its directors, officers and employees pursuant to any equity incentive or award plan or (III) acquisitions of Common Stock upon exchange of Partnership Units pursuant to the Exchange Agreement).

(s) “Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

(t) “Final Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

(u) “Flip-In Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

(v) “Flip-In Trigger Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(w) “Flip-Over Event” shall mean any event described in clause (x), (y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.

(x) “NYSE” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(b) hereof.

(y) “Partnership” shall mean PJT Partners Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

(z) “Partnership Unit” shall mean (i) each Class A Unit (as such term is defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, dated as of October 1, 2015, as such agreement may be amended and/or restated from time to time) issued as of the date of this Rights Agreement and (ii) each Class A Unit or other interest in the Partnership that may be issued by the Partnership in the future that is designated by the Company and the Partnership as a “Partnership Unit” for purposes of the Exchange Agreement.

 

6


(aa) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) thereof or thereto.

(bb) “Preferred Stock” shall mean the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and, to the extent that there is not a sufficient number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock authorized to permit the full exercise of the Rights, any other series of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated for such purpose containing terms substantially similar to the terms of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

(cc) “Preferred Stock Equivalent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) hereof.

(dd) “Principal Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) hereof.

(ee) “Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

(ff) “Record Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(gg) “Redemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

(hh) “Redemption Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) hereof.

(ii) “Right” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(jj) “Right Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

(kk) “Rights Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(ll) “Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(mm) “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(nn) “Separation” shall mean the contribution of the Carbon Business (as such term is defined in the Separation Agreement) to the Company and the pro rata distribution to holders of record of common units of The Blackstone Group L.P. of the Common Stock of the Company.

(oo) “Spread” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(pp) “Stock Acquisition Date” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such or such earlier date as a majority of the Board of Directors shall become aware of the existence of an Acquiring Person.

 

7


(qq) “Substitution Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

(rr) “Subsidiary” of a Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power sufficient to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and any corporation or other entity that is otherwise controlled by such Person.

(ss) “Summary of Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof.

(tt) “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Company Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

(uu) “Triggering Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

(vv) “Trust” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24 hereof.

(ww) “Trust Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24 hereof.

(xx) “Voting Power” shall mean the voting power of all securities of the Company then outstanding and generally entitled to vote for the election of the Board of Directors.

Any determination required by the definitions contained in this Section 1 shall be made by the Board of Directors in its good faith judgment, which determination shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights. The Rights Agent is entitled always to assume the Board of Directors acted in good faith and shall be fully protected and incur no liability in reliance thereon.

2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as rights agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint a co-rights agent as it may deem necessary or desirable. In the event the Company appoints one or more co-rights agents, the respective duties of the Rights Agents and any co-rights agents shall be as the Company shall determine. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and in no event shall be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such co-rights agent.

 

8


3. Issuance of Right Certificates.

(a) Until the earlier of the Close of Business on (i) the 10th Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the 10th Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the Close of Business on the Record Date) or (ii) the 10th Business Day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors) after the date of the commencement by any Person (other than an Exempt Person) of, or of the first public announcement of the intent of any Person (other than an Exempt Person) to commence, a tender or exchange offer upon the successful consummation of which any Person would be an Acquiring Person (irrespective of whether any shares are actually purchased pursuant to any such offer) (including any such date which is after the date of this Rights Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights; the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the “Distribution Date”), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) and 3(c) below) by the certificates for the Common Stock registered in the names of the holders of the Common Stock and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) each Right will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of a share (subject to adjustment as hereinafter provided) of Common Stock. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested and provided with all necessary information, send) by first-class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date (other than any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person), as shown by the records of the Company, to the address of such holder shown on such records of the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the Common Stock, a Right certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (a “Right Certificate”) evidencing one Right for each share of Common Stock so held. In the event that an adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Common Stock has been made pursuant to Sections 11 or 13 hereof, at the time of distribution of the Right Certificates, the Company shall make the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof), so that Right Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates. The Company shall promptly notify the Rights Agent in writing upon the occurrence of the Distribution Date and, if such notification is given orally, the Company shall confirm the same in writing on or prior to the Business Day next following. Until such notice is received by the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent may presume conclusively for all purposes that the Distribution Date has not occurred.

(b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will send a copy of a Summary of Terms of Rights Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (a “Summary of Rights”), by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the Common Stock.

(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common Stock that are issued (either as an original issuance or from the Company’s treasury) after the Record Date prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date. With respect to certificates representing such shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, until the

 

9


Distribution Date the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates for Common Stock registered in the names of the holders thereof together with the Summary of Rights. Until the Distribution Date (or, if earlier, the Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date (with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights), shall also constitute the surrender for transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented thereby.

(d) Certificates issued for Common Stock (including, without limitation, certificates issued upon transfer or exchange of Common Stock) after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them a legend in substantially the following form:

This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in the Stockholder Rights Agreement between PJT Partners Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, dated as of October 1, 2015, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Rights Agreement”), the terms of which hereby are incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive office of PJT Partners Inc. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. PJT Partners Inc. will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt by it of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances as provided in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, Beneficially Owned by or transferred to any Person who is or becomes an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) or an Associate or Affiliate (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) thereof and certain transferees thereof will be null and void and will no longer be transferable.

With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall, until the Distribution Date, be evidenced by such certificates alone, and registered holders of Common Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the surrender for transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any shares of Common Stock after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such shares of Common Stock shall be deemed cancelled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock no longer outstanding.

Notwithstanding this subsection (d), the omission of a legend shall not affect the enforceability of any part of this Rights Agreement or the rights of any holder of the Rights.

4. Form of Right Certificates.

(a) The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof), when, as and if issued, shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem

 

10


appropriate (but which do not affect the rights, duties or responsibilities of the Rights Agent) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Rights Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Sections 11, 13 and 22 hereof, the Right Certificates evidencing the Rights issued on the Record Date whenever such certificates are issued, shall be dated as of the Record Date and the Right Certificates evidencing Rights to holders of record of Common Stock issued after the Record Date shall be dated as of the Record Date but shall also be dated to reflect the date of issuance of such Right Certificate. On their face, Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase, for each Right, one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, or other securities or property as provided herein, as the same may from time to time be adjusted as provided herein, at the price per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock of $79.00 as the same may from time to time be adjusted as provided herein (the “Purchase Price”).

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Rights Agreement, any Right Certificate that represents Rights that are or were at any time on or after the earlier of the Stock Acquisition Date or the Distribution Date Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof (or any transferee of such Rights) shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to it (if the Company or the Rights Agent has knowledge that such Person is an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate thereof or transferee of such Persons or a nominee of any of the foregoing) a legend in substantially the following form:

The Beneficial Owner of the Rights represented by this Right Certificate is an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or a subsequent holder of such Right Certificates Beneficially Owned by such Persons (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly, this Right Certificate and the Rights represented hereby are null and void and will no longer be transferable as provided in the Rights Agreement.

The provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 24 of this Rights Agreement shall be operative whether or not the foregoing legend is contained on any such Right Certificates.

5. Countersignature and Registration.

(a) The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its President and Chief Executive Officer or any Senior Vice President or any Vice President of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature, and have affixed thereto the Company’s seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be countersigned, either manually or by facsimile signature, by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be

 

11


signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

(b) Following the Distribution Date and receipt by the Rights Agent of notice to that effect and all other relevant information referred to in Section 3(a), the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its office designated for such purpose, records for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such records shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates, the date of each of the Right Certificates and the certificate numbers for each of the Right Certificates.

6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 7(e), 11(a)(ii) and 14 hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date and at or prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date, and following receipt in writing by the Rights Agent of notice to that effect, any Right Certificate or Certificates (other than Right Certificates representing Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant to Section 24 hereof) may be (i) transferred or (ii) split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer any Right Certificate shall surrender the Right Certificate at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes with the form of assignment on the reverse side thereof duly endorsed (or enclose with such Right Certificate a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Rights Agent), duly executed by the registered holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and with such signature guaranteed by a member of a securities approved medallion program. Any registered holder desiring to split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be split up, combined or exchanged at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. The Right Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Right Certificate or Right Certificates until the registered holder thereof shall have (i) properly completed and duly signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment set forth on the reverse side of each such Right Certificate, (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby and the Affiliates and Associates of such Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request, and (iii) paid a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates as required by Section 9(d) hereof. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Sections 4(b), 7(e), 11 and 14 hereof, manually countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested, registered in

 

12


such name or names as may be designated by the surrendering registered holder. The Company may require payment from the holder of a Right Certificate of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action under this Section 6(a) or any other section of this Rights Agreement which requires the payment by a Rights holder of applicable taxes or charges unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges have been paid.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security satisfactory to them, and, if requested by the Company or the Rights Agent, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make, execute and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered owner in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.

(a) Subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the Rights shall become exercisable, and may be exercised to purchase Preferred Stock, except as otherwise provided herein, in whole or in part at any time on or after the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof properly completed and duly executed (with such signature duly guaranteed), to the Rights Agent at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment of the Purchase Price with respect to each Right exercised, subject to adjustment as hereinafter provided, and an amount equal to any tax or charge required to be paid under Section 9(d) hereof, by certified check, cashier’s check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company, at or prior to the Close of Business on the earliest of (i) October 1, 2018 (the “Final Expiration Date”), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (such date being herein referred to as the “Redemption Date”), or (iii) the time at which all such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof (the earliest of (i), (ii), and (iii) being herein referred to as the “Expiration Date”). Except for those provisions herein which expressly survive the termination of this Rights Agreement, this Rights Agreement shall terminate at such time as the Rights are no longer exercisable hereunder.

(b) The Purchase Price and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or consideration to be acquired upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof. The Purchase Price shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America, in accordance with Section 7(c) hereof.

(c) Except as provided in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, upon receipt of a Right Certificate with the form of election to purchase properly completed and duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) or so much thereof as is necessary for the shares to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable tax or charge required to be paid under Section 9(d) hereof, by

 

13


certified check, cashier’s check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Stock (or make available if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent) certificates for the number of shares of Preferred Stock so elected to be purchased and the Company will comply and hereby authorizes and directs such transfer agent to comply with all such requests, (ii) when necessary, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14(b) hereof, and (iii) promptly after receipt of such Preferred Stock certificates cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, and, when necessary, after receipt of the cash requisitioned from the Company promptly deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate. In the event of a purchase of securities, other than Preferred Stock, pursuant to Section 11(a) or Section 13 hereof, the Company shall promptly provide written notice to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent, relying on such notice, shall promptly take the appropriate actions corresponding to the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii). In the event that the Company is obligated to issue other securities of the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when necessary to comply with this Rights Agreement.

(d) Except as otherwise provided herein, in case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Sections 6 and 14 hereof.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to a registered holder of Rights or other securities upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) properly completed and duly signed the certificate contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof and the rights evidenced thereby as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request.

8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates. All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all cancelled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such cancelled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

 

14


9. Reservation and Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees that at all times it will cause to be reserved and kept available, out of and to the extent of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock not reserved for another purpose (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, other securities) or held in its treasury, the number of shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, other securities) that, as provided in this Rights Agreement, including Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to reserve and keep available shares of Preferred Stock or other securities sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights pursuant to the adjustments set forth in Section 11(a)(ii), Section 11(a)(iii) or Section 13 hereof only if, and to the extent that, the Rights become exercisable.

(b) The Company shall use its best efforts (i) to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, the Rights and all shares of Preferred Stock (and following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, other securities) issued or reserved for issuance upon exercise thereof to be reported by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or such other system then in use, and if the Preferred Stock shall become listed on any national securities exchange, to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, the Rights and all shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, other securities) issued or reserved for issuance upon exercise thereof to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise and (ii) if then necessary, to permit the offer and issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, other securities), register and qualify such share of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, other securities) under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws (to the extent exemptions therefrom are not available), cause such registration statement and qualifications to become effective as soon as possible after such filing and keep such registration and qualifications effective until the earlier of (x) the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities and (y) the Expiration Date of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days, the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act and permit it to become effective. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. The Company shall notify the Rights Agent whenever it makes a public announcement pursuant to this Section 9(b) and give the Rights Agent a copy of such announcement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Rights Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification or exemption in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained and until a registration statement under the Securities Act (if required) shall have been declared effective.

(c) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares of Preferred Stock (and following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such securities (subject to payment of the Purchase Price in respect thereof), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares in accordance with applicable law.

 

15


(d) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax or charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates for Preferred Stock (or other securities, as the case may be) upon exercise of Rights in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver a Right Certificate or certificate for Preferred Stock (or other securities, as the case may be) to a Person other than such registered holder until any such tax and charge shall have been paid (any such tax or charge being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s or the Rights Agent’s satisfaction that no such tax or charge is due.

10. Preferred Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable taxes or charges) was duly made. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate, as such, shall not be entitled to any rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, if any, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

11. Adjustments to Number and Kind of Shares, Number of Rights or Purchase Price. The number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property subject to purchase upon the exercise of each Right, the number of Rights outstanding and the Purchase Price are subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

(a)

(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Rights Agreement (A) declare or pay any dividend on Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide or split the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into a greater number of shares, (C) combine or consolidate the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares or effect a reverse split of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and

 

16


kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon payment of the Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock or other securities, which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date, the holder thereof would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification. If an event occurs which would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii).

(ii) Subject to Section 24, in the event that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person (a “Flip-In Event” or a “Triggering Event”), then upon the first occurrence of such Flip-In Event (i) the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to the Flip-In Event multiplied by the number of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such Flip-In Event, whether or not such Right was then exercisable, and (ii) each holder of a Right, except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the Purchase Price (as so adjusted), in accordance with the terms of this Rights Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by dividing the Purchase Price (as so adjusted) by 50% of the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of such Flip-In Event; provided, however, that the Purchase Price (as so adjusted) and the number of shares of Common Stock so receivable upon the exercise of a Right shall, following the Flip-In Event, be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in accordance with Section 11(f) hereof. Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, however, from and after the Flip-In Event, any Rights that are Beneficially Owned by (x) any Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of any Acquiring Person), (y) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee after the Flip-In Event or (z) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such Affiliate or Associate) who became a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Flip-In Event pursuant to either (I) a transfer from the Acquiring Person to holders of its equity securities or to any Person with whom it has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether written or otherwise, regarding the transferred Rights or (II) a transfer which the Board of Directors has determined is part of a plan, agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether written or otherwise, which has the purpose or effect of avoiding the provisions of this paragraph, and subsequent transferees of such Persons, shall be null and void without any further action and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights under any provision of this Rights Agreement. The Company shall notify the Rights Agent when this Section 11(a)(ii) applies and shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the provisions of this Section 11(a)(ii) are complied with, but neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of Right Certificates or other Person as a result of the Company’s failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder. From and after the Flip-In Event, no Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6 hereof that represents Rights that are or have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, and any Right Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent that represents Rights that are or have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be cancelled.

 

17


The Company shall give the Rights Agent written notice of the identity of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or the nominee of any of the foregoing, and the Rights Agent may rely on such notice in carrying out its duties under this Rights Agreement and shall be deemed not to have any knowledge of the identity of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or the nominee of any of the foregoing unless and until it shall have received such notice.

(iii) The Company may at its option substitute for a share of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) such number or fractions of shares of Preferred Stock having an aggregate current market value equal to the Current Market Price of a share of Common Stock of the Company. In the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii), the Board of Directors shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to which the Company is a party (A) determine the excess (such excess, the “Spread”) of (1) the value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) (the “Current Value”) over (2) the Purchase Price (as adjusted in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii)), and (B) with respect to each Right (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to the foregoing subparagraph (ii)), make adequate provision to substitute for the shares of Common Stock issuable in accordance with the foregoing paragraph (ii) upon exercise of the Right and payment of the Purchase Price (as adjusted in accordance therewith), (1) cash, (2) a reduction in such Purchase Price, (3) shares of Preferred Stock or other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock which, by virtue of having dividend, voting and liquidation rights substantially comparable to those of the shares of Common Stock, are deemed in good faith by the Board of Directors to have substantially the same value as the shares of Common Stock (such shares of Preferred Stock and shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock being hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock Equivalents”), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having a value which, when added to the value of the shares of Common Stock actually issued upon exercise of such Right, shall have an aggregate value equal to the Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in such Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected in good faith by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that if the Company shall not make adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within 30 days following but not including the date of the Flip-In Event (the “Flip-In Trigger Date”), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to which the Company is a party, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of such Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock of the Company (to the extent available), and then, if necessary, such number or fractions of shares of Preferred Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. If the Board of Directors shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional shares of Common Stock and/or Common Stock Equivalents could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, the 30-day period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than 90 days after but not including the Flip-In Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the authorization of such additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (such 30-day period, as it may be extended

 

18


being hereinafter referred to as the “Substitution Period”). To the extent that the Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the second and/or third sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and the last sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii), that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii) and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect and the Company shall promptly provide the Rights Agent with a copy of such announcements. For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Stock shall be the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the Flip-In Trigger Date and the per share or per unit value of any Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to equal the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on such date. The Board of Directors may, but shall not be required to, establish procedures to allocate the right to receive Common Stock upon the exercise of the Rights among holders of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(a)(iii).

(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights (other than the Rights), options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after but not including such record date), shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Stock (a “Preferred Stock Equivalent”) or securities convertible into Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent at a price per share of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent (or having a conversion price per share, if a security is convertible into Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent) less than the Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or Preferred Stock Equivalent (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the number of additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or Preferred Stock Equivalent to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid by delivery of consideration part or all of which is in a form other than cash, the value of such non-cash consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a distribution to all holders of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or

 

19


merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash, assets (other than a dividend payable in Preferred Stock, but including any dividend payable in shares other than Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to a share of Preferred Stock and the denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would have been in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

(d)

(i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the “Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of the Common Stock for the 30 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to, but not including, such date, and for purpose of computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the “Current Market Price” per share of the Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Days immediately following, but not including, such date; provided, however, that in the event that the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of the Common Stock of (i) any dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend and other than the Rights), (ii) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, and prior to the expiration of the requisite 30 Trading Day or 10 Trading Day period, as set forth above, after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification occurs, then, and in each such case, the Current Market Price shall be properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on NYSE or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on NYSE, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted sale price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by NYSE or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the shares of Common Stock are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Common Stock selected by the Board of Directors. If on any such date no market maker is making a market in the Common Stock, the fair value of such shares on such date as determined in good faith by the

 

20


Board of Directors shall be used and shall be binding on the Rights Agent. If the Common Stock is not publicly held or not so listed or traded, “Current Market Price” per share shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.

(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “Current Market Price” per share (or one one-thousandth of a share) of Preferred Stock shall be determined in the same manner as set forth above for the Common Stock in clause (i) of this Section 11(d) (other than the last sentence thereof). If the Current Market Price per share (or one one-thousandth of a share) of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the manner provided above or if the Preferred Stock is not publicly held or listed or traded in a manner described in clause (i) of this Section 11(d), the “Current Market Price” per share of Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal to 1,000 (as such number may be appropriately adjusted for such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock occurring after the date of this Rights Agreement) multiplied by the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock and the “Current Market Price” per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock shall, be equal to the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock (as appropriately adjusted). If neither the Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly held or so listed or traded, “Current Market Price” shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.

(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a share of Common Stock or other share or one-hundred-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment, or (ii) the Expiration Date.

(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock other than Preferred Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Preferred Stock contained in Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m) hereof, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of shares of Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

 

21


(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one-hundred-thousandth) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.

(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price or any adjustment to the number of shares of Preferred Stock for which a Right may be exercised made pursuant to Sections 11(a)(i), (b) or (c), to adjust the number of Rights in lieu of any adjustment in the number of shares of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of shares of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. The Company shall notify the Rights Agent whenever it makes a public announcement pursuant to this Section 11(i) and shall promptly give the Rights Agent a written notice of such announcement. This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and delivered by the Company, and countersigned and delivered by the Rights Agent, in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price per share and the number of shares which were expressed in the initial Right Certificate issued hereunder.

 

22


(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other capital stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action, including using its best efforts to obtain any required stockholder approvals, which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other capital stock at such adjusted Purchase Price. If upon any exercise of the Rights, a holder is to receive a combination of Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents, a portion of the consideration paid upon such exercise, equal to at least the then par value of a share of Common Stock of the Company, shall be allocated as the payment for each share of Common Stock of the Company so received.

(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer (with prompt written notice thereof to the Rights Agent) until the occurrence of such event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the shares of Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the shares of Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares of Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

(m) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11 to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly permitted or required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of Directors shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance for cash of any shares of Preferred Stock at less than the Current Market Price, (iii) issuance for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred Stock, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person, (ii) merge with or into any other Person, or (iii) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any other Person or Persons, if (x) at the time of or immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale there are any charter or by-law provisions or any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale, the stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the “Principal Party” for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates and Associates.

 

23


The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger or sale unless prior thereto the Company and such other Person shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement evidencing compliance with this subsection.

(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23, Section 24 or Section 27 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially or eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

(p) Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Company shall at any time after the Record Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare or pay any dividend on the outstanding shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common Stock following any such event equals the result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator or which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of such event and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.

12. Certification of Adjustments or Number of Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made or any event affecting the Rights or their exercisability (including, without limitation, an event which causes the Rights to become null and void) occurs as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer or any Senior Vice President or any Vice President of the Company setting forth such adjustment or describing such event, and a brief, reasonably detailed statement of the facts, computations and methodology accounting for such adjustment or event, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing shares of Common Stock) in accordance with Section 26 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the failure of the Company to give such notice shall not affect the validity of or the force or effect of or the requirement for such adjustment. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any certificate prepared by the Company pursuant to Sections 11 and 13 and on any adjustment or statement therein contained and shall have no duty or liability with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment or event unless and until it shall have received such certificate. Any adjustment to be made pursuant to Sections 11 and 13 of this Rights Agreement shall be effective as of the date of the event giving rise to such adjustment.

 

24


13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power.

(a) In the event that following the first occurrence of a Flip-In Event, directly or indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any other Person or Persons, as the case may be, and the Company shall not be the surviving or continuing Person of such consolidation or merger, or (y) any Person or Persons shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, the Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person of such consolidation or merger and, in connection with such consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person or of the Company or cash or any other property, or (z) the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell, mortgage (other than in connection with a secured financing transaction entered into on an arm’s-length basis) or otherwise transfer to any other Person or any Affiliate or Associate of such Person (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries), in one transaction, or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), then, on the first occurrence of any such event (a “Flip-Over Event”), proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof), in accordance with the terms of this Rights Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock of the Company, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall equal the result obtained by dividing the Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) by 50% of the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock of such Principal Party (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; provided, however, that the Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) and the number of shares of Common Stock of such Principal Party so receivable upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in accordance with Section 11(f) hereof to reflect any events occurring in respect of the Common Stock of such Principal Party after the occurrence of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Flip-Over Event, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Rights Agreement; (iii) the term “Company” for all purposes of this Rights Agreement shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall only apply to such Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Flip-Over Event; and (iv) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock in accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its shares of Common Stock thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; provided, however, that, upon the subsequent occurrence of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all assets, recapitalization, reclassification of shares, reorganization or other extraordinary transaction in respect of such Principal Party, each holder of a Right shall thereupon be entitled to receive, upon exercise of a Right, such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property which

 

25


such holder would have been entitled to receive had he, at the time of such transaction, owned the shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party purchasable upon the exercise of a Right, and such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, reservation of shares of stock) as may necessary to permit the subsequent exercise of the Rights in accordance with the terms hereof for such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property.

(b) “Principal Party” shall mean:

(i) in the case of any transaction described in (x) or (y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a) hereof: (A) the Person that is the issuer of the securities into which shares of Common Stock of the Company are converted in such merger or consolidation, or, if there is more than one such issuer, the issuer the Common Stock of which has the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding or (B) if no securities are so issued, (x) the Person that is the other party to the merger or consolidation and that survives said merger or consolidation, or, if there is more than one such Person, the Person the Common Stock of which has the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding or (y) if the Person that is the other party to the merger or consolidation does not survive the merger or consolidation, the Person that does survive the merger or consolidation (including the Company if it survives); and

(ii) in the case of any transaction described in (z) of the first sentence in Section 13(a) hereof, the Person that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions, or, if each Person that is a party to such transaction or transactions receives the same portion of the assets or earning power so transferred or if the Person receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power cannot be determined, whichever of such Persons that is the issuer of Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding; provided, however, that in any such case described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(i)or (b)(ii), (1) if the Common Stock of such Person is not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is and has been so registered, the term “Principal Party” shall refer to such other Person, or (2) if such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the Common Stocks of all of which are and have been so registered, the term “Principal Party” shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the Common Stock having the greatest market value of shares outstanding, or (3) if such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the same Person, the rules set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the owners having an interest in the joint venture as if the Person owned by the joint venture was a Subsidiary of both or all of such joint venturers, and the Principal Party in each such case shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section 13 in the same ratio as its interest in such Person bears to the total of such interests.

(c) The Company shall not consummate any consolidation, merger, sale, disposition or transfer referred to in Section 13(a) unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of authorized shares of its Common Stock that have not been issued or reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and the Principal Party involved therein shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent an agreement confirming that the requirements

 

26


of Sections 13(a) and (b) hereof shall promptly be performed in accordance with their terms and that such consolidation, merger, sale, disposition or transfer of assets shall not result in a default by the Principal Party under this Rights Agreement as the same shall have been assumed by the Principal Party pursuant to Sections 13(a) and (b) hereof and further providing that, as soon as practicable after executing such agreement pursuant to this Section 13, the Principal Party at its own expense shall:

(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act, if necessary, with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the date of expiration of the Rights, and similarly comply with applicable state securities laws;

(ii) use its best efforts, if the Common Stock of the Principal Party shall become listed on a national securities exchange, to list (or continue the listing of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on such securities exchange and, if the Common Stock of the Principal Party shall not be listed on a national securities exchange, to cause the Rights and the securities purchased upon exercise of the Rights to be reported by the New York Stock Exchange or such other system then in use;

(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements for the Principal Party which comply in all respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the Exchange Act; and

(iv) obtain waivers of any rights of first refusal or preemptive rights in respect of the shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party subject to purchase upon exercise of outstanding Rights.

In the event that any of the transactions described in Section 13(a) hereof shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a transaction described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter be exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).

(d) Furthermore, in case the Principal Party which is to be a party to a transaction referred to in this Section 13 has a provision in any of its authorized securities or in its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or other instrument governing its corporate affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i) causing such Principal Party to issue, in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of a transaction referred to in this Section 13, shares of Common Stock of such Principal Party at less than the then Current Market Price per share (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock of such Principal Party at less than such then current market price (other than to holders of Rights pursuant to this Section 13) or (ii) providing for any special payment, tax or similar provisions in connection with the issuance of the Common Stock of such Principal Party pursuant to the provisions of Section 13; then, in such event, the Company hereby agrees with each holder of Rights that it shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior thereto

 

27


the Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing that the provision in question of such Principal Party shall have been cancelled, waived or amended, or that the authorized securities shall be redeemed, so that the applicable provision will have no effect in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of the proposed transaction.

14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.

(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the holders of record of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the then current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this Section 14(a), the then current market value of a Right shall be determined in the same manner as the Current Market Price of a share of Common Stock shall be determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof.

(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock Equivalent (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock). Fractions of shares of Preferred Stock in integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it, provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as Beneficial Owners of the shares of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent shall be the Current Market Price of a share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

(c) Following the occurrence of a Flip-In Event, the Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares or units of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or other securities upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or other securities. In lieu of fractional shares or units of such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or other securities, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the Current Market Value of a share or unit of such Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalent or other securities. For purposes of this Section 14(c), the Current Market Value shall be determined in the manner set forth in Section 11(d) hereof for the Trading Day immediately prior

 

28


to the date of such exercise and, if such Common Stock Equivalent is not traded, each such Common Stock Equivalent shall have the value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock.

(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of a Right expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Right or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right.

(e) Whenever a payment for fractional Rights or fractional shares or other securities of the Company is to be made by the Rights Agent, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare and deliver to the Rights Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the facts related to such payment and the prices and/or formulas utilized in calculating such payments, and (ii) provide sufficient monies to the Rights Agent in the form of fully collected funds to make such payments. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on such a certificate and shall have no duty with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any payment for fractional Rights or fractional shares unless and until the Rights Agent shall have received such a certificate and sufficient monies.

15. Rights of Action. As of the Record Date, all rights of action in respect of this Rights Agreement, other than any rights of action vested in the Rights Agent pursuant to Sections 18 and 20 hereunder, are vested in the respective holders of record of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the holders of record of the Common Stock); and any holder of record of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company or any other Person to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this Rights Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Rights Agreement and, accordingly, that they will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of, the obligations of any Person subject to this Rights Agreement.

16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right by accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will not be evidenced by a Right Certificate and will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock;

(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates will be transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer with all required certificates completed;

(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common

 

29


Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificate or the associated Common Stock certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent or the transfer agent of the Common Stock) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and

(d) notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Rights Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, judgment, decree or ruling (whether interlocutory or final) issued by a court or by a governmental, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided, however, that the Company must use all reasonable efforts to have any such injunction, order, judgment, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.

17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder. No holder of a Right, as such, shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends in respect of or be deemed for any purpose to be the holder of Common Stock or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote in the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights in respect of any such shares or securities, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.

18. Concerning the Rights Agent.

(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Rights Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of its duties under this Rights Agreement, including the cost and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly.

(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Rights Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement or

 

30


other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof.

19. Merger or Consolidation or Changed Name of Rights Agent.

(a) Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the stockholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Rights Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Rights Agreement.

(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Right Certificate shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Rights Agreement.

20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes to perform only the duties and obligations expressly imposed by this Rights Agreement (and no implied duties) upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company or an employee of the Rights Agent), and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with such advice or opinion.

(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Rights Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the determination of Current Market Price) be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically

 

31


prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by certificate signed by the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Rights Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Rights Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

(e) The Rights Agent shall not have any liability for or be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Rights Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Rights Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming null and void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) or any change or adjustment in the terms of the Rights including any adjustment required under the provisions of Sections 11, 13, 23 or 24 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after receipt of a Certificate furnished pursuant to Section 12 describing any such adjustment, upon which the Rights Agent may rely); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Rights Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Rights Agreement.

(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and such instructions shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall not be liable for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with the instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions. The Rights Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying upon the most recent

 

32


instructions received by any such officer. Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken, suffered or omitted.

(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, affiliate, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent or any such stockholder, affiliate, director, officer or employee from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person.

(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself (through its directors, officers and employees) or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company or any other Person resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in the selection and continued employment thereof.

(j) No provision of this Rights Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if it believes that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(k) If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate contained in the form of assignment or the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse thereof, as the case may be, has either not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.

21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Rights Agreement upon 30 days’ notice in writing, or such earlier period as shall be agreed to in writing, mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock known to the Rights Agent by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent (with or without cause) upon 30 days’ notice in writing, or such earlier period as shall be agreed to in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or

 

33


successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the incumbent Rights Agent or the holder of record of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or (b) an Affiliate controlled by a Person described in clause (a) of this sentence. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

22. Issuance of New Right Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price per share and the number or kind or class of shares of stock or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Rights Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or expiration of the Rights, the Company may, with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or the settlement of restricted stock units or under any employee plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities hereinafter issued by the Company, in each case existing prior to the Distribution Date, issue Right Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Right Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no such Right Certificate shall be issued, if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

 

34


23. Redemption.

(a) The Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of the Close of Business on (x) the 10th Business Day after the first occurrence of a Flip-In Event (or, if such Flip-In Event shall have occurred prior to the Record Date, the 10th Business Day following the Record Date) or (y) the Expiration Date, (x) redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right (rounded up to the nearest whole $0.01 in the case of any holder whose holdings are not in a multiple of ten), as such amount may be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the “Redemption Price”) or (y) amend this Rights Agreement to change the Final Expiration Date to another date, including without limitation an earlier date. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable after the first occurrence of a Triggering Event until such time as the Company’s right of redemption hereunder has expired. The Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, shares of Common Stock (based on the current market price of the Common Stock at the time of redemption as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) or any other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights (or at such later time as the Board of Directors may establish for the effectiveness of such redemption), and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption (with prompt written notice thereof to the Rights Agent); provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such redemption. Within 10 days after such action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights (or such later time as the Board of Directors may establish for the effectiveness of such redemption), the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Stock. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption shall state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made. The failure to give notice required by this Section 23(b) or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of the action taken by the Company.

(c) In the case of a redemption permitted under Section 23(a) hereof, the Company may, at its option, discharge all of its obligations with respect to the Rights by (i) issuing a press release announcing the manner of redemption of the Rights and (ii) mailing payment of the Redemption Price to the registered holders of the Rights at their last addresses as they appear on the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent of the Common Stock, and upon such action, all outstanding Right Certificates shall be null and void without any further action by the Company.

 

35


24. Exchange of Rights for Common Stock.

(a) The Board of Directors may, at its option, at any time after the occurrence of a Flip-In Event, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which (i) shall not include Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) and (ii) shall include, without limitation, any Rights issued after the Distribution Date in accordance with Section 22 hereof) for shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (the “Exchange Ratio”). Notwithstanding the foregoing the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Acquiring Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock aggregating 50% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding. From and after the occurrence of an event specified in Section 13(a) hereof, any Rights that theretofore have not been exchanged pursuant to this Section 24(a) shall thereafter be exercisable only in accordance with Section 13 and may not be exchanged pursuant to this Section 24(a). The exchange of the Rights by the Board of Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Prior to effecting an exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Board of Directors may direct the Company to enter into a Trust Agreement in such form and with such terms as the Board of Directors shall then approve (the “Trust Agreement”). If the Board of Directors so directs, the Company shall enter into the Trust Agreement and shall issue to the trust created by such agreement (the “Trust”) all of the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exchange, and all stockholders entitled to receive shares pursuant to the exchange shall be entitled to receive such shares (and any dividends or distributions made thereon after the date on which such shares are deposited in the Trust) only from the Trust and solely upon compliance with the relevant terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement.

(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange (with prompt written notice of such exchange to the Rights Agent); provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the shares of Common Stock for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

(c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Company, at its option, may substitute, and, in the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated

 

36


in accordance with this Section 24, the Company shall substitute to the extent of such insufficiency, for each share of Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalent or fractions thereof per Right.

(d) In the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock nor of Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalents issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize additional shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Preferred Stock Equivalents for issuance upon exchange of the Rights.

(e) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional shares of Common Stock would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole share of Common Stock. For the purposes of this paragraph (d), the current market value of a whole share of Common Stock shall be the Current Market Price of a share of Common Stock (as defined in Section 11(d) hereof for the purposes of computations made other than pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii)) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24.

25. Notice of Proposed Actions.

(a) In case the Company, after the Distribution Date, shall propose (i) to effect any of the transactions referred to in Section 11(a)(i) or to pay any dividend to the holders of record of its Preferred Stock payable in stock of any class or to make any other distribution to the holders of record of its Preferred Stock (other than a regular periodic cash dividend), or (ii) to offer to the holders of record of its Preferred Stock or options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase shares of Preferred Stock (including any security convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Stock) or shares of stock of any other class or any other securities, options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities or other rights, or (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Stock or any recapitalization or reorganization of the Company, or (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger with or into, or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any other Person or Persons, or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to the Rights Agent and to each holder of record of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such transaction referred to in Section 11(a)(i), or such dividend or distribution, or the date on which such reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets, disposition, liquidation, dissolution or winding up is to take place and the record date for determining participation therein by the holders of record of Preferred Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 10 days prior to but not including the record date for

 

37


determining holders of record of the Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least 10 days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of record of Preferred Stock, whichever shall be the earlier.

(b) In case any of the transactions referred to in Section 11(a)(ii)(A) or (C) or Section 13 of this Rights Agreement are proposed, then, in any such case, the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to the Rights Agent and to each holder of Rights, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, notice of the proposal of such transaction at least 10 days prior to consummating such transaction, which notice shall specify the proposed event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii)(A) or (C) or Section 13 hereof, as the case may be, and, upon consummation of such transaction or any transaction contemplated by Section 11(a)(ii)(B), shall similarly give notice thereof to each holder of Rights.

(c) The failure to give notice required by this Section 25 or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of the action taken by the Company or the vote upon any such action.

26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of record of any Right Certificate or Right to or on behalf of the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if in writing and sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

PJT Partners Inc.

280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017

Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of record of any Right Certificate or Right to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219

Attention: Paula Caroppoli, Senior Vice President

Notices or demands authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of record of any Right Certificate or Right shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the Transfer Agent.

27. Supplements and Amendments. Except as otherwise provided herein, for so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may in its sole and absolute discretion, and the Rights Agent shall if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Rights

 

38


Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of the Rights, any such supplement or amendment to be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent. At any time when the Rights are no longer redeemable, except as provided in this Section 27, the Company may supplement or amend this Rights Agreement, and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) change or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable, any such supplement or amendment to be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent; provided that no such supplement or amendment shall adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights as such (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person), and no such amendment may cause the Rights again to become redeemable or cause the Rights Agreement again to become amendable other than in accordance with this sentence. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company that states that the proposed supplement or amendment complies with this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Rights Agreement to the contrary, the Rights Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any supplement or amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this Rights Agreement.

28. Successors. All of the covenants and provisions of this Rights Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

29. Benefits of this Rights Agreement. Nothing in this Rights Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Rights Agreement; this Rights Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of record of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock).

30. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Rights Agreement and to exercise the rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Rights Agreement and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend or not amend this Rights Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations which are done or made by the Board of Directors in good faith, including but not limited to those made under Sections 1 and 11 hereunder, shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights, as such, and all other Persons. The Rights Agent is entitled always to assume the Board of Directors acted in good faith and shall be fully protected and incur no liability in reliance thereon.

 

39


31. Governing Law. This Rights Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such state applicable to contracts to be made solely by residents of such state and performed entirely within such state.

32. Counterparts. This Rights Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

33. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the several sections of this Rights Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

34. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Rights Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that if such excluded provision shall effect the rights, immunities, duties or obligations of the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately.

35. Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunctions of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war or civil unrest.

 

40


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Rights Agreement to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date and year first above written.

 

PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael S. Chae

  Name:   Michael S. Chae
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer


AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Rights Agent
By:  

/s/ Paula Caroppoli

  Name:   Paula Caroppoli
  Title:   Senior Vice President


EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

OF

PJT PARTNERS INC.

We,                     , [NAME OF OFFICE], and                     , [NAME OF OFFICE], of PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:

That the Board of Directors adopted the following resolution creating a series of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be, and it hereby is, created, and that the designation and amount thereof and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:

SECTION 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock,” par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock”), and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 3,000,000, which number may from time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number then outstanding) by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Dividends and Distributions. (a) The dividend rate on the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be for each quarterly dividend (hereinafter referred to as a “Quarterly Dividend Period”), which Quarterly Dividend Periods shall commence on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”) (or in the case of original issuance, from the date of original issuance) and shall end on and include the day next preceding the first date of the next Quarterly Dividend Period, at a rate per Quarterly Dividend Period (rounded to the nearest cent) subject to the provisions for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to the greater of (a) $1.000 and (b) 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in cash, based upon the fair market value at the time the non-cash dividend or other distribution is declared as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of common stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of common stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared (but not withdrawn) on the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) during the immediately preceding quarterly dividend period, or, with respect to the first quarterly dividend period, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after October 1, 2015 (the “Rights Declaration Date”) (i) declare


any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 45 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

(c) So long as any shares of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends or other distributions shall be declared, paid or distributed, or set aside for payment or distribution, on the Common Stock unless, in each case, the dividend required by this Section 2 to be declared on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have been declared.

(d) The holders of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions except as provided herein.

SECTION 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

(a) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying


such number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) or by applicable law, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class for the election of directors of the Corporation and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

(c) Except as set forth herein, in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or by applicable law, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for authorizing or taking any corporate action.

(d) If, at the time of any annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the equivalent of six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on any share or shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be increased by two. In addition to voting together with the holders of Common Stock for the election of other directors of the Corporation, the holders of record of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled at said meeting of stockholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders), unless all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment prior thereto, to vote for the election of two directors of the Corporation, the holders of any Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock being entitled to cast a number of votes per share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as is specified in paragraph (a) of this Section 3. Until the default in payments of all dividends which permitted the election of said directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall have been so elected pursuant to the preceding sentence may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at the time entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of any such director at a special meeting of such holders called for that purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled by the vote of such holders. If and when such default shall cease to exist, the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be divested of the foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent like default in payments of dividends. Upon the termination of the foregoing special voting rights, the terms of office of all persons who may have been elected directors pursuant to said special voting rights shall forthwith terminate, and the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced by two. The voting rights granted by this Section 3(d) shall be in addition to any other voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in this Section 3.

SECTION 4. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancelation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.


SECTION 5. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, plus an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock or (2) to the holders of stock ranking on parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock except distributions made ratably on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all other such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event pursuant to clause (2) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

SECTION 6. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the then outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

SECTION 7. No Redemption; No Sinking Fund. (a) The shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation or at the option of any holder of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in the open market or by offer to any holder or holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

(b) The shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.


SECTION 8. Fractional Shares. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement in whole shares or in any fraction of a share that is one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share or any integral multiple of such fraction which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to receive dividends, exercise voting rights, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation, prior to the first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, may elect (1) to make a cash payment as provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a share other than one one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share or any integral multiple thereof or (2) to issue depository receipts evidencing such authorized fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Corporation and a depository selected by the Corporation; provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depository receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as holders of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. All payments made with respect to fractional shares hereunder shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent.

SECTION 9. Certain Restrictions. (a) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock;

(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; or

(iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

(b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (a) of this Section 9, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.


SECTION 10. Ranking. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation but senior to each of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Corporation as to dividends and upon liquidation, unless the Board of Directors shall specifically determine otherwise in fixing the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

SECTION 11. Amendment. None of the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended in any manner which would alter or change the powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designation to be duly executed in its corporate name on this day of [●], [●].

 

PJT PARTNERS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


EXHIBIT B

[Form of Right Certificate]

 

Certificate No. W-                                Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER [●], [●], OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED OR EXCHANGED. AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, THE RIGHTS MAY BE REDEEMED AT $0.001 PER RIGHT OR EXCHANGED FOR CLASS A COMMON STOCK ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ISSUED TO A PERSON WHO IS AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR CERTAIN TRANSFEREE OF THE RIGHTS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY SUCH PERSONS, THIS RIGHT CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY SHALL BE NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.

RIGHT CERTIFICATE

PJT PARTNERS INC.

This certifies that                     , or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of October 1, 2015 (the “Rights Agreement”) between PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 1, 2018, at the office of the Rights Agent, or of its successors as Rights Agent, designated for such purpose, one one-thousandth of a fully paid and nonassessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”) at a purchase price of $79.00 per one one-thousandth of a share, as the same may from time to time be adjusted in accordance with the Rights Agreement (the “Purchase Price”), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Rights Agreement.

As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events and, upon the happening of certain events, securities other than shares of Preferred Stock, or other property, may be acquired upon exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, as provided by the Rights Agreement.

Upon the occurrence of a Flip-In Event, if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a Person who, after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person, or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring


Person, such Rights shall be null and void and will no longer be transferable and no holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Flip-In Events.

This Right Certificate is subject to all the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of record of the Right Certificates, which limitation of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive office of the Company and are available upon written request to the Company.

This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder of record to purchase a like aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof, another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the occurrence of a Flip-In Event or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right. Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Company may, at its option, at any time after a Flip-In Event, exchange all or part of the Rights evidenced by this Certificate for shares of the Company’s Common Stock or for Preferred Stock (or shares of a class or series of the Company’s preferred stock having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Stock).

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, at any time after the occurrence of a Flip-In Event and prior to Acquiring Person becoming the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board of Directors may require all or any portion of the outstanding Rights (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person which have become null and void) to be exchanged for Common Stock on a pro rata basis, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock or one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series of the Company’s Preferred Stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).

No fractional shares of Preferred Stock shall be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the option of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), and no fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon the exchange of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby, and in lieu thereof, as provided in the Rights Agreement, fractions of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock shall receive an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the then Current Market Price of a share of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be.

 

2


No holder of this Right Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of Common Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote in the election of directors; or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (other than certain actions specified in the Rights Agreement) or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal. Dated as of             , [●].

 

ATTEST:     PJT PARTNERS INC.

 

    By:  

 

Secretary      
    Title:  

 

COUNTERSIGNED:     AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Rights Agent
    By:  

 

    Title:  

 

 

3


Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder

desires to transfer any or all of the Rights

represented by this Right Certificate)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

 

 

 

(Name, address and social security or other

identifying number of transferee)

(                    ) of the Rights represented by this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest in and to said Rights, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints                                         attorney to transfer said Rights on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution.

 

Dated:             ,            

 

    (Signature)  

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program.


Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate   
(continued)    2

 

CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

(1) the rights evidenced by this Right Certificate [    ] are [    ] are not being sold, assigned and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person (as such capitalized terms are defined in the Rights Agreement);

(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [    ] did [    ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any transferee of such Persons.

 

Dated:             ,             

 

    (Signature)

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program.

NOTICE

The signatures to the foregoing Assignment and the foregoing Certificate, if applicable, must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a participant in a Securities Transfer Association recognized signature program.

In the event that the foregoing Certificate is not duly executed, with signature guaranteed, the Company may deem the Rights represented by this Right Certificate to be Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such capitalized terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), and not issue any Right Certificate or Right Certificates in exchange for this Right Certificate.


Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate   
(continued)    3

 

FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder

desires to exercise any or all of the Rights

represented by this Right Certificate)

To PJT Partners Inc.:

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise                     (                    ) of the Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the shares of the Common Stock of the Company, or other securities or property issuable upon the exercise of said number of Rights pursuant to the Rights Agreement.

The undersigned hereby requests that a certificate for any such securities and any such property be issued in the name of and delivered to:

 

 

 

 

(Name, address and social security or other

identifying number of issuee)

The undersigned hereby further requests that if said number of Rights shall not be all the Rights represented by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the remaining balance of such Rights be issued in the name of and delivered to:

 

 

 

 

(Name, address and social security or other

identifying number of issuee)

 

Dated:             ,             

 

    (Signature)

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program.


Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate   
(continued)    4

 

CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

(1) the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate [     ] are [     ] are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);

(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [     ] did [     ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any transferee of such Persons.

 

Dated:             ,             

 

    (Signature)

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program.

NOTICE

The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and the foregoing Certificate, if applicable, must correspond to the name as written upon the face of the this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a participant in a Securities Transfer Association recognized signature program.

In the event that the foregoing Certificate is not duly executed, with signature guaranteed, the Company may deem the Rights represented by this Right Certificate to be Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such capitalized terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), and not issue any Right Certificate or Right Certificates in exchange for this Right Certificate.


EXHIBIT C

UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED OCTOBER 1, 2015 (THE “RIGHTS AGREEMENT”) BETWEEN PJT PARTNERS INC. AND AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, RIGHTS ISSUED TO, BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR AN ASSOCIATE OR AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) THEREOF AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BE NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.

PJT Partners Inc.

Summary of Terms of

Stockholder Rights Agreement

 

Nature of Right    When exercisable, each Right (a “Right”) will initially entitle the holder to purchase at the Purchase Price (as defined below) one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) of PJT Partners Inc. (the “Company”).
Means of Distribution    The Company will distribute the Rights to each holder of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) as a dividend of one Right for each share of Common Stock. The Company will also attach Rights to all future issuances of shares of Common Stock prior to the Distribution Date (as defined below).
Exercisability    Rights become exercisable on the earlier of: (i) the tenth business day after the date of public announcement by the Company or by any person or group that such person or group has become the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (an “Acquiring Person”), or (ii) the tenth business day (unless extended by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”)) following the commencement, or announcement of an intention to commence, by any person or group of a tender or exchange offer, which would result in any person becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates is referred to as the “Distribution Date”), provided that an Acquiring Person does not include an Exempt Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) for so long as any such person continues to be an Exempt Person. Rights will trade separately from the Common Stock once the Rights become exercisable.
Purchase Price    $79.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which is the amount that in the judgment of the Board represents the long-term value of one share of Common Stock over the term of the Rights Agreement (the “Purchase Price”).


Term    The Rights will expire upon the earliest of (i) October 1, 2018 or (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed or exchanged as described below (the earliest of (i) and (ii) being herein referred to as the “Expiration Date”).
Redemption of Rights    The Company may redeem Rights at a price of $0.001 per Right (rounded up to the nearest whole $0.01 in the case of any holder whose holdings are not in a multiple of ten), subject to the approval of the Board, at any time prior to the earlier of (x) the tenth business day after the first occurrence of a Flip-In Event (or, if such Flip-In Event shall have occurred prior to October 1, 2015 (the “Record Date”), the 10th business day following the Record Date) or (y) the Expiration Date.
Preferred Stock    The Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will be nonredeemable and junior to any other series of preferred stock the Company may issue (unless otherwise provided in the terms of such other series). Each share of Preferred Stock will have a preferential cumulative quarterly dividend in an amount equal to 1,000 times the dividend declared on each share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of Preferred Stock will receive a preferred liquidation payment equal to an amount per share equal to 1,000 times the aggregate payment to be distributed per share of Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes, voting together with the shares of Common Stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other securities, cash and/or other property, each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount and type of consideration received per share of Common Stock. The rights of the Preferred Stock as to dividends, liquidation and voting, and in the event of mergers and consolidations, are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions. Fractional shares (in integral multiples of one one-thousandth) of Preferred Stock will be issuable; however, the Company may elect to distribute depositary receipts in lieu of such fractional shares. In lieu of fractional shares other than fractions that are multiples of one one-thousandth of a share, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise. Because of the nature of the Preferred Stock’s dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of Common Stock.

 

2


Rights in Event of Acquisition of Substantial Amount of Common Stock    In the event that any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person (“Flip-In Event”), a holder of a Right thereafter has the right to purchase, upon payment of the then-current Purchase Price, in lieu of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock per outstanding Right, such number of shares of Common Stock having a market value at the time of the transaction equal to the Purchase Price divided by one-half the Current Market Price (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of the Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Rights held by an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or certain transferees will be null and void and no longer be transferable. In the event that there are insufficient authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to permit the exercise of the Rights in full upon the occurrence of a Flip-In Event, the Company may substitute certain other types of property for Common Stock so long as the total value received by the holder of the Rights is equivalent to the value of the Common Stock that the holder would otherwise have received.

Rights in Event of

Business Combination

   If, following the occurrence of a Flip-In Event, the Company is acquired by any person in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the securities of the Company are exchanged or converted or in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or 50% or more of its assets or earnings power are sold to any person (any such event, a “Flip-Over Event”), each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person, or Affiliates or Associates thereof) shall thereafter have the right to purchase, upon payment of the then-current Purchase Price, such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company having a current market value equal to the Purchase Price divided by one-half the Current Market Price of such common stock.
Exchange Option    In the event any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, and prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board may require all or any portion of the outstanding Rights (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person that have become void) to be exchanged for Common Stock on a pro rata basis, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock or one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
Fractional Shares    The Company will not issue any fractional shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Rights and, in lieu thereof, the Company will make a payment in cash to the holder of such Rights equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a share of Common Stock.

 

3


Adjustment    The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding dividends payable in Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above). The number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock is also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Stock or a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.
Rights as Stockholder    The Rights themselves do not entitle the holder thereof to any rights as a stockholder, including, without limitation, voting rights or to receive dividends.
Amendment of Rights    Until the Rights become nonredeemable, the Company may amend the Rights Agreement in any manner. After the Rights become nonredeemable, the Company may amend the Rights Agreement to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision, which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions, to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement, or to change or supplement any provision in any manner the Company may deem necessary or desirable, provided that no such amendment may adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights (other than the Acquiring Person or its Affiliates or Associates) or cause the Rights to again be redeemable or the Rights Agreement to again be freely amendable.
  

A copy of the Rights Agreement is available, free of charge, from the Company, PJT Partners Inc., 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Corporate Secretary. This summary description of the Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, as amended from time to time, which is incorporated in this summary description by reference.

 

4

EX-10.10 15 d21345dex1010.htm EX-10.10 EX-10.10

Exhibit 10.10

PJT PARTNERS INC.

2015 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose. The purpose of the PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and other members of the Company Group may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, employees, partners, consultants and advisors of the Company and other members of the Company Group can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, including incentive compensation measured by reference to the value of Common Stock or Partnership Interests, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company Group and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

2. Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan.

(a) “Absolute Share Limit” has the meaning given such term in Section 5(b) of the Plan.

(b) “Affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

(c) “Award” means, individually or collectively, any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Other Stock-Based Award, Other Cash-Based Award, Performance Compensation Award or Partnership Interest granted under the Plan.

(d) “Award Agreement” means the document or documents by which each Award is evidenced.

(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(f) “Cause” means, as to any Participant, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, (i) “Cause,” as defined in any employment agreement, Partner Agreement or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Service Recipient in effect at the time of such Termination (or with respect to an Award of Partnership Interests, as defined in the Partnership Agreement); or (ii) in the absence of such definition in any employment agreement, Partner Agreement or consulting agreement, the Participant’s (A) deliberate and repeated failure to perform substantially the Participant’s duties to the Service Recipient; (B) material breach of any partnership, employment, or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Service Recipient, or material breach of any restrictive covenants agreement between the Participant and any member of the Company Group; (C) conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude, or a determination by a court of competent jurisdiction, by a regulatory body or by a self-regulatory body having authority with respect to securities laws, rules or regulations, that the Participant individually has violated any securities laws or any rules or regulations thereunder, or any rules of any such self-regulatory body, if such conviction has a material adverse effect on the


business of the Company Group; (D) material breach of any material rules or regulations of the Service Recipient applicable to the Participant that have been provided to the Participant in writing and has a material adverse effect on the business of the Company Group; (E) act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or similar conduct by the Participant against the Company or any Affiliate.

(g) “Change in Control” means:

(i) the acquisition (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, combination or other similar transaction) by any Person of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, taking into account as outstanding for this purpose such Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock, treating as shares of Common Stock, for the avoidance of doubt, the number of shares of Common Stock into which any Partnership Interests are (or may become) exchangeable or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however, that for purposes of this Plan, the following acquisitions shall be excluded in the determination of a Change in Control: (I) any acquisition by the Company or any Affiliate; (II) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate; or (III) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of Persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of Persons including the Participant);

(ii) during any period of twelve (12) months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; and

(iii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company Group (taken as a whole) to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company.

(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

 

2


(i) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or any subcommittee thereof properly delegated in accordance with Section 4(a), or if no such Compensation Committee or subcommittee thereof exists, the Board.

(j) “Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such Common Stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged).

(k) “Company” means PJT Partners Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

(l) “Company Group” means, collectively, the Company and its Subsidiaries.

(m) “Date of Grant” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.

(n) “Designated Foreign Subsidiaries” means all members of the Company Group that are organized under the laws of any jurisdiction or country other than the United States of America that may be designated by the Board or the Committee from time to time.

(o) “Detrimental Activity” means any of the following: (i) unauthorized disclosure of any confidential or proprietary information of any member of the Company Group; (ii) any activity that would be grounds to terminate the Participant’s employment or service with the Service Recipient for Cause; and (iii) the breach of any noncompetition, nonsolicitation or other agreement containing restrictive covenants, with any member of the Company Group.

(p) “Disability” means, as to any Participant, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, (i) “Disability,” as defined in any employment agreement, Partner Agreement or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Service Recipient in effect at the time of such Termination; or (ii) in the absence of any such employment agreement, Partner Agreement or consulting agreement (or the absence of any definition of “Disability” contained therein), a condition entitling the Participant to receive benefits under a long-term disability plan of the Company Group in which such Participant is eligible to participate, or, in the absence of such a plan, the inability by reason of physical or mental illness or accident to perform the duties of the occupation at which a Participant was employed or served when such disability commenced, which inability is reasonably expected to be permanent and has continued for a period of six consecutive months. Any determination of whether Disability exists shall be made by the Company (or designee) in its sole and absolute discretion.

(q) “Effective Date” means September 16, 2015.

(r) “Eligible Director” means a person who is (i) with respect to actions intended to obtain an exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; (ii) with respect to actions intended to obtain the exception for performance-based

 

3


compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code; and (iii) with respect to actions undertaken to comply with the rules of the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, an “independent director” under the rules of the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, or a person meeting any similar requirement under any successor rule or regulation.

(s) “Eligible Person” means any (i) individual employed by, or providing services as a partner to, any member of the Company Group; provided, however, that no employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) director or officer of any member of the Company Group; or (iii) consultant or advisor to any member of the Company Group who may be offered securities registrable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act, who, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii) above has entered into an Award Agreement or who has received written notification from the Committee or its designee that they have been selected to participate in the Plan.

(t) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(u) “Exercise Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.

(v) “Fair Market Value” means, on a given date, if (i) the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock reported on the primary exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and traded on such date, or, if there are no such sales on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such sales were reported; (ii) the Common Stock is not listed on any national securities exchange but is quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the average between the closing bid price and ask price reported on such date, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock.

(w) “GAAP” has the meaning given to such term in Section 11(c) of the Plan.

(x) “Immediate Family Members” has the meaning given such term in Section 13(d) of the Plan.

(y) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option which is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option as described in Section 422 of the Code and otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Plan.

 

4


(z) “Indemnifiable Person” has the meaning given such term in Section 4(e) of the Plan.

(aa) “Negative Discretion” means the discretion authorized by the Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Performance Compensation Award consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.

(bb) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option which is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

(cc) “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an employee of any member of the Company Group.

(dd) “NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

(ee) “Option” means an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan.

(ff) “Option Period” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(c) of the Plan.

(gg) “Other Cash-Based Award” means an Award granted under Section 10 of the Plan that is payable without reference to the value of Common Stock.

(hh) “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award granted under Section 10 of the Plan that is payable by reference to the value of Common Stock.

(ii) “Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to the Plan.

(jj) “Partnership” means PJT Partners Holdings LP.

(kk) “Partner Agreement” means an agreement between a partner and a Service Recipient with respect to the provision of services of such partner to the Service Recipient.

(ll) “Partnership Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of PJT Partners Holdings LP, as the same may be amended from time to time.

(mm) “Partnership Interest” means any interest in the Partnership that is designated by the Committee that is available to be issued or granted under the Plan as an interest in the Partnership, including, without limitation, the LTIP Units as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

(nn) “Performance Compensation Award” means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.

(oo) “Performance Criteria” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under the Plan.

 

5


(pp) “Performance Formula” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulae applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

(qq) “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.

(rr) “Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Compensation Award.

(ss) “Permitted Transferee” has the meaning given such term in Section 13(d) of the Plan.

(tt) “Person” means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

(uu) “Plan” means this PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

(vv) “Restricted Period” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.

(ww) “Restricted Stock” means Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(xx) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (which may include, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.

(yy) “SAR Period” has the meaning given such term in Section 8(c) of the Plan.

(zz) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

 

6


(aaa) “Service Recipient” means, with respect to a Participant holding a given Award, the member of the Company Group by which the original recipient of such Award is a partner thereof, principally employed or to which such original recipient provides services, as applicable (or following a Termination, the member of the Company Group as to which any of the foregoing most recently applied).

(bbb) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.

(ccc) “Strike Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 8(b) of the Plan.

(ddd) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of such entity’s voting securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(ii) any partnership (or any comparable foreign entity) (A) the sole general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (B) the only general partners (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

(eee) “Substitute Award” has the meaning given such term in Section 5(e) of the Plan.

(fff) “Sub-Plans” means, any sub-plan to this Plan that has been adopted by the Board or the Committee for the purpose of permitting the offering of Awards to employees of certain Designated Foreign Subsidiaries or otherwise outside the United States of America, with each such sub-plan designed to comply with local laws applicable to offerings in such foreign jurisdictions. Although any Sub-Plan may be designated a separate and independent plan from the Plan in order to comply with applicable local laws, the Absolute Share Limit and the other limits specified in Section 5(b) shall apply in the aggregate to the Plan and any Sub-Plan adopted hereunder.

(ggg) “Termination” means the termination of a Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, with the Service Recipient.

3. Effective Date; Duration. The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The expiration date of the Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

 

7


4. Administration.

(a) The Committee shall administer the Plan; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such awards, in which case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan) or desired to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, it is intended that the Committee or subcommittee thereof shall consist of two or more Eligible Directors. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

(b) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock of the Company is listed or traded, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company or any Subsidiary the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Committee herein, and which may be so delegated as a matter of law, subject to Section 4(a) above.

(c) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock or Partnership Interests, as applicable, to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in or exercised for cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be so settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan; and (x) adopt Sub-Plans.

(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, the Partnership Agreement or an Award Agreement, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award or any documents evidencing Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and

 

8


shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons or entities, including, without limitation, the Company, any other member of the Company Group, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any stockholder of the Company.

(e) No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary (each such person, an “Indemnifiable Person”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder (unless constituting fraud or a willful criminal act or omission). Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken or determination made under the Plan or any Award Agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, and the Company shall advance to such Indemnifiable Person any such expenses promptly upon written request (which request shall include an undertaking by the Indemnifiable Person to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined as provided below that the Indemnifiable Person is not entitled to be indemnified); provided that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts, omissions or determinations of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of or otherwise supersede any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the organizational documents of any member of the Company Group, as a matter of law, under an individual indemnification agreement or contract or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold such Indemnifiable Persons harmless.

5. Grant of Awards; Shares and Partnership Interests Subject to the Plan; Limitations.

(a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Awards to one or more Eligible Persons.

(b) Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following limitations: (i) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, the total number of Awards available under the Plan shall be no more than 7,000,000 (the “Absolute Share Limit”), of which all or any portion may be issued as shares of Common Stock or Partnership Interests (counting the number of shares of Common Stock into which any Partnership Interests are (or may become) exchangeable and subject to the

 

9


reallocation provisions as set forth in Section 8.02(c) of the Partnership Agreement, but excluding the number of shares issuable under this Plan in connection with the vesting or exchange of replacement awards, retention awards, certain restricted stock awards to non-U.S. personnel or Partnership Interests issued or granted to Participants in connection with the completion of the Company’s spin-off transaction on October 1, 2015); (ii) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, grants of Options or SARs under the Plan in respect of no more than 700,000 shares of Common Stock may be made to any individual Participant during any single fiscal year of the Company (for this purpose, if a SAR is granted in tandem with an Option (such that the SAR expires with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is exercised), only the shares underlying the Option shall count against this limitation); (iii) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, no more than the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Absolute Share Limit may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan; (iv) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, no more than 700,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued in respect of Performance Compensation Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan to any individual Participant for a single fiscal year during a Performance Period (or with respect to each single fiscal year in the event a Performance Period extends beyond a single fiscal year), or in the event such share denominated Performance Compensation Award is paid in cash, other securities, other Awards or other property, no more than the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock on the last day of the Performance Period to which such Award relates; and (v) the maximum amount that can be paid to any individual Participant for a single fiscal year during a Performance Period (or with respect to each single fiscal year in the event a Performance Period extends beyond a single fiscal year) pursuant to a Performance Compensation Award denominated in cash (described in Section 11(a) of the Plan) shall be $10,000,000.

(c) Other than with respect to Substitute Awards, to the extent that an Award expires or is canceled, forfeited, terminated, settled in cash, or otherwise is settled without delivery to the Participant of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related, the undelivered shares or Partnership Interests will again be available for grant and/or reallocation, as applicable. Shares of Common Stock withheld in payment of the Exercise Price or taxes relating to an Award and shares equal to the number of shares surrendered in payment of any Exercise Price or Strike Price, or taxes relating to an Award, shall be deemed to constitute shares not issued to the Participant and shall be deemed to again be available for Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that such shares shall not become available for issuance hereunder if either: (i) the applicable shares are withheld or surrendered following the termination of the Plan; or (ii) at the time the applicable shares are withheld or surrendered, it would constitute a material revision of the Plan subject to stockholder approval under any then-applicable rules of the national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.

(d) Shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase or a combination of the foregoing.

(e) Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute

 

10


Awards”). Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, the Common Stock delivered by the Company or its Affiliates upon exchange of the Partnership Interests that have been issued under the Plan shall be issued under the Plan and shall be considered to be a Substitute Award. Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Absolute Share Limit; provided, that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares under a stockholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan.

(f) During each fiscal year, the Board may award annual compensation to any Non-Employee Director (including both shares of Common Stock subject to Awards and any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during the fiscal year (but excluding expense reimbursements)) in an amount not exceeding $750,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).

6. Eligibility. Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Eligible Persons.

7. Options.

(a) General. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, in written or electronic form, which agreement need not be the same for each Participant. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of a member of the Company Group, and no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Eligible Person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, provided that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the terms and conditions of such grant shall be subject to, and comply with, such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. If for any reason an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option or portion thereof shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan.

 

11


(b) Exercise Price. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the exercise price (“Exercise Price”) per share of Common Stock for each Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant); provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group, the Exercise Price per share shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant.

(c) Vesting and Expiration; Termination. Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates or events, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Options at any time and for any reason. Options shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “Option Period”); provided, that if the Option Period (other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option) would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Common Stock is prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (or Company-imposed “blackout period”), then the Option Period shall be automatically extended until the 30th day following the expiration of such prohibition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Option Period exceed five (5) years from the Date of Grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who on the Date of Grant owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of any member of the Company Group.

(d) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. Options which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company (or telephonic instructions to the extent provided by the Committee) in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable: (i) in cash, check, cash equivalent and/or shares of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value at the time the Option is exercised (including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock in lieu of actual issuance of such shares to the Company); provided, that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and have been held by the Participant for at least six months (unless otherwise determined by the Committee); or (ii) by such other method as the Committee may permit in its sole discretion, including, without limitation (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price; (B) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” pursuant to which the Company is delivered (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Committee) a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price; or (C) a “net exercise” procedure effected by withholding the minimum number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable in respect of an Option that are needed to pay the Exercise Price and all applicable required withholding and any other applicable taxes. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

 

12


(e) Notification upon Disqualifying Disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date the Participant makes a disqualifying disposition of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (i) two years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, retain possession, as agent for the applicable Participant, of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence, subject to complying with any instructions from such Participant as to the sale of such Common Stock.

(f) Compliance With Laws, etc. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner which the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as it may be amended from time to time, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.

8. Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) General. Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Any Option granted under the Plan may include tandem SARs. The Committee also may award SARs to Eligible Persons independent of any Option.

(b) Strike Price. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the strike price (“Strike Price”) per share of Common Stock for each SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a SAR granted in tandem with (or in substitution for) an Option previously granted shall have a Strike Price equal to the Exercise Price of the corresponding Option.

(c) Vesting and Expiration; Termination. A SAR granted in connection with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR granted independent of an Option shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates or events, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any SAR at any time and for any reason. SARs shall expire upon a date determined by the Committee, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant (the “SAR Period”); provided, that if the SAR Period would expire at a time when trading in the shares of Common Stock is

 

13


prohibited by the Company’s insider trading policy (or Company-imposed “blackout period”), then the SAR Period shall be automatically extended until the 30th day following the expiration of such prohibition.

(d) Method of Exercise. SARs which have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded.

(e) Payment. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and non-U.S. income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.

(f) Substitution of SARs for Nonqualified Stock Options. The Committee shall have the authority in its sole discretion to substitute, without the consent of the affected Participant or any holder or beneficiary of SARs, SARs settled in shares of Common Stock (or settled in shares or cash in the sole discretion of the Committee) for outstanding Nonqualified Stock Options; provided that (i) the substitution shall not otherwise result in a modification of the terms of any such Nonqualified Stock Option; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the substituted SARs shall be the same as the number of shares of Common Stock underlying such Nonqualified Stock Options; and (iii) the Strike Price of the substituted SARs shall be equal to the Exercise Price of such Nonqualified Stock Options.

9. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.

(a) General. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

(b) Stock Certificates and Book-Entry; Escrow or Similar Arrangement. Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate registered in the name of the Participant to be issued or shall cause share(s) of Common Stock to be registered in the name of the Participant and held in book-entry form subject to the Company’s directions and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than issued to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable and (ii) the appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute and deliver (in a manner permitted under Section 13(c) of the Plan or as otherwise determined by the Committee) an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the

 

14


amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 9 and unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Restricted Stock; provided that if the lapsing of restrictions with respect to any grant of Restricted Stock is contingent on satisfaction of performance conditions (other than or in addition to the passage of time), any dividends payable on such shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company and delivered (without interest) to the Participant within fifteen (15) days following the date on which the restrictions on such Restricted Stock lapse (and the right to any such accumulated dividends shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate). To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any stock certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company. A Participant shall have no rights or privileges as a stockholder as a holder of Restricted Stock Units.

(c) Vesting; Termination. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall vest, and any applicable Restricted Period shall lapse, in such manner and on such date or dates or upon such event or events as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such dates or events, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit or the lapsing of any applicable Restricted Period at any time and for any reason.

(d) Issuance of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units.

(i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall issue to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate (or, if applicable, a notice evidencing a book-entry notation) evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (on the date of distribution) equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall issue to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one (1) share of Common Stock (or other securities or other property, as applicable) for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to (A) pay cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock in lieu of issuing only shares of Common Stock in

 

15


respect of such Restricted Stock Units; or (B) defer the issuance of shares of Common Stock (or cash or part cash and part shares of Common Stock, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period if such extension would not cause adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code. If a cash payment is made in lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units. To the extent provided in an Award Agreement, the holder of outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to be credited with dividend equivalent payments (upon the payment by the Company of dividends on shares of Common Stock) either in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends (and interest may, at the sole discretion of the Committee, be credited on the amount of cash dividend equivalents at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee), which accumulated dividend equivalents (and interest thereon, if applicable) shall be payable at the same time as the underlying Restricted Stock Units are settled following the date on which the Restricted Period lapses with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, and, if such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividend equivalent payments (or interest thereon, if applicable).

(e) Legends on Restricted Stock. Each certificate, if any, or book entry representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan, if any, shall bear a legend or book entry notation substantially in the form of the following, in addition to any other information the Company deems appropriate, until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such shares of Common Stock:

TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS RESTRICTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE PJT PARTNERS INC. 2015 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT BETWEEN PJT PARTNERS INC. AND PARTICIPANT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND AWARD AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF PJT PARTNERS INC.

10. Other Stock-Based Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards and Partnership Interest-Based Awards. The Committee may issue unrestricted Common Stock, rights to receive grants of Awards at a future date, other Awards denominated in Common Stock (including, without limitation, performance shares or performance units) (“Other Stock-Based Awards”) and other Awards denominated in cash (including, without limitation, cash bonuses, or Partnership Interests) (“Other Cash-Based Awards”) under the Plan to Eligible Persons, alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and each Other Cash-Based Awards shall be evidenced by such form as the Committee may determine from time to time. Each Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award, as applicable, so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement or other form evidencing such Award, including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 13(c) of the Plan.

 

16


11. Performance Compensation Awards.

(a) General. The Committee shall have the authority, at or before the time of grant of any Award, to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if the Company determines that a Participant who has been granted an Award designated as a Performance Compensation Award is not (or is no longer) a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code), the terms and conditions of such Award may be modified without regard to any restrictions or limitations set forth in this Section 11 (but subject otherwise to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan).

(b) Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards. With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have sole discretion to select the length of such Performance Period, the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goal(s) that is (are) to apply and the Performance Formula(e). Within the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.

(c) Performance Criteria. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) may be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (and/or one or more members of the Company Group, divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments, or any combination of the foregoing) and shall be limited to the following, which may be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or on a non-GAAP basis: (i) net earnings, net income (before or after taxes) or consolidated net income; (ii) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (iii) net revenue or net revenue growth; (iv) gross revenue or gross revenue growth, gross profit or gross profit growth; (v) net operating profit (before or after taxes); (vi) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on investment, assets, capital, employed capital, invested capital, equity, or sales); (vii) cash flow measures (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, or cash flow return on capital), which may but are not required to be measured on a per share basis; (viii) actual or adjusted earnings before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization (including EBIT and EBITDA); (ix) gross or net operating margins; (x) productivity ratios; (xi) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); (xii) expense targets or cost reduction goals, general and administrative expense savings; (xiii) operating efficiency; (xiv) objective measures of customer/client satisfaction; (xv) working capital targets; (xvi) measures of economic value added or other ‘value creation’ metrics; (xvii) enterprise value; (xviii) sales; (xix) stockholder return; (xx) customer/client retention; (xxi) competitive market metrics; (xxii) employee retention; (xxiii) objective measures of personal targets, goals

 

17


or completion of projects (including but not limited to succession and hiring projects, completion of specific acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations or other corporate transactions or capital-raising transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets); (xxiv) comparisons of continuing operations to other operations; (xxv) market share; (xxvi) cost of capital, debt leverage year-end cash position or book value; (xxvii) strategic objectives; or (xxviii) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be stated as a percentage of another Performance Criteria, or used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of one or more members of the Company Group as a whole or any divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments or administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more members of the Company Group or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a selected group of comparison companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria specified in this paragraph. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.

(d) Modification of Performance Goal(s). In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining stockholder approval of such alterations, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such alterations without obtaining stockholder approval. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time a Performance Compensation Award is granted, the Committee shall, during the first ninety (90) days of a Performance Period (or, within any other maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter to the extent the exercise of such authority at such time would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for such Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, specify adjustments or modifications to be made to the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period, based on and in order to appropriately reflect the following events: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) acquisitions or divestitures; (vi) any other specific, unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (vii) foreign exchange gains and losses; (viii) discontinued operations and nonrecurring charges; and (ix) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.

(e) Payment of Performance Compensation Awards.

(i) Condition to Receipt of Payment. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.

 

18


(ii) Limitation. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that: (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (B) all or some portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period based on the application of the Performance Formula to such achieved Performance Goals.

(iii) Certification. Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the amount of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award actually payable for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion.

(iv) Use of Negative Discretion. In determining the actual amount of an individual Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, the Committee shall not have the discretion to: (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained; or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the applicable limitations set forth in Section 5 of the Plan.

(f) Timing of Award Payments. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period shall be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by this Section 11. Any Performance Compensation Award that has been deferred shall not (between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) increase (i) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in cash, by a measuring factor for each fiscal year greater than a reasonable rate of interest set by the Committee or (ii) with respect to a Performance Compensation Award that is payable in shares of Common Stock, by an amount greater than the appreciation of a share of Common Stock from the date such Award is deferred to the payment date. Any Performance Compensation Award that is deferred and is otherwise payable in shares of Common Stock shall be credited (during the period between the date as of which the Award is deferred and the payment date) with dividend equivalents (in a manner consistent with the methodology set forth in the last sentence of Section 9(d)(ii) of the Plan).

12. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events.

(a) In the event of (i) any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property, including Partnership Interests), reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or

 

19


Partnership Interests, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or Partnership Interests, or other similar corporate or Partnership transaction or event that affects the shares of Common Stock or Partnership Interests, as applicable (including a Change in Control) or (ii) unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or the Partnership, including changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements, that the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, could result in substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights intended to be granted to, or available for, Participants (any event in (i) or (ii), an “Adjustment Event”), the Committee shall, in respect of any such Adjustment Event, make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable to any or all of (A) the Absolute Share Limit, or any other limit applicable under the Plan with respect to the number of Awards which may be granted hereunder, (B) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property, including Partnership Interests) which may be issued in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan or any Sub-Plan, and (C) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (1) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property, including Partnership Interests) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate, (2) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award, or (3) any applicable performance measures (including, without limitation, the Performance Conditions applicable to LTIP Units (as such terms are defined under the Partnership Agreement and related Award Agreements), Performance Criteria and Performance Goals) provided, however, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto)), the Committee shall make an equitable adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any adjustment under this Section 12 shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

(b) Adjustment Events. Without limiting the foregoing, except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, in connection with any Adjustment Event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

(i) a substitution or assumption of Awards (or awards of an acquiring company), acceleration of the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards, or a period of time (which shall not be required to be more than ten (10) days) for Participants to exercise outstanding Awards prior to the occurrence of such event (and that any such Award not so exercised shall terminate upon the occurrence of such event); and

(ii) subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, cancellation of any one or more outstanding Awards and payment to the holders of such Awards that are vested as of such cancellation (including, without limitation, any Awards that would vest as a result of the occurrence of such event but for such cancellation or for which vesting is accelerated by the Committee in connection with such event), the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which value, if applicable, may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company or holders of Partnership Interests, as applicable, in such event), including, without

 

20


limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR, respectively (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto shall be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor), or, in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards that are not vested as of such cancellation, a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards prior to cancellation, or the underlying shares in respect thereof.

Payments to holders pursuant to clause (iii) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Common Stock or Partnership Interests, as applicable, covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable Exercise Price or Strike Price).

(c) Other Requirements. Prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 12, the Committee may require a Participant to (i) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to his or her Awards, (ii) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock or Partnership Interests, as applicable, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code; and (iii) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

13. Amendments and Termination.

(a) Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if: (i) such approval is necessary to comply with any regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or regulations of the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company may be listed or quoted) or for changes in GAAP to new accounting standards; (ii) it would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under the Plan (except for increases pursuant to Section 5 or 12 of the Plan); (iii) it would materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan; (iv) it would reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of any SAR; (v) it would result in the Committee canceling an outstanding Option or SAR and replacing it with a new Option or SAR (with a lower Exercise Price or Strike Price, as the case may be) or other Award or cash payment that is greater than the intrinsic value (if any) of the cancelled Option or SAR or (vi) it would result in the Committee taking any other action which is considered a

 

21


“repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted; provided further, that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under an outstanding Award shall not be effective without the consent of the affected Participant.

(b) Amendment of Award Agreements. The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable Award Agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award Agreement, prospectively or retroactively (including after a Participant’s Termination); provided, that, other than pursuant to Section 12, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant under an outstanding Award shall not be effective without the consent of the affected Participant.

(c) Award Agreements. Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including, without limitation, the effect on such Award of the Termination of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, an Award Agreement may be in any such form (written or electronic) as determined by the Committee (including, without limitation, a Board or Committee resolution, an employment agreement, a notice, a certificate or a letter) evidencing the Award. The Committee need not require an Award Agreement to be signed by the Participant or a duly authorized representative of the Company.

(d) Nontransferability.

(i) Each Award shall be exercisable only by such Participant to whom such Award was granted during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant (unless such transfer is specifically required pursuant to a domestic relations order or other applicable law) other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against any member of the Company Group; provided, that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) to be transferred by a Participant, without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award Agreement to preserve the purposes of the Plan, to: (A) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act or any successor form of registration statement promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively, the “Immediate Family Members”); (B) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members (or with respect to any partner in the Partnership, any other

 

22


Personal Planning Vehicle (as defined in the Partnership Agreement)); (C) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or stockholders are the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (D) a beneficiary to whom donations are eligible to be treated as “charitable contributions” for federal income tax purposes;

(each transferee described in clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) above is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”); provided that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of the Plan.

(iii) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with clause (ii) above shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in the Plan, or in any applicable Award Agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that: (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the shares of Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award Agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate; (C) neither the Committee nor the Company shall be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under the Plan or otherwise; and (D) the consequences of the Termination of the Participant under the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including, without limitation, that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

(e) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. The Committee in its sole discretion may provide a Participant as part of an Award with dividends, dividend equivalents, or similar payments in respect of Awards, payable in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, payment directly to the Participant, withholding of such amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award or reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or other Awards; provided, that no dividends, dividend equivalents or other similar payments shall be payable in respect of outstanding (i) Options or SARs; or (ii) unearned Performance Compensation Awards or other unearned Awards subject to performance conditions (other than, or in addition to, the passage of time) (although dividends, dividend equivalents or other similar payments may be accumulated in respect of unearned Awards and paid within fifteen (15) days after such Awards are earned and become payable or distributable).

(f) Tax Withholding.

(i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Service Recipient or any other member of the Company Group, and the Service Recipient or any other member of the

 

23


Company Group shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property issuable or deliverable under any Award or from any compensation or other amounts owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property) of any required withholding or any other applicable taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding or any other applicable taxes.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the Committee may (but is not obligated to), in its sole discretion, permit a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) that have been held by the Participant for at least six months (unless otherwise determined by the Committee) having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability or (B) having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability, provided that with respect to shares withheld pursuant to clause (B), the number of such shares may not have a Fair Market Value greater than the minimum required statutory withholding liability unless determined by the Committee not to result in adverse accounting consequences.

(g) No Guarantees Regarding Tax Treatment. Participants shall be responsible for all taxes with respect to any Awards under the Plan. The Committee and the Company make no guarantees to any party regarding the tax treatment of Awards or payments made under the Plan. Neither the Committee nor the Company has any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any tax on any party with respect to any Award under Section 409A of the Code or Section 457A of the Code or otherwise and none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any of their employees or representatives shall have any liability to a Participant with respect thereto.

(h) Data Protection. By participating in the Plan or accepting any rights granted under it, each Participant consents to the collection and processing of personal data relating to the Participant so that the Company and its Affiliates can fulfill their obligations and exercise their rights under the Plan and generally administer and manage the Plan. This data will include, but may not be limited to, data about participation in the Plan and shares offered or received, purchased or sold under the Plan from time to time and other appropriate financial and other data (such as the date on which the Awards were granted) about the Participant and the Participant’s participation in the Plan.

(i) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver. No employee of any member of the Company Group, or other Person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award, except with respect to any Forfeited Units (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) that may be reallocated under the Partnership Agreement. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and

 

24


interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Service Recipient or any other member of the Company Group, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Service Recipient or any other member of the Company Group may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement. By accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under the Plan or any Award Agreement, except to the extent of any provision to the contrary in any written employment contract or other agreement between the Service Recipient and/or any member of the Company Group and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.

(j) International Participants. With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of the Plan and create or amend Sub-Plans or amend outstanding Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant, any member of the Company Group.

(k) Designation and Change of Beneficiary. Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under the Plan upon his or her death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change his or her beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by the Committee shall be controlling; provided, however, that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, his or her estate.

(l) Termination. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence (including, without limitation, a call to active duty for military service through a Reserve or National Guard unit) nor a transfer from employment or service with one Service Recipient to employment or service with another Service Recipient (or vice-versa) shall be considered a Termination; and (ii) if a Participant undergoes a Termination, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company Group in another capacity, such change in status shall not be considered a Termination for purposes of the Plan. Further, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that any Service Recipient ceases to be a member of the Company Group (by reason of sale, divestiture, spin-off or other similar transaction), unless a

 

25


Participant’s employment or service is transferred to another entity that would constitute a Service Recipient immediately following such transaction, such Participant shall be deemed to have suffered a Termination hereunder as of the date of the consummation of such transaction.

(m) No Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award Agreement, no Person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock which are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to such Person.

(n) Government and Other Regulations.

(i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in shares of Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel (if the Company has requested such an opinion), satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, the Federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the NYSE or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted and any other applicable Federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, rules, regulations and other requirements, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of the Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on certificates representing shares of Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or may cause such Common Stock or other securities of any member of the Company Group issued under the Plan in book-entry form to be held subject to the Company’s instructions or subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that the Committee in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.

(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of shares of

 

26


Common Stock from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, (A) pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (I) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or issued, as applicable), over (II) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of issuance of shares of Common Stock or Partnership Interests (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof, or (B) in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards, provide the Participant with a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards, or the underlying shares thereof.

(o) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants. If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for the Participant’s affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such Person or his or her estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his or her spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

(p) Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

(q) Partnership Interests. With respect to an Award of Partnership Interests, in the event of a conflict or inconsistency as between the Plan and the Partnership Agreement or as between the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, the Partnership Agreement and the Award Agreement shall govern and control, respectively.

(r) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between any member of the Company Group, on the one hand, and a Participant or other Person, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the

 

27


Company be obligated to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other service providers under general law.

(s) Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of any member of the Company Group and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself or herself.

(t) Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan or as required by applicable law.

(u) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. EACH PARTICIPANT WHO ACCEPTS AN AWARD IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST SUCH PARTICIPANT IN RESPECT OF THE PARTICIPANT’S RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER.

(v) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or entity or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(w) Obligations Binding on Successors. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.

(x) Section 409A of the Code.

(i) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, it is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Each

 

28


Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or in respect of such Participant in connection with the Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Service Recipient nor any other member of the Company Group shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. With respect to any Award that is considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, references in the Plan to “termination of employment” (and substantially similar phrases) shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each of the payments that may be made in respect of any Award granted under the Plan is designated as separate payments.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, no payments in respect of any Awards that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and which would otherwise be payable upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) shall be made to such Participant prior to the date that is six months after the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death. Following any applicable six month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest date permitted under Section 409A of the Code that is also a business day.

(iii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in the event that the timing of payments in respect of any Award (that would otherwise be considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code) would be accelerated upon the occurrence of (A) a Change in Control, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the event giving rise to the Change in Control satisfies the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code and any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or (B) a Disability, no such acceleration shall be permitted unless the Disability also satisfies the definition of “Disability” pursuant to Section 409A of the Code and any Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

(y) Clawback/Repayment. All Awards shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (i) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or Committee as in effect from time to time and (ii) applicable law. Further, to the extent that the Participant receives any amount in excess of the amount that the Participant should otherwise have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or other administrative error), the Participant shall be required to repay any such excess amount to the Company.

(z) Detrimental Activity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if a Participant has engaged in any Detrimental Activity, as determined by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for one or both of the following:

(i) cancellation of any or all of such Participant’s outstanding Awards; or

(ii) forfeiture by the Participant of any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of Awards, and to repay any such gain promptly to the Company.

 

29


(aa) Right of Offset. The Company will have the right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement any outstanding amounts (including, without limitation, travel and entertainment or advance account balances, loans, repayment obligations under any Awards, or amounts repayable to the Company pursuant to tax equalization, housing, automobile or other employee programs) that the Participant then owes to any member of the Company Group, as applicable, and any amounts the Committee otherwise deems appropriate pursuant to any tax equalization policy or agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Award is “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Committee will have no right to offset against its obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock (or other property or cash) under the Plan or any Award Agreement if such offset could subject the Participant to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A of the Code in respect of an outstanding Award.

(bb) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

(cc) Expenses; Gender; Titles and Headings. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company Group. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

30

EX-10.11 16 d21345dex1011.htm EX-10.11 EX-10.11

Exhibit 10.11

PJT PARTNERS INC. 2015 BONUS DEFERRAL PLAN

Purpose

The PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Bonus Deferral Plan (the “Plan”) represents a deferred compensation plan for certain eligible employees and partners of PJT Partners Inc. (“PJT Partners”) and certain of its affiliates in order to provide such individuals with pre-tax deferred incentive compensation awards and thereby enhance the alignment of interests between such individuals and the Company and its affiliates. This Plan governs Annual Bonuses (as defined below) earned in respect of 2015 and subsequent calendar years. This Plan operates as a sub-plan to the PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan and, accordingly, any Common Shares (as defined below) or equity-based awards thereon issued pursuant to this Plan will be deemed as issued under the share reserve established under the PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below.

Affiliated Employer” means, except as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, any company or other entity that is related to the Company as a member of a controlled group of corporations in accordance with Section 414(b) of the Code or as a trade or business under common control in accordance with Section 414(c) of the Code.

Annual Bonus” means the annual bonus awarded to a Participant with respect to a given Fiscal Year under the applicable annual bonus plan, program, agreement or other arrangement (as designated by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion); provided that a Participant’s Annual Bonus for purposes of this Plan shall exclude any bonus or other amount, the payment of which has been guaranteed or promised to the Participant at any time prior to the Annual Bonus Notification Date pursuant to any agreement, plan, program or other arrangement between the Participant and the Company (a “Guaranteed Bonus”) unless the document evidencing the Guaranteed Bonus expressly provides for the deferral of all or a specified portion of such Guaranteed Bonus, in which case such deferral will occur pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in such document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Plan Administrator determines that the deferral under the Plan of a Participant’s Guaranteed Bonus likely would result in the imposition of tax or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, the Participant’s Annual Bonus shall exclude such Guaranteed Bonus.

Annual Bonus Notification Date” means the date on which the Company notifies a Participant of the amount of such Participant’s Annual Bonus (if any) for the relevant Fiscal Year.

Board” means the board of directors of PJT Partners.


Bonus Deferral Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

Cause,” with respect to a Participant, has the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement to which such Participant is a party.

Change in Control” means, with respect to the Company, a “Change in Control” as defined under the Equity Incentive Plan, to the extent that such event also constitutes a “change of control” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance promulgated thereunder.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Common Shares” means the publicly-traded shares of Class A Common Stock of PJT Partners which are available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan.

Company” means PJT Partners and each Participating Employer (individually or collectively as the context requires).

Competitive Activity” means a Participant’s engagement in any activity that would constitute a violation of any non-competition covenants to which the Participant is subject under the Participant’s Employment Agreement, determined without regard to the actual duration of such non-competition covenants pursuant to the Employment Agreement.

Deferral Award” means such number of Common Shares, restricted stock units on Common Shares or other equity-based awards denominated in Common Shares calculated in accordance with Section 3.01(b).

Delivery Date” shall mean the date upon which Common Shares (or, if applicable, cash or other securities) are delivered with respect to any Deferral Award, as set forth in Section 5.01.

Disability” has the meaning as provided under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) of the Code.

Employment” means (i) a Participant’s employment if the Participant is an employee of PJT Partners or any Affiliated Employer or (ii) a Participant’s services as a partner of PJT Partners or any Affiliated Employer if the Participant is a partner.

Employment Agreement” means, with respect to a Participant, the Contracting Employment Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits thereto) or, with respect to a Participant who is a partner, the Partner Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits thereto), as applicable, to which such Participant is a party.

Equity Incentive Plan” means the PJT Partners Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan or such other plan as the Plan Administrator may designate in its sole discretion.

Fair Market Value” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Equity Incentive Plan; provided that, with respect to a security other than Common Shares, if the fair market value of such security cannot reasonably be determined pursuant to the foregoing definition, the Fair Market Value of such security shall be the value thereof as determined pursuant to a valuation made by the Plan Administrator in good faith and based upon a reasonable valuation method.

 

2


Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of PJT Partners.

Investment Date” means the January 1 immediately following the Fiscal Year in respect of which a Participant’s Annual Bonus is earned, which shall be the date on which such Participant’s Bonus Deferral Amount is deemed invested in Common Shares in accordance with Section 3.01(b).

Participant” means a participant selected by the Plan Administrator in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof.

Participating Employer” means PJT Partners and each Affiliated Employer (or division or unit of an Affiliated Employer) that is designated as a “Participating Employer” by the Plan Administrator and which adopts this Plan.

Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, joint venture or enterprise or a governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.

Plan Account” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.01(b).

Plan Administrator” means the Board or the committee or subcommittee thereof to whom the Board delegates authority to administer the Plan, or such other person or persons as the Board may appoint for such purpose from time to time. Additionally, the Plan Administrator may delegate its authority under the Plan to any employee or group of employees of PJT Partners or an Affiliate Employer; provided that such delegation is consistent with applicable law and guidelines established by the Board from time to time.

Retirement” means a Participant’s Separation from Service (whether voluntary or involuntary) after (i) the Participant has reached age sixty-five (65) and has at least five (5) full years of service with the Company and Blackstone or (ii) (A) the Participant’s age plus years of service with the Company and Blackstone totals at least sixty-five (65), (B) the Participant has reached age fifty-five (55) and (C) the Participant has had a minimum of five (5) years of service the Company and Blackstone.

Separation from Service” means a Participant’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

Vesting Date” has the meanings set forth in Sections 4.01(b) and 6.01. “Vesting Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b).

VWAP” means the 30-day volume weighted average trading price of a Common Share (as reported on the national exchange on which the Common Shares are listed on each such date) over the 30-day period (only counting trading days for Common Shares) immediately preceding the relevant measurement date.

 

3


ARTICLE II.

PLAN PARTICIPATION

2.01. Plan Participation. Each Fiscal Year, on or prior to the Annual Bonus Notification Date for such Fiscal Year, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, will select Participants from among the employees and partners of the Participating Employers and will notify such individuals that they have been selected to participate in the Plan for such Fiscal Year. The Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, establish different rules and/or sub-plans under the Plan (x) with respect to Participants based outside of the United States and Participants who are employees of, or other service providers for, a “nonqualified entity” within the meaning of Section 457A of the Code, in each case, in a manner intended to address tax, administrative and securities law considerations with respect to the Company and such Participants or (y) on such terms as are approved by the Plan Administrator and communicated to the applicable Participants prior to or coincident with the Annual Bonus Notification Date. Such alternate rules and/or sub-plans may include, without limitation, different treatment with respect to timing of vesting and delivery of Common Shares (or, if applicable, cash or other securities) under the Plan and may be set forth in Schedules to be attached hereto from time to time.

ARTICLE III.

DEFERRALS

3.01. Bonus Award Deferrals.

(a) With respect to a given Fiscal Year commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2015, and for each Participant selected to participate in the Plan in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof, a portion of the Annual Bonus (excluding any portion thereof that is being separately deferred pursuant to this Plan or any other agreement, plan, program or other arrangement between the Participant and the Company) for the Fiscal Year shall be deferred (his or her “Bonus Deferral Amount”) in accordance with the following table (or such other table that may be adopted by the Plan Administrator prior to or coincident with the Annual Bonus Notification Date):

 

Portion of Annual Bonus

   Marginal Deferral
Rate Applicable to
Such Portion
    Effective Deferral Rate
for Entire Annual
Bonus*
 

$0 - 100,000

     0.0     0.0

$100,001 - 200,000

     15.0     7.5

$200,001 - 500,000

     20.0     15.0

$500,001 - 750,000

     30.0     20.0

$750,001 - 1,250,000

     40.0     28.0

$1,250,001 - 2,000,000

     45.0     34.4

$2,000,001 - 3,000,000

     50.0     39.6

$3,000,001 - 4,000,000

     55.0     43.4

$4,000,001 - 5,000,000

     60.0     46.8

$5,000,000 +

     65.0     52.8

 

* Effective Deferral Rates are shown for illustrative purposes only and are based on an Annual Bonus equal to the maximum amount in the range shown in the far left column (which is assumed to be $7,500,000 for the last range shown).

 

4


For purposes of determining the Bonus Deferral Amount pursuant to the above table, a Participant’s total annual incentive compensation shall be taken into account, although the Bonus Deferral Amount shall only reduce (but not below zero) the amount of the Annual Bonus otherwise payable in cash on a current basis.

Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) if a Participant’s Annual Bonus includes a Guaranteed Bonus, such Participant’s Bonus Deferral Amount shall be equal to (x) the portion of the Guaranteed Bonus which the document evidencing the Guaranteed Bonus states will be deferred, plus (y) a portion of the amount (if any) by which the Participant’s Annual Bonus exceeds his or her Guaranteed Bonus, determined pursuant to the table above and (ii) the Company reserves the right to change the method by which a Participant’s Bonus Deferral Amount will be calculated with respect to any Annual Bonus by notifying the Participant in writing in advance of the Annual Bonus Notification Date for such Annual Bonus. Deferral of each Participant’s Bonus Deferral Amount for the relevant Fiscal Year shall be automatic and mandatory and shall occur immediately prior to the Investment Date for such Fiscal Year. The excess of the Participant’s Annual Bonus for the relevant Fiscal Year over his or her Bonus Deferral Amount for such Fiscal Year shall be paid to the Participant on such date and in the same manner as such Participant’s Annual Bonus would have been paid to him or her if he or she was not a Participant in the Plan with respect to such Fiscal Year.

(b) On the Investment Date, the number of underlying shares of a Participant’s Deferral Award shall be determined by taking such Participant’s entire Bonus Deferral Amount corresponding to such Investment Date and automatically and mandatorily investing such Bonus Deferral Amount on a notional basis in the number of Common Shares that is equal to such Bonus Deferral Amount divided by the VWAP of a Common Share as of the corresponding Annual Bonus Notification Date, rounded up to the nearest whole number. The Company will keep on its books and records an account for each Participant (his or her “Plan Account”), in which the Company will record the number of Common Shares underlying the Deferral Award awarded to such Participant.

ARTICLE IV.

VESTING

4.01. Vesting.

(a) Deferral Award. Subject to Article VI, and except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g), one-third of the Common Shares underlying the Deferral Award granted to a Participant in respect of a given Investment Date will vest (but will only be deliverable pursuant to Article V) on the January 1 that immediately follows the end of each of the first, second and third Fiscal Years after the Fiscal Year to which the relevant Annual Bonus relates, subject to the Participant remaining continuously Employed with the Company through the applicable Vesting Date (or on such other vesting schedule selected by the Plan Administrator and communicated to the Participant prior to or coincident with the Annual Bonus

 

5


Notification Date or as otherwise set forth in prior versions of this Plan). For the avoidance of doubt, the Common Shares underlying Deferral Award shall not be eligible for partial-year vesting.

(b) Vesting Date; Vesting Period. For purposes of this Plan, and except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g), the date upon which all or a portion of a Participant’s Deferral Award vests in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.01 shall be referred to as the “Vesting Date” for such portion of the Deferral Award. The period between the Investment Date in respect of which a Deferral Award is granted and the Vesting Date on which such Deferral Award vests in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be referred to as the “Vesting Period.”

ARTICLE V.

DELIVERY OF SHARES

5.01. Delivery Generally. The Common Shares (or, if applicable, cash or other securities) underlying the Deferral Award shall generally be delivered to Participants on a date intended to coincide with a date upon which the underlying Common Shares (or, if applicable, other securities) may next be traded or converted by the Participant (subject to further restrictions due to Firm policies in place at such time) as set forth below:

(a) Window Period for Delivery of Deferral Award. The “Delivery Date” for each Common Share underlying a Deferral Award shall be a date selected by the Plan Administrator which generally falls between the first February 1 and March 1 following the Vesting Date applicable to such Deferral Award, subject to the discretion and limitation set forth in Section 5.02.

(b) Form of Delivery. On the applicable Delivery Date, or as soon as reasonably practicable after such Delivery Date (but in no event more than ten (10) business days after such Delivery Date, subject to the discretion and limitation set forth in Section 5.02), the Company shall issue to the Participant, in full settlement of the Company’s obligations with respect to the deliverable portion of the Participant’s Deferral Award, unless otherwise provided in a service agreement between the Participant and PJT Partners or any of its affiliates, the number of Common Shares subject to such Deferral Award or an amount in cash or other securities, including a number of interests in PJT Partners Holdings LP, with equivalent value to the VWAP of such number of Common Shares as of the date of such payment, or a combination of any of the foregoing, as determined by the Plan Administrator.

5.02. Issuance of Common Shares. The issuance of any Common Shares to a Participant pursuant to the Plan shall be effectuated by recording the Participant’s ownership of such Common Shares in a book-entry or similar system utilized by the Company as soon as practicable following the Delivery Date applicable thereto. Any Common Shares issued to a Participant hereunder will be held in an account administered by the Company’s equity plan administrator or such other account as the Plan Administrator may determine in its discretion. No Participant shall have any rights as an owner with respect to any Common Shares under the Plan prior to the date on which the Participant becomes entitled to delivery of such Common Shares in accordance with Section 5.01. The Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, cause the

 

6


Company to defer the delivery of any Common Shares (or, if applicable, cash or other securities) pursuant to this Plan as the Plan Administrator deems reasonably necessary to ensure compliance under federal or state securities laws, the Company’s insider trading policy or a Company-imposed “blackout period”; provided, that, such delivery shall be made at the earliest date at which the Plan Administrator reasonably anticipates would not result in such noncompliance and in no event later than the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Vesting Date occurs.

5.03. Taxes and Withholding. As a condition to any payment or distribution pursuant to this Plan, the Company may require a Participant to pay such sum to the Company as may be necessary to discharge the Company’s obligations with respect to any taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, whether of the United States or any other jurisdiction, which the Company reasonably expects will be imposed as a result of such payment or distribution. In the discretion of the Company, the Company may deduct or withhold such sum from such payment or distribution (including by deduction or withholding of Common Shares (or, if applicable, other securities), provided that the amount the Company deducts or withholds shall not (unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator) exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations. Alternatively, the Company may elect to satisfy the tax withholding obligations by advancing and remitting its own funds on behalf of the Participant to the applicable tax authorities, in which case the Participant shall be required to repay such amounts to the Company within 5 days of such remittance, together with interest thereon based on the Company’s cost of funds as determined by PJT Partners Treasury from time to time. In the event that the Company plans to advance a tax withholding remittance on behalf of the Participant as described in the preceding sentence, the Company shall provide the Participant with reasonable advance notice to permit the Participant to remit the required funds in cash to the Company prior to the required withholding date and thereby avoid the need to have the Company advance its own funds to the tax authorities.

5.04. Liability for Payment. Each Participating Employer shall be liable for the amount of any distribution or payment owed to a Participant pursuant to Section 5.01 who is Employed by such Participating Employer during the relevant Vesting Period; provided, however, that in the event that a Participant is Employed by more than one Participating Employer during the relevant Vesting Period, each Participating Employer shall be liable for its allocable portion of such distribution or payment.

ARTICLE VI.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; CHANGE IN CONTROL

6.01. Termination of Employment. In the event that a Participant’s Employment with the Company is terminated, or a Change in Control occurs, in either case prior to the Vesting Date or Delivery Date that would otherwise apply to any portion of such Participant’s Deferral Award, vesting and delivery (if any) of the Deferral Award shall be governed by this Section 6.01.

(a) Termination by the Company For Cause. Upon termination of a Participant’s Employment by the Company for Cause, all portions of such Participant’s Deferral Award (vested and unvested) shall be forfeited without any payment.

 

7


(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause. Upon termination of a Participant’s Employment with the Company without Cause at such time as the Participant does not qualify for Retirement, such Participant’s unvested portion of the Deferral Award shall immediately vest (in which case, the date of the Participant’s termination without Cause shall be referred to as the “Vesting Date” for such portion of the Deferral Award) and be delivered to the Participant in accordance with Article V.

(c) Resignation. In the event that a Participant resigns from the Company, such Participant’s unvested portion of the Deferral Award shall be forfeited without payment.

(d) Retirement. In the event of a Participant’s Retirement from the Company, all of such Participant’s unvested portion of the Deferral Award shall continue to vest in accordance with Article IV, and shall continue to be delivered to the Participant in accordance with Article V, as though the Participant remained continuously Employed with the Company through the end of the Vesting Period; provided that if, following a termination of his or her Employment with the Company as described in this Section 6.01(d), such Participant breaches any applicable provision of the Employment Agreement to which the Participant is a party or otherwise engages in any Competitive Activity, such Participant’s portion of the Deferral Award which remains undelivered as of the date of such violation or engagement in Competitive Activity, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, will be forfeited without payment. As a pre-condition to a Participant’s right to continued vesting following Retirement, the Plan Administrator may require the Participant to certify in writing prior to each scheduled Vesting Date that the Participant has not breached any applicable provisions of the Participant’s Employment Agreement or otherwise engaged in any Competitive Activity.

(e) Disability. In the event that a Participant’s Employment with the Company is terminated due to the Participant’s Disability, such Participant’s unvested portion of the Deferral Award shall immediately vest (in which case, the date of the Participant’s termination due to Disability shall be referred to as the “Vesting Date” for such portion of the Deferral Award) and be delivered to the Participant in accordance with Article V.

(f) Death. In the event of a Participant’s death during his or her Employment with the Company, or during the period following termination of Employment in which any portion of his or her Deferral Award remains subject to vesting pursuant to this Section 6.01, such Participant’s portion of the Deferral Award which remains unvested as of (and have not been forfeited prior to) the date of the Participant’s death shall immediately vest and, together with any previously vested but undelivered portions of the Deferral Award, become deliverable to the Participant’s estate as of the date of the Participant’s death (in which case, the date of the Participant’s death shall be referred to as the “Vesting Date” for such portion of the Deferral Award).

(g) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event of a Change in Control, such Participant’s portion of the Deferral Award which remains unvested as of the date of such Change in Control shall immediately vest and become deliverable as of the date of such Change in Control (in which case, the date of such Change in Control shall be referred to as the “Vesting Date” for such portion of the Deferral Award).

(h) Section 409A; Separation from Service. References in this Section 6.01 to a Participant’s termination of Employment shall refer to the date upon which the Participant has a Separation from Service.

 

8


6.02. Nontransferability. No benefit under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or encumbrance, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to violate the foregoing prohibition shall be void; provided, however, that a Participant may transfer or assign any vested interest hereunder in connection with estate planning and administration with the express written consent of the Plan Administrator.

ARTICLE VII.

ADMINISTRATION

7.01. Plan Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall have discretionary authority to interpret the Plan, to make all legal and factual determinations and to determine all questions arising in the administration of the Plan, including without limitation the reconciliation of any inconsistent provisions, the resolution of ambiguities, the correction of any defects, and the supplying of omissions. Each interpretation, determination or other action made or taken pursuant to the Plan by the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding on all persons.

7.02. Indemnification. The Plan Administrator shall not be liable to any Participant for any action or determination. The Plan Administrator shall be indemnified by the Company against any liabilities, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by him or her as a result of actions taken or not taken in connection with the Plan.

ARTICLE VIII.

AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

8.01. Modification; Termination. The Plan Administrator may alter, amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time in its sole discretion, to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code. No further deferrals will occur under the Plan after the effective date of any such suspension or termination. Following any such termination, the Participant’s Deferral Award will continue to vest and be delivered, or be forfeited, as otherwise provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no alteration, amendment or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect the rights of the Participant in any amounts or shares accrued by or credited to such Participant prior to such action without the Participant’s written consent unless the Plan Administrator determines, in its sole discretion, that such alternation, modification or amendment is necessary for the Plan to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

8.02. Required Delay. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if pursuant to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code any distribution or payment is required to be delayed as a result of a Participant being deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, then any such distributions or

 

9


payments under the Plan shall not be made or provided prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six month period measured from the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service or (B) the date of the Participant’s death. Upon the expiration of such period, or the date of such Participant’s death, as applicable, all distributions or payments under the Plan delayed pursuant to this Section 8.02 shall be delivered or paid to the Participant (or the Participant’s estate, as applicable) in a lump sum, and any remaining distributions or payments due under the Plan shall be paid or delivered in accordance with the normal Delivery Dates specified for such distributions or payments herein.

ARTICLE IX.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.01. Unfunded Status of the Plan. The Plan is unfunded. A Participant’s rights under the Plan (if any) shall represent at all times an unfunded and unsecured contractual obligation of each Participating Employer that Employed Participant during the Vesting Periods and through the Delivery Dates applicable to such Participant’s Deferral Award. Each Participant and his or her estate and/or beneficiaries (if any) will be unsecured creditors of each Participating Employer with which such Participant is or was Employed with respect to any obligations owed to such Participant, estate and/or beneficiaries under the Plan. Amounts deliverable or payable under the Plan will be satisfied solely out of the general assets of the applicable Participating Employer subject to the claims of its creditors. None of a Participant, his or her estate, his or her beneficiaries (if any) nor any other person shall have any right to receive any payment or distribution under the Plan except as, and to the extent, expressly provided in the Plan. No Participating Employer will segregate any funds or assets to provide for any payment or distribution under the Plan or issue any notes or security for any such distribution or payment. Any reserve or other asset that a Participating Employer may establish or acquire to assure itself of the funds to provide distributions or payments required under the Plan shall not serve in any way as security to any Participant or the estate or beneficiary of a Participant for the performance of the Participating Employer under the Plan.

9.02. No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Plan nor any action taken or omitted to be taken pursuant to or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to (i) create or confer on a Participant any right to be retained in the employ of the Company, (ii) interfere with or to limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate the Employment of a Participant at any time, (iii) confer on a Participant any right or entitlement to compensation in any specific amount for any future Fiscal Year or (iv) affect, supersede, amend or change the Employment Agreement (or any other agreement between the Participant and the Company). In addition, selection of an individual as a Participant for a given Fiscal Year shall not be deemed to create or confer on the Participant any right to participate in the Plan, or in any similar plan or program that may be established by the Company, in respect of any future Fiscal Year.

9.03. No Shareholder or Ownership Rights Prior to Delivery of Shares; Dividend Equivalent Payments.

(a) Except as set forth in Section 9.03(b), Participants shall not have voting, dividend, cash distribution or any other rights as a holder of Common Shares until the issuance or transfer thereof to the Participant. For the avoidance of doubt, a Deferral Award represents an

 

10


unfunded and unsecured right to receive Common Shares (or, if applicable, cash or other securities) on an applicable Delivery Date and, until such Delivery Date, the Participant shall have no ownership rights with respect to the Common Shares, cash or other securities underlying such Participant’s Deferral Award.

(b) Participants shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments paid on a current basis with respect to their outstanding Deferral Award (whether vested or unvested) in form and amounts corresponding to the payments that such Participants would have received as dividend payments if they directly held the Common Shares underlying such outstanding Deferral Award on the relevant dividend payment date. A Participant’s right to receive such dividend equivalent payments with respect to Deferral Award shall cease upon the forfeiture or settlement of such Deferral Award.

9.04. Right to Offset. The Company shall have the right to deduct from amounts owed to a Participant under the Plan the amount of any deficit, debt or other liability or obligation of any kind which the Participant may at that time have with respect to the Company; provided, however, that no such right to deduct or offset shall arise or otherwise be deemed to arise until the date upon which Common Shares (or, if applicable, cash or other securities) are deliverable or payable hereunder and any such deduction or offset shall be implemented in a manner intended to avoid subjecting the Participant to additional taxation under Section 409A of the Code.

9.05. Successors. The obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be binding upon the successors of the Company.

9.06. Governing Law. The Plan shall be subject to and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

9.07. Arbitration; Venue. Any dispute, controversy or claim between any Participant and the Company arising out of or concerning the provisions of this Plan shall be finally resolved in accordance with the arbitration provisions (and the jurisdiction, venue and similar provisions related thereto) of the Employment Agreement to which such Participant is a party.

9.08. Construction. The headings in this Plan have been inserted for convenience of reference only and are to be ignored in any construction of any provision hereof. Use of one gender includes the other, and the singular and plural include each other.

 

11

EX-99.1 17 d21345dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Blackstone Successfully Completes Spin-Off of PJT Partners

PJT Partners Begins Operations as a Publicly Traded Company

New York, October 1, 2015. Blackstone (NYSE:BX) and PJT Partners Inc. (NYSE: PJT) today announced the successful completion of the previously announced spin-off of Blackstone’s financial and strategic advisory services, restructuring and reorganization advisory services and Park Hill Group businesses, which have been combined with PJT Capital LP, a global independent financial advisory firm founded by Paul J. Taubman, to form an independent, publicly traded company called PJT Partners Inc (“PJT Partners”). Blackstone common unitholders of record as of the close of business on September 22, 2015 (the “record date”) received one share of Class A common stock of PJT Partners for every 40 common units of Blackstone held on the record date. The spin-off has been structured to be tax-free to Blackstone’s common unitholders for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, except to the extent of any gain or loss recognized by a common unitholder as a result of any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. Common unitholders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the spin-off.

“Regular way” trading of shares of Class A common stock of PJT Partners Inc. begins today on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PJT.” Blackstone common units continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BX.”

PJT Partners begins operations today as a global independent financial advisory firm. With a veteran team of professionals, including 46 partners, the firm is poised to deliver a wide array of strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization and funds advisory services to corporations, financial sponsors, institutional investors and governments.

Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Blackstone, said, “30 years ago, Blackstone was founded as an advisory firm. We have every confidence that under Paul’s leadership, PJT Partners will quickly build upon its strong track record to further strengthen its position as one of the preeminent strategic financial advisory firms in the world. We look forward to working with them as clients and continuing the relationships that we have had as colleagues.”

Added Paul J. Taubman, Chairman and CEO of PJT Partners, “Today marks the culmination of this past year’s hard work and thoughtful planning, and I am extremely excited about the future of PJT Partners as a stand-alone public company. Combining the 30-year legacy of an established firm with the entrepreneurial culture of a start-up, PJT Partners brings together three best-in-class businesses—Advisory, Restructuring and Park Hill. As a next-generation, advisory-focused investment bank that is free of constraints, we are committed to providing our clients with unparalleled, strategic advice while creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

About Blackstone

Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we


work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $330 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

About PJT Partners

PJT Partners is a global independent financial advisory firm. Our veteran team of professionals, including our 46 partners, delivers a wide array of strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization and fund placement and secondary advisory services to corporations, financial sponsors, institutional investors and governments around the world. We offer a balanced portfolio of advisory services designed to help our clients realize major corporate milestones. We also provide, through Park Hill Group, fund placement and secondary advisory services for alternative investment managers, including private equity funds, real estate funds and hedge funds.

To learn more about PJT Partners, please visit the company’s website at www.pjtpartners.com. Under the Investor Relations section of the company’s website, you can also find a copy of the Information Statement contained in the company’s Form 10 Registration Statement, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 2, 2015, which contains detailed business and financial information regarding PJT Partners.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain material presented herein contains forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning Blackstone’s and PJT Partners’ possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance improvements, benefits resulting from the separation of PJT Partners from Blackstone and its combination with PJT Capital LP, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “could” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained herein. Neither Blackstone nor PJT Partners has any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements.

The risk factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Blackstone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in PJT Partners’ Information Statement, as well as the other filings of Blackstone and PJT Partners with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause the results of Blackstone and PJT Partners to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may be other risks and uncertainties that Blackstone and PJT Partners are unable to predict at this time or that are not currently expected to have a material adverse effect on their business. Any such risks could cause the results of Blackstone and PJT Partners to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements.

 

2


Media Contacts

For Blackstone:

Peter Rose

(212) 583-5871

Rose@Blackstone.com

For PJT Partners:

Steve Frankel / Jonathan Keehner / Julie Oakes

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

(212) 355-4449

 

3

GRAPHIC 18 g21345121.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g21345121.jpg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g21345ex99_1pg01.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g21345ex99_1pg01.jpg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