EX-3.1 2 d711704dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

Adopted by the Board of Directors: February 21, 2019

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

OF

WISDOMTREE INVESTMENTS, INC.

ARTICLE I

Offices

1.    Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation in Delaware shall be at 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Kent County, Dover, Delaware 19904 and Cogency Global Inc. shall be the registered agent of the corporation in charge thereof.

2.    Other Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or offices at such other place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

Stockholders’ Meetings

1.    Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders of 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 at such time and on such date as shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in the notice of the meeting. Such annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.

2.    Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

(a)    Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

(1)    Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be brought before an Annual Meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this By-law, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who is present (in person or by proxy) at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-law as to such nomination or business. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (ii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring nominations or business properly before an Annual Meeting (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 or Rule 14a-11 (or any successor rules) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), and such stockholder must comply with the notice and other procedures set forth in Article II, Section 2(a)(2) and (3) of this By-law to bring such nominations or business properly before an Annual Meeting. In addition to the other requirements set forth in this By-law, for any proposal of business to be considered at an Annual Meeting, it must be a proper subject for action by stockholders of the Corporation under Delaware law.

 


(2)    For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (ii) of Article II, Section 2(a)(1) of this By-law, the stockholder must (i) have given Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (ii) have provided any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this By-law and (iii) together with the beneficial owner(s), if any, on whose behalf the nomination or business proposal is made, have acted in accordance with the representations set forth in the Solicitation Statement (as defined below) required by this By-law. To be timely, a stockholder’s written notice shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting ; provided, however, that in the event the Annual Meeting is first convened more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, or if no Annual Meeting were held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the scheduled date of such Annual Meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made (such notice within such time periods shall be referred to as “Timely Notice”). Such stockholder’s Timely Notice shall set forth:

(A)    as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), and (ii) a written statement of such person that such person, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person’s election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation effective upon such person’s failure to receive the required vote for re-election at the next meeting at which such person would face re-election and upon acceptance of such resignation by the Board of Directors, in accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines;

(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 reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person (as defined below);

(C)    (i) the name and address of the stockholder giving the notice, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and the names and addresses of the other Proposing Persons (if any) and (ii) as to each Proposing Person, the following information: (a) the class or series and number of all shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by such Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2

 

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promulgated under the Exchange Act), including any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future, (b) all Synthetic Equity Interests (as defined below) in which such Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates, directly or indirectly, holds an interest including a description of the material terms of each such Synthetic Equity Interest, including without limitation, identification of the counterparty to each such Synthetic Equity Interest and disclosure, for each such Synthetic Equity Interest, as to (x) whether or not such Synthetic Equity Interest conveys any voting rights, directly or indirectly, in such shares to such Proposing Person, (y) whether or not such Synthetic Equity Interest is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of such shares and (z) whether or not such Proposing Person and/or, to the extent known, the counterparty to such Synthetic Equity Interest has entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such Synthetic Equity Interest, (c) any proxy (other than a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Act), agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Proposing Person has or shares a right to, directly or indirectly, vote any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, (d) any rights to dividends or other distributions on the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, and (e) any performance-related fees (other than an asset based fee) that such Proposing Person, directly or indirectly, is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or any Synthetic Equity Interests (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) are referred to, collectively, as “Material Ownership Interests”) and (iii) a description of the material terms of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether or not in writing) entered into by any Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates with any other person for the purpose of acquiring, holding, disposing or voting of any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation;

(D)    (i) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings by and among any of the Proposing Persons, or by and among any Proposing Persons and any other person (including with any proposed nominee(s)), pertaining to the nomination(s) or other business proposed to be brought before the meeting of stockholders (which description shall identify the name of each other person who is party to such an agreement, arrangement or understanding), and (ii) identification of the names and addresses of other stockholders (including beneficial owners) known by any of the Proposing Persons to support such nominations or other business proposal(s), and to the extent known the class and number of all shares of the Corporation’s capital stock owned beneficially or of record by such other stockholder(s) or other beneficial owner(s); and

 

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(E)    a statement whether or not the stockholder giving the notice and/or the other Proposing Person(s), if any, will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a business proposal, at least the percentage of voting power of all of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation required under applicable law to approve the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, at least the percentage of voting power of all of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation reasonably believed by such Proposing Person to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder (such statement, the “Solicitation Statement”).

For purposes of this Article II of these By-laws, the term “Proposing Person” shall mean the following persons: (i) the stockholder of record providing the notice of nominations or business proposed to be brought before a stockholders’ meeting, and (ii) the beneficial
owner(s), if different, on whose behalf the nominations or business proposed to be brought before a stockholders’ meeting is made. For purposes of this Section 2 of Article II of these By-laws, the term “Synthetic Equity Interest” shall mean any transaction, agreement or arrangement (or series of transactions, agreements or arrangements), including, without limitation, any derivative, swap, hedge, repurchase or so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, the purpose or effect of which is to, directly or indirectly: (a) give a person or entity economic benefit and/or risk similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, in whole or in part, including due to the fact that such transaction, agreement or arrangement provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or avoid a loss from any increase or decrease in the value of any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, (b) mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk of or manage the risk of share price changes for, any person or entity with respect to any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, (c) otherwise provide in any manner the opportunity to profit or avoid a loss from any decrease in the value of any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, or (d) increase or decrease the voting power of any person or entity with respect to any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation.

(3)    A stockholder providing Timely Notice of nominations or business proposed to be brought before an Annual Meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information (including, without limitation, the Material Ownership Interests information) provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this By-law shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to such Annual Meeting, and such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the fifth (5th) business day after the record date for the Annual Meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than the close of business on the eighth (8th) business day prior to the date of the Annual Meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting).

 

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(4)    Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Article II, Section 2(a)(2) of this By-law to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least ten (10) days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with the second sentence of Article II, Section 2(a)(2), a stockholder’s notice required by this By-law shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(b)    General.

(1)    Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of this By-law or in accordance with Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act shall be eligible for election and to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this By-law or in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law. If neither the Board of Directors nor such designated committee makes a determination as to whether any stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law, the presiding officer of the Annual Meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether the stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law. If the Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof or the presiding officer, as applicable, determines that any stockholder proposal or nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law, such proposal or nomination shall be disregarded and shall not be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.

(2)    Except as otherwise required by law, nothing in this Article II, Section 2 shall obligate the Corporation or the Board of Directors to include in any proxy statement or other stockholder communication distributed on behalf of the Corporation or the Board of Directors information with respect to any nominee for director or any other matter of business submitted by a stockholder.

(3)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article II, Section 2, if the nominating or proposing stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the Annual Meeting to present a nomination or any business, such nomination or business shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.

For purposes of this Article II, Section 2, to be considered a qualified representative of the proposing stockholder, a person must be authorized by a written instrument 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 written instrument or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the written instrument or electronic transmission, to the presiding officer at the meeting of stockholders.

 

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(4)    For purposes of this By-law, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(5)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this By-law, 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 By-law. Nothing in this By-law shall be deemed to affect any rights of (i) stockholders to have nominations or proposals included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 or Rule 14a-11 (or any successor rules), as applicable, under the Exchange Act and, to the extent required by such rule, have such nominations or proposals considered and voted on at an Annual Meeting or (ii) the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances.

3.    Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by statute and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Undesignated Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office. The Board of Directors may postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders. Only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and stockholder proposals of other business shall not be brought before a special meeting of stockholders to be considered by the stockholders unless such special meeting is held in lieu of an annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with Article II, Section 1 of these By-laws, in which case such special meeting in lieu thereof shall be deemed an Annual Meeting for purposes of these By-laws and the provisions of Article II, Section 2 of these By-laws shall govern such special meeting.

4.    Notice of Meetings; Adjournment.

(a)    The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall cause notice of the place, date and hour of each annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called, to be given personally or by mail, at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at his or her post office address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation at the time of such mailing. Notice of any meeting of stockholders need not be given to any stockholder who shall sign a waiver of such notice in writing, whether before or after the time of such meeting, or to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy, unless such attendance is for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Notice of any adjourned meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation need not be given, except as otherwise required by statute. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given to stockholders, any notice to stockholders may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

 

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(b)    The Board of Directors may postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders and any record date with respect thereto, regardless of whether any notice or public disclosure with respect to any such meeting has been sent or made pursuant to Section 2 of this Article II of these By-laws or otherwise. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or rescheduling of any previously scheduled meeting of stockholders commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice under this Article II of these By-laws.

(c)    When any meeting is convened, the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting if (i) no quorum is present for the transaction of business, (ii) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable the stockholders to consider fully information which the Board of Directors determines has not been made sufficiently or timely available to stockholders, or (iii) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation. When any Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders is adjourned to another hour, date or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting other than an announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken of the hour, date and place, if any, to which the meeting is adjourned and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days from the meeting date, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat and each stockholder who, by law or under the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may hereafter be amended and/or restated, the “Certificate”) or these By-laws, is entitled to such notice.

5.    Quorum. A quorum at all meetings of stockholders shall consist of the holders of record of a majority of the shares of stock of the Corporation, issued and outstanding, entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, except as otherwise provided by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation. When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholder. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting or any adjournment thereof, a majority of those present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote may adjourn such meeting from time to time, except as provided in Article II, Section 3 of these By-laws. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

6.    Voting and Proxies. Except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws, the Certificate of Incorporation or in the laws of the State of Delaware, at every meeting of the stockholders, each stockholder of record of the Corporation shall have one vote in person or by proxy for each share of stock having voting rights held by him or her and registered in his or her name on the books of the Corporation. Any vote on shares of stock of the Corporation may be given by the stockholder entitled thereto in person or by his or her proxy appointed by an instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder, or by his or her attorney thereunto authorized, and delivered to the secretary of the meeting. Except as otherwise required by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, all matters coming before any meeting of the stockholders shall be decided by a plurality vote of the stockholders of the Corporation present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat, a quorum being

 

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present. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission permitted by Section 212(c) of the DGCL may be substituted for 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 in accordance with the procedures established for the meeting of stockholders. Except as otherwise limited therein or as otherwise provided by law, proxies authorizing a person to vote at a specific meeting shall entitle the persons authorized thereby to vote at any adjournment of such meeting, but they shall not be valid after final adjournment of such meeting. A proxy with respect to stock held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by or on behalf of any one of them unless at or prior to the exercise of the proxy the Corporation receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them.

7.    Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present at any meeting of stockholders, any matter before any such meeting shall be decided by a majority of the votes properly cast for and against such matter, except where a larger vote is required by law, by the Certificate or by these By-laws. When a quorum is present in any meeting, a nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if the number of votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the number of votes cast against such nominee’s election; provided, however, that in a contested election, a nominee shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election on such election of directors. An election shall be considered contested if, as of the last date on which nominees for director may be submitted in accordance with these By-laws, the nominees for election to the Board of Directors exceeds the number of positions on the Board of Directors to be filled by election at that meeting. If an incumbent director is not re-elected, the director shall tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors (or any future committee the equivalent thereof) will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will act on the recommendation of such committee and will publicly disclose its decision within ninety (90) days from the date of the certification of the election results. A director who tenders his or her resignation may not participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof until the Board of Directors has determined not to accept his or her resignation.

8.    Stockholder Lists. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or the Corporation’s transfer agent or other person authorized by these By-laws or by law) shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting in the manner provided by law. The list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting as provided by law.

9.    Presiding Officer. The Board of Directors shall designate a representative to preside over all Annual Meetings or special meetings of stockholders, provide that if the Board of Directors does not so designate such a presiding officer, then the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, shall preside over such meetings. If the Board of Directors does not so designate such a presiding officer and there is no Chairman of the Board or the Chairman of the Board is unable to so preside or is absent, then the Chief Executive Officer, if one is elected, shall preside over such meetings, provided further that if there is no Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Executive Officer is unable to so preside or is absent, then the President shall preside over such meetings. The presiding officer at any Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders shall have the power, among other things, to adjourn such meeting at any time and from time to time, subject to Sections 4 and 5 of this Article II. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of the stockholders shall be determined by the presiding officer.

 

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10.    Inspectors of Elections. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the presiding officer shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Any inspector may, but need not, be an officer, employee or agent of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall perform such duties as are required by the DGCL, including the counting of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors. The presiding officer may review all determinations made by the inspectors, and in so doing the presiding officer shall be entitled to exercise his or her sole judgment and discretion and he or she shall not be bound by any determinations made by the inspectors. All determinations by the inspectors and, if applicable, the presiding officer, shall be subject to further review by any court of competent jurisdiction.

ARTICLE III

Directors

1.    General Power; Number. The property, affairs and business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by the Certificate or required by law. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than one (1) nor more than twenty (20) persons. The exact number of directors within the maximum and minimum limitations specified shall be fixed solely and exclusively by resolution duly adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors.

2.    Term of Office. Each director (whether elected at an annual meeting, or to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship or otherwise) shall hold office until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his or her earlier resignation, death or removal.

3.    Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place within or outside of the State of Delaware as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as may be specified in the notice of the meeting. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. Special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the directors. Notice stating the date, time and place of each special meeting shall be mailed to each director at least four days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent by nationally recognized overnight courier requesting overnight delivery, not later than two days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or it shall be hand delivered, given orally or telephonically directly to a director, or transmitted by facsimile, e-mail or other electronic, means not later than 24 hours before the time the meeting is to be held, A meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders. Notice need not be given of

 

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regular meetings of the Board of Directors. A written waiver of notice signed before or after a meeting by a director and filed with the records of the meeting shall be deemed to be equivalent to notice of the meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because such meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Certificate or by these By-laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

4.    Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors then acting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting, without further notice, from time to time until a quorum shall have been obtained.

5.    Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled in the manner provided in the Certificate.

6.    Removal from Office. Directors may be removed from office only in the manner provided in the Certificate.

7.    Qualification. No director need be a stockholder of the Corporation.

8.    Resignation. A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, the President or the Secretary. A resignation shall be effective upon receipt, unless the resignation otherwise provides.

9.    Action at Meeting. At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the directors present shall constitute action by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise required by law, by the Certificate or by these By-laws.

10.    Action without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or of the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors. Such consent shall be treated as a resolution of the Board of Directors for all purposes.

11.    Regulations; Manner of Acting. To the extent consistent with law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws, the Board of Directors and any committee thereof may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board or such committee and for the management of the property, affairs and business of the Corporation as the Board may deem appropriate. Members of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting for all purposes of these By-Laws.

12.    Compensation. Directors may, by resolution of the Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof, be allowed a fixed sum and expenses of attendance for attendance at regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors; provided that directors who are serving the Corporation as employees and who receive compensation for their services as such, shall not receive any salary or other compensation for their services as directors of the Corporation. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees, and others who attend pursuant to direction, may, by vote of the Board of Directors, be allowed a like fixed sum and expenses of attendance for attending committee meetings.

 

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13.    Executive Committee. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may appoint an Executive Committee consisting of one or more members of the Board of Directors, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. The Executive Committee shall also have the power and authority to declare a dividend and to authorize the issuance of stock. The Executive Committee powers shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 141(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended. The Executive Committee shall also have authority to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.

14.    Other Committees. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, by a vote of a majority of directors then in office, may appoint one or more committees (in addition to the Executive Committee), each consisting of one or more directors. Each such committee shall have such powers and duties as may be provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors. Each Committee shall have quorum requirements which are no more restrictive than those of the Board of Directors and shall in all other respects act in the manner and following the procedures established for the Board of Directors. All members of such Committees shall hold such offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may abolish any such committee at any time. Any committee to which the Board of Directors delegates any of its powers or duties shall keep records of its meetings and shall report its action to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

1.    General. The officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice Presidents (one or more of which may be designated Executive or Senior Vice Presidents by the Board of Directors), a Secretary and a Treasurer. From time to time the Board of Directors may appoint such Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and such other officers, agents and employees as it may deem proper. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Subject to Article V and such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time proscribe, each such office shall have such powers and perform such duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers as duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or confer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be chosen from among the Directors. The Board of Director may also appoint a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who shall be chosen from among the Directors.

2.    Term. All officers shall hold their offices until their respective successors are elected and qualify, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may be removed from office, either with or without cause, at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation addressed to the President or the Secretary and such resignation shall be effective upon receipt, unless the resignation otherwise provides.

 

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3.    Power to Vote Securities Owned by the Corporation. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer and the President, acting singly or together, shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend, to act and to vote at any meetings of security holders of the corporations in which the Corporation may hold securities, and at any such meetings shall possess and may exercise any and all the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities, and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised, if present. The Board of Directors by resolution from time to time may confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

ARTICLE V

Duties of Officers

1.    Chairman of the Board. If there is a Chairman of the Board, he or she shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and the Chairman of the Board shall have and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

2.    Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation and shall have general charge and control of all the property, business and affairs of the Corporation and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision over the corporation’s officers, employees and agents. The Chief Executive Officer shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall, in case of a vacancy in the office of the Chairman of the Board, have the power to perform the duties incident to such office. The Chief Executive Officer shall sign (unless the President or a Vice President shall have signed) certificates representing the stock of the Corporation authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. The Chief Executive Officer may enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation in the ordinary course of the Corporation’s business. The Chief Executive Officer shall have all powers and perform all duties incident to the office of a chief executive officer of a corporation and such other duties as are given to the Chief Executive Officer by these By-Laws or as from time to time may be assigned to the Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors.

3.    President. The President shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, preside at meetings of the stockholders and shall, in case of a vacancy in the office of the Chief Executive Officer, have the power to perform the duties incident to such office other than for Presiding at meetings of the Board of Directors unless the President shall be a member of the Board of Directors.

4.    Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. At the request or in the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Vice President (or if none shall have been designated, the senior of the Vice Presidents present and able to act or such other Vice President as may be designated by the Board of Directors) may perform all the duties of such officers and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon such officers. Any Vice President may sign (unless the Chief Executive Officer, the President or another Vice President shall have signed) certificates representing stock of the Corporation authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

 

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5.    Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds and securities of the Corporation. When necessary or proper the Treasurer shall endorse on behalf of the Corporation, for collection, checks, notes and other obligations and shall deposit the same to the credit of the Corporation in such bank, or banks, or depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors, or by any officer acting under authority conferred by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall enter regularly in books to be kept for the purpose, a full and accurate account of all moneys received and paid by him or her on account of the Corporation. Whenever required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall render an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall at all reasonable times exhibit his or her books and accounts to any director of the Corporation upon application at the office of the Corporation during business hours and the Treasurer shall perform all things incident to the position of Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall give bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties if the Board of Directors so requires. The Treasurer may sign (unless an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall have signed) certificates representing stock of the Corporation authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall perform, in general, all duties incident to the office of a treasurer of a corporation and such other duties as are given to him or her by these By-Laws or as from time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

6.    Assistant Treasurers. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, designate and elect one or more Assistant Treasurers who shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Treasurer. At the request or in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer (or, if there are two or more Assistant Treasurers, then the senior of the Assistant Treasurers present and able to act or such other Assistant Treasurer as may be designated by the Board of Directors) may perform all the duties of the Treasurer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Treasurer.

7.    Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the Corporation. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept a record of the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors in books kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall be the custodian of the seal of the Corporation, and cause such seal (or a facsimile thereof) to be affixed to all certificates representing the stock of the Corporation prior to the issuance thereof and to all instruments the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal shall have been duly authorized in accordance with these By-Laws, and when so affixed the Secretary may attest the same. The Secretary shall have charge of the records of the Corporation, including the stock books and such other books, reports, statements and other documents as the Board of Directors may direct to be kept or as are required by law to be kept all of which shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director. The Secretary shall sign (unless the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary shall sign) certificates representing stock of the Corporation authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall perform all duties incident to the office of a secretary of a corporation and such other duties as are given to him or her by these By-Laws or as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

 

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8.    Assistant Secretaries. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, designate and elect one or more Assistant Secretaries who shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Secretary. At the request or in the absence of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or, if there are two or more Assistant Secretaries, then the senior of the Assistant Secretaries present and able to act or such other Assistant Secretary as may be designated by the Board of Directors) may perform all the duties of the Secretary and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Secretary.

9.    Delegation by Board of Directors. In the case of absence or inability to act of any officer of the Corporation and of any person herein authorized to act in his or her place, the Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers of such officer to any other officer or any director or any other person whom it may select.

ARTICLE VI

Capital Stock

1.    Certificates of Stock.

(a)    Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her in the Corporation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VI, the Board of Directors may by resolution determine to issue uncertificated shares for some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock and provide for registration in book entry accounts for shares of uncertificated stock in such form or manner as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, in addition to or in place of shares of the Corporation represented by certificates, to the extent authorized by applicable law. By approval and adoption of these By-laws, the Board of Directors has determined that all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock may be uncertificated, whether upon original issuance, re-issuance or subsequent transfer.

(b)    Certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

(c)    There shall be entered upon the stock books of the Corporation at the time of issuance of each share the number of the certificate issued, the name of the person owning the shares represented thereby, the number and class of such shares, and the date of issuance thereof. Every certificate exchanged or returned to the Corporation shall be marked “Cancelled”, with the date of cancellation.

2.    Transfers of Stock. Subject to any restrictions on transfer and unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, shares of stock that are represented by a certificate may be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate theretofore properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, with transfer stamps (if necessary) affixed, and with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Shares of stock that are not represented by a certificate may be transferred on the books of the Corporation by submitting to the Corporation or its transfer agent such evidence of transfer and following such other procedures as the Corporation or its transfer agent may require.

 

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3.    Record Holders. Except as may otherwise be required by law, by the Certificate or by these By-laws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect thereto, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock, until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these By-laws.

4.    Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date: (a) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting and (b) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) 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; and (ii) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

5.    Replacement of Certificates. In case of the alleged loss, destruction or mutilation of a certificate of stock of the Corporation, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms as the Board of Directors may prescribe.

ARTICLE VII

Corporate Seal

The Corporate Seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and shall bear the name of the Corporation, the year of incorporation and the words, “Corporate Seal” and “Delaware”. The form of the seal shall be subject to alteration by the Board of Directors and the seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile to be impressed or affixed or printed or otherwise reproduced. Any officer or director of the Corporation shall have authority to affix the corporate seal of the Corporation to any document requiring the same, and to attest the same.

ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification and Insurance

1.    Definitions. For purposes of this Article

(a)    “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is serving or has served (i) as a Director of the Corporation, (ii) as an Officer of the Corporation, (iii) as a Non-Officer Employee of the Corporation, or (iv) as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint

 

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venture, trust, employee benefit plan, foundation, association, organization or other legal entity which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1(a), a Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee of the Corporation who is serving or has served as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be serving at the request of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Corporate Status” shall not include the status of a person who is serving or has served as a director, officer, employee or agent of a constituent corporation absorbed in a merger or consolidation transaction with the Corporation with respect to such person’s activities prior to said transaction, unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation;

(b)    “Director” means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as a director on the Board of Directors of the Corporation;

(c)    “Disinterested Director” means, with respect to each Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought hereunder, a Director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to such Proceeding;

(d)    “Expenses” means all attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of expert witnesses, private investigators and professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, costs of preparation of demonstrative evidence and other courtroom presentation aids and devices, costs incurred in connection with document review, organization, imaging and computerization, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements, costs or expenses of the type customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settling or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding;

(e)    “Liabilities” means judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement;

(f)    “Non-Officer Employee” means any person who serves or has served as an employee or agent of the Corporation, but who is not or was not a Director or Officer;

(g)    “Officer” means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as an officer of the Corporation appointed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation;

(h)    “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, inquiry, investigation, administrative hearing or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative; and

(i)    “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other entity of which the Corporation owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of the Corporation) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power of the voting capital equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity, or (B) fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity.

 

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2.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

(a)    Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article VIII of these By-laws, each Director and Officer shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, 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), and to the extent authorized in this Section 2.

(1)    Actions, Suits and Proceedings Other than By or In the Right of the Corporation. Each Director and Officer shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation against any and all Expenses and Liabilities that are incurred or paid by such Director or Officer or on such Director’s or Officer’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), which such Director or Officer is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Director’s or Officer’s Corporate Status, if such Director or Officer acted in good faith and in a manner such Director or Officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

(2)    Actions, Suits and Proceedings By or In the Right of the Corporation. Each Director and Officer shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation against any and all Expenses that are incurred by such Director or Officer or on such Director’s or Officer’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein by or in the right of the Corporation, which such Director or Officer is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Director’s or Officer’s Corporate Status, if such Director or Officer acted in good faith and in a manner such Director or Officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be made under this Section 2(a)(2) in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Director or Officer shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Corporation, unless, and only to the extent that, the Court of Chancery or another court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such Director or Officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such Expenses that such court deems proper.

(3)    Survival of Rights. The rights of indemnification provided by this Section 2 shall continue as to a Director or Officer after he or she has ceased to be a Director or Officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives.

(4)    Actions by Directors or Officers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall indemnify any Director or Officer seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director or Officer only if such Proceeding (including any parts of such Proceeding not initiated by such Director or Officer) was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, unless such Proceeding was brought to enforce such Officer’s or Director’s rights to indemnification or, in the case of Directors, advancement of Expenses under these By-laws in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.

 

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3.    Indemnification of Non-Officer Employees. Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article VIII of these By-laws, each Non-Officer Employee may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against any or all Expenses and Liabilities that are incurred by such Non-Officer Employee or on such Non-Officer Employee’s behalf in connection with any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding, or any claim, issue or matter therein, which such Non-Officer Employee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Non-Officer Employee’s Corporate Status, if such Non-Officer Employee acted in good faith and in a manner such Non-Officer Employee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The rights of indemnification provided by this Section 3 shall exist as to a Non-Officer Employee after he or she has ceased to be a Non-Officer Employee and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may indemnify any Non-Officer Employee seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Non-Officer Employee only if such Proceeding was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

4.    Determination. Unless ordered by a court, no indemnification shall be provided pursuant to this Article VIII to a Director, to an Officer or to a Non-Officer Employee unless a determination shall have been made that such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Such determination shall be made by (a) a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, (b) a committee comprised of Disinterested Directors, such committee having been designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (even though less than a quorum), (c) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if a majority of Disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders of the Corporation.

5.    Advancement of Expenses to Directors Prior to Final Disposition.

(a)    The Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director in connection with any Proceeding in which such Director is involved by reason of such Director’s Corporate Status within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a written statement from such Director requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Director and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such Director to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Director is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director seeking advancement of expenses hereunder in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director only if such Proceeding (including any parts of such Proceeding not initiated by such Director) was (i) authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or (ii) brought to enforce such Director’s rights to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under these By-laws.

 

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(b)    If a claim for advancement of Expenses hereunder by a Director is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Corporation of documentation of Expenses and the required undertaking, such Director may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and if successful in whole or in part, such Director shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such advancement of Expenses under this Article VIII shall not be a defense to an action brought by a Director for recovery of the unpaid amount of an advancement claim and shall not create a presumption that such advancement is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director is not entitled to an advancement of expenses shall be on the Corporation.

(c)    In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Director has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.

6.    Advancement of Expenses to Officers and Non-Officer Employees Prior to Final Disposition.

(a)    The Corporation may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, advance any or all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Officer or any Non-Officer Employee in connection with any Proceeding in which such person is involved by reason of his or her Corporate Status as an Officer or Non-Officer Employee upon the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from such Officer or Non-Officer Employee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Officer or Non-Officer Employee and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Officer or Non-Officer Employee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses.

(b)    In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Officer or Non-Officer Employee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.

7.    Contractual Nature of Rights.

(a)    The provisions of this Article VIII shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each Director and Officer entitled to the benefits hereof at any time while this Article VIII is in effect, in consideration of such person’s past or current and any future performance of services for the Corporation. Neither amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this Article VIII nor the adoption of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VIII shall eliminate or reduce any right conferred by this Article VIII in respect of any act or omission occurring, or any cause of action or claim that accrues or arises or any state of facts existing, at the time of or before such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption of an inconsistent provision (even in the case of a proceeding based on such a state of facts that is commenced after such time), and all rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses granted herein or arising out of any act or omission shall vest

 

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at the time of the act or omission in question, regardless of when or if any proceeding with respect to such act or omission is commenced. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall continue notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributes of such person.

(b)    If a claim for indemnification hereunder by a Director or Officer is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Corporation of a written claim for indemnification, such Director or Officer may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, such Director or Officer shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such indemnification under this Article VIII shall not be a defense to an action brought by a Director or Officer for recovery of the unpaid amount of an indemnification claim and shall not create a presumption that such indemnification is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director or Officer is not entitled to indemnification shall be on the Corporation.

(c)    In any suit brought by a Director or Officer to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder, it shall be a defense that such Director or Officer has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL.

8.    Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of Expenses set forth in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Director, Officer, or Non-Officer Employee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate or these By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise.

9.    Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee against any liability of any character asserted against or incurred by the Corporation or any such Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee, or arising out of any such person’s Corporate Status, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL or the provisions of this Article VIII.

10.    Other Indemnification. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or provide advancement of Expenses to any person under this Article VIII as a result of such person serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or enterprise (the “Primary Indemnitor”). Any indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Article VIII owed by the Corporation as a result of a person serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall only be in excess of, and shall be secondary to, the indemnification or advancement of Expenses available from the applicable Primary Indemnitor(s) and any applicable insurance policies

 

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ARTICLE IX

Amendments

1.    Amendment by Directors. Except as provided otherwise by law, these By-laws may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.

2.    Amendment by Stockholders. These By-laws may be amended or repealed at any Annual Meeting, or special meeting of stockholders called for such purpose in accordance with these By-Laws, by the affirmative vote of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that if the Board of Directors recommends that stockholders approve such amendment or repeal at such meeting of stockholders, such amendment or repeal shall only require the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, stockholder approval shall not be required unless mandated by the Certificate, these By-laws, or other applicable law.

ARTICLE X

Exclusive Jurisdiction of Delaware Courts

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Chancery Court”) shall 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 director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation, in each case arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Certificate or these By-laws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation, in each case governed by the internal affairs doctrine. In the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the Federal District Court for the District of Delaware or other competent state court of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any of the actions above.

 

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