EMPLOYMENT AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE
THIS EMPLOYMENT AND CONSULTING AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE (the
"Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 29th day of April, 1997, by and
between May & Xxxx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Employer"), and Xxxxxxxx
X. Xxxx ("Xxxx"). This Agreement is an amendment and restatement of the
Employment Agreement entered into on the 13th day of October, 1995 between the
Employer and Xxxx.
RECITALS
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X. Xxxx has been employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Employer, and the Employer and Xxxx have agreed that Xxxx shall resign as
President of the Employer effective on or about May 19, 1997 and as Chief
Executive Officer of the Employer, and from all other offices of the Employer
held by Xxxx (except as a director of the Employer), effective on or about
October 15, 1997.
B. The Employer desires that Xxxx continue to provide employment services
for the benefit of the Employer through October 15, 1997, and Xxxx desires to
accept such continued employment with the Employer.
C. The Employer desires that Xxxx be engaged as a consultant to the
Employer after October 15, 1997 for an additional five (5) year period, and Xxxx
agrees to such an engagement with the Employer.
D. The Employer and Xxxx acknowledge that Xxxx will perform services at
the direction of the Employer and, in consideration of his on-going employment,
his consulting engagement, and the other terms and conditions herein, Xxxx will
release any and all claims and causes of action he may have against the Employer
and will enter into a non-competition/protective agreement with the Employer.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and the following
mutual covenants and conditions, the parties agree as follows:
1. Engagement. The Employer shall engage Xxxx, and Xxxx hereby accepts such
engagement, on the following terms and conditions.
2. Term of Engagement. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Xxxx shall
continue to be employed by the Employer as its President through on or about May
19, 1997 and as its Chief Executive Officer through on or about October 15,
1997. From on or about October 16, 1997 through October 15, 2002, Xxxx shall be
engaged as a consultant to the Employer.
3. Duties. Xxxx hereby resigns as President of the Employer, effective on
or about May 19, 1997, and, effective on or about October 15, 1997, as Chief
Executive Officer of the
Employer, and from all other offices of the Employer held by Xxxx (except as a
director of the Employer). From on or about October 16, 1997 through October 15,
2002, Xxxx shall perform projects to be mutually agreed upon by the Employer and
Xxxx, such projects to be performed during reasonable business hours. Xxxx shall
diligently, competently, and faithfully perform all such assigned projects, and
expressly agrees to (i) attend meetings with customers and employees, as
requested from time to time by the Employer, (ii) provide input on corporate
strategy, and (iii) continue to serve as a director of the Employer.
4. Compensation.
A. Salary. The Employer shall pay Xxxx through October 15, 1997 a
monthly salary equivalent to his current base monthly salary (the
"Salary"), payable in accordance with the Employer's payroll policy from
time to time in effect. The Salary shall be subject to any payroll or other
deductions as may be required to be made pursuant to law, government order,
or by agreement with, or consent of, Xxxx. From October 16, 1997 through
October 15, 2002, Xxxx shall receive an annual consulting fee of $300,000
per year, payable in accordance with the Employer's payroll policy from
time to time in effect.
B. Benefits. Xxxx shall be a participant, to the extent he meets the
eligibility requirements of general application, in any and all plans,
programs and arrangements maintained by the Employer and which provide
benefits for its employees and consultants. In addition to the foregoing,
the Employer shall (i) continue to reimburse Xxxx for all reasonable
business expenses, including reasonable travel expenses to the Employer's
principal place of business or to customer sites or locations, (ii)
continue to reimburse Xxxx for DuPage Club dues, (iii) permit Xxxx to use
the Employer's limousine, if necessary to conduct the Employer's business,
and to use the Employer's limousine for personal business, provided Xxxx
reimburses the Employer for such personal usage, (iv) provide Xxxx with
adequate support and facilities, including secretarial support as needed,
and (v) continue to pay the premiums associated with any key man insurance
policy maintained on Xxxx'x life, so long as Xxxx is an employee,
consultant or director of the Employer.
C. Options. The Employer and Xxxx hereby agree that, as provided in
the Amended and Restated 1994 Executive Stock Option Plan of May & Xxxx,
Inc., Xxxx shall continue to be entitled to, and vest in, the Options
already granted to him, as long as he remains a director, employee or
consultant of the Employer.
D. Additional Payment. On or before December 31, 1997, Xxxx shall
receive in a single cash payment the sum of $1,800,000, subject to such
payroll or other deductions as may be required to be made pursuant to law,
government order, or by agreement with, or consent of, Xxxx.
E. Consideration. Ten percent (10%) of the payments made hereunder
shall be in consideration of the release of any claim under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and as described in
Paragraph 5. The remainder of the payments shall be in consideration of the
duties described above in Paragraph 3, the release of all
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other claims described below in Paragraph 5, and the Protective Agreement
described in, and incorporated by reference in, Paragraph 9.
F. Continuing Rights. Xxxx agrees that he has been paid the full
amount of earned but unused vacation pay to which he is entitled. Other
than as set forth in this Agreement, no other sums (contingent or
otherwise) shall be paid to Xxxx in respect of his employment, or
consulting relationship, with the Employer, and any such sums (whether or
not owed) are hereby expressly waived by Xxxx, including, but not limited
to, any fees or payments to which Xxxx otherwise would be entitled as a
director of the Employer.
5. General Release. As a material inducement to the Employer to enter into
this Agreement and in consideration of the payments to be made by the Employer
to Xxxx in Paragraph 4 above, Xxxx, with full understanding of the contents and
legal effect of this Agreement, and having the right and opportunity to consult
with his counsel, releases and discharges the Employer, its stockholders,
officers, directors, supervisors, managers, employees, agents, representatives,
attorneys, divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates, and its and their
predecessors, successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns
(collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, actions, causes
of action, grievances, suits, charges, or complaints of any kind or nature
whatsoever, that he ever had or now has, whether fixed or contingent, liquidated
or unliquidated, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, and whether arising
in tort, contract, statute, or equity, before any federal, state, local, or
private court, agency, arbitrator, mediator, or other entity, regardless of the
relief or remedy. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it being the
intention of the parties to make this Agreement as broad and as general as the
law permits, this Agreement specifically includes any and all claims arising
from any alleged violation by the Released Parties under the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended by the Civil Rights
Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C. (S) 1981); the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; the Illinois
Wage Payment and Collection Act; the Illinois Human Rights Act, and other
similar state or local laws; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Family and
Medical Leave Act; the Equal Pay Act; Executive Order 11246; Executive Order
11141; and any other statutory claim, employment or other contract claim or
implied contract claim, or common law claim for wrongful discharge, defamation,
or invasion of privacy arising out of or involving his employment or engagement
with the Employer, the termination of his employment or engagement with the
Employer, or involving any continuing effects of his employment or engagement
with the Employer or termination of his employment or engagement with the
Employer. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Paragraph 5 does not release the
Released Parties from any claims Xxxx may have with respect to the enforcement
of the terms of this Agreement.
6. Covenant Not to Xxx. Xxxx, for himself, his heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns covenants and agrees not to bring, file,
charge, claim, xxx or cause, assist, or permit to be brought, filed, charged or
claimed any action, cause of action, or proceeding regarding or in any way
related to any of the claims released under Paragraph 5 hereof, and further
covenants and agrees that this Agreement is, will constitute and may be pleaded
as, a bar to any such claim, action, cause of action or proceeding.
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7. Indemnification. Xxxx will fully indemnify the Employer and its
stockholders, officers, directors, employees and independent contractors against
and will hold its stockholders, officers, directors, employees and independent
contractors harmless from any and all claims, costs, damages, demands, expenses
(including without limitation attorneys' fees), judgments, losses or other
liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever arising from or directly or
indirectly related to any or all of this Agreement and the conduct of Xxxx
hereunder, including without limitation any material breach or failure to comply
with any or all of the provisions of this Agreement.
8. No Disparaging, Untrue Or Misleading Statements. From and after April
25, 1997, Xxxx represents that he has not made, and agrees that he will not
make, to any third party any disparaging, untrue, or misleading written or oral
statements about or relating to the Employer or its products or services (or
about or relating to any officer, director, agent, employee, or other person
acting on the Employer's behalf). The Employer agrees not to make any
disparaging, untrue, or misleading written or oral statements about Xxxx. Xxxx
acknowledges that his continuing entitlement to payments under Paragraph 4 of
the Agreement, and his continuing right to exercise options to purchase common
stock of the Employer, as described therein, shall be conditioned upon his
continuing compliance with Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Agreement and any violation
of Paragraphs 8 or 9 by Xxxx shall terminate the Employer's obligation to
continue to make payments under Paragraph 4 and shall terminate Xxxx'x right to
exercise options to purchase the common stock of the Employer.
9. Protective Agreement. Concurrent with the execution of this Agreement,
Xxxx has entered into a Protective Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto
and incorporated herein by reference.
10. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be found by a
court to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, then such provision
shall be construed and/or modified or restricted to the extent and in the manner
necessary to render the same valid and enforceable, or shall be deemed excised
from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be
construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, as if such
provision had been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted,
or as if such provision had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case
may be. The parties further agree to seek a lawful substitute for any provision
found to be unlawful; provided, that, if the parties are unable to agree upon a
lawful substitute, the parties desire and request that a court or other
authority called upon to decide the enforceability of this Agreement modify the
Agreement so that, once modified, the Agreement will be enforceable to the
maximum extent permitted by the law in existence at the time of the requested
enforcement.
11. Waiver. A waiver by the Employer of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement by Xxxx shall not operate or be construed as a waiver or estoppel of
any subsequent breach by Xxxx. No waiver shall be valid unless in writing and
signed by an authorized officer of the Employer.
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12. Miscellaneous Provisions.
X. Xxxx agrees that he will keep the terms and amounts set forth in
this Agreement completely confidential and, other than as required by
statute, final regulation or a court of competent jurisdiction, will not
disclose any information concerning this Agreement's terms and amounts to
any person other than his attorney, accountants, tax advisors, or immediate
family.
X. Xxxx represents and certifies that he has carefully read and fully
understands all of the provisions and effects of this Agreement, has
knowingly and voluntarily entered into this Agreement freely and without
coercion, and acknowledges that on April 25, 1997, the Employer advised him
to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement and further
advised him that he had twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this
Agreement. Xxxx is voluntarily entering into this Agreement and neither the
Employer nor its agents, representatives, or attorneys made any
representations concerning the terms or effects of this Agreement other
than those contained in the Agreement itself.
X. Xxxx acknowledges that he has seven (7) days from the date this
Agreement is executed in which to revoke his acceptance of this Agreement,
and this Agreement will not be effective or enforceable until such seven
(7)-day period has expired.
13. Complete Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
between the parties, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or
understandings between the parties pertaining to actual or potential claims
arising from Xxxx'x employment or engagement with the Employer or the
termination of Xxxx'x employment or engagement with the Employer, including but
not limited to, the Employment Agreement entered into on October 13, 1995
between the Employer and Xxxx.
14. Reimbursement. If Xxxx or his heirs, executors, administrators,
successors or assigns (a) breaches the Protective Agreement, or (b) attempts to
challenge the enforceability of this Agreement, or (c) files a charge of
discrimination, a lawsuit, or a claim of any kind for any matter released
herein, Xxxx or his heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns
shall be obligated to tender back to the Employer all payments made to him or
them under this Agreement, and to indemnify the Employer from and against all
liability, costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees, arising out of said
breach, challenge or action by Xxxx, his heirs, executors, administrators,
successors or assigns.
15. Amendment. This Agreement may not be altered, amended, or modified
except in writing signed by both Xxxx and the Employer.
16. Assignment. Xxxx acknowledges that the services to be rendered by him
are unique and personal. Accordingly, Xxxx may not assign any of his rights or
delegate any of his duties or obligations under this Agreement.
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17. Resolution of Disputes. In the event of any controversy between the
parties hereto arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement (other than a
dispute arising out of the Protective Agreement), within sixty (60) days of the
date the dispute arose, such controversy shall be finally settled by arbitration
conducted expeditiously in accordance with the American Arbitration Association
Commercial Arbitration Rules by a board of three independent arbitrators. Either
the Employer or Xxxx may institute such arbitration proceeding by giving written
notice to the other party and by designating one independent arbitrator. Within
ten (10) days thereafter, the other party shall designate a second independent
arbitrator, and such two (2) arbitrators shall thereafter select the third
independent arbitrator. A hearing shall be held by the three (3) arbitrators in
the City of Chicago, Illinois, and a decision of the matter submitted to them
shall be rendered promptly in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be
final and binding upon all parties hereto. Judgment upon the award rendered may
be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. If the responding party
shall fail to appoint an independent arbitrator within the 10-day period
provided above, the American Arbitration Association may be called upon by the
other party to appoint such independent arbitrator and such two (2) arbitrators
shall thereupon select a third independent arbitrator and the three arbitrators
thus chosen shall constitute the board of arbitration. The cost of arbitration
(excluding attorneys' fees and other legal expenses) shall be borne by the
Employer. The arbitrators are not empowered to award damages in excess of
compensatory damages and each party hereby irrevocably waives any damages in
excess of compensatory damages.
18. Legal Fees and Expenses. In the event of litigation or arbitration
under this Agreement, both the Company and Xxxx shall pay their own attorneys'
fees and other legal expenses; provided, however, that (i) Xxxx shall pay the
attorneys' fees and legal expenses of the Employer in connection with an
evidentiary hearing where Xxxx is enjoined either preliminarily or permanently
due to his breach or threatened breach of any provision of this Agreement, and
(ii) the Employer shall pay Xxxx'x attorneys' fees and legal expenses in
connection with an evidentiary hearing which results in a court refusing to
issue a preliminary or permanent injunction against Xxxx due to his breach or
threatened breach of any provision of this Agreement.
19. Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be sufficient if given in writing and personally delivered or
sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile,
telegram or telex followed by a confirmation letter sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
If to the Employer: May & Xxxx, Inc.
0000 Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
If to Xxxx: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxx
_______________________
_______________________
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20. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the
benefit of, the Employer and Xxxx, and, in the case of the Employer, its
successors and assigns and any person acquiring, whether by merger,
consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the
Employer's assets and business, and in the case of Xxxx, his heirs, executors,
administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
21. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience
only and are not to be considered a construction of the provisions hereof.
22. Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original, but which when
taken together, shall constitute one Agreement.
23. Recitals. The recitals to this Agreement are an integral part hereof
and shall be considered as substantive and not precatory language.
24. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois, and any court action
commenced to enforce Paragraph 9 of this Agreement shall have as its sole and
exclusive venue the County of DuPage, Illinois.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their signatures on the date first
written above.
MAY & XXXX, INC. XXXXXXXX X. XXXX
By: _________________________________ ____________________________________
Its:_________________________________
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