Exhibit 10.34
CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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AGREEMENT by and between LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc., a Virginia
corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx. (the "Executive"),
dated as of the 31st day of January, 2000.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish
the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and
to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other
corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has
caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during
the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of
Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change
of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that
such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has
taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii)
otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then
for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date
immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date
hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice
to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
(c) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation that is
directly, or indirectly though one or more intermediaries, controlled by the
Company.
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2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a
"Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act)
of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the
following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any
acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company,
(iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or
(iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies
with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute
the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless,
following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case
may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including,
without limitation a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or
through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may
be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or
such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of such corporation except to the extent that such
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ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of subsection (a) of this
Section 2, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to have taken place if, as a
result of an acquisition by the Company which reduces the Outstanding Company
Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, the beneficial
ownership of a Person increases to 20% or more of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities; provided, however, that if a
Person shall become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities by reason of
share purchases by the Company and, after such share purchases by the Company,
such Person becomes the beneficial owner of any additional shares of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Stock, for
purposes of subsection (a) of this Section 2, a Change of Control shall be
deemed to have taken place.
3. Employment Period. If the Executive is employed by the Company
and/or a Subsidiary on the Effective Date, the Company hereby agrees to continue
to employ and to cause such Subsidiary to continue to employ the Executive, and
the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company and/or such
Subsidiary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of
such date (the "Employment Period"). For purposes of this Agreement, unless
expressly limited to LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc., "Company" hereinafter
shall mean each of LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. and/or any of its
Subsidiaries or affiliated companies that employ the Executive. As used in this
Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled
by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed
at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the
Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding
any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business
hours to the business and affairs of the
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Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned
to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to
perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment
Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A)
serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver
lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and
(C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been
conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of
such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope
thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the
Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to 12 times the highest monthly
base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned but
deferred, to the Executive by the Company in respect of the 12-month period
immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the
Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12
months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the
Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base
Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such
increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall
refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base
Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal
to the Executive's highest bonus under annual incentive plans of the Company or
any comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the last three
full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the
Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year)
(the "Recent Annual Bonus"); provided, however, that until Executive has
completed two (2) fiscal years with the Company, the Annual Bonus for all
purposes herein, including specifically paragraph 6, shall be stipulated as
$300,000. Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the
third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the
Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt
of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans.
During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company, but in no event
shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with
incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special
incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is
applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each
case, less favorable, in the aggregate,
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than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs
as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall
be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare
benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
(including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability,
employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans
and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate,
than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in
effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those
provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives
of the Company.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period the
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable
policies, practices and procedures of the Company in effect for the Executive at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during
the120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a
size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
at anytime during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the
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Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company.
5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period.
If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with
Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's
employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall
terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the
Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days
after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean that the Executive is unable, by reason of physical or
mental incapacity, to perform his duties to the Company on a full-time basis for
a period longer than 3 consecutive months or more than 6 months in any
consecutive 12-month period. The existence of a Disability shall be determined
by the Board of Directors of the Company, based upon due consideration of the
opinion of the Executive's personal physician or physicians and of the opinion
of any physician or physicians selected by the Board of Directors for these
purposes. If the Executive's personal physician disagrees with the physician
retained by the Company, the Board of Directors will retain an impartial
physician selected by the Executive's personal physician and the Company's
physician and the opinion of the impartial physician shall be binding upon the
Company and the Executive. The Executive shall submit to examination by any
physician or physicians so selected by the Board of Directors, and shall
otherwise cooperate with the Board of Directors in making the determination
contemplated hereunder, such cooperation to include, without limitation,
consenting to the release of information by any such physician(s) to the Board
of Directors.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the
Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the
Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which
specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer
believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's
duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in
illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably
injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
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adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or
a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and
until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution
duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason; Window Period. The Executive's
employment may be terminated (i) during the Employment Period by the Executive
for Good Reason or (ii) during the Window Period by Executive without any
reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Window Period" shall mean the 30-day
period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective Date. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any
duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position (including
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other
action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with
any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be
based at any office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B)
hereof or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to
a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of
the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this
Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with
and satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
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(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company
for Cause, or by the Executive during the Window Period or for Good Reason,
shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given
in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the
extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under
the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined
below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the
termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the giving
of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of
Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively,
from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the
Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive during the Window Period or for Good Reason, the date of receipt of
the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case
maybe, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other
than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which
the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date
of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) During the Window Period. If, during the Employment
Period, the Executive shall terminate employment without any reason during the
Window Period:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the sum of (1) the
Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not
theretofore paid and (2) the product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual
Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or portion
thereof which has been earned but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year
consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was
employed for less than 12 full months), for the most recently completed fiscal
year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to
as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and
the denominator of which is 365, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid
(the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1) and (2) shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
(ii) the amount equal to the sum of (x) the
Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and
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(iii) for three years after the Executive's Date
of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the
appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue
benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families,
provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another
employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under
another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described
herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such
applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but
not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits
pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be
considered to have remained employed until 3 years after the Date of Termination
and to have retired on the last day of such period; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or
provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other
amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is
eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or
Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the
Executive's employment other than for Cause, Death or Disability or the
Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of
the following amounts:
A. the Accrued Obligations; and
B. the amount equal to the product of
(1) three times and (2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and
(y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and
C. an amount equal to the excess of
(a) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the qualified defined benefit
retirement plan of the Company or any of its affiliated companies (the
"Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the
Executive than those in effect under the Retirement Plan immediately prior to
the Effective Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan of the
Company or any of its affiliated companies in which the Executive participates
(together, the "BRP") which the Executive would receive if the Executive's
employment continued for 3 years after the Date of Termination assuming for this
purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and, assuming that the
Executive's compensation in each of the three years is that required by Section
4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), over (b) the actuarial equivalent of the
Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan
and the BRP as of the Date of Termination;
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(ii) for three years after the Executive's Date
of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the
appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue
benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those
which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and their families, provided, however, that if
the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to
receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan,
the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to
those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such
plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to
have remained employed until 3 years after the Date of Termination and to have
retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as
incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope and
provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or
provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other
amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is
eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(c) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company to the
estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company under such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in
effect with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in
effect on the date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and their beneficiaries.
(d) Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive,
other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive
in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to
the
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provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section
6(d) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability
Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the
most favorable of those generally provided by the Company to disabled executives
and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to
other peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and their families.
(e) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other
than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred
by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment
Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations
and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company and for which the Executive
may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or
otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or
agreement with the Company. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company at or subsequent to the
Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy,
practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by
this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
Page 11
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit
of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without
regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment")
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any
interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise
tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an
amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without
limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with
respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon
the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if
it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but
that the Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount that could be paid
to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments would not give rise to any
Excise Tax (the "Reduced Amount"), then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the
Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced
Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated
by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of
the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting
Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group
effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally
recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which
accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.
Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by
the Company to the Executive within 5 days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding
upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"),
consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event
that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive.
Page 12
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of
any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Executive is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of
such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period
following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim
is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the
expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive
shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably
requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with
contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from
time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in
order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall
bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and
penalties), incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income
tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result
of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on
the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its
sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a
refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees
to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal,
in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the
Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the
amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto)
imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with
respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute
of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of
the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.
Page 13
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled
to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject
to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay
to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in
a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company, and their respective
businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the
Executive's employment by the Company and which shall not be or become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other
than the Company and those designated by it.
(b) Nonraiding of Employees. The Executive covenants that
during his employment hereunder and for a period of 2 years immediately
following the date of termination of Executive's employment, but only if said
termination is voluntary or for Cause, he will not solicit, induce or encourage
for the purposes of employing or offering employment to any individuals who, as
of the date of termination of the Executive's employment, are employees of the
Company, nor will he directly or indirectly solicit, induce or encourage any of
the Company's employees to seek employment with any other business, whether or
not the Executive is then affiliated with such business.
In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10
constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to
the Executive under this Agreement.
11. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and
without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
Page 14
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether
director indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
-------------------
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
If to the Company:
-----------------
LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, III, Esquire
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right the Executive or the
Page 15
Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the
Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section
5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such
provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that,
except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between
the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is
"at will" and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case
the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after
the Effective Date, this Agreement shall become effective, and shall replace and
supercede any existing Employment Agreement between the Company and the
Executive, to the extent its terms are more advantageous to the Executive,
except that any covenants contained in any prior agreement between Executive and
the Company restricting Executive's ability to compete with or to solicit the
employees, clients or customers of the Company, or to use or disclose any
Confidential Information (as that term is defined in any such agreement), shall
remain in full force and effect.
(g) If the Executive is a party to any of the following
agreements: the Senior Executive Severance Agreement dated June 24, 1991 with
the Company; the Change of Control Employment Agreement dated November 15, 1994
with the Company; the Change of Control Employment Agreement dated November
15,1994 with Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Company; the Change of Control Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1998 with
the Company (each, a "Former Agreement"), then the Executive hereby acknowledges
and agrees that this Agreement is intended to replace and supersede such Former
Agreement and that the Former Agreement is terminated as of the date hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
LANDAMERICA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
--------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
-----------------------------
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
Page 16
