8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 27, 2021 (September 22, 2021)

 

 

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-40836   81-1015499

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, California 94108

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 691-0952

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Class A common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   BRLT   The Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☒

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the initial public offering (the “Offering”) by Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. (the “Company”) of its Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Common Stock”), described in the prospectus (the “Prospectus”), dated September 22, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which is deemed to be part of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-259164) (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), the following agreements were entered into:

 

   

the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC”), dated September 22, 2021, by and among the Company and its Members (as defined therein) (the “A&R LLCA”);

 

   

the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated September 22, 2021, by and among the Company, the LLC and its Members (as defined therein);

 

   

the Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 22, 2021, by and among the Company and the Original Equity Owners (as defined therein); and

 

   

the Stockholders Agreement, dated September 22, 2021, by and among the Company, the LLC and the Original Members (as defined therein).

The A&R LLCA, Tax Receivable Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and Stockholders Agreement are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The terms of these agreements are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms of such agreements previously filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement and as described therein. Certain parties to certain of these agreements have various relationships with the Company. For further information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in the Prospectus.

 

Item 3.02

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

Simultaneously with the consummation of the Offering, the Company issued (i) 35,542,035 shares of Class B common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, to Mainsail Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Mainsail Co-Investors III, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership and the Members (as defined in the A&R LLCA), on a one-to-one basis equal to the number of common membership interests of the LLC it owns, in exchange for nominal consideration and (ii) 49,505,250 shares of Class C common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, to Just Rocks, Inc., a Delaware corporation, on a one-to-one basis equal to the number of common membership interests of the LLC it owns, in exchange for nominal consideration (the “Exchange”).

No underwriters were involved in the issuance and sale of the shares of Class B common stock or the issuance of shares of Class C common stock pursuant to the Exchange. The shares of Class B common stock and Class C common stock were issued in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act on the basis that the transaction did not involve a public offering.

 

Item 3.03

Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth under Item 5.03 below is incorporated by reference in this Item 3.03.

 

Item 5.02

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

On September 22, 2021, the Company entered into an offer letter with Beth Gerstein, its Chief Executive Officer, an offer letter with Eric Grossberg, its Executive Chairman, and an offer letter with Jeffrey Kuo, its Chief Financial Officer, each on the terms and conditions described in the Registration Statement. A full copy of each of the foregoing arrangements is attached hereto as Exhibits 10.5-10.7 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On September 22, 2021, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”), in the form previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement, and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), in the form previously filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement, became effective. The Charter, among other things, provides that the Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 1,200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, 150,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, 150,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, 150,000,000 shares of Class D common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. A description of the Company’s capital stock, after giving effect to the adoption of the Charter and Bylaws, has previously been reported by the Company in the Registration Statement. The Charter and Bylaws are filed herewith as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 8.01

Other Events.

On September 27, 2021, the Company completed the Offering of 9,583,332 shares of its Class A common stock at a price to the public of $12.00 per share, which includes the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional 1,249,999 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. The gross proceeds to the Company from the initial public offering were $115.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.
10.1    Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Brilliant Earth, LLC, dated as of September 22, 2021
10.2    Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2021, by and among Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., Brilliant Earth LLC and its Members
10.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 22, 2021, by and among Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., Brilliant Earth LLC and its Original Equity Owners
10.4    Stockholders Agreement, dated September 22, 2021, by and among Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., Brilliant Earth LLC and the Original Members
10.5    Offer letter, dated as of September 22, 2021, by and between Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. and Beth Gerstein
10.6    Offer letter, dated as of September 22, 2021, by and between Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. and Eric Grossman
10.7    Offer letter, dated as of September 22, 2021, by and between Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. and Jeffrey Kuo


SIGNATURES

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

 

    BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
Date: September 27, 2021     By:  

/s/ Jeffrey Kuo

      Jeffrey Kuo
      Chief Financial Officer
EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

1. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 2, 2021 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

2. The Corporation is filing this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), which restates, integrates and further amends the Certificate of Incorporation, as heretofore amended (the “Original Certificate”), and which was duly adopted by all necessary action of the board of directors of the Corporation and the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242, 245 and 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

3. The text of the Original Certificate is hereby amended and restated in its entirety by this Certificate of Incorporation to read in full as follows:

ARTICLE I.

The name of the corporation is Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II.

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 3500 South DuPont Highway Dover, Kent County, Delaware 19901. The name of its registered agent at such address is Incorporating Services Ltd..

ARTICLE III.

The nature of the business of the Corporation and the objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), including, without limitation, (i) investing in securities of Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or any successor entities thereto (“Brilliant Earth LLC”) and any of its subsidiaries, (ii) exercising all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or possession with respect to the Corporation’s assets, including managing, holding, selling and disposing of such assets and (iii) engaging in any other activities incidental or ancillary thereto.


ARTICLE IV.

Section 4.1 Authorized Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is one billion six hundred sixty million (1,660,000,000), consisting of:

(a) One billion two hundred million (1,200,000,000) shares of Class A common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”);

(b) One hundred fifty million (150,000,000) shares of Class B common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”);

(c) One hundred fifty million (150,000,000) shares of Class C common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class C Common Stock”);

(d) One hundred fifty million (150,000,000) shares of Class D common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class D Common Stock”); and

(e) Ten million (10,000,000) shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (such certificate being hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation, the authority to fix or alter the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, exchange rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking and purchase fund provisions), the redemption price or prices, restrictions on the issuance of shares of such series, the dissolution preferences and the rights in respect of any distribution of assets of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock and the number of shares constituting any such series, and the designation thereof, or any of them and to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series so created (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Designation), subsequent to the issue of that series. In case the authorized number of shares of any series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. There shall be no limitation or restriction on any variation between any of the different series of Preferred Stock as to the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof; and the several series of Preferred Stock may vary in any and all respects as fixed and determined by the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors or by a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, providing for the issuance of the various series of Preferred Stock.

 

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Section 4.3 Number of Authorized Shares. The number of authorized shares of any of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of any holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a separate vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

Section 4.4 Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock. The powers, preferences and rights of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock, the Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:

(a) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by law,

(i) Each share of Class A Common Stock shall entitle the record holder thereof as of the applicable record date to one (1) vote per share in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Class A Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.

(ii) Each share of Class B Common Stock shall entitle the record holder thereof as of the applicable record date to one (1) votes per share in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Class B Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.

(iii) Each share of Class C Common Stock shall entitle the record holder thereof as of the applicable record date to ten (10) votes per share in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Class C Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.

(iv) Each share of Class D Common Stock shall entitle the record holder thereof as of the applicable record date to ten (10) votes per share in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Class D Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.

(v) Except as otherwise required by applicable law or this Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and the Class D Common Stock shall vote together as a single class (or, if any holders of shares of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, as a single class with such holders of Preferred Stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

 

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(b) Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock out of the assets or funds of the Corporation that are by law available therefor, at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine. Dividends may not be declared or paid (x) on the Class A Common Stock unless a dividend of the same amount per share and same type of cash or property (or combination thereof) per share is concurrently declared or paid on the Class D Common Stock or (y) on the Class D Common Stock unless a dividend of the same amount per share and same type of cash or property (or combination thereof) per share is concurrently declared or paid on the Class A Common Stock; provided, however, in the event any dividend is declared or paid in-kind in shares of Class A Common Stock or shares of Class D Common Stock (or rights to acquire, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such shares), as applicable, then the holders of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to receive such dividends only in the form of shares of Class A Common Stock (or rights to acquire, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, Class A Common Stock) and the holders of Class D Common Stock will be entitled to receive such dividend only in the form of shares of Class D Common Stock (or rights to acquire, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, Class D Common Stock) (provided, any such dividend shall be required to be declared and paid at the same rate on the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock as it is on the outstanding shares of Class D Common Stock and vice versa). Other than in connection with a dividend declared by the Board of Directors in connection with a “poison pill” or similar stockholder rights plan, dividends shall not be declared or paid on the Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock or the Class C Common Stock shall have no right to receive dividends in respect of such shares of Class B Common Stock or the Class C Common Stock.

(c) Liquidation Rights. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and after making provisions for preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over the Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock with respect to payments in liquidation shall be entitled, the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation available for distribution shall be divided among and paid ratably to the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder. A consolidation, reorganization or merger of the Corporation with any other Person or Persons (as defined below), or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, shall not be considered to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 4.4(c).

(d) Class B Common Stock.

(i) From and after the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), (x) shares of Class B Common Stock may be issued only to, and registered only in the name of, the Continuing Equity Owners (excluding our founders, Beth Gerstein, Eric Grossberg, Just Rocks and their respective Affiliates (collectively, the “Founders”)) and their respective Permitted Transferees (as defined below) in accordance with Section 4.5 (including all subsequent Permitted Transferees) (the Continuing Equity Owners (excluding our Founders) together with such persons, collectively, the

 

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Permitted Class B Owners”) and (y) the aggregate number of shares of Class B Common Stock at any time registered in the name of each such Permitted Class B Owner must be equal to the aggregate number of Common Units held of record at such time by such Permitted Class B Owner under the LLC Agreement (as defined below); provided, however, that with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock held by any Permitted Class B Owner that is a Mainsail Related Party (a “Permitted Mainsail Class B Owner”), the requirement described in the foregoing clause (y) shall be satisfied so long as the aggregate number of shares of Class B Common Stock at any time registered in the name of all Permitted Mainsail Class B Owners is equal to the aggregate number of Common Units held of record at such time by all Permitted Mainsail Class B Owners (the requirement described in this proviso, the “Mainsail Collective Registered Owner Requirement”). As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, (A) “Continuing Equity Owner” means each of the holders of Common Units (other than the Corporation) of Brilliant Earth LLC, as set forth on Schedule A hereto, (B) “Common Unit” means a limited liability company interest in Brilliant Earth LLC, authorized and issued under the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Brilliant Earth LLC, dated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “LLC Agreement”), and constituting a “Common Unit” as defined in such LLC Agreement and (C) “Permitted Transfer” means a transfer or assignment of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock (or any legal or beneficial interest in such shares) by the holder thereof to any transferee or assignee only to the extent permitted by the LLC Agreement (and a holder of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable pursuant to a Permitted Transfer, a “Permitted Transferee”) and only if such holder also simultaneously Transfers an equal number of such holder’s Common Units to such Permitted Transferee, if applicable, in compliance with the LLC Agreement.

(ii) The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, undertake all necessary and appropriate action within its control (A) except in the case of the Permitted Mainsail Class B Owners, to ensure that the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued by the Corporation at any time to, or otherwise held of record by, any Permitted Class B Owner shall be equal to the aggregate number of Common Units held of record by such Permitted Class B Owner in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement and (B) in the case of the Permitted Mainsail Class B Owners, to ensure that the Mainsail Collective Registered Owner Requirement is satisfied.

(iii) In the event that there is a merger, consolidation or Change of Control (as defined below) of the Corporation that was approved by the Board of Directors prior to such merger, consolidation or Change of Control, without limiting the rights of the holders of Class B Common Stock to have their Common Units redeemed or exchanged in accordance with Article XI of the LLC Agreement, the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be entitled to receive more than $0.0001 per share of Class B Common Stock, whether in the form of consideration for such shares or in the form of a distribution of the proceeds of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation with respect to such shares.

 

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(e) Class C Common Stock.

(i) From and after the Effective Time, (x) shares of Class C Common Stock may be issued only to, and registered only in the name of, our Founders and their respective Permitted Transferees in accordance with Section 4.5 (including all subsequent Permitted Transferees) (the Founders together with such persons, collectively, the “Permitted Class C Owners”) and (y) the aggregate number of shares of Class C Common Stock at any time registered in the name of each such Permitted Class C Owner must be equal to the aggregate number of Common Units held of record at such time by such Permitted Class C Owner under the LLC Agreement (as defined below); provided, however, that with respect to shares of Class C Common Stock held by any Permitted Class C Owner (a “Permitted Founder Class C Owner”), the requirement described in the foregoing clause (y) shall be satisfied so long as the aggregate number of shares of Class C Common Stock at any time registered in the name of all Permitted Founder Class C Owners is equal to the aggregate number of Common Units held of record at such time by all Permitted Founder Class C Owners (the requirement described in this proviso, the “Founder Collective Registered Owner Requirement”).

(ii) The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, undertake all necessary and appropriate action within its control (A) except in the case of the Permitted Founder Class C Owners, to ensure that the number of shares of Class C Common Stock issued by the Corporation at any time to, or otherwise held of record by, any Permitted Class C Owner shall be equal to the aggregate number of Common Units held of record by such Permitted Class C Owner in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement and (B) in the case of the Permitted Founder Class C Owners, to ensure that the Founder Collective Registered Owner Requirement is satisfied.

(iii) In the event that there is a merger, consolidation or Change of Control (as defined below) of the Corporation that was approved by the Board of Directors prior to such merger, consolidation or Change of Control, without limiting the rights of the holders of Class C Common Stock to have their Common Units redeemed or exchanged in accordance with Article XI of the LLC Agreement, then the holders of shares of Class C Common Stock shall not be entitled to receive more than $0.0001 per share of Class C Common Stock, whether in the form of consideration for such shares or in the form of a distribution of the proceeds of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation with respect to such shares.

(f) Class D Common Stock. From and after the Effective Time, shares of Class D Common Stock may be issued only to, and registered only in the name of the Persons set forth on Schedule B hereto (the “Class D Holders”) and their respective Permitted Transferees in accordance with Section 4.5 (including all subsequent Permitted Transferees) (the Class D Holders together with such persons, collectively, the “Permitted Class D Owners”).

(g) Adjustments for Subdivisions, Combinations or Reclassifications of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock. If the Corporation in any manner subdivides, combines or reclassifies the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, the outstanding shares of the other such classes shall, concurrently therewith, be subdivided, combined, or reclassified in the same proportion and manner such that the same proportionate equity ownership between the holders of outstanding Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock on the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification is preserved, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by (i) the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, (ii)

 

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the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class B Common Stock, (iii) the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class C Common Stock, (iv) and the holders of a majority of the outstanding Class D Common Stock, each of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) voting as separate classes. In the event of any such subdivision, combination or reclassification, the Corporation shall cause Brilliant Earth, LLC to make corresponding changes to the Common Units to give effect to such subdivision, combination or reclassification, as applicable.

Section 4.5 Transfer of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock; Conversion of Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock.

(a) A holder of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock may surrender and transfer shares of such Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, to the Corporation for cancellation for no consideration at any time. Following the surrender and transfer, or other acquisition, of any shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock to or by the Corporation, the Corporation will take all actions necessary to cancel and retire such shares and such shares shall not be re-issued by the Corporation.

(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.5(a), a holder of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock may Transfer shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock only to a Permitted Transferee of such holder, and only if (i) except in the case of a Transfer by a Permitted Mainsail Class B Owner or a Permitted Founder Class C Owner, as applicable, such holder also simultaneously Transfers an equal number of such holder’s Common Units to such Permitted Transferee in compliance with the LLC Agreement or (ii) in the case of a Transfer by a Permitted Mainsail Class B Owner or Permitted Founder Class C Owner, as applicable, so long as the respective Mainsail Collective Registered Owner Requirement or Founder Collective Registered Owner Requirement remains satisfied immediately following consummation of such Transfer. The Transfer restrictions described in this Section 4.5(b) are referred to as the “Restrictions”.

(c) If a holder of Class D Common Stock Transfers shares of Class D Common Stock to a Permitted Transferee of such holder, such shares shall remain shares of Class D Common Stock upon consummation of such Transfer. If a holder of Class D Common Stock Transfers shares of Class D Common Stock to any Person that is not a Permitted Transferee of such holder, such shares shall automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock, on a one-for-one basis, upon consummation of such Transfer, in accordance with Section 4.5(e).

(d) Any purported Transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock in violation of the Restrictions shall be null and void ab initio. If, notwithstanding the Restrictions, a Person, voluntarily or involuntarily (including by way of a foreclosure), purportedly becomes or attempts to become, the purported owner (the “Purported Owner”) of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, in violation of the Restrictions, then the Purported Owner shall not obtain any rights in, to or with respect to such shares of (i) Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Restricted Shares”) or (ii) Class C Common Stock (the “Class C Restricted Shares”), and the purported Transfer of the Class B Restricted Shares or the Class C Restricted Shares, as applicable, to the Purported Owner shall not be recognized by the Corporation, the Corporation’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) or the Secretary of the Corporation and each holder of such Class B Restricted Share or Class C Restricted Share shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, automatically, without any further action on the part of the Corporation, the holder thereof, the Purported Owner or any other party, not be entitled to any voting rights with respect to those shares.

 

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(e) If, any holder of shares of Class D Common Stock, voluntarily or involuntarily (including by way of a foreclosure), purportedly Transfers, or attempts to Transfer, any such shares of Class D Common Stock to any Person that is not a Permitted Transferee of such holder, upon consummation of such Transfer, such shares of Class D Common Stock shall be automatically converted into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock and the purported transferee of such shares of Class D Common Stock shall not obtain any rights in, to or with respect to such shares of Class D Common Stock (the “Class D Restricted Shares”) (other than rights in, to or with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock into which such Class D Restricted Shares are converted), and the purported Transfer of such Class D Restricted Shares shall not be recognized by the Corporation, the Transfer Agent or the Secretary of the Corporation (other than to the extent necessary to recognize the ownership by the transferee of the shares of Class A Common Stock into which such Class D Restricted Shares are converted).

(f) Upon a determination by the Board of Directors that a Person has attempted or may attempt to Transfer or to acquire Class B Restricted Shares or Class C Restricted Shares in violation of the Restrictions, the Corporation may take such action as it deems necessary or advisable to refuse to give effect to such Transfer or acquisition on the books and records of the Corporation, including without limitation to cause the Transfer Agent or the Secretary of the Corporation, as applicable, to not record the Purported Owner as the record owner of the Class B Restricted Shares or the Class C Restricted Shares and to institute proceedings to enjoin or rescind any such Transfer or acquisition. Upon a determination by the Corporation that a Person has attempted or may attempt to Transfer shares of Class D Common Stock to a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee of such holder, the Corporation may take such action as it deems necessary or advisable to refuse to give effect to such Transfer or acquisition on the books and records of the Corporation, including without limitation to cause the Transfer Agent or the Secretary of the Corporation, as applicable, to not record the purported transferee as the record owner of the Class D Restricted Shares, and to institute proceedings to enjoin or rescind any such Transfer or acquisition (in each case, other than to the extent necessary to recognize the ownership by the transferee of the shares of Class A Common Stock in which such Class D Restricted Shares are converted).

(g) The Board of Directors may, to the extent permitted by law, from time to time establish, modify, amend or rescind, by bylaw or otherwise, regulations and procedures not inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 4.5 for determining whether any Transfer or acquisition of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock would violate the Restrictions, or whether any Transfer or acquisition of shares of Class D Common Stock is being made to a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee of the transferor, and for the orderly application, administration and implementation of the provisions of this Section 4.5. Any such procedures and regulations shall be kept on file with the Secretary of the Corporation and with the Transfer Agent and shall be made available for inspection by and, upon written request shall be mailed to, any requesting holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common stock and/or Class D Common Stock.

 

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(h) As used in this Section 4.5, the term “Transfer”, as it relates to the shares of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, shall not be deemed to include any bona fide pledge or collateralization by a holder thereof to a financial institution in connection with any bona fide loan or debt transaction, but such term shall include any foreclosure on such shares by such financial institution following or in connection with any such pledge or collateralization.

(i) Each share of the outstanding Class C Common Stock shall automatically, without further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof, convert into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Class B Common Stock and each share of the outstanding Class D Common Stock shall automatically, without further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof, convert into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon the earlier to occur of the follow (each, a “Final Conversion Event”): (i) 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date that is ten (10) years following the closing of the Corporation’s initial public offering of Class A Common Stock in a firm commitment underwritten offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); and (ii) the date the aggregate number of shares of Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock then outstanding is less than 8% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.

Section 4.6 Certificates. All certificates or book entries representing shares of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and/or Class D Common Stock shall bear a legend substantially in the following form (or in such other form as the Board of Directors may determine):

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS [CERTIFICATE][BOOK ENTRY] ARE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS (INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER) SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION AS IT MAY BE AMENDED AND/OR RESTATED (A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AND SHALL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER MAKING A REQUEST THEREFOR).

Section 4.7 Fractions. Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock may be issued and, to the extent permitted hereby, Transferred in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder to exercise fractional voting rights and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, as applicable. Subject to the Restrictions and the other provisions of Section 4.5, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock shall be entitled to Transfer fractions thereof and the Corporation shall, and shall cause the Transfer Agent to, facilitate any such Transfers, including by issuing certificates or making book entries representing any such fractional shares. For all purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, all references to Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock or any share thereof (whether in the singular or plural) shall be deemed to include references to any fraction of a share of such Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock.

 

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Section 4.8 Amendment.Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

ARTICLE V.

Section 5.1 Shares Reserved for Issuance.

(a) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall from time to time be sufficient to effect (a) the exchange of all outstanding Common Units (along with Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, as applicable) for shares of Class A Common Stock and (b) the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class D Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of the exchange of the Common Units or conversion of shares of Class D Common Stock by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock that are held in the treasury of the Corporation.

(b) The Corporation shall use its best efforts to cause to be reserved and kept available for issuance at all times a sufficient number of authorized but unissued shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of shares of Class B Common Stock that shall from time to time be sufficient to effect (a) the issuance of shares of Class B Common Stock to holders of newly issued Common Units for such consideration and for such corporate purposes as the Board may from time to time determine and (b) the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock into shares of Class B Common Stock.

(c) The Corporation shall use its best efforts to cause to be reserved and kept available for issuance at all times a sufficient number of authorized but unissued shares of Class D Common Stock to permit the exchange of all outstanding Common Units (along with Class C Common Stock) held by a holder of Class C Common Stock for shares of Class D Common Stock.

ARTICLE VI.

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the DGCL, the Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. The stockholders may not adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation unless such action is approved, in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

Section 7.1 Ballot. Elections of directors (each such director, in such capacity, a “Director”) need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.

Section 7.2 Number and Terms of the Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by a majority of the Whole Board of Directors; provided, that for as long as the Stockholders Agreement is in effect, the number of Directors shall never be less than the aggregate number of Directors that the parties to the Stockholders Agreement are entitled to designate from time to time pursuant to Section 1 thereof. For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term “Whole Board of Directors” shall mean the total number of authorized directors (from time to time) whether or not there exist any vacancies.

Section 7.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to (i) the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors and (ii) the designation rights granted to the Sponsor Stockholders (as defined above) pursuant to the Stockholders Agreements, any newly created directorship that results from an increase in the number of directors or any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from the death, disability, resignation, disqualification or removal of any director (including pursuant to the Stockholders Agreements) or from any other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by the stockholders unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancy or newly created directorship shall be filled by the stockholders. Any director elected to fill a newly created directorship or vacancy in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders held to elect the class of directors to which such director is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal.

Section 7.4 Term and Removal for Cause. Subject to (i) the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, each director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which such director’s term expires and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time either with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of capital stock representing a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon; provided, however, that from and after the time when the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties (together, the “Sponsor Stockholders”) first cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation (a “Sponsor Trigger Event”), the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of capital stock representing at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (662/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

 

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Section 7.5 Classified Board. The Directors shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they shall hold their respective offices, by dividing them into three (3) classes, with each Director then in office to be designated as a Class I Director, a Class II Director or a Class III Director, with each class to be apportioned as nearly equal in number as possible. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. The initial Class I Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the time at which the initial classification of the Board becomes effective; the initial Class II Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the time at which the initial classification of the Board becomes effective; and the initial Class III Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the time at which the initial classification of the Board becomes effective. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, subject to such Director’s earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with Section 7.4 of this Certificate of Incorporation. Subject to the Stockholders Agreement (for so long as it remains in effect), the Board of Directors is authorized to assign each Director already in office at the Effective Time, as well as each Director elected or appointed to a newly created directorship due to an increase in the size of the Board of Directors, to Class I, Class II or Class III. Without limitation to the rights of the stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement, the provisions of this Section 7.5 are subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock to elect directors and such directors need not serve classified terms.

Section 7.6 Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for election of Directors and other business to be brought by stockholders before a meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner provided by the Bylaws.

Section 7.7 Preferred Directors. Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) applicable thereto. The number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof, and the total number of directors constituting the Whole Board of Directors shall be automatically adjusted accordingly. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such director thereupon shall cease to be qualified as, and shall cease to be, a director) and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be reduced accordingly.

 

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ARTICLE VIII.

Section 8.1 Consent of Stockholders In Lieu of Meeting. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, prior to the occurrence of the Sponsor Trigger Event, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, are (1) signed by the holders of outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation representing not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of stock of the Corporation then issued and outstanding entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and (2) delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, from and after the occurrence of the Sponsor Trigger Event, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, and shall not be taken by consent in lieu of a meeting.

Section 8.2 Special Meetings of Stockholders. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, at any time only by or at the direction of (i) the Chairperson of the Board of Directors (if any), (ii) the Chief Executive Officer or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board of Directors, and shall not be called by any other person or persons.

ARTICLE IX.

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change, adopt or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation and subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors shall be required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with Articles IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIII; provided further, that any amendment (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise) to this Certificate of Incorporation that gives holders of the Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock (i) any rights to receive dividends (other than as set forth in the last sentence of Section 4.4(b) of Article IV) or any other kind of distribution, (ii) any right to convert into or be exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock or (iii) any other economic rights shall, in addition to the vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, also require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock voting separately as a class and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class D Common Stock voting separately as a class. If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any Person or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other Persons and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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ARTICLE X.

The Corporation is authorized to indemnify, and to advance expenses to, each current or former Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended. To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware as it exists on the date hereof or as it may hereafter be amended, no Director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director. No amendment to, or modification or repeal of, this Article X shall adversely affect any right or protection of a Director or of any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, modification or repeal.

ARTICLE XI.

Section 11.1 Corporate Opportunity.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware and in accordance with Section 122(17) of the DGCL, (i) the Corporation hereby renounces all interest and expectancy that it otherwise would be entitled to have in, and all rights to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that from time to time may be presented to (1) Mainsail, any Directors who are employees of or Affiliates of Mainsail (other than any such Director who is also an employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries), or (2) any Director or stockholder who is not employed by the Corporation or its subsidiaries (each such Person, an “Exempt Person”); (ii) no Exempt Person will have any duty to refrain from (1) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries from time to time is engaged or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing, directly or indirectly, with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; and (iii) if any Exempt Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity both for such Exempt Person or any of his or her respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and for the Corporation or its subsidiaries, on the other hand, such Exempt Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to the Corporation or its subsidiaries and such Exempt Person may take any and all such transactions or opportunities for itself or offer such transactions or opportunities to any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the preceding sentence of this Section 11.1(a) shall not apply to any potential transaction or business opportunity that is expressly offered to a Director, executive officer or employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, solely in his or her capacity as a Director, executive officer or employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries.

 

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(b) To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware, no potential transaction or business opportunity may be deemed to be a corporate opportunity of the Corporation or its subsidiaries unless (i) the Corporation or its subsidiaries would be permitted to undertake such transaction or opportunity in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation, (ii) the Corporation or its subsidiaries at such time have sufficient financial resources to undertake such transaction or opportunity, (iii) the Corporation or its subsidiaries have an interest or expectancy in such transaction or opportunity and (iv) such transaction or opportunity would be in the same or similar line of business in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries are then engaged or a line of business that is reasonably related to, or a reasonable extension of, such line of business.

Section 11.2 Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no stockholder and no Director will be liable to the Corporation or its subsidiaries or stockholders for breach of any duty solely by reason of any activities or omissions of the types referred to in this Article XI, except to the extent such actions or omissions are in breach of this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII.

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (a) (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 or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as either may amended and/or restated from time to time) or as to which the DGCL confers exclusive jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, the federal district court of the State of Delaware; and (b) the federal district courts of the United States (the “Federal Courts”) shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article XII shall not apply to claims seeking to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act. If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope of the first sentence of this Article XII, is filed in a court other than the Court of Chancery or the Federal Courts, as applicable, (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery or the Federal Courts, as applicable, in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the first sentence of this Article XII and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

 

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ARTICLE XIII.

Section 13.1 Section 203 of the DGCL. The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL and the restrictions and limitations set forth therein.

Section 13.2 Interested Stockholder Transactions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation shall not engage in any Business Combination (as defined below) at any point in time at which the Corporation’s Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock. Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act with any Interested Stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three (3) years following the time that such stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, unless:

(a) prior to such time that such stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, the Board of Directors approved either the Business Combination or the transaction which resulted in such stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder;

(b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (A) persons who are directors and also officers and (B) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

(c) at or subsequent to such time that such stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, the Business Combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation which is not owned by such Interested Stockholder.

Section 13.3 Definitions. As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

(a) “Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person and, for purposes of the definition of Affiliate “control,” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A Person who is the owner, of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such Person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Article XIII, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

 

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(b) “Associate”, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of shares of voting stock of the Corporation; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such Person.

(c) “Business Combination” means (i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (A) with the Interested Stockholder, or (B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation this Article XIII is not applicable to the surviving entity; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, Transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the Interested Stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to ten percent (10%) or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation; any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (E) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (C) through (E) of this subsection (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments); (iv) any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (i) through (iv) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

 

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(d) “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (1) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation (if any) representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote; (2) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated a transaction or series of related transactions for the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (including a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Brilliant Earth LLC); (3) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the voting securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent, or are not converted into, voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or (4) the Corporation ceases to be the sole managing member of Brilliant Earth LLC; provided, however, that a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions immediately following which (a) the beneficial owners of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions or (b) in the case of the foregoing clauses (1) or (3), the Mainsail Related Parties or the Just Rocks Related Parties are the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation (if any) representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote (or, in the case of a transaction described in the foregoing clause (3), more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger of consolidation or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof).

(e) “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.

 

18


(f) “Interested Stockholder” means any Person (other than the Corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the is the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and was the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such Person is an Interested Stockholder, and the Affiliates and Associates of such Person. Notwithstanding anything in this Article XIII to the contrary, the term “Interested Stockholder” shall not include: (v) the Mainsail Related Parties or any of their current and future Affiliates (so long as such affiliate remains an affiliate) or Associates, including any investment funds managed, directly or indirectly, by Mainsail or any other Person with whom any of the foregoing are acting as a group or in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of shares of capital stock of the Corporation; (w) the Just Rocks Related Parties or any of their current and future Affiliates (so long as such affiliate remains an affiliate) or Associates, including any investment funds managed, directly or indirectly, by Just Rocks or any other Person with whom any of the foregoing are acting as a group or in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of shares of capital stock of the Corporation; (x) any Person who acquires ownership of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the then-outstanding voting stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly from a Mainsail Related Party or a Just Rocks Related Party, and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Person who acquires voting stock of the Corporation through a broker’s transaction executed on any securities exchange or other over-the-counter market or pursuant to an underwritten public offering; (y) a stockholder that becomes an Interested Stockholder inadvertently and (A) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that such stockholder ceases to be an Interested Stockholder and (B) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a business combination between the Corporation and such stockholder, have been an Interested Stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership or (z) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the fifteen percent (15%) limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided, however, that such person specified in this clause (z) shall be an Interested Stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the Person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

(g) “Just Rocks” means Just Rocks, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(h) “Just Rocks Related Parties” means Just Rocks and its Affiliates.

(i) “Mainsail” means Mainsail Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

(j) “Mainsail Related Parties” means Mainsail and its Affiliates.

(k) “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means, for purposes of this Article XIII, a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:

 

19


(i) beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly;

(ii) has (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten (10) or more persons; or

(iii) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in clause (B) of subsection (ii) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

(l) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated association or other entity.

(m) “Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.

(n) “stock” means, for purposes of this Article XIII, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

(o) “Transfer” (and, with a correlative meaning, “Transferring”) means any sale, transfer, assignment, redemption or other disposition of (whether directly or indirectly, whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of Law) (a) any interest (legal or beneficial) in any shares of capital of stock of the Corporation or (b) any equity or other interest (legal or beneficial) in any stockholder if substantially all of the assets of such stockholder consist solely of shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

(p) “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference in this Article XIII to a percentage or proportion of voting stock shall refer to such percentage or other proportion of the votes of such voting stock.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed on this 22nd day of September, 2021.

 

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

Name:   Beth Gerstein
Title:   Chief Executive Officer


SCHEDULE A

ISSUANCE OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK

 

1.

Mainsail Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership

 

2.

Mainsail Co-Investors III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership

 

3.

Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

4.

Certain employees of the Corporation


SCHEDULE B

CLASS D HOLDERS

 

1.

Just Rocks, Inc., a Delaware corporation

 

2.

Beth Gerstein

 

3.

Eric Grossberg

 

23

EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

(a Delaware corporation)


Table of Contents

 

         Page  

Article I—Corporate Offices

     1  

1.1

  Registered Office      1  

1.2

  Other Offices      1  

Article II—Meetings of Stockholders

     1  

2.1

  Place of Meetings      1  

2.2

  Annual Meeting      1  

2.3

  Special Meeting      1  

2.4

  Notice of Business to be Brought before a Meeting      2  

2.5

  Notice of Nominations for Election to the Board      5  

2.6

  Additional Requirements for Valid Nomination of Candidates to Serve as Director and, if Elected, to be Seated as Directors      7  

2.7

  Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings      8  

2.8

  Quorum      9  

2.9

  Adjourned Meeting; Notice      9  

2.10

  Conduct of Business      9  

2.11

  Voting      10  

2.12

  Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes      10  

2.13

  Proxies      11  

2.14

  List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote      11  

2.15

  Inspectors of Election      11  

2.16

  Delivery to the Corporation      12  

Article III—Directors

     12  

3.1

  Powers      12  

3.2

  Number; Term; Qualifications      12  

3.3

  Resignation; Removal; Vacancies      13  

3.4

  Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone      13  

3.5

  Regular Meetings      13  

3.6

  Special Meetings; Notice      13  

3.7

  Quorum      14  

3.8

  Board Action without a Meeting      14  

3.9

  Fees and Compensation of Directors      14  

Article IV—Committees

     14  

4.1

  Committees of Directors      14  

4.2

  Committee Minutes      15  

4.3

  Meetings and Actions of Committees      15  

4.4

  Subcommittees      15  

Article V—Officers

     16  

5.1

  Officers      16  

5.2

  Appointment of Officers      16  

5.3

  Subordinate Officers      16  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

5.4

  Removal and Resignation of Officers      16  

5.5

  Vacancies in Offices      16  

5.6

  Representation of Shares of Other Corporations      16  

5.7

  Authority and Duties of Officers      17  

5.8

  Compensation      17  

Article VI—Records

     17  

Article VII—General Matters

     17  

7.1

  Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments      17  

7.2

  Stock Certificates      17  

7.3

  Special Designation of Certificates      18  

7.4

  Lost Certificates      18  

7.5

  Shares Without Certificates      18  

7.6

  Construction; Definitions      19  

7.7

  Dividends      19  

7.8

  Fiscal Year      19  

7.9

  Seal      19  

7.10

  Transfer of Stock      19  

7.11

  Stock Transfer Agreements      19  

7.12

  Registered Stockholders      20  

7.13

  Waiver of Notice      20  

Article VIII—Notice

     20  

8.1

  Delivery of Notice; Notice by Electronic Transmission      20  

Article IX—Indemnification

     21  

9.1

  Indemnification of Directors and Officers      21  

9.2

  Indemnification of Others      21  

9.3

  Prepayment of Expenses      22  

9.4

  Determination; Claim      22  

9.5

  Non-Exclusivity of Rights      22  

9.6

  Insurance      22  

9.7

  Continuation of Indemnification      22  

9.8

  Amendment or Repeal; Interpretation      22  

Article X—Amendments

     23  

Article XI—Definitions

     23  

 

 

ii


Amended and Restated Bylaws of

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

 

 

Article I—Corporate Offices

1.1 Registered Office.

The address of the registered office of Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of its registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

1.2 Other Offices.

The Corporation may have additional offices at any place or places, within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board”) may from time to time establish or as the business of the Corporation may require.

Article II—Meetings of Stockholders

2.1 Place of Meetings.

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the Board. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office.

2.2 Annual Meeting.

The Board shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and other proper business properly brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 2.4 of these Bylaws may be transacted. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

2.3 Special Meeting.

Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by such persons and only in such manner as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

No business may be transacted at any special meeting of stockholders other than the business specified in the notice of such meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.

 


2.4 Notice of Business to be Brought before a Meeting.

This Section 2.4 shall apply to any business that may be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than nominations for election to the Board at such meeting, which shall be governed by Section 2.5 and Section 2.6. Stockholders seeking to nominate persons for election to the Board must comply with Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 and this Section 2.4 shall not be applicable to nominations except as expressly provided in Section 2.5 and Section 2.6.    

(a) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in a notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) if not specified in a notice of meeting, otherwise brought before the meeting by the Board or the Chairperson of the Board, if any, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder present in person who (A) (1) was a record owner of shares of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (3) has complied with this Section 2.4 in all applicable respects or (B) properly made such proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act”). The foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. The only matters that may be brought before a special meeting are the matters specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting pursuant to Section 2.3, and stockholders shall not be permitted to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of the stockholders. For purposes of this Section 2.4 and Section 2.5, “present in person” shall mean that the stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the annual meeting of the Corporation, or a qualified representative of such proposing stockholder, appear at such annual meeting, and a “qualified representative” of such proposing stockholder shall be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or any other person authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(b) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii)(A) of Section 2.4(a), the business must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action and the stockholder must (i) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (ii) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.4. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made by the Corporation (such notice within such time periods, “Timely Notice”); provided, further, that for the purposes of calculating Timely Notice for the first annual meeting held after the Corporation’s initial public offering of its common stock pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1, the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting shall be deemed to be June 15, 2021. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of Timely Notice as described above.

(c) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.4, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

2


(i) As to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (A) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporation’s books and records); and (B) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) are referred to as “Stockholder Information”);

(ii) As to each Proposing Person, (A) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Proposing Person with respect to any shares of any class or series of shares of the Corporation; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that any Proposing Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a Proposing Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Proposing Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Proposing Person arising in the ordinary course of such Proposing Person’s business as a derivatives dealer, (B) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (C) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, (D) any other material relationship between such Proposing Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation, on the other hand, (E) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such Proposing Person with the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (F) a representation that such Proposing Person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal and (G) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (G) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and

 

3


(iii) As to each item of business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), and (C) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; and (D) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the disclosures required by this paragraph (iii) shall not include any disclosures with respect to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

(d) For purposes of this Section 2.4, the term “Proposing Person” shall mean (i) the stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (ii) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting is made, and (iii) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation.

(e) A Proposing Person shall update and supplement its notice to the Corporation of its intent to propose business at an annual meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding matters, business or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting that is not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4. The presiding officer of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

4


(g) This Section 2.4 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than any proposal made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s proxy statement. In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.4 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

(h) For purposes of these Bylaws, “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

2.5 Notice of Nominations for Election to the Board.

(a) Nominations of any person for election to the Board at an annual meeting or at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may be made at such meeting only (i) as provided in the Stockholders Agreement (as defined below), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board, including by any committee or persons authorized to do so by the Board or these Bylaws, or (iii) by a stockholder present in person (A) who was a record owner of shares of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.5 and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) has complied with this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 as to such notice and nomination. Other than nominations made by a stockholder in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement, the foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting or special meeting.

(b) (i) Without qualification, for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.5(a), the stockholder must (1) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 2.4) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation, (2) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required to be set forth by this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 and (3) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6.

(ii) Without qualification, if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling a special meeting, then for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at a special meeting, the stockholder must (A) provide timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (B) provide the information with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required by this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 and (C) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice for nominations to be made at a special meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4) of the date of such special meeting at which directors are to be elected was first made.

 

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(iii) In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(iv) In no event may a Nominating Person provide Timely Notice with respect to a greater number of director candidates than are subject to election by stockholders at the applicable meeting. Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.5(b)(i)(1) to the contrary, if the number of directors subject to election at an annual meeting is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under Section 2.5(b)(i)(1) and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.5 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the tenth (10th) day following the date on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4(h)) is first made by the Corporation.

(c) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.5, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

(i) As to each Nominating Person (as defined below), the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 2.4(c)(i), except that for purposes of this Section 2.5 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(c)(i));

(ii) As to each Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 2.4(c)(ii), except that for purposes of this Section 2.5 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(c)(ii) and the disclosure with respect to the business to be brought before the meeting in Section 2.4(c)(ii) shall be made with respect to the nomination of persons for election to the Board at the meeting); and

(iii) As to each candidate whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a director, (A) all information with respect to such candidate for nomination that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 if such candidate for nomination were a Nominating Person, (B) all information relating to such candidate for nomination that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such candidate’s written consent to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (C) a description of any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement between or among any Nominating Person, on the one hand, and each candidate for nomination or his or her respective associates or any other participants in such solicitation, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the candidate for nomination were a director or executive officer of such registrant (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (C) are referred to as “Nominee Information”), and (D) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Section 2.6(a).

(d) For purposes of this Section 2.5, the term “Nominating Person” shall mean (i) the stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, (ii) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made, and (iii) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation.

 

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(e) A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any nomination or to submit any new nomination.

(f) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.5 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Nominating Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.

2.6 Additional Requirements for Valid Nomination of Candidates to Serve as Director and, if Elected, to be Seated as Directors.

(a) To be eligible to be a candidate for election as a director of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting, a candidate must be nominated in the manner prescribed in Section 2.5 and the candidate for nomination, whether nominated by the Board or by a stockholder of record, must have previously delivered (with respect to nominations by stockholders pursuant to Section 2.5, within the time period for delivery of the stockholder’s notice pursuant to Section 2.5), to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (i) a completed written questionnaire (in a form provided by the Corporation upon request) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such proposed nominee and (ii) a written representation and agreement (in form provided by the Corporation upon request) that such candidate for nomination (A) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation or reimbursement for service as a director that has not been disclosed therein or otherwise to the Corporation and (B) if elected as a director of the Corporation, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to directors and in effect during such person’s term in office as a director (and, if requested by any candidate for nomination, the Secretary of the Corporation shall provide to such candidate for nomination all such policies and guidelines then in effect).

(b) The Board may also require any proposed candidate for nomination as a Director to furnish such other information as may reasonably be requested by the Board in writing prior to the meeting of stockholders at which such candidate’s nomination is to be acted upon in order for the Board to determine the eligibility of such candidate for nomination to be an independent director of the Corporation, including, without limitation, eligibility in accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

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(c) A candidate for nomination as a director shall further update and supplement the materials delivered pursuant to this Section 2.6, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (or any other office specified by the Corporation in any public announcement) not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.    

(d) No candidate shall be eligible for nomination as a director of the Corporation unless such candidate for nomination and the Nominating Person seeking to place such candidate’s name in nomination has complied with Section 2.5 and this Section 2.6, as applicable. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with Section 2.5 and this Section 2.6, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting, the defective nomination shall be disregarded and any ballots cast for the candidate in question (but in the case of any form of ballot listing other qualified nominees, only the ballots cast for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect.

(e) Subject to Section 2.6(f) of these Bylaws, no candidate for nomination shall be eligible to be seated as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with Section 2.5 and this Section 2.6.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, for so long as any party to (i) that certain stockholders agreement, dated as of September 22, 2021, by and among the Corporation, Mainsail Partners III, L.P., Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC, Mansail Co-Investors III, L.P., Just Rocks, Inc. and their Permitted Transferees (as defined therein) (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Stockholders Agreement”), is entitled to nominate a Director or Directors pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, such party shall not be subject to Section 2.5 or this Section 2.6 with respect to a nomination made pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement.

2.7 Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 8.1 of these Bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

 

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2.8 Quorum.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. If, however, a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the person presiding over the meeting or (ii) a majority in voting power of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.9 of these Bylaws until a quorum is present or represented. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

2.9 Adjourned Meeting; Notice.

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At any adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

2.10 Conduct of Business.

The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the person presiding over any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures (which need not be in writing) and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the person presiding over the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present (including, without limitation, rules and procedures for removal of disruptive persons from the meeting); (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the person presiding over the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to

 

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questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting (including, without limitation, determinations with respect to the administration and/or interpretation of any of the rules, regulations or procedures of the meeting, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the person presiding over the meeting), shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter of business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

2.11 Voting.

Except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, at all duly called or convened meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect a director. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, each other matter presented to the stockholders at a duly called or convened meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter.

2.12 Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes.

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, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is first given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting; and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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2.13 Proxies.

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL. A proxy may be in the form of an electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

2.14 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote.

The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the Corporation’s principal executive office. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.14 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

2.15 Inspectors of Election.

Before any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment 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 any person appointed as inspector or any alternate fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the person presiding over the meeting shall appoint a person to fill that vacancy.

 

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Such inspectors shall:

(i) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting and the validity of any proxies and ballots;

(ii) count all votes or ballots;

(iii) count and tabulate all votes;

(iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspector(s); and

(v) certify its or their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and its or their count of all votes and ballots.

Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspection with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The inspectors of election may appoint such persons to assist them in performing their duties as they determine.

2.16 Delivery to the Corporation.

Whenever Section 2.4, Section 2.5 or Section 2.6 of this Article II requires one or more persons (including a record or beneficial owner of stock) to deliver a document or information to the Corporation or any officer, employee or agent thereof (including any notice, request, questionnaire, revocation, representation or other document or agreement), such document or information shall be in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and shall be delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of any document not in such written form or so delivered. For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation expressly opts out of Section 116 of the DGCL with respect to the delivery of information and documents to the Corporation required by Section 2.4, Section 2.5 or Section 2.6 of this Article II.

Article III—Directors

3.1 Powers.

Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

3.2 Number ; Term; Qualifications.

The total number of directors constituting the Board shall be determined from time to time as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, subject to the rights granted pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement. The Board shall be classified in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Each director shall hold office until such time as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires. Directors need not be stockholders to be qualified for election or service as a director of the Corporation. The Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws may prescribe qualifications for directors.

 

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3.3 Resignation; Removal; Vacancies.

Any director may resign at any time upon written or electronic transmission to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon delivery unless otherwise specified. Directors of the Corporation may be removed only as expressly provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies on the Board resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and subject to the rights granted pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement.

3.4 Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone.

The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting pursuant to this bylaw shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

3.5 Regular Meetings.

Regular meetings of the Board may be held within or outside the State of Delaware and at such time and at such place as which has been designated by the Board and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, or by electronic mail or other means of electronic transmission. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board.

3.6 Special Meetings; Notice.

Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairperson of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the total number of directors constituting the Board; provided, that at any time that the total number of directors constituting the board is eight (8) or more, special meetings of the Board may also be called by four (4) directors.

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;

(iii) sent by electronic mail; or

(iv) sent by other means of electronic transmission,

 

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directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, electronic mail address, or other address for electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporation’s records.

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by electronic mail, or (iii) sent by other means of electronic transmission, it shall be delivered or sent at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by U.S. mail, it shall be deposited in the U.S. mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting.

3.7 Quorum.

At all meetings of the Board, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided that, solely for the purposes of filling vacancies pursuant to Section 3.3 of these Bylaws, a meeting of the Board may be held if a majority of the directors then in office participate in such meeting. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

3.8 Board Action without a Meeting.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board, or the committee thereof, in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained. Such action by written consent or consent by electronic transmission shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board.

3.9 Fees and Compensation of Directors.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the Stockholders Agreement, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity. Any director of the Corporation may decline any or all such compensation payable to such director in his or her discretion.

Article IV—Committees

4.1 Committees of Directors.

The Board may designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist, of one (1) or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may

 

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unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law or provided in the resolution of the Board or in these Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board 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 that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval (other than the election or removal of directors), or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation.

4.2 Committee Minutes.

Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.

4.3 Meetings and Actions of Committees.

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

(i) Section 3.5 (regular meetings);

(ii) Section 3.6 (special meetings; notice);

(iii) Section 3.4 (place of meetings; meetings by telephone);

(iv) Section 3.8 (action without a meeting); and

(v) Section 7.13 (waiver of notice),

with such changes in the context of those Bylaws provisions as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members. However:

(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board or by resolution of the committee;

(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board or the chairperson of the applicable committee; and

(iii) the Board may adopt rules for the governance of any committee to override the provisions that would otherwise apply to the committee pursuant to this Section 4.3, provided that such rules do not violate the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law.

4.4 Subcommittees.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the resolutions of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one (1) or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one (1) or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

 

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Article V—Officers

5.1 Officers.

The officers of the Corporation shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a President and a Secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board, a Chairperson of the Board (subject to the Stockholders Agreement), a Vice Chairperson of the Board, a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Accounting Officer, a Treasurer, one (1) or more Vice Presidents, one (1) or more Assistant Secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. No officer need be a stockholder or (other than the Chairperson of the Board and the Vice Chairperson of the Board) a director of the Corporation.

5.2 Appointment of Officers.

The Board shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these Bylaws.

5.3 Subordinate Officers.

The Board may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or President or, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer or President, the Chief Financial Officer, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.

5.4 Removal and Resignation of Officers.

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the Corporation accepts the future effective date, the Board may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the Board provides that the successor shall not take office until the effective date. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

5.5 Vacancies in Offices.

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board or as provided in Section 5.2.

5.6 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations.

The Chairperson of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or any other person authorized by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or voting securities of any other corporation or other entity standing in the name of this Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

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5.7 Authority and Duties of Officers.

All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be provided herein or designated from time to time by the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the oversight of the Board.

5.8 Compensation.

The compensation of the officers of the Corporation for their services as such shall be fixed from time to time by or at the direction of the Board. An officer of the Corporation shall not be prevented from receiving compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the Corporation.

Article VI—Records

A stock ledger consisting of one or more records in which the names of all of the Corporation’s stockholders of record, the address and number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, and all issuances and transfers of stock of the corporation are recorded in accordance with Section 224 of the DGCL shall be administered by or on behalf of the Corporation. Any records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device, or method, or one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time and, with respect to the stock ledger, that the records so kept (i) can be used to prepare the list of stockholders specified in Sections 219 and 220 of the DGCL, (ii) record the information specified in Sections 156, 159, 217(a) and 218 of the DGCL, and (iii) record transfers of stock as governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Delaware.    

Article VII—General Matters

7.1 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments.

The Board, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

7.2 Stock Certificates.

The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board by resolution may provide that some or all of the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by a certificate shall be

 

17


entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, any two officers authorized to sign stock certificates representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. The Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board, if any, Chief Executive Officer, the President, Vice President, the Treasurer, if any, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall be specifically authorized to sign stock certificates. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

7.3 Special Designation of Certificates.

If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or on the back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, set forth in a notice provided pursuant to Section 151 of the DGCL); provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face of back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock (or, in the case of any uncertificated shares, included in the aforementioned notice) a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

7.4 Lost Certificates.

Except as provided in this Section 7.4, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

7.5 Shares Without Certificates

The Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates, provided the use of such system by the Corporation is permitted in accordance with applicable law.

 

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7.6 Construction; Definitions.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.

7.7 Dividends.

The Board, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL or (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

The Board may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.

7.8 Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.

7.9 Seal.

The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

7.10 Transfer of Stock.

Shares of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law, in these Bylaws and subject to the restrictions under the Stockholders Agreement. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares endorsed by the appropriate person or persons (or by delivery of duly executed instructions with respect to uncertificated shares), with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement or execution, transfer, authorization and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing the names of the persons from and to whom it was transferred.

7.11 Stock Transfer Agreements.

The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes or series of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

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7.12 Registered Stockholders.

The Corporation:

(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner; and

(ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

7.13 Waiver of Notice.

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

Article VIII—Notice

8.1 Delivery of Notice; Notice by Electronic Transmission.

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws may be given in writing directed to the stockholder’s mailing address (or by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, as applicable) as it appears on the records of the Corporation and shall be given (1) if mailed, when the notice is deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, (2) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address or (3) if given by electronic mail, when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail. A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation.

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice or electronic transmission to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the Corporation may give a notice by electronic mail in accordance with the first paragraph of this section without obtaining the consent required by this paragraph.

Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:

 

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  (i)

if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

  (ii)

if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and

 

  (iii)

if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a notice may not be given by an electronic transmission from and after the time that (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by such electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the Corporation and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice, provided, however, the inadvertent failure to discover such inability shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

Article IX—Indemnification

9.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any director or officer of the Corporation (a “covered person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.4, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person only if the Proceeding was authorized in the specific case by the Board.

9.2 Indemnification of Others.

The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding.

 

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9.3 Prepayment of Expenses.

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by any covered person, and may pay the expenses incurred by any employee or agent of the Corporation, in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article IX or otherwise.

9.4 Determination; Claim.

If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) under this Article IX is not paid in full within sixty (60) days, or a claim for advancement of expenses under this Article IX is not paid in full within thirty (30) days, after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation the claimant may thereafter (but not before) file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

9.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

The rights conferred on any person by this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

9.6 Insurance.

The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust enterprise or non-profit entity against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

9.7 Continuation of Indemnification.

The rights to indemnification and to prepayment of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article IX 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 distributees of such person.    

9.8 Amendment or Repeal; Interpretation.

The provisions of this Article IX shall constitute a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, each individual who serves or has served as a director or officer of the Corporation (whether before or after the adoption of these Bylaws), in consideration of such person’s performance of such services, and pursuant to this Article IX the Corporation intends to be legally bound to each such current or former director or officer of the Corporation. With respect to current and former directors and officers of the

 

22


Corporation, the rights conferred under this Article IX are present contractual rights and such rights are fully vested, and shall be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon adoption of theses Bylaws. With respect to any directors or officers of the Corporation who commence service following adoption of these Bylaws, the rights conferred under this provision shall be present contractual rights and such rights shall fully vest, and be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon such director or officer commencing service as a director or officer of the Corporation. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection (i) hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification or (ii) under any agreement providing for indemnification or advancement of expenses to an officer or director of the Corporation in effect prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article IX shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the Chief Executive Officer, President, and Secretary, or other officer of the Corporation appointed by (x) the Board pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws or (y) an officer to whom the Board has delegated the power to appoint officers pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws, and any reference to an officer of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the Board (or equivalent governing body) of such other entity pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and Bylaws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. The fact that any person who is or was an employee of the Corporation or an employee of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise has been given or has used the title of “Vice President” or any other title that could be construed to suggest or imply that such person is or may be an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not result in such person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for purposes of this Article IX.

Article X—Amendments

The Board is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws; provided, however, that such action by stockholders shall require, in addition to any other vote required by the Certificate of Incorporation, Stockholders Agreement or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Article XI—Definitions

As used in these Bylaws, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, including the use of, or participation in, one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

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An “electronic mail” means an electronic transmission directed to a unique electronic mail address (which electronic mail shall be deemed to include any files attached thereto and any information hyperlinked to a website if such electronic mail includes the contact information of an officer or agent of the Corporation who is available to assist with accessing such files and information).

An “electronic mail address” means a destination, commonly expressed as a string of characters, consisting of a unique user name or mailbox (commonly referred to as the “local part” of the address) and a reference to an internet domain (commonly referred to as the “domain part” of the address), whether or not displayed, to which electronic mail can be sent or delivered.

The term “person” means any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

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Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

Certificate of Amendment and Restatement of Bylaws

 

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified, and acting Secretary of Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the foregoing Bylaws were adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on September 22, 2021 to be effective as of September 22, 2021.

 

/s/ Alex Grab

 

Alex Grab

General Counsel & Secretary
EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

Dated as of September 22, 2021

THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

            Page  

Article I. DEFINITIONS

     2  

Article II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

     14  

Section 2.01

     Formation of Company      14  

Section 2.02

     Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement      14  

Section 2.03

     Name      14  

Section 2.04

     Purpose; Powers      14  

Section 2.05

     Principal Office; Registered Office      14  

Section 2.06

     Term      14  

Section 2.07

     No State-Law Partnership      15  

Section 2.08

     Liability      15  

Article III. MEMBERS; UNITS; CAPITALIZATION

     15  

Section 3.01

     Members      15  

Section 3.02

     Units      16  

Section 3.03

     Recapitalization; the Corporation’s Capital Contribution; the Corporation’s Purchase of Common Units.      16  

Section 3.04

     Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units.      17  

Section 3.05

     Repurchase or Redemption of Shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock; Other Redemptions or Repurchases      19  

Section 3.06

     Certificates Representing Units; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates; Registration and Transfer of Units      19  

Section 3.07

     Negative Capital Accounts      20  

Section 3.08

     No Withdrawal      20  

Section 3.09

     Loans From Members      20  

Section 3.10

     Corporate Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans      20  

Section 3.11

     Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan      23  

Article IV. DISTRIBUTIONS

     23  

Section 4.01

     Distributions      23  

Article V. CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS

     26  

Section 5.01

     Capital Accounts      26  

Section 5.02

     Allocations      27  

Section 5.03

     Regulatory Allocations      27  

Section 5.04

     Final Allocations      28  

Section 5.05

     Tax Allocations      29  

Section 5.06

     Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member      30  

 

i


Article VI. MANAGEMENT

     31  

Section 6.01

     Authority of Manager      31  

Section 6.02

     Actions of the Manager      32  

Section 6.03

     Resignation; No Removal      32  

Section 6.04

     Vacancies      32  

Section 6.05

     Transactions Between the Company and the Manager      32  

Section 6.06

     Reimbursement for Expenses      33  

Section 6.07

     Delegation of Authority      33  

Section 6.08

     Limitation of Liability of Manager      34  

Section 6.09

     Investment Company Act      34  

Article VII. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS AND MANAGER

     35  

Section 7.01

     Limitation of Liability and Duties of Members      35  

Section 7.02

     Lack of Authority      35  

Section 7.03

     No Right of Partition      36  

Section 7.04

     Indemnification      36  

Article VIII. BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS, AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     37  

Section 8.01

     Records and Accounting      37  

Section 8.02

     Fiscal Year      37  

Section 8.03

     Inspection Rights      38  

Article IX. TAX MATTERS

     38  

Section 9.01

     Preparation of Tax Returns      38  

Section 9.02

     Tax Elections      38  

Section 9.03

     Tax Controversies      38  

Article X. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS; CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

     40  

Section 10.01

     Transfers by Members      40  

Section 10.02

     Permitted Transfers      40  

Section 10.03

     Restricted Units Legend      41  

Section 10.04

     Transfer      41  

Section 10.05

     Assignee’s Rights      41  

Section 10.06

     Assignor’s Rights and Obligations      42  

Section 10.07

     Overriding Provisions      42  

Section 10.08

     Spousal Consent      43  

Section 10.09

     Certain Transactions with respect to the Corporation      43  

Article XI. REDEMPTION AND DIRECT EXCHANGE RIGHTS

     46  

Section 11.01

     Redemption Right of a Member.      46  

Section 11.02

     Mandatory Redemption      49  

 

ii


Section 11.03

     Election and Contribution of the Corporation      50  

Section 11.04

     Direct Exchange Right of the Corporation      50  

Section 11.05

     Reservation of Shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock; Listing; Certificate of the Corporation      51  

Section 11.06

     Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Direct Exchange      52  

Section 11.07

     Tax Treatment      52  

Article XII. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

     53  

Section 12.01

     Substituted Members      53  

Section 12.02

     Additional Members      53  

Article XIII. WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION; TERMINATION OF RIGHTS

     53  

Section 13.01

     Withdrawal and Resignation of Members      53  

Article XIV. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

     53  

Section 14.01

     Dissolution      53  

Section 14.02

     Winding Up      54  

Section 14.03

     Deferment; Distribution in Kind      55  

Section 14.04

     Cancellation of Certificate      55  

Section 14.05

     Reasonable Time for Winding Up      55  

Section 14.06

     Return of Capital      55  

Article XV. GENERAL PROVISIONS

     56  

Section 15.01

     Power of Attorney      56  

Section 15.02

     Confidentiality      56  

Section 15.03

     Amendments      57  

Section 15.04

     Title to Company Assets      58  

Section 15.05

     Addresses and Notices      58  

Section 15.06

     Binding Effect; Intended Beneficiaries      59  

Section 15.07

     Creditors      59  

Section 15.08

     Waiver      59  

Section 15.09

     Counterparts      60  

Section 15.10

     Applicable Law      60  

Section 15.11

     Severability      60  

Section 15.12

     Further Action      60  

Section 15.13

     Execution and Delivery by Electronic Signature and Electronic Transmission      60  

Section 15.14

     Right of Offset      61  

Section 15.15

     Entire Agreement      61  

Section 15.16

     Remedies      61  

Section 15.17

     Descriptive Headings; Interpretation      61  

 

iii


Schedules

 

Schedule 1    –      Schedule of Pre-IPO Members
Schedule 2    –      Schedule of Members

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A    –      Form of Joinder Agreement
Exhibit B-1    –      Form of Agreement and Consent of Spouse
Exhibit B-2    –      Form of Spouse’s Confirmation of Separate Property

 

 

iv


BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) of Brilliant Earth, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of September 22, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and among the Company, Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), as the sole managing member of the Company, and each of the other Members (as defined herein).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein have the respective meaning ascribed to them in Article I;

WHEREAS, the Company was initially formed as a Delaware corporation under the name “Brilliant Earth Inc.” on August 25, 2005;

WHEREAS, on November 29, 2012, Brilliant Earth, Inc. converted to the Company;

WHEREAS, prior to the IPO (as defined below), the Company was governed by that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of November 30, 2012 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, together with all schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto, the “Original LLC Agreement”), which the parties listed on Schedule 1 hereto executed in their capacity as members (including pursuant to consents and joinders thereto) (collectively, the “Pre-IPO Members”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the Company was a party to a series of reorganization transactions (the “Reorganization”) with the Corporation and various other parties;

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the Company, the Corporation and the Pre-IPO Members desire to convert the Original Units into Common Units (as defined below) (the “Recapitalization”) as provided herein;

WHEREAS, the Corporation will sell shares of its Class A Common Stock to public investors in the IPO and will use the net proceeds received from the IPO (the “IPO Net Proceeds”) to purchase newly issued Common Units from the Company pursuant to the IPO Common Unit Subscription Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Corporation may issue additional shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the IPO as a result of the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) and, if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in whole or in part, any additional net proceeds (the “Over-Allotment Option Net Proceeds”) shall be used by the Corporation to purchase Common Units held by the Members; and


WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing matters, the Company and the Members desire to continue the Company without dissolution and amend and restate the Original LLC Agreement in its entirety as of the Effective Date to reflect, among other things, (a) the Recapitalization, (b) the addition of the Corporation as a Member and its designation as sole Manager of the Company and (c) the other rights and obligations of the Members as provided and agreed upon in the terms of this Agreement as of the Effective Date, at which time the Original LLC Agreement shall be superseded entirely by this Agreement and shall be of no further force or effect.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Original LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety and the Company, the Corporation and the other Members, each intending to be legally bound, each hereby agrees as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions shall be applied to the terms used in this Agreement for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary.

Additional Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.02.

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to the Capital Account of any Member as of the end of any Taxable Year, the amount by which the balance in such Capital Account is less than zero. For this purpose, such Member’s Capital Account balance shall be:

(a) reduced for any items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704- 1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5), and (6); and

(b) increased for any amount such Member is obligated to contribute or is treated as being obligated to contribute to the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (relating to partner liabilities to a partnership) or 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) (relating to minimum gain).

Admission Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06.

Affiliate” (and, with a correlative meaning, “Affiliated”) means, with respect to a specified Person, each other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. As used in this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of voting securities or by contract or other agreement or otherwise).

 

2


Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Assignee” means a Person to whom a Unit has been transferred but who has not become a Member pursuant to Article XII.

Assumed Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Member, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the product of (A) the Distribution Tax Rate multiplied by (B) the estimated or actual cumulative taxable income or gain of the Company, as determined for federal income tax purposes, allocated to such Member for Taxable Years or Fiscal Periods (or portions thereof) commencing on or after the Effective Date, less prior losses of the Company allocated to such Member for Taxable Years or Fiscal Periods (or portions thereof) commencing on or after the Effective Date, to the extent such prior losses are available to reduce such income and have not previously been taken into account in the calculation of Assumed Tax Liability for any prior period, in each case, as determined by the Manager and, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account any Code Section 704(c) allocations (including “reverse” Section 704(c) allocations) over (ii) the cumulative Tax Distributions made to such Member after the Effective Date pursuant to Sections 4.01(b)(i), 4.01(b)(ii) and 4.01(b)(iii); provided that, in the case of the Corporation, such Assumed Tax Liability (x) shall be computed without regard to any increases to the tax basis of the Company’s property pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code and (y) shall in no event be less than an amount that will enable the Corporation to meet both its tax obligations and its obligations pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement for the relevant Taxable Year.

Base Rate” means, on any date, a variable rate per annum equal to the rate of interest most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” at large U.S. money center banks.

Black-Out Period” means any “black-out” or similar period under the Corporation’s policies covering trading in the Corporation’s securities to which the applicable Redeeming Member is subject (or will be subject at such time as it owns Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable), which period restricts the ability of such Redeeming Member to immediately resell shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered to such Redeeming Member in connection with a Share Settlement.

Book Value” means, with respect to any property of the Company, the Company’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, adjusted from time to time to reflect the adjustments required or permitted by Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d) through (g) and (m) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s).

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banks located in New York City, New York are authorized or required by Law to close.

Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Member in accordance with Section 5.01.

Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of any cash, cash equivalents, promissory obligations or the Fair Market Value of other property that such Member (or such Member’s predecessor) contributes (or is deemed to contribute) to the Company pursuant to Article III hereof.

 

3


Cash Settlement” means immediately available funds in U.S. dollars in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Redeemed Units Equivalent and (ii) if the Redemption Notice provides that the Redemption is to be contingent upon the consummation of a transaction with another Person and specifies the amount of cash to be received therein, such amount of cash which the Redeeming Member would be entitled to receive in such transaction; provided that such funds are (i) in the case of a Redemption occurring in connection with the closing of the IPO, funds that are received from the IPO and (ii) in any other case, funds received from a Qualifying Offering.

Certificate of Formation” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company, as amended from time to time.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(1) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and excluding the Permitted Transferees) becomes the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting securities representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation;

(2) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated a sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (including a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company);

(3) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent, or are not converted into, voting securities representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or

(4) the Corporation ceases to be the sole Manager of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock, preferred stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

Change of Control Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09(a).

 

4


Change of Control Transaction” means any Change of Control that was approved by the Corporate Board prior to such Change of Control.

Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class B Common Stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class C Common Stock” means the shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class D Common Stock” means the shares of Class D common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference herein to a specific section of the Code shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

Common Unit” means a Unit designated as a “Common Unit” and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Common Units in this Agreement.

Common Unit Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Redemption, the VWAP for the five (5) consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock. If the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on the Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system as of any particular Redemption Date, then the Manager (through a Disinterested Majority of the Corporate Board) shall determine the Common Unit Redemption Price in good faith.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.02(a).

Corporate Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

Corporate Charter” means the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation in effect as of the date hereof.

Corporate Incentive Award Plan” means the 2021 Incentive Award Plan of the Corporation, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement, together with its successors and assigns.

 

5


Corresponding Rights” means any rights issued with respect to a share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock pursuant to a “poison pill” or similar stockholder rights plan approved by the Corporate Board.

Credit Agreements” means any promissory note, mortgage, loan agreement, indenture or similar instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a borrower, as such instruments or agreements may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and including any one or more refinancing or replacements thereof, in whole or in part, with any other debt facility or debt obligation, for as long as the payee or creditor to whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owes such obligation is not an Affiliate of the Company.

Delaware Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as it may be amended from time to time.

Direct Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.04(a).

Discount” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.06.

Disinterested Majority” means a majority of the directors of the Corporate Board who are disinterested, as determined by the Corporate Board in accordance with the DGCL, with respect to the matter being considered by the Corporate Board; provided, that to the extent a matter being considered by the Corporate Board is required to be considered by disinterested directors under the rules of the Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, the principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, such rules with respect to the definition of disinterested director shall apply solely with respect to such matter.

Distributable Cash” means, as of any relevant date on which a determination is being made by the Manager regarding a potential distribution pursuant to Section 4.01(a), the amount of cash that could be distributed by the Company for such purposes in accordance with any applicable Credit Agreements (and without otherwise violating any applicable provisions of any applicable Credit Agreements) and applicable Law.

Distribution” (and, with a correlative meaning, “Distribute”) means each distribution made by the Company to a Member with respect to such Member’s Units, whether in cash, property or securities of the Company and whether by liquidating distribution or otherwise; provided, however, that none of the following shall be a Distribution: (a) any recapitalization or any exchange of securities of the Company, in each case, that does not result in the distribution of cash or property (other than securities of the Company) to Members, and any subdivision (by Unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse Unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units or (b) any other payment made by the Company to a Member that is not properly treated as a “distribution” for purposes of Sections 731, 732, or 733 or other applicable provisions of the Code.

 

6


Distribution Tax Rate” means a rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined federal, state and local income tax rate (including, if relevant, any corporate-level tax rate applicable to the income of Subchapter S corporations) for a Taxable Year applicable to a corporate taxpayer or an individual taxpayer (including any individual taxpayer earning income through a Subchapter S corporation that is fully taxable in New York, New York or California) (whichever combined rate is highest) that may potentially apply to any Member or any direct or indirect partner or member (that is tax resident in only the United States) of any Member for such Taxable Year, taking into account the character of the relevant items of income or gain (e.g., ordinary or capital), the estimated deductibility of state and local income taxes for federal income tax purposes (but only to the extent such taxes are deductible under the Code), as reasonably determined by the Manager. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be a single Distribution Tax Rate for all Members.

Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Election Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(b).

Equity Plan” means any stock or equity purchase plan, restricted stock or equity plan or other similar equity compensation plan now or hereafter adopted by the Company or the Corporation.

Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, (a) Units or other equity interests in such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, other classes or groups thereof having such relative rights, powers and duties as may from time to time be established by the Manager pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including rights, powers and/or duties senior to existing classes and groups of Units and other equity interests in the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company), (b) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable into any equity interests in such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person, and (c) warrants, options or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any equity interests in such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person.

Event of Withdrawal” means the occurrence of any event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company. “Event of Withdrawal” shall not include an event that (a) terminates the existence of a Member for income tax purposes (including, without limitation, (i) a change in entity classification of a Member under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3, (ii) a sale of assets by, or liquidation of, a Member pursuant to an election under Code Sections 336 or 338, or (iii) merger, severance, or allocation within a trust or among sub-trusts of a trust that is a Member) but that (b) does not terminate the existence of such Member under applicable state law (or, in the case of a trust that is a Member, does not terminate the trusteeship of the fiduciaries under such trust with respect to all the Units of such trust that is a Member).

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.

Exchange Election Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.04(b).

 

7


Fair Market Value” of a specific asset of the Company will mean the amount which the Company would receive in an all-cash sale of such asset in an arms-length transaction with a willing unaffiliated third party, with neither party having any compulsion to buy or sell, consummated on the day immediately preceding the date on which the event occurred which necessitated the determination of the Fair Market Value (and after giving effect to any transfer taxes payable in connection with such sale), as such amount is determined by the Manager (or, if pursuant to Section 14.02, the Liquidators) in its good faith judgment using all factors, information and data it deems to be pertinent.

Fiscal Period” means any interim accounting period within a Taxable Year established by the Manager and which is permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code.

Fiscal Year” means the Company’s annual accounting period established pursuant to Section 8.02.

Founder Members” means Just Rocks, Inc., Eric Grossberg, and Beth Gerstein.

Governmental Entity” means (a) the United States of America, (b) any other sovereign nation, (c) any state, province, county, municipal, district, territory or other political subdivision of (a) or (b) of this definition, including, but not limited to, any county, municipal or other local subdivision of the foregoing, or (d) any agency, arbitrator or arbitral body (public or private), authority, board, body, bureau, commission, court, department, entity, instrumentality, organization (including any public international organization such as the United Nations) or tribunal exercising executive, legislative, judicial, quasi-judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government on behalf of (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.

Indemnified Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(a).

Internal Revenue Service” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Investment Company Act” means the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

IPO” means the initial underwritten public offering of the shares of the Corporation’s Class A Common Stock.

IPO Common Unit Subscription” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(b).

IPO Common Unit Subscription Agreement” means that certain Common Unit Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and between the Corporation and the Company.

IPO Net Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Joinder” means a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement.

Just Rocks Related Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Corporate Charter.

 

8


Law” means all laws, statutes, acts, constitutions, treaties, principles of common law, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations of any Governmental Entity.

Liquidator” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.02.

LLC Employee” means an employee of, or other service provider (including, without limitation, any management member whether or not treated as an employee for the purposes of U.S. federal income tax) to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case acting in such capacity.

Losses” means items of loss or deduction of the Company determined according to Section 5.01(b).

Mainsail Related Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Corporate Charter.

Manager” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.

Mandatory Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02.

Market Price” means, with respect to a share of Class A Common Stock as of a specified date, the last sale price per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, or if no such sale took place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Corporate Board.

Member” means, as of any date of determination, (a) each of the members named on the Schedule of Members and (b) any Person admitted to the Company as a Substituted Member or Additional Member in accordance with Article XII, but in each case only so long as such Person is shown on the Company’s books and records as the owner of one or more Units, each in its capacity as a member of the Company.

Minimum Gain” means “partnership minimum gain” determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

Net Loss” means, with respect to a Taxable Year, the excess if any, of Losses for such Taxable Year over Profits for such Taxable Year (excluding Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.03 and Section 5.04).

Net Profit” means, with respect to a Taxable Year, the excess if any, of Profits for such Taxable Year over Losses for such Taxable Year (excluding Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.03 and Section 5.04).

 

9


Non-Foreign Person Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.07(a).

Officer” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(b).

Optionee” means a Person to whom a stock option is granted under any Stock Option Plan.

Original LLC Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Original Units” means the Class F Units, the Class P Units and the Class M Units (each as defined in Section 3.3(a) of the Original LLC Agreement) of the Company.

Other Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.04.

Over-Allotment Option” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Over-Allotment Option Net Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Partnership Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.

Percentage Interest” means, with respect to a Member at a particular time, such Member’s percentage interest in the Company determined by dividing the number of such Member’s Units by the total number of Units of all Members at such time. The Percentage Interest of each Member shall be calculated to the fourth decimal place.

Permitted Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.

Permitted Transferee” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.

Person” means an individual or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, joint venture or any other organization or entity, whether or not a legal entity.

Pre-IPO Members” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Pro rata,” “pro rata portion,” “according to their interests,” “ratably,” “proportionately,” “proportional,” “in proportion to,” “based on the number of Units held,” “based upon the percentage of Units held,” “based upon the number of Units outstanding,” and other terms with similar meanings, when used in the context of a number of Units of the Company relative to other Units, means as amongst an individual class of Units, pro rata based upon the number of such Units within such class of Units.

Profits” means items of income and gain of the Company determined according to Section 5.01(b).

Pubco Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09(b).

Qualifying Offering” means a follow-on or qualified public or private offering of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Corporation following the date hereof.

 

10


Quarterly Tax Distribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).

Recapitalization” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Redeemed Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.02.

Redeemed Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).

Redeemed Units Equivalent” means the product of (a) the applicable number of Redeemed Units, multiplied by (b) the Common Unit Redemption Price.

Redeeming Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).

Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).

Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).

Redemption Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).

Redemption Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).

Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, certain of the Members as of the date hereof and certain other Persons whose signatures are affixed thereto (together with any joinder thereto from time to time by any successor or assign to any party to such agreement).

Regulatory Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(f).

Reorganization” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Retraction Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(c).

Revised Partnership Audit Provisions” means Section 1101 of Title XI (Revenue Provisions Related to Tax Compliance) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, H.R. 1314, Public Law Number 114-74, as amended. Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference herein to a specific section of the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

Schedule of Members” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law.

 

11


Share Settlement” means a number of shares of Class A Common Stock or, in the event of a Redemption by a Founder Member, a number of shares of Class D Common Stock (together with any Corresponding Rights), as applicable, equal to the number of Redeemed Units.

Specified Members” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.

Stock Exchange” means The Nasdaq Stock Market.

Stock Option Plan” means any stock option plan now or hereafter adopted by the Company or by the Corporation, including the Corporate Incentive Award Plan.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (b) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the voting interests thereof are at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of the Company shall be given effect only at such times that the Company has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the “Subsidiaries” of the Company shall include any and all of the Company’s direct and indirect, greater than fifty percent (50%) owned joint ventures.

Substituted Member” means a Person that is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to Section 12.01.

Tax Distributions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).

Tax Receivable Agreement” means that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation and the Company, on the one hand, and the Members (as such term is defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) party thereto, on the other hand (together with any joinder thereto from time to time by any successor or assign to any party to such agreement).

Taxable Year” means the Company’s accounting period for U.S. federal income tax purposes determined pursuant to Section 9.02.

Trading Day” means a day on which the Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).

Transfer” (and, with a correlative meaning, “Transferred” and “Transferring”) means any sale, transfer, assignment, redemption, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of (whether directly or indirectly, whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of Law) (a) any interest (legal or beneficial) in any Equity Securities of the Company or (b) any equity or other interest (legal or beneficial) in any Member that is not an institutional investor if substantially all of the assets of such Member consist solely of Units.

 

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Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and (to the extent they can be relied upon) proposed regulations under the Code, as promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

Underwriting Agreement” means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Jefferies LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC.

Unit” means the fractional interest of a Member in Profits, Losses and Distributions of the Company, and otherwise having the rights and obligations specified with respect to “Units” in this Agreement; provided, however, that any class or group of Units issued shall have the relative rights, powers and duties set forth in this Agreement applicable to such class or group of Units.

Unvested Corporate Shares” means shares of Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to awards granted under the Corporate Incentive Award Plan that are not Vested Corporate Shares.

Value” means (a) for any Stock Option Plan, the Market Price for the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of exercise of a stock option under such Stock Option Plan and (b) for any Equity Plan other than a Stock Option Plan, the Market Price for the Trading Day immediately preceding the Vesting Date.

Vested Corporate Shares” means the shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to awards granted under the Corporate Incentive Award Plan that are vested pursuant to the terms thereof or any award or similar agreement relating thereto.

Vesting Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(c)(ii).

VWAP” means with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock, the daily per share volume-weighted average price per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, or if no such sale took place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if the Class A Common Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in shares of Class A Common Stock selected by the Corporate Board or, in the event that no trading price is available for the shares of Class A Common Stock, the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Corporate Board.

 

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ARTICLE II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

Section 2.01 Formation of Company. The Company was initially formed as a Delaware corporation on August 25, 2005, and converted to the Company on November 29, 2012 pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and the DGCL.

Section 2.02 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement. The Members hereby execute this Agreement for the purpose of amending, restating and superseding the Original LLC Agreement in its entirety and otherwise establishing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Act. The Members hereby agree that during the term of the Company set forth in Section 2.06 the rights and obligations of the Members with respect to the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Delaware Act. No provision of this Agreement shall be in violation of the Delaware Act and to the extent any provision of this Agreement is in violation of the Delaware Act, such provision shall be void and of no effect to the extent of such violation without affecting the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement. Neither any Member nor the Manager nor any other Person shall have appraisal rights with respect to any Units.

Section 2.03 Name. The name of the Company is “Brilliant Earth, LLC”. The Manager in its sole discretion may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time. Notification of any such change shall be given to all of the Members. The Company’s business may be conducted under its name and/or any other name or names deemed advisable by the Manager.

Section 2.04 Purpose; Powers. The primary business and purpose of the Company shall be to engage in such activities as are permitted under the Delaware Act and determined from time to time by the Manager in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Company shall have the power and authority to take (directly or indirectly through its Subsidiaries) any and all actions and engage in any and all activities necessary, appropriate, desirable, advisable, ancillary or incidental to accomplish the foregoing purpose.

Section 2.05 Principal Office; Registered Office. The principal office of the Company shall be located at such place or places as the Manager may from time to time designate, each of which may be within or outside the State of Delaware. The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be c/o Incorporating Services, Ltd., 3500 S. Dupont Hwy, Dover, Delaware 19901, and the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be Incorporating Services, Ltd. The Manager may from time to time change the Company’s registered agent and registered office in the State of Delaware.

Section 2.06 Term. The Company shall continue in perpetuity unless dissolved in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV.

 

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Section 2.07 No State-Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 2.07, and neither this Agreement nor any other document entered into by the Company or any Member relating to the subject matter hereof shall be construed to suggest otherwise. The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and, if applicable, state or local income tax purposes, and that each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment.

Section 2.08 Liability. Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Member or Manager shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member or acting as Manager.

ARTICLE III.

MEMBERS; UNITS; CAPITALIZATION

Section 3.01 Members.

(a) In connection with the Reorganization, the Corporation and was admitted as a Member and will acquire Common Units pursuant to the IPO Common Unit Subscription Agreement.

(b) The Company shall maintain a schedule setting forth: (i) the name and address of each Member; (ii) the aggregate number of outstanding Units and the number and class of Units held by each Member; (iii) the Capital Account of each Member on the Effective Date; (iv) the aggregate amount of cash Capital Contributions that has been made by the Members with respect to their Units; and (v) the Fair Market Value of any property other than cash contributed by the Members with respect to their Units (including, if applicable, a description and the amount of any liability assumed by the Company or to which contributed property is subject) (such schedule, the “Schedule of Members”). The applicable Schedule of Members in effect as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Recapitalization and the IPO Common Unit Subscription Agreement is set forth as Schedule 2 to this Agreement. The Schedule of Members may be updated by the Manager without the consent of any Member in the Company’s books and records from time to time, and as so updated, it shall be the definitive record of ownership of each Unit of the Company and all relevant information with respect to each Member. The Company shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person properly registered on its records as the owner of Units for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in Units on the part of any other Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the Delaware Act or other applicable Law.

(c) No Member shall be required or, except as approved by the Manager pursuant to Section 6.01 and in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement, permitted to (i) loan any money or property to the Company, (ii) borrow any money or property from the Company or (iii) make any additional Capital Contributions.

 

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Section 3.02 Units.

(a) Interests in the Company shall be represented by Units, or such other securities of the Company, in each case as the Manager may establish in its discretion in accordance with the terms and subject to the restrictions hereof. At the Effective Date, the Units will be comprised of a single class of Common Units.

(b) Subject to Section 3.04(a), the Manager may (i) issue additional Common Units at any time in its sole discretion and (ii) create one or more classes or series of Units or preferred Units solely to the extent such new class or series of Units or preferred Units are substantially economically equivalent to a class of common or other stock of the Corporation or class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, respectively; provided, that as long as there are any Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) (i) no such new class or series of Units may deprive such Members of, or dilute or reduce, the allocations and distributions they would have received, and the other rights and benefits to which they would have been entitled, in respect of their Units if such new class or series of Units had not been created and (ii) no such new class or series of Units may be issued, in each case, except to the extent (and solely to the extent) the Company actually receives cash in an aggregate amount, or other property with a Fair Market Value in an aggregate amount, equal to the aggregate distributions that would be made in respect of such new class or series of Units if the Company were liquidated immediately after the issuance of such new class or series of Units. When any such other Units or other Equity Securities are authorized and issued, the Schedule of Members and this Agreement shall be amended by the Manager to reflect such additional issuances.

(c) Subject to Sections 15.03(b) and Section 15.03(c), the Manager may amend this Agreement, without the consent of any Member or any other Person, in connection with the creation and issuance of such classes or series of Units, pursuant to Sections 3.02(b), 3.04(a) or 3.10.

Section 3.03 Recapitalization; the Corporation’s Capital Contribution; the Corporation’s Purchase of Common Units.

(a) In order to effect the Recapitalization, the number of Original Units that were issued and outstanding and held by the Pre-IPO Members prior to the Effective Date as set forth opposite the respective Pre-IPO Member’s name in Schedule 1 are hereby converted, as of the Effective Date, and after giving effect to such conversion and the other transactions related to the Recapitalization, into the number of Common Units set forth opposite the name of the respective Pre-IPO Member’s name on the Schedule of Members attached hereto as Schedule 2 (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the number of Common Units set forth on Schedule 2 includes the Common Units issued to the Corporation pursuant to the IPO Common Unit Subscription Agreement, and such Common Units are hereby issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date and the holders of such Common Units hereby continue as members of the Company (and, for the avoidance of doubt, are Members hereunder) and the Company is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

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(b) Following the Recapitalization, the Company shall issue to the Corporation, and the Corporation will acquire 8,333,333 newly issued Common Units in exchange for a portion of the IPO Net Proceeds payable to the Company upon consummation of the IPO pursuant to the IPO Common Unit Subscription Agreement with the Company (the “IPO Common Unit Subscription”), and the Corporation is hereby admitted as a Member. In addition, to the extent the underwriters in the IPO exercise the Over-Allotment Option in whole or in part, upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Corporation will use the Over-Allotment Option Net Proceeds to purchase Common Units from the Members. For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation shall be admitted as a Member with respect to all Common Units it holds from time to time.

Section 3.04 Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units.

(a) The Company, and the Corporation shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, undertake all actions, including, without limitation, an issuance, reclassification, distribution, division, repurchase, redemption, cancellation or recapitalization, with respect to the Common Units, the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock, the Class C Common Stock or the Class D Common Stock, as applicable, to maintain at all times (i) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by the Corporation, directly or indirectly, and the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, (ii) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by Members (other than the Founder Members, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries), directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, and (iii) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by the Founder Members, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock, in each case disregarding, for purposes of maintaining the one-to-one ratio, (A) Unvested Corporate Shares, (B) treasury stock or (C) preferred stock or other debt or Equity Securities (including any Corresponding Rights) issued by the Corporation that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock (except to the extent the net proceeds from such other securities, including any exercise or purchase price payable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof, has been contributed by the Corporation to the equity capital of the Company). In the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager, the Company and the Corporation shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the number of outstanding Common Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation will equal on a one-for-one basis the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock. In the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems the Corporation’s capital stock (other than the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock) or preferred stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager, the Company and the Corporation shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the Corporation, directly or indirectly, holds (in the case of any issuance, transfer or delivery) or ceases to hold (in the case of any repurchase or redemption) Equity Securities in the Company which (in the good faith determination by the Manager) are in the aggregate substantially economically equivalent to the outstanding capital stock (other than the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock) or preferred stock

 

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of the Corporation so issued, transferred, delivered, repurchased or redeemed. In the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems Class B Common Stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager and the Company shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the number of outstanding Common Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Members (other than the Founder Members, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries), directly or indirectly, will equal on a one-for-one basis the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. In the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems Class C Common Stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager and the Company shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the number of outstanding Common Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Founder Members, directly or indirectly, will equal on a one-for-one basis the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock. The Company, the Manager and the Corporation shall not undertake any subdivision (by any Common Unit split, stock split, Common Unit distribution, stock distribution, reclassification, division, recapitalization or similar event) or combination (by reverse Common Unit split, reverse stock split, reclassification, division, recapitalization or similar event) of the Common Units or the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable, that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock or Common Units respectively, to maintain at all times (x) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, (y) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by Members (other than the Founder Members, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and (z) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by the Founder Members, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock, in each case, unless such action is necessary to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between each of (i) the number of Common Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation and the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, (ii) the number of Common Units owned by Members (other than the Founder Members, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and (iii) the number of Common Units owned by the Founder Members, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock, in each case as contemplated by the first sentence of this Section 3.04(a).

(b) The Company shall only be permitted to issue additional Common Units, and/or establish other classes or series of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company to the Persons and on the terms and conditions provided for in Section 3.02, this Section 3.04, Section 3.10 and Section 3.11. Subject to the foregoing, the Manager may cause the Company to issue additional Common Units authorized under this Agreement and/or establish other classes or series of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company at such times and upon such terms as the Manager shall determine and the Manager shall amend this Agreement solely to the extent necessary in connection with the issuance of additional Common Units, to establish other classes or series of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company, or admission of additional Members under this

 

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Section 3.04, in each case without the requirement of any consent or acknowledgement of any other Member or any other Person and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including Section 15.03. Without the prior written consent of (i) both the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties that are Members, at any time that the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties that are Members continue to hold a majority of the Units then outstanding (excluding in each case for purposes of such calculations the Corporation and all Units held directly or indirectly by it), and (ii) the Members holding a majority of the Units then outstanding, at any other time (excluding for purposes of such calculation the Corporation and all Units held directly or indirectly by it), the Corporation agrees not to form or hold any interest in any Subsidiary other than (i) indirectly through the Company or (ii) a Subsidiary of the Corporation that holds no assets other than, directly or indirectly, Equity Securities of the Company and does not itself conduct any of the Business.

Section 3.05 Repurchase or Redemption of Shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock; Other Redemptions or Repurchases. If at any time, any shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock are repurchased or redeemed (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Corporation for cash, then the Manager shall cause the Company, immediately prior to such repurchase or redemption of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, to redeem a corresponding number of Common Units held (directly or indirectly) by the Corporation, at an aggregate redemption price equal to the aggregate purchase or redemption price of the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by the Corporation (plus any expenses related thereto) and upon such other terms as are the same for the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by the Corporation; provided, if the Corporation uses funds received from distributions from the Company or the net proceeds from an issuance of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock to fund such repurchase or redemption, then the Company shall cancel a corresponding number of Common Units held (directly or indirectly) by the Corporation for no consideration. The Corporation may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any other Equity Securities of the Corporation unless substantially simultaneously the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires (and the Company agrees to so redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire) from the Corporation (and the Corporation agrees to deliver to the Company) an equal number of Equity Securities of the Company of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of the Corporation for the same price per security. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the Company nor the Corporation shall make any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition if such repurchase, redemption or other acquisition, or the corresponding repurchase, redemption or other acquisition at the other of the Company or the Corporation, would violate any applicable Law.

Section 3.06 Certificates Representing Units; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates; Registration and Transfer of Units.

(a) Units shall not be certificated unless otherwise determined by the Manager. If the Manager determines that one or more Units shall be certificated, each such certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Company, by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Secretary or any other officer designated by the Manager, representing the

 

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number of Units held by such holder. Such certificate shall be in such form (and shall contain such legends) as the Manager may determine. Any or all of such signatures on any certificate representing one or more Units may be a facsimile, engraved or printed, to the extent permitted by applicable Law. No Units shall be treated as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code unless all Units then outstanding are certificated; notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including Section 15.03, the Manager is authorized to amend this Agreement in order for the Company to opt-in to the provisions of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code without the consent or approval of any Member of any other Person.

(b) If Units are certificated, the Manager may direct that a new certificate representing one or more Units be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon delivery to the Manager of an affidavit of the owner or owners of such certificate, setting forth such allegation. The Manager may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Company a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.

(c) To the extent Units are certificated, upon surrender to the Company or the transfer agent of the Company, if any, of a certificate for one or more Units, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, in compliance with the provisions hereof, the Company shall issue a new certificate representing one or more Units to the Person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Manager may prescribe such additional rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate relating to the issue, Transfer and registration of Units.

Section 3.07 Negative Capital Accounts. No Member shall be required to pay to any other Member or the Company any deficit or negative balance which may exist from time to time in such Member’s Capital Account (including upon and after dissolution of the Company).

Section 3.08 No Withdrawal. No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s Capital Contribution or Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

Section 3.09 Loans From Members. Loans by Members to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.01(c), the amount of any such loans shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such loans are made.

Section 3.10 Corporate Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans.

(a) Options Granted to Persons other than LLC Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, a stock option granted over shares of Class A Common Stock to a Person other than an LLC Employee is duly exercised, the following will occur or be deemed to have occurred:

 

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(i) The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to the exercise price paid to the Corporation by such exercising Person in connection with the exercise of such stock option.

(ii) Notwithstanding the amount of the Capital Contribution actually made pursuant to Section 3.10(a)(i), the Corporation shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company as a Capital Contribution, in lieu of the Capital Contribution actually made and in consideration of additional Common Units, an amount equal to the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock as of the date of such exercise multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock then being issued by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such stock option.

(iii) The Corporation shall receive in exchange for such Capital Contributions (as deemed made under Section 3.10(a)(ii)), a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which such option was exercised.

(b) Options Granted to LLC Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, a stock option granted over shares of Class A Common Stock to an LLC Employee is duly exercised:

(i) The Corporation shall be deemed to sell to the Optionee, and the Optionee shall be deemed to purchase from the Corporation, for a cash price per share equal to the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock at the time of the exercise, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient of (x) the exercise price payable by the Optionee in connection with the exercise of such stock option divided by (y) the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock at the time of such exercise.

(ii) The Corporation shall sell to the Company (or if the Optionee is an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, the Corporation shall sell to such Subsidiary), and the Company (or such Subsidiary, as applicable) shall purchase from the Corporation, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the difference between (x) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which such stock option is being exercised minus (y) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock sold pursuant to Section 3.10(b)(i) hereof. The purchase price per share of Class A Common Stock for such sale of shares of Class A Common Stock to the Company (or such Subsidiary) shall be the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock as of the date of exercise of such stock option.

(iii) The Company shall transfer to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, the Subsidiary shall transfer to the Optionee) at no additional cost to such LLC Employee and as additional compensation (and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, not a distribution) to such LLC Employee, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock described in Section 3.10(b)(ii).

 

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(iv) The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to all proceeds received (from whatever source, but excluding any payment in respect of payroll taxes or other withholdings) by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such stock option. The Corporation shall receive for such Capital Contribution, a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which such option was exercised.

(c) Restricted Stock Granted to LLC Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Option Plan) any shares of Class A Common Stock are issued to an LLC Employee (including any shares of Class A Common Stock that are subject to forfeiture in the event such LLC Employee terminates his or her employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or that are otherwise subject to vesting or other conditions) in consideration for services performed for the Company or any Subsidiary:

(i) The Corporation shall issue such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as are to be issued to such LLC Employee in accordance with the Equity Plan;

(ii) On the date (such date, the “Vesting Date”) that the Value of such shares is includible in taxable income of such LLC Employee, the following events will be deemed to have occurred: (1) the Corporation shall be deemed to have sold such shares of Class A Common Stock to the Company (or if such LLC Employee is an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, to such Subsidiary) for a purchase price equal to the Value of such shares of Class A Common Stock, (2) the Company (or such Subsidiary) shall be deemed to have delivered such shares of Class A Common Stock to such LLC Employee, (3) the Corporation shall be deemed to have contributed the purchase price for such shares of Class A Common Stock to the Company as a Capital Contribution, and (4) in the case where such LLC Employee is an employee of a Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to have contributed such amount to the capital of the Subsidiary;

(iii) The Company shall issue to the Corporation on the Vesting Date a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued under Section 3.10(c)(i) in consideration for a Capital Contribution that the Corporation is deemed to make to the Company pursuant to clause (3) of Section 3.10(c)(ii) above; and

(iv) In the event that shares of Class A Common Stock described in this Section 3.10(c) are forfeited after a Vesting Date has occurred, the Common Units issued to the Corporation pursuant to Section 3.10(c)(iii) with respect to such Class A Common Stock shall also be forfeited.

(d) Future Stock Incentive Plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to preclude or restrain the Corporation from adopting, modifying or terminating stock incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors or other business associates of the Corporation, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates. The Members acknowledge and agree that, in the event that any such plan is adopted, modified or terminated by the Corporation, amendments to this Section 3.10 may become necessary or advisable and that any approval or consent to any such amendments requested by the Corporation shall be deemed granted by the Manager and the Members, as applicable, without the requirement of any further consent or acknowledgement of any other Member.

 

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(e) Anti-dilution Adjustments. For all purposes of this Section 3.10, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and the corresponding number of Common Units shall be determined after giving effect to all anti-dilution or similar adjustments that are applicable, as of the date of exercise or vesting, to the option, warrant, restricted stock or other equity interest that is being exercised or becomes vested under the applicable Stock Option Plan or other Equity Plan and applicable award or grant documentation.

Section 3.11 Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Article III, all amounts received or deemed received by the Corporation in respect of any dividend reinvestment plan, cash option purchase plan, stock incentive or other stock or subscription plan or agreement, either (a) shall be utilized by the Corporation to effect open market purchases of shares of Class A Common Stock, or (b) if the Corporation elects instead to issue new shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to such amounts, shall be contributed by the Corporation to the Company in exchange for additional Common Units. Upon such contribution, the Company will issue to the Corporation a number of Common Units equal to the number of new shares of Class A Common Stock so issued.

ARTICLE IV.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 4.01 Distributions.

(a) Distributable Cash; Other Distributions.

(i) To the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, Distributions to Members may be declared by the Manager out of Distributable Cash or other funds or property legally available therefor in such amounts, at such time and on such terms (including the payment dates of such Distributions) as the Manager in its sole discretion shall determine using such record date as the Manager may designate. All Distributions made under this Section 4.01 shall be made to the Members holding Common Units as of the close of business on such record date on a pro rata basis in accordance with each Member’s Percentage Interest (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any distributions made pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(v)) as of the close of business on such record date; provided, however, that the Manager shall have the obligation to make Distributions as set forth in Sections 4.01(b) and 14.02; provided, further, that notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, no distributions shall be made to any Member to the extent such distribution would render the Company insolvent or violate the Delaware Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, “insolvency” means the inability of the Company to meet its payment obligations when due. In furtherance of the foregoing, it is intended that the Manager shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, have the right in its sole discretion to make Distributions of Distributable Cash to the Members pursuant to this Section 4.01(a) in such amounts as shall enable the Corporation to meet its obligations, including its obligations pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement (to the extent such obligations are not otherwise able to be satisfied as a result of Tax Distributions required to be made pursuant to Section 4.01(b)).

 

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(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.01(a)(i), (i) the Company shall not make a distribution (other than Tax Distributions under Section 4.01(b)) to any Member in respect of any Common Units which remain subject to vesting conditions in accordance with any applicable equity plan or individual award agreement and (ii) with respect to any amounts that would otherwise have been distributed to a Member but for the preceding clause (i), such amount shall be held in trust by the Company for the benefit of such Member unless and until such time as such Common Units have vested or been forfeited in accordance with the applicable equity plan or individual award agreement, and within five (5) Business Days of such time, the Company shall distribute such amounts to such Member; provided, that, if any condition to the vesting of such unvested Common Unit becomes incapable of being satisfied, then any amounts that have not been distributed with respect to such unvested Common Unit may be distributed to all other Members in accordance with Section 4.01(a)(i) as if such distribution were a new distribution pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(i).

(b) Tax Distributions.

(i) With respect to each Taxable Year, the Company shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, make cash distributions (“Tax Distributions”) to each Member in accordance with, and to the extent of, such Member’s Assumed Tax Liability. Tax Distributions pursuant to this Section 4.01(b)(i) shall be estimated by the Company on a quarterly basis and, to the extent feasible, shall be distributed to the Members (together with a statement showing the calculation of such Tax Distribution and an estimate of the Company’s net taxable income allocable to each Member for such period) on a quarterly basis before each April 15th, June 15th, September 15th and December 15th (or such other dates for which corporations or individuals are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, whichever is earlier) (each, a “Quarterly Tax Distribution”); provided, that the foregoing shall not restrict the Company from making a Tax Distribution on any other date as the Company determines is necessary to enable the Members to timely make estimated income tax payments. Quarterly Tax Distributions shall take into account the estimated taxable income or loss of the Company for the Taxable Year through the end of the relevant quarterly period. A final accounting for Tax Distributions shall be made for each Taxable Year after the allocation of the Company’s actual net taxable income or loss has been determined and any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions a Member received for such Taxable Year based on such final accounting shall promptly be distributed to such Member. For the avoidance of doubt, any excess Tax Distributions a Member receives with respect to any Taxable Year shall reduce future Tax Distributions otherwise required to be made to such Member with respect to any subsequent Taxable Year. For the avoidance of doubt, Tax Distributions shall not be treated as an advance on any Distributions.

(ii) To the extent a Member otherwise would be entitled to receive less than its Percentage Interest of the aggregate Tax Distributions to be paid pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) (other than any distributions made pursuant to the second clause of the last sentence of this Section 4.01(b)(ii) in respect of a shortfall, pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.01(b)(iii) in respect of a shortfall, or pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(v)) on any given date, the Tax Distributions to such Member shall be increased to ensure that all Distributions

 

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made pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) are made pro rata in accordance with the Members’ respective Percentage Interests. If, on the date of a Tax Distribution, there are insufficient funds on hand to distribute to the Members the full amount of the Tax Distributions to which such Members are otherwise entitled, Distributions pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) shall be made to the Members to the extent of available funds in accordance with their Percentage Interests and the Company shall make future Tax Distributions in accordance with the Members’ Percentage Interests at the time of such shortfalls as soon as sufficient funds become available to pay the remaining portion of the Tax Distributions to which such Members are otherwise entitled.

(iii) In the event of any audit by, or similar event with, a Governmental Entity that affects the calculation of any Member’s Assumed Tax Liability for any Taxable Year (other than an audit conducted pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions for which no election is made pursuant to Section 6226 thereof and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder), or in the event the Company files an amended tax return or administrative adjustment request, each Member’s Assumed Tax Liability with respect to such year shall be recalculated by giving effect to such event (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account interest or penalties). Any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions the Members and former Members received for the relevant Taxable Years based on such recalculated Assumed Tax Liability promptly shall be distributed to such Members and the successors of such former Members in accordance with the applicable Members’ and former Members’ Percentage Interests at the time of such shortfalls, except, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Distributions were made to such Members and former Members pursuant to Section 4.01(a) and this Section 4.01(b) in the relevant Taxable Years sufficient to cover such shortfall.

(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tax Distributions pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any distributions made pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(v)), if any, shall be made to a Member only to the extent all previous Tax Distributions to such Member pursuant to Section 4.01(b) with respect to the Taxable Year are less than the Tax Distributions such Member otherwise would have been entitled to receive with respect to such Taxable Year pursuant to this Section 4.01(b).

(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a final accounting for distributions under Section 5.1(a)(i) and (ii) of the Original LLC Agreement in respect of the taxable income of the Company for the Taxable Years (or portions thereof) of the Company that end on or prior to the Effective Date shall be made by the Company following the closing date of the IPO and, based on such final accounting, the Company shall make a distribution to the Pre-IPO Members (or in the case of any Pre-IPO Member that no longer exists, the successor of such Pre-IPO Member) to the extent of the excess of the amount of distributions the Pre-IPO Members would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such subsections (without regard to the amendment and restatement of such Original LLC Agreement as of the Effective Date) over the amount of distributions the Pre-IPO Members received prior to the Effective Date under Section 5.1(a)(i) and (ii) of the Original LLC Agreement with respect to taxable income of the Company for such portion of such Taxable Year that will be allocated to the Pre-IPO Members (determined pursuant to Section 706 of the Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of distributions to be made pursuant to this Section 4.01(b)(v) shall be calculated pursuant to the methodology set forth in Section 5.1(a)(i) and (ii) of the Original LLC Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE V.

CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS

Section 5.01 Capital Accounts.

(a) The Company shall maintain a separate Capital Account for each Member according to the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). For this purpose, the Company may (in the discretion of the Manager), upon the occurrence of the events specified in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), and shall, in connection with the execution of this Agreement, the IPO Common Unit Subscription, the IPO Unit Purchase and other transactions taking place in connection therewith, increase or decrease the Capital Accounts in accordance with the rules of such Treasury Regulations and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) to reflect a revaluation of the Company’s property; provided, that if any noncompensatory options are outstanding upon the occurrence of any revaluation of the Company’s property, the Company shall adjust the Book Values of its properties in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2).

(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to the Company to be allocated pursuant to this Article V and to be reflected in the Capital Accounts of the Members, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for this purpose); provided, however, that:

(i) the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall include those items described in Code Section 705(a)(l)(B) or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(ii) if the Book Value of any property of the Company is adjusted pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such property;

(iii) items of income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to the disposition of property of the Company having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of such property;

(iv) items of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions with respect to property of the Company having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the property’s Book Value in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g); and

 

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(v) to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset of the Company pursuant to Code Sections 732(d), 734(b) or 743(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis).

Section 5.02 Allocations. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.03 and Section 5.04, Net Profits and Net Losses for any Taxable Year or Fiscal Period shall be allocated among the Capital Accounts of the Members pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

Section 5.03 Regulatory Allocations.

(a) Losses attributable to partner nonrecourse debt (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) shall be allocated in the manner required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). Except as otherwise provided for in Section 5.03(b), if there is a net decrease during a Taxable Year in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3)), Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) shall be allocated to the Members in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4).

(b) Nonrecourse deductions (as determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any Taxable Year shall be allocated pro rata among the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests. If there is a net decrease in the Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year, each Member shall be allocated Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 5.03(b) is intended to be a minimum gain chargeback provision that complies with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

(c) If any Member that unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or Distribution described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as of the end of any Taxable Year, after all other allocations pursuant to Sections 5.02, 5.03, 5.04 and 5.05 have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.03(c) were not in this Agreement, then Profits for such Taxable Year shall be allocated to such Member in proportion to, and to the extent of, such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. This Section 5.03(c) is intended to be a qualified income offset provision as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

(d) If the allocation of Net Losses (or items of Losses) to a Member as provided in Section 5.02 would create or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, there shall be allocated to such Member only that amount of Losses as will not create or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. The Net Losses that would, absent the application of the preceding sentence, otherwise be allocated to such Member shall be allocated to the other Members in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, subject to this Section 5.03(d).

 

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(e) Profits and Losses described in Section 5.01(b)(v) shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the manner that the adjustments to the Capital Accounts are required to be made pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(j) and (m).

(f) The allocations set forth in Section 5.03(a) through and including Section 5.03(e) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner in which the Members intend to allocate Net Profit and Net Loss of the Company or make Distributions. Accordingly, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article V, but subject to the Regulatory Allocations, income, gain, deduction and loss with respect to the Company shall be reallocated among the Members so as to eliminate the effect of the Regulatory Allocations and thereby cause the respective Capital Accounts of the Members to be in the amounts (or as close thereto as possible) they would have been if Net Profit and Net Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) had been allocated without reference to the Regulatory Allocations. In general, the Members anticipate that this will be accomplished by specially allocating other Profit and Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) among the Members so that the net amount of the Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such Member is zero. In addition, if in any Taxable Year or Fiscal Period there is a decrease in partnership minimum gain, or in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain, and application of the minimum gain chargeback requirements set forth in Section 5.03(a) or Section 5.03(b) would cause a distortion in the economic arrangement among the Members, the Manager may, if it does not expect that the Company will have sufficient other income to correct such distortion, request the Internal Revenue Service to waive either or both of such minimum gain chargeback requirements pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(4). If such request is granted, this Agreement shall be applied in such instance as if it did not contain such minimum gain chargeback requirement.

Section 5.04 Final Allocations.

(a) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement except Section 5.03, the Manager shall make appropriate adjustments to allocations of Net Profits and Net Losses to (or, if necessary, allocate items of gross income, gain, loss or deduction of the Company among) the Members upon the liquidation of the Company (within the meaning of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) of the Treasury Regulations), upon the transfer of substantially all the Units (whether by sale or exchange or merger), upon the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, or to the extent necessary in the connection with a distribution in respect of a shortfall pursuant to the second clause of the last sentence of Section 4.01(b)(ii) or pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.01(b)(iii), such that, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Accounts of the Members are proportionate to their Percentage Interests. In each case, such adjustments or allocations shall occur, to the maximum extent possible, in the Taxable Year of the event requiring such adjustments or allocations.

(b) If any holder of Common Units which are subject to vesting conditions forfeits (or the Company has repurchased at less than fair market value) all or a portion of such holder’s unvested Common Units, the Company shall make forfeiture allocations in respect of such unvested Common Units in the manner and to the extent required by Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii) (as such Proposed Treasury Regulations may be amended or modified, including upon the issuance of temporary or final Treasury Regulations).

 

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Section 5.05 Tax Allocations.

(a) The income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the Company will be allocated, for federal, state and local income tax purposes, among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains, losses, deductions and credits among the Members for computing their Capital Accounts; provided that if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or other applicable Law, the Company’s subsequent income, gains, losses, deductions and credits will be allocated among the Members so as to reflect as nearly as possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.

(b) Items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with Code Section 704(c) so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value using the traditional method set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).

(c) If the Book Value of any asset of the Company is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.01(b), including adjustments to the Book Value of any asset of the Company in connection with the execution of this Agreement, subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value using the traditional method set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).

(d) Allocations of tax credits, tax credit recapture, and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members as determined by the Manager taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii).

(e) For purposes of determining a Member’s share of the Company’s “excess nonrecourse liabilities” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Member’s interest in income and gain shall be determined pursuant to any proper method, as reasonably determined by the Manager; provided, that each year the Manager shall use its reasonable best efforts (using in all instances any proper method permitted under applicable Law, including without limitation the “additional method” described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3)) to allocate a sufficient amount of the excess nonrecourse liabilities to those Members who would have at the end of the applicable Taxable Year, but for such allocation, taxable income due to the deemed distribution of money to such Member pursuant to Section 752(b) of the Code that is in excess of such Member’s adjusted tax basis in its Units.

(f) If, as a result of an exercise of a noncompensatory option to acquire an interest in the Company, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Company shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x). If, pursuant to Section 5.03(f), the Manager causes a Capital Account reallocation in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Manager shall make corrective allocations in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

 

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(g) In the event any Common Units issued pursuant to Section 3.10(c) are subsequently forfeited, the Company may make forfeiture allocations with respect to such Common Units in the Taxable Year of such forfeiture in accordance with the principles of proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c), taking into account any amendments thereto and any temporary or final Treasury Regulations issued pursuant thereto.

(h) Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.05 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local income taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, Distributions or other items of the Company pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

Section 5.06 Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member. If the Company or any other Person in which the Company holds an interest is obligated to pay any amount to a Governmental Entity (or otherwise makes a payment to a Governmental Entity) that is specifically attributable to a Member or a Member’s status as such (including federal income taxes, additions to tax, interest and penalties as a result of obligations of the Company pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions, federal withholding taxes, state personal property taxes and state unincorporated business taxes, but excluding payments such as payroll taxes, withholding taxes, benefits or professional association fees and the like required to be made or made voluntarily by the Company on behalf of any Member based upon such Member’s status as an employee of the Company), then such Member shall indemnify the Company in full for the entire amount paid (including interest, penalties and related expenses). The Manager may offset Distributions to which a Member is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 5.06. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each Member agrees that any Cash Settlement such Member is entitled to receive pursuant to Article XI may be offset by an amount equal to such Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 5.06 and that such Member shall be treated as receiving the full amount of such Cash Settlement and paying to the Company an amount equal to such obligation. A Member’s obligation to make payments to the Company under this Section 5.06 shall survive the transfer or termination of any Member’s interest in any Units of the Company, the termination of this Agreement and the dissolution, liquidation, winding up and termination of the Company. In the event that the Company has been terminated prior to the date such payment is due, such Member shall make such payment to the Manager (or its designee), which shall distribute such funds in accordance with this Agreement. The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Member under this Section 5.06, including instituting a lawsuit to collect such contribution with interest calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus 300 basis points (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by Law). Each Member hereby agrees to furnish to the Company such information and forms as required or reasonably requested by the Company in order to comply with any Laws and regulations governing withholding of tax or in order to claim any reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding to which the Member is legally entitled. The Company may withhold any amount that it reasonably determines is required to be withheld from any amount otherwise payable to any Member hereunder, and any such withheld amount shall be deemed to have been paid to such Member for all purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise reimbursed by such Member under this Section

 

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5.06; provided, that, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts, prior to withholding any such amount from any Mainsail Related Parties or Just Rocks Related Parties, to notify the applicable Member of the intended withholding and to provide such Member with a reasonable opportunity to mitigate or eliminate such withholding. For the avoidance of doubt, any income taxes, penalties, additions to tax and interest payable by the Company or any fiscally transparent entity in which the Company owns an interest that are attributable to income or gain that is (or otherwise would be) passed through to the Members under applicable Law shall be treated as specifically attributable to the Members and shall be allocated among the Members such that the burden of (or any diminution in distributable proceeds resulting from) any such amounts is borne by those Members to whom such amounts are specifically attributable, in each case as reasonably determined by the Manager.

ARTICLE VI.

MANAGEMENT

Section 6.01 Authority of Manager; Officer Delegation.

(a) Except for situations in which the approval of any Member(s) is specifically required by this Agreement, (i) all management powers over the business and affairs of the Company shall be exclusively vested in the Corporation, as the sole managing member of the Company (the Corporation, in such capacity, the “Manager”), (ii) the Manager shall conduct, direct and exercise full control over all activities of the Company and (iii) no other Member shall have any right, authority or power to vote, consent or approve any matter, whether under the Delaware Act, this Agreement or otherwise. The Manager shall be the “manager” of the Company for the purposes of the Delaware Act. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Manager of all such powers and rights conferred on the Members by the Delaware Act with respect to the management and control of the Company. Any vacancies in the position of Manager shall be filled in accordance with Section 6.04.

(b) Without limiting the authority of the Manager to act on behalf of the Company, the day-to-day business and operations of the Company shall be overseen and implemented by officers of the Company (each, an “Officer” and collectively, the “Officers”), subject to the limitations imposed by the Manager. An Officer may, but need not, be a Member. Each Officer shall be appointed by the Manager and shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly designated and shall qualify or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any one Person may hold more than one office. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement (including in Section 6.07 below), the salaries or other compensation, if any, of the Officers of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Manager. The authority and responsibility of the Officers shall be limited to such duties as the Manager may, from time to time, delegate to them. Unless the Manager decides otherwise, if the title is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such person of the authorities and duties that are normally associated with that office. All Officers shall be, and shall be deemed to be, officers and employees of the Company. An Officer may also perform one or more roles as an officer of the Manager. Any Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Manager.

 

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(c) Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Manager shall have the power and authority to effectuate the sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Company) or the merger, consolidation, conversion, division, reorganization or other combination of the Company with or into another entity, for the avoidance of doubt, without the prior consent of any Member or any other Person being required.

Section 6.02 Actions of the Manager. The Manager may act through any Officer or through any other Person or Persons to whom authority and duties have been delegated pursuant to Section 6.07.

Section 6.03 Resignation; No Removal. The Manager may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Members; provided, however, that any such resignation shall be subject to the appointment of a new Manager in accordance with Section 6.04. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Members (subject to the appointment of a new Manager in accordance with Section 6.04), and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. For the avoidance of doubt, the Members have no right under this Agreement to remove or replace the Manager. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no replacement of the Corporation as the Manager shall be effective unless proper provision is made, in compliance with this Agreement, so that the obligations of the Corporation, its successor or assign (if applicable) and any new Manager and the rights of all Members under this Agreement and applicable Law remain in full force and effect. No appointment of a Person other than the Corporation (or its successor or assign, as applicable) as the Manager shall be effective unless the Corporation (or its successor or assign, as applicable) and the new Manager (as applicable) provide all other Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such other Members against the Corporation (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Manager (as applicable), to cause (a) the Corporation to comply with all of the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement (in its capacity as a Member) and (b) the new Manager to comply with all of the Manager’s obligations under this Agreement.

Section 6.04 Vacancies. Vacancies in the position of Manager occurring for any reason shall be filled by the Corporation (or, if the Corporation has ceased to exist without any successor or assign, then by the holders of a majority in interest of the voting capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such cessation). For the avoidance of doubt, the Members (other than the Corporation) have no right under this Agreement to fill any vacancy in the position of Manager.

Section 6.05 Transactions Between the Company and the Manager. The Manager may cause the Company to contract and deal with the Manager, or any Affiliate of the Manager, provided, that such contracts and dealings (other than contracts and dealings between the Company and its Subsidiaries) are (i) on terms comparable to and competitive with those available to the Company from others dealing at arm’s length, (ii) approved by the disinterested Members (other than the Manager) holding a majority of the Percentage Interests of the disinterested Members (other than the Manager) or (iii) approved by the Disinterested Majority, and in each case, otherwise are permitted by the Credit Agreements; provided that the foregoing shall in no way limit the Manager’s rights under Sections 3.02, 3.04, 3.05 or 3.10. The Members hereby approve each of the contracts or agreements between or among the Manager or its Affiliates (other than the

 

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Company and its Subsidiaries), on the one hand, and the Company or its Affiliates (other than the Manager and any of the Company’s Subsidiaries), on the other hand, entered into on or prior to the date of this Agreement in accordance with the Original LLC Agreement or that the board of managers of the Company or the Corporate Board has approved in connection with the Recapitalization, the Reorganization or the IPO as of the date of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the IPO Common Unit Subscription Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 6.06 Reimbursement for Expenses. The Manager shall not be compensated for its services as Manager of the Company except as expressly provided in this Agreement. The Members acknowledge and agree that, upon consummation of the IPO, the Manager’s Class A Common Stock will be publicly traded and, therefore, the Manager will have access to the public capital markets and that such status and the services performed by the Manager will inure to the benefit of the Company and all Members; therefore, the Manager shall be reimbursed by the Company for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, including, without limitation, all fees, expenses and costs associated with the IPO and all fees, expenses and costs of being a public company (including, without limitation, public reporting obligations, proxy statements, stockholder meetings, Stock Exchange fees, transfer agent fees, legal fees, SEC and FINRA filing fees and offering expenses) and maintaining its corporate existence. In the event that shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to underwriters in the IPO (or in any Qualifying Offering) at a price per share that is lower than the price per share for which such shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to the public in the IPO (or in such Qualifying Offering), after taking into account underwriters’ discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions (such difference, the “Discount”) (i) the Manager shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company in exchange for newly issued Common Units the full amount for which such shares of Class A Common Stock were sold to the public and (ii) the Company shall be deemed to have paid the Discount as an expense. To the extent practicable, expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company shall be billed directly to and paid by the Company and, if and to the extent any reimbursements to the Manager or any of its Affiliates by the Company pursuant to this Section 6.06 constitute gross income to such Person (as opposed to the repayment of advances made by such Person on behalf of the Company), such amounts shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c) (unless otherwise required by the Code and Treasury Regulations) and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Members’ Capital Accounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not bear any obligations with respect to income tax of the Manager or any payments made pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement other than in a manner that is expressly contemplated under this Agreement.

Section 6.07 Delegation of Authority. The Manager (a) may, from time to time, delegate to one or more Persons such authority and duties as the Manager may deem advisable, and (b) may assign titles (including, without limitation, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, general counsel, senior vice president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer or assistant treasurer) and delegate certain authority and duties to such Persons, which may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time. Any number of titles may be held by the same individual. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of such agents of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Manager, subject to the other provisions in this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.08 Limitation of Liability of Manager.

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein or in an agreement entered into by such Person and the Company, neither the Manager nor any of the Manager’s Affiliates or Manager’s officers, directors, employees or other agents (collectively “Manager’s Representatives”) shall be liable to the Company, to any Member that is not the Manager or to any other Person (other than the Manager) bound by this Agreement for any act or omission performed or omitted by the Manager or such Manager Representative in its capacity as the sole managing member of the Company or as an Affiliate, officer, director, employee or agent of the Manager, as applicable, pursuant to authority granted to the Manager by this Agreement; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided herein, such limitation of liability shall not apply to the extent the act or omission was attributable to the Manager’s or a Manager’s Representative’s intentional misconduct or knowing violation of Law or for any present or future material breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by the Manager or any Manager’s Representative contained herein or in the Other Agreements with the Company; provided, further, that the foregoing shall not limit the exculpation of the Manager and the Manager’s Representatives in respect of the performance of its or their duties to the fullest extent permitted by Law. The Manager may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent (so long as such agent was selected in good faith and with reasonable care). The Manager and each Manager Representative shall be entitled to rely upon the advice of legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts, including financial advisors, as to matters the Manager or such Manager Representative reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and any act of or failure to act by the Manager or such Manager Representative in good faith reliance on such advice shall in no event subject the Manager or any Manager Representative to liability to the Company or any Member that is not the Manager or any other Person (other than the Manager) bound by this Agreement.

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, whenever this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein provides that the Manager shall act in its reasonable discretion or in a manner which is, or provide terms which are, “fair and reasonable” to the Company or any Member that is not the Manager, the Manager shall determine such appropriate action or provide such terms considering, in each case, the relative interests of each party to such agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable United States generally accepted accounting practices or principles, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or in any agreement contemplated herein or applicable provisions of Law or equity or otherwise.

(c) In connection with the performance of its duties as the Manager of the Company, except as otherwise set forth herein, the Manager acknowledges that, solely in its capacity as Manager, it will owe to the Company and the Members the same fiduciary duties as it would owe to a Delaware corporation and its stockholders if it were a member of the board of directors of such a corporation and the Members were stockholders of such corporation.

Section 6.09 Investment Company Act. The Manager shall use its best efforts to ensure that the Company shall not be subject to registration as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS AND MANAGER

Section 7.01 Limitation of Liability and Duties of Members.

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business and affairs under this Agreement or the Delaware Act shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Members or the Manager for liabilities of the Company.

(b) In accordance with the Delaware Act and the laws of the State of Delaware, a Member may, under certain circumstances, be required to return amounts previously distributed to such Member. It is the intent of the Members that no Distribution to any Member pursuant to Articles IV or XIV shall be deemed a return of money or other property paid or distributed in violation of the Delaware Act. The payment of any such money or Distribution of any such property to a Member shall be deemed to be a compromise within the meaning of Section 18-502(b) of the Delaware Act, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any Member receiving any such money or property shall not be required to return any such money or property to the Company or any other Person, unless such distribution was made by the Company to its Members in clerical error. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to make any such payment, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of any other Member.

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, including Section 18-1101(c) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (but subject, and without limitation, to Section 6.08 with respect to the Manager) or in any agreement contemplated herein or applicable provisions of Law or equity or otherwise, the parties hereto hereby agree that to the extent that any Member in its capacity as such (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the Manager in its capacity as such) (or any Member’s Affiliate or any manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of any Member or of any Affiliate of a Member) has duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, to the Manager, to another Member, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Unit or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby eliminated, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, and replaced with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein, if any; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The elimination of duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, the Manager, each of the Members, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Unit and each other Person bound by this Agreement and replacement thereof with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein, if any, are approved by the Company, the Manager, each of the Members, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Unit and each other Person bound by this Agreement.

Section 7.02 Lack of Authority. No Member, other than the Manager or a duly appointed Officer or other agent of the Company, in each case in its capacity as such, has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditure on behalf of the Company. The Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Manager of the powers conferred on them by Law and this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.03 No Right of Partition. No Member, other than the Manager, shall have the right to seek or obtain partition by court decree or operation of Law of any property of the Company, or the right to own or use particular or individual assets of the Company.

Section 7.04 Indemnification.

(a) Subject to Section 5.06, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Person (each an “Indemnified Person”) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, substituted or replaced (but, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, in the case of any such amendment, substitution or replacement only to the extent that such amendment, substitution or replacement permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than the Company is providing immediately prior to such amendment, substitution or replacement), against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Person (or one or more of such Person’s Affiliates) by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member or an Affiliate thereof (other than solely as a result of an ownership interest in the Corporation) or is or was serving as the Manager or a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Manager, the Partnership Representative, or a director, manager, Officer, employee or other agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, officer, director, principal, member, employee or agent of another Person; provided, however, that no Indemnified Person shall be indemnified for any expenses, liabilities and losses suffered that are attributable to such Indemnified Person’s or its Affiliates’ fraud, willful misconduct or knowing violation of Law or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Indemnified Person or its Affiliates contained herein or in Other Agreements with the Company; provided, that the foregoing shall not limit the Company’s ability to provide indemnification to the Manager and its officers in respect of the performance of its or their duties to the fullest extent permitted by Law. Reasonable expenses, including out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees, incurred by any such Indemnified Person in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, including any appeal therefrom, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

(b) The right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 7.04 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, agreement, bylaw, action by the Manager or otherwise.

(c) The Company shall maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, or substantially equivalent insurance, at its expense, to protect any Indemnified Person against any expense, liability or loss described in Section 7.04(a) whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Indemnified Person against such expense, liability or loss under the provisions of this Section 7.04. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to purchase and maintain property, casualty and liability insurance in types and at levels customary for companies of similar size engaged in similar lines of business, as determined in good faith by the Manager, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (including employment practices coverage) with a carrier and in an amount determined necessary or desirable as determined in good faith by the Manager.

 

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(d) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in this Section 7.04 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only. No Member (unless such Member otherwise agrees in writing or is found in a non-appealable decision by a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction to have personal liability on account thereof) shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions to help satisfy such indemnity of the Company. The Company (i) shall be the primary indemnitor of first resort for such Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 7.04 and (ii) shall be fully responsible for the advancement of all expenses and the payment of all damages or liabilities with respect to such Indemnified Person which are addressed by this Section 7.04.

(e) If this Section 7.04 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 7.04 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 7.04 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

(f) Except as otherwise provided herein or in an agreement entered into by such Person and the Company, no Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company, to any Member that is not the Manager or to any other Person (other than the Manager) bound by this Agreement for any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided herein, such limitation of liability shall not apply to the extent the act or omission was attributable to such Indemnified Person’s intentional misconduct or knowing violation of Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.04(f) shall not apply to the Manager or any Manager’s Representative, whose exculpation rights shall be governed by Section 6.08.

ARTICLE VIII.

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS, AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Section 8.01 Records and Accounting. The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, appropriate books and records with respect to the Company’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide any information, lists and copies of documents required pursuant to applicable Laws. All matters concerning (a) the determination of the relative amount of allocations and Distributions among the Members pursuant to Articles IV and V and (b) accounting procedures and determinations, and other determinations not specifically and expressly provided for by the terms of this Agreement, shall be determined by the Manager in a fair and reasonable manner, whose determination shall be final and conclusive as to all of the Members absent manifest clerical error or common law fraud.

Section 8.02 Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year of the Company shall end on December 31 of each year or such other date as may be established by the Manager.

 

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Section 8.03 Inspection Rights. The Company shall permit each Member and each of its designated representatives, at such Member’s sole cost and expense, to examine the books and records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at the principal office of the Company or such other location as the Manager shall reasonably approve during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice for any purpose reasonably related to such Member’s interest as a member of the Company; provided, that Manager has a right to keep confidential from the Members certain information in accordance with Section 18-305 of the Delaware Act.

ARTICLE IX.

TAX MATTERS

Section 9.01 Preparation of Tax Returns. The Manager shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all tax returns required to be filed by the Company. The Manager shall use reasonable efforts (taking into account applicable extensions of time to file tax returns) to furnish, within one hundred and fifty (150) days of the close of each Taxable Year, to each Member a completed IRS Schedule K-1 (and any comparable state and local income tax form) and such other information as is reasonably requested by such Member relating to the Company that is necessary for such Member to comply with its tax reporting obligations. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, in its capacity as Partnership Representative, the Corporation shall have the authority to prepare the tax returns of the Company using such permissible methods and elections as it determines in its reasonable discretion, including without limitation the use of any permissible method under Section 706 of the Code for purposes of determining the varying Units of its Members.

Section 9.02 Tax Elections. The Taxable Year shall be the Fiscal Year set forth in Section 8.02, unless otherwise required by Section 706 of the Code. The Manager shall cause the Company and each of its Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to have in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code (or any similar provisions of applicable state, local or foreign tax Law) for the Taxable Year that includes the Effective Date and each subsequent Taxable Year, and the Manager shall take commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Person in which the Company owns a direct or indirect equity interest (other than a Subsidiary) that is so treated as a partnership to have in effect any such election for such Taxable Years. Each Member will upon request supply any information reasonably necessary to give proper effect to any such elections.

Section 9.03 Tax Controversies. The Manager shall cause the Company to take all necessary actions required by Law to designate the Corporation as the “tax matters partner” of the Company within the meaning of Section 6231 of the Code (as in effect prior to repeal of such section pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions) with respect any Taxable Year beginning on or before December 31, 2017. The Manager shall further cause the Company to take all necessary actions required by Law to designate the Corporation as the “partnership representative” of the Company as provided in Section 6223(a) of the Code with respect to any Taxable Year of the Company beginning after December 31, 2017, and the Corporation is hereby authorized to designate an individual to be the sole individual through which such entity “partnership representative” will act (in such capacities, including in similar capacities under analogous provisions of state or local Law, collectively, the “Partnership Representative”). The Company and the Members shall cooperate fully with each other and shall use reasonable best

 

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efforts to cause the Corporation (or its designated individual, as applicable) to become the Partnership Representative with respect to any taxable period of the Company with respect to which the statute of limitations has not yet expired (and causing any tax matters partner, partnership representative or designated individual designated prior to the Effective Time to resign, be revoked or replaced, as applicable), including (as applicable) by filing certifications pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 301.6231(a)(7)-1(d) and completing IRS Form 8979 or any other form or certificate required pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 301.6223-1(e)(1). The Partnership Representative shall have the right and obligation to take all actions authorized and required, by the Code and Treasury Regulations (and analogous provisions of state or local Law) for the Partnership Representative and is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including any resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Company funds for professional services reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Each Member agrees to cooperate with the Company and the Partnership Representative and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company or the Partnership Representative with respect to the conduct of such proceedings. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with respect to any audit or other proceeding, the Partnership Representative shall be entitled to cause the Company (and any of its Subsidiaries) to make any available elections pursuant to Section 6226 of the Code (and similar provisions of state, local and other Law), and the Members shall cooperate to the extent reasonably requested by the Company in connection therewith. The Company shall reimburse the Partnership Representative for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Partnership Representative, including reasonable fees of any professional attorneys, in carrying out its duties as the Partnership Representative. The provisions of this Section 9.03 shall survive the transfer or termination of any Member’s interest in any Units of the Company, the termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Company, and shall remain binding on each Member for the period of time necessary to resolve all tax matters relating to the Company, and shall be subject to the provisions of the Tax Receivable Agreement, as applicable. The Partnership Representative will, within ten (10) days of the receipt of any notice from the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority of any audit, investigation or other proceeding relating to any flow-through income tax matters, mail a copy of such notice to each Member. The Partnership Representative shall not, with respect to tax matters related to a taxable period prior to the date of this Agreement, (i) enter into a settlement agreement with the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority that purports to bind (or has the effect of binding) the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rock Related Parties (the “Specified Members”) (or their equityholders or successors or assigns) without the written consent of such Specified Members (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), or (ii) enter into an agreement extending the period of limitations for assessing an income tax deficiency with respect to any Company flow-through income tax matters without the approval of the Specified Members for so long as any Specified Member or its equityholders or successors or assigns could be affected by such action (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Partnership Representative shall: (i) keep the Specified Members reasonably informed of the material developments and status of any such audit or proceeding; (ii) permit the Specified Members (or their designees) to participate (including using separate counsel) in, in each case at the Specified Members’ sole cost and expense, but not control, any such audit or proceeding; and (iii) promptly notify the Specified Members of receipt of a notice of a final partnership adjustment (or equivalent under applicable laws) or a final decision of a court or IRS Appeals panel (or equivalent body

 

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under applicable laws) with respect to any such audit or proceeding. The Partnership Representative and the Company shall use reasonable efforts to promptly provide the Specified Members with copies of all material correspondence between the Partnership Representative or the Company (as applicable) and any governmental authority in connection with such audit or proceeding, and to give the Specified Members a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any material correspondence, submission (including settlement or compromise offers) or filing in connection with any such audit or proceeding.

ARTICLE X.

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS; CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

Section 10.01 Transfers by Members. No holder of Units shall Transfer any interest in any Units, except Transfers (a) pursuant to and in accordance with Sections 10.02 and 10.09 or (b) approved in advance and in writing by the Manager, in the case of Transfers by any Member other than the Manager, or (c) in the case of Transfers by the Manager, to any Person who succeeds to the Manager in accordance with Section 6.04. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Transfer” shall not include (i) an event that terminates the existence of a Member for income tax purposes (including, without limitation, a change in entity classification of a Member under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3, a sale of assets by, or liquidation of, a Member pursuant to an election under Code Sections 336 or 338, or merger, severance, or allocation within a trust or among sub-trusts of a trust that is a Member), but that does not terminate the existence of such Member under applicable state Law (or, in the case of a trust that is a Member, does not terminate the trusteeship of the fiduciaries under such trust with respect to all the Units of such trust that is a Member) or (ii) any indirect Transfer of Units held by the Manager by virtue of any Transfer of Equity Securities in the Corporation.

Section 10.02 Permitted Transfers. The restrictions contained in Section 10.01 shall not apply to any of the following (each, a “Permitted Transfer” and each transferee, a “Permitted Transferee”): (i)(A) a Transfer pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange in accordance with Article XI hereof or that are necessary to comply with Sections 3.04 or 3.05 as determined by the Manager, or (B) a Transfer by a Member to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) a Transfer to an Affiliate of such Member; provided, however, that (x) the restrictions contained in this Agreement will continue to apply to Units after any Permitted Transfer of such Units, and (y) in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), the Permitted Transferees of the Units so Transferred shall at the time of the Permitted Transfer agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, and prior to such Transfer the transferor will deliver a written notice to the Company and the Members, which notice will disclose in reasonable detail the identity of the proposed Permitted Transferee. If a Permitted Transfer pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence would result in a Change of Control, such Member must provide the Manager with written notice of such proposed Permitted Transfer at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the consummation of such Permitted Transfer. In the case of a Permitted Transfer of any Common Units by any Member holding Class B Common Stock to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Section 10.02, such Member shall also transfer a number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the number of Common Units that were transferred by such Member in the transaction to such Permitted Transferee. In the case of a Permitted Transfer of any Common Units by any Member holding Class C Common Stock to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Section 10.02, such Member shall also transfer a number of shares of Class C Common Stock equal to the number of Common Units that were transferred by such Member in the transaction to such Permitted Transferee. All Permitted Transfers are subject to the additional limitations set forth in Section 10.07(b).

 

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Section 10.03 Restricted Units Legend. The Units have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, in addition to the other restrictions on Transfer contained in this Agreement, cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or if an exemption from such registration is then available with respect to such sale. To the extent such Units have been certificated, each certificate evidencing Units and each certificate issued in exchange for or upon the Transfer of any Units shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SPECIFIED IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, RESTATED, AMENDED AND RESTATED, OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED WITH RESPECT TO ANY TRANSFER. A COPY OF SUCH CONDITIONS SHALL BE FURNISHED BY BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.”

The Company shall imprint such legend on certificates (if any) evidencing Units. The legend set forth above shall be removed from the certificates (if any) evidencing any Units which cease to be Units in accordance with the definition thereof.

Section 10.04 Transfer. Prior to Transferring any Units, the Transferring holder of Units shall cause the prospective Permitted Transferee to be bound by this Agreement and any other agreements executed by the holders of Units and relating to such Units in the aggregate to which the Transferring Member was a party (collectively, the “Other Agreements”) by executing and delivering to the Company counterparts of this Agreement and any applicable Other Agreements.

Section 10.05 Assignee’s Rights.

(a) The Transfer of a Unit in accordance with this Agreement shall be effective as of the date of such Transfer (assuming compliance with all of the conditions to such Transfer set forth herein), and such Transfer shall be shown on the books and records of the Company. Profits, Losses and other items of the Company shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee according to Code Section 706, using any permissible method as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Manager. Distributions made before the effective date of such Transfer shall be paid to the transferor, and Distributions made on or after such date shall be paid to the Assignee.

 

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(b) Unless and until an Assignee becomes a Member pursuant to Article XII, the Assignee shall not be entitled to any of the rights granted to a Member hereunder or under applicable Law, other than the rights granted specifically to Assignees pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that, without relieving the Transferring Member from any such limitations or obligations as more fully described in Section 10.06, such Assignee shall be bound by any limitations and obligations of a Member contained herein by which a Member would be bound on account of the Assignee’s Units (including the obligation to make Capital Contributions on account of such Units).

Section 10.06 Assignor’s Rights and Obligations. Any Member who shall Transfer any Unit in a manner in accordance with this Agreement shall cease to be a Member with respect to such Units and shall no longer have any rights or privileges, or, except as set forth in this Section 10.06, duties, liabilities or obligations, of a Member with respect to such Units (it being understood, however, that the applicable provisions of Sections 6.08 and 7.04 shall continue to inure to such Person’s benefit), except that unless and until the Assignee (if not already a Member) is admitted as a Substituted Member in accordance with the provisions of Article XII (the “Admission Date”), (i) such Transferring Member shall retain all of the duties, liabilities and obligations of a Member with respect to such Units, and (ii) the Manager may, in its sole discretion, reinstate all or any portion of the rights and privileges of such Member with respect to such Units for any period of time prior to the Admission Date. Nothing contained herein shall relieve any Member who Transfers any Units in the Company from any liability of such Member to the Company with respect to such Units that may exist as of the Admission Date or that is otherwise specified in the Delaware Act or for any liability to the Company or any other Person for any materially false statement made by such Member (in its capacity as such) or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Member (in its capacity as such) contained herein or in the Other Agreements with the Company.

Section 10.07 Overriding Provisions.

(a) Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Units in violation of this Agreement (including any prohibited indirect Transfers) shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, null and void ab initio, and the provisions of Sections 10.05 and 10.06 shall not apply to any such Transfers. For the avoidance of doubt, any Person to whom a Transfer is made or attempted in violation of this Agreement shall not become a Member and shall not have any other rights in or with respect to any rights of a Member of the Company with respect to the applicable Units. The approval of any Transfer in any one or more instances shall not limit or waive the requirement for such approval in any other or future instance. The Manager shall promptly amend the Schedule of Members to reflect any Permitted Transfer pursuant to this Article X.

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 10.01 and Article XI and Article XII), in no event shall any Member Transfer any Units to the extent such Transfer would:

(i) result in the violation of the Securities Act, or any other applicable federal, state or foreign Laws;

(ii) cause an assignment under the Investment Company Act;

 

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(iii) be a Transfer to a Person who is not legally competent or who has not achieved his or her majority of age under applicable Law (excluding trusts for the benefit of minors);

(iv) cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” or to be taxed as a corporation pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code or any successor provision thereto under the Code; or

(v) result in the Company having more than one hundred (100) partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1) (determined pursuant to the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)).

(c) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Member that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code Transfer any Units (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with a Redemption or a Direct Exchange), unless such Member and the transferee have delivered to the Company, in respect of the relevant Transfer (or Redemption or Direct Exchange, as applicable), written evidence that all required withholding under Section 1446(f) of the Code will have been done and duly remitted to the applicable Governmental Entity or duly executed certifications (prepared in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations or other authorities) of an exemption from such withholding; provided, that the Company shall cooperate in the manner set forth in Section 11.07(a) with any reasonable requests from such Member for certifications or other information from the Company in connection with satisfying this Section 10.07(c) prior to the relevant Transfer (or Redemption or Direct Exchange, as applicable).

Section 10.08 Spousal Consent. In connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any Member who is a natural person will deliver to the Company an executed consent from such Member’s spouse (if any) in the form of Exhibit B-1 attached hereto or a Member’s spouse confirmation of separate property in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached hereto. If, at any time subsequent to the date of this Agreement such Member becomes legally married (whether in the first instance or to a different spouse), such Member shall cause his or her spouse to execute and deliver to the Company a consent in the form of Exhibit B-1 or Exhibit B-2 attached hereto. Such Member’s non-delivery to the Company of an executed consent in the form of Exhibit B-1 or Exhibit B-2 at any time shall constitute such Member’s continuing representation and warranty that such Member is not legally married as of such date.

Section 10.09 Certain Transactions with respect to the Corporation(a) .

(a) In connection with a Change of Control Transaction, the Manager shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require (y) each Member (other than the Founder Members, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) to effect a Redemption of all or a portion of such Member’s Units together with an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock, pursuant to which such Units and such shares of Class B Common Stock will be exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock (or to the extent being received by or offered to other stockholders of the Corporation economically equivalent cash or securities of a successor entity (or an offer thereof)), provided, however, that in the event of a Change of Control Transaction intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or as a transfer described in Section 351(a) or Section 721

 

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of the Code, the Members shall not be required to exchange Units pursuant to this Section 10.09 unless, as a part of such transaction, the Members are permitted to exchange their Units for securities in a transaction that is expected to permit such exchange without current recognition of gain or loss, for U.S. and non-U.S. tax purposes, for the direct and indirect holders of Units (except to the extent that property other than securities is received in such exchange), based on a “should” or “will” level opinion from independent tax counsel of recognized standing and expertise, and (z) each Founder Member to effect a Redemption of all or a portion of such Member’s Units together with an equal number of shares of Class C Common Stock, pursuant to which such Units and such shares of Class C Common Stock will be exchanged for shares of Class D Common Stock (or to the extent being received by or offered to other stockholders of the Corporation economically equivalent cash or securities of a successor entity (or an offer thereof)) provided, however, that in the event of a Change of Control Transaction intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or as a transfer described in Section 351(a) or Section 721 of the Code, the Founder Members shall not be required to exchange Units pursuant to this Section 10.09 unless, as a part of such transaction, the Founder Members are permitted to exchange their Units for securities in a transaction that is expected to permit such exchange without current recognition of gain or loss, for U.S. and non-U.S. tax purposes, for the direct and indirect holders of Units (except to the extent that property other than securities is received in such exchange), based on a “should” or “will” level opinion from independent tax counsel of recognized standing and expertise, in each case in accordance with the Redemption provisions of Article XI, mutatis mutandis (applied for this purpose as if the Corporation had delivered an Election Notice that specified a Share Settlement with respect to such Redemption) and otherwise in accordance with this Section 10.09(a). Any such Redemption pursuant to this Section 10.09(a) shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be contingent upon the consummation of such Change of Control Transaction and shall not be effective if such Change of Control Transaction is not consummated) (the date of such Redemption pursuant to this Section 10.09(a), the “Change of Control Date”). From and after the Change of Control Date, (i) the Units and any shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, subject to such Redemption shall be deemed to be transferred to the Company and the Corporation, as applicable, on the Change of Control Date and (ii) each such Member shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Units and any shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, subject to such Redemption (other than the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable, (or economically equivalent cash or Equity Securities in a successor entity) pursuant to such Redemption). In the event the Manager desires to initiate the provisions of this Section 10.09, the Manager shall provide written notice of an expected Change of Control Transaction to all Members no later than the earlier of (x) five (5) Business Days following the execution of a definitive agreement with respect to such Change of Control Transaction and (y) ten (10) Business Days before the proposed date upon which the contemplated Change of Control Transaction is to be effected, including in such notice such information as may reasonably describe the Change of Control Transaction, subject to applicable Law, including the date of execution of such definitive agreement or such proposed effective date, as applicable, the amount and types of consideration to be paid for shares of Class A Common Stock in the Change of Control Transaction and any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, shall be entitled to make in connection with a Change of Control Transaction (which election shall be available to each Member on the same terms as holders of shares of Class A Common Stock). Following delivery of such notice and on or prior to the Change of Control Date, the Members shall take all actions necessary to effect such Redemption, including taking any action and delivering any document required pursuant to this Section 10.09(a) to effect such Redemption.

 

 

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(b) In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid, recapitalization, or similar transaction with respect to Class A Common Stock (a “Pubco Offer”) is proposed by the Corporation or is proposed to the Corporation or its stockholders and approved by the Corporate Board or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the Corporate Board, the Manager shall provide written notice of the Pubco Offer to all Members no later than the earlier of (i) five (5) Business Days following the execution of a definitive agreement (if applicable) with respect to, or the commencement of (if applicable), such Pubco Offer and (ii) ten (10) Business Days before the proposed date upon which the Pubco Offer is to be effected, including in such notice such information as may reasonably describe the Pubco Offer, subject to applicable Law, including the date of execution of such definitive agreement (if applicable) or of such commencement (if applicable), the material terms of such Pubco Offer, including the amount and types of consideration to be received by holders of shares of Class A Common Stock in the Pubco Offer, any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, shall be entitled to make in connection with such Pubco Offer, and the number of Units (and the corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock) held by such Member that is applicable to such Pubco Offer. The Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to participate in such Pubco Offer by delivering a written notice of participation that is effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Pubco Offer (and that is contingent upon consummation of such offer and shall not be effective if such Pubco Offer is not consummated), and shall include such information necessary for consummation of such offer as requested by the Corporation. In the case of any Pubco Offer that was initially proposed by the Corporation, the Corporation shall use reasonable best efforts to enable and permit the Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) to participate in such transaction to the same extent or on an economically equivalent basis as the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, and to enable such Members to participate in such transaction without being required to exchange Units or shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, prior to the consummation of such transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Members be entitled to receive in such Pubco Offer aggregate consideration for each Common Unit that is less or greater than the consideration payable in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock in connection with a Pubco Offer (it being understood that payments under or in respect of the Tax Receivable Agreement shall not be considered part of any such consideration).

(c) In the event that a transaction or proposed transaction constitutes both a Change of Control Transaction and a Pubco Offer, the provisions of Section 10.09(b) shall take precedence over the provisions of Section 10.09(a) with respect to such transaction, and the provisions of Section 10.09(b) shall be subordinate to provisions of Section 10.09(b), and may only be triggered if the Manager elects to waive the provisions of Section 10.09(b).

 

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ARTICLE XI.

REDEMPTION AND DIRECT EXCHANGE RIGHTS

Section 11.01 Redemption Right of a Member.

(a) Each Member (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) shall be entitled to cause the Company to redeem (a “Redemption”) its Common Units (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Common Units that are subject to vesting conditions) in whole or in part (the “Redemption Right”); provided, that each Redemption of Common Units must consist of at least 1,000 Common Units or all Common Units then held by such Member. A Member desiring to exercise its Redemption Right (each, a “Redeeming Member”) shall exercise such right by giving written notice (the “Redemption Notice”) to the Company with a copy to the Corporation. The Redemption Notice shall specify the number of Common Units (the “Redeemed Units”) that the Redeeming Member intends to have the Company redeem and a date, not less than two (2) Business Days after delivery of such Redemption Notice (unless and to the extent that the Manager in its sole discretion agrees in writing to waive such time period), on which exercise of the Redemption Right shall be completed (the “Redemption Date”), and may specify that the Redemption is to be contingent (including as to timing) upon the consummation of a purchase by or exchange with another Person (whether in a tender offer, an underwritten offering, a block sale or otherwise) of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable, issuable upon Redemption of the Units and shares of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, or contingent (including as to timing) upon the closing of an announced merger, consolidation or other transaction or event in which the Class A Common Stock would be exchanged or converted or become exchangeable for or convertible into cash or other securities or property or upon the closing or occurrence of any other event, in which case the Redemption shall be consummated immediately prior to and contingent upon such closing or occurrence, and in any such case specify the amount of cash or amount and type of property to be received by the Redeeming Member therein; provided, however, that, the Redeeming Member, by written notice at least one (1) Business Day prior to the previously specified Redemption Date, or the Company, the Corporation and the Redeeming Member, by mutual agreement signed in writing by each of them, may change the number of Redeemed Units and/or the Redemption Date specified in such Redemption Notice to another number and/or date; provided, further, that in the event the Corporation elects a Share Settlement, the Redemption may be conditioned (including as to timing) by the Redeeming Member on the closing of an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed Redemption. Subject to Section 11.04 and unless the Redeeming Member timely has delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 11.01(c) or has revoked or delayed a Redemption as provided in Section 11.01(d), on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date):

(i) the Redeeming Member shall Transfer and surrender, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances (x) the Redeemed Units to the Company (including any certificates representing the Redeemed Units if they are certificated), and (y) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable (together with any Corresponding Rights), equal to the number of Redeemed Units to the Corporation, to the extent applicable;

 

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(ii) the Company shall (x) cancel the Redeemed Units, (y) transfer to the Redeeming Member the consideration to which the Redeeming Member is entitled under Section 11.01(b), and (z) if the Common Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Common Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Common Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 11.01(a) and the Redeemed Units; and

(iii) the Corporation shall (x) cancel and retire for no consideration the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable (together with any Corresponding Rights), that were Transferred to the Corporation pursuant to Section 11.01(a)(i)(y) above and (y) to the extent the Member holds certificated Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, equal to the difference (if any) between the number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 11.01(a) and the Redeemed Units.

(b) The Corporation shall have the option (as determined solely by the Disinterested Majority) as provided in Section 11.03 to elect to have the Redeemed Units be redeemed in consideration for either a Share Settlement or a Cash Settlement; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Corporation may elect to have the Redeemed Units be redeemed in consideration for a Cash Settlement only to the extent that the Corporation has cash available in an amount equal to at least the Redeemed Units Equivalent, which cash was received from a Qualifying Offering. The Corporation shall give written notice (the “Election Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Redeeming Member) of such election on the earlier of (i) three (3) Business Days of receiving the Redemption Notice and (ii) the Redemption Date specified in the Redemption Notice; provided, that if the Corporation does not timely deliver an Election Notice, the Corporation shall be deemed to have elected the Share Settlement method (subject to the limitations set forth above).

(c) In the event the Corporation elects the Cash Settlement in connection with a Redemption, the Redeeming Member may retract its Redemption Notice by giving written notice (the “Retraction Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Corporation) on or before the earlier of (i) the Redemption Date specified in the Redemption Notice and (ii) three (3) Business Days after delivery of the Election Notice. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Redeeming Member’s, the Company’s and the Corporation’s rights and obligations under this Section 11.01 arising from the related Redemption Notice.

(d) In the event the Corporation elects a Share Settlement in connection with a Redemption, a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to revoke its Redemption Notice or delay the consummation of a Redemption if any of the following conditions exists:

(i) any registration statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A Common Stock (including any Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of Class D Common Stock) to be registered for such Redeeming Member at or immediately following the consummation of the Redemption shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the SEC or no such resale registration statement has yet become effective;

 

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(ii) the Corporation shall have failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such Redemption;

(iii) the Corporation shall have exercised its right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Redeeming Member to have its Class A Common Stock (including any Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of Class D Common Stock) registered at or immediately following the consummation of the Redemption;

(iv) the Redeeming Member is in possession of any material non-public information concerning the Corporation, the receipt of which results in such Redeeming Member being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A Common Stock (including any Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of Class D Common Stock) at or immediately following the Redemption without disclosure of such information (and the Corporation does not permit disclosure of such information);

(v) any stop order relating to the registration statement pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock was to be registered by such Redeeming Member at or immediately following the Redemption shall have been issued by the SEC;

(vi) there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A Common Stock is then traded;

(vii) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any Governmental Entity that restrains or prohibits the Redemption;

(viii) the Corporation shall have failed to comply in all material respects with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, and such failure shall have affected the ability of such Redeeming Member to consummate the resale of Class A Common Stock (including any Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of Class D Common Stock) to be received upon such Redemption pursuant to an effective registration statement;

(ix) the Redemption Date would occur during a Black-Out Period; or

(x) the Redeeming Member so elects by written notice to the Company no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the scheduled Redemption Date.

If a Redeeming Member delays the consummation of a Redemption pursuant to this Section 11.01(d), the Redemption Date shall occur on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date on which the condition(s) giving rise to such delay cease to exist (or such earlier day as the Corporation, the Company and such Redeeming Member may agree in writing).

 

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(e) The number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable, (or Redeemed Units Equivalent, if applicable) (together with any Corresponding Rights) applicable to any Share Settlement or Cash Settlement shall not be adjusted on account of any Distributions previously made with respect to the Redeemed Units or dividends previously paid with respect to Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable; provided, however, that if a Redeeming Member causes the Company to redeem Redeemed Units and the Redemption Date occurs subsequent to the record date for any Distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units but prior to payment of such Distribution, the Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive such Distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units on the date that it is made notwithstanding that the Redeeming Member Transferred and surrendered the Redeemed Units to the Company prior to such date; provided, further, however, that a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive any and all Tax Distributions that such Redeeming Member otherwise would have received in respect of income allocated to such Member for the portion of any Fiscal Year irrespective of whether such Tax Distribution(s) are declared or made after the Redemption Date.

(f) In the case of a Share Settlement, in the event a reclassification or other similar transaction occurs following delivery of a Redemption Notice, but prior to the Redemption Date, as a result of which shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable, are converted into another security, then a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such other security (and, if applicable, any Corresponding Rights) that the Redeeming Member would have received if such Redemption Right had been exercised and the Redemption Date had occurred immediately prior to the record date of such reclassification or other similar transaction.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither the Company nor the Corporation shall be obligated to effectuate a Redemption if such Redemption could (as determined in the sole discretion of the Manager) cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” or to be taxed as a corporation pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code or successor provisions of the Code.

Section 11.02 Mandatory Redemption. In the event that Members holding at least a majority of the then-outstanding Common Units deliver Redemption Notices to the Company in connection with the IPO that specify that such Redemption is to be contingent upon a pro rata Redemption from all Members, then the Company shall cause to be redeemed a pro rata number of Common Units from all Members on the same terms and conditions as the Redemption from the Redeeming Members, regardless of whether such Members have submitted a Redemption Notice (such Redemption, a “Mandatory Redemption” and any Member that has not submitted a Redemption Notice in respect of the Mandatory Redemption, a “Redeemed Member”). Any Mandatory Redemption shall be subject to the same terms, conditions and procedures of a Redemption pursuant to the terms hereof; provided, that in no event shall a Redeemed Member be entitled to deliver a Retraction Notice in respect of a Mandatory Redemption; and provided, further, that the minimum Redeemed Unit threshold set forth in the first sentence of Section 11.01(a) shall not apply with respect to any Redeemed Member.

 

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Section 11.03 Election and Contribution of the Corporation. Unless the Redeeming Member has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 11.01(c), or has revoked or delayed a Redemption as provided in Sections 11.01(d), subject to Section 11.04, on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date) (i) the Corporation shall make a Capital Contribution to the Company (in the form of the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as determined by the Corporation in accordance with Section 11.01(b)), and (ii) the Company shall issue to the Corporation a number of Common Units equal to the number of Redeemed Units surrendered by the Redeeming Member. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 11.04, in the event that the Corporation elects a Cash Settlement, the Corporation shall only be obligated to contribute to the Company an amount in respect of such Cash Settlement equal to the Redeemed Units Equivalent with respect to such Cash Settlement, which in no event shall exceed the amount actually paid by the Company to the Redeeming Member as the Cash Settlement. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Company’s and the Corporation’s rights and obligations under this Section 11.02 arising from the Redemption Notice.

Section 11.04 Direct Exchange Right of the Corporation.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article XI (save for the limitations set forth in Section 11.01(b) regarding the Corporation’s option to select the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, and without limitation to the rights of the Members under Section 11.01, including the right to revoke a Redemption Notice), the Corporation may, in its sole and absolute discretion (as determined solely by the Disinterested Majority) (subject to the limitations set forth on such discretion in Section 11.01(b)), elect to effect on the Redemption Date the exchange of Redeemed Units for the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as the case may be, through a direct exchange of such Redeemed Units and the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as applicable, between the Redeeming Member and the Corporation (a “Direct Exchange”) (rather than contributing the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as the case may be, to the Company in accordance with Section 11.03 for purposes of the Company redeeming the Redeemed Units from the Redeeming Member in consideration of the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as applicable). Upon such Direct Exchange pursuant to this Section 11.04, the Corporation shall acquire the Redeemed Units and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Units.

(b) The Corporation may, at any time prior to a Redemption Date (including after delivery of an Election Notice pursuant to Section 11.01(b)), deliver written notice (an “Exchange Election Notice”) to the Company and the Redeeming Member setting forth its election to exercise its right to consummate a Direct Exchange; provided, that such election is subject to the limitations set forth in Section 11.01(b) and does not unreasonably prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. An Exchange Election Notice may be revoked by the Corporation at any time; provided, that any such revocation does not unreasonably prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. The right to consummate a Direct Exchange in all events shall be exercisable for all of the Redeemed Units that would have otherwise been subject to a Redemption.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by this Section 11.04, a Direct Exchange shall be consummated pursuant to the same timeframe as the relevant Redemption would have been consummated if the Corporation had not delivered an Exchange Election Notice and as follows:

 

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(i) the Redeeming Member shall transfer and surrender, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances (x) the Redeemed Units and (y) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable (together with any Corresponding Rights), equal to the number of Redeemed Units, to the extent applicable, in each case, to the Corporation;

(ii) the Corporation shall (x) pay to the Redeeming Member the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as applicable, (y) cancel and retire for no consideration the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable (together with any Corresponding Rights), that were Transferred to the Corporation pursuant to Section 11.04(c)(i)(y) above, and (z) to the extent the Redeeming Member holds certificated Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of shares of Class B Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, equal to the difference (if any) between the number of shares of Common Stock evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member and the Redeemed Units; and

(iii) the Company shall (x) register the Corporation as the owner of the Redeemed Units and (y) if the Common Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Common Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to Section 11.04(c)(i)(x) and the Redeemed Units, and issue to the Corporation a certificate for the number of Redeemed Units.

Section 11.05 Reservation of Shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock; Listing; Certificate of the Corporation. At all times the Corporation shall reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon a Share Settlement in connection with a Redemption or Direct Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable, as shall be issuable upon any such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange by delivery of purchased Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation), or by way of Cash Settlement. The Corporation shall deliver Class A Common Stock that has been registered under the Securities Act with respect to any Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent a registration statement is effective and available with respect to such shares. The Corporation shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon any such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange upon which the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are listed at the time of such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange (it being understood that any such shares may be subject to transfer restrictions under applicable securities Laws). The Corporation covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock, as applicable, issued in connection with a Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The provisions of this Article XI shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with any corresponding provisions of the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation (if any).

 

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Section 11.06 Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Direct Exchange. This Agreement shall continue notwithstanding the consummation of a Redemption or Direct Exchange by a Member and all rights set forth herein shall continue in effect with respect to the remaining Members and, to the extent the Redeeming Member has any remaining Units following such Redemption or Direct Exchange, the Redeeming Member. No Redemption or Direct Exchange shall relieve a Redeeming Member of any prior breach of this Agreement by such Redeeming Member.

Section 11.07 Tax Treatment.

(a) In connection with any Redemption or Direct Exchange, the Redeeming Member shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to deliver such form, deliver to the Manager or the Company, as applicable, a certificate, dated as of the Redemption Date, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Manager or the Company, as applicable, certifying as to such Redeeming Member’s taxpayer identification number and that such Redeeming Member is a not a foreign person for purposes of Section 1445 and Section 1446(f) of the Code (which certificate may be an IRS Form W-9 if then sufficient for such purposes under applicable Law) (such certificate a “Non-Foreign Person Certificate”). If a Redeeming Member is unable to provide a Non-Foreign Person Certificate in connection with a Redemption or a Direct Exchange, then (i) such Redeeming Member and the Company shall cooperate to provide any other certification or determination described in proposed Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1446(f)-2(b) and 1.1446(f)-2(c) or otherwise permitted under applicable Law at the time of such Redemption or Direct Exchange, and the Manager or the Company, as applicable, shall be permitted to withhold on the amount realized by such Redeeming Member in respect of such Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent required under in Section 1446(f) of the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder after taking into account the certificate or other determination provided pursuant this sentence and (ii) upon request and to the extent permitted under applicable Law, the Company shall deliver a certificate pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-11T(d)(2) certifying that fifty percent (50%) or more of the value of the gross assets of the Company does not consist of “U.S. real property interests” (as used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-11T), or that ninety percent (90%) or more of the value of the gross assets of the Company does not consist of “U.S. real property interests” plus “cash or cash equivalents” (as used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-11T); provided, that if the Company is not legally entitled to provide the certificate described in clause (ii), the Corporation shall be permitted to withhold on the amount realized by such Redeeming Member in respect of such Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent required under in Section 1445 of the Code and Treasury Regulations.

(b) Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that a Redemption or a Direct Exchange, as the case may be, shall be treated as a direct exchange of a Share Settlement or a Cash Settlement, as applicable, on the one hand, and the Redeemed Units, on the other hand, between the Corporation and the Redeeming Member for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes.

 

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ARTICLE XII.

ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

Section 12.01 Substituted Members. Subject to the provisions of Article X hereof, in connection with the Permitted Transfer of a Unit hereunder, the Permitted Transferee shall become a Substituted Member on the effective date of such Transfer, which effective date shall not be earlier than the date of compliance with the conditions to such Transfer, and such admission shall be shown on the books and records of the Company, including the Schedule of Members.

Section 12.02 Additional Members. Subject to the provisions of Article X hereof, any Person that is not a Member as of the Effective Date may be admitted to the Company as an additional Member (any such Person, an “Additional Member”) only upon furnishing to the Manager (a) duly executed Joinder and counterparts to any applicable Other Agreements and (b) such other documents or instruments as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to effect such Person’s admission as a Member (including entering into such documents as may reasonably be requested by the Manager). Such admission shall become effective on the date on which the Manager determines in its sole discretion that such conditions have been satisfied and when any such admission is shown on the books and records of the Company, including the Schedule of Members.

ARTICLE XIII.

WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION; TERMINATION OF RIGHTS

Section 13.01 Withdrawal and Resignation of Members. Except in the event of Transfers pursuant to Section 10.06 and the Manager’s right to resign pursuant to Section 6.03, no Member shall have the power or right to withdraw or otherwise resign as a Member from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article XIV. Any Member, however, that attempts to withdraw or otherwise resign as a Member from the Company without the prior written consent of the Manager upon or following the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article XIV, but prior to such Member receiving the full amount of Distributions from the Company to which such Member is entitled pursuant to Article XIV, shall be liable to the Company for all damages (including all lost profits and special, indirect and consequential damages) directly or indirectly caused by the withdrawal or resignation of such Member. Upon a Transfer of all of a Member’s Units in a Transfer permitted by this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Section 10.06, such Member shall cease to be a Member.

ARTICLE XIV.

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 14.01 Dissolution. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substituted Members or the attempted withdrawal, removal, dissolution, bankruptcy or resignation of a Member. The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

(a) the decision of the Manager together with the written approval of the Members holding at least 80% of the Units then outstanding to dissolve the Company (excluding for purposes of such calculation the Corporation and all Units held directly or indirectly by it);

 

53


(b) a dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801(a)(4) of the Delaware Act, unless the Company is continued without dissolution pursuant thereto; or

(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.

Except as otherwise set forth in this Article XIV, the Company is intended to have perpetual existence. An Event of Withdrawal shall not in and of itself cause a dissolution of the Company and the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, continue in existence subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 14.02 Winding Up. Subject to Section 14.05, on dissolution of the Company, the Manager shall act as liquidating trustee or may appoint one or more Persons as liquidating trustee (each such Person, a “Liquidator”). The Liquidators shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Delaware Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as an expense of the Company. Until final distribution, the Liquidators shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, continue to operate the properties of the Company with all of the power and authority of the Manager. The steps to be accomplished by the Liquidators are as follows:

(a) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final liquidation, the Liquidators shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities and operations through the last day of the calendar month in which the dissolution occurs or the final liquidation is completed, as applicable;

(b) the Liquidators shall pay, satisfy or discharge from the Company’s funds, or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including, without limitation, the establishment of a cash fund for contingent, conditional and unmatured liabilities in such amount and for such term as the Liquidators may reasonably determine) the following: first, all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company owed to creditors other than the Members, including all expenses incurred in connection with the liquidation and winding up of the Company; and second, all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company owed to the Members (other than any payments or distributions owed to such Members in their capacity as Members pursuant to this Agreement); and

(c) following satisfaction of the Company’s debts, liabilities and obligations pursuant to the foregoing Section 14.02(b), all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with Section 4.01(a)(i) by the end of the Taxable Year during which the liquidation of the Company occurs (or, if later, by ninety (90) days after the date of the liquidation).

The distribution of cash and/or property to the Members in accordance with the provisions of this Section 14.02 and Section 14.03 below shall constitute a complete return to the Members of their Capital Contributions, a complete distribution to the Members of their interest in the Company and all of the Company’s property and shall constitute a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the Delaware Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.

 

54


Section 14.03 Deferment; Distribution in Kind. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14.02, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if upon dissolution of the Company the Liquidators determine that an immediate sale of part or all of the Company’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss (or would otherwise not be beneficial) to the Members, the Liquidators may, in their sole discretion and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy the Company’s liabilities (other than loans to the Company by any Member(s)) and reserves. Subject to the order of priorities set forth in Section 14.02, the Liquidators may, with the written approval of (i) both the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties that are Members, at any time that the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties that are Members continue to hold a majority of the Units then outstanding (excluding in each case for purposes of such calculations the Corporation and all Units held directly or indirectly by it), and (ii) the Members holding a majority of the Units then outstanding, at any other time (excluding for purposes of such calculation the Corporation and all Units held directly or indirectly by it), distribute to the Members, in lieu of cash, either (a) all or any portion of such remaining assets in-kind of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.02(c), (b) as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.02(c), undivided interests in all or any portion of such assets of the Company or (c) a combination of the foregoing. Any such Distributions in-kind shall be subject to (y) such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such assets as the Liquidators deem reasonable and equitable and (z) the terms and conditions of any agreements governing such assets (or the operation thereof or the holders thereof) at such time. Any assets of the Company distributed in kind will first be written up or down to their Fair Market Value, thus creating Profit or Loss (if any), which shall be allocated in accordance with Article V. The Liquidators shall determine the Fair Market Value of any property distributed.

Section 14.04 Cancellation of Certificate. On completion of the winding up of the Company as provided herein, the Manager (or such other Person or Persons as the Delaware Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that should be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. The Company shall continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 14.04.

Section 14.05 Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Sections 14.02 and 14.03 in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.

Section 14.06 Return of Capital. The Liquidators shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Members (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from assets of the Company).

 

55


ARTICLE XV.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 15.01 Power of Attorney.

(a) Each Member hereby constitutes and appoints the Manager (or the Liquidator, if applicable) with full power of substitution, as his or her true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his, her or its name, place and stead, to:

(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) this Agreement, all certificates and other instruments and all amendments thereof which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify, or continue the qualification of, the Company as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own property; (B) all conveyances and other instruments or documents which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution, winding up and termination of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; and (C) all instruments relating to the admission, substitution or resignation of any Member pursuant to Article XII or XIII; and

(ii) sign, execute, swear to and acknowledge all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments appropriate or necessary, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, to evidence, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action which is made or given by the Members hereunder.

(b) The foregoing power of attorney coupled with an interest and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, is irrevocable, and shall survive the death, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of any Member and the transfer of all or any portion of his, her or its Units and shall extend to such Member’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.

Section 15.02 Confidentiality.

(a) Each of the Members (other than the Corporation) agrees to hold the Company’s Confidential Information in confidence and may not disclose or use such information except as otherwise authorized separately in writing by the Manager. “Confidential Information” as used herein includes all information concerning the Corporation, the Company or their Subsidiaries, in whatever form, whether written, electronic or oral, including, but not limited to, ideas, financial product structuring, business strategies, innovations and materials, all aspects of the Corporation’s and/or the Company’s business plan, proposed operation and products, corporate structure, financial and organizational information, analyses, proposed partners, software code and system and product designs, employees and their identities, equity ownership, the methods and means by which either the Corporation or the Company plans to conduct its business, all trade secrets, trademarks, tradenames and all intellectual property associated with the Corporation’s and/or Company’s business. With respect to each Member, Confidential Information does not include information or material that: (a) is, or becomes, generally available to the public other than as a direct or indirect result of a disclosure by such Member or its Affiliates or representatives; (b) is, or becomes, available to such Member from a source other than the Corporation, the Company or

 

56


their representatives, provided that such source is not, and was not, known to such Member to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or any other contractual, fiduciary or other legal obligation of confidentiality to, the Corporation, the Company or any of their Affiliates or representatives; (c) is approved for release by written authorization of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel of the Company or of the Corporation, or any other officer designated by the Manager; or (d) is or becomes independently developed by such Member or its respective representatives without use of or reference to the Confidential Information.

(b) Solely to the extent it is reasonably necessary or appropriate to fulfill its obligations or to exercise its rights under this Agreement, any Other Agreement or any other agreement to which such Member is party with the Corporation, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information to its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, members, directors, officers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents, on the condition that such Persons keep the Confidential Information confidential to the same extent as such Member is required to keep the Confidential Information confidential; provided, that such Member shall remain liable with respect to any breach of this Section 15.02 by any such Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, directors, officers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents (as if such Persons were party to this Agreement for purposes of this Section 15.02).

(c) Notwithstanding Section 15.02(a) or Section 15.02(b), each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information (i) to the extent that such Member is required by Law (by oral questions, interrogatories, request for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any of the Confidential Information or to regulatory authorities requesting information from such Member, (ii) for purposes of reporting to its stockholders and direct and indirect equity holders (each of whom are bound by customary confidentiality obligations) the performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries and for purposes of including applicable information in its financial statements to the extent required by applicable Law or applicable accounting standards; or (iii) to any bona fide prospective purchaser of the equity or assets of a Member, or the Units held by such Member, or a prospective merger partner of such Member (provided, that (i) such Persons will be informed by such Member of the confidential nature of such information and shall agree in writing to keep such information confidential in accordance with the contents of this Agreement and (ii) each Member will be liable for any breaches of this Section 15.02 by any such Persons (as if such Persons were party to this Agreement for purposes of this Section 15.02)). Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing in this Section 15.02 will restrict in any manner the ability of the Corporation to comply with its disclosure obligations under Law, and the extent to which any Confidential Information is necessary or desirable to disclose.

Section 15.03 Amendments. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended or modified upon the prior written consent of the Manager, together with the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Units then outstanding (excluding all Units held directly or indirectly by the Corporation). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification:

(a) to this Section 15.03 that would adversely affect the Members may be made without the prior written consent of the Manager and each of the Members;

 

57


(b) to any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, which terms and conditions expressly require the approval or action of certain Persons, may be made without obtaining the consent of the requisite number or specified percentage of such Persons who are entitled to approve or take action on such matter; and

(c) to any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement which would (A) reduce the amounts distributable to a Member pursuant to Articles IV and XIV in a manner that is not pro rata with respect to all Members, (B) increase the liabilities of such Member hereunder, (C) otherwise adversely affect in any material respect a holder of Units in a manner materially disproportionate to any other holder of Units (other than amendments, modifications and waivers necessary to implement the provisions of Article XII) or (D) adversely affect in any material respect the rights of any Member under Article XI, shall be effective against such affected Member or holder of Units, as the case may be, without the prior written consent of such Member or holder of Units, as the case may be.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Manager may make any amendment to this Agreement (i) of an administrative nature that is necessary in order to implement the substantive provisions hereof, without the consent of any other Member; provided, that any such amendment does not adversely change the rights of the Members hereunder in any respect, or (ii) to reflect any changes to the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock or the issuance of any other capital stock of the Corporation. The Manager shall deliver a copy of any amendment or modification to this Agreement that does not receive the consent of all Members promptly (but in any event within 30 days) after the effectiveness thereof to all Members that did not consent to such amendment or modification.

Section 15.04 Title to Company Assets. Company assets shall be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Member, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such assets of the Company or any portion thereof. The Company shall hold title to all of its property in the name of the Company and not in the name of any Member. All assets of the Company shall be recorded as the property of the Company on its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such assets is held. The Company’s credit and assets shall be used solely for the benefit of the Company, and no asset of the Company shall be transferred or encumbered for, or in payment of, any individual obligation of any Member.

Section 15.05 Addresses and Notices. All notices and other communications to be given to any party hereunder shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered by hand, courier or overnight delivery service, or when received in the form of an electronic transmission (receipt confirmation requested), and shall be directed to the address set forth, or at such address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the Company or the sending party.

To the Company:

Brilliant Earth, LLC

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, California 94108

(800) 691-0952

Attention: Alex K. Grab, General Counsel

Email: agrab@brilliantearth.com

 

58


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

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attn: Tad Freese, Haim Zaltzman, Kristen Grannis and Benjamin Cohen

Facsimile: (212) 906-1623

E-mail: tad.freese@lw.com, haim.zaltzman@lw.com, Kristen.grannis@lw.com and bemjamin.cohen@lw.com

To the Corporation:

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, California 94108

Telephone: (800) 691-0952

Attn: Alex K. Grab, General Counsel

E-mail: agrab@brilliantearth.com

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attn: Tad Freese, Haim Zaltzman, Kristen Grannis and Benjamin Cohen

Facsimile: (212) 906-1623

E-mail: tad.freese@lw.com, haim.zaltzman@lw.com, Kristen.grannis@lw.com and bemjamin.cohen@lw.com

To the Members, as set forth on Schedule 2.

Section 15.06 Binding Effect; Intended Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 15.07 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company (other than Indemnified Persons) or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in Profits, Losses, Distributions, capital or property of the Company other than as a secured creditor.

Section 15.08 Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

59


Section 15.09 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which will be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement binding on all the parties hereto.

Section 15.10 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any suit, dispute, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement shall be heard in the state or federal courts of the State of Delaware, and the parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT) AND SHALL HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 15.05 (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT), TOGETHER WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH SERVICE TO SUCH PARTY, SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY.

Section 15.11 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

Section 15.12 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 15.13 Execution and Delivery by Electronic Signature and Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement or contemplated hereby or entered into by the Company in accordance herewith, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of an electronic signature and/or electronic transmission, including by a facsimile machine or via email, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of

 

60


electronic signature or electronic transmission to execute and/or deliver a document or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through such electronic transmission as a defense to the formation of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

Section 15.14 Right of Offset. Whenever the Company or the Corporation is to pay any sum (other than pursuant to Article IV) to any Member, any amounts that such Member owes to the Company or the Corporation which are not the subject of a good faith dispute may be deducted from that sum before payment. For the avoidance of doubt, the distribution of Units to the Corporation shall not be subject to this Section 15.14.

Section 15.15 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, those documents expressly referred to herein (including the Registration Rights Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement), any indemnity agreements entered into in connection with the Original LLC Agreement with any member of the board of directors at that time and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way. For the avoidance of doubt, the Original LLC Agreement is superseded in its entirety by this Agreement as of the Effective Date and shall be of no further force and effect thereafter, except to the extent reference thereto is contemplated in this Agreement, and only for such limited purposes as stated herein.

Section 15.16 Remedies. Each Member shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Person has under any Law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by Law.

Section 15.17 Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, no amendment or other modification to any agreement, document or instrument that requires the consent of any Person pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement will be given effect hereunder unless such Person has consented in writing to such amendment or modification. Wherever required by the context, references to a Fiscal Year shall refer to a portion thereof. The use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive. Each of the parties hereto agrees that they have been represented by independent counsel of its own choice during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the parties hereto and their counsel have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.

COMPANY:

 

BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

Name:   Beth Gerstein
Title: Chief Executive Officer

MANAGER:

 

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

Name:   Beth Gerstein
Title: Chief Executive Officer

MEMBERS:

 

JUST ROCKS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Eric Grossberg

Name:   Eric Grossberg
Title: President
MAINSAIL PARTNERS III, L.P.
By: Mainsail GP III, LLC, its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Gavin Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title: Managing Director
MAINSAIL INCENTIVE PROGRAM, LLC
By: Mainsail Management Company, LLC, its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Gavin Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


MAINSAIL CO-INVESTORS III, L.P.
By: Mainsail GP III, LLC, its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Gavin Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title: Managing Director
RUNWAY GROWTH FINANCE CORP.
By:  

/s/ David Spreng

Name:   David Spreng
Title: Chief Executive Officer
By:  

/s/ Jaimie Vycital

Name:   Jaimie Vycital
By:  

/s/ Sharon Dziesientnik

Name:   Sharon Dziesienik
By:  

/s/ Jeff Kuo

Name:   Jeff Kuo
THE ALPHA ECHO FAMILY PROTECTION TRUST
By:  

/s/ Jeffrey C. Kuo

Name:   Jeffrey C. Kuo
Title: Trustee
THE BETA ECHO FAMILY PROTECTION TRUST
By:  

/s/ Jeffrey C. Kuo

Name:   Jeffrey C. Kuo
Title: Trustee
By:  

/s/ Jaime Yas

Name:   Jaime Yas
By:  

/s/ Ryan Atlas

Name:   Ryan Atlas

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


By:  

/s/ Tim Sullivan

Name:   Tim Sullivan
By:  

/s/ Audrey Brooks

Name:   Audrey Brooks
By:  

/s/ Johanna Gautier

Name:   Johanna Gautier
By:  

/s/ Ryan O’Connor

Name:   Ryan O’Connor
By:  

/s/ Lisa Perlmutter

Name:   Lisa Perlmutter
By:  

/s/ Samantha Boots

Name:   Samantha Boots
By:  

/s/ Beth Kaplan

Name:   Beth Kaplan
By:  

/s/ Jennifer Harris

Name:   Jennifer Harris
By:  

/s/ Doug Leeds

Name:   Doug Leeds
By:  

/s/ Attica Jaques

Name:   Attica Jaques
By:  

/s/ Ian Bickley

Name:   Ian Bickley
By:  

/s/ Zachary Kramer

Name:   Zachary Kramer
By:  

/s/ Alex Grab

Name:   Alex Grab
By:  

/s/ Chee Lee

Name:   Chee Lee

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


By:  

/s/ Ravindra Sunku

Name:   Ravindra Sunku
By:  

/s/ Nitin Dhariwal

Name:   Nitin Dhariwal
By:  

/s/ Al Davis

Name:   Al Davis

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


SCHEDULE 1

SCHEDULE OF PRE-IPO MEMBERS

 

Member

   Class F Units      Class P Units      Class M Units  

Just Rocks, Inc.

        

Mainsail Partners III, L.P.

        

Mainsail Co-Investors III, L.P.

        

Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC

        

Runway Growth Finance Corp.

        

Al Davis

        

Alexis Grab

        

Attica Jaques

        

Audrey Brooks

        

Beth Kaplan

        

Bianca Avanceña

        

Bradley Perez

        

Carrie George

        

Chee Lee

        

Colin Bourland

        

Doug Leeds

        

Emily McCallon

        

Ian Bickley

        

Jaime Yas

        

Jaimie Vycital

        

Jeff Kuo

        


Member

   Class F Units      Class P Units      Class M Units  

Alpha Echo Family Protection Trust

        

Beta Echo Family Protection Trust

        

Jennifer Chen

        

Jennifer Harris

        

Jill Seiler

        

Johanna Gautier

        

Kathryn Money

        

Kimberly Garcia

        

Kristina Simonsen

        

Kyle White

        

Leah Wetterling

        

Lisa Perlmutter

        

Loriana Di Gino

        

Mary Franke

        

Mary Patricia Chmiel

        

Maxwell Miller

        

Minji Kim

        

Nitin Dhariwal

        

Omar Portigliatti

        

Rachel Flaata

        

Ravindra Sunku

        

Ryan Atlas

        

Ryan O’Connor

        


Member

   Class F Units      Class P Units      Class M Units  

Samantha Boots

        

Sejal Karavadia

        

Shalini Jain

        

Sharon Dziesietnik

        

Tim Sullivan

        

Vanessa Chang

        

Victoria Leeds

        

Victoria Ringquist

        

Zachary Kramer

        


SCHEDULE 2*

SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS

 

Member

   Common Units
(Vested)
     Common Units
(Unvested)
 

1. Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

     

2. Just Rocks, Inc.

     

3. Mainsail Partners III, L.P.

     

4. Mainsail Co-Investors III, L.P.

     

5. Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC

     

6. Runway Growth Finance Corp.

     

7. Emily McCallon

     

8. Jaimie Vycital

     

9. Sharon Dziesietnik

     

10. Kathryn Money

     

11. Jeff Kuo

     

12. Alpha Echo Family Protection Trust

     

13. Beta Echo Family Protection Trust

     

14. Jaime Yas

     


Member

   Common Units
(Vested)
     Common Units
(Unvested)
 

15. Kristina Simonsen

     

16. Ryan Atlas

     

17. Tim Sullivan

     

18. Carrie George

     

19. Audrey Brooks

     

20. Johanna Gautier

     

21. Ryan O’Connor

     

22. Lisa Perlmutter

     

23. Samantha Boots

     

24. Beth Kaplan

     

25. Jennifer Harris

     

26. Doug Leeds

     

27. Attica Jaques

     

28. Ian Bickley

     

29. Zachary Kramer

     

30. Alexis Grab

     


Member

   Common Units
(Vested)
     Common Units
(Unvested)
 

31. Chee Lee

     

32. Ravindra Sunku

     

33. Nitin Dhariwal

     

34. Al Davis

     

 

*

This Schedule of Members shall be updated from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, including to reflect any adjustment with respect to any subdivision (by Unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse Unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units, or to reflect any additional issuances of Units pursuant to this Agreement.


Exhibit A

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

This JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of _________________, 20___ (this “Joinder”), is delivered pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of [ • ], 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”) by and among the Company, Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole managing member of the Company (the “Corporation”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

  1.

Joinder to the LLC Agreement. Upon the execution of this Joinder by the undersigned and delivery hereof to the Corporation, the undersigned hereby is and hereafter will be a Member under the LLC Agreement and a party thereto, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Member thereunder. The undersigned hereby agrees that it shall comply with and be fully bound by the terms of the LLC Agreement as if it had been a signatory thereto as of the date thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that it has received a copy of the LLC Agreement and has reviewed the same and understands its contents.

 

  2.

Incorporation by Reference. All terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in this Joinder as if set forth herein in full.

 

  3.

Address. All notices under the LLC Agreement to the undersigned shall be direct to:

[Name]

[Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

Attn:

Facsimile:

E-mail:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Joinder as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW MEMBER]
By:                                                                                                  
Name:
Title:


Acknowledged and agreed as of the date first set forth above:
BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC
By: BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC., its Managing Member
By:                                                                                            
Name:
Title:


Exhibit B-1

FORM OF AGREEMENT AND CONSENT OF SPOUSE

The undersigned spouse of _____________________________ (the “Member”), a party to that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of [ • ], 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) by and among the Company, Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole managing member of the Company, and each of the Members from time to time party thereto (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Agreement), acknowledges on his or her own behalf that:

I have read the Agreement and understand its contents. I acknowledge and understand that under the Agreement, any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in the Units owned by the Member is subject to the terms of the Agreement, which include certain restrictions on Transfer.

I hereby consent to and approve the Agreement. I agree that said Units and any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in such Units are subject to the provisions of the Agreement and that I will take no action at any time to hinder operation of the Agreement on said Units or any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in said Units.

I hereby acknowledge that the meaning and legal consequences of the Agreement have been explained fully to me and are understood by me, and that I am signing this Agreement and consent without any duress and of free will.

Dated: _____________________________

 

[NAME OF SPOUSE]
By:                                                                                                  
Name:


Exhibit B-2

FORM OF SPOUSE’S CONFIRMATION OF SEPARATE PROPERTY

I, the undersigned, the spouse of _____________________________ (the “Member”), who is a party to that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of [ • ], 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) by and among the Company, Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole managing member of the Company, and each of the Members from time to time party thereto (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Agreement), acknowledge and confirm that the Units owned by said Member are the sole and separate property of said Member, and I hereby disclaim any interest in same.

I hereby acknowledge that the meaning and legal consequences of this Member’s spouse’s confirmation of separate property have been fully explained to me and are understood by me, and that I am signing this Member’s spouse’s confirmation of separate property without any duress and of free will.

Dated: _____________________________

 

[NAME OF SPOUSE]
By:                                                                                                  
Name:
EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

by and among

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.

BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC

and

THE MEMBERS OF BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC

FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

Dated as September 22, 2021

 

 

 


CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I Definitions

     2  

Section 1.1.

  Definitions      2  

Section 1.2.

  Rules of Construction      11  

ARTICLE II Determination of Realized Tax Benefit

     12  

Section 2.1.

  Basis Adjustments; LLC 754 Election      12  

Section 2.2.

  Basis Schedules      13  

Section 2.3.

  Tax Benefit Schedules      13  

Section 2.4.

  Procedures; Amendments      14  

ARTICLE III Tax Benefit Payments

     15  

Section 3.1.

  Timing and Amount of Tax Benefit Payments      15  

Section 3.2.

  No Duplicative Payments      17  

Section 3.3.

  Pro-Ration of Payments as Between the Members      17  

Section 3.4.

  Overpayments      18  

Section 3.5.

  Optional Estimated Tax Benefit Payment Procedure      18  

ARTICLE IV Termination

     19  

Section 4.1.

  Early Termination of Agreement; Acceleration Events      19  

Section 4.2.

  Early Termination Notice      21  

Section 4.3.

  Payment upon Early Termination      21  

ARTICLE V Subordination and Late Payments

     22  

Section 5.1.

  Subordination      22  

Section 5.2.

  Late Payments by the Corporation      22  

ARTICLE VI Tax Matters; Consistency; Cooperation

     22  

Section 6.1.

  Participation in the Corporation’s and the LLC’s Tax Matters      22  

Section 6.2.

  Consistency      23  

Section 6.3.

  Cooperation      23  

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

     24  

Section 7.1.

  Notices      24  

Section 7.2.

  Counterparts      25  

Section 7.3.

  Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries      26  

Section 7.4.

  Severability      26  

Section 7.5.

  Assignments; Amendments; Successors; No Waiver      26  

Section 7.6.

  Titles and Subtitles      27  


Section 7.7.

  Resolution of Disputes; Governing Law      27  

Section 7.8.

  Reconciliation Procedures      28  

Section 7.9.

  Withholding      29  

Section 7.10.

  Admission of the Corporation into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets      29  

Section 7.11.

  Confidentiality      30  

Section 7.12.

  Change in Law      30  

Section 7.13.

  Interest Rate Limitation      31  

Section 7.14.

  Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations      31  

Section 7.15.

  LLC Agreement      31  

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A     —       

Form of Joinder Agreement

 


TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of September 22, 2021, is hereby entered into by and among Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC”), and each of the Members (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

WHEREAS, each of the members of the LLC as of the date hereof own membership interests in the LLC in the form of Units (as defined herein) (such members (other than the Corporation), together with each other Person who becomes party hereto by satisfying the Joinder Requirement, the “Members”);

WHEREAS, the Corporation is the sole managing member of the LLC;

WHEREAS, the Corporation will issue 8,333,333 shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) to certain purchasers in an initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock (the “IPO”);

WHEREAS, the Corporation will use a portion of the net proceeds from the IPO to acquire (i) newly issued Units directly from the LLC, which proceeds will be used by the LLC for general company purposes and (ii) certain Units held by the Members from such Members (the “IPO Unit Purchase”);

WHEREAS, the Operating Agreement (as defined herein) provides each Member a redemption right pursuant to which each Member may cause the LLC to redeem all or a portion of its Units from time to time for shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock or, at the Corporation’s option, cash (a “Redemption”), subject to the Corporation’s right, in its sole discretion, to elect to effect a direct exchange of cash or shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock for such Units between the Corporation and the applicable Member in lieu of such a Redemption (a “Direct Exchange”);

WHEREAS, the LLC and each of its Subsidiaries (as defined herein) that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (as defined herein) for the Taxable Year (as defined herein) in which any Exchange (as defined herein) occurs, which election will cause any such Exchange to result in an adjustment to the Corporation’s proportionate share of the tax basis of the assets owned by the LLC or certain of its Subsidiaries; and

WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to provide for certain payments and make certain arrangements with respect to any tax benefits to be derived by the Corporation as the result of Exchanges and the making of payments under this Agreement.


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to (i) the singular and plural, (ii) the active and passive and (iii) for defined terms that are nouns, the verbified forms of the terms defined).

Actual Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for Covered Taxes of the Corporation (a) appearing on Tax Returns of the Corporation filed for such Taxable Year or (b) if applicable, determined in accordance with a Determination; provided, that for purposes of determining Actual Tax Liability (including the federal benefit relating to state and local Covered Taxes), the Corporation shall use the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate for purposes of determining liabilities for all U.S. state and local Covered Taxes.

Advisory Firm” means an accounting firm that is nationally recognized as being expert in Covered Tax matters, selected by the Corporation.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.

Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Agreement” is defined in the preamble.

Amended Schedule” is defined in Section 2.4(a).

Amount Realized” means, with respect to any Exchange at any time, the sum of (i) the Market Values of the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock or the amount of cash (as applicable) transferred to a Member pursuant to such Exchange, (ii) the amount of payments made pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Exchange (but excluding any portions thereof attributable to Imputed Interest) and (iii) the amount of liabilities allocated to the Units acquired pursuant to the Exchange under Section 752 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Assumed State and Local Tax Rate” means the tax rate equal to the sum of the products of (x) the Corporation’s income tax apportionment factor for each state and local jurisdiction in which the Corporation files income or franchise tax returns for the relevant Taxable Year and (y) the highest corporate income and franchise tax rate for each such state and local jurisdiction in which the Corporation files income tax returns for each relevant Taxable Year.

 

2


Attributable” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(i).

Audit Committee” means the audit committee of the Board.

Basis Adjustment” means the increase or decrease to, or the Corporation’s proportionate share of, the tax basis of the Reference Assets under Section 732, 734(b), 743(b), 754, 755 or 1012 of the Code, in each case, or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, as a result of any Exchange or any payment made under this Agreement. For purposes of determining the Corporation’s proportionate share of the tax basis of the Reference Assets with respect to the Units transferred in an Exchange under Treasury Regulations Section 1.743-1(b) (or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law), the consideration deemed paid by the Corporation for such Units shall be the Amount Realized. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more Units is to be determined as if any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such Units had not occurred, and, further, payments under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest.

Basis Schedule” is defined in Section 2.2.

Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to any security, a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security, or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.

Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banks located in New York City, New York generally are authorized or required by Law to close.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the Beneficial Owner of securities of the Corporation representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities;

(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Corporation then serving: individuals who, on the date the IPO is consummated, constitute the Board and any new director whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date the IPO is consummated or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (ii);

 

3


(iii) (A) the shareholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or (B) there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (including a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the LLC), other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to an entity at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporation immediately prior to such sale or other disposition;

(iv) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (A) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof or (B) the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or

(v) the Corporation ceases to be the sole managing member of the LLC.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which (a) the record holders of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock, preferred stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation (if any) immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions or (b) in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) or (iv), either the Mainsail Related Parties or the Just Rocks Related Parties are the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock, Class D Common Stock, preferred stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation (if any) representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote (or, in the case of a transaction described in the foregoing clause (iv), more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof).

Class A Common Stock” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

4


Class B Common Stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class C Common Stock” means the shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Class D Common Stock” means the shares of Class D common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Control” means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Corporation” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

Covered Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.3(a) of this Agreement.

Covered Taxes” means any U.S. federal, state and local taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits and any interest imposed in respect thereof under applicable Law.

Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(iii).

Default Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points.

Default Rate Interest” is defined in Section 5.2.

Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for tax.

Direct Exchange” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

Early Termination Effective Date” means (i) with respect to an early termination pursuant to Section 4.1(a), the date an Early Termination Notice is delivered, (ii) with respect to an early termination pursuant to Section 4.1(b), the date of the applicable Change of Control and (iii) with respect to an early termination pursuant to Section 4.1(c), the date of the applicable Material Breach.

Early Termination Notice” is defined in Section 4.2(a).

Early Termination Payment” is defined in Section 4.3(b).

Early Termination Reference Date” is defined in Section 4.2(b).

Early Termination Schedule” is defined in Section 4.2(b).

 

5


Exchange” means any (i) Direct Exchange, (ii) Redemption, (iii) IPO Unit Purchase, (iv) other purchase (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of Units by the Corporation (including a purchase by the LLC deemed or treated as a purchase by the Corporation under Section 707(a) of the Code) from a Member that results in a Basis Adjustment or (v) distribution (including a deemed distribution) by the LLC to a Member that results in a Basis Adjustment.

Exchange Act” means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.

Exchange Date” means the date of any Exchange.

Expert” is defined in Section 7.8(a).

Final Payment Date” means any date on which a Payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement. The Final Payment Date in respect of (i) a Tax Benefit Payment is determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) and (ii) an Early Termination Payment is determined pursuant to Section 4.3(a).

Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the hypothetical liability of the Corporation that would arise in respect of Covered Taxes, using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used in computing the Actual Tax Liability but (i) calculating depreciation, amortization or other similar deductions, or otherwise calculating any items of income, gain or loss, using the Corporation’s proportionate share of the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis as reflected on the Basis Schedule, including amendments thereto, for such Taxable Year and (ii) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts, or Default Rate Interest for such Taxable Year; provided, that for purposes of determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability, the combined tax rate for U.S. state and local Covered Taxes (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, federal Covered Taxes) shall be the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate. For the avoidance of doubt, the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to any of the items described in clauses (i) or (ii) of the previous sentence.

Imputed Interest” means any interest imputed under Section 483, 1272 or 1274 or any other provision of the Code or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law with respect to the Corporation’s payment obligations under this Agreement.

Independent Directors” means the members of the Board who are “independent” under applicable Laws and the standards of the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is traded or quoted.

Interest Amount” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(vi).

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

6


Joinder” means a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement.

Joinder Requirement” is defined in Section 7.5(a).

Just Rocks” means Just Rocks, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Just Rocks Related Parties” means Just Rocks, Beth Gerstein, Eric Grossberg, The Eric S. Grossberg 2021 Annuity Trust, The Beth T. Gerstein 2021 Annuity Trust, The Sutton-Gerstein Family Trust, The Eric S. Grossberg Revocable Trust, and The Alexander M. Sutton 2021 Annuity Trust and their respective Affiliates.

Just Rocks Representative” means Just Rocks or another Just Rocks Related Party designated in writing by the existing Just Rocks Representative to the Corporation and the LLC.

Law” means all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations of the U.S., any foreign country and each state, commonwealth, city, county, municipality, regulatory or self-regulatory body, agency or other political subdivision thereof.

LIBOR” means, during any period, the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by the Corporation as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (an “Alternate Source”), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such period (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any LIBOR Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Corporation at such time, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided, that at no time shall LIBOR be less than 0%. If the Corporation has made the determination (such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) LIBOR is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars or (ii) the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of LIBOR has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars, then the Corporation shall (as determined by the Corporation to be consistent with market practice generally), establish a replacement interest rate (the “Replacement Rate”), in which case, the Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace LIBOR for all purposes under this Agreement. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this Agreement shall be amended solely with the consent of the Corporation and the LLC, as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Corporation, to effect the provisions of this section. The Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Corporation, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by the Corporation in a manner consistent with the purposes and use of LIBOR in this Agreement.

 

7


LLC” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

LLC Group” means the LLC and each of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for applicable tax purposes (but excluding any such Subsidiary that is directly or indirectly held by any entity treated as a corporation for applicable tax purposes (other than the Corporation)).

Mainsail Related Parties” means Mainsail Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC, and Mainsail Co-Investors III, L.P. and their Affiliates.

Mainsail Representative” means Mainsail Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership or another Mainsail Related Party designated in writing by the existing Mainsail Representative to the Corporation and the LLC.

Market Value” means the Common Unit Redemption Price, as defined in the Operating Agreement.

Material Breach” means the (i) material breach by the Corporation of a material obligation under this Agreement that cannot be cured or has not been cured within twenty (20) Business Days after the Corporation receives notice thereof from any Member or (ii) the rejection of this Agreement by operation of law in a case commenced in bankruptcy or otherwise.

Members” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

Net Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(ii).

Non-Adjusted Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.

Objection Notice” is defined in Section 2.4(a)(ii).

Operating Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the LLC, dated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Parties” means the parties named on the signature pages to this agreement and each additional party that satisfies the Joinder Requirement, in each case with their respective successors and assigns.

Payment” means any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment and in each case, unless otherwise specified, refers to the entire amount of such Payment or any portion thereof.

 

8


Permitted Transfer” means the transfer of Units by a holder of Units to any transferee as permitted by the Operating Agreement.

Permitted Transferee” means a holder of Units pursuant to a Permitted Transfer.

Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

Pre-Exchange Transfer” means any transfer of one or more Units (including upon the death of a Member) (i) that occurs after the IPO but prior to an Exchange of such Units and (ii) to which Section 743(b) of the Code applies.

Realized Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(iv).

Realized Tax Detriment” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(v).

Reconciliation Dispute” is defined in Section 7.8(a).

Reconciliation Procedures” is defined in Section 7.8(a).

Redemption” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

Reference Asset” means any tangible or intangible asset of any member of the LLC Group at the time of an Exchange. A Reference Asset also includes any asset the tax basis of which is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the tax basis of an asset that is described in the preceding sentence, including any “substituted basis property” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.

Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Basis Schedule, (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule, and (iii) an Early Termination Schedule and, in each case, any amendments thereto.

Senior Obligations” is defined in Section 5.1.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person and as of any determination date, any other Person as to which such first Person (i) owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls, more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests of such other Person or (ii) is the sole general partner interest, or managing member or similar interest, of such other Person.

Subsidiary Stock” means any stock or other equity interest in any Subsidiary of the Corporation that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Tax Benefit Payment” is defined in Section 3.1(b).

Tax Benefit Schedule” is defined in Section 2.3(a).

 

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Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with respect to taxes (including any schedules or other attachments thereto), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated tax.

Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporation as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or any comparable provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, as applicable (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than 12 months for which a Tax Return is filed), ending on or after the date of the Effective Time.

Taxing Authority” means any national, federal, state, county, municipal or local government, or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body, or any other authority of any kind, exercising regulatory or other authority in relation to tax matters.

Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and (to the extent they can be relied upon) proposed regulations under the Code, as promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) and as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

U.S.” means the United States of America.

Units” means Common Units, as defined in the Operating Agreement.

Valuation Assumptions” means, as of an Early Termination Effective Date, the assumptions that:

(i) subject to clause (ii) below, in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Effective Date, the Corporation will have taxable income sufficient to fully use the deductions arising from the Basis Adjustments and the Imputed Interest during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available;

(ii) the U.S. federal income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other applicable Law as in effect on the Early Termination Effective Date, except to the extent any change to such tax rates for such Taxable Year have already been enacted into Law and the taxable income of the Corporation will be subject to such maximum applicable tax rates for each Covered Tax; provided that, the combined U.S. state and local income tax rates shall be the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate applicable to the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Effective Date;

 

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(iii) any loss carryovers or carrybacks (without duplication) generated by any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest (including any such Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest generated as a result of payments made or deemed to be made under this Agreement) and available (taking into account any known and applicable limitations) as of the Early Termination Effective Date will be used by the Corporation ratably from such Early Termination Effective Date through (A) the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers (if any) or (B) if there is no such scheduled expiration, then the Taxable Year that includes the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Early Termination Effective Date (by way of example, if on the Early Termination Effective Date the Corporation had $100 of net operating losses that is scheduled to expire in 10 years, $10 of such net operating losses would be used in each of the 10 consecutive Taxable Years beginning in the Taxable Year that includes such Early Termination Effective Date);

(iv) any non-amortizable assets (other than Subsidiary Stock) will be disposed of on the fifteenth (15th) anniversary of the later of (i) the applicable Exchange giving rise to a Basis Adjustment with respect to such assets and (ii) the Early Termination Effective Date;

(v) any Subsidiary Stock will be deemed never to be disposed of except if Subsidiary Stock is directly disposed of in the Change of Control;

(vi) if, on the Early Termination Effective Date, any Member has Units that have not been Exchanged, then such Units shall be deemed to be Exchanged for the Market Value of the shares of Class A Common Stock (or Class D Common Stock, the Market Value of which shall be deemed equal to that of Class A Common Stock for this purpose) or the amount of cash that would be received by such Member, whichever is lower, had such Units actually been Exchanged on the Early Termination Effective Date; and

(vii) any future payment obligations pursuant to this Agreement will be satisfied on the date that any Tax Return to which any such payment obligation relates is required to be filed, excluding any extensions.

Voluntary Early Termination” is defined in Section 4.2(a).

Section 1.2. Rules of Construction. Unless otherwise specified herein:

(a) For purposes of interpretation of this Agreement:

(i) The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

(ii) Unless specified otherwise, references to an Article, Section or clause refer to the appropriate Article, Section or clause in this Agreement.

(iii) References to dollars or “$” refer to the lawful currency of the U.S.

(iv) The terms “include” or “including” are by way of example and not limitation and shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation”.

 

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(v) The term “or”, when used in a list of two or more items, means “and/or” and may indicate any combination of the items.

(vi) The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.

(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(c) Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references to organizational documents (including the Operating Agreement), agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual instruments means such organization documents, agreements and other contractual instruments as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof, and (ii) references to any Law (including the Code and the Treasury Regulations) include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

ARTICLE II

Determination of Realized Tax Benefit

Section 2.1. Basis Adjustments; LLC 754 Election.

(a) Basis Adjustments. The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) each Redemption using cash, Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock contributed to the LLC by the Corporation shall be treated as a direct purchase of Units by the Corporation from the applicable Member pursuant to Section 707(a)(2)(B) of the Code (or any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local tax Law) (i.e., equivalent to a Direct Exchange) and (ii) each Exchange will give rise to Basis Adjustments. For the avoidance of doubt, payments made under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent that such payments are treated as deductible interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes or as other than consideration for Units for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(b) LLC Section 754 Election. In its capacity as the Manager (as defined in the Operating Agreement), the Corporation shall cause the LLC and each of its Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (or any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local tax Law) for each Taxable Year in which an Exchange occurs and with respect to which the Corporation has obligations under this Agreement, including for the Taxable Year that includes the date hereof. The Corporation shall take commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Person in which the LLC owns a direct or indirect equity interest (other than a Subsidiary) that is so treated as a partnership to have in effect any such election for each Taxable Year.

 

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Section 2.2. Basis Schedules. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for each relevant Taxable Year, the Corporation shall deliver to the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative a schedule showing, in reasonable detail as necessary in order to understand and as necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, (a) the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis of the Reference Assets as of each applicable Exchange Date, (b) the Basis Adjustments to the Reference Assets for such Taxable Year, (c) the periods over which the Reference Assets are amortizable or depreciable and (d) the period over which each Basis Adjustment is amortizable or depreciable (such schedule, a “Basis Schedule”). A Basis Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a) and may be amended by the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Section 2.3. Tax Benefit Schedules.

(a) Tax Benefit Schedule. Within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, the Corporation shall provide to the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). For the avoidance of doubt, any Tax Benefit Schedule shall include the applied Assumed State and Local Tax Rate and describe any basis for any change in the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate from the rate specified herein. A Tax Benefit Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a) and may be amended by the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a).

(b) Applicable Principles. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the actual liability of the Corporation for Covered Taxes for such Taxable Year attributable to the Basis Adjustments, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts and Default Rate Interest as determined using a “with and without” methodology described in Section 2.4(a). Carryovers or carrybacks of any tax item attributable to any Basis Adjustment, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts, and Default Rate Interest shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, and the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local tax Law, governing the use, limitation or expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any tax item includes a portion that is attributable to a Basis Adjustment, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amounts and Default Interest (a “TRA Portion”) and another portion that is not (a “Non-TRA Portion”), such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology so that the amount of any Non-TRA Portion is deemed utilized first, followed by the amount of any TRA Portion (with the TRA Portion being applied on a proportionate basis consistent with the provisions of Section 3.3(a)) and (ii) in the case of a carryback of a Non-TRA Portion, such carryback shall not affect the original “with and without” calculation made in the prior Taxable Year. The Parties agree that all Tax Benefit Payments attributable to an Exchange will, to the extent permitted by applicable Law (A) be treated as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments with respect to the relevant Units purchased by the Corporation from the applicable Members and (B) give rise to further Basis Adjustments for the Corporation in the year of payment, and as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the calculations contemplated hereunder for such Taxable Year and into future Taxable Years, as appropriate, continuing until any incremental Basis Adjustments are immaterial as reasonably determined by the Corporation, the Just Rocks Representative, and the Mainsail Representative.

 

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Section 2.4. Procedures; Amendments.

(a) Procedures. Each time the Corporation delivers a Schedule to the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.4(b), the Corporation shall, with respect to such Schedule, also (i) deliver supporting schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative, that provide a reasonable level of detail regarding relevant data and calculations that were relevant for purposes of preparing the Schedule and (ii) allow the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative and their respective advisors to have reasonable access to the appropriate representatives, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative, at the Corporation or at the Advisory Firm in connection with a review of relevant information. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall ensure that any Tax Benefit Schedule that is delivered to the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative, along with any supporting schedules and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculations of the Actual Tax Liability for the relevant Taxable Year (the “with” calculation) and the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year (the “without” calculation), and identifies any material assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. A Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties thirty (30) calendar days from the date on which the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative first received the applicable Schedule unless the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative, within such period, provides the Corporation with written notice of a material objection (made in good faith) to such Schedule and sets forth in reasonable detail the material objection(s) (an “Objection Notice”) or each of the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative provides a written waiver to the Corporation of its right to give an Objective Notice within such period, in which case such Schedule becomes final and binding on the date the Corporation has received waivers from each of the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative. If the Parties, for any reason, are unable to resolve the issues raised in such Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Corporation of the Objection Notice, the Corporation and the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative, as applicable, shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures described in Section 7.8 and the finalization of the Schedule will be conducted in accordance therewith.

(b) Amended Schedule. A Schedule (other than an Early Termination Schedule) for any Taxable Year may only and shall be amended from time to time by the Corporation (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct inaccuracies in such Schedule, including those identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date such Schedule was originally provided to the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative, (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a change in the

 

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Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryover or carryback of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year, or (vi) to adjust an applicable Basis Schedule to take into account any Tax Benefit Payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule in its amended form, an “Amended Schedule”). The Corporation shall provide any Amended Schedule to the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative when the Corporation delivers the next Basis Schedule after the occurrence of an event described in clauses (i) through (vi) (or, in the sole discretion of the Corporation, at an earlier date), and the delivery and finalization of any such Amended Schedule shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to the procedures described in Section 2.4(a). In the event a Schedule is amended after such Schedule becomes final pursuant to Section 2.4(a) or, if applicable, Section 7.8, the Amended Schedule shall be taken into account in calculating the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit for the Taxable Year in which the amendment actually occurs; provided, that with respect to any Amended Schedule relating to an event described in clauses (ii), (iii) and (v), such calculation shall compute the Interest Amount in accordance with Section 3.1(b)(vi), and with respect to all Amended Schedules, the Final Payment Date for purposes of computing the Interest Amount and any Default Rate Interest shall be five (5) Business Days following the date on which such Amended Schedule becomes final in accordance with Section 2.4(a).

ARTICLE III

Tax Benefit Payments

Section 3.1. Timing and Amount of Tax Benefit Payments.

(a) Timing of Payments. Subject to Sections 3.2 and 3.3, by the date that is ten (10) Business Days following the date on which each Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule becomes final in accordance with Section 2.4(a) or Section 7.8, if applicable (such date, the “Final Payment Date” in respect of any Tax Benefit Payment), the Corporation shall pay in full to each relevant Member the Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b) for the applicable Taxable Year. Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer or other electronic payment method of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by such Member. Without limiting the Corporation’s ability to make offsets against Tax Benefit Payments to the extent permitted under Section 3.4 or Section 7.8, no Member shall be required under any circumstances to return any Payment or any Default Rate Interest paid by the Corporation to such Member.

(b) Amount of Payments. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Tax Benefit Payment” with respect to any Member means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of the Net Tax Benefit that is Attributable to such Member and the Interest Amount. No Tax Benefit Payment shall be calculated or made in respect of any estimated tax payments, including any estimated U.S. federal income tax payments.

(i) Attributable. A Net Tax Benefit is “Attributable” to a Member to the extent that it is derived from any Basis Adjustment, Imputed Interest, Actual Interest Amount or Default Rate Interest arising as a result of an Exchange undertaken by or with respect to such Member.

 

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(ii) Net Tax Benefit. The “Net Tax Benefit” with respect to a Member for a Taxable Year equals the amount of the excess, if any, of (A) 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit Attributable to such Member as of the end of such Taxable Year over (B) the aggregate amount of all Tax Benefit Payments previously made to such Member under this Section 3.1 (excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts).

(iii) Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit. The “Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year equals the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporation, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination.

(iv) Realized Tax Benefit. The “Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year equals the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the Actual Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability and the corresponding Hypothetical Tax Liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.

(v) Realized Tax Detriment. The “Realized Tax Detriment” for a Taxable Year equals the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability and the corresponding Hypothetical Tax Liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.

(vi) Imputed Interest. The parties acknowledge that a portion of any Net Tax Benefit payable by the Corporation to a Member under this Agreement to be treated as Imputed Interest. For the avoidance of doubt, the deduction for the amount of Imputed Interest as determined with respect to any Net Tax Benefit payable by the Corporation to a Member shall be excluded in determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporation for purposes of calculating Realized Tax Benefits and Realized Tax Detriments pursuant to this Agreement.

(vii) Actual Interest Amount. The “Actual Interest Amount” in respect of a Member equals interest on the unpaid amount of the Net Tax Benefit with respect to such Member for a Taxable Year, calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for such Taxable Year until the earlier of (A) the date on which no remaining Tax Benefit Payment to the Member is due in respect of such Net Tax Benefit and (B) the applicable Final Payment Date.

 

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(viii) The Parties acknowledge and agree that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the date of any future Exchange that may be subject to this Agreement, the aggregate value of the Tax Benefit Payments cannot be reasonably ascertained for U.S. federal income or other applicable tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless the applicable Member notifies the Corporation otherwise, the stated maximum selling price (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 15A.453-1(c)(2)) with respect to any transfer of Units by a Member pursuant to an Exchange shall not exceed the sum of (A) the value of the Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock or the amount of cash delivered to the Member, in each case, in the Exchange plus (B) 150% of the Basis Adjustment relating to such Exchange, and the aggregate Payments under this Agreement to such Member with respect to such Exchange (other than amounts accounted for as interest under the Code) shall not exceed the amount described in this clause (B).

(c) Interest. The parties intend that interest will effectively accrue in respect of the Net Tax Benefit for any Taxable Year as follows:

(i) first, at the applicable rate used to determine the amount of Imputed Interest under the Code (from the relevant Exchange Date until the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for such Taxable Year and, if required under applicable law, through the Final Payment Date for a Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a));

(ii) second, at the Agreed Rate (from the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for such Taxable Year until the Final Payment Date for a Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a)); and

(iii) third, at the Default Rate (from the Final Payment Date for a Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) until the date on which the Corporation makes the relevant Tax Benefit Payment to a Member).

Section 3.2. No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in the duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) that may be required under this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be consistently interpreted and applied in accordance with that intent.

Section 3.3. Pro-Ration of Payments as Between the Members.

(a) Insufficient Taxable Income. Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1(b) to the contrary, if the aggregate Tax benefits with respect to the Basis Adjustments, Actual Interest Amounts, and Default Rate Interest and Imputed Interest (the “Covered Tax Benefit”) (in each case, without regard to the Taxable Year of origination) is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporation does not have sufficient actual taxable income, then the available Covered Tax Benefit for the Corporation shall be allocated

 

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among the Members in proportion to the respective Tax Benefit Payment that would have been payable if the Corporation had sufficient taxable income. For example, if the Corporation had $200 of potential Covered Tax Benefits with respect to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest in a particular Taxable Year (with $50 of such Covered Tax Benefits attributable to Member A and $150 attributable to Member B), such that Member A would have been entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment of $42.50 and Member B would have been entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment of $127.50 if the Corporation had sufficient actual taxable income, and if the Corporation instead had insufficient actual taxable income in such Taxable Year, such that the Covered Tax Benefit was limited to $100, then $25 of the aggregate $100 actual Covered Tax Benefit for the Corporation for such Taxable Year would be allocated to Member A and $75 would be allocated to Member B, such that Member A would receive a Tax Benefit Payment of $21.25 and Member B would receive a Tax Benefit Payment of $63.75.

(b) Late Payments. If for any reason the Corporation is not able to fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then (i) Default Rate Interest will accrue pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the Corporation shall pay the available amount of such Tax Benefit Payments (and any applicable Default Rate Interest) in respect of such Taxable Year to each Member pro rata in line with Section 3.3(a) and (iii) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments (and any applicable Default Rate Interest) to all Members in respect of all prior Taxable Years have been made in full.

Section 3.4. Overpayments. Subject to the procedures described in Section 2.4(a), to the extent the Corporation makes a payment to a Member in respect of a particular Taxable Year under Section 3.1(a) in an amount in excess of the amount of such payment that should have been made to such Member in respect of such Taxable Year (taking into account Section 3.3) under the terms of this Agreement, then such Member shall not receive further payments under Section 3.1(a) until such Member has foregone an amount of payments equal to such excess; provided, that for the avoidance of the doubt, no Member shall be required to return any Payment or any Default Rate Interest paid by the Corporation to such Member.

Section 3.5. Optional Estimated Tax Benefit Payment Procedure. As long as the Corporation is current in respect of its payment obligations owed to each Member pursuant to this Agreement and there are no delinquent Tax Benefit Payments (including interest thereon) outstanding in respect of prior Taxable Years for any Member, the Corporation may, at any time on or after the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for a Taxable Year and at the Corporation’s option, in its sole discretion, make one or more estimated payments to the Members in respect of any anticipated amounts to be owed with respect to a Taxable Year to the Members pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement (any such estimated payments referred to as an “Estimated Tax Benefit Payment”); provided that any Estimated Tax Benefit Payment made to a Member pursuant to this Section 3.5 is matched by a proportionately equal Estimated Tax Benefit Payment to all other Members then entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment. Any Estimated Tax Benefit Payment made under this Section 3.5 shall be paid by the Corporation to the Members and applied against the final amount of any Tax Benefit Payment to be made pursuant to Section 3.1. The payment of an Estimated Tax Benefit Payment by the Corporation to the Members pursuant to this

 

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Section 3.5 shall also terminate the obligation of the Corporation to make payment of any Actual Interest Amount that might have otherwise accrued with respect to the proportionate amount of the Tax Benefit Payment that is being paid in advance of the applicable Tax Benefit Schedule being finalized pursuant to Section 2.4. Upon the making of any Estimated Tax Benefit Payment pursuant to this Section 3.5, the amount of such Estimated Tax Benefit Payment shall first be applied to any estimated Actual Interest Amount, then to Imputed Interest, and then applied to the remaining residual amount of the Tax Benefit Payment to be made pursuant to Section 3.1. In determining the final amount of any Tax Benefit Payment to be made pursuant to Section 3.1, and for purposes of finalizing the Tax Benefit Schedule pursuant to Section 2.5, the amount of any Estimated Tax Benefit Payments that may have been made with respect to the Taxable Year shall be increased, if the finally determined Tax Benefit Payment for a Taxable Year exceeds the Estimated Tax Benefit Payments made for such Taxable Year, with such increase being paid by the Corporation to the Members along with an appropriate Actual Interest Amount in respect of the amount of such increase (a “True-Up”). If the Estimated Tax Benefit Payment to a Member for a Taxable Year exceeds the finally determined Tax Benefit Payment to the Member for such Taxable Year, such excess, along with an appropriate Actual Interest Amount in respect of such excess (being charged by the Corporation to the Member), shall be applied to reduce the amount of any subsequent future Tax Benefit Payments (including Estimated Tax Benefit Payments, if any) to be paid by the Corporation to such Member. As of the date on which any Estimated Tax Benefit Payments are made, and as of the date on which any True-Up is made, all such payments shall be made in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as otherwise contemplated by Section 3.1 and all other applicable terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, as is the case with Tax Benefit Payments made by the Corporation to the Members pursuant to Section 3.1, the amount of any Estimated Tax Benefit Payments made pursuant to this Section 3.5 that are attributable to an Exchange shall also be treated, in part, as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments that give rise to Basis Adjustments in the Taxable Year of payment to the extent permitted by applicable law and as of the date on which such payments are made; provided that any additional Basis Adjustments arising from an Estimated Tax Benefit Payment will be determined on an iterative basis continuing until any incremental Basis Adjustments are immaterial as reasonably determined by the Corporation, the Just Rocks Representative, and the Mainsail Representative.

ARTICLE IV

Termination

Section 4.1. Early Termination of Agreement; Acceleration Events.

(a) Corporations Early Termination Right. With the written approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Corporation may terminate this Agreement, as and to the extent provided herein, by paying in full each and every Member the Early Termination Payment (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) due to such Member.

(b) Acceleration upon Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the Early Termination Payment (calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of the Change of Control) shall become due and payable in accordance with Section 4.3 and this Agreement shall terminate, as and to the extent provided herein.

 

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(c) Acceleration upon Breach of Agreement. In the event of a Material Breach, unless otherwise waived in writing by both the Just Rocks Representative and the Mainsail Representative, the Early Termination Payment (calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of the Material Breach) shall become due and payable in accordance with Section 4.3 and the Agreement shall terminate, as and to the extent provided herein. Subject to the next sentence, the Corporation’s failure to make a Payment (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) within ninety (90) calendar days of the applicable Final Payment Date (except for all or a portion of such Payment that is being validly disputed in good faith under this Agreement, and then only with respect to the amount in dispute) shall be deemed to constitute a Material Breach. To the extent that any Tax Benefit Payment is not made by the date that is ninety (90) calendar days after the relevant Final Payment Date because the Corporation (i) is prohibited from making such payment under Section 5.1 or the terms of any agreement governing any Senior Obligations or (ii) does not have, and despite using commercially reasonable efforts cannot obtain, sufficient funds to make such payment, such failure will not constitute a Material Breach; provided that (A) such payment obligation nevertheless will accrue for the benefit of the Members, (B) the Corporation shall promptly (and in any event, within twenty (20) Business Days) pay the entirety of the unpaid amount (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) once the Corporation is not prohibited from making such payment under Section 5.1 or the terms of the agreements governing the Senior Obligations and the Corporation has sufficient funds to make such payment and (C) the failure of the Corporation to take actions contemplated in clause (B) will constitute a Material Breach; provided further that that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment, but, if such a failure of the Corporation to make a payment is the result of the Corporation being prohibited from making such payment under Section 5.1 or the terms of any agreement governing any Senior Obligations, the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate. It shall be a Material Breach if the Corporation makes any distribution of cash or other property (other than shares of Class A Common Stock) to its stockholders or uses cash or other property to repurchase any capital stock of the Corporation (including Class A Common Stock), in each case, before (x) all Tax Benefit Payments (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) that are due and payable as of the date the Corporation enters into a binding commitment to make such distribution or repurchase have been paid or (y) sufficient funds for the payment of all Tax Benefit Payments (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) that are due and payable on the date of the distribution or repurchase have been reserved therefor. The Corporation shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (1) obtain sufficient available funds for the purpose of making Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement and (2) avoid entering into any agreements that could be reasonably anticipated to materially delay the timing of the making of any Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement.

(d) In the case of a termination pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), upon the Corporation’s payment in full of the Early Termination Payment (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) to each Member, the Corporation shall have no further payment obligations under this Agreement other than with respect to any Tax Benefit Payments (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) in respect of any Taxable Year ending prior to the Early Termination Effective Date, and such payment obligations shall survive the termination of, and be calculated and paid in accordance with, this Agreement. If an Exchange subsequently occurs with respect to Units for which the Corporation has paid the Early Termination Payment in full, the Corporation shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.

 

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Section 4.2. Early Termination Notice.

(a) If (i) the Corporation chooses to exercise its termination right under Section 4.1(a) (“Voluntary Early Termination”), (ii) a Change of Control has or is reasonably expected to occur or (iii) a Material Breach occurs, the Corporation shall, in each case, deliver to the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative a reasonably detailed notice of the Corporation’s decision to exercise such right or the occurrence of such event, as applicable (an “Early Termination Notice”). In the case of an Early Termination Notice delivered with respect to a Voluntary Early Termination, the Corporation may withdraw such Early Termination Notice and rescind its Voluntary Early Termination at any time prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment is paid.

(b) The Corporation shall deliver a schedule showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment (an “Early Termination Schedule”) (i) simultaneously with the delivery of an Early Termination Notice or (ii) in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or Section 4.1(c), as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of the Change of Control or Material Breach giving rise to such termination. For the avoidance of doubt, the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a) shall apply with respect to an Early Termination Schedule. The date on which such Early Termination Schedule becomes final in accordance with Section 2.4(a) shall be the “Early Termination Reference Date”.

Section 4.3. Payment upon Early Termination.

(a) Timing of Payment. By the date that is ten (10) Business Days after the Early Termination Reference Date (such date, the “Final Payment Date” in respect of the Early Termination Payment), the Corporation shall pay in full to each Member an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment Attributable to such Member. Such Early Termination Payment shall be made by the Corporation by wire transfer or other electronic payment method of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the applicable Member.

(b) Amount of Payment. The “Early Termination Payment” payable to a Member pursuant to Section 4.3(a) shall equal the present value, discounted at the Agreed Rate and determined as of the Early Termination Reference Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments (other than any Tax Benefit Payments in respect of Taxable Years ending prior to the Early Termination Effective Date) that would be required to be paid by the Corporation to such Member, beginning from the Early Termination Effective Date and using the Valuation Assumptions. For the avoidance of doubt, an Early Termination Payment shall be made to each Member in accordance with this Agreement, regardless of whether such Member has Exchanged all of its Units as of the Early Termination Effective Date.

 

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ARTICLE V

Subordination and Late Payments

Section 5.1. Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Payment required to be made by the Corporation to the Members under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations owed in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any trade payables, intercompany debt or other similar obligations) (“Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu in right of payment with all current or future obligations of the Corporation that are not Senior Obligations. To the extent that any Payment is not permitted to be made at the time payment is due as a result of this Section 5.1 and the terms of the agreements governing Senior Obligations, such Payment nevertheless shall accrue for the benefit of the Members and the Corporation shall make such payments at the first opportunity that such payments are permitted to be made in accordance with the terms of the Senior Obligations.

Section 5.2. Late Payments by the Corporation. Subject to the proviso in the third sentence of Section 4.1(c), the amount of any Payment not made to any Member by the applicable Final Payment Date shall be payable together with “Default Rate Interest”, calculated at the Default Rate and accruing on the amount of the unpaid Payment from the applicable Final Payment Date until the date on which the Corporation makes such Payment to such Member; provided, further, that if any unpaid portion of any Tax Benefit Payment is the subject of a Reconciliation Dispute and is finally determined in such Reconciliation Dispute to be due and payable, then interest shall accrue on such unpaid portion at the Default Rate (in place of the Agreed Rate) from the date that is thirty (30) days following the due date for the applicable Tax Benefit Schedule until the date of actual payment.

ARTICLE VI

Tax Matters; Consistency; Cooperation

Section 6.1. Participation in the Corporations and the LLCs Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein or in Article IX of the Operating Agreement, the Corporation shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all tax matters concerning the Corporation or the LLC, including preparing, filing or amending any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to taxes; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not settle any issue pertaining to Covered Taxes that is reasonably expected to adversely affect the rights and obligations of the Mainsail Related Parties or the Just Rocks Related Parties under this Agreement in any material respect without the consent of the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative, as applicable, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative fails to respond to any notice with respect to the settlement of any such issue within thirty (30) days of its receipt of the applicable notice, the Mainsail Representative or the Just Rocks Representative, as applicable, shall be deemed to have consented to the proposed settlement or other disposition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall notify the

 

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Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative of, and keep them reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit by any Taxing Authority of the Corporation, the LLC or any of the LLC’s Subsidiaries, the outcome of which is reasonably expected to materially adversely affect the Members’ rights and obligations under this Agreement, and each of the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative shall have the right to participate in and to monitor at its own expense (but not to control) any such portion of any such audit; provided, that neither the Corporation nor the LLC shall be required to take any action, or refrain from taking any action, that is inconsistent with any provision of the Operating Agreement.

Section 6.2. Consistency. Except upon the written advice of the Advisory Firm and except for items that are explicitly described as “deemed” or treated in a similar manner by the terms of this Agreement, all calculations and determinations made hereunder, including any Basis Adjustments, the Schedules and the determination of any Realized Tax Benefits or Realized Tax Detriments, shall be made in accordance with the elections, methodologies and positions taken by the Corporation and the LLC on their respective Tax Returns. Each Member shall prepare its Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement and any related calculations or determinations made hereunder, including the terms of Section 2.1 and the Schedules provided to each such Member, except as otherwise required by Law or a Determination. If the Corporation and any Member, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve any disagreement with respect to the foregoing within sixty (60) calendar days, the Corporation and such Member shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures under Section 7.8 or the Resolution of Dispute procedures under Section 7.7, as applicable, unless otherwise agreed by the Corporation and such Member. In the event that an Advisory Firm is replaced with another Advisory Firm acceptable to the Audit Committee, the Parties shall cause such replacement Advisory Firm to perform its services necessitated by this Agreement using procedures and methodologies consistent with those of the previous Advisory Firm, unless otherwise required by applicable Law or a Determination or unless the Corporation and all of the Members agree to the use of other procedures and methodologies.

Section 6.3. Cooperation.

(a) Each Member, on the one hand, and the Corporation, on the other hand, shall (i) furnish to the other in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the other may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return of or contesting or defending any related audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, or estimating any future Tax Benefit Payments hereunder (ii) make itself available to the other and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as may be reasonably requested in connection with any of the matters described in clause (i) above and (iii) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter. Upon the request of any Member, the Corporation shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in taking any action reasonably requested by such Member in connection with its tax or financial reporting and/or the consummation of any assignment or transfer of any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement, including without limitation, providing any information or executing any documentation.

 

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(b) The requesting party shall reimburse the other party for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket third-party costs and expenses incurred by the other party pursuant to Section 6.3(a).

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1. Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and (i) delivered personally, (ii) sent by e-mail or (iii) sent by overnight courier, in each case, addressed as follows:

If to the Corporation, to:

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, California 94108

Telephone: (800) 691-0952

Attn: Alex K. Grab, General Counsel

E-mail: agrab@brilliantearth.com

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attn: Tad Freese, Haim Zaltzman, Kristen Grannis and Benjamin Cohen

Facsimile: (212) 906-1623

E-mail: tad.freese@lw.com, haim.zaltzman@lw.com, kristen.grannis@lw.com and benjamin.cohen@lw.com

If to the Mainsail Representative, to:

Mainsail Partners III, L.P.

500 West 5th Street, Suite 1100

Austin, Texas 78701

Attn: Gavin Turner

E-mail: gavin@mainsailpartners.com

 

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

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Attn: Brian Van Klompenberg and Michael Keeley

Facsimile: (312) 862-2200

E-mail: bvanklompenberg@kirkland.com and michael.keeley@kirkland.com

If to the Just Rocks Representative, to:

Just Rocks, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, California 94108

Attn: Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossman

E-mail: beth@brilliantearth.com and eric@brilliantearth.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Just Rocks Representative) to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attn: Tad Freese, Haim Zaltzman, Kristen Grannis and Benjamin Cohen

Facsimile: (212) 906-1623

E-mail: tad.freese@lw.com, haim.zaltzman@lw.com, kristen.grannis@lw.com and benjamin.cohen@lw.com

If to any other Member, to the address and e-mail address specified on such Member’s signature page to the applicable Joinder.

Unless otherwise specified herein, such notices, requests, consents or other communications shall be deemed effective (i) on the date received, if personally delivered, (ii) on the date received if delivered by e-mail on a Business Day, or if not delivered on a Business Day, on the first Business Day thereafter and (iii) two (2) Business Days after being sent by overnight courier. Each of the Parties shall be entitled to specify a different address by giving notice as aforesaid to each of the other Parties.

Section 7.2. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by e-mail transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.3. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 7.4. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other terms and provisions hereunder shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner.

Section 7.5. Assignments; Amendments; Successors; No Waiver.

(a) Assignment. No Member may assign, sell, pledge or otherwise alienate or transfer any interest in this Agreement, including the right to receive any Payments under this Agreement, to any Person without (i) the prior written consent of the Board, except with respect to transfers by the Mainsail Related Parties or the Just Rocks Related Parties and their Permitted Transferees, and (ii) such Person executing and delivering a Joinder agreeing to succeed to the applicable portion of such Member’s interest in this Agreement and to become a Party for all purposes of this Agreement (the “Joinder Requirement”); provided, that no such Person shall have any rights under Section 6.1 or Section 7.5(b) of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Member sells, exchanges, distributes or otherwise transfers Units to any Person in accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement, such Member shall have the option to assign to such transferee of such Units its rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units; provided that such transferee has satisfied the Joinder Requirement. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Member transfers Units in accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement but does not assign to the transferee of such Units its rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units, such Member shall continue to be entitled to receive the Tax Benefit Payments arising in respect of a subsequent Exchange of such Units. The Corporation may not assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any Person (other than in connection with an assignment pursuant to Section 7.5(c)) without the approval of the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void).

(b) Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by the Corporation and each of the Mainsail Representative and the Just Rocks Representative; provided, that amendment of the definition of Change of Control will also require the written approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.

 

26


(c) Successors. All of the terms and provisions hereunder shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporation shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by equity purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

(d) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement, or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof, shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 7.6. Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

Section 7.7. Resolution of Disputes; Governing Law.

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any suit, dispute, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement shall be heard in the state or federal courts of the State of Delaware, and the parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT) AND SHALL HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 7.01 (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT), TOGETHER WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH SERVICE TO SUCH PARTY, SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY.

(b) Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (i) any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in Section 7.7 and (ii) the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.

 

27


(c) Each Party irrevocably consents to service of process by means of notice in the manner provided for in Section 7.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

(d) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ITS COUNSEL, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, WHETHER A CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM, OR THIRD PARTY CLAIM, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

Section 7.8. Reconciliation Procedures.

(a) In the event that the Corporation and any Member are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to a Schedule prepared in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.4 or Section 4.2, as applicable, within the relevant time period designated in this Agreement (a “Reconciliation Dispute”), the procedures described in this paragraph (the “Reconciliation Procedures”) will apply. The applicable Parties shall, within fifteen (15) calendar days of the commencement of a Reconciliation Dispute, mutually select an expert in the particular area of disagreement (the “Expert”) and submit the Reconciliation Dispute to such Expert for determination. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting firm, and unless the Corporation and such Member agree otherwise, the Expert (and its employing firm) shall not have any material relationship with the Corporation or such Member or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the applicable Parties are unable to agree on an Expert within such 15 calendar-day time period, then the Corporation and the relevant Member shall cause the Expert to be selected by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise, which shall pick an Expert from a nationally recognized accounting firm that does not have any material relationship with the applicable Parties or other actual or potential conflict of interest. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to (i) a Basis Schedule, Early Termination Schedule or an amendment to either within thirty (30) calendar days and (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days or, in each case, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid by the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporation, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute, and its determinations pursuant to this Section 7.8(a) shall be binding on the applicable Parties and may be entered and enforced in any court having competent jurisdiction. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.8 or a dispute within the meaning of Section 7.7 shall be decided and resolved as a Dispute subject to the procedures set forth in Section 7.7.

 

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(b) The sum of the costs and expenses relating to (i) the engagement (and, if applicable, selection by the arbitration panel) of such Expert and (ii) if applicable, amending any Tax Return in connection with the decision of such Expert shall be allocated between the Corporation, on the one hand, and the Member, on the other hand, in the same proportion that the aggregate amount of the disputed items so submitted to the Expert that is unsuccessfully disputed by each such party (as finally determined by the Expert) bears to the total amount of such disputed items so submitted, and each such party shall promptly reimburse the other party for the excess that such other party has paid in respect of such costs and expenses over the amount it has been so allocated. The Corporation may withhold payments under this Agreement to collect amounts due under the preceding sentence. Each of the Corporation and the Member shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in the conduct of such proceeding described in Section 7.8(a) unless the Expert substantially adopts one such party’s position and awards such party reimbursement of its costs and expenses.

Section 7.9. Withholding. The Corporation and its Affiliates shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment that is payable to any Member pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporation is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment by applicable Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporation, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid by the Corporation to the relevant Member in respect of whom the deduction and withholding was made. Each Member shall promptly provide the Corporation with any applicable tax forms and certifications reasonably requested by the Corporation in connection with determining whether any such deductions and withholdings are required by applicable Law.

Section 7.10. Admission of the Corporation into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.

(a) If the Corporation is or becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 or other applicable Sections of the Code governing affiliated or consolidated groups, or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, then (i) the provisions hereunder shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole, and (ii) Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.

(b) If the Corporation or any member of the LLC Group transfers or is deemed to transfer one or more Reference Assets to a Person treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (with which, in the case of the Corporation, the Corporation does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code or other applicable Sections of the Code governing affiliated or consolidated groups, or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law), such transferor, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Payment due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a

 

29


fully taxable transaction on the date of such transfer. The consideration deemed to be received by the Corporation or the LLC Group member, as the applicable transferor, shall be equal to the fair market value of the transferred asset plus the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered asset. For purposes of this Section 7.10, a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partner’s applicable share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, if the Corporation or any member of a group described in Section 7.10(a) transfers its assets pursuant to a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” (within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code) in which such entity does not survive, pursuant to a contribution described in Section 351(a) of the Code or pursuant to any other transaction to which Section 381(a) of the Code applies (other than any such reorganization or any such other transaction, in each case, pursuant to which such entity transfers assets to a corporation with which the Corporation or any member of the group described in Section 7.10(a) (other than any such member being transferred in such reorganization or other transaction) does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code or other applicable Sections of the Code governing affiliated or consolidated groups), the transfer will not cause such entity to be treated as having transferred any assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) pursuant to this Section 7.10(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, after the occurrence of any such transfer as described in the first sentence of this Section 7.10(b), if the Corporation takes actions to ensure that the amount to be received by the Members hereunder and the timing thereof, taking into account such actions (which actions may, at the election of the Corporation, include the payment of an additional amount to a Member), would be the same amount and timing as if such transfer described in the first sentence of this Section 7.10(b) did not occur then this Section 7.10(b) shall not apply with respect to such transfer.

Section 7.11. Confidentiality. Section 15.02 (Confidentiality) of the Operating Agreement as in effect on the date of this Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis to any information of the Corporation provided to the Members and their assignees pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 7.12. Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in Law, a Member reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by such Member (or direct or indirect equity holders in such Member) in connection with any Exchange to be treated as ordinary income (other than with respect to assets described in Section 751(a) of the Code) rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates) for U.S. federal income tax purposes or would have other material adverse tax consequences to such Member or any direct or indirect owner of such Member, then, at the written election of such Member in its sole discretion (in an instrument signed by such Member and delivered to the Corporation) and to the extent specified therein by such Member, this Agreement shall cease to have further effect and shall not apply to an Exchange occurring after a date specified by such Member, or may be amended in a manner reasonably determined by such Member; provided that such amendment shall not result in an increase in any payments owed by the Corporation under this Agreement at any time as compared to the amounts and times of payments that would have been due in the absence of such amendment; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, such amendment shall not be treated as a termination of this Agreement that results in an Early Termination Payment obligation to the Corporation.

 

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Section 7.13. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the interest paid or agreed to be paid hereunder with respect to amounts due to any Member hereunder shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If any Member shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the applicable payment (but in each case exclusive of any component thereof comprising interest) or, if it exceeds such unpaid non-interest amount, refunded to the Corporation. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged or received by any Member exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Member may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (i) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium rather than interest, (ii) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof or (iii) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the payment obligations owed by the Corporation to such Member hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of the Parties to conform strictly to any applicable usury Laws.

Section 7.14. Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations. The rights and obligations of each Member hereunder are several and not joint with the rights and obligations of any other Person. A Member shall not be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Person hereunder (other than its Affiliates or representatives as described herein), nor shall a Member have the right to enforce the rights or obligations of any other Person hereunder (other than obligations of the Corporation). The obligations of a Member hereunder are solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable solely by, the Corporation. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered in connection herewith, and no action taken by any Member pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Members acting as a partnership, association, joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Members are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 7.15. LLC Agreement. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the LLC Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.

[Signature Page Follows this Page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC., AS THE CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

  Name:Beth Gertsein
  Title:Chief Executive Officer

 

BRILLIANT EARTH, LLC

By: Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., as its sole Managing Member

By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

  Name:Beth Gertsein
  Title:Chief Executive Officer


Exhibit A

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

This JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of [ 🌑 ], 20[ 🌑 ] (this “Joinder”), is delivered pursuant to that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), by and among Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

  1.

Joinder to the Tax Receivable Agreement. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Corporation that, as of the date hereof, the undersigned has been assigned an interest in the Tax Receivable Agreement from a Member.

 

  2.

Joinder to the Tax Receivable Agreement. Upon the execution of this Joinder by the undersigned and delivery hereof to the Corporation, the undersigned hereby is and hereafter will be a Member under the Tax Receivable Agreement and a Party thereto, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Member thereunder. The undersigned hereby agrees that it shall comply with and be fully bound by the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement as if it had been a signatory thereto as of the date thereof.

 

  3.

Incorporation by Reference. All terms and conditions of the Tax Receivable Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in this Joinder as if set forth herein in full.

 

  4.

Address. All notices under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the undersigned shall be direct to:

[Name]

[Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

Attn:

E-mail:

[Signature Page Follows this Page]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Joinder as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW PARTY]

 

by  

 

       Name:
  Title:

Acknowledged and agreed

as of the date first set forth above:

 

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.

 

by  

 

  Name:
  Title:
EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of September 22, 2021 by and among Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and each Person identified on the Schedule of Holders attached hereto as of the date hereof (such Persons, collectively, the “Holders”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Corporation is contemplating an offer and sale of its shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock” and such shares, the “Shares”), to the public in an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”);

WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to use a portion of the net proceeds from the IPO to purchase Common Units (as defined below) of Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and the Company desires to issue its Common Units to the Corporation in exchange for such portion of the net proceeds from the IPO;

WHEREAS, immediately prior to the consummation of the issuance of Common Units by the Company to the Corporation, the Holders and certain other Persons that hold equity interests in the Company are the sole members of the Company (the Holders, together with such other Persons, the “Original Equity Owners”);

WHEREAS, prior to the purchase by the Corporation of the Common Units, the Corporation, the Company and the Original Equity Owners will enter into that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company (such agreement, as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified form time to time, the “LLC Agreement”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the closing of the IPO, (i) the Corporation will become the sole managing member of the Company, (ii) under the LLC Agreement, the equity interests held by the Original Equity Owners prior to such time will be recapitalized into Common Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement, the “Common Units”) of the Company, (iii) each Person identified on the Schedule of Holders attached hereto as a “Holder” and certain other Original Equity Owners will remain or become non-managing members of the Company, but otherwise continue to hold Common Units in the Company (such persons, collectively, the “Continuing Equity Owners”), and (iv) in consideration of the Corporation acquiring the Common Units and becoming the managing member of the Company and for other good consideration, the Company has provided the Continuing Equity Owners with a redemption right pursuant to which the Continuing Equity Owners can redeem their Common Units for, at the Corporation’s option, shares of Class A Common Stock or cash on the terms set forth in the LLC Agreement; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO and the transactions described above, the Corporation has agreed to grant to the Holders certain rights with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities (as defined below) on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section 1:

Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person controlled by, controlling or under common control with such Person; provided that the Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Holder. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities, by contract or otherwise).

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Black Out Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.

Capital Stock” means (i) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and all shares, interests or equivalents in capital stock of such corporation (whether voting or nonvoting and whether common or preferred), (ii) with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, individual or governmental entity, any and all partnership, membership, limited liability company or other equity interests of such Person that confer on the holder thereof the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or the distribution of assets of the issuing Person, and (iii) any and all warrants, rights (including conversion and exchange rights) and options to purchase any security described in the clause (i) or (ii) above.

Class A Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Class B Common Stock” means the Corporation’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Class C Common Stock” means the Corporation’s Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Class D Common Stock” means the Corporation’s Class D common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Commission” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

Common Units” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Continuing Equity Owners” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

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Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal law then in force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Holder” has the meaning set forth in the recitals and any Person that is a party to this Agreement from time to time, as set forth on the signature pages hereto.

Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

Indemnifying Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

IPO” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

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

majority of the Registrable Securities” means, with respect to any group of Registrable Securities described in this Agreement, the Holders of a majority of such group of Registrable Securities.

Original Equity Owners” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Registrable Securities” means (i) any Class A Common Stock (A) issued or issuable by the Corporation in a Share Settlement in connection with (x) the redemption by the Company of Common Units owned by any Holder or (y) at the election of the Corporation, in a direct exchange for Common Units owned by any Holder, in each case in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, or (B) issued or to be issued upon the conversion of shares of Class D Common Stock owned by Holders, (ii) any Capital Stock of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary of the Corporation issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend, distribution, split or combination of securities, or any recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization, and (iii) any other Shares owned (or which may be acquired upon exercise or conversion of any securities held), directly or indirectly, by Holders. As to any particular Registrable Securities owned by any Person, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon (1) any sale thereof pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (2) any sale thereof into a public market pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or (3) for purposes of any registration pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement, receipt by the Holder thereof of a written opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to such Holder that such shares represent less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and are freely tradeable without registration pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor thereto) under the Securities Act. Whenever reference is made in this Agreement to the request or consent of Holders of a certain percentage of the Registrable Securities, the determination of such percentage shall include shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of any securities that are held by Persons who are Holders of Registrable Securities, or who would be Holders of Registrable Securities upon the conversion or exercise of such securities. For the avoidance of doubt, while Common Units, shares of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and/or shares of Class D Common Stock may constitute Registrable Securities, under no circumstances shall the Corporation be obligated to register Common Units, shares of Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or shares of Class Common D Stock, and only Shares issuable upon redemption, exchange or conversion of Common Units, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class Common D Stock will be registered.

 

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Schedule of Holders” means the schedule attached to this Agreement entitled “Schedule of Holders,” which shall reflect each Holder from time to time party to this Agreement.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor federal law then in force, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Share Settlement” means “Share Settlement” as defined in the LLC Agreement.

Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Corporation, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of Capital Stock of such Person entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, either (x) a majority of the Capital Stock of such Person entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of managers, general partners or other oversight board vested with the authority to direct management of such Person is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation or (y) the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole manager or general partner of such Person.

Section 2. Demand Registrations.

(a) At any time 180 days after the date when any of the Class A Common Stock is registered under the Securities Act, if any Holder requests the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for a firm commitment underwritten public offering of not less than 20% of the Registrable Securities (or any lesser percentage if the anticipated aggregate offering price of such offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, exceeds $15,000,000), the Company shall (A) within 10 days notify all Holders of such request, and (B) use its commercially reasonable efforts to so register under the Securities Act the Registrable Securities initially requested to be registered and the Registrable Securities of all other Holders who request within 10 days after receiving the Company’s notice that their Registrable Securities be included therein. The Company shall not be obligated to effect more than two such demand registrations requested by the Holders.

(b) If the underwriter managing the offering determines that, because of marketing considerations, not all of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered may be included in the offering, then all Holders who have requested registration in the offering shall have their Registrable Securities reduced pro rata based upon the number of Registrable Securities that they have requested to be so registered.

 

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(c) If the Company includes in any registration required under this Section 2 a number of shares other than Registrable Securities that exceeds the number of Registrable Securities to be included, then such registration shall be deemed to be a registration under Section 3 instead of this Section 2. In all other cases where the Company includes in such registration any shares other than Registrable Securities, such registration shall remain subject to this Section 2, provided that in no event shall other shares be included if such inclusion would (A) prevent Holders from registering all Registrable Securities requested by them, or (B) adversely affect the offering price of the Registrable Securities in such registration.

Section 3. Piggyback Registrations.

(a) Whenever the Company proposes to register any Class A Common Stock for its own or others’ account under the Securities Act, other than a registration relating to employee benefit plans or a registration solely relating to shares to be sold under Rule 145 or a similar provision under the Securities Act or a demand registration under Section 2, the Company shall give each Holder prompt written notice of its intent to do so. Upon the written request of any Holder given within 10 days after receipt of such notice, the Company will use its best efforts to cause to be included in such registration all of the Registrable Securities that such Holder requests; provided that the Company shall have the right to postpone, delay or cancel any registration made under this Section 3.

(b) If the Company is advised in writing in good faith by any managing underwriter of the securities being offered pursuant to any registration statement under this Section 3 that, because of marketing considerations, the number of shares to be sold by Persons other than the Company is greater than the number of such shares that can be offered without adversely affecting the offering, the Company may reduce pro rata the number of shares offered for the accounts of such Persons (based upon the number of shares requested by each such Person to be included in the registration) to a number deemed satisfactory by such managing underwriter. Such pro rata reduction shall be applied first, to shares held by such Persons other than Registrable Securities, which shares will not be included in the registration unless all Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration have been included, and second, pro rata among the Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration.

Section 4. Form S-3 Registration Rights. If, at a time when Form S-3 (or any successor form) is available for such registration, the Company shall receive from any Holder a written request or requests that the Company effect a registration on Form S-3 (or any successor form) of any of such Holder’s Registrable Securities, the Company will promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all other Holders and, as soon as practicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration and all related qualifications and compliances as may be requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all Registrable Securities as are specified in such request and any written requests of other Holders given within 10 days after receipt of such notice. The Company shall have no obligation to effect a registration under this Section 4 unless the aggregate offering price of the Registrable Securities requested to be sold pursuant to such registration is expected to be equal to or greater than $5,000,000. Any registration under this Section 4 will not be counted as a registration under Section 2 above.

 

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Section 5. Selection of Underwriter. The underwriter of any offering under Section 5(a) shall be selected by agreement of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initiating such registration, provided that such underwriter shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. The underwriter of any offering requested under Section 5(b) shall be selected by the Company.

Section 6. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of any of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, the Company shall:

(a) as expeditiously as reasonably possible file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement, in form and substance required by the Securities Act, with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause that registration statement to become effective;

(b) as expeditiously as possible, prepare and file with the Commission any amendments and supplements to the registration statement and the prospectus included in the registration statement as may be necessary to keep the registration statement effective, in the case of a firm commitment underwritten public offering, until completion of the distribution of all securities described therein and, in the case of any other offering, until the earlier of (i) the sale of all Registrable Securities covered thereby or (ii) 120 days after the effective date thereof;

(c) as expeditiously as possible, furnish to each Holder that requested that Registrable Securities be included in such registration, such reasonable numbers of copies of the prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder;

(d) as expeditiously as possible, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such states as the Holders thereof shall reasonably request, and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or desirable to enable the Holders thereof to consummate the public sale or other disposition in such states as are reasonably requested by such Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection with this paragraph (iv) to qualify as a foreign corporation or execute a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

(e) in connection with each registration covering an underwritten public offering, enter (and each participating Holder agrees to enter) into a written agreement with the managing underwriter in such form and containing such provisions (including, if the underwriter so requests, customary contribution provisions on the part of the Company) as are customary in the securities business for such an arrangement between such underwriter and companies of the Company’s size and investment stature, provided that the Holders shall not be obligated to enter into any such underwriting agreement if the indemnification provisions thereof are materially more burdensome on such Holder than those contained herein or if any standback requirement therein is for a period that materially exceeds the period required by this Agreement;

 

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(f) at the request of any participating Holder, furnish to each underwriter, if any, and the participating Holders, a legal opinion of its counsel and a letter from its independent certified public accountants, each in customary form and substance, at such time or times as such documents are customarily provided in the type of offering involved;

(g) whenever the Company is registering any Class A Common Stock under the Securities Act and a Holder is selling securities under such registration or determines that it may be a controlling person under the Securities Act, keep such Holder advised of the initiation, progress and completion of such registration, allow such Holder and such Holder’s counsel to participate in the preparation of the registration statement and to have access to all relevant corporate records, documents and information, and take all such other action as such Holder may reasonably request;

(h) as of the effective date of any registration statement relating thereto, cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed, and, if not so listed, to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market; and

(i) as of the effective date of any registration statement relating thereto, provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities.

Each Holder of Registrable Securities included in a registration shall furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be required in connection with the registration, qualification or compliance contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 7. Registration Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incurred in connection with any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, exchange listing fees, printing expenses, transfer taxes, fees and expenses of counsel for the Company and the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in such registration to represent them, state securities or Blue Sky fees and expenses, and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration, but excluding underwriting discounts and selling commissions relating to the sale of the Registrable Securities.

Section 8. Notification. The Company shall promptly notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by any registration statement of any event that results in the prospectus included in such registration statement or such registration statement, as then in effect, containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.

 

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Section 9. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Holder included in any registration, its officers, directors, managers, members, partners and Affiliates, each underwriter of the Registrable Securities being sold by such Holder, and each controlling person of any of the foregoing, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any prospectus, offering, circular, or other document relating to such Registrable Securities (or in any related registration statement, notification or the like) or any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance contemplated by this Agreement, and will reimburse each such Holder, each of its officers, directors, managers, members, partners and affiliates, and each such underwriter and controlling person for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, whether or not resulting in liability: provided, however, that (A) the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 9(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim, loss, damage, liability, action or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) except that no such consent shall be required if the settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party, and (B) the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage or liability (i) arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder or underwriter and stated to be specifically for use therein, or (ii) results solely from the failure of such Holder to deliver a copy of the registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Holder with a sufficient number of copies thereof.

(b) Indemnification by the Holders of Registrable Securities. Each participating Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration statement, each underwriter of the Registrable Securities, each other participating Holder, its officers, directors, managers, members, partners and affiliates, and each controlling person of any of the foregoing, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact concerning such Holder contained in any prospectus, offering circular or other document relating to the Registrable Securities (or in any related registration statement, notification or the like) or any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact concerning such Holder required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein concerning such Holder not misleading, and will reimburse the Company and each such director, officer, manager, member, other participating Holder, partner, affiliate or

 

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controlling person referred to above for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that no Holder will be liable in any such case except to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage or liability arises out of any untrue statement or omission based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder and stated to be specifically for use therein; and provided, further, that no Holder will be liable under this Section for losses, costs, damages or expenses exceeding in the aggregate the net proceeds paid to such Holder in such offering.

(c) Procedures for Indemnification. Each party entitled to indemnification under Sections 9(a) or (b) (the “Indemnified Party”) shall give notice to the party required to provide indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom; provided, that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party; and, provided, further, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Agreement. The Indemnified Party may participate in such defense at such party’s expense; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall pay such expenses if the Indemnified Party shall believe in good faith that representation of such Indemnified Party by the counsel retained by the Indemnifying Party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between the Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation, and no Indemnified Party shall consent to entry of any judgment or settle such claim or litigation without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Sections 9(a) or (b) is unavailable to any Indemnified Party thereunder in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to in such Sections, then each Person that would have been an Indemnifying Party thereunder shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and such Indemnified Party on the other. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or such Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission, or whether such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arose out of the action or failure to act of one or more of such parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) no Holder will be required to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds paid to such Holder in respect of all Registrable Securities sold by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement, and (B) no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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Section 10. Reports Under Exchange Act. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and any other rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form S-3 (or any successor form), the Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the requirements of all such rules and regulations (including the requirements for public information, registration under the Exchange Act and timely reporting to the Commission) at the earliest possible date (but in any event not later than 90 days) after the effective date of the registration statement for its first registered public offering. The Company will furnish to each Holder, whenever requested, a written statement as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of its most recent annual or quarterly report, and such other reports and information filed by the Company as such Holder may reasonably request in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities without registration.

Section 11. Registration Rights of Others. The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, grant to any other Person the right to (a) require the Company to initiate the registration of any securities, or (b) require the Company to include in any registration securities owned by such Person, unless under the terms of such arrangement such Person may include securities in such registration only to the extent that the inclusion thereof does not limit the number of Registrable Securities included therein or adversely affect the offering price thereof. The Company represents and warrants that it has not granted any Person other than the parties hereto the right to require the Company to initiate the registration of any securities or include in any registration any securities owned by such Person.

Section 12. Lock-Up Agreement. Each Holder agrees that, in connection with any public offering of Class A Common Stock, and upon the request of the managing underwriter in such offering, such Holder will not offer, transfer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option or right for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any of the Company’s or any successor’s or parent’s securities held by such Holder (other than those included in such registration), or engage in any swap or derivative transactions involving any such securities, in each case, without the prior written consent of such underwriter, for such period of time as may be requested by such underwriter (commencing as of the date of such public offering and ending no later than (b) 90 days after the effective date of such registration).

Section 13. Black-Out Periods. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5 to the contrary, if the Company shall furnish to the Holders initiating a registration pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(c) of this Agreement a certificate signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that the Board has made the good faith determination (after consultation with counsel) (i) that use by the Holders of such proposed registration statement for purposes of effecting offers or sales of Registrable Securities pursuant thereto would require, under the Securities Act, premature disclosure in such registration statement of material, nonpublic information concerning any proposed material transaction involving the Company; (ii) that such premature disclosure would be materially adverse to the Company or such proposed material transaction or would make the successful consummation by the Company of any such material

 

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transaction significantly less likely; and (iii) that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such registration statement for purposes of effecting offers or sales of Registrable Securities pursuant thereto, then the right of the Holders to require the Company to file such registration statement for purposes of effecting offers or sales of Registrable Securities pursuant thereto shall be suspended for a period (the “Black Out Period”) of not more than 60 days after delivery by the Company of the certificate referred to above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) if the public announcement of such material transaction is made during a Black Out Period, then the Black Out Period shall terminate without any further action of the parties and the Company shall immediately notify such Holders of such termination, and (B) the Company may not exercise the right to initiate a Black Out Period more than once in any twelve month period.

Section 14. General Provisions.

(a) Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, terminated or waived only with the prior written consent of the Corporation and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities; provided that no such amendment, modification, termination or waiver that would materially and adversely affect a Holder in a manner materially different than any other Holder, shall be effective against such Holder without the consent of such Holder that is materially and adversely affected thereby. The failure or delay of any Person to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such Person thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. A waiver or consent to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person under this Agreement.

(b) Remedies. The parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies existing hereunder, any party shall be entitled to specific performance and/or other injunctive relief from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

(c) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or regulation in any jurisdiction, such prohibition, invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or in any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

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(d) Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement contains the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit and be enforceable by the Corporation and its successors and assigns and the Holders and their respective successors and assigns (whether so expressed or not). In addition, whether or not any express assignment has been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit Holders are also for the benefit of, and enforceable by, any subsequent or successor Holder.

(f) Notices. Any notice, demand or other communication to be given under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient but, if not, then on the next business day, (iii) one business day after it is sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or (iv) three business days after it is mailed to the recipient by first class mail, return receipt requested. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Corporation at the address specified below and to any Holder or to any other party subject to this Agreement at such address as indicated on the Schedule of Holders, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any party may change such party’s address for receipt of notice by providing prior written notice of the change to the sending party as provided herein. The Corporation’s address is:

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, 3rd Floor

San Francisco, CA 94108

Attn: Alex Grab, Esq., General Counsel

With a copy to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10022

Attn: Tad J. Freese, Esq.

Facsimile: (212) 906-1200

or to such other address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

(g) Business Days. If any time period for giving notice or taking action hereunder expires on a day that is not a business day, the time period shall automatically be extended to the immediately following business day.

 

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(h) Governing Law. The corporate law of the State of Delaware shall govern all issues and questions concerning the relative rights of the Corporation and its stockholders. All other issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

(i) MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED FOR INDUCEMENT FOR EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL), EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO OR ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS AGREEMENT OR THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

(j) CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR DOCUMENT BY U.S. REGISTERED MAIL TO SUCH PARTY’S RESPECTIVE ADDRESS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO WHICH IT HAS SUBMITTED TO JURISDICTION IN THIS PARAGRAPH. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND HEREBY AND THEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

(k) No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Corporation and each Holder agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement, shall be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, general or limited partner or member of any Holder or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future officer, agent or employee of any Holder or any current or future member of any Holder or any current or future director, officer, employee, partner or member of any Holder or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such for any obligation of any Holder under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

 

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(l) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.

(m) No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

(n) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signature of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(o) Electronic Delivery. This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent executed and delivered by means of a photographic, photostatic, facsimile or similar reproduction of such signed writing using a facsimile machine or electronic mail shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or electronic mail as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

(p) Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Holder shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(q) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Corporation shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.

* * * * *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

Name:   Beth Gerstein
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


MAINSAIL PARTNERS III, L.P.

By: Mainsail GP III, LLC

its General Partner

By:  

/s/ Gavin M. Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


MAINSAIL CO-INVESTORS III, L.P.

By: Mainsail GP III, LLC

its Managing Member

By:  

/s/ Gavin M. Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


MAINSAIL INCENTIVE PROGRAM, LLC

By: Mainsail Management Company, LLC

its General Partner

By:  

/s/ Gavin M. Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


JUST ROCKS, INC.
By:  

Eric Grossberg

Name:   Eric Grossberg
Title:   President

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


SCHEDULE OF HOLDERS

 

Holder

Mainsail Partners III, L.P.
Mainsail Co-Investors III, L.P.
Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC
Just Rocks, Inc.

 

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EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT OF

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.

THIS STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, dated as of September 22, 2021 (as it may be amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”), is entered into by and among (i) Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), (ii) Mainsail Partners III L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Mainsail”), Mainsail Incentive Program, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Mainsail Incentive”) and Mainsail Co-Investors III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Mainsail Co-Investors”, and together with Mainsail Incentive, the “Mainsail Holdcos”) and (iii) Just Rocks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Just Rocks”), and together with Mainsail, the “Original Members”). Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 6.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, each Original Member owns, directly or indirectly, outstanding membership interests in Brilliant Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Brilliant Earth, LLC”), which membership interests constitute and are defined as “Common Units” pursuant to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Brilliant Earth, LLC, dated as of September 22, 2021, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “LLC Agreement” and such membership interests, the “Common Units”);

WHEREAS, the Corporation is contemplating an offering and sale of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation (the “Class A Common Stock”) in an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”) and using a portion of the net proceeds received from the IPO to purchase Common Units;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Common Unit Subscription Agreement by and between the Corporation and Brilliant Earth, LLC, dated as of September 22, 2021 (the “Common Unit Subscription Agreement”), the Corporation will hold Common Units;

WHEREAS, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Common Unit Subscription Agreement, it is contemplated that the Corporation will be admitted as a member, and appointed as the sole managing member of Brilliant Earth, LLC;

WHEREAS, in connection with, and prior to, the consummation of the IPO, it is anticipated that Mainsail and the Mainsail Holdcos, the Corporation and certain of their respective affiliates will enter into a series of related transactions pursuant to which the Mainsail and the Mainsail Holdcos will become holders of the Corporation’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”);

WHEREAS, in connection with, and prior to, the consummation of the IPO, it is anticipated that Just Rocks, the Corporation and certain of their respective affiliates will enter into a series of related transactions pursuant to which Just Rocks will become holders of the Corporation’s Class C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class C Common Stock”);

 


WHEREAS, immediately following the consummation of the IPO, Mainsail (together with the Mainsail Holdcos and any other Permitted Transferees of Mainsail, in such capacity, the “Mainsail Related Parties”) will be the record holder of shares of Class B Common Stock;

WHEREAS, immediately following the consummation of the IPO, Just Rocks (and together with its Permitted Transferees, in such capacity, the “Just Rocks Related Parties”) will be the record holders of shares of Class C Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Original Members (x) to approve the sale and issuance of Common Units by Brilliant Earth, LLC to the Corporation and the appointment of the Corporation as the sole managing member of Brilliant Earth, LLC in connection with the IPO and (y) to take such other actions as shall be necessary to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the IPO, the parties hereto desire to set forth their agreement with respect to the matters set forth herein in connection with their respective investments in the Corporation.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Corporation and the Original Members agree as follows:

Agreement

Section 1. Election of the Board of Directors.

(a) Subject to this Section 1(a), the Mainsail Related Parties shall be entitled to designate for nomination by the Board up to two (2) Directors from time to time (any Director designated by the Mainsail Related Parties, a “Mainsail Director”). The Mainsail Directors shall be apportioned among the three (3) classes of Directors as nearly equal in number as possible. The right of the Mainsail Related Parties to designate the Mainsail Directors as set forth in this Section 1(a) shall be subject to the following: (i) if at any time the Mainsail Related Parties beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate fifteen percent (15%) or more of all issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including for this purpose the Underlying Shares), the Mainsail Related Parties shall be entitled to designate for nomination two (2) Mainsail Directors, and (ii) if at any time the Mainsail Related Parties beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than fifteen percent (15%) but at least five percent (5%) or more of all issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including for this purpose the Underlying Shares), the Mainsail Related Parties shall only be entitled to designate for nomination one (1) Mainsail Director. The Mainsail Related Parties shall not be entitled to designate any Mainsail Directors in accordance with this Section 1(a) if at any time the Mainsail Related Parties beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than five percent (5%) of all issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including for this purpose Underlying Shares). The Directors shall be divided into three classes of directors, each of whose members shall serve for staggered three-year terms in accordance with the Charter.

(b) Subject to this Section 1(b), the Just Rocks Related Parties shall be entitled to designate for nomination by the Board two (2) Directors from time to time (any Director designated by the Just Rocks Related Parties, a “Just Rocks Director”). The Just Rocks Directors shall be apportioned among the three (3) classes of Directors as nearly equal in number as possible. The right of the Just Rocks Related Parties to designate the Just Rocks Directors as set forth in this Section 1(b) shall be subject to the following: (i) if at any time the Just Rocks Related Parties beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate fifteen percent (15%) or more of all issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock (including for this purpose the Underlying Shares), the Just Rocks Related Parties shall be entitled to designate for nomination two (2) Just Rocks Directors, and (ii) if at any time the Just Rocks Related Parties

 

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beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than fifteen percent (15%) but at least five percent (5%) or more of all issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class D Common Stock (including for this purpose the Underlying Shares), the Just Rocks Related Parties shall only be entitled to designate for nomination one (1) Just Rocks Director. The Just Rocks Related Parties shall not be entitled to designate any Just Rocks Directors in accordance with this Section 1(b) if at any time the Just Rocks Related Parties beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate less than five percent (5%) of all issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including for this purpose Underlying Shares). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 1(b), so long as (i) Beth Gerstein serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Ms. Gerstein shall be nominated by the Board as a Director and, if so elected, in that capacity she shall serve as one of the Just Rocks Directors and (ii) Eric Grossberg serves as the Executive Chairman of the Corporation, Mr. Grossberg shall be nominated by the Board as a Director and, if so elected, in that capacity he shall serve as one of the Just Rocks Directors.

(c) Subject to Section 1(a) and Section 1(b), each of Mainsail, the Mainsail Holdcos and Just Rocks hereby agree to vote, or cause to be voted, all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and/or and the Corporation’s Class D Common Stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Class D Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), as applicable, held by the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which Directors of the Corporation are to be elected or removed, and to take all Necessary Action to cause the election or removal of each of the Mainsail Directors and the Just Rock Directors as a Director, as provided herein and to implement and enforce the provisions set forth in Section 3.

(d) At any time the Mainsail Related Parties shall be entitled to nomination rights under Section 1(a), the Corporation shall not increase or decrease the number of Directors serving on the Board without the prior written consent of the Mainsail Related Parties.

Section 2. Vacancies and Replacements.

(a) If the number of Directors that the Mainsail Related Parties or the Just Rocks Related Parties have the right to designate to the Board is decreased pursuant to Section 1(a) or Section 1(b) (each such occurrence, a “Decrease in Designation Rights”), then:

(i) unless a majority of Directors (with the affected party’s Board designees abstaining) agree in writing that a Director or Directors shall not resign as a result of a Decrease in Designation Rights, each of the Mainsail Related Parties or the Just Rocks Related Parties, as applicable, shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause each of (x) the appropriate number of Mainsail Directors that the Mainsail Related Parties cease to have the right to designate for nomination as a Mainsail Director or (y) the appropriate number of Just Rocks Directors that the Just Rocks Related Parties cease to have the right to designate for nomination as the Just Rocks Directors, respectively, to tender his, her or their resignation(s) from the Board within thirty (30) days from the date that the Mainsail Related Parties and/or the Just Rocks Related Parties, as applicable, incurs a Decrease in Designation Rights, provided that this Section 2(a)(i) shall not apply to (i) Ms. Gerstein as long as she serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or (ii) Mr. Grossberg as long as serves as the Executive Chairman of the Corporation. In the event any such Mainsail Director or Just Rocks Director, as applicable, does not resign as a Director by such time as is required by the foregoing, the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties, as holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, the Corporation and the Board, to the fullest extent permitted by law and, with respect to the Board, subject to its fiduciary duties to the Corporation’s stockholders, shall thereafter take all Necessary Action, including voting in accordance with Section 1(c), to cause the removal of such individual as a Director; and

 

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(ii) the vacancy or vacancies created by such resignation(s) and/or removal(s) shall be filled with one or more Directors, as applicable, designated by the Board upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, so long as it is established.

(b) Other than with respect to a Decrease in Designation Rights, each of the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties shall have the sole right to request that one or more of their respective designated Directors, as applicable, tender their resignations as Directors of the Board (each, a “Removal Right”), in each case, with or without cause at any time, by sending a written notice to such Director and the Corporation’s Secretary stating the name of the Director or Directors whose resignation from the Board is requested (the “Removal Notice”). If the Director subject to such Removal Notice does not resign within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof by such Director, the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties, as holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock, the Corporation and the Board, to the fullest extent permitted by law and, with respect to the Board, subject to its fiduciary duties to the Corporation’s stockholders, shall thereafter take all Necessary Action, including voting in accordance with Section 1(c) to cause the removal of such Director from the Board.

(c) Except with respect to a Decrease in Designation Rights subject to Section 2(a), each of the Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties, as applicable, shall have the exclusive right to designate a replacement Director for nomination or election by the Board to fill vacancies created as a result of not designating their respective Directors initially or by death, disability, retirement, resignation, removal (with or without cause) of their respective Directors, or otherwise by designating a successor for nomination or election by the Board to fill the vacancy of their respective Directors created thereby on the terms and subject to the conditions of Section 1.

Section 3. Initial Directors and Corporate Governance.

(a) Initial Directors. The initial Mainsail Directors designated for nomination pursuant to Section 1(a) shall initially be Gavin Turner (designated for nomination as a Class II Director) and Beth Kaplan (designated for nomination as a Class III Director). The initial Just Rocks Directors designated for nomination pursuant to Section 1(b) shall initially be Beth Gerstein (designated for nomination as a Class I Director) and Eric Grossberg (designated for nomination as a Class II Director). Eric Grossberg shall serve as the initial Chairperson of the Board (as defined in the Bylaws) for the initial term, in accordance with this Agreement and the Bylaws, after which the Chairperson of the Board shall be determined in accordance with this Agreement and the Bylaws.

(b) Compensation Committee. For so long as the Mainsail Related Parties have the ability pursuant to Section 1(a) to designate for nomination at least one (1) Director, the Mainsail Related Parties shall have, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to The Nasdaq Stock Exchange rules and in compliance with other applicable laws, rules and regulations, and subject to the requirements of the charter for the Compensation Committee, the right, but not the obligation, to designate one (1) member of the Compensation Committee.

(c) Chief Executive Officer. Immediately following the consummation of the IPO, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall be Beth Gerstein. Ms. Beth Gerstein shall not be removed or terminated as Chief Executive Officer without “Cause” (as such term is defined in Ms. Beth Gerstein’s employment agreement with the Company in effect as of the date hereof) without the approval of (i) a majority of the Directors comprising the Board and (ii) a majority of the Just Rocks Directors, in each case with Ms. Beth Gerstein recusing herself from such vote.

 

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Section 4. Covenants of the Corporation.

(a) The Board and the Corporation agree use their reasonable best efforts to take all Necessary Action (subject to the Board’s fiduciary duties) to (i) cause the Board to be comprised of at least seven (7) Directors or such other number of Directors as the Board may determine, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Charter or the Bylaws of the Corporation; (ii) cause the individuals designated in accordance with Section 1 to be included in the slate of nominees to be elected to the Board at the next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which Directors are to be elected, in accordance with the Bylaws, Charter and General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and at each annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation thereafter at which such Director’s term expires; (iii) cause the individuals designated in accordance with Section 2(c) to fill the applicable vacancies on the Board, in accordance with the Bylaws, Charter, Securities Laws, General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and The Nasdaq Stock Exchange rules and (iv) cause a Just Rocks Director to be the Chairperson of the Board.

(b) The Mainsail Related Parties and the Just Rocks Related Parties shall comply with the requirements of the Charter and Bylaws when designating and nominating individuals as Directors, in each case, to the extent such requirements are applicable to Directors generally. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, in the event that the Board determines, within sixty (60) days after compliance with the first sentence of this Section 4(b), in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that its nomination, appointment or election of a particular Director designated in accordance with Section 1 or Section 2, as applicable, would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties to the Corporation’s stockholders or does not otherwise comply with any requirements of the Charter or Bylaws and Securities Laws, then the Board shall inform the Mainsail Related Parties and/or the Just Rocks Related Parties, as applicable, of such determination in writing and explain in reasonable detail the basis for such determination and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, nominate, appoint or elect another individual designated for nomination, election or appointment to the Board by the Mainsail Related Parties and/or the Just Rocks Related Parties, as applicable (subject in each case to this Section 4(b)). The Board and the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, take all Necessary Action (subject to the Board’s fiduciary duties) required by this Section 4 with respect to the nomination, appointment or election of such substitute designees to the Board.

(c) In addition to any voting requirements contained in this Agreement or the organizational documents of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, the Corporation shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct business or operations or hold or acquire assets in its own name or otherwise other than through Brilliant Earth, LLC and its Subsidiaries without the prior written approval of (i) Mainsail and each of the Mainsail Holdcos for as long as the Mainsail Related Parties beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate five percent (5%) or more of all issued and outstanding Common Units and (ii) Just Rocks for as long as the Just Rocks Related Parties beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate five percent (5%) or more of all issued and outstanding Common Units, provided, however, that nothing in this clause (c) shall be deemed to prohibit the Corporation from, and no consent of Mainsail Mainsail Holdcos, Just Rocks or any other Person shall be required for the Corporation to engage in, (i) holding or using cash received by the Corporation as a result of the Corporation’s investment in Brilliant Earth, LLC or (ii) re-investing cash into Brilliant Earth, LLC (whether by way of intercompany loan, investment or otherwise).

 

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(d) If the Corporation ceases to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any during which the Corporation is not in compliance with such requirements, the Corporation shall deliver to the Mainsail Related Parties (i) annual audited, consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (including the Company) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, certified by a nationally or regionally recognized independent public accounting firm selected by the Corporation’s board of directors and (ii) quarterly unaudited, consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (including the Company), including a balance sheet and statements of income, cash flow and stockholders equity, and updated capitalization tables, within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, accompanied by a comparison of such quarterly results with budgeted results and with the results for the corresponding period for the prior year.

Section 5. Termination.

This Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of any one of the following events:

(a) each of (i) the Mainsail Related Parties and (ii) the Just Rocks Related Parties ceasing to own any shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock;

(b) each of (i) the Mainsail Related Parties and (ii) the Just Rocks Related Parties ceasing to have any Director designation rights under Section 1; and

(c) the unanimous written consent of the parties hereto.

For the avoidance of doubt, the rights and obligations (i) of the Mainsail Related Parties under this Agreement shall terminate upon the Mainsail Related Parties ceasing to own any shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock and (ii) of the Just Rocks Related Parties under this Agreement shall terminate upon the Just Rocks Related Parties ceasing to own any shares of Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall modify, limit or otherwise affect, in any way, any and all rights to indemnification, exculpation and/or contribution owed by any of the parties hereto, to the extent arising out of or relating to events occurring prior to the date of termination of this Agreement or the date the rights and obligations of such party under this Agreement terminates in accordance with this Section 5.

Section 6. Definitions.

As used in this Agreement, any term that it is not defined herein, shall have the following meanings:

Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

Bylaws” means the amended and restated bylaws of the Corporation, dated as of the date hereof, as the same may be further amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

Charter” means the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, effective as of the date hereof, as the same may be further amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

Compensation Committee” means the compensation committee of the Board.

Director” means a member of the Board.

 

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Necessary Action” means, with respect to a specified result, all commercially reasonable actions required to cause such result that are within the power of a specified Person, including (i) voting or providing a written consent or proxy with respect to the equity securities owned by the Person obligated to undertake the necessary action, (ii) voting in favor of the adoption of stockholders’ resolutions and amendments to the organizational documents of the Corporation, (iii) executing agreements and instruments, and (iv) making, or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result.

Permitted Transferees” has the meaning set forth in the Charter.

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, joint stock company, business trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity or organization, including a government or any subdivision or agency thereof.

Preferred Stock” means the shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.

Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder.

Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other form of legal entity, of which (a) such first Person directly or indirectly owns or controls at least a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions, or (b) such first Person is a general partner or managing member (excluding partnerships in which such Person or any Subsidiary thereof does not have a majority of the voting interests in such partnership).

Underlying Shares” means, without duplication, (i) all shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon redemption of Common Units, assuming all such Common Units are redeemed for Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis in accordance with the Charter and (ii) all shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Class D Common Stock, assuming all such shares of Class D Common Stock are redeemed for Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis in accordance with the Charter.

Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include each other gender; (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively; (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement; (iv) the terms “Article” or “Section” refer to the specified Article or Section of this Agreement; (v) the word “including” shall mean “including, without limitation”; (vi) each defined term has its defined meaning throughout this Agreement, whether the definition of such term appears before or after such term is used; and (vii) the word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive. References to agreements and other documents shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto. References to statutes shall include all regulations promulgated thereunder and references to statutes or regulations shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or regulation.

Section 7. Choice of Law and Venue; Waiver of Right to Jury Trial.

(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED, APPLIED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IN THE EVENT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE NON-BREACHING PARTY WOULD BE

 

7


IRREPARABLY HARMED AND COULD NOT BE MADE WHOLE BY MONETARY DAMAGES, AND THAT, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER REMEDY TO WHICH THEY MAY BE ENTITLED AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, THE PARTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO SUCH EQUITABLE OR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE. THE CHOICE OF FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO PRECLUDE THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT OF A DELAWARE FEDERAL OR STATE COURT, OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE SUCH A JUDGMENT, IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION.

(b) IN THE EVENT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT COMMENCES ANY LITIGATION, PROCEEDING OR OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED AGREEMENT OR ANY MATTERS DESCRIBED OR CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY (1) AGREE UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ABSOLUTELY AND IRREVOCABLY TO SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR IF (AND ONLY IF) SUCH COURT FINDS IT LACKS SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (COMPLEX COMMERCIAL DIVISION), OR IF UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OVER THE MATTER THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS VESTED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, AND APPELLATE COURTS FROM ANY THEREOF, WITH RESPECT TO ALL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY; (2) AGREE THAT IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION, PROCEEDING OR ACTION, SUCH PARTIES WILL CONSENT AND SUBMIT TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (1) OF THIS SECTION 7(B) AND TO SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND STATUTES GOVERNING SERVICE OF PROCESS; (3) AGREE TO WAIVE TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY OBJECTION THAT THEY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION, PROCEEDING OR ACTION IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION, PROCEEDING OR ACTION WAS BROUGHT IN ANY INCONVENIENT FORUM; (4) AGREE TO WAIVE ANY RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTES OR CLAIMS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT; (5) AGREE TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING BY MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF TO SUCH PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN FOR COMMUNICATIONS TO SUCH PARTY; (6) AGREE THAT ANY SERVICE MADE AS PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT; AND (7) AGREE THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHTS OF ANY PARTY TO EFFECT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

Section 8. Notices.

Any notice, request, claim, demand, document and other communication hereunder to any party shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt) and shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by facsimile, or by electronic mail, or first class mail, or by Federal Express or other similar courier or other similar means of communication, as follows:

 

  (a)

If to Just Rocks, addressed as follows:

Just Rocks, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

 

8


San Francisco, California 94108

Attn: Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossman

E-mail: beth@brilliantearth.com and eric@brilliantearth.com

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attn: Tad Freese, Haim Zaltzman, Kristen Grannis and Benjamin Cohen

Facsimile: (212) 906-1623

E-mail: tad.freese@lw.com, haim.zaltzman@lw.com, Kristen.grannis@lw.com and bemjamin.cohen@lw.com

 

  (b)

If to Mainsail Partners III, L.P., addressed as follows:

Mainsail Partners III, L.P.

500 West 5th Street, Suite 1100

Austin, Texas 78701

Attn: Gavin M. Turner

E-mail: gavin@mainsailpartners.com

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

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 N. LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Attn: Brian C. Van Klompenberg, P.C.; Michael P. Keeley

Facsimile: (312) 862-2200

E-mail: brian.vanklompenberg@kirkland.com and michael.keeley@kirkland.com

 

  (c)

If to the Corporation, addressed as follows:

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, 3rd Floor

San Francisco, California 94108

Telephone: (800) 691-0952

Attn: Alex K. Grab, General Counsel

E-mail: agrab@brilliantearth.com

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attn: Tad Freese, Haim Zaltzman, Kristen Grannis and Benjamin Cohen

Facsimile: (212) 906-1623

E-mail: tad.freese@lw.com, haim.zaltzman@lw.com, Kristen.grannis@lw.com and bemjamin.cohen@lw.com

 

9


or, in each case, to such other address or email address as such party may designate in writing to each party by written notice given in the manner specified herein. All such communications shall be deemed to have been given, delivered or made when so delivered by hand or sent by facsimile (with confirmed transmission), on the next business day if sent by overnight courier service (with confirmed delivery) or when received if sent by first class mail, or in the case of notice by electronic mail, when the relevant email enters the recipient’s server.

Section 9. Assignment.

Except as otherwise provided herein, all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto. This Agreement may not be assigned (by operation of law or otherwise) without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consents, will be null and void; provided, however, that each of Mainsail, the Mainsail Holdcos and Just Rocks is permitted to assign this Agreement to their respective Permitted Transferees. Each of Mainsail, the Mainsail Holdcos and Just Rocks shall cause any of their respective Permitted Transferees to become a party to this Agreement.

Section 10. Amendment and Modification; Waiver of Compliance.

This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or supplemented except by means of a written instrument executed on behalf of each of the Corporation, Mainsail and Just Rocks. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any failure of any of the parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived by the party or parties entitled to the benefits thereof only by a written instrument signed by the party or parties granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

Section 11. Waiver.

No failure on the part of either party hereto to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of either party hereto in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as a waiver thereof; and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy.

Section 12. Severability.

If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance or in any jurisdiction, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (i) the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each other provision hereof shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law, (ii) as to such Person or circumstance or in such jurisdiction such provision shall be reformed to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law and (iii) the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances or in other jurisdictions shall not be affected thereby.

Section 13. Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and signatures may be delivered by facsimile, each of which may be executed by less than all parties, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

10


Section 14. Further Assurances.

At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as any other party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the provisions of this Agreement and to otherwise carry out the intent of the parties hereunder.

Section 15. Titles and Subtitles.

The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

Section 16. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Each of Mainsail, the Mainsail Holdcos and Just Rocks and each Person who becomes a party to this Agreement after the date hereof, severally and not jointly and solely with respect to itself, represents and warrants to the Corporation as of the time such party becomes a party to this Agreement that (a) if applicable, it is duly authorized to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; (b) this Agreement has been duly executed by such party and is a valid and binding agreement of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance by such party of this Agreement does not violate or conflict with or result in a breach of or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time or both constitute) a default under any agreement to which such party is a party or, if applicable, the organizational documents of such party.

(b) The Corporation represents and warrants to each other party hereto that (a) the Corporation is duly authorized to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; (b) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Corporation and is a valid and binding agreement of the Corporation, enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with its terms; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Corporation of this Agreement does not violate or conflict with or result in a breach by the Corporation of or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time or both constitute) a default by the Corporation under the Charter or Bylaws, any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order, or decree of any governmental authority exercising any statutory or regulatory authority of any of the foregoing, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, or any agreement or instrument to which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound.

Section 17. No Strict Construction.

This Agreement shall be deemed to be collectively prepared by the parties hereto, and no ambiguity herein shall be construed for or against any party based upon the identity of the author of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

Name:   Beth Gerstein
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement]


MAINSAIL PARTNERS III, L.P.
By: Mainsail GP III, LLC,
Its General Partner

/s/ Gavin M. Turner

Name::   Gavin M. Turner
Title:   Managing Director
MAINSAIL INCENTIVE PROGRAM, LLC
By: Mainsail Management Company, LLC,
Its Managing Member

Gavin M. Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title:   Managing Director
MAINSAIL CO-INVESTORS III, L.P.
By: Mainsail GP III, LLC,
Its General Partner

Gavin M. Turner

Name:   Gavin M. Turner
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement]


JUST ROCKS, INC.

/s/ Eric Grossberg

By:     Eric Grossberg
Title:  President

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement]

EX-10.5

Exhibit 10.5

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.

September 22, 2021

Beth Gerstein

c/o Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, CA 94108

Re: Amended and Restated Offer Letter

Dear Ms. Gerstein:

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. (together with any of its subsidiaries and affiliates as may employ you from time to time, the “Company”) desires to continue your employment on the terms set forth in this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) effective as of the date first set forth above (the “Effective Date”). Effective as of the Effective Date, this Letter Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the offer letter entered into between you and the Company, dated as of November 30, 2012 (the “Original Offer Letter”).

1. Position. Your title will continue to be Chief Executive Officer and you will continue to have the duties as are normally associated with such position or as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). You will continue to report to the Board. This is a full-time position. While you render services to the Company, you will use your best efforts to promote the interests of the Company, you will devote your full business time and effort to the Company’s business and affairs and you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity (whether full-time or part-time) that would create a conflict of interest with the Company. In the course of your employment with the Company, you will be subject to and required to comply with all Company policies, and applicable laws and regulations. By signing this Letter Agreement, you confirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company.

 

2.

Cash Compensation.

 

  A.

Base Salary. Effective as of the Effective Date, you shall continue to be entitled to receive a base salary at the rate of $600,000 per year (as adjusted from time to time, your “Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule and subject to required tax withholding and other authorized deductions. Your Base Salary shall be subject to adjustment from time to time, as determined by the Board or its Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”).

 

  B.

Bonus: Beginning on January 1, 2022, in addition to your Base Salary, you will be eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus, which shall be targeted at 75% of your Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). The amount of your Target Bonus that will be payable to you in respect of any fiscal year shall be based on the attainment of performance metrics and/or individual performance objectives, in each case established and evaluated by the Board or the Compensation Committee. In the event you and/or the Company fail to meet threshold performance for the metrics and objectives for a fiscal year, you will not be entitled to any portion of your Target Bonus. Otherwise, the

 

1


  amount payable to you may range from 50% of your Target Bonus at threshold performance to 150% of your Target Bonus for performance at or above the maximum level established by the Board or Compensation Committee. Any portion of the Target Bonus earned by you will be paid in the year following the year to which the annual bonus relates, provided you remain employed by the Company through the applicable payment date.

3. Equity Grant. During your employment with the Company, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan or such other equity incentive plan(s) then in effect and be granted such equity awards thereunder, if any, as determined appropriate by the Board or the Compensation Committee. In the first quarter of 2022, subject to approval by the Board or the Compensation Committee, the Company will grant you one or more equity awards (which may consist of restricted stock units, stock options, or a combination thereof), which equity award(s) shall have a total value of approximately $3,000,000 (which value shall be determined by the Board in its discretion in accordance with applicable Company policies) and shall vest over four years.

4. Employee Benefits. As a regular employee of the Company, you will be eligible to participate in a number of Company-sponsored benefits that the Company (in its sole discretion) has established or will establish in the future. In addition, you will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy, as in effect from time to time.

5. Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. You will remain bound by your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement with the Company (or its predecessor in interest, as applicable).

6. Employment Relationship. Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company will be “at will,” meaning that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause. Any contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded by this Letter Agreement. This is the full and complete agreement between you and the Company on this term. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than you).

7. Taxes. All forms of compensation referred to in this Letter Agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law. You agree that the Company does not have a duty to design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities, and you will not make any claim against the Company or the Board related to tax liabilities arising from your compensation.

8. Interpretation, Amendment and Enforcement. This Letter Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreements (including, without limitation, the Original Offer Letter), representations or understandings (whether written, oral, implied or otherwise) between you and the Company and constitutes the complete agreement between you and the Company regarding the subject matter set forth herein. This Letter Agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. The terms of this Letter Agreement and the resolution of any disputes as to the meaning, effect, performance or validity of this Letter Agreement or arising out of, related to, or in any way connected with, this Letter Agreement, your employment with the Company or any other relationship between you and the Company (the “Disputes”) will be governed by California law, excluding laws relating to conflicts or choice of law. You and the Company submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in California in connection with any Dispute or any claim related to any Dispute.

 

2


9. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of this Letter Agreement and any and all claims relating to your employment with the Company will be settled by final and binding arbitration. The arbitration will take place in San Francisco County, California or, at your option, the County in which you primarily worked when the arbitrable dispute or claim first arose. The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. A current copy of such rules may be found at https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/EmploymentRules_Web_2.pdf. Any award or finding will be confidential. You and the Company agree to provide one another with reasonable access to documents and witnesses in connection with the resolution of the dispute. You and the Company will share the costs of arbitration equally, except that the Company will bear the cost of the arbitrator’s fee and any other type of expense or cost that you would not be required to bear if you were to bring the dispute or claim in court. Each party will be responsible for its own attorneys’ fees, and the arbitrator may not award attorneys’ fees unless a statute or contract at issue specifically authorizes such an award. This Section 9 does not apply to claims for workers’ compensation benefits or unemployment insurance benefits. Injunctive relief and other provisional remedies will be available in accordance with Section 1281.8 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.

10. Non Solicitation. For a two year period following the termination of your employment for any reason or without reason, you shall not solicit or induce any person who was an employee of the Company as of the date of your termination or within three months prior to leaving employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave their employment with the Company.

* * * * *

 

3


You may indicate your agreement with these terms of your employment by signing and dating this Letter Agreement and returning it to me.

 

Very truly yours,
BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Eric Grossberg

Name:   Eric Grossberg
Title:   Executive Chairman

 

Accepted and Agreed:

/s/ Beth Gertein

Name: Beth Gerstein

September 22, 2021

Date:
EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.

September 22, 2021

Eric Grossberg

c/o Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, CA 94108

Re: Amended and Restated Offer Letter

Dear Mr. Grossberg:

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. (together with any of its subsidiaries and affiliates as may employ you from time to time, the “Company”) desires to continue your employment on the terms set forth in this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) effective as of the date first set forth above (the “Effective Date”). Effective as of the Effective Date, this Letter Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the offer letter entered into between you and the Company, dated as of November 30, 2012 (the “Original Offer Letter”).

1. Position. Your title will continue to be Executive Chairman and you will continue to have the duties as are normally associated with such position or as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). You will continue to report to the Board. This is a full-time position. While you render services to the Company, you will use your best efforts to promote the interests of the Company, you will devote your full business time and effort to the Company’s business and affairs and you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity (whether full-time or part-time) that would create a conflict of interest with the Company. In the course of your employment with the Company, you will be subject to and required to comply with all Company policies, and applicable laws and regulations. By signing this Letter Agreement, you confirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company.

 

2.

Cash Compensation.

 

  A.

Base Salary. Effective as of the Effective Date, you shall continue to be entitled to receive a base salary at the rate of $600,000 per year (as adjusted from time to time, your “Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule and subject to required tax withholding and other authorized deductions. Your Base Salary shall be subject to adjustment from time to time, as determined by the Board or its Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”).

 

  B.

Bonus: Beginning on January 1, 2022, in addition to your Base Salary, you will be eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus, which shall be targeted at 56.25% of your Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). The amount of your Target Bonus that will be payable to you in respect of any fiscal year shall be based on the attainment of performance metrics and/or individual performance objectives, in each case established and evaluated by the Board or the Compensation Committee. In the event you and/or the Company fail to meet threshold performance for the metrics and objectives for a fiscal year, you will not be entitled to any portion of your Target Bonus. Otherwise, the

 

1


  amount payable to you may range from 50% of your Target Bonus at threshold performance to 150% of your Target Bonus for performance at or above the maximum level established by the Board or Compensation Committee. Any portion of the Target Bonus earned by you will be paid in the year following the year to which the annual bonus relates, provided you remain employed by the Company through the applicable payment date.

3. Equity Grant. During your employment with the Company, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan or such other equity incentive plan(s) then in effect and be granted such equity awards thereunder, if any, as determined appropriate by the Board or the Compensation Committee. In the first quarter of 2022, subject to approval by the Board or the Compensation Committee, the Company will grant you one or more equity awards (which may consist of restricted stock units, stock options, or a combination thereof), which equity award(s) shall have a total value of approximately $2,250,000 (which value shall be determined by the Board in its discretion in accordance with applicable Company policies) and shall vest over four years.

4. Employee Benefits. As a regular employee of the Company, you will be eligible to participate in a number of Company-sponsored benefits that the Company (in its sole discretion) has established or will establish in the future. In addition, you will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy, as in effect from time to time.

5. Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. You will remain bound by your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement with the Company (or its predecessor in interest, as applicable).

6. Employment Relationship. Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company will be “at will,” meaning that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause. Any contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded by this Letter Agreement. This is the full and complete agreement between you and the Company on this term. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than you).

7. Taxes. All forms of compensation referred to in this Letter Agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law. You agree that the Company does not have a duty to design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities, and you will not make any claim against the Company or the Board related to tax liabilities arising from your compensation.

8. Interpretation, Amendment and Enforcement. This Letter Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreements (including, without limitation, the Original Offer Letter), representations or understandings (whether written, oral, implied or otherwise) between you and the Company and constitutes the complete agreement between you and the Company regarding the subject matter set forth herein. This Letter Agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. The terms of this Letter Agreement and the resolution of any disputes as to the meaning, effect, performance or validity of this Letter Agreement or arising out of, related to, or in any way connected with, this Letter Agreement, your employment with the Company or any other relationship between you and the Company (the “Disputes”) will be governed by California law, excluding laws relating to conflicts or choice of law. You and the Company submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in California in connection with any Dispute or any claim related to any Dispute.

 

2


9. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of this Letter Agreement and any and all claims relating to your employment with the Company will be settled by final and binding arbitration. The arbitration will take place in San Francisco County, California or, at your option, the County in which you primarily worked when the arbitrable dispute or claim first arose. The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. A current copy of such rules may be found at https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/EmploymentRules_Web_2.pdf. Any award or finding will be confidential. You and the Company agree to provide one another with reasonable access to documents and witnesses in connection with the resolution of the dispute. You and the Company will share the costs of arbitration equally, except that the Company will bear the cost of the arbitrator’s fee and any other type of expense or cost that you would not be required to bear if you were to bring the dispute or claim in court. Each party will be responsible for its own attorneys’ fees, and the arbitrator may not award attorneys’ fees unless a statute or contract at issue specifically authorizes such an award. This Section 9 does not apply to claims for workers’ compensation benefits or unemployment insurance benefits. Injunctive relief and other provisional remedies will be available in accordance with Section 1281.8 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.

10. Non Solicitation. For a two year period following the termination of your employment for any reason or without reason, you shall not solicit or induce any person who was an employee of the Company as of the date of your termination or within three months prior to leaving employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave their employment with the Company.

* * * * *

 

3


You may indicate your agreement with these terms of your employment by signing and dating this Letter Agreement and returning it to me.

 

Very truly yours,
BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

Name:   Beth Gerstein
Title:   September 22, 2021

 

Accepted and Agreed:

/s/ Eric Grossberg

Name: Eric Grossberg

September 22, 2021

Date:
EX-10.7

Exhibit 10.7

BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.

September 22, 2021

Jeffrey Kuo

c/o Brilliant Earth Group, Inc.

300 Grant Avenue, Third Floor

San Francisco, CA 94108

Re: Amended and Restated Offer Letter

Dear Mr. Kuo:

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. (together with any of its subsidiaries and affiliates as may employ you from time to time, the “Company”) desires to continue your employment on the terms set forth in this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) effective as of the date first set forth above (the “Effective Date”). Effective as of the Effective Date, this Letter Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the offer letter entered into between you and the Company, dated as of December 23, 2014 (the “Original Offer Letter”).

1. Position. Your title will continue to be Chief Financial Officer and you will continue to have the duties as are normally associated with such position or as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). You will continue to report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. This is a full-time position. While you render services to the Company, you will use your best efforts to promote the interests of the Company, you will devote your full business time and effort to the Company’s business and affairs and you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity (whether full-time or part-time) that would create a conflict of interest with the Company. In the course of your employment with the Company, you will be subject to and required to comply with all Company policies, and applicable laws and regulations. By signing this Letter Agreement, you confirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company.

2. Cash Compensation.

 

  A.

Base Salary. Effective as of the Effective Date, you shall continue to be entitled to receive a base salary at the rate of $315,000 per year (as adjusted from time to time, your “Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule and subject to required tax withholding and other authorized deductions. Your Base Salary shall be subject to adjustment from time to time, as determined by the Board or its Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”). Without limiting the foregoing, effective as of January 1, 2022, your Base Salary shall be increased to $375,000 per year, subject to you continued employment hereunder.

 

  B.

Bonus: In addition to your Base Salary, you will be eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus, which shall be targeted at $150,000 for fiscal year 2021 and 50% of your Base Salary for each fiscal year thereafter (the “Target Bonus”). The amount of your Target Bonus that will be payable to you in respect of any fiscal year shall be based on the attainment of performance metrics and/or individual performance objectives, in each case established and evaluated by the Board or the Compensation Committee. In

 

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  the event you and/or the Company fail to meet threshold performance for the metrics and objectives for a fiscal year, you will not be entitled to any portion of your Target Bonus. Otherwise, the amount payable to you may range from 50% of your Target Bonus at threshold performance to 150% of your Target Bonus for performance at or above the maximum level established by the Board or Compensation Committee. Any portion of the Target Bonus earned by you will be paid in the year following the year to which the annual bonus relates, provided you remain employed by the Company through the applicable payment date.

3. Equity Grant. During your employment with the Company, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan or such other equity incentive plan(s) then in effect and be granted such equity awards thereunder, if any, as determined appropriate by the Board or the Compensation Committee. In the first quarter of 2022, subject to approval by the Board or the Compensation Committee, the Company will grant you one or more equity awards (which may consist of restricted stock units, stock options, or a combination thereof), which equity award(s) shall have a total value of approximately $800,000 (which value shall be determined by the Board in its discretion in accordance with applicable Company policies) and shall vest over four years.

4. Employee Benefits. As a regular employee of the Company, you will be eligible to participate in a number of Company-sponsored benefits that the Company (in its sole discretion) has established or will establish in the future. In addition, you will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy, as in effect from time to time.

5. Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. You will remain bound by your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement with the Company (or its predecessor in interest, as applicable).

6. Employment Relationship. Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company will be “at will,” meaning that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause. Any contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded by this Letter Agreement. This is the full and complete agreement between you and the Company on this term. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than you).

7. Taxes. All forms of compensation referred to in this Letter Agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law. You agree that the Company does not have a duty to design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities, and you will not make any claim against the Company or the Board related to tax liabilities arising from your compensation.

8. Interpretation, Amendment and Enforcement. This Letter Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior agreements (including, without limitation, the Original Offer Letter), representations or understandings (whether written, oral, implied or otherwise) between you and the Company and constitutes the complete agreement between you and the Company regarding the subject matter set forth herein. This Letter Agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized officer of the Company. The terms of this Letter Agreement and the resolution of any disputes as to the meaning, effect, performance or validity of this Letter Agreement or arising out of, related to, or in any way connected with, this Letter Agreement, your employment with the Company or any other relationship between you and the Company (the “Disputes”) will be governed by California law, excluding laws relating to conflicts or choice of law. You and the Company submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in California in connection with any Dispute or any claim related to any Dispute.

 

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9. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of this Letter Agreement and any and all claims relating to your employment with the Company will be settled by final and binding arbitration. The arbitration will take place in San Francisco County, California or, at your option, the County in which you primarily worked when the arbitrable dispute or claim first arose. The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. A current copy of such rules may be found at https://www.adr.org/sites/default/files/EmploymentRules_Web_2.pdf. Any award or finding will be confidential. You and the Company agree to provide one another with reasonable access to documents and witnesses in connection with the resolution of the dispute. You and the Company will share the costs of arbitration equally, except that the Company will bear the cost of the arbitrator’s fee and any other type of expense or cost that you would not be required to bear if you were to bring the dispute or claim in court. Each party will be responsible for its own attorneys’ fees, and the arbitrator may not award attorneys’ fees unless a statute or contract at issue specifically authorizes such an award. This Section 9 does not apply to claims for workers’ compensation benefits or unemployment insurance benefits. Injunctive relief and other provisional remedies will be available in accordance with Section 1281.8 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.

10. Non Solicitation. For a two year period following the termination of your employment for any reason or without reason, you shall not solicit or induce any person who was an employee of the Company as of the date of your termination or within three months prior to leaving employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave their employment with the Company.

* * * * *

 

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You may indicate your agreement with these terms of your employment by signing and dating this Letter Agreement and returning it to me.

 

Very truly yours,
BRILLIANT EARTH GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Beth Gerstein

Name:   Beth Gerstein
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted and Agreed:

/s/ Jeffrey Kuo

Name: Jeffrey Kuo

September 22, 2021

Date: