Exhibit 10.12

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the [    ] day of [     ], by and between ZAIS Financial Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and [     ] (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as a director and/or officer of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of his service; and

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to continue to serve as such director and/or officer, the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

Section 1.              Definitions .  For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)           “ Change in Control ” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not individuals (A) who were directors as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved.

 

 

(b)           “ Corporate Status ” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company.  As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (i) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (ii) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company.

 

(c)           “ Disinterested Director ” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(d)           “ Effective Date ” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

(e)           “ Expenses ” means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding.  Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedes bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.

 

(f)            “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent:  (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(g)           “ Proceeding ” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or

 

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completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee.  If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.

 

Section 2.              Services by Indemnitee .  Indemnitee will serve as a director and/or officer of the Company.  However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company.  This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.

 

Section 3.              General .  The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of the State of Maryland in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in the laws of the State of Maryland shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on the laws of the State of Maryland as in effect on the Effective Date.  The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “ MGCL ”).

 

Section 4.              Standard for Indemnification .  If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 5.              Certain Limits on Indemnification.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:

 

(a)           indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable to the Company;

 

(b)           indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status; or

 

(c)           indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement

 

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approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.

 

Section 6.              Court-Ordered Indemnification .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification in the following circumstances:

 

(a)           if it determines Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

 

(b)           if it determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper.  However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.

 

Section 7.              Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of his Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.  If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each such claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis.  For purposes of this Section 7 and, without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

Section 8.              Advance of Expenses for a Party .  If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding.  Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion of any

 

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Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which it shall ultimately be established that the standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of this Agreement.  To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis.  The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.

 

Section 9.              Indemnification and Advance of Expenses of a Witness .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of his Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding.  Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee.

 

Section 10.            Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification .

 

(a)           To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.  Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his sole discretion.  The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(b)           Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Directors, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by the Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company.  If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be

 

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made within ten days after such determination.  Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b).  Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

(c)           The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.

 

Section 11.            Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings .

 

(a)           In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.

 

(b)           The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

 

(c)           The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

Section 12.            Remedies of Indemnitee .

 

(a)           If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of

 

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Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such indemnification or advance of Expenses.  Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under Section 7 of this Agreement.  Except as set forth herein, the provisions of the laws of the State of Maryland (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration.  The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

(b)           In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be.  If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).  The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(c)           If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification.

 

(d)           In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 12, seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication or arbitration.  If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

 

(e)           Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period commencing with the date on which the Company was requested to advance expenses in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement or to make the determination of entitlement to

 

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indemnification under Section 12(a) above.  Indemnitee requests indemnification, reimbursement or advance of any Expenses and ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

Section 13.            Defense of the Underlying Proceeding .

 

(a)           Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding.  The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.

 

(b)           Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above.  The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee.  This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that he may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company.  In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice,

 

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subject to the prior approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

 

Section 14.            Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation .

 

(a)           The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise.  Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal.  No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

(b)           In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

Section 15.            Insurance .  The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of his Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of his Corporate Status.  Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in the previous sentence.  The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies.  If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.

 

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Section 16.            Coordination of Payments .  The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 17.            Reports to Stockholders .  To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.

 

Section 18.            Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect .

 

(a)           This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) ten years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding due to the lapse of all applicable statutes of limitations or otherwise (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).

 

(b)           The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

(c)           The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

(d)           The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm.  Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or

 

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specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he may be entitled.  Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith.  The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

Section 19.            Severability .  If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

Section 20.            Identical Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.  One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

Section 21.            Headings .  The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

Section 22.            Modification and Waiver .  No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

Section 23.            Notices .  All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

 

(a)           If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

 

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(b)           If to the Company, to:

 

General Counsel
Two Bridge Avenue, Suite 322
Red Bank, New Jersey 07701-1106
Facsimile: (732) 978-7507

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

Section 24.            Governing Law .  The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.

 

Section 25.            Miscellaneous .  Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

	ZAIS FINANCIAL CORP.
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	INDEMNITEE
	Name:
	Address:

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

 

The Board of Directors of ZAIS Financial Corp.

 

Re:  Undertaking to Repay Expenses Advanced

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated the [       ] day of [     ], by and between ZAIS Financial Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the “ Indemnification Agreement ”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “ Proceeding ”).

 

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.

 

I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity.  I hereby affirm my good belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director] [an officer] of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.

 

In consideration of the advance of Expenses by the Company for reasonable attorneys’ fees and related Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “ Advanced Expenses ”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this        day of                                         , 20        .

 

A-1

Exhibit 10.14

 

ZAIS GROUP/ZAIS FINANCIAL TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

This ZAIS GROUP/ZAIS FINANCIAL TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), is entered into as of the        day of                  , 2013 (“Effective Date”), by and between the Parties,

 

ZAIS Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, having a principal place of business at Two Bridge Avenue, Suite 322, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701-1106 (“ZAIS Group”), and

 

ZAIS Financial Corp., a Maryland corporation with offices at Two Bridge Avenue, Suite 322, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701-1106 (“ZFC”),

 

and the Parties agree as follows:

 

A R T I C L E  1
BACKGROUND AND DEFINITIONS

 

1.1           ZAIS Group has adopted, is using, and is the owner of the Licensed Mark (as defined in Article 1.6) in the United States for financial services.

 

1.2           ZFC is a Real Estate Investment Trust managed by a subsidiary of ZAIS Group .

 

1.3           ZFC desires to use the Licensed Mark as part of the trade name ZAIS Financial Corp. and in connection with the Licensed Services (as defined in Article 1.8).

 

1.4           ZAIS Group desires to license the Licensed Mark on a limited purpose, fully revocable basis to ZFC to be used as part of the trade name ZAIS Financial Corp. and in connection with the Licensed Services subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

1.5           “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

1.6           “Licensed Mark” means the mark ZAIS.

 

1.7           “Licensed Trade Name” means the corporate name ZAIS Financial Corp. and any variation thereof including the term ZAIS that is used by Licensed Users, including in relation to the website addresses zaisfinancial.com and zaisfinancialcorp.com.

 

1.8           “Licensed Services” means real estate finance products and services offered in the United States by Licensed Users.

 

1.9           “Licensed User” and “Licensed Users” means ZFC and ZFC’s Subsidiaries.

 

1.10         “Subsidiary” means any corporation, company or other legal entity:

 

1.10.1      more than fifty percent (50%) of whose shares or outstanding securities (representing the right to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, now or hereafter, Controlled, directly or indirectly by a party hereto, but such entity shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary for the purposes of this Agreement only so long as such Control exists; or

 

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1.10.2      which does not have outstanding shares or securities, as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture, or unincorporated association, but more than fifty percent (50%) of whose ownership interest representing the right to make decisions for such entity is now or hereafter, Controlled, directly or indirectly by a party hereto, but such entity shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary for the purposes of this Agreement only so long as such Control exists.

 

A R T I C L E  2
LICENSE GRANT AND CONDITIONS OF LICENSED USE

 

2.1           ZAIS Group hereby grants Licensed Users a nonexclusive, nontransferable, nonsublicensable, fully revocable, royalty-free limited purpose license to use and display the Licensed Trade Name and the Licensed Mark in the United States solely in connection with the Licensed Services.

 

2.2           All use of the Licensed Mark by Licensed Users, and all goodwill associated with such use, shall inure to the benefit of ZAIS Group.

 

2.3           Licensed Users shall use the Licensed Mark in a form which is in accordance with sound trademark practice so as not to weaken the value of the Licensed Mark.  Licensed Users shall use the Licensed Mark in a manner that does not derogate, based on an objective business standard, ZAIS Group’s rights in the Licensed Mark or the value of the Licensed Mark, and shall take no action that would, based on an objective standard, interfere with, diminish or tarnish those rights or value.

 

2.4           The Licensed Mark shall remain the exclusive property of ZAIS Group and nothing in this Agreement shall give Licensed Users any right or interest in the Licensed Mark except the licenses expressly granted in this Agreement.

 

2.5           All of ZAIS Group’s rights in and to the Licensed Mark, including, but not limited to, the right to use and to grant others the right to use the Licensed Mark, are reserved by ZAIS Group.

 

2.6           No license, right, or immunity is granted by either party to the other, either expressly or by implication, or by estoppel, or otherwise with respect to any trademarks, copyrights, or trade dress, or other property right, other than with respect to the Licensed Trade Name and the Licensed Mark in accordance with Article 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

2.7           Licensed Users acknowledge that ZAIS Group is the sole owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Licensed Mark, and that Licensed Users have not acquired, and shall not acquire, any right, title or interest in or to the Licensed Mark except the right to use the Licensed Mark in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.8           Licensed Users shall not register the Licensed Mark in any jurisdiction without ZAIS Group’s express prior written consent, and ZAIS Group shall retain the exclusive right to apply for and obtain registrations for the Licensed Mark throughout the world.

 

2.9           Licensed Users shall not challenge the validity of the Licensed Mark, nor shall Licensed Users challenge ZAIS Group’s ownership of the Licensed Mark or the enforceability of ZAIS Group’s rights therein.

 

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2.10         Licensed Users shall designate the first or a prominent use of the Licensed Mark in all promotional materials, documents, brochures, and/or manuals with the symbol “SM” .

 

2.11         Licensed Users agree to cooperate with ZAIS Group’s preparation and filing of any applications, renewals or other documentation necessary or useful to protect and/or enforce ZAIS Group’s intellectual property rights in the Licensed Mark.

 

2.11.1      Licensed Users shall notify ZAIS Group promptly of any actual or threatened infringements, imitations or unauthorized uses of the Licensed Mark of which Licensed Users become aware.

 

2.11.2      ZAIS Group shall have the sole right, though it is under no obligation, to bring any action for any past, present and future infringements of its intellectual property rights in the Licensed Mark.

 

2.11.3      Licensed Users shall cooperate with ZAIS Group, at ZAIS Group’s expense for any out-of-pocket costs incurred by Licensed Users, in any efforts by ZAIS Group to enforce its rights in the Licensed Mark or to prosecute third party infringers of the Licensed Mark.

 

2.11.4      ZAIS Group shall be entitled to retain any and all damages and other monies awarded or otherwise paid in connection with any such action.

 

2.12         Quality Control.   In order to promote the goodwill symbolized by the Licensed Mark, Licensed Users will insure that the Licensed Services shall be of the same high quality as the services marketed or otherwise provided by ZAIS Group.

 

2.12.1      Licensed Users shall use the Licensed Mark only in connection with services that meet or exceed generally accepted industry standards of quality and performance.

 

2.12.2      ZAIS Group shall have the right to monitor the quality of the services provided and promotional materials used by Licensed Users, and Licensed Users shall use reasonable efforts to assist ZAIS Group in monitoring the quality of the services provided and promotional materials used by Licensed Users.

 

2.12.3      From time to time and upon ZAIS Group’s request, Licensed Users shall submit to ZAIS Group samples of all materials bearing the Licensed Mark, including, without limitation, any advertising, packaging and other publicly disseminated materials.

 

2.12.4      If ZAIS Group discovers any improper use of the Licensed Mark on any such submission and delivers a writing describing in detail the improper use to ZFC, Licensed Users shall remedy the improper use immediately.

 

A R T I C L E  3

TERM AND TERMINATION

 

3.1           Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving the other party thirty (30) days’ prior written notice.

 

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3.2           This Agreement and all rights and licenses granted under this Agreement shall terminate as soon as practicable, but no longer than thirty (30) days, after:

 

3.2.1        A third party acquires Control of ZFC; or

 

3.2.2        ZAIS Group or any Subsidiary of ZAIS Group ceases to manage ZFC.

 

3.3           In the event that ZFC loses Control of a Subsidiary, all rights and licenses granted to the former Subsidiary under this Agreement shall immediately terminate.

 

3.4           Upon termination of this agreement, Licensed Users shall immediately cease use of the Licensed Trade Name and Licensed Mark as soon as practicable, but no longer than thirty (30) days, after termination.

 

A R T I C L E  4
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

4.1           Indemnification .  Licensed Users, at Licensed Users’ own expense, shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend ZAIS Group, its affiliates, successors and assigns, and its and their directors, officers, employees and agents, against any claim, demand, cause of action, debt, expense or liability (including attorneys’ fees and costs), to the extent that the foregoing (a) is based on a claim resulting solely from any service provided or offered by Licensed Users, (b) results from a material breach, or is based on a claim that, if true, would be a material breach, of this Agreement by Licensed Users, or (c) is based upon Licensed Users’ unauthorized or improper use of the Licensed Mark.

 

4.2           LIMITATION OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY .  ZAIS GROUP DOES NOT MAKE WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THE LICENSED MARK OR THIS AGREEMENT.

 

4.2.1        ZAIS GROUP SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND/OR TITLE, AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES THAT MAY OTHERWISE ARISE FROM COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OF TRADE OR CUSTOM.

 

4.2.2        IN NO EVENT SHALL ZAIS GROUP OR ANY OF ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF GOODWILL, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE LICENSED MARK, EVEN IF ZAIS GROUP IS EXPRESSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  THE FOREGOING LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES SHALL APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO EITHER PARTY.

 

4.3           Non-Transferable Agreement .  Licensed Users may not assign this Agreement and/or any rights and/or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of ZAIS Group and any such attempted assignment shall be void.

 

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4.4           Remedies .  Licensed Users acknowledge that a material breach of Licensed Users’ obligations under this Agreement would cause ZAIS Group irreparable damage.  Accordingly, Licensed Users agree that in the event of such breach or threatened breach, in addition to remedies at law, ZAIS Group shall have the right to enjoin Licensed Users from the unlawful and/or unauthorized use of the Licensed Trade Name and/or the Licensed Mark and other equitable relief to protect ZAIS Group’s rights in the Licensed Mark.

 

4.5           Integration.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties.  No promise, inducement, representation or agreement, other than as expressly set forth herein, has been made to or by the Parties hereto.  All prior agreements and understandings related to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral, are expressly superseded hereby and are of no further force or effect.

 

4.6           Binding Agreement.   This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties’ permitted assigns and successors and references to each party shall include such assigns and successors.

 

4.7           Amendment .  This Agreement cannot be altered, amended or modified in any respect, except by a writing duly signed by both Parties.

 

4.8           No Strict Construction .  The normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Headings are for reference and shall not affect the meaning of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.9           Waiver .  At no time shall any failure or delay by either party in enforcing any provisions, exercising any option, or requiring performance of any provisions, be construed to be a waiver of same.

 

4.10         Governing Law and Jurisdiction .  The provisions of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (excluding any conflict of law rule or principle that would refer to the laws of another jurisdiction).  Each party hereto irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding must be brought and/or defended in any such court; provided, however, that matters which are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts shall be brought in the Federal District Court for the District of New York.  Each party hereto consents to service of process by any means authorized by the applicable law of the forum in any action brought under or arising out of this Agreement, and each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent each may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

4.11         Attorney’s Fees .  In the event any suit or other legal proceeding is brought for the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Agreement, the Parties hereto agree that the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party upon final judgment on the merits reasonable attorneys’ fees (and sales taxes thereon, if any), including attorneys’ fees for any appeal, and costs incurred in bringing such suit or proceeding.

 

4.12         Relationship of the Parties .  Nothing in this Agreement will be construed as creating a joint venture, partnership, or employment relationship between ZAIS Group and ZFC or any of ZFC’s

 

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Subsidiaries.  Neither party will have the right, power or implied authority to create any obligation or duty on behalf of the other party.

 

4.13         Notices .  Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all notices shall be in writing and delivered personally, mailed, first class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered by confirmed electronic or digital means, to the addresses set forth at the beginning of this Agreement and to the attention of the undersigned.  Either party may change the addresses or addressees for notice by giving notice to the other.  All notices shall be deemed given on the date personally delivered, when placed in the mail as specified or when electronic or digital confirmation is received.

 

4.14         Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, by manual or facsimile signature, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[ SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW ]

 

6

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

	ZAIS FINANCIAL CORP.
	By:
		Name:
		Title:
	ZAIS GROUP, LLC
	By:
		Name: Michael Szymanski
		Title: President

 

[Signature Page to License Agreement]