Employment Agreement - Michael Kors (USA) Inc., Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. and Joseph B. Parsons
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of the 23rd day of May, 2013 by and among Michael Kors (USA), Inc. (the "Company"), Michael Kors Holdings Limited ("MKHL") and Joseph B. Parsons ("Executive").
WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement to reflect their mutual agreements with respect to the employment of Executive by the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, warranties and undertakings herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Term. The employment of Executive with the Company commenced on January 5, 2004 and shall continue under this Agreement through March 31, 2015 (the "Initial Term"), subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement. After the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement shall be automatically renewed for additional one-year terms (each, a "Renewal Term") unless either the Company or Executive gives written notice to the other of the termination of this Agreement at least six (6) months in advance of the next successive one-year term. Any election by the Company or Executive not to renew such employment at the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term shall be at the sole, absolute discretion of the Company or Executive, respectively. The period Executive is employed hereunder during the Initial Term and any such Renewal Terms is referred to herein as the "Term".
2. Position and Duties.
(a) General. Executive shall be employed as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer of the Company and MKHL. Executive shall perform such duties and services as are commensurate with Executive's position and such other duties and services as are from time to time reasonably assigned to Executive by the Chief Executive Officer or, if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, by the Board of Directions of MKHL. Except for vacation, holiday, personal and sick days in accordance with this Agreement and the Company's policies, Executive shall devote his full business time during the Term to providing services to the Company and its affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may serve on one or more boards of directors with the consent of the Board of Directors of MKHL. Executive shall maintain a primary residence in the New York City metropolitan area during the Term.
(b) Additional Duties. All of Executive's business time will be dedicated to serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer of the Company. Executive acknowledges and agrees that, except as otherwise provided in accordance with this Section 2(b), the Company will be his sole employer under this Agreement and the Company will provide all payments and benefits to Executive under this Agreement. At the request of MKHL,
Executive further agrees, without additional compensation, to act as an officer or director of subsidiaries of MKHL, other than the Company. At the direction of MKHL, any rights and obligations of the Company hereunder may be assigned, in whole or in part, to such subsidiaries; provided, that the Company's obligations with respect to compensation and benefits shall remain the Company's obligations, unless Executive consents in writing to such assignment, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
3. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. Executive's base salary (the "Base Salary") shall be at the rate of $500,000 per year with an increase to $600,000 per year effective June 1, 2013. The Base Salary shall be payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company.
(b) Periodic Review of Compensation. On an annual basis during the Term, but without any obligation to increase or otherwise change and with no right to reduce, the compensation provisions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to undertake a review of the performance by Executive of his duties under this Agreement and of the efforts he has undertaken for and on behalf of the Company.
(c) Annual Bonus.
(i) With respect to each full fiscal year of the Company during the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the "Bonus") based on a percentage of Executive's Base Salary (with the incentive levels set at 50% target – 75% stretch – 100% maximum), in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of the Company's then existing executive bonus plan (the "Bonus Plan"). The Bonus shall be 70% based on the achievement of divisional performance targets and 30% based on the achievement of overall corporate performance targets (in each case based on criteria established by the MKHL Board of Directors (or any appropriate committee thereof) at the beginning of each fiscal year), shall be determined annually at the same time bonuses are determined for comparable senior executives of the Company in accordance with the Bonus Plan, and shall be payable at the same time and in the same manner as bonuses are paid to comparable senior executives of the Company.
(ii) During the Term, the targets and performance goals, including, without limitation, the extent to which they will be based on corporate performance, divisional performance or other criteria consistent with the terms and conditions of the Bonus Plan shall be established annually by the MKHL Board of Directors (or any appropriate committee thereof) in accordance with the Bonus Plan.
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(d) Benefits. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans and programs, including, without limitation, medical, dental and 401(k), that the Company provides generally to comparable executives in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of such plans and programs (including, without limitation, any eligibility limitations) as they may be modified by the Company from time to time in its sole discretion.
(e) Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse Executive for the ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties in accordance with the Company's reimbursement policies and procedures.
(f) Equity-Based Compensation.
(i) Equity-Based Awards. Executive shall be eligible for stock option awards, restricted stock awards and other equity-based awards under the equity incentive plan generally applicable to eligible employees of the Company (the "Equity Incentive Plan"), in an amount at least equal to the largest award made under such plan at such time to any employee of MKHL or such subsidiary other than its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer, in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Plan as it may be modified by MKHL or such subsidiary from time to time in its sole discretion and the applicable equity award agreement.
(ii) Effect of Termination. Except in the case of the termination of Executive for Cause, in which case any restricted stock granted to Executive shall be forfeited and any stock options granted to Executive under the Employee Option Plan will immediately terminate (whether or not vested and/or exercisable), any such awards that have become vested and/or exercisable prior to the Termination Date shall remain vested and/or exercisable after the Termination Date in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Plan and/or any applicable stock option or restricted stock award agreement (provided that any such exercisable stock options shall remain exercisable for at least one (1) year after the Termination Date).
(g) Taxes. All payments to be made to and on behalf of Executive under this Agreement will be subject to required withholding of federal, state and local income and employment taxes, and to related reporting requirements.
(h) Vacations. Executive shall be entitled to a total of four (4) weeks of paid vacation during each fiscal year of the Company during the Term; provided, however, that such vacations shall be taken by the Executive at such times as will not interfere with the performance by Executive of his duties hereunder.
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4. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death and Disability. Executive's employment under this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon his death. The Company may terminate Executive's employment under this Agreement if Executive is unable to perform substantially all of the duties required hereunder due to illness or incapacity for a period of at least 90 days (whether or not consecutive) in any period of 365 consecutive days.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment under this Agreement at any time with Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a material breach by the Executive of his obligations under this Agreement that Executive has failed to cure within thirty (30) days following written notice of such breach from the Company to Executive; (ii) a refusal by the Executive to perform his duties under this Agreement that continues for at least five (5) days after written notice from the Company to Executive; (iii) the commission by the Executive of a fraud or theft against the Company or any of its affiliates or licensees or his conviction for the commission of, or aiding and abetting, a felony or of a fraud or a crime involving moral turpitude or a business crime; (iv) the possession or use by Executive of illegal drugs or prohibited substances, the excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages on a recurring basis which impairs the Executive's ability to perform his abilities under this Agreement, or the appearance during hours of employment on a recurring basis of being under the influence of such drugs, substances or alcohol.
5. Consequences of Termination or Breach.
(a) Death or Disability; Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason. If Executive's employment under this Agreement is terminated under Section 4(a) or 4(b) or as a result of the Company or Executive giving a non-renewal notice pursuant to Section 1, or Executive terminates his employment for any reason other than for Good Reason (which right Executive shall have at any time during the Term), Executive shall not thereafter be entitled to receive any compensation or benefits under this Agreement, other than (i) Base Salary earned but not yet paid prior to the Termination Date, and (ii) reimbursement of any expenses pursuant to Section 3(e) incurred prior to the Termination Date, For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means (A) a material breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement that it has failed to cure within thirty (30) days following written notice of such breach from Executive to the Company, or (B) a material diminution during the Term in Executive's title, duties or responsibilities, as set forth in Section 2(a) hereof, that continues for at least five (5) days after written notice from Executive to the Company.
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(b) Termination Without Cause or With Good Reason. If Executive's employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause (which right the Company shall have at any time during the Term) and other than under Section 4(a) or as a result of the Company giving a non-renewal notice pursuant to Section 1, or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, the sole obligations of the Company to Executive shall be to make the payments described in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5(a), and, subject to Executive providing the Company with the release and separation agreement described below, to pay to Executive, in substantially equal installments in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company over a one-year period commencing with the Termination Date, an amount equal to (i) Executive's then current Base Salary plus (ii) the Bonus paid to Executive by the Company for the most recent fiscal year of the Company ended prior to the Termination Date, which amount shall be offset by any compensation and benefits that Executive receives from other employment (including self-employment) during such payment period. Executive agrees to promptly notify the Company upon his obtaining other employment or commencing self-employment during the severance period and to provide the Company with complete information regarding his compensation thereunder. The Company's obligations to provide the payments referred to in this Section 5(b) shall be contingent upon (A) Executive having delivered to the Company a fully executed separation agreement and release (that is not subject to revocation) of claims against the Company and its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A and (B) Executive's continued compliance with his obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that in the event the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause or Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, (1) Executive's sole remedy shall be to receive the payments specified in this Section 5(b) and (2) if Executive does not execute the separation agreement and release described above, Executive shall have no remedy with respect to such termination.
6. Certain Covenants and Representations.
(a) Confidentiality. Executive acknowledges that in the course of his employment by the Company, Executive will receive and or be in possession of confidential information of the Company and its affiliates, including, but not limited to, information relating to their financial affairs, business methods, strategic plans, marketing plans, product and styling development plans, pricing, products, vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, licensees, computer programs and software. Executive agrees that he will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, during the Term or thereafter, disclose or make use of any such confidential information, except as
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may be required by law or in the course of Executive's employment hereunder. Executive agrees that all tangible materials containing confidential information, whether created by Executive or others which shall come into Executive's custody or possession during Executive's employment shall be and is the exclusive property of the Company. Upon termination of Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever, Executive shall immediately make good faith efforts to identify and surrender to the Company all confidential information and property of the Company in Executive's possession and shall also immediately surrender any such information of which he thereafter becomes aware.
(b) Non-Competition. Executive agrees that during the Term and for a one-year period commencing with the Termination Date (the "Non-Competition Period"), Executive will not engage in, or carry on, directly or indirectly, either for himself or as an officer or director of a corporation or as an employee, agent, associate, or consultant of any person, partnership, business or corporation, any business in competition with the business carried on by the Company or any of its affiliates in any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its affiliates actively conduct business; provided, however, that if the Company elects to enforce this provision, which election must be made by written notice to the Executive no later than ten (10) days after the Termination Date, and the Executive is not otherwise receiving separation pay pursuant to Section 5(b) herein, the Company shall continue Executive's then current Base Salary during the Non-Competition Period, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company; provided, further, that the Company may, at its sole option, cease such Base Salary continuation if Executive shall have breached any of its obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement.
(c) No Hiring. During the two-year period immediately following the Termination Date, Executive shall not employ or retain (or participate in or arrange for the employment or retention of) any person who was employed or retained by the Company or any of its affiliates within the one-year period immediately preceding such employment or retention.
(d) Copyrights, Inventions, etc. Any interest in patents, patent applications, inventions, technological innovations, copyrights, copyrightable works, developments, discoveries, designs, concepts, ideas and processes ("Such Inventions") that Executive now or hereafter during the Term may own or develop either individually or with others relating to the fields in which the Company or any of its affiliates may then be engaged or contemplate being engaged shall belong to the Company or such affiliate and forthwith upon request of the Company, Executive shall execute all such assignments and other documents (including applications for patents, copyrights, trademarks and assignments thereof) and take all such other action as the Company may reasonably request in order to assign to and vest in the Company or its affiliates all
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of Executive's right, title and interest (including, without limitation, waivers to moral rights) in and to Such Inventions throughout the world, free and clear of liens, mortgages, security interests, pledges, charges and encumbrances. Executive acknowledges and agrees that (i) all copyrightable works created by Executive as an employee will be "works made for hire" on behalf of the Company and its affiliates and that the Company and its affiliates shall have all rights therein in perpetuity throughout the world and (ii) to the extent that any such works do not qualify as works made for hire, Executive irrevocably assigns and transfers to the Company and its affiliates all worldwide right, title and interest in and to such works. Executive hereby appoints any officer of the Company as Executive's duly authorized attorney-in-fact to execute, file, prosecute and protect Such Inventions before any governmental agency, court or authority. If for any reason the Company does not own any Such Invention, the Company and its affiliates shall have the exclusive and royalty-free right to use in their businesses, and to make products therefrom, Such Invention as well as any improvements or know-how related thereto.
(e) Remedy for Breach and Modification. Executive acknowledges that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6 are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its affiliates, and that they will be materially and irrevocably damaged if these provisions are not specifically enforced. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, in addition to any other relief or remedies available to the Company and its affiliates, they shall be entitled to seek an appropriate injunctive or other equitable remedy for the purposes of restraining Executive from any actual or threatened breach of or otherwise enforcing these provisions and no bond or security will be required in connection therewith. If any provision of this Section 6 is deemed invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed modified and limited to the extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
7. Miscellaneous.
(a) Representations. The Company, MKHL and Executive each represents and warrants that (i) they have full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform their respective obligations hereunder and (ii) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such party and is enforceable against them in accordance with its terms. In addition, Executive represents and warrants that the entering into and performance of this Agreement by him will not be in violation of any other agreement to which Executive is a party and no activities of the Executive currently conflict with the provisions of Section 6(b).
(b) Notices. Any notice or other communication made or given in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission, by a nationally
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recognized overnight delivery service or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Company or MKHL, c/o the Company at the Company's principal executive offices in New York, New York, Facsimile No.: (646) 354-4888 Attn: Chief Executive Officer, and if to Executive, to his home address on file with the Company or to such other address as may be provided by such notice.
(c) Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement is intended (with any documents referred to herein) as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement between the parties with respect thereto and may be amended only by a writing signed by both parties hereto.
(d) Waiver. The failure of any party to insist upon strict adherence to any term or condition of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in a writing signed by the party to be charged with such waiver.
(e) Assignment. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7(e) and Section 2(b), this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive and shall be assignable by the Company and MKHL, in whole or in part, only (i) to MKHL or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) subject to compliance with Section 2(b).
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original, but all of which together shall constitute the same instrument.
(g) Captions. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any effect in the interpretation of the Agreement.
(h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in that State, without regard to its conflict of laws principles
(i) Arbitration. Any dispute or claim between the parties hereto arising out of, or, in connection with this Agreement, shall, upon written request of either party, become a matter for arbitration; provided, however, that Executive acknowledges that in the event of any violation of Section 6 hereof, the Company shall be entitled to obtain from any court in the State of New York, temporary, preliminary or permanent injunctive relief as well as damages, which rights shall be in addition to any other rights
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or remedies to which it may be entitled. The arbitration shall be before a neutral arbitrator in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association and take place in New York City. Each party shall bear its own fees, costs and disbursements in such proceeding. The decision or award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto. The parties shall abide by all awards recorded in such arbitration proceedings, and all such awards may be entered and executed upon in any court having jurisdiction over the party against whom or which enforcement of such award is sought.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
| MICHAEL KORS (USA), INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ John D. Idol | |
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Name: John D. Idol Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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| MICHAEL KORS HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||
| By: | /s/ John D. Idol | |
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Name: John D. Idol Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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EXECUTIVE |
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| /s/ Joseph B. Parsons | ||
| Joseph B. Parsons | ||
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AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
Agreement and General Release ("Agreement"), by and between ("Employee" or "you") who resides at and Michael Kors (USA), Inc. (together with all of its affiliates, the "Company").
1. Employee acknowledges that Employee's employment with the Company is being terminated effective (the "Termination Date"), and that after the Termination Date you shall not represent yourself as being an employee, officer, agent or representative of the Company for any purpose. The Termination Date shall be the termination date of your employment for purposes of participation in and coverage under all benefit plans and programs sponsored by or through any "Company Entities" (as defined in paragraph 4 hereof), including but not limited to the Company's 401(k) Plan.
2. Following the Termination Date of this Agreement and in exchange for your waiver of claims against the Company Entities and compliance with all the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to pay you severance [INSERT AMOUNT AND TERMS OF SEVERANCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 5 OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT].
3. You acknowledge and agree that the payment provided pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Agreement: (i) is in full discharge of any and all liabilities and obligations of all Company Entities to you, monetarily or with respect to employee benefits or otherwise, including but not limited to any and all obligations arising under any alleged written or oral employment agreement, policy, plan or procedure of the Company and/or any alleged understanding or arrangement between you and the Company; and (ii) is in addition to any payment, benefit, or other thing of value to which you might otherwise be entitled under any policy, procedure or plan of the Company and/or any agreement between you and the Company, other than any policy, plan or procedure relating to severance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall reimburse you for appropriate expenses incurred by you during your employment promptly after you submit appropriate documentation with respect thereto.
4. (a) In consideration for the payment to be provided you pursuant to paragraph 2 above, you, for yourself and for your heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, legal representatives and assigns (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Releasors"), forever release and discharge (i) the Company and its past, present and future parent entities, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related business entities, successors and assigns, assets, employee benefit plans or funds, and (ii) any of its or their respective past, present and/or future directors, officers, fiduciaries, agents, trustees, administrators, employees and assigns, but only to the extent acting on behalf of the Company or any of its past, present and future parent entities, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related business entities, successors and assigns, assets, employee benefit plans or funds (collectively the "Company Entities") from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, fees and liabilities of any kind
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whatsoever, whether known or unknown, which you ever had, now have, or may have against any of the Company Entities by reason of any act, omission, transaction, practice, plan, policy, procedure, conduct, occurrence, or other matter up to and including the date on which you sign this Agreement.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to and shall release the Company Entities from any and all claims, whether known or unknown, which Releasors ever had, now have, or may have against the Companies Entities arising out of your employment and/or your separation from that employment, including, but not limited to: (i) any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, (ii) any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or under the Civil Rights Act of 1991, (iii) any claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act; (iv) any claim under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (excluding claims for accrued, vested benefits under any employee benefit or pension plan of the Company Entities subject to the terms and conditions of such plan and applicable law) or the Family and Medical Leave Act; (v) any claim under the New York State or New York City Human Rights Laws; [the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, New Jersey Equal Pay Act, New Jersey Family Leave Act, or the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act]; (vi) any other claim of discrimination or retaliation in employment (whether based on federal, state, or local law, statutory or decisional); (vii) any other claim relating to or arising out of your employment, the terms and conditions of such employment, the termination of such employment, and/or any of the events relating directly or indirectly to or surrounding the termination of that employment, including but not limited to breach of contract (express or implied), wrongful discharge, detrimental reliance, defamation, emotional distress or compensatory or punitive damages; and (viii) any claim for attorneys' fees, costs, disbursements and/or the like. Nothing in this Agreement shall be a waiver of claims that may arise after the date on which you sign this Agreement.
5. You acknowledge and agree that you have not commenced, maintained, prosecuted or participated in any action, suit, charge, grievance, complaint or proceeding of any kind against Company Entities in any court or before any administrative or investigative body or agency and/or that you are hereby withdrawing with prejudice any such complaints, charges, or actions that you may have filed against Company Entities. You further acknowledge and agree that by virtue of the foregoing, you have waived all relief available to you (including without limitation, monetary damages, equitable relief and reinstatement) under any of the claims and/or causes of action waived in paragraph 4 above.
6. (a) You agree that you will reasonably cooperate with the Company and/or the Company Entities and its or their respective counsel in connection with any investigation, administrative proceeding or litigation relating to any matter that occurred during your employment in which you were involved or of which you have knowledge.
(b) You agree that, in the event you are subpoenaed by any person or entity (including, but not limited to, any government agency) to give testimony (in a deposition, court proceeding or otherwise) which in any way relates to your employment by the Company and/or the Company
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Entities, you will give prompt notice of such request to the Company's Senior Vice President, General Counsel at 11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10036 so that the Company and/or the Company Entities have had a reasonable opportunity to contest the right of the requesting person or entity to such disclosure.
7. The terms and conditions of this Agreement are and shall be deemed to be confidential, and you agree, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, rule, code or regulation, not to disclose any thereof to any person or entity without the prior written consent of the Company, except if required by law, and to your accountants, attorneys and/or spouse.
8. [INSERT EXECUTIVE'S COVENANTS SET FORTH IN SECTION 6 OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]
9. You represent that, except as may otherwise be agreed, you have returned (or will return) to the Company all property belonging to the Company and/or the Company Entities, including but not limited to laptop, cell phone, keys, card access to the building and office floors, phone card, computer user name and password, disks and/or voicemail code. You further acknowledge and agree that Company shall have no obligation to make the payment referred to in paragraph 2 above unless and until you have satisfied all your obligations pursuant to this paragraph.
10. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall have no effect; however, the remaining provisions shall be enforced to the maximum extent possible. Further, if a court should determine that any portion of this Agreement is overbroad or unreasonable, such provision shall be given effect to the maximum extent possible by narrowing or enforcing in part that aspect of the provision found overbroad or unreasonable. Additionally, you agree that if you breach the terms of paragraphs 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and/or 9, it shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement as to which the Company Entities may seek all relief available under the law.
11. (a) This Agreement is not intended, and shall not be construed, as an admission that any of the Company Entities has violated any federal, state or local law (statutory or decisional), ordinance or regulation, breached any contract or committed any wrong whatsoever against you.
(b) Should any provision of this Agreement require interpretation or construction, it is agreed by the parties that the entity interpreting or constructing this Agreement shall not apply a presumption against one party by reason of the rule of construction that a document is to be construed more strictly against the party who prepared the document.
12. This Agreement is binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
13. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
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14. You understand that this Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between the Company and you, and, supersedes any and all agreements, understandings, and discussions, whether written or oral, between you and any of the Company Entities. No other promises or agreements shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both the Company and you after the Termination Date of this Agreement.
15. You acknowledge that you: (a) have carefully read this Agreement in its entirety; (b) have had an opportunity to consider it for at least twenty-one (21) days; (c) are hereby advised by the Company in writing to consult with an attorney of your choice in connection with this Agreement; (d) fully understand the significance of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and have discussed them with your independent legal counsel, or have had a reasonable opportunity to do so; (e) have had answered to your satisfaction by your independent legal counsel any questions you have asked with regard to the meaning and significance of any of the provisions of this Agreement; and (f) are signing this Agreement voluntarily and of your own free will and agree to abide by all the terms and conditions contained herein.
16. You understand that you will have at least twenty-one (21) days from the date of receipt of this Agreement to consider the terms and conditions of this Agreement. You may accept this Agreement by signing it and returning it to the Company's Senior Vice President, General Counsel at 11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036 on or before twenty-one (21) days after delivery. After executing this Agreement, you shall have seven (7) days (the "Revocation Period") to revoke this Agreement by indicating your desire to do so in writing delivered to the Company's General Counsel at the address set forth above by no later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh (7th) day after the date you sign this Agreement. The effective date of this Agreement shall be the eighth (8th) day after you sign the Agreement (the "Effective Date"). If the last day of the Revocation Period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the last day of the Revocation Period will be deemed to be the next business day. In the event you do not accept this Agreement as set forth above, or in the event you revoke this Agreement during the Revocation Period, this Agreement, including but not limited to the obligation of the Company to provide the payment referred to in paragraph 2 above, shall be deemed automatically null and void.
| Print Name: | Date: | |||||
| Signature: | ||||||
STATE OF NEW YORK) ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK)
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On this day of 2003, before me personally came to me known and known to me to be the person described and who executed the foregoing Agreement, and who duly acknowledged to me that she executed the same.
| Notary Public |
Michael Kors (USA), Inc.
| By: | Date: |
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