alit-202606290001809104FALSE--12-31Alight, Inc. / Delaware00018091042026-06-292026-06-290001809104dei:FormerAddressMember2026-06-292026-06-29
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________
FORM 8-K
__________________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 29, 2026
__________________________________________
Alight, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
__________________________________________
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Delaware | 001-39299 | 86-1849232 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| | | |
510 Lake Cook Road, | | |
Suite 400, Deerfield, IL | | 60015 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (224)737-7000
320 South Canal Street,
50th Floor, Suite 5000, Chicago, IL 60606
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
__________________________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share | | ALIT | | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
The information contained in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”) is incorporated herein by reference.
In connection with the Reverse Stock Split (as defined below), on June 30, 2026, Alight Holding Company, LLC (“Alight Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of Alight, Inc. (the “Company”), entered into the Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (as amended, the “Amended LLCA”) primarily to effectuate a reverse unit split of its outstanding Class A Units, Class B-1 Units and Class B-2 Units (“Alight Units”), each at a 1-for-20 ratio.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended LLCA, which is filed hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
The information contained in Item 5.03 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
Charter Amendments
As previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on June 11, 2026, the Company held its annual meeting of stockholders on June 10, 2026, at which meeting the Company’s stockholders approved certificates of amendment (the “Certificates of Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Charter”) to (i) declassify the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board” and such amendment, the “Declassification Amendment”), (ii) provide for the elimination of certain officers’ personal liability for monetary damages stemming from breaches of the duty of care as permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “Exculpation Amendment”) and (iii) effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including the outstanding series of Class B-1 common stock and Class B-2 common stock) and Class V common stock (which represent the only classes and series of the Company’s stock that are outstanding) and, simultaneously with the reverse stock split, correspondingly decrease (a) the total number of authorized shares of capital stock of the Company and (b) the number of authorized shares of each of the Company’s Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including the series of Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock), Class V common stock and Class Z non-voting common stock (including the series of Class Z-A common stock, Class Z-B-1 common stock and Class Z-B-2 common stock) (collectively, the “Reverse Stock Split Amendment” and, collectively with the Declassification Amendment and the Exculpation Amendment, the “Charter Amendments”). All classes and series of the Company’s common stock have a par value of $0.0001 per share.
Reverse Stock Split
As previously announced, following the stockholders’ approval, the Board determined to effectuate the reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including the outstanding series of Class B-1 common stock and Class B-2 common stock) and Class V common stock (including treasury shares) at a 1-for-20 ratio (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and to proportionately decrease the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock from 1,000,000,000 to 50,000,000, Class B non-voting common stock from 30,000,000 to 1,500,000 (representing 500,000 shares of Class B-1 common stock, 500,000 shares of Class B-2 common stock, and 500,000 shares of Class B-3 common stock), Class V common stock from 175,000,000 to 8,750,000, and Class Z non-voting common stock from 12,900,000 to 645,000 (representing 575,000 shares of Class Z-A common stock, 35,000 shares of Class Z-B-1 common stock, and 35,000 shares of Class Z-B-2 common stock).
On June 29, 2026, the Company filed the Certificates of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effectuate the Charter Amendments effective as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on June 30, 2026 (the “Effective Time”).
Pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split Amendment, at the Effective Time, every 20 issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including Class B-1 common stock and Class B-2 common stock), and Class V common stock were automatically reclassified into one issued and outstanding share of the Company’s Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including Class B-1 common stock and Class B-2 common stock), and Class V common stock, respectively, without any change in the par value per share. The Reverse Stock Split Amendment also proportionately decreased, as of the Effective Time, the total number of shares the Company
is authorized to issue and the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including Class B-1 common stock, Class B-2 common stock and Class B-3 common stock), Class V common stock and Class Z non-voting common stock (including the Class Z-A common stock, Class Z-B-1 common stock and Class Z-B-2 common stock). The Reverse Stock Split Amendment did not affect the Company’s authorized number of shares of preferred stock. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders otherwise entitled to receive a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the fair value thereof as of the Effective Time (as determined by the Board) (without interest) in lieu of such fractional shares.
In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, proportionate adjustments were made to the terms of the Company’s outstanding equity-based awards, Alight Units (as described in Item 1.01 of this Report) and the Company’s equity plans, in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreements, and proportionate adjustments are deemed to be made to securities covered by the Company’s existing registration statements.
Given the parallel adjustment to Alight Units, each holder of Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including the outstanding series of Class B-1 common stock and Class B-2 common stock) and Class V common stock holds the same percentage of the outstanding voting power immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as that stockholder held immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split resulted in holders of Class A common stock, Class B non-voting common stock (including the outstanding series of Class B-1 common stock and Class B-2 common stock) and Class V common stock receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares.
Declassification and Exculpation Amendments
Restated Charter
On June 29, 2026, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Restated Charter”) that became effective at 5:05 p.m. (New York City time) on June 30, 2026. The Restated Charter (i) reflects the Charter Amendments and (ii) otherwise merely restates and integrates but does not further amend the Charter as theretofore amended or supplemented. The Restated Charter was adopted by the Board without a vote of stockholders of the Company pursuant to Section 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The foregoing description of the Restated Charter does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Restated Charter, which is filed hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Bylaws
Additionally, upon the effectiveness of the Charter Amendments, the Board amended and restated the bylaws of the Company, primarily to (i) reflect corresponding changes relating to the Charter Amendments, (ii) add procedural and informational requirements for stockholders that intend to use the rule pertaining to universal proxy cards (the “Universal Proxy Rule”) set forth in Rule 14a-19 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and (iii) make other administrative changes primarily to reflect recent Delaware law developments, in each case as further described below.
The advance notice amendments require stockholders to make certain representations to the Company, certify compliance with the Universal Proxy Rule, and submit nominee questionnaires to the Secretary of the Company. The Board also approved certain administrative amendments to the Company’s Bylaws to conform the provisions related to (i) notices of adjournments, including with respect to remote meetings of stockholders, and (ii) stockholder lists, in each case to updated Delaware law provisions. In addition, these administrative amendments provide that any stockholder soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which color is reserved for the exclusive use by the Board.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are filed hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
Reverse Stock Split Effectiveness
The Company’s Class A common stock will begin trading on a Reverse Stock Split-adjusted basis on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) at the opening of trading on July 1, 2026. The Class A common stock will continue trading on the NYSE under the symbol “ALIT” with a new CUSIP number (01626W 200).
Registration Statements
The Company has registration statements on Form S-3 (File No. 333-258350) and Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-294076, 333-259450 and 333-294497) on file with the Commission. Commission regulations permit the Company to incorporate by reference future filings made with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offerings covered by registration statements filed on Form S-3 and Form S-8. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of the prospectus included within each of those registration statements. Information in this Report is therefore intended to be automatically incorporated by reference into each of the active registration statements listed above, thereby amending them. Pursuant to Rule 416(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the amount of undistributed shares of the Company’s common stock deemed to be covered by the effective registration statements of the Company described above is proportionately reduced as of the Effective Time to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)Exhibits.
| | | | | | | | |
| Exhibit No. | | Description |
| 3.1 | | |
| 3.2 | | |
| 10.1 | | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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| | | Alight, Inc. |
| | | |
| Date: | July 1, 2026 | By: | /s/ Martin Felli |
| | | Martin Felli, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary |
Exhibit 3.1
RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ALIGHT, INC.
Alight, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:
1. The present name of the Corporation is Alight, Inc. The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 21, 2021 under the name Acrobat Holdings, Inc.
2. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”) only restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions of the Corporation's existing certificate of incorporation as theretofore amended and/or restated or supplemented (the “Existing Certificate”) and there is no discrepancy between the provisions of the Existing Certificate and the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation. This Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).
3. The text of the Existing Certificate is hereby restated and integrated to read in its entirety as follows:
Article I
Section 1.1. Name. The name of the Corporation is Alight, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
Article II
Section 2.1. Address. The address of the corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
Article III
Section 3.1. Purpose. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).
Article IV
Section 4.1. Capitalization.
(A) The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 61,895,000 shares, consisting of (i) 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 50,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), (iii) 1,500,000; shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B Common Stock”), which shall be divided into 500,000 series of shares of Class B-1 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B-1 Common Stock”), 500,000 series of shares of Class B-2 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B-2 Common Stock”) and 500,000 series of shares of Class B-3 Common Stock, par value $0.0001
per share (“Class B-3 Common Stock”), (iv) 8,750,000 shares of Class V Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class V Common Stock”) and (v) 645,000; shares of Class Z Non-Voting Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class Z Common Stock”), which shall be divided into 575,000 series of shares of Class Z-A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class Z-A Common Stock”), 35,000 series of shares of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class Z-B-1 Common Stock”) and 35,000; series of shares of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class Z-B-2 Common Stock”) (the Class Z Common Stock, together with the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and the Class V Common Stock, the “Common Stock”). The number of authorized shares of any of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class V Common Stock, Class Z Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of such class or series then outstanding or, in the case of Class A Common Stock, necessary for issuance upon conversion of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and Class Z-A Common Stock or upon exchange of Class A Units (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alight Holding Company, LLC (as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”)) and corresponding shares of Class V Common Stock) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of any of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock, the Class V Common Stock, Class Z Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor, unless a vote of any such holder is required pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, shares of Class Z Common Stock may be fractional shares.
(B) For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation (i) the term “Closing Date” shall mean July 2, 2021 and the term “Business Combination Agreement” shall mean that Amended and Restated Business Combination Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2021, by and among the Corporation, Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp., Tempo Holding Company, LLC, Acrobat Merger Sub, LLC, Acrobat SPAC Merger Sub, Inc., Acrobat Blocker 1 Corp., Acrobat Blocker 2 Corp., Acrobat Blocker 3 Corp., Acrobat Blocker 4 Corp., Tempo Blocker I, LLC, Tempo Blocker II, LLC, Blackstone Tempo Feeder Fund VII L.P. and New Mountain Partners IV Special (AIV-E), LP., as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.
Section 4.2. Preferred Stock.
(A) The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by the DGCL, by resolution or resolutions, at any time and from time to time, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series and to cause to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of designations with respect thereto. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.
(B) Except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of a series of Preferred Stock, as such, shall be entitled only to such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to such series).
Section 4.3. Common Stock.
(A) Voting Rights.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or as required by applicable law, each holder of Class A Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, holders of Class A Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to
the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other series of Common Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.
(2) Except as required by applicable law, no holder of Class B Common Stock or Class Z Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to any voting rights with respect to Class B Common Stock or Class Z Common Stock.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or as required by applicable law, each holder of record of Class V Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Class V Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally or holders of Class V Common Stock as a separate class are entitled to vote (whether voting separately as a class or together with one or more classes of the Corporation’s capital stock); provided, however, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, holders of Class V Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other series of Common Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Class A Common Stock and holders of the Class V Common Stock shall vote together as a single class (or, if the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with holders of the Class A Common Stock and holders of the Class V Common Stock, as a single class with the holders of such other series of Preferred Stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders having voting rights generally, and shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders.
(B) Dividends and Distributions.
(1) Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and other distributions in cash, stock of any corporation or property of the Corporation, the holders of Class A Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock which converted to Class A Common Stock from (x) Class B Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D) below on or prior to the record date for such dividend or other distribution or (y) Class Z-A Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(I)(5) below on or prior to the record date for such dividend or other distribution) and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive ratably, taken together as a single class, in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder such dividends and other distributions as may from time to time be declared by the Board in its discretion out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board in its discretion shall determine. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, the payment of any dividend or other distribution so declared with respect to the Class B Common Stock shall be contingent upon, and no dividend or other distribution shall be paid unless and until, the occurrence of a Class B Conversion Event (as defined below), if any, in respect of any such share of Class B Common Stock and, upon declaration of any dividend or other distribution, the record date for such dividend or other distribution with respect to any shares of Class B Common Stock (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not the Class A Common Stock) shall be one day before the Conversion Date with respect to such shares of Class B Common Stock, and the Board shall so set the record date upon such declaration. Such dividends or other distributions with respect to the Class B Common Stock shall be paid to the holders of record of the Class B Common Stock on the Conversion Date with respect to such shares of Class B Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D).
(2) Class V Common Stock and Class Z Common Stock. Dividends and other distributions shall not be declared or paid on the Class V Common Stock and Class Z Common Stock (subject to the rights of the Class Z Common Stock as expressly set forth in Section 4.3(I) below).
(C) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock having a preference over the Class A Common Stock as to distributions upon dissolution or liquidation or winding up shall be entitled, the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock which converted to Class A Common Stock from (y) Class B Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D) below on or prior to the date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including if a Class B Conversion Event (as defined below) occurred as a result of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up) or (y) Class Z-A Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(I)(5) below on or prior to the date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including if such Class Z-A Conversion Event (as defined below) occurred as a result of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up)) shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder. The holders of shares of (i) Class B Common Stock (other than to the extent such liquidation, dissolution or winding up constitutes a Class B Conversion Event, in which case such Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert to Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D) below and the holders of such resulting Class A Common Stock shall be treated as a holder of Class A Common Stock in accordance with this Section 4.3(C)), (ii) Class Z-B-1 Common Stock (other than to the extent such liquidation, dissolution or winding up constitutes both a Class Z-B-1 Conversion Event (as defined below) and a Class B-1 Conversion Event, in which case such Class Z-B-1 Common Stock shall automatically convert to Class B-1 Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(I)(5) below and such Class B-1 Common Stock shall automatically convert to Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D) below and the holders of such resulting Class A Common Stock shall be treated as a holder of Class A Common Stock in accordance with this Section 4.3(C)), (iii) Class Z-B-2 Common Stock (other than to the extent such liquidation, dissolution or winding up constitutes both a Class Z-B-2 Conversion Event (as defined below) and a Class B-2 Conversion Event, in which case such Class Z-B-2 Common Stock shall automatically convert to Class B-2 Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(I)(5) below and such Class B-2 Common Stock shall automatically convert to Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D) below and the holders of such resulting Class A Common Stock shall be treated as a holder of Class A Common Stock in accordance with this Section 4.3(C)), and (iv) Class V Common Stock, in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) as such, shall not be entitled to receive any assets of the Corporation in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(D) Conversion of Class B Common Stock. Immediately upon a Class B-1 Conversion Event (as defined below) with respect to a share of Class B-1 Common Stock, each such share of Class B-1 Common Stock then outstanding shall automatically, without any further action on the part of the record holder thereof or any other person (including the Corporation), convert into and become an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, which conversion shall be effective on the Class B Conversion Date with respect to a corresponding Class B-1 Unit (each, as defined in the LLC Agreement) (such date, the “Class B-1 Conversion Date”) with respect to such shares of Class B-1 Common Stock, and the holder of each such share of Class B-1 Common Stock shall become a record holder of Class A Common Stock as of such Class B-1 Conversion Date. Immediately upon a Class B-2 Conversion Event (as defined below) with respect to a share of Class B-2 Common Stock, each such share of Class B-2 Common Stock then outstanding shall automatically, without any further action on the part of the record holder thereof or any other person (including the Corporation), convert into and become an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, which conversion shall be effective on the Class B Conversion Date with respect to a corresponding Class B-2 Unit (each, as defined in the LLC Agreement) (such date, the “Class B-2 Conversion Date”) with respect to such shares of Class B-2 Common Stock, and the holder of each such share of Class B-2 Common Stock shall become a record holder of Class A Common Stock as of such Class B-2 Conversion Date. Immediately upon a Class B-3 Conversion Event (as defined below) with respect to a share of Class B-3 Common Stock, each such share of Class B-3 Common Stock then outstanding shall automatically, without any further action on the part of the record holder thereof or any other person (including the Corporation), convert into and become an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, which conversion shall be effective on the Class B Conversion Date with respect to a corresponding Class B-3 Unit (each, as defined in the LLC Agreement) (such date, the “Class B-3 Conversion Date”) with respect to such shares of Class B-3 Common Stock, and the holder of each such share of Class B-3 Common Stock shall become a record holder of Class A Common Stock as of such Class B-3 Conversion Date. Each outstanding stock certificate or book-entry credit, as applicable, that, immediately prior to a
Class B Conversion Event, represented one or more shares of Class B Common Stock shall, upon such Class B Conversion Event, be automatically deemed to represent as of the Class B Conversion Date an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, without the need for any surrender, exchange or registration thereof or any consent or notification, and on or promptly after the Class B Conversion Date, if such shares are uncertificated, the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation shall register such shares in book-entry form, reflecting that such holder is a record holder of Class A Common Stock as of the Class B Conversion Date in respect of the relevant shares of Class B Common Stock, without the need for any surrender, exchange or registration thereof or any consent or notification. The Corporation, or any transfer agent of the Corporation, shall, upon the request on or after the Class B Conversion Date of any holder whose shares of Class B Common Stock have been converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of a Conversion Event and upon surrender by such holder to the Corporation of the outstanding certificate(s) formerly representing such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock (if any), issue and deliver to such holder certificate(s) representing the shares of Class A Common Stock into which such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock were converted as a result of such Class B Conversion Event (if such shares are certificated). Upon the occurrence of a Class B Conversion Event with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock, the Dividend Catch-Up Payment (as defined below) in respect of such share of Class B Common Stock shall become payable as of the Class B Conversion Date with respect to such share of Class B Common Stock by the Corporation to the holder of record of such share of Class B Common Stock as of the day immediately prior to such Conversion Date, and shall be paid in accordance with this Section 4.3(D); provided that with respect to any share of Class B-1 Common Stock or Class B-2 Common Stock that remains unvested pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Pre-Closing Award Agreement as of its Class B Conversion Date, the holder of such share of Class A Common Stock shall not receive the Dividend Catch-Up Payment in respect of such unvested share of Class B Common Stock unless and until such share vests in accordance with the terms of such Pre-Closing Award Agreement, and if such share is subsequently forfeited in accordance with the terms of such Pre-Closing Award Agreement such Dividend Catch-Up Payment shall be paid to the holders of the Class Z-B-1 Common Stock or Class Z-B-2 Common Stock, as appropriate, in accordance with Section 4.3(I) below (the “Catch-Up Reallocation”). Subject to any Catch-Up Reallocation, the Corporation shall pay, no later than five (5) Business Days (as defined in the LLC Agreement) following the Class B Conversion Date with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock for which a Class B Conversion Event has occurred, the dividends previously declared in respect of such share of Class B Common Stock beginning at the time of the Closing and ending on the day before the Class B Conversion Date with respect to such Class B Common Stock (“Dividend Catch-Up Period”), but not including dividends declared on the Class B Conversion Date (which amount, excluding any amounts declared on the Class B Conversion Date, shall be, for the avoidance of doubt, the aggregate per share amount of dividends declared in respect of a share of Class A Common Stock during the Dividend Catch-Up Period (each such payment, a “Dividend Catch-Up Payment”)). If a dividend is declared by the Corporation on a Class B Conversion Date, such dividend shall be paid to the holder of each share of Class B Common Stock converting on such Conversion Date as a holder of Class A Common Stock, and not as part of the Dividend Catch-Up Payment, and the Corporation shall ensure that the holder of the applicable shares of Class B Common Stock on such Class B Conversion Date shall be treated as a record holder of Class A Common Stock (in respect of each share of Class B Common Stock which converted into a share of Class A Common Stock in accordance with this Section 4.3(D) on such Class B Conversion Date) for purposes of such dividend.
For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation,
(i) a “Class B Conversion Date” means a Class B-1 Conversion Date, a Class B-2 Conversion Date or a Class B-3 Conversion Date, as appropriate;
(ii) a “Class B Conversion Event” means a Class B-1 Conversion Event, a Class B-2 Conversion Event or a Class B-3 Conversion Event, as appropriate;
(iii) a “Class B-1 Conversion Event” means the occurrence of a Class B-1 Vesting Event (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement);
(iv) a “Class B-2 Conversion Event” means the occurrence of Class B-2 Vesting Event (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement);
(v) a “Class B-3 Conversion Event” means the occurrence of a Class B-3 Vesting Event (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement);
(E) Cancellation of Class V Common Stock; Cancellation of Class B Common Stock; Cancellation of Class Z Common Stock. In the event that any outstanding share of Class V Common Stock shall cease to be held directly or indirectly by a holder of a Class A Unit (as defined in the LLC Agreement), as set forth in the books and records of the Corporation (including pursuant to a Class A Exchange (as defined in the LLC Agreement)), such share shall automatically and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class V Common Stock be transferred to the Corporation and cancelled for no consideration. The Corporation shall not issue additional shares of Class V Common Stock after the Closing Date other than in connection with (i) the valid issuance of Class A Units in accordance with the LLC Agreement or (ii) the vesting of any Class B Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement) into Class A Units upon the occurrence of an applicable Class B Vesting Event (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or (iii) the vesting of any Class Z-A Unit (as defined in the LLC Agreement) into Class A Units upon the occurrence of an applicable Class Z-A Vesting Event (as defined in the LLC Agreement). To the extent that, on or before the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date, a Class B Conversion Event has not occurred with respect to any share of Class B Common Stock, then immediately and without any further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof, on the date that is the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date, all such shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding shall automatically be forfeited to the Corporation and canceled for no consideration therefor and shall cease to be outstanding and any dividend declared in respect of such shares of Class B Common Stock and any Dividend Catch-Up Payment shall also be forfeited to the Corporation for no consideration therefor. To the extent that any whole shares of Class Z Common Stock are forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 4(I) below, such whole shares shall be automatically forfeited to the Corporation and canceled for no consideration therefor and shall cease to be outstanding. No fractional share of Class Z Common Stock shall be canceled prior to the Ultimate Class Z Date.
(F) Reservation of Stock. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock an amount equal to the number of then-outstanding Class A Units subject to Class A Exchange (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and then-outstanding Class B Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement) plus the number of then-outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and Class Z Common Stock, in each case, from time to time. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class V Common Stock an amount equal to the number of then-outstanding Class B Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement), from time to time.
(G) Splits. If the Corporation at any time combines or subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amendment of this Certificate of Incorporation, scheme, arrangement or otherwise (each, a “Split”)) any class of Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares, the shares of each other class of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately similarly combined or subdivided such that the ratio of shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock, Class V Common Stock and Class Z Common Stock, respectively, to shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision shall be maintained immediately after such combination or subdivision; provided, that such actions with respect to the Class V Common Stock shall be subject to Section 7.01(d) and shall ensure that the number of shares of Class V Common Stock held by any Continuing Member (as defined in the LLC Agreement) shall equal the number of Class A Units held by such Continuing Member. Any adjustment described in this Section 4.3(G) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the combination or subdivision becomes effective. In the event of any Split of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock occurs prior to the Class B-1 Conversion Date, the per share amount used to calculate the amount of the Dividend Catch-Up Payment owed in respect of the shares of Class B-1 Common Stock with respect to any dividend declared prior to such Split shall be ratably adjusted in a manner consistent with such Split such that, in the aggregate, the holders of Class B-1 Common Stock would not receive a greater or lesser Dividend Catch-Up Payment than such holders would have received absent such Split. In the event of any Split of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock occurs prior to the Class B-2 Conversion Date, the per share amount used to calculate the amount of the Dividend Catch-Up Payment owed in respect of the shares of Class B-2 Common Stock with respect to any dividend declared prior to such Split shall be ratably adjusted in a manner consistent with such Split such that, in the aggregate, the holders of Class B-2 Common Stock would not receive a greater or lesser Dividend Catch-Up Payment than such holders would have received absent such Split. In the event of any Split of shares of Class A Common Stock or
Class B Common Stock occurs prior to the Class B-3 Conversion Date, the per share amount used to calculate the amount of the Dividend Catch-Up Payment owed in respect of the shares of Class B-3 Common Stock with respect to any dividend declared prior to such Split shall be ratably adjusted in a manner consistent with such Split such that, in the aggregate, the holders of Class B-3 Common Stock would not receive a greater or lesser Dividend Catch-Up Payment than such holders would have received absent such Split.
(H) Transfers of Class B Common Stock and Class Z Common Stock. No share of Class B Common Stock or Class Z Common Stock may be Transferred (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement), other than to the holder of such share of Class B Common Stock’s or Class Z Common Stock’s Permitted Transferees (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement), prior to the Class B Conversion Date with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock or the date of a Class Z-A Conversion Event (solely to the extent on such date such Class Z Common Stock is converting into Class A Common Stock), at which time the shares of Class A Common Stock into which such shares of Class B Common Stock or Class Z Common Stock convert in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation may be Transferred, subject to any restrictions on transfer applicable to the holder of such Class A Common Stock and applicable law.
(I) Forfeiture, Vesting and Conversion of Class Z Common Stock.
(1) Unvested Class A Consideration. At any time that any share or unit of Unvested Class A Consideration (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) (a) vests in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Pre-Closing Award Agreement (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-A Common Stock shall automatically be forfeited for no consideration (each, a “Class Z-A Forfeiture Event”) or (b) is forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Pre-Closing Award Agreement, the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-A Common Stock will automatically be deemed vested (each, a “Class Z-A Vesting Event”). At any time the portion of a share of Class Z-A Common Stock for which a Class Z-A Forfeiture Event has occurred shall be referred to herein as the “Class Z-A Forfeited Portion” and for which a Class Z-A Vesting Event has occurred shall be referred to herein as the “Class Z-A Vested Portion”.
(2) Unvested Class B-1 Consideration. At any time that any share or unit of Unvested Class B Consideration (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) (which is a share of Class B-1 Common Stock or a Class B-1 Unit (as defined in the LLC Agreement)) (a) (x) vests in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Pre-Closing Award Agreement, the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock shall automatically be forfeited for no consideration or (y) is canceled in accordance with Section 4(E) or Section 7.01(d)(ii) of the LLC Agreement, the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock shall automatically be forfeited for no consideration (each, a “Class Z-B-1 Forfeiture Event”) or (b) is forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Pre-Closing Award Agreement, the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock will automatically be deemed vested (each, a “Class Z-B-1 Vesting Event”). At any time the portion of a share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock for which a Class Z-B-1 Forfeiture Event has occurred shall be referred to herein as the “Class Z-B-1 Forfeited Portion” and for which a Class Z-B-1 Vesting Event has occurred shall be referred to herein as the “Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion”.
(3) Unvested Class B-2 Consideration. At any time that a share of Unvested Class B Consideration (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) (which is a share of Class B-2 Common Stock or a Class B-2 Unit (as defined in the LLC Agreement)) (a) (x) vests in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Pre-Closing Award Agreement, the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock shall automatically be forfeited for no consideration or (y) is canceled in accordance with Section 4(E) or Section 7.01(d)(ii) of the LLC Agreement, the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock shall automatically be forfeited for no consideration (each, a “Class Z-B-1 Forfeiture Event”) (each, a “Class Z-B-2 Forfeiture Event”) or (b) is forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement, the Class Z Triggered Portion of each share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock will automatically be deemed vested (each, a “Class Z-B-2 Vesting Event”). At any time the portion of a share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock for which a Class Z-A Forfeiture Event has occurred shall be referred to herein as the “Class Z-B-2 Forfeited Portion” and for which a Class Z-B-2 Vesting Event has occurred shall be referred to herein as the “Class Z-B-2 Vested Portion”.
(4) Conversion of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock and Class Z-B-2 Common Stock to Class Z-A Common Stock. To the extent any Unvested Class B Consideration automatically converts into a share of Class A Common Stock or Class A Unit (as defined in the LLC Agreement) in accordance with Section 4(D) or Section 7.01(d) of the LLC Agreement due to a Class B Conversion Event, (a) such share or unit shall remain unvested in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Pre-Closing Award Agreement until it vests or is forfeited in accordance with the terms thereof), (b) such share or unit shall be treated as Unvested Class A Consideration for all purposes herein as if such share or unit was part of the Unvested Class A Consideration as of the Closing Date, (c) the Class Z Triggered Portion (assuming that the number of shares of Unvested Class B Consideration Class which automatically converted into Unvested Class A Consideration is the number of shares “which is vested” in accordance with the defined term “Class Z Triggered Portion”) of each share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock and Class Z-B-2 Common Stock, as appropriate, shall automatically convert, on the same day of the relevant Class B Conversion Event (as defined herein or in the LLC Agreement, as appropriate) to shares of Class Z-A Common Stock, and thereafter shall be considered for all purposes herein and all defined terms herein as if such shares of Class Z-A Common Stock were part of the Class Z-A Tranche (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) as of the Closing Date.
(5) Conversion of Class Z Common Stock to Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. On the Ultimate Class Z Date (as such term is defined in the LLC Agreement), with respect to each applicable stockholder:
(i) after aggregating all shares of Class Z-A Common Stock held by such stockholder in respect of which there is a fractional Class Z-A Vested Portion, (x) each share of Class Z-A Common Stock for which the Class Z-A Vested Portion is a whole share shall automatically be converted into a share of Class A Common Stock plus the right to receive an amount in cash, and the Corporation shall pay to the holder of such share, no later than five (5) days following the Ultimate Class Z Date, an amount in cash equal to the amount of dividends declared on a share of Class A Common Stock with a record date from the Closing Date to the date immediately prior to the Ultimate Class Z Date (the “Class A Ultimate Dividend Amount”) (collectively in this clause (x), the “Class A Whole Share Conversion Entitlement”) and (y) each share of Class Z-A Common Stock for which the Class Z-A Vested Portion is a fraction of a share (a) shall automatically be converted into the right to receive, and the Corporation shall pay to the holder of such share, no later than five (5) days following the Ultimate Class Z Date, a cash payment equal to the Class A 5-Day VWAP (as defined in the LLC Agreement) multiplied by the Class Z-A Vested Portion of such share of Class Z-A Common Stock plus the Class A Ultimate Dividend Amount multiplied by the Class Z-A Vested Portion and (b) the Class Z-A Forfeited Portion of such share shall be forfeited and canceled for no consideration;
(ii) after aggregating all shares of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock held by such stockholder in respect of which there is a fractional Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion, (x) each share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock for which the Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion is a whole share shall automatically be converted into a share of Class B-1 Common Stock and (y) each share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock for which the Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion is a fraction of a share (a) shall automatically be converted into the right to receive upon the occurrence of a Class B-1 Conversion Event, and the Corporation shall pay no later than five (5) days following a Class B-1 Conversion Event, a cash payment equal to the Class A 5-Day VWAP (as defined in the LLC Agreement) multiplied by the Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion of such share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock plus the Dividend Catch-Up Payment for a share of Class B-1 Common Stock multiplied by the Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion (collectively in this clause (y), the “Class B-1 Partial Share Conversion Entitlement”) and (b) the Class Z-B-2 Forfeited portion of such share shall be forfeited and canceled for no consideration.
(iii) after aggregating all shares of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock held by such stockholder in respect of which there is a fractional Class Z-B-2 Vested Portion, (x) each share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock for which the Class Z-B-2 Vested Portion is a whole share shall automatically be converted into a share of Class B-2 Common Stock and (y) each share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock for which the Class Z-B-2 Vested Portion is a fraction of a share (a) shall automatically be converted into the right to receive upon the occurrence of a Class B-2 Conversion Event, and the Corporation shall pay no later than five (5) days following a Class B-2 Conversion Event, a cash payment equal to the Class A 5-Day VWAP (as defined in
the LLC Agreement) multiplied by the Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion of such share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock plus the Dividend Catch-Up Payment for a share of Class B-2 Common Stock multiplied by the Class Z-B-2 Vested Portion (collectively in this clause (y), the “Class B-2 Partial Share Conversion Entitlement”) and (b) the Class Z-B-2 Forfeited portion of such share shall be forfeited and canceled for no consideration.
If, at any time prior to the Ultimate Class Z Date, (i) the Class Z-A Vested Portion of a share of Class Z-A Common Stock is a whole share, such share of Class Z-A Common Stock shall automatically convert into the Class A Whole Share Conversion Entitlement, (ii) the Class Z-B-1 Vested Portion of a share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock is a whole share, such share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock shall automatically convert into a share of Class B-1 Common Stock and (iii) the Class Z-B-2 Vested Portion of a share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock is a whole share, such share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock shall automatically convert into a share of Class B-2 Common Stock.
In the event a Class Z-B-1 Conversion Event or Class Z-B-2 Conversion Event occurs on the same day as a Class B-1 Conversion Event or Class B-2 Conversion Event (including pursuant to Section 4.3(C)), including as a result of such Class B-1 Conversion Event or Class B-2 Conversion Event, as appropriate, (i) the share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock or Class Z-B-2 Common Stock for which the Class Z-B-1 Conversion Event or Class Z-B-2 Conversion Event occurred, as appropriate, shall be treated as having been converted into a share of Class B-1 Common Stock or Class B-2 Common Stock prior to the Class B-1 Conversion Event or Class B-2 Conversion Event, as appropriate, and shall participate in such Class B-1 Conversion Event or Class B-2 Conversion Event, as appropriate and (ii) the Class B-1 Partial Share Entitlement for the Class Z-B-1 Portion of any share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock and the Class B-2 Partial Share Entitlement for the Class Z-B-2 Vested Portion of any share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock shall become due and payable.
(6) Any Catch-Up Reallocation shall be paid to the holders of Class Z common stock and Class Z Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement) pro rata in respect of the Class Z-B-1 Tranche (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) or Class Z-B-2 Tranche (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), as appropriate, with respect to the portion of each such tranche held by such holders.
(7) For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation:
(i) “Class Z-A Conversion Event” means the conversion of a share of Class Z-A Common Stock into a share of Class A Common Stock or cash payment, as set forth in Section 4.3(I)(5).
(ii) “Class Z-B-1 Conversion Event” means the conversion of a share of Class Z-B-1 Common Stock into a share of Class B-1 Common Stock or cash payment, as set forth in Section 4.3(I)(5).
(iii) “Class Z-B-2 Conversion Event” means the conversion of a share of Class Z-B-2 Common Stock into a share of Class B-2 Common Stock or cash payment, as set forth in Section 4.3(I)(5).
(iv) “Class Z Triggered Portion” means, with respect to a vesting or forfeiture of any Unvested Consideration, with respect to each Forfeiture Reallocation Tranche (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), a percentage expressed as a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the number of shares of Unvested Consideration (which relates to such Forfeiture Reallocation Tranche) which is either vested, or forfeited, in accordance with the terms of an applicable Pre-Closing Award Agreement and (ii) the denominator of which is the total number of shares and units in such Forfeiture Reallocation Tranche as of the Closing Date; where the Class Z Triggered Portion is always expressed as a percentage of a whole share (and does not represent a percentage of a portion of a share of Forfeiture Reallocation Shares remaining after a prior vesting or forfeiture of such share).
Article V
Section 5.1. By-Laws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized to make, amend, alter, change, add to or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “By-Laws”) without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a
lesser vote of the stockholders, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required herein (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock), by the By-Laws or pursuant to applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of Article I, Article II or Article IV of the By-Laws of the Corporation, or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith and, with respect to any other provision of the By-Laws of the Corporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any such provision of the By-Laws of the Corporation, or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.
Article VI
Section 6.1. Board of Directors.
(A) Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. Subject to the investor rights agreement dated as of July 2, 2021, by and among (i) the Corporation, (ii) the Blackstone Investors (as defined therein), (iii) the New Mountain Partner Investors (as defined therein), (iv) the Sponsor Investors (as defined therein), (v) the GIC Investor (as defined therein), (vi) the PF Investor (as defined therein), and (vii) the other parties thereto (as amended by the First Amendment to the Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2023 and as may be subsequently amended, the “Investor Rights Agreement”), the total number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board. The directors (other than any directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be (the “Preferred Stock Directors”)) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. At each annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (an “Annual Meeting”), successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that Annual Meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding Annual Meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, commencing at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2027 (the “2027 Annual Meeting”), each director of the Corporation to be elected at such Annual Meeting (other than any Preferred Stock Directors) shall be elected annually and shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. For the avoidance of doubt, any director in office prior to the election of directors at the 2027 Annual Meeting whose term expires at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2028 or the Annual Meeting to be held in 2029, and any person appointed to fill a vacancy in respect of the remaining term of such director (each such director, a “Continuing Classified Director”), shall continue to hold office until the end of the term for which such director was elected or appointed and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the contrary, commencing with the election of directors at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2029, the Board shall cease to be classified, and all directors (other than any Preferred Stock Director) shall be elected for a term expiring at the next succeeding Annual Meeting.
(B) Subject to the special rights granted to the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and the rights granted pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, any newly-created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by the stockholders). Any director appointed to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of the class, if any, to which such director has been appointed and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. In no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove, or shorten the term of, any incumbent director.
(C) Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation given in writing or by any electronic transmission permitted by the By-Laws. Until the 2027 Annual Meeting, any or all of the directors (other than any Preferred Stock Director) may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. From and after the 2027 Annual Meeting, any or all of the directors (other than the directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) may be removed, with our without cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class; provided that, until their next election at an Annual Meeting, the Continuing Classified Directors may only be removed for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the removal of any director designated pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement shall require, in addition to any vote required by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the consent of the Person who designated such director pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement.
(D) Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect one or more Preferred Stock Directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such Preferred Stock Directors shall be governed by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) applicable thereto. Notwithstanding Section 6.1(A), the number of Preferred Stock Directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to Section 6.1(A) hereof, and the total number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be automatically adjusted accordingly.
(E) Directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the By-Laws shall so provide.
Article VII
Section 7.1. Meetings of Stockholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of stock of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders unless such action is recommended or approved by all directors of the Corporation then in office; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Class V Common Stock, voting separately as a class, or, to the extent expressly permitted by the certificate of designations relating to one or more series of Preferred Stock, by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant class or series having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or as otherwise provided in the By-Laws.
Article VIII
Section 8.1. Limited Liability of Directors. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no director of the Corporation will have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or
limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Neither the amendment nor the repeal of this Article VIII shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation existing prior to such amendment or repeal.
Section 8.2. Director and Officer Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall indemnify and advance expenses to any Person made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.
Section 8.3. Employee and Agent Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by law, may indemnify and advance expenses to any Person made or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as an employee or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.
Article IX
Section 9.1. DGCL Section 203 and Business Combinations.
(A) The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Corporation’s Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
(1) prior to such time, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or
(2) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or
(3) at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
(C) For purposes of this Article IX, references to:
(1) “Affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.
(2) “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.
(3) “business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:
a. any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (i) with the interested stockholder, or (ii) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 9.1(B) of this Article IX is not applicable to the surviving entity;
b. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;
c. any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (i) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (ii) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (iii) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (iv) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (v) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (iii) through (v) of this subsection (c) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);
d. any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or
e. any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (a) through (d) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.
(4) “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing Section 9.1(B) of Article IX, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.
(5) “interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an Affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder; and the Affiliates and associates of such person; but “interested stockholder” shall not include (x) any Stockholder Party, any Stockholder Party Direct Transferee, any Stockholder Party Indirect Transferee or any of their respective Affiliates or any “group,” or any member of any such group, to which such persons are a party under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, provided that a majority of the aggregate shares of voting stock of the Corporation owned by such group immediately prior to the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder were owned (without giving effect to beneficial ownership attributed to such person pursuant to Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act or Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) by one or more Stockholder Parties, Stockholder Party Direct Transferees, or Stockholder Party Indirect Transferees, or (y) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided, further, that in the case of clause (y) such person shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
(6) “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or associates:
a. beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or
b. has (i) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s Affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (ii) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or
c. has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (ii) of subsection (b) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.
(7) “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.
(8) “stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.
(9) “Stockholder Parties” means the Sponsor Investors and the Existing Investors (each as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement). The term “Stockholder Party” shall have a correlative meaning to “Stockholder Parties.”
(10) “Stockholder Party Direct Transferee” means any person that acquires (other than in a registered public offering) directly from any Stockholder Party or any of its successors or any “group,” or any member of any such group, of which such persons are a party under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of the Corporation.
(11) “Stockholder Party Indirect Transferee” means any person that acquires (other than in a registered public offering) directly from any Stockholder Party Direct Transferee or any other Stockholder Party Indirect Transferee, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of the Corporation.
(12) “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of voting stock shall refer to such percentages of the votes of such voting stock.
Article X
Section 10.1. Competition and Corporate Opportunities.
(A) In recognition and anticipation that (i) members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates and Affiliated Entities (each, as defined below) may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (ii) the Stockholder Parties and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and the provisions of this Article X are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Non-Employee Directors, the Stockholder Parties or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.
(B) None of (i) any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Corporation in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her Affiliates or Affiliated Entities and (ii) the Stockholder Parties or any of their respective Affiliates (the Persons (as defined below) above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, has historically engaged, now engages or proposes to engage at any time or (2) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section 10.1(C) of this Article X. Subject to Section 10.1(C) of this Article X, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, or offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person or does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Corporation.
(C) Subject to Section 10.1(D), the Corporation does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director if such opportunity is expressly offered or presented to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation, and the provisions of Section 10.1(B) of this Article X shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.
(D) In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article X, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Corporation is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation, (iii) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy, or (iv) is one presented to any Person for the benefit of a member of the Board or such member’s Affiliate over which such member of the Board has no direct or indirect influence or control, including, but not limited to, a blind trust.
(E) For purposes of this Article X, (i) “Affiliate” shall mean (a) in respect of a member of the Board, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such member of the Board (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation), (b) in respect of any of the Stockholder Parties, a Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by any of the Stockholder Parties, controls any of the Stockholder Parties or is under common control with any of the Stockholder Parties and shall include any principal, member, director, partner, stockholder, officer, employee or other representative of any of the foregoing (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (c) in respect of the Corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation; (ii) “Affiliated Entity” shall mean (x) any Person of which a Non-Employee Director serves as an officer, director, employee, agent or other representative (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation), (y) any direct or indirect partner, stockholder, member, manager or other representative of such Person or (z) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing, including any investment fund or vehicle under common management; and (iii) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.
(F) For the purposes of this Article, “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Section (F) of Article X, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.
(G) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article X.
(H) Any alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article X shall require the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Neither the alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article X, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) inconsistent with this Article X, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article X in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article X, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, addition, repeal or adoption. This Article X shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws, the Investor Rights Agreement, any indemnification agreement between such Person and the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or applicable law.
Article XI
Section 11.1. Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation
containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Article XII
Section 12.1. Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, or any claim for aiding and abetting such alleged breach, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer, other employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation (a) arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation (as it may be amended or restated) or the By-Laws or (b) as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Delaware Court of Chancery or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer, other employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware shall, as to any action in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be solely and exclusively brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any claim (a) as to which the Delaware Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (b) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Delaware Court of Chancery, or (c) arising under federal securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as to which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Article XII will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the forum provisions is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “foreign action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”); and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such enforcement action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such stockholder. Failure to enforce the foregoing provisions would cause the Corporation irreparable harm and the Corporation shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, to enforce the foregoing provisions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.
Article XIII
Section 13.1. Amendments. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the following provisions in this Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class: Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX, Article XII and this Article XIII. Except as expressly provided in the foregoing sentence and the remainder of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock), including Section 10.1(G), this Certificate of Incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Article XIV
Section 14.1. Limited Liability of Officers. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of the Corporation will have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as an officer. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of officers, then the liability of an officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Neither the amendment nor the repeal of this Article XIV shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of an officer of the Corporation existing prior to such amendment or repeal. For purposes of this Article XIV, “officer” shall have the meaning provided in Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
* * *
This Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective at 5:05 p.m. on June 30, 2026.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its duly authorized officer this 29th day of June, 2026.
ALIGHT, INC.
| | |
|
| /s/ Martin T. Felli |
| Name: Martin T. Felli |
| Title: Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary |
[Signature Page to Restated Certificate of Incorporation]
Exhibit 3.2
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
ALIGHT, INC.
ARTICLE I.
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders of Alight, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall, be held on such date, and at such time and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communications pursuant to paragraph (C)(3) of Section 11, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”). The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) or the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Special meetings may be held either at a place, within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communications pursuant to paragraph (C)(3) of Section 11 as the Board may determine. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of the stockholders previously scheduled.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of the date, time, place (if any), the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of the meeting of stockholders shall be given not more than sixty (60), nor less than ten (10), days previous thereto (unless a different time is specified by applicable law), to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notices of meetings otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any such notice may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL.
Section 4. Quorum; Adjournments. The holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided herein, by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation; but if at any meeting of stockholders there shall be less than a quorum present, the chairman of the meeting or, by a majority in voting power thereof, the stockholders present (either in person or by proxy) may, to the extent permitted by law, adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting of the date, time and place, if any, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders may be deemed present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, until a quorum
shall be present or represented. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented by proxy, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, (including an adjournment taken to address a technical failure to convene or continue a meeting using remote communication), notice need not be given of any adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are (A) announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, (B) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy holders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication or (C) set forth in the notice of meeting given in accordance with Section 3 hereof; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting conforming to the requirements of these Amended and Restated By-laws, including Section 3 hereof, shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 5. Organization. The Chairman of the Board, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board or at the Chairman of the Board’s direction, the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or at the Chief Executive Officer’s direction, any officer of the Corporation shall call all meetings of the stockholders to order and shall act as chairman of any such meetings. The Secretary of the Corporation or, in such officer’s absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting. If neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint a secretary of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise determined by the Board prior to the meeting, the chairman of the meeting shall determine the order of business and shall have the authority in his or her discretion to regulate the conduct of any such meeting, including, without limitation, convening the meeting and adjourning the meeting (whether or not a quorum is present), announcing the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote, imposing restrictions on the persons (other than stockholders of record of the Corporation or their duly appointed proxies) who may attend any such meeting, establishing procedures for the transaction of business at the meeting (including the dismissal of business not properly presented), maintaining order at the meeting and safety of those present, restricting entry to the meeting after the time fixed for commencement thereof and limiting the circumstances in which any person may make a statement or ask questions at any meeting of stockholders. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 6. Voting; Proxies. At all meetings of stockholders, any stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy, subject to applicable law. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy pursuant to the DGCL, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority: (A) a stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy, and execution of the writing may be accomplished by the stockholder or the stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature; or (B) a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing by means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that such electronic transmissions are valid, the inspector or inspectors of stockholder votes or, if there are no such inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information upon which they relied.
A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary of the Corporation a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.
Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 6 (including any electronic transmission) may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
Proxies shall be filed with the secretary of the meeting prior to or at the commencement of the meeting to which they relate.
When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast (provided that an abstention or broker non-vote shall not count as a vote cast) shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, the DGCL, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities a different or minimum vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required and a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (provided that an abstention or broker non-vote shall not count as a vote cast) by shares of such class or series or classes or series shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, the DGCL, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities a different or minimum vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.
Section 7. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record.
(A) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.
(B) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 8. Action By Written Consent of Stockholders. At any time when action by one or more classes or series of stockholders of the Corporation is permitted to be taken by written consent pursuant to the terms and limitations set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the provisions of this Section 8 shall apply. All consents properly delivered in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL shall be deemed to be recorded when so delivered. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation as required by the DGCL, written consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to take such corporate action are so delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the action had been taken at a meeting and the record date for the notice of the meeting were the record date for the action taken by consent. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
Section 9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Corporation shall prepare, no later than the tenth (10th) day before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of ten (10) days ending on the day before the meeting date: (A) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (B) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation.
Section 10. Inspectors of Election. The Board, in advance of all meetings of the stockholders, may appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes, who may be employees or agents of the Corporation or stockholders or their proxies, but who shall not be directors of the Corporation or candidates for election as directors. In the event that the Board fails to so appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes or, in the event that one or more inspectors of stockholder votes previously designated by the Board fails to appear or act at the meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes to fill such vacancy or vacancies. Inspectors of stockholder votes appointed to act at any meeting of the stockholders, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector of stockholder votes with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability and the oath so taken shall be subscribed by them. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (A) ascertain the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (B) determine the shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (C) count all votes and ballots, (D) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (E) certify their determination of the number of shares of capital stock of
the Corporation represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law.
Section 11. Conduct of Meetings.
(A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (a) as provided in the Investor Rights Agreement (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), (b) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Article I, Section 3 of these By-Laws, (c) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof or (d) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote on such election or such other business at the meeting, who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in subparagraphs (2) and (3) of this paragraph (A) of this Section 11 and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice was delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation.
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Article I, Section 11(A)(1)(d) of these By-laws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation (even if such matter is already the subject of any notice to the stockholders or a public announcement from the Board), and, in the case of business other than nominations of persons for election to the Board, such other business must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is scheduled for more than thirty (30) days before, or more than seventy (70) days following, such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. For purposes of the application of Rule 14a-4(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (or any successor provision), the date for notice specified in this paragraph (A)(2) shall be the earlier of the date calculated as hereinbefore provided or the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 14a-4.
A stockholder’s notice delivered pursuant to this Section 11 shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these By-Laws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books and records, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the stock of the Corporation at the time of the giving of the notice, will be entitled to vote at such meeting and will appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (iv) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, or any of their respective affiliates or associates (collectively, “proponent persons”) effect will be or is part of a group which will (A) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (B) otherwise solicit
proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination, (v) a certification regarding whether such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and/or the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation, (vi) if such stockholder or any other proponent person intends to engage in a solicitation with respect to a nomination pursuant to this Section 11, (A) a statement disclosing the name of each participant in such solicitation (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) and (B) a representation that such stockholder or other proponent person, if any, intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required under Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act and (vii) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (d) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal and/or the voting of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation between or among the stockholder giving the notice, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, any proponent person; and (e) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including without limitation any contract to purchase or sell, acquisition or grant of any option, right or warrant to purchase or sell, swap or other instrument) to which any proponent person is a party the intent or effect of which may be (i) to transfer to or from any proponent person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security of the Corporation, (ii) to increase or decrease the voting power of any proponent person with respect to shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation and/or (iii) to provide any proponent person, directly or indirectly, with the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from, or to otherwise benefit economically from, any increase or decrease in the value of any security of the Corporation. A stockholder providing notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting (whether given pursuant to this paragraph (A)(2) or paragraph (B) of this Section 11) shall update and supplement such notice from time to time to the extent necessary so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, provided that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting is less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the information shall be supplemented and updated as of such later date. Any such update and supplement shall be delivered in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), not later than ten (10) days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof) and not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, but no later than the date prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of a date less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). In addition, if any stockholder provides notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five (5) business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. In addition to the other requirements of this Section 11, each person whom a stockholder proposes to nominate for election to the Board must deliver in writing (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under this paragraph (A)(2) of Section 11) to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a completed written questionnaire with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such proposed nominee (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary of the Corporation upon written request of any stockholder of record identified by name within five (5) business days of such written request). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish, within ten (10) days of a request thereof, such other information as it may reasonably require to determine whether such proposed nominee is qualified under the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or any law or regulation
applicable to the Corporation to serve as a director of the Corporation and/or independent director of the Corporation.
The foregoing notice requirements of this paragraph (A)(2) of Section 11 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Exchange Act, and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. Nothing in this paragraph (A)(2), Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased, effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 11, and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which a public announcement of such increase is first made by the Corporation.
(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting pursuant to Article I, Section 3 of these By-Laws. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board or a committee thereof or (2) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote on such election at the meeting, who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11 and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting if the stockholder’s notice as required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 11 is delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extent any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
(C) General.
(1) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, unless otherwise required by law, if any stockholder (i) provides notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act and (ii) subsequently fails to comply with any requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act or any other rules or regulations thereunder, as determined by the chairman of the meeting, then the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such nominees. In addition, any stockholder that provides notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act shall notify the Secretary of the Corporation within two (2) business days of any change in such stockholder’s intent to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to the amount of holders of shares of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required under Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act.
(2) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 or the Investor Rights Agreement shall be eligible to be elected to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these
By-Laws, the chairman of the meeting shall, in addition to making any other determination that may be appropriate for the conduct of the meeting, have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 11, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 11, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
(3) If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such rules, regulations and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders of the Corporation and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may, by means of remote communication participate in a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication; provided, however, that (a) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder of the Corporation or proxyholder; (b) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders of the Corporation and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (c) if any stockholder of the Corporation or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
(4) For purposes of this Section 11, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure (a) in a press release released by the Corporation; provided such press release is released by the Corporation following its customary procedures, is reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service, or is generally available on internet news sites, or (b) in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise disseminated in a manner constituting “public disclosure” under Regulation FD promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(5) No adjournment or postponement or notice of adjournment or postponement of any meeting shall be deemed to constitute a new notice (or extend any notice time period) of such meeting for purposes of this Section 11, and in order for any notification required to be delivered by a stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 to be timely, such notification must be delivered within the periods set forth above with respect to the originally scheduled meeting.
(6) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11; provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any references in these By-Laws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 11 (including paragraphs (A)(1)(d) and (B) hereof), and compliance with paragraphs (A)(1)(d) and (B) of this Section 11 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business. Nothing in this Section 11 shall apply to the right, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for as long as the Investor Rights Agreement remains in effect with respect to the Stockholder Parties (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), the Stockholder Parties (to the extent then subject to the Investor Rights Agreement) shall not be subject to the
notice procedures set forth in paragraphs (A)(2), (A)(3) or (B) of this Section 11 with respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders to the extent necessary to effect the transactions and rights set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.
(7) Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for the exclusive use by the Board.
ARTICLE II.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Power. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The Board may exercise all such authority and powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 2. Number; Qualifications; Quorum. The Board shall consist, subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, of such number of directors as shall from time to time be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board. Directors shall (except as hereinafter provided for the filling of vacancies and newly created directorships and except as otherwise expressly provided in the Certificate of Incorporation) be elected by the holders of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of such directors in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, as applicable. A majority of the total number of directors then in office (but not less than one-third of the total number of directors) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise provided by law, these By-Laws or the Certificate of Incorporation, the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. Directors need not be stockholders. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn such meeting to another time and place.
Section 3. Additional Election; Resignation; Vacancies. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, unless otherwise required by the DGCL or Article II, Section 4 of these By-Laws, any newly created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, removal, retirement, disqualification or otherwise) shall be filled in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 4. Regular Meetings; Special Meetings. Meetings of the Board shall be held at such place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board or as may be specified in the notice of any meeting. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board and special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or by a majority of the total number of directors then in office, by written notice, including facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission, duly served on or sent and delivered to each director in accordance with Article X, Section 2. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Article X, Section 2, to each director (A) at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (B) at least two (2) days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (C) at least five (5) days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. The notice of any meeting need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders at the same place, if any, at which such meeting is held. Notice need not be given of regular meetings of the Board held at times fixed by resolution of the Board. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any director who shall attend such meeting (except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened), or who shall waive notice thereof, before or after such meeting, in writing (including by electronic transmission).
Section 5. Subject to Rights of Holders of Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal, and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) applicable thereto. The number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the total number of directors fixed by the Board pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the terms of such series, the number of directors that may be so elected by the holders of any such series of stock shall be elected for terms expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and vacancies among directors so elected by the separate vote of the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors elected by such series, or, if there are no such remaining directors, by the holders of such series in the same manner in which such series initially elected a director.
Section 6. Committees. The Board may from time to time establish one or more committees of the Board, including, but not limited to, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, to serve at the pleasure of the Board, which shall be comprised of such members of the Board, subject to the Investor Rights Agreement, and have such duties as the Board shall from time to time determine. Any director may belong to any number of committees of the Board. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, the Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member, subject to the Investor Rights Agreement. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or the resolution of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and may delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee. Each committee of the Board may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the Board designating such committee.
Section 7. Action by Unanimous Consent of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing (including by electronic transmission). After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form or shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 8. Telephonic Meetings Permitted. The members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence in person at such a meeting.
Section 9. Compensation. The Board may establish policies for the compensation of directors and for the reimbursement of the expenses of directors, in each case, in connection with services provided by directors to the Corporation.
ARTICLE III.
OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers; Election; Qualifications. The Board shall elect officers of the Corporation, including a Chief Executive Officer, a President and a Secretary. The Board may also from time to time elect such other officers as it may deem proper or may delegate to any elected officer of the Corporation the power to appoint and remove any such other officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authorities and duties. Any Vice President may be designated Executive, Senior or Corporate, or may be given such other designation or combination of designations as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may determine. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. The Board may also elect or appoint a Chairman of the Board, who may or may not also be an officer of the Corporation. The Board may elect or appoint co-Chairmen of the Board, co-Presidents or co-Chief Executive Officers and, in such case, references in these By-Laws to the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer shall refer to either such co-Chairman of the Board, co-President or co-Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be.
Section 2. Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. All officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall hold office for such terms as may be determined by the Board or, except with respect to his or her own office, the Chief Executive Officer, or until their respective successors are chosen and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time either with or without cause by the Board, or, in the case of appointed officers, by any elected officer upon whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the Board.
Section 3. Powers and Duties of Officers. Each of the officers of the Corporation elected by the Board or appointed by an officer in accordance with these By-Laws shall have the powers and duties prescribed by law, by these By-Laws or by the Board and, in the case of appointed officers, the powers and duties prescribed by the appointing officer, and, unless otherwise prescribed by these By-Laws or by the Board or such appointing officer, shall have such further powers and duties as ordinarily pertain to that office.
Section 4. Delegation of Power. Unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws, in the absence or disability of any officer of the Corporation, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may, during such period, delegate such officer’s powers and duties to any other officer or to any director and the person to whom such powers and duties are delegated shall, for the time being, hold such office.
Section 5. Vacancies. The Board shall have the power to fill vacancies occurring in any officer position.
ARTICLE IV.
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
Section 1. Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative or any other type whatsoever (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; except as provided in Section 3 of this Article IV with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of
expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such indemnitee, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.
Section 2. Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 1 of this Article IV, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in appearing at, participating in or defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article IV (which shall be governed by Section 3 of this Article IV) (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if (A) the DGCL requires or (B) in the case of an advance made in a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made solely upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined after final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article IV or otherwise.
Section 3. Claims. If a claim under Section 1 or 2 of this Article IV is not paid in full by the Corporation within (A) sixty (60) days after a written claim for indemnification has been received by the Corporation or (B) twenty (20) days after a claim for an advancement of expenses has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if the indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (1) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense of the Corporation that, and (2) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article IV or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Section 4. Indemnification Not Exclusive.
(A) The provision of indemnification to or the advancement of expenses and costs to any indemnitee under this Article IV, or the entitlement of any indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs under this Article IV, shall not limit or restrict in any way the power of the Corporation to indemnify or advance expenses and costs to such indemnitee in any other way permitted by law or be deemed exclusive of, or invalidate, any right to which any indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs may be entitled under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such indemnitee’s capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Corporation and as to action in any other capacity.
(B) Given that certain jointly indemnifiable claims (as defined below) may arise due to the service of the indemnitee as a director and/or officer of the Corporation or as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of
another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of the indemnitee-related entities (as defined below), the Corporation shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses in connection with any such jointly indemnifiable claims, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Article IV, irrespective of any right of recovery the indemnitee may have from the indemnitee-related entities. Under no circumstance shall the Corporation be entitled to any right of subrogation against or contribution by the indemnitee-related entities and no right of advancement, indemnification or recovery the indemnitee may have from the indemnitee-related entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the indemnitee or the obligations of the Corporation under this Article IV. In the event that any of the indemnitee-related entities shall make any payment to the indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any jointly indemnifiable claim, the indemnitee-related entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee against the Corporation, and the indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the indemnitee-related entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the indemnitee-related entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 4(B) of Article IV, entitled to enforce this Section 4(B) of Article IV.
For purposes of this Section 4(B) of Article IV, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) The term “indemnitee-related entities” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (other than the Corporation or any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for which the indemnitee has agreed, on behalf of the Corporation or at the Corporation’s request, to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent and which service is covered by the indemnity described herein) from whom an indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to which, in whole or in part, the Corporation may also have an indemnification or advancement obligation (other than as a result of obligations under an insurance policy).
(2) The term “jointly indemnifiable claims” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding for which the indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses from both the indemnitee-related entities and the Corporation pursuant to applicable law, any agreement, certificate of incorporation, by-laws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or comparable organizational documents of the Corporation or the indemnitee-related entities, as applicable.
Section 5. Nature of Rights. The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article IV shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article IV that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate, or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.
Section 6. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 7. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article IV with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE V.
CORPORATE BOOKS
The books of the Corporation may be kept inside or outside of the State of Delaware at such place or places as the Board may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE VI.
CHECKS, NOTES, PROXIES, ETC.
All checks and drafts on the Corporation’s bank accounts and all bills of exchange and promissory notes, and all acceptances, obligations and other instruments for the payment of money, shall be signed by such officer or officers or agent or agents as shall be authorized from time to time by the Board or such officer or officers who may be delegated such authority. Proxies to vote and consents with respect to securities of other corporations or other entities owned by or standing in the name of the Corporation may be executed and delivered from time to time on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or by such officers as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or the Board may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE VII.
SHARES AND OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION
Section 1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.
Section 2. Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.
Section 3. Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.
(A) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (1) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (2) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (3) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.
(B) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.
Section 4. Transfer of Stock.
(A) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only upon the books administered by or on behalf of the Corporation and only upon proper transfer instructions, including by Electronic Transmission, pursuant to the direction of the registered holder thereof, such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, or from an individual presenting proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer the shares of stock; or, in the case of stock represented by certificate(s) upon delivery of a properly endorsed certificate(s) for a like number of shares or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power.
(B) The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
Section 5. Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.
Section 6. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.
ARTICLE VIII.
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 of each calendar year, unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board.
ARTICLE IX.
CORPORATE SEAL
The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation. In lieu of the corporate seal, when so authorized by the Board or a duly empowered committee thereof, a facsimile thereof may be impressed or affixed or reproduced.
ARTICLE X.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of any meeting need not be given to any person who shall attend such meeting (except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened), or who shall waive notice thereof, before or after such meeting, in writing (including by electronic transmission).
Section 2. Means of Giving Notice. Except as otherwise set forth in any applicable law or any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of any meeting shall be given by the following means:
(A) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (1) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (2) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (3) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (a) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (b) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (c) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (d) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (e) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (f) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.
(B) Electronic Transmission. For purposes of these By-Laws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
(C) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
(D) Exceptions to Notice Requirements.
(1) Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
(2) Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to any stockholder to whom (a) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (b) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the
DGCL. The exception in subsection (a) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.
Section 3. Section Headings. Section headings in these By-Laws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.
Section 4. Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision of these By-Laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, the DGCL or any other applicable law, such the provision of these By-laws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.
Section 5. Amendments. These By-Laws may be made, amended, altered, changed, added to or repealed as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.