DATED: October 25, 2022
DEED OF SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE
LAURA ACCURSO,
GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD.,
AND
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
DEED OF SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE
This Deed of Settlement and Release is made the 25th of October, 2022
BETWEEN:
(1) LAURA ACCURSO of Grand Cayman (the “Employee”);
(2) GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD of 65 Market Street, Suite 1207, Jasmine Court, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-1205, Cayman Islands; and
(3) GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD of 65 Market Street, Suite 1207, Jasmine Court, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-1205, Cayman Islands (together with Greenlight Reinsurance Ltd, the “Employers”) (each a “Party” and together “the Parties”).
WHEREAS:
(A) The Employee is employed as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer (the “Employment”) pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2017, as subsequently amended February 18, 2019, September 2, 2019, and May 1, 2020 (the “Contract”);
(B) The Parties have agreed to terminate the Employment by mutual consent effective December 31, 2022 (the “Termination Date”); and
(C) The Parties now wish to settle all matters between them and have agreed to a full and final settlement on the terms and conditions contained in this Deed and have agreed to enter into this Deed in consideration of the mutual covenants and other valuable consideration set out below.
IT IS NOW AGREED AND THIS DEED WITNESSES AS FOLLOWS:
1. Definitions
1.1 In this Deed, unless otherwise indicated, the following expressions shall bear the following meanings:
(a) “Associated Entities” means the Employers and each and all of their respective current, previous, and future parent companies, direct or indirect subsidiaries, and affiliates;
(b) “Claims” means all causes of action, matters, and disputes arising from or related to the Employment or the termination thereof, or otherwise arising between the Parties, whether known
or unknown, that exist (or may exist) as at the date of execution of this Deed including but not limited to:
(i) Any and all actions, causes of action, claims, covenants, contracts and/or controversies in any jurisdiction of whatsoever character howsoever arising whether in law, equity or otherwise;
(ii) Unfair dismissal pursuant to part VII of the Labour Act (2021 Revision) (the “Labour Act”) or any successor legislation;
(iii) Severance pay pursuant to part V of the Labour Act or any successor legislation;
(iv) Wrongful or constructive dismissal in respect of the Employment howsoever arising;
(v) Contractual entitlement in respect of salary, commission, accrued holiday pay, overtime, notice, severance, other benefits, or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the Contract (as amended) or Employment, including for the avoidance of doubt any discretionary bonus; and
(vi) Discrimination howsoever arising or of any nature.
(c) References to recitals and clauses are references to the recitals to and clauses of this Deed;
(d) Headings to clauses and the use of bold type are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Deed; and
(e) Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.
1.2 Should any provision of this Deed require interpretation it is agreed by the Parties that such interpretation shall not be subject to a presumption that the Deed is to be construed more strictly against the party who prepared the Deed.
2. Agreement and Release by the Employee
2.1 The Parties hereby agree that the Employment shall terminate by mutual consent and without further notice as of the Termination Date, at which time the Employee shall cease to be employed by the Employers.
2.2 The Employee agrees and undertakes to resign as of the Termination Date from all officer, board, committee, and other appointments or positions held in respect of the Employers and their Associated Entities. In the event that the Employee fails to resign in accordance with this clause the Employee hereby irrevocably grants a power of attorney to the Employers empowering them to execute the necessary instruments of resignation on the Employee’s behalf.
2.3 The Employee agrees that other than as set forth in Section 3, below, the Employee hereby:
(a) Releases each and all of the Employers and their Associated Entities (collectively, the “Companies”), and each and all of the Companies’ respective servants, agents, directors, officers, employees, partners, equityholders, investors, and representatives (collectively, with the Companies, the “Releasees”) from all and any Claims howsoever arising, whether under Cayman Islands, United States, New York, Irish, or other law, whether under any statute, regulation, ordinance, constitution, treaty, contract (including, but not limited to, under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.’s Compensation Plan), common law, or otherwise, and whether such Claims are accrued or contingent;
(b) Undertakes and covenants not to assert any Claims or commence legal proceedings in respect of such claims against any of the Releasees at any time in any forum or any jurisdiction (including without limitation the Director of Labour, the Department of Employment Relations or a Labour Tribunal in the Cayman Islands or the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands);
(c) Undertakes and covenants to comply with the terms of Sections 11 (provided that references in Sections 11.7 and 11.8 of the Contract to “for a period of six (6) months thereafter” and reference in Section 11.7 of the Contract to “within the six (6) month period before or after her termination” are hereby amended to “for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter” and “within the twelve (12) month period before or after her termination,” respectively), 12, 14 and 15 of the Contract (collectively, the “Surviving Provisions”), which the Employee agrees survive the Employee’s termination, and acknowledges that such terms are enforceable in their entirety;
(d) Undertakes and covenants that before and after the Termination Date, the Employee will reasonably cooperate with the Companies, in connection with (i) the smooth transition of the Employee’s role and responsibilities, as directed by the Employers, including by promptly responding to requests for information, (ii) any actual or threatened investigation, administrative proceeding, or litigation relating to any matter that occurred during the Employment in which the Employee was involved or of which the Employee has knowledge, and (iii) any other internal or external review of the Companies, including by any regulator or agency, or any actual or threatened arbitration; provided that the Companies will attempt to schedule the Employee’s cooperation for mutually agreeable times and locations in a manner that does not unduly interfere with the Employee’s personal or professional pursuits and will reimburse the Employee for any reasonable pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses the Employee incurs in connection with such cooperation. The Employee will render the Employee’s cooperation under this paragraph without requiring a subpoena, and will do so honestly, truthfully, forthrightly, and completely, including supplying relevant documents and information in the Employee’s possession, custody, or control;
(e) Agrees and confirms that, except as set forth in Sections 3.1(a)-(f), 3.2, and 3.3 below, none of the Releasees owes the Employee any wages, bonuses (including, but not limited to, any quantitative bonuses (for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 or any other year) or other such bonuses or compensation or benefits under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.’s Compensation Plan), pro-rated bonuses (for 2022 or any other year), equity compensation, stock options, restricted shares, sick pay, vacation or holiday pay, severance pay, relocation or moving costs, notice pay, pension contribution, equity award (including, but not limited to, any equity awards under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time (the “LTIP”) or otherwise), or any other compensation, payment, amount, benefit, or interest whatsoever; and
(f) Confirms and acknowledges that the Employee has not suffered any known workplace injury or occupational disease and that the Employee has not been victimised in consequence of reporting any wrongdoing relating in any way to the Employment.
2.4 In the event that the Employee breaches any material provision of this Deed, the Post-Employment Release (as defined below), or the Surviving Provisions or pursues or encourages any Claim against any of the Releasees, (i) the Employers shall have no further obligations to the Employee under this Deed or otherwise (including, but not limited to, any obligation to provide the payments or other consideration set forth in Section 3 of this Deed), (ii) the Employers will be entitled to recoup all payments and consideration previously provided to the Employee under Section 3 of this Deed, plus legal fees and costs it incurs in recouping such amounts, except the amount of $500, (iii) the Employee agrees to indemnify without limitation such parties for any losses suffered as a result thereof, including but not limited to advancing all of their legal and professional fees with respect to such matter(s), (iv) the Employers shall have all rights and
remedies available to it under this Deed and any applicable law or equitable theory, and (v) all of the Employee’s promises, covenants, representation, and warranties under this Deed, and under the Surviving Provisions, will remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that action pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.4 shall only be taken by the Employers if approved by the board of directors of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. or a designated committee thereof comprised of independent directors. Further, in the event the Employers breach any material provision of this Deed (including but not limited to Section 10.2), the Employee shall have all rights and remedies available under applicable law.
2.5 In signing this Deed the Employee acknowledges that the Employee has read and understood this Deed and has obtained or had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice in relation thereto. The Employee further acknowledges that the Employee signs this Deed voluntarily and understands that the Deed contains a full and final release of all claims that the Employee has or may have against any of the Releasees.
2.6 The Employee shall not commence or maintain, or procure, assist, encourage, support or otherwise participate in the commencement or continuance of, any proceedings in respect of the Claims, except, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purpose of enforcing this Deed.
2.7. The Employee agrees that as a material condition of receiving the benefits hereunder, including the benefits set forth in Section 3, the Employee agrees to execute the release attached hereto as Annex A (the “Post-Employment Release”) within ten (10) days following the Termination Date.
3. Agreement by the Employers
3.1 Conditional upon the Employee executing this Deed on the date hereof and complying with all of the terms hereof and with the Surviving Provisions:
(a) the Employers shall pay the Employee a separation payment in the amount of (i) $250,000 (US), less applicable taxes and deductions, payable within two and one half months following the Termination Date and (ii) $750,000 (US), less applicable taxes and deductions, payable over twelve (12) months in substantially equal monthly installments commencing on the sixtieth (60th) day after the Termination Date;
(b) the Employers shall pay the Employee a payment equivalent to statutory severance in the amount of $105,770 (US), less applicable taxes and deductions, payable within two and one half months following the Termination Date;
(c) the Employers shall maintain and pay the medical insurance premiums for the Employee and Employee’s dependents for a period of six (6) months after the Termination Date;
(d) (i) 42,411 unvested shares granted under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, effective as of March 16, 2020 (“2020 Award”), shall vest and all restrictions shall lapse as of the Termination Date and the 2020 Award shall be of no further force or effect;
(ii) 21,786 unvested shares granted under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, effective March 15, 2021 (“2021 Award”), shall vest and all restrictions shall lapse as of the Termination Date and the 2021 Award shall be of no further force or effect; and
(iii) (A) 7,258 of the “Service-Based Restricted Shares” (as defined in the 2022 Award (as defined below)) granted under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Amended and Restated 2004
Stock Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement, effective March 15, 2022 (“2022 Award”), shall vest and all restrictions shall lapse as of the Termination Date and (B) 29,472 of the “Performance-Based Restricted Shares” granted under the 2022 Award shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest in accordance with the 2022 Award and LTIP, without regard to the “Continuous Service” requirement (as defined in the 2022 Award).
(e) the Employers irrevocably and unconditionally release and discharge the Employee with respect to any and all Claims they otherwise could assert against the Employee in connection with the Employee’s employment or the termination thereof; provided that, for avoidance of doubt, nothing herein releases or discharges any claims (i) based on the Employee’s wilful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of the Employee’s duties for the Companies, (ii) that arise after the Termination Date, or (iii) that arise under this Deed or under any of the Surviving Provisions, including but not limited to any claims for misuse of the Companies’ confidential information or the breach of Sections 2, 3, 9, 10, or 11 hereof.
(f) the Employers will issue an instruction to their current directors and senior officers not to make or publish any disparaging, derogatory, or defamatory comments or statements about the Employee in any forum, whether oral or written.
3.2 The Employers shall pay the Employee for any accrued but unused vacation (if any), in accordance with the Employers’ vacation policy.
3.3 The Employers shall reimburse the Employee for any as-yet unreimbursed business expenses that were properly accrued prior to the Termination Date, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Employers’ expense reimbursement policy. For avoidance of doubt, the Employee will not receive reimbursement or payment of any moving or relocation expenses, and is waiving and releasing all claims to any such expenses.
3.4 Nothing in this Deed shall be construed to waive or release any right to indemnification the Employee otherwise would have under any applicable by-law, duly-executed agreement, or insurance policy with respect to claims threatened or brought against Employee by any third parties.
4. No Admission
4.1 Entry into this Deed and performance of the obligations hereunder shall not constitute an admission of liability howsoever arising by any Party.
5. Absolute Bar
5.1 This Deed may be pleaded and tendered by any Party as an absolute bar and defence to any proceeding brought in breach of the terms of this Deed.
6. Further Assurances and Acknowledgments
6.1 The Parties shall (at their own cost) do and execute or procure to be done and executed all necessary acts, agreements, instruments, deeds, documents and things reasonably within their power to give effect to and carry out this Deed and its intents and purposes, and the Parties shall co-operate to the fullest extent practicable to that end.
7. Warranties and Representations
7.1 Each Party hereby separately represents and warrants to the other Party that:
(a) it has taken all necessary actions to authorize and approve its entry into this Deed and the execution of the same;
(b) all necessary authorizations and approvals for the performance of its obligations hereunder have been obtained and remain in force;
(c) its entry and the performance of its obligations under this Deed will not violate any provision of its constitutive documents or any provision of any law applicable to it, nor conflict with or breach or require any consent under any agreement or instrument to which it is party or by which it is or any of its assets or properties is bound; and
(d) this Deed has been duly executed by it and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation which is enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
8. Warranties Concerning Claims
8.1 Each Party hereby separately represents and warrants to the other Party that:
(a) it is the sole and lawful owner of all right, title, and interest in and to each and every Claim which such Party settles herein and in respect of which a waiver, release and discharge is given under this Deed; and
(b) it has not assigned, transferred or conveyed, or purported to assign, transfer or convey, any Claim or any rights in respect of a Claim to any person who is not a party to this Deed.
9. Confidentiality
9.1 The Parties to this Deed agree that the negotiations, correspondence and discussions which led to this Deed shall remain strictly confidential, unless any Party is under an applicable legal or fiduciary duty of disclosure. Any party under such a duty of disclosure with respect to this Deed shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the other party with prior written notice of such disclosure so that the other party may take, if appropriate, steps to defend its rights under this clause. It is understood by the Parties that this Deed will be filed in a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
10. Post-employment Obligations
10.1 The Surviving Provisions (as modified herein) are explicitly incorporated into this Deed by reference. The Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing provisions are enforceable in full and waives any objections thereto.
10.2 The Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee will not defame or criticize the services, business, integrity, veracity or personal or professional reputation of the Employers or any of their respective affiliates (the “Group”) and any of the Groups’ respective officers, directors, partners, executives or agents thereof in either a professional or personal manner at any time. The Employers acknowledge and agree that they will instruct their directors and senior officers not to defame or make any untruthful or disparaging statements regarding the services, integrity, veracity or personal or professional reputation of the Employee in either a professional or personal manner at any time. The Employee and Employers acknowledge and agree that Section 14 (Enforcement) of the Contract shall apply to this Section 10.2.
11. Return of Property
11.1 Except as otherwise instructed by the Company, the Employee agrees and undertakes to
(a) immediately deliver to the custody of the Employers all originals and copies of any documents and other property of the Employers which are in the Employee’s possession, under the Employee’s control or to which he may have access; and
(b) immediately delete permanently and irretrievably any electronic material (howsoever stored) within the Employee’s possession, control or to which the Employee may have access belonging to the Employers or relating in any way to the Employers’ business.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee may retain and convert to personal use the Employee’s cell phone number provided by the Employers following the Termination Date.
12. Entire Agreement
12.1 This Deed, the Post-Employment Release, which is incorporated into this Deed by reference, and the Surviving Provisions of the Contract form the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Deed and supersedes and extinguishes any previous agreement or understanding between the Parties in relation to all or any such matters.
12.2 Each Party acknowledges that in entering into this Deed (and any documents referred to in it) it does not rely on, and shall have no remedy in respect of, any representation, warranty or undertaking in writing or otherwise made or given by any person whatsoever which is not expressly set out in this Deed.
13. Variation
13.1 No provision of this Deed shall be deemed varied, waived, amended or modified by either Party, unless such variation, waiver, amendment or modification is made in writing and signed by each Party.
14. Counterparts
14.1 This Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and any one of which shall be deemed to be validly executed if evidenced by a facsimile or electronic copy of the executing Party’s signature which shall operate with the same effect as if the signatures thereto were on the same instrument. For the avoidance of doubt, each Party shall be required to sign only one copy of this Deed.
15. Successors and Assigns
15.1 This Deed shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors of each Party to this Deed.
15.2 This Deed is personal to the Parties and shall not be capable of assignment save as provided by clause 15.1 above.
16. Severability
16.1 If any of the provisions of this Deed is found by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable, it shall be deemed to be deleted from this Deed and the remaining provisions shall continue to apply, unless the severed portion is essential to the intended purpose of this Deed, in which case the party who was to receive the benefit of the severed portion has the option to void the Deed insofar as it relates to them.
17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
17.1 The Parties agree that any disputes hereunder shall be resolved in accordance with Sections 14 and 15 of the Contract.
17.2 This Deed of Settlement and Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands without regard to any conflicts of laws principles thereof that would call for the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
[Signature Pages Follow]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties hereto have executed this Deed on the date and year first above written.
| | | | | | | | |
SIGNED AS A DEED by LAURA ACCURSO
in the presence of: | ) ) ) ) | /s/ LAURA ACCURSO Signature |
/s/ URSULINE FOLEY
Signature of Witness
Name: URSULINE FOLEY
Address: 23 RED BIRD RD, STAMFORD, CT 06905, U.S.A
Occupation: DIRECTOR
/s/ JOSEPH P. PLATT
Signature of Witness
Name: JOSEPH P. PLATT
Address: 224 THORN ST
Occupation: LEAD DIRECTOR
Deed of Settlement and Release (L. Accurso) – Signature Pages
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EXECUTED AS A DEED by GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE LTD | ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) | /s/ URSULINE FOLEY Duly Authorized Signatory Name: URSULINE FOLEY Title: DIRECTOR
/s/ JOSEPH P. PLATT Duly Authorized Signatory Name: JOSEPH P. PLATT Title: LEAD DIRECTOR |
in the presence of:
/s/ LAURA ACCURSO
Signature of Witness
Name: LAURA ACCURSO
Address: P.O. BOX 31786, GRAND CAYMAN
Occupation: ATTORNEY
/s/ JOHNNY FERRARI
Signature of Witness
Name: JOHNNY FERRARI
Address: 30 ORCHID DRIVE, YACHT CLUB, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Occupation: CORPORATE DIRECTOR
Deed of Settlement and Release (L. Accurso) – Signature Pages
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EXECUTED AS A DEED by GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE LTD | ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) | /s/ URSULINE FOLEY Duly Authorized Signatory Name: URSULINE FOLEY Title: DIRECTOR
/s/ JOSEPH P. PLATT Duly Authorized Signatory Name: JOSEPH P. PLATT Title: LEAD DIRECTOR |
in the presence of:
/s/ JOHNNY FERRARI
Signature of Witness
Name: JOHNNY FERRARI
Address: 30 ORCHID DRIVE, YACHT CLUB, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Occupation: CORPORATE DIRECTOR
/s/ LAURA ACCURSO
Signature of Witness
Name: LAURA ACCURSO
Address: P.O. BOX 31786, GRAND CAYMAN
Occupation: ATTORNEY
Deed of Settlement and Release (L. Accurso)
Annex A
POST-EMPLOYMENT RELEASE
DATED: [●], 2023
POST-EMPLOYMENT RELEASE
LAURA ACCURSO,
GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD.,
AND
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
POST-EMPLOYMENT RELEASE
This Post-Employment Release is made the [●] of [●] 2023.
BETWEEN:
(1) LAURA ACCURSO of Grand Cayman (the “Employee”);
(2) GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD of 65 Market Street, Suite 1207, Jasmine Court, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-1205, Cayman Islands; and
(3) GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD of 65 Market Street, Suite 1207, Jasmine Court, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-1205, Cayman Islands (together with Greenlight Reinsurance Ltd, the “Employers”) (Each a “Party” and together “the Parties”).
WHEREAS:
(A) The Employee was employed as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer (the “Employment”) pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2017, as subsequently amended February 18, 2019, September 2, 2019, and May 1, 2020 (the “Contract”); and
(B) The Parties agreed to terminate the Employment by mutual consent effective December 31, 2022 (the “Termination Date”) and have entered into a Deed of Settlement and Release dated October 25, 2022 (the “Deed of Settlement”) to which this Post-Employment Release (the “Post-Employment Release”) is an Annex, and as a precondition to the Employee’s receipt of the benefits provided in Section 3 of the Deed of Settlement:
IT IS NOW AGREED AND THIS POST-EMPLOYMENT RELEASE WITNESSES AS FOLLOWS:
1. Definitions
1.1 All capitalized terms utilized but not defined herein shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Deed of Settlement.
1.2 “Claims” means all causes of action, matters, and disputes arising from or related to the Employment or the termination thereof, or otherwise arising between the Parties, whether known
Annex A - Post-Employment Release (L. Accurso)
or unknown, that exist (or may exist) as at the date of execution of this Post-Employment Release including but not limited to:
(i) Any and all actions, causes of action, claims, covenants, contracts and/or controversies in any jurisdiction of whatsoever character howsoever arising whether in law, equity or otherwise;
(ii) Unfair dismissal pursuant to part VII of the Labour Act (2021 Revision) (the “Labour Act”) or any successor legislation;
(iii) Severance pay pursuant to part V of the Labour Act or any successor legislation;
(iv) Wrongful or constructive dismissal in respect of the Employment howsoever arising;
(v) Contractual entitlement in respect of salary, commission, accrued holiday pay, overtime, notice, severance, other benefits, or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the Contract (as amended) or Employment, including for the avoidance of doubt any discretionary bonus; and
(vi) Discrimination howsoever arising or of any nature.
(c) References to recitals and clauses are references to the recitals to and clauses of this Deed;
(d) Headings to clauses and the use of bold type are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Deed; and
(e) Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.
2. Agreement and Release by the Employee
2.1 The Employee agrees that other than as set forth in Section 3 of the Deed of Settlement, the Employee hereby:
(a) Releases the Releasees from all and any Claims howsoever arising, whether under Cayman Islands, United States, New York, Irish, or other law, whether under any statute, regulation, ordinance, constitution, treaty, contract (including, but not limited to, under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.’s Compensation Plan), common law, or otherwise, and whether such Claims are accrued or contingent;
(b) Undertakes and covenants not to assert any Claims or commence legal proceedings in respect of such claims against any of the Releasees at any time in any forum or any jurisdiction (including without limitation the Director of Labour, the Department of Employment Relations or a Labour Tribunal in the Cayman Islands or the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands);
(c) Undertakes and covenants to comply with the Surviving Provisions, which the Employee agrees survives the Employee’s termination, and acknowledges that such terms are enforceable in their entirety;
(d) Undertakes and covenants that after the Termination Date, the Employee will reasonably cooperate with the Employers and their Associated Entities, in connection with (i) the smooth transition of the Employee’s role and responsibilities, as directed by the Employers, including by promptly responding to requests for information, (ii) any actual or threatened investigation, administrative proceeding, or litigation relating to any matter that occurred during the Employment in which the Employee was involved or of which the Employee has knowledge, and (iii) any other internal or external review of the Companies, including by any regulator or
Annex A - Post-Employment Release (L. Accurso)
agency, or any actual or threatened arbitration; provided that the Companies will attempt to schedule the Employee’s cooperation for mutually agreeable times and locations in a manner that does not unduly interfere with the Employee’s personal or professional pursuits and will reimburse the Employee for any reasonable pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses the Employee incurs in connection with such cooperation. The Employee will render the Employee’s cooperation under this paragraph without requiring a subpoena, and will do so honestly, truthfully, forthrightly, and completely, including supplying relevant documents and information in the Employee’s possession, custody, or control;
(e) Agrees and confirms that, except as set forth in Sections 3.1(a)-(c), 3.2, and 3.3 of the Deed of Settlement, none of the Releasees owes the Employee any wages, bonuses (including, but not limited to, any quantitative bonuses (for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 or any other year) or other such bonuses or compensation or benefits under the Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.’s Compensation Plan), pro-rated bonuses (for 2022 or any other year), equity compensation, stock options, restricted shares, sick pay, vacation or holiday pay, severance pay, relocation or moving costs, notice pay, pension contribution, equity award (including, but not limited to, any equity awards under the LTIP or otherwise), or any other compensation, payment, amount, benefit, or interest whatsoever; and
(f) Confirms and acknowledges that the Employee has not suffered any known workplace injury or occupational disease and that the Employee has not been victimised in consequence of reporting any wrongdoing relating in any way to the Employment.
2.2 In the event that the Employee breaches any material provision of this Post-Employment Release, the Deed of Settlement, or the Surviving Provisions or pursues or encourages any Claim against any of the Releasees, (i) the Employers shall have no further obligations to the Employee under the Deed of Settlement or otherwise (including, but not limited to, any obligation to provide the payments or other consideration set forth in Section 3 of the Deed of Settlement), (ii) the Employers will be entitled to recoup all payments and consideration previously provided to the Employee under Section 3 of the Deed of Settlement, plus legal fees and costs is incurs in recouping such amounts, except the amount of $500, (iii) the Employee agrees to indemnify without limitation such parties for any losses suffered as a result thereof, including but not limited to advancing all of their legal and professional fees with respect to such matter(s), (iv) the Employers shall have all rights and remedies available to it under this Post-Employment Release and the Deed of Settlement and any applicable law or equitable theory, and (v) all of the Employee’s promises, covenants, representation, and warranties under this Post-Employment Release, the Deed of Settlement, and under the Surviving Provisions, will remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that action pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.2 shall only be taken by the Employers if approved by the board of directors of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. or a designated committee thereof comprised of independent directors. Further, in the event the Employers breach any material provision of this Post-Employment Release, the Employee shall have all rights and remedies available under applicable law.
2.3. The Employee shall not commence or maintain, or procure, assist, encourage, support or otherwise participate in the commencement or continuance of, any proceedings in respect of the Claims, except, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purpose of enforcing the Deed of Settlement.
3. No Admission
3.1 Entry into this Post-Employment Release and performance of the obligations hereunder shall not constitute an admission of liability howsoever arising by any Party.
4. Absolute Bar
Annex A - Post-Employment Release (L. Accurso)
4.1 This Post-Employment Release may be pleaded and tendered by any Party as an absolute bar and defence to any proceeding brought in breach of the terms of this Post-Employment Release.
5. Counterparts
5.1 This Post-Employment Release may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and any one of which shall be deemed to be validly executed if evidenced by a facsimile or electronic copy of the executing Party’s signature which shall operate with the same effect as if the signatures thereto were on the same instrument. For the avoidance of doubt, each Party shall be required to sign only one copy of this Post-Employment Release.
[Signature Pages Follow]
Annex A - Post-Employment Release (L. Accurso)
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SIGNED AS A DEED by LAURA ACCURSO
in the presence of: | ) ) ) ) | ______________________________ Signature |
_____________________________________
Signature of Witness
Name:
Address:
Occupation:
______________________________________
Signature of Witness
Name:
Address:
Occupation:
Annex A - Post-Employment Release (L. Accurso) – Signature Pages
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EXECUTED AS A DEED by GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE LTD | ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) | ______________________________ Duly Authorized Signatory Name: Title:
______________________________ Duly Authorized Signatory Name: Title |
in the presence of:
_____________________________________
Signature of Witness
Name:
Address:
Occupation:
______________________________________
Signature of Witness
Name:
Address:
Occupation:
Annex A - Post-Employment Release (L. Accurso)
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EXECUTED AS A DEED by GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE LTD | ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) | ______________________________ Duly Authorized Signatory Name: Title:
______________________________ Duly Authorized Signatory Name: Title |
in the presence of:
_____________________________________
Signature of Witness
Name:
Address:
Occupation:
______________________________________
Signature of Witness
Name:
Address:
Occupation:
Annex A - Post-Employment Release (L. Accurso) – Signature Pages
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of October 25, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. and Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (collectively, the “Company”) and Laura Accurso (the “Consultant”).
WHEREAS, the Company will engage the Consultant as an independent contractor to perform certain services as reflected on Exhibit A, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by this reference (the “Services”);
WHEREAS, Consultant desires to render such Services to the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to so engage Consultant on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and Consultant desires to be so engaged by the Company.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Section 1.Consulting Services; Consulting Period
(a)Retention; Consulting Services
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Company hereby retains Consultant, and Consultant hereby agrees to so act, as a consultant to the Company in accordance with and subject to the terms hereof.
(b)Consulting Period and Service Commitment
Consultant shall be obligated to render consulting services hereunder to the Company during the period commencing on the January 1, 2023 and continuing until April 30, 2023, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 3 hereof (the “Consulting Period”). During the Consulting Period, Consultant shall (i) devote an average of 20 hours per week to discharge the consulting services contemplated hereby, (ii) agree to visit and discharge Services at the offices of the Company as requested by the lead director of the of Board of Directors of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (the “Board”) (or in the absence of a lead director, the Chairman of the Board) or his or her designee and (iii) shall report to the lead director of the Board (or in the absence of a lead director, the Chairman of the Board) or his or her designee.
(c)Independent Contractor
The Company and Consultant agree that, during the Consulting Period, Consultant will act as an independent contractor in the performance of Consultant’s duties and obligations under this Agreement. Accordingly, Consultant shall be responsible for payment of all taxes including Federal, State, and local and other taxes arising out of Consultant’s activity under this Agreement. During the Consulting Period, Consultant shall not be an employee of the Company, and Consultant shall have no authority to hold herself out to others as an employee of the Company.
Section 2.Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses
In consideration of the services to be performed by the Consultant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall compensate Consultant for her services as set forth below.
(d)Consulting Services Compensation
As compensation for Consultant’s services as a consultant to the Company rendered in accordance with the provisions hereof, commencing on January 1, 2023 and continuing so long as the Consulting Period is in effect, the Company shall pay Consultant, as a consultant and not as an employee, a monthly Consulting Fee as follows:
(i)A cash-based fee in the amount of US $25,000 per month for consulting services through Consulting Period, payable in arrears on or before the 15th day of each such month. The cash portion of the Consulting Fee shall be prorated for partial months.
(e)Termination; Expiration
Upon termination of the Consulting Period, the Consultant shall be entitled to any Consulting Fees earned prior to and through the termination date, and the Company shall endeavor to pay to the Consultant all earned but unpaid Consulting Fees, and properly incurred but yet unreimbursed expenses, within thirty (30) days of the termination date.
(f)Expenses
During the Consulting Period, the Company shall reimburse Consultant for ordinary and necessary out-of-pocket and documented business expenses incurred by the Consultant in the performance of duties for the Company in accordance with the Company’s usual policies in effect from time to time and upon the receipt by the Company of satisfactory written substantiation of such expenses; provided, however, that any expense exceeding US $100 shall require pre-approval by the Company.
(g)No Participation in Company Benefit Plans
Consultant acknowledges and agrees that, during the Consulting Period, Consultant shall not be eligible to participate in (i) the Company’s group health insurance, life insurance and disability plans, (ii) the Company’s 401(k) defined contribution plan, (iii) the Company’s bonus or equity plans or (iv) any other plans made available by the Company to its employees.
Section 3.Termination
(h)Termination for Cause
The Company may terminate the Consulting Period and Consultant’s engagement hereunder at any time for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
(ii)the failure of Consultant to perform her duties or comply with reasonable lawful directions of the Board, which continues for a period of more than 10 days immediately after the Board has given written notice to Consultant specifying in reasonable detail the manner in which Consultant has failed to perform such duties or comply with such directions;
(iii)any misapplication by Consultant of the Company’s funds, any other material act of dishonesty that is materially injurious to the Company committed by Consultant or any material violation of the Company’s written policies and procedures by Consultant that is materially injurious to the Company; or
(iv)Consultant’s breach, non-performance or non-observance of any of the material terms of this Agreement; provided, that, if such breach, non-performance or
nonobservance is capable of cure, it shall continue without cure beyond a period of 10 days immediately after notice thereof by the Board to Consultant.
In the event of termination of this Agreement under this Section 3(a), the termination date shall be the date of the occurrence of the first act meeting the definition of termination for Cause.
(i)Termination for other than Cause
Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, the Agreement can be terminated for reasons other than Cause by either the Consultant or the Company with thirty (30) days’ written notice of such termination.
In the event of termination of this Agreement under this Section 3(b), the termination date shall be thirty (30) days following the provision of written notice of such termination.
(j)Restrictive Covenants Survive Termination
Consultant’s obligations under Section 5 of this Agreement shall survive termination of the Consulting Period and Consultant’s engagement hereunder.
Section 4.Representations of Consultant
Consultant represents that Consultant is not under any contractual or other restriction which is inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement, the performance by Consultant of her duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or the rights of the Company hereunder. Consultant further represents that upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Consultant, this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of Consultant, enforceable against Consultant in accordance with its terms.
Section 5.Restrictive Covenants
(k)Continuing Obligations
Consultant acknowledges and agrees that during the Consulting Period and thereafter Consultant continues to be bound by Sections 11 (Restrictive Covenants), 12 (Intellectual Property), 14 (Enforcement) and 15 (Dispute Resolution) of the Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2017, as subsequently amended February 18, 2019, September 2, 2019, and May 1, 2020 (the “Prior Contract”) and Sections 9 (Confidentiality) and 10 (Post-employment Obligations), of the Deed of Settlement and Release dated October 25, 2022 by and between the Consultant and the Company (the “Deed”) (collectively, the “Continuing Obligations”), which shall continue in full force and effect, and Consultant acknowledges and agrees that, for purposes of the Continuing Obligations, references in the Prior Contract and the Deed to “during the Employment Period”, “during Employment”, “during the term of this Agreement”, or any analogous term shall be deemed to include during the term of this Consulting Agreement.
(l)Enforcement. If Consultant commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 5, the Company shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions specifically enforced by any court or arbitrator having jurisdiction in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, it being acknowledged and agreed by Consultant that the services being rendered hereunder to the Company are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and that any such breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company Group and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company Group. Such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity. Accordingly, Consultant
consents to the issuance of an injunction, whether preliminary or permanent, consistent with the terms of this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall have the right to cease making any payments or provide any benefits to Consultant under this Agreement in the event she breaches any of the provisions hereof (and such action shall not be considered a breach under the Agreement).
Section 6.Resolution of Differences Over Breaches of Agreement
The parties shall use good faith efforts to resolve any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof, first in accordance with the Company’s internal review procedures, except that this requirement shall not apply to any claim or dispute under or relating to Section 5 of this Agreement. If despite their good faith efforts, the parties are unable to resolve such controversy or claim through the Company’s internal review procedures, then such controversy or claim shall be resolved by binding arbitration for resolution in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Arbitration Act (2012 Revision). The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on both parties, and any court of competent jurisdiction may enter judgment upon the award. Each party shall pay its own expenses, including legal fees, in such dispute and shall split the cost of the arbitrator and the arbitration proceedings.
Section 7.Indemnification
The Company agrees that if Consultant is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that Consultant is or was a director or officer of the Company or any other entity within the Company Group or is or was serving at the request of the Company or any other member of the Company Group as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (each such event, an “Action”), Consultant shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and authorized by the Company’s or the Subsidiary’s by-laws and/or charter, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expenses incurred or suffered by Consultant in connection therewith, except for willful misconduct or any acts (or omissions) of gross negligence by Consultant.
Section 8.Waiver
The failure by either party hereto to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant or condition, nor shall any waiver of such term, covenant or condition at any one or more times be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant or condition.
Section 9.Assignment
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Consultant shall not have the right to assign this Agreement or to delegate any of her duties hereunder.
Section 10.Notices
For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered either (i) personally or (ii) by overnight, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, or (iii) delivered via email, with return receipt
requested, in the case of Consultant, to the last address on file with the Company and if to the Company, to its executive offices or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
Section 11.Entire Agreement; Modification
This Agreement, the Deed and the Continuing Obligations shall constitute the full and complete understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral or written negotiations, undertakings, discussions, understandings and agreements between such parties with respect thereto. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by an agreement in writing signed by the parties.
Section 12.Remedies
The Company and Consultant agree that the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement are severable and separate, and the unenforceability of any specific covenant herein shall not affect the validity of any other covenant set forth herein. In the event that an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, should determine that the time or territorial restrictions are unreasonable in their scope, then, and in that event, the arbitrator or court shall insert reasonable limitations and enforce the restriction in accordance therewith. Consultant acknowledges that the Company Group will suffer irreparable harm as a result of a breach of such restrictive covenants by Consultant for which an adequate monetary remedy does not exist and a remedy at law may prove to be inadequate. Accordingly, in the event of any actual or threatened breach by Consultant of any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall, in addition to any other remedies permitted by law, be entitled to obtain remedies in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance, injunctive relief, a temporary restraining order, and/or a permanent injunction in aid of arbitration, to prevent or otherwise restrain a breach of Section 5, without the necessity of proving damages, posting a bond or other security. Such relief shall be in addition to and not in substitution of any other remedies available to the Company. The existence of any claim or cause of action of Consultant against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of said covenants. Consultant shall not defend on the basis that there is an adequate remedy at law.
Section 13.General Provisions
(m)Severability
It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(n)Counterparts and Facsimile Execution
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered (by facsimile, electronic mail or otherwise) to the other party, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Any counterpart or other signature hereunder delivered by facsimile or electronic transmission, such as e-mail, shall be deemed for all purposes as constituting good and valid execution and delivery of this Agreement by such party.
(o)Construction
Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
(p)GOVERNING LAW
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF THAT WOULD CALL FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(q)Mutual Contribution.
The parties to this Agreement and their counsel have mutually contributed to its drafting. Consequently, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed against any party on the grounds that such party drafted the provision or caused it to be drafted.
(r)Descriptive Headings
The headings of the sections of this Agreement are inserted as a matter of convenience and for reference only and in no way define, limit, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the meaning of any provision of this Agreement.
(s)Nouns and Pronouns
Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and vice-versa.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first written above.
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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
By: /s/ JOSEPH P. PLATT Name: JOSEPH P. PLATT Title: DIRECTOR
GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD. |
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| By: | /s/ URSULINE FOLEY |
| Name: URSULINE FOLEY |
| Title: DIRECTOR |
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| LAURA ACCURSO |
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| By: | /s/ LAURA ACCURSO |
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DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
The scope of Services is as below, but may be updated or amended in any material respect as agreed to by the parties in writing.
Consulting Role
Services substantially similar to, related to, in furtherance of and/or in connection with Consultant’s prior roles as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer as may be reasonably required by the person(s) identified in Section 1(b) of the Consulting Agreement.