Exhibit 1.1

8,250,000 Shares

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

Common Stock

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[—], 2012

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

 

c/o CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013

 

c/o MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036

 

c/o JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Introductory. Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule A (collectively, the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of 8,250,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”). The 8,250,000 Shares to be sold by the Company are collectively called the “Firm Shares.” In addition, the Company has granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1,237,500 Shares as provided in Section 2. The additional 1,237,500 Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant to such option are collectively called the “Optional Shares.” The Firm Shares and, if and to the extent such option is exercised, the Optional Shares are collectively called the “Offered Shares.” Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citi”), Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and Jefferies & Company, Inc. (“Jefferies”) have agreed to act as representatives of the several Underwriters (in such capacity, the “Representatives”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares. To the extent there are no additional underwriters listed on Schedule A, the term “Representatives” as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriters, and the term “Underwriters” shall mean either the singular or the plural as the context requires.

The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-181025 which contains a form of prospectus to be used in connection with the public offering and sale of the Offered Shares. Such registration statement, as amended, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, in the form in which it became effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), including all documents incorporated by reference therein and any information deemed to be a part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act, is called the “Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act in connection with the offer and sale of the Offered Shares is called the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,” and from and after the date and time of filing of any such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The prospectus, in the form first used by the

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Underwriters to confirm sales of the Offered Shares or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act, is called the “Prospectus.” The preliminary prospectus dated [—], 2012 describing the Offered Shares and the offering thereof is called the “Preliminary Prospectus,” and the Preliminary Prospectus and any other prospectus in preliminary form that describes the Offered Shares and the offering thereof and is used prior to the filing of the Prospectus is called a “preliminary prospectus.” As used herein, “Applicable Time” is [—] [a.m./p.m] (New York City time) on [—], 2012. As used herein, “free writing prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and “Time of Sale Prospectus” means the Preliminary Prospectus together with the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule B hereto. As used herein, “Road Show” means a “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) relating to the offering of the Offered Shares contemplated hereby that is a “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act). As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Preliminary Prospectus,” “preliminary prospectus,” “Time of Sale Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents incorporated by reference therein. All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which are “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, and all other references of like import, shall be deemed to refer to and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be. All references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any document filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be. All references in this Agreement to (i) the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus (including the Preliminary Prospectus), or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, or any free writing prospectus, shall include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) and (ii) the Prospectus shall be deemed to include any “electronic Prospectus” provided for use in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares as contemplated by Section 3(n) of this Agreement.

The Company hereby confirms its engagement of Avondale Partners, LLC (“Avondale”) as, and Avondale hereby confirms its agreement with the Company to render services, as a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Section (f)(12) of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) with respect to the offering and sale of the Offered Shares. Avondale, solely in its capacity as the qualified independent underwriter and not otherwise, is referred to herein as the “QIU.”

The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Underwriters and the QIU as follows:

Section 1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Underwriter, as of the date of this Agreement, as of the First Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) and as of each Option Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), if any, as follows:

(a) Offering Materials Furnished to Underwriters. The Company has delivered to the Representatives three complete copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (including, in each case, exhibits) and each consent and certificate of experts filed as a part thereof, and additional copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) and each preliminary prospectus and any free writing prospectus reviewed and consented to by the Representatives, in such quantities and at such places as the Representatives have reasonably requested for each of the Underwriters. Upon request of the Representatives, the Company will provide to the Underwriters three complete, manually signed copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto.

(b) Distribution of Offering Material By the Company. The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of (i) the expiration or termination of the option granted to the several Underwriters in Section 2 and (ii) the completion of the Underwriters’ distribution of the Offered Shares, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares other than the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.

 

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(c) Disclosure. Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus when filed complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by electronic transmission pursuant to EDGAR, was identical (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T under the Securities Act) to the copy thereof delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offer and sale of the Offered Shares. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became or becomes effective, as applicable, and at all subsequent times, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. As of the Applicable Time, the Time of Sale Prospectus (including any preliminary prospectus wrapper) did not, and at the time of each sale of the Offered Shares and at the First Closing Date (as defined in Section 2), the Time of Sale Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented by the Company, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Prospectus (including any Prospectus wrapper), as of its date, at the time of any filing with the Commission, and (as then amended or supplemented) at all subsequent times, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the three immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus or the Time of Sale Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described in Section 9(b) below. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which have not been described or filed as required.

(d) Preparation of the Financial Statements.

(i) The audited consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (the “Company Financial Statements”) present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, as of the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and the requirements of Regulation S-X.

(ii) The audited combined financial statements and related notes of Haven Hospital Holdings, LLC and Haven Hospital Holdings of Texas, LLC (collectively, “Haven”) and their consolidated subsidiaries contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (the “Haven Financial Statements”) present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Haven and its consolidated subsidiaries, as of the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and the requirements of Regulation S-X.

(iii) The audited consolidated financial statements and related notes of PHC, Inc. (“PHC”) and its consolidated subsidiaries contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (the “PHC Financial Statements”) present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of PHC and its consolidated subsidiaries, as of the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and the requirements of Regulation S-X.

(iv) The audited consolidated financial statements and related notes of Youth and Family Centered Services, Inc. (“YFCS”) contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (the “YFCS Financial Statements”) present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of YFCS and its consolidated subsidiaries, as of the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and the requirements of Regulation S-X.

(v) The audited consolidated financial statements and related notes of HHC Delaware, Inc. (“HHC Delaware”) and its consolidated subsidiary contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the

 

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Prospectus (the “MeadowWood Financial Statements,” and together with the Company Financial Statements, the Haven Financial Statements, the PHC Financial Statements, and the YFCS Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”) present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of HHC Delaware and its consolidated subsidiaries, as of the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and the requirements of Regulation S-X.

(vi) The financial data set forth under the captions “Prospectus Summary—Summary Historical Condensed Consolidated Financial Data and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data” and “Selected Historical Financial Information” included or incorporated by reference, as applicable, in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus has been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the Financial Statements and fairly and accurately present in all material respects the financial position and results of operations of the Company, Haven, PHC, YFCS and HHC Delaware, as applicable.

(vii) The unaudited pro forma financial information and related notes contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S-X have been properly presented on the bases described therein, and give effect to assumptions used in the preparation thereof on a reasonable basis and in good faith and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

(viii) The financial, statistical and market and industry data and forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus are fairly and accurately presented in all material respects and are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate.

(ix) The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”) incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(x) All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and any free writing prospectus, or in any document incorporated by reference therein, that constitute non-GAAP financial measures (as defined by the rules and regulations under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable.

(e) Independent Accountants.

(i) Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”), which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries including the related notes thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, are (i) independent public or certified public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the Company, (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.

(ii) BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”), which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements of PHC and its consolidated subsidiaries including the related notes thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, are (i) independent public or certified public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to PHC, (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the PCAOB whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.

(iii) E&Y, which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements of Haven and its consolidated subsidiaries including the related notes thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale

 

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Prospectus and the Prospectus, are (i) independent public or certified public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to Haven, (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the PCAOB whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.

(iv) E&Y, which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements of YFCS and its consolidated subsidiaries including the related notes thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, are (i) independent public or certified public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to YFCS, (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the PCAOB whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.

(v) E&Y (in its capacity as independent accountant to HHC Delaware, the Company, Haven and YFCS, and together with BDO, the “Independent Accountants”), which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements of HHC Delaware and its consolidated subsidiaries including the related notes thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, are (i) independent public or certified public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to HHC Delaware, (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the PCAOB whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.

(f) No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities, direct or contingent, including without limitation any losses or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood, earthquakes, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any strike, labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or has entered into any material transactions not in the ordinary course of business, (ii) there has not been any material decrease in the capital stock or any material increase in any short-term or long-term indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries, or any payment of or declaration to pay any dividends or any other distribution with respect to the Company, and (iii) there has not been any material adverse change in the properties, business, prospects, operations, earnings, assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), a “Material Adverse Change”). To the Company’s knowledge, there is no event that is reasonably likely to occur, which if it were to occur, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(g) Rating Agencies. No “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act) (i) has imposed (or has informed the Company that it is considering imposing) any condition (financial or otherwise) to retain any rating assigned to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) has indicated to the Company that it is considering (A) the downgrading, suspension, or withdrawal of, or any review (or of any potential or intended review) for a possible negative change in, any rating so assigned (including, without limitation, the placing of any of the foregoing ratings on credit watch with negative implications or under review with an uncertain direction) or (B) any negative change in the outlook for any rating of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(h) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company; MAE. The Company (i) has been duly incorporated, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business and to own, lease and operate its properties and assets as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of such businesses or the ownership or leasing of such properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on (A) the

 

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properties, business, prospects, operations, earnings, assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries, (B) the ability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to perform its obligations in all material respects under this Agreement, (C) the validity or enforceability of any of this Agreement, or (D) the consummation of the offering of the Offered Shares contemplated hereby (each, a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(i) Subsidiaries. Each of the Company’s “subsidiaries” (for purposes of this Agreement, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (i) has been duly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and (ii) has the power and authority (corporate or other) to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus. Each of the Company’s subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity or ownership interests of each of the Company’s subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of all liens, security interests, mortgages, pledges, charges, equities, claims or restrictions on transferability or encumbrances of any kind (collectively, “Liens”). The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement.

(j) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Capitalization” (other than for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans, or upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, in each case described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus). The Shares (including the Offered Shares) conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Time of Sale Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws. None of the outstanding Shares were issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than those described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus. The description of the Company’s stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder, included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

(k) Compliance with Existing Instruments and Applicable Law. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents (the “Charter Documents”); (ii) in violation of any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state or local statute, law (including, without limitation, common law) or ordinance, or any judgment, decree, rule, regulation, order or injunction (collectively, “Applicable Law”) of any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state, local or other governmental or regulatory authority, governmental or regulatory agency or body, court, arbitrator or self-regulatory organization (each, a “Governmental Authority”), applicable to any of them or any of their respective properties; or (iii) in breach of or default under, and there is no condition that would constitute, a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as hereafter defined) any bond, debenture, note, loan or other evidence of indebtedness, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease or any other agreement or instrument to which any of them is a party or by which any of them or their respective property is bound, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) for such violations, breaches or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “Debt Repayment Triggering Event” means any event or condition that gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties.

 

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(l) No Conflicts. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereunder will conflict with, violate, constitute a breach of or a default (with the passage of time or otherwise) or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event under, or result in the imposition of a Lien on any assets of the Company, the imposition of any penalty or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event under or pursuant to (i) the Charter Documents, (ii) any Applicable Agreement, (iii) any Applicable Law or (iv) any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award binding upon or affecting the Company, except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. After consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, no default or event of default will (with the passage of time or otherwise) exist.

(m) No Consents. No consent, approval, authorization, order, filing or registration of or with any Governmental Authority or third party is required for execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except (i) those that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or will be made as of the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, (ii) as may be required under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of U.S. state or non-U.S. jurisdictions or other non-U.S. laws applicable to the purchase of the Offered Shares outside the U.S. in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or FINRA or (iii) those the failure of which to obtain or make would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(n) No Material Applicable Laws or Proceedings. There is no (i) Applicable Law that is enacted, adopted or issued, (ii) stop order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Offered Shares in any jurisdiction that has been issued or is pending and no proceeding for that purpose has been commenced or, to the Company’s knowledge, is contemplated as of the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, and (iii) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, action, claim, suit, demand, hearing, notice of violation or deficiency, or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated by Governmental Authorities or threatened by others, that, with respect to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (A) would, as of the date hereof and at the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, restrain, enjoin, prevent or interfere with the consummation of the Offering or the transactions contemplated hereby or (B) would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(o) All Necessary Permits. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all Governmental Authorities, presently required or necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now or proposed to be conducted as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (“Permits”), except where the failure to possess such Permits would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all of its obligations with respect to such Permits, except where the failure to perform such obligations would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination of any such Permit or has resulted, or after notice or lapse of time would result, in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit, except where such revocation or termination would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company or its subsidiaries has received or has any reason to believe it will receive any notice of any proceeding relating to revocation or modification of any such Permit, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or except where such revocation or modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p) Title to Properties. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all real property owned by it and good title to all material personal property owned by it and good and valid title to all leasehold estates in real and material personal property being leased by it and free and clear of all Liens. The real property, improvements, equipment and personal property held under lease by the Company or any of its subsidiaries are held under valid and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such real property, improvements, equipment or personal property by the Company or such subsidiary.

 

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(q) Tax Law Compliance. All Tax (as hereinafter defined) returns required to be filed by the Company and each of its subsidiaries have been filed and all such returns are true, complete and correct in all material respects. All material Taxes that are due from the Company and its subsidiaries have been paid other than those (i) currently payable without penalty or interest or (ii) being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate accruals have been established in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. To the knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, there are no actual or proposed Tax assessments against the Company or any of its subsidiaries that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The accruals on the books and records of the Company and its subsidiaries in respect of any material Tax liability for any period not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments of Tax for any such period. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Tax” and “Taxes” shall mean all U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state and local taxes, and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding), including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

(r) Intellectual Property Rights. To the knowledge of the Company, each of the Company and its subsidiaries owns, or is licensed under, and has the right to use, all patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, domain names and trade names (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary for the conduct of its businesses and free and clear of all Liens. The Company is not a party to, or bound by, any options, licenses or agreements with respect to the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity that are necessary to be described in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus to avoid a material misstatement or omission and are not described therein. No claims or notices of any potential claim have been asserted by any person against the Company or any of its subsidiaries challenging the use of any such Intellectual Property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or questioning the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property or any license or agreement related thereto, other than any claims that, if successful, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, none of the Intellectual Property used by the Company or any of its subsidiaries has been obtained or is being used by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ knowledge, its officers, directors or employees or otherwise in violation of the rights of any person, other than any violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(s) ERISA Matters. Except as would not result in a Lien on any assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries: (i) each of the Company, its subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) with respect to each “pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), subject to Section 302 of ERISA, which the Company, its subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors or maintains, or with respect to which it has (or within the last three years had) any obligation to make contributions, and (ii) each such plan is in compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). None of the Company, its subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any unpaid material liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (other than for the payment of premiums in the ordinary course) or to any such plan under Title IV of ERISA. “ERISA Affiliate” means a corporation, trade or business that is, along with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a member of a controlled group of corporations or a controlled group of trades or businesses, as described in Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

(t) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is (i) in compliance with all applicable U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to occupational health and safety with respect to hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, or the pollution or the protection of the environment or hazardous or toxic substances of wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) has received and is in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its respective businesses and (iii) has not received notice of, and is not aware of, any actual or potential liability for damages to natural resources or the investigation or remediation of any disposal, release or existence of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, in each case, except where such non-compliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive and comply with required permits, licenses or other

 

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approvals, or liability would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been named as a “potentially responsible party” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or any similar U.S. or non-U.S. state or local Environmental Laws or regulation requiring the Company or any of its subsidiaries to investigate or remediate any pollutants or contaminants, except where such requirements would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business.

(u) Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged. All material policies of insurance insuring the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect. Except with respect to the shareholder litigation described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no material claims by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause. Neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(v) Company’s Accounting System. The Company and each of its subsidiaries make and keep accurate books and records and maintain a system of internal accounting controls and procedures sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any material differences. The interactive data in XBRL incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. The Company has no “material weaknesses” or “significant deficiencies” (each, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act), and is not aware of any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the internal controls of the Company (whether or not remediated) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus in all material respects. Since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls, there have been no material changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

(w) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) (“Affiliates”) has and, to the Company’s knowledge, no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in, or that has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Offered Shares or otherwise, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Offered Shares, or (iii) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any of the Offered Shares.

(x) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities of the Company or any Affiliate registered for sale under the Securities Act. No person has the right to include Shares or any other security of the Company or any Affiliate in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby except for such rights as (i) are described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and (ii) have been duly waived.

(y) Investment Company Act. The Company has been advised of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder (collectively, the “Investment Company Act”); as of the date hereof and, after giving effect to the Offering and the use of proceeds of the Offering, each of the Company and its

 

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subsidiaries are not and will not be, individually or on a consolidated basis, an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; and following the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and its subsidiaries will conduct their businesses in a manner so as not to be required to register under the Investment Company Act.

(z) No Brokers. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates has engaged any broker, finder, commission agent or other person (other than the Representatives) in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares contemplated hereby, and neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is under any obligation to pay any broker’s fee or commission in connection with such offering (other than commissions or fees to the Representatives).

(aa) No Restrictions on Payments of Dividends. As of the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and except as prohibited or restricted under Applicable Law, there will be no encumbrances or restrictions on the ability of any of the subsidiaries of the Company (x) to pay dividends or make other distributions on such subsidiary’s capital stock or to pay any indebtedness to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, (y) to make loans or advances or pay any indebtedness to, or investments in, the Company or any other subsidiary or (z) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

(bb) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. None of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, employee, affiliate or any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company or such subsidiary, has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any domestic government official, “foreign official” (as defined in the FCPA) or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the FCPA or any applicable non-U.S. anti-bribery statute or regulation; or (iv) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any domestic government official, such foreign official or employee.

(cc) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened.

(dd) OFAC. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other person acting on their behalf is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(ee) Certificates. Each certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, delivered to the Representatives shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or any such subsidiary (and not individually by such officer) to the Representatives with respect to the matters covered thereby.

(ff) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act. The Company has complied, to the Commission’s satisfaction, with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information, if any. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission. The documents incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, at the time they were filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and such documents have not been superseded or modified.

 

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(gg) Free Writing Prospectuses; Road Show. As of the determination date referenced in Rule 164(h) under the Securities Act, the Company was not, is not or will not be (as applicable) an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Each free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act, including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending, and each such free writing prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Offered Shares did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus and not superseded or modified. Except for the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule B, and electronic road shows, if any, furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior written consent, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus. Each Road Show, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(hh) The Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(ii) Authorization of the Offered Shares. The Offered Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares is not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase the Offered Shares.

(jj) Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Deficiencies in or Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act), which (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared; (ii) have been evaluated by management of the Company for effectiveness as of the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter; and (iii) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established. Since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there have been no significant deficiencies or material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company is not aware of any change in its internal control over financial reporting that has occurred during its most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(kk) Stock Exchange Listing. At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, the Offered Shares shall have been approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market (the “NASDAQ”) subject only to official notice of issuance.

(ll) FINRA Matters. All of the information provided to the Underwriters or to counsel for the Underwriters by the Company, its officers and directors and the holders of any securities (debt or equity) or options to acquire any securities of the Company in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares is true, complete, correct and compliant with FINRA’s rules and any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rules or NASD Conduct Rules is true, complete and correct.

(mm) Parties to Lock-Up Agreements. The Company has furnished to the Underwriters a letter agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Lock-up Agreement”) from each of the persons listed on Exhibit B. Such Exhibit B lists under an appropriate caption the directors and executive officers of the Company. If any additional persons shall become directors or executive officers of the Company prior to the end of the Company Lock-up Period (as defined below), the Company shall cause each such person, prior to or contemporaneously with their appointment or election as a director or executive officer of the Company, to execute and deliver to the Representatives a Lock-up Agreement. 

 

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(nn) Medicare and Medicaid Programs. To the extent required in connection with their respective businesses, each of the Company and its subsidiaries has the requisite provider number or other authorization to bill the Medicare program and the respective Medicaid program in the state or states in which such entity operates unless failure to maintain such provider number or other authorization would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened or contemplated action which could reasonably be expected to result either in a revocation of any provider number or authorization or in the Company’s or any subsidiary’s exclusion from the Medicare or any state Medicaid programs; the Company’s and each of its subsidiaries’ business practices have been structured in a manner reasonably designed to comply with the federal or state laws governing Medicare and state Medicaid programs, including, without limitation, Sections 1320a-7a and 1320a-7b of Title 42 of the United States Code, and the Company reasonably believes that it is in compliance with such laws; the Company and its subsidiaries have taken reasonable actions designed to ensure that they do not: (i) violate the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733 or (ii) allow any individual with an ownership or control interest (as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-3(a)(3)) in the Company or any of its subsidiary or have any officer, director or managing employee (as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-5(b)) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who would be a person excluded from participation in any federal health care program (as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(f)) as described in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(8); and the Company and its subsidiaries have structured their respective businesses practices in a manner designed to comply with the federal and state laws regarding physician ownership of (or financial relationship with), and referral to, entities providing healthcare-related goods or services, and with laws requiring disclosure of financial interests held by physicians in entities to which they may refer patients for the provisions of healthcare-related goods or services, and the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with such laws.

The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Section 6 hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Underwriters, will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and hereby consents to such reliance.

Section 2. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Offered Shares.

(a) The Firm Shares. Upon the terms herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters an aggregate of 8,250,000 Firm Shares. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their names on Schedule A. The purchase price per Firm Share to be paid by the several Underwriters to the Company shall be $[—] per share.

(b) The First Closing Date. Delivery of certificates for the Firm Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Covington & Burling LLP (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company and the Representatives) at 9:00 a.m. New York City time, on [—], 2012, or such other time and date not later than 1:30 p.m. New York City time, on [—], 2012 as the Representatives shall designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such closing are called the “First Closing Date”). The Company hereby acknowledges that circumstances under which the Representatives may provide notice to postpone the First Closing Date as originally scheduled include, but are not limited to, any determination by the Company or the Representatives to recirculate to the public copies of an amended or supplemented Prospectus or a delay as contemplated by the provisions of Section 10.

(c) The Optional Shares; Option Closing Date. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms but subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to an aggregate of 1,237,500 Optional Shares from the Company at the purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters for the Firm Shares, less an amount per share equal to any dividend or distribution declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on Optional Shares. The option granted hereunder may be exercised at any time and from time to time in whole or in part upon notice by the Representatives to the Company, which notice may be given at any time within 30 days from the date of this Agreement. Such notice shall set forth (i) the aggregate number of Optional Shares as to which the Underwriters are exercising the option and (ii) the time, date and place at which certificates for the Optional Shares will be delivered (which time and date may be simultaneous with, but not earlier than, the First

 

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Closing Date; and in the event that such time and date are simultaneous with the First Closing Date, the term “First Closing Date” shall refer to the time and date of delivery of certificates for the Firm Shares and such Optional Shares). Any such time and date of delivery, if subsequent to the First Closing Date, is called an “Option Closing Date,” and shall be determined by the Representatives and shall not be earlier than three or later than five full business days after delivery of such notice of exercise. If any Optional Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Optional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Optional Shares to be purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth on Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares. The Representatives may cancel the option at any time prior to its expiration by giving written notice of such cancellation to the Company.

(d) Public Offering of the Offered Shares. The Representatives hereby advise the Company that the Underwriters intend to offer for sale to the public, initially on the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, their respective portions of the Offered Shares as soon after this Agreement has been executed and the Registration Statement has been declared effective as the Representatives, in their sole judgment, have determined is advisable and practicable.

(e) Payment for the Offered Shares. (i) Payment for the Offered Shares shall be made at the First Closing Date (and, if applicable, at each Option Closing Date) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the order of the Company.

(ii) It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for their own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Firm Shares and any Option Shares the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. Each of Citi, Merrill Lynch and Jefferies, individually and not as the Representatives of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment for any Offered Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by the Representatives by the First Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations under this Agreement.

(f) Delivery of the Offered Shares. The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters certificates for the Firm Shares at the First Closing Date, against release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The Company shall also deliver, or cause to be delivered to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters, certificates for the Optional Shares the Underwriters have agreed to purchase at the First Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, against the release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The certificates for the Offered Shares shall be in definitive form and registered in such names and denominations as the Representatives shall have requested at least two full business days prior to the First Closing Date (or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be) and shall be made available for inspection on the business day preceding the First Closing Date (or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be) at a location in New York City as the Representatives may designate. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Underwriters.

Section 3. Additional Covenants of the Company. The Company further covenants and agrees with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company will comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Offered Shares as contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will, during the period when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act or any similar rule, file on a timely basis with the Commission and the NASDAQ all reports and documents required to be filed under the Exchange Act.

 

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(b) Delivery of Registration Statement, Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus. The Company shall furnish to the Underwriters in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act or any similar rule) in connection with sales of the Offered Shares, as many copies of the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request.

(c) Consent to Amendments and Supplements. The Company shall not amend or supplement the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus during the period when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act or any similar rule), unless the Representatives shall previously have been advised thereof and shall have provided their written consent thereto. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving or referring to any amendment or supplement, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of such amendment or supplement for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve or refer to any such amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object within a reasonable amount of time. The Company shall file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

(d) Amendments and Supplements to Time of Sale Prospectus. If the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Offered Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers, and any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the Time of Sale Prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when delivered to a prospective purchaser, not misleading, or if any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with Applicable Law, the Company shall (subject to Section 3(c) and Section 3(i) hereof) promptly prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any dealer upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when delivered to a prospective purchaser, not misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with Applicable Law.

(e) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities Act Matters. If any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus so that the Prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act or any similar rule) to a purchaser, not misleading, or if in the opinion of the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with Applicable Law, the Company agrees (subject to Section 3(c) and Section 3(i)) hereof to promptly prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any dealer upon request, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act or any similar rule) to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with Applicable Law. Neither the Representatives’ consent to, nor delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the Company’s obligations under Section 3(c) or Section 3(i).

(f) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the Representatives and with counsel to the Underwriters in connection with the qualification of the Offered Shares under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of U.S. state or non-U.S. jurisdictions as the Representatives may request and continue such qualification in effect so long as reasonably required for the distribution of the Offered Shares. The Company will advise the Representatives

 

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promptly of the suspension of any such exemption relating to the Offered Shares for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction that the Company has been informed by the Representatives is a jurisdiction into which Shares were sold by the Underwriters or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, in each case, of which it becomes aware, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such exemption, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(g) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of the Offering in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds.”

(h) No Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares or any reference security, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Shares or otherwise.

(i) Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall furnish to the Representatives for review, within a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company, and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto without the Representatives’ prior written consent. The Company shall furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, or used by the Company, as such Underwriter may reasonably request. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act or any similar rule) in connection with sales of the Offered Shares (but in any event if at any time through and including the First Closing Date) there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at such time, not misleading, the Company shall promptly amend or supplement such free writing prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict so that the statements in such free writing prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at such time, not misleading, as the case may be; provided, however, that prior to amending or supplementing any such free writing prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Representatives for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of such proposed amended or supplemented free writing prospectus, and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any such amended or supplemented free writing prospectus without the Representatives’ prior written consent.

(j) Filing of Underwriter Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall not take any action that would result in an Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Underwriter that the Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(k) Certain Notifications and Required Actions. After the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise the Representatives in writing (i) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission, (ii) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any free writing prospectus or the Prospectus, (iii) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or any amendment or supplement to any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any free writing prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the Shares from any securities exchange upon which they are listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with all applicable provisions of

 

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Rule 424(b), Rule 433 and Rule 430A under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under Rule 424(b) or Rule 433 were received in a timely manner by the Commission.

(l) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Shares.

(m) Earnings Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives as soon as practicable an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company commencing after the date of this Agreement that will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(n) Company to Provide Copy of the Prospectus in Form That May be Downloaded from the Internet. If requested by the Representatives, the Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered, at its expense, within one business day from the effective date of this Agreement, to the Representatives an “electronic Prospectus” to be used in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Shares. As used herein, the term “electronic Prospectus” means a form of Time of Sale Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, that meets each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representatives, that may be transmitted electronically by the Representatives to offerees and purchasers of the Offered Shares; (ii) it shall disclose the same information as the paper Time of Sale Prospectus, except to the extent that graphic and image material cannot be disseminated electronically, in which case such graphic and image material shall be replaced in the electronic Prospectus with a fair and accurate narrative description or tabular representation of such material, as appropriate; and (iii) it shall be in or convertible into a paper format or an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representatives, that will allow investors to store and have continuously ready access to the Time of Sale Prospectus at any future time, without charge to investors (other than any fee charged for subscription to the Internet as a whole and for on-line time). The Company hereby confirms that it has included or will include in the Prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR or otherwise with the Commission and in the Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor or his or her representative, the Company shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly, without charge, a paper copy of the Time of Sale Prospectus.

(o) Agreement Not to Offer or Sell Additional Shares. During the period commencing on and including the date hereof and continuing through and including the 90^th day following the date of the Prospectus (as the same may be extended as described below, the “Lock-up Period”), the Company will not, without the prior written consent of Citi (which consent may be withheld in Citi’s sole discretion), directly or indirectly: (i) sell, offer to sell, contract to sell or lend; (ii) effect any short sale or establish or increase any “put equivalent position” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act) or liquidate or decrease any “call equivalent position” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act); (iii) pledge, hypothecate or grant any security interest in; (iv) in any other way transfer or dispose of Shares or Related Securities (as defined below ); (v) enter into any swap, hedge or similar arrangement or agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of Shares or Related Securities, regardless of whether any such transaction is to be settled in securities, in cash or otherwise; or (vi) announce the offering of any Shares or Related Securities; (vii) file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of any Shares or Related Securities (other than as contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Offered Shares); or (viii) publicly announce the intention to do any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the Company may issue Shares or options to purchase Shares, or issue Shares upon exercise of options or warrants, pursuant to any stock option, stock bonus or other stock plan, arrangement or agreement described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, but only if the recipient of such Shares or options execute a lock-up agreement with the Underwriters, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto, pursuant to which they agree not to sell, offer, dispose of or otherwise transfer any such Shares or options during such Lock-up Period without the prior written consent of Citi (which consent may be withheld in Citi’s sole discretion). For purposes of the foregoing, “Related Securities” shall mean any options or warrants or other rights to acquire Shares or any securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Shares, or to acquire other securities or rights ultimately exchangeable or exercisable for, or convertible into, Shares. If (i) during the last 17 days of the 90-day initial lock-up period, the Company issues an earnings release or discloses material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs, or (ii) prior to the expiration of such period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period

 

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beginning on the last day of such period, then in each case the Lock-up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the issuance of the earnings release or the disclosure of the material news or occurrence of the material event, as applicable, unless Citi waives, in writing, such extension (which waiver may be withheld in its sole discretion). The Company will provide the Representatives with prior notice of any such announcement that gives rise to an extension of the Lock-up Period.

(p) Future Reports to the Representatives. During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will furnish to Citi at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, to Merrill Lynch at One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Syndicate Department and to Jefferies at 520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Global Head of Syndicate (i) as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual Report of the Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of such fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended and the opinion thereon of the Company’s independent public or certified public accountants; (ii) as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, copies of each proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other report filed by the Company with the Commission or any securities exchange; and (iii) as soon as available, copies of any report or communication of the Company furnished or made available generally to holders of its capital stock; provided, however, that the requirements of this Section 3(p) shall be satisfied to the extent that such reports, statement, communications, financial statements or other documents are available on EDGAR.

(q) Enforce Lock-Up Agreements. During the Lock-up Period, the Company will enforce all agreements between the Company and any of its security holders that restrict or prohibit, expressly or in operation, the offer, sale or transfer of Shares or Related Securities or any of the other actions restricted or prohibited under the terms of the form of Lock-up Agreement. In addition, the Company will direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon any such securities of the Company that are bound by such “lock-up” agreements for the duration of the periods contemplated in such agreements, including, without limitation, the “lock-up” agreements contemplated by Section 6(j)(ii) hereof.

(r) Interim Financial Statements. The Company has not prepared, and will not prepare or have available to them prior to the First Closing Date or any applicable Option Closing Date, any unaudited interim financial statements of the Company for any period subsequent to the period covered by the most recent financial statements appearing in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus Company.

(s) Announcement Regarding Lock-ups. The Company agrees to announce Citi’s intention to release any director or “officer” (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of the Company from any of the restrictions imposed by any Lock-Up Agreement, by issuing, through a major news service, a press release in form and substance satisfactory to Citi promptly following the Company’s receipt of any notification from Citi in which such intention is indicated, but in any case not later than the close of the third business day prior to the date on which such release or waiver is to become effective; provided, however, that nothing shall prevent Citi, on behalf of the Underwriters, from announcing the same through a major news service, irrespective of whether the Company has made the required announcement; and further provided that no such announcement shall be made of any release or waiver granted solely to permit a transfer of securities that is not for consideration and where the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of a Lock-Up Agreement in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto.

(t) Listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to effect and maintain the listing of the Shares on the NASDAQ.

Section 4. Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Offered Shares (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares, (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares to the Underwriters, (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, each free writing prospectus

 

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prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company, and each preliminary prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement, (vi) all filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Underwriters in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Offered Shares for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the Representatives, preparing and printing a “Blue Sky Survey” or memorandum and a “Canadian wrapper,” and any supplements thereto, advising the Underwriters of such qualifications, registrations, determinations and exemptions, (vii) the costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Underwriters in connection with determining their compliance with the rules and regulations of FINRA related to the Underwriters’ participation in the offering and distribution of the Offered Shares, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the offering of the Offered Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives, employees and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Shares on the NASDAQ, and (x) all other fees, costs and expenses of the nature referred to in Item 13 of Part II of the Registration Statement Except as provided in this Section 4 or in Section 7 or Section 9 hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters.

Section 5. Covenant of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter severally and not jointly covenants with the Company not to take any action that would result in the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that otherwise would not, but for such actions, be required to be filed by the Company under Rule 433(d).

Section 6. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Offered Shares as provided herein on the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Shares, each Option Closing Date, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date as though then made and, with respect to the Optional Shares, as of each Option Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:

(a) Representations, Warranties and Agreements. As of the date hereof and as of the First Closing Date or any applicable Option Closing Date all the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct.

(b) Officers’ Certificate. On each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate dated the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, signed by (1) the Chief Executive Officer and (2) the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company, on behalf of the Company, to the effect that (a) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 1 hereof are true and correct in all material respects with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, (b) the Company has performed and complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions in all material respects on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, (c) at the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, since the date hereof, no event or events have occurred, no information has become known nor does any condition exist that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect, (d) since the date of the most recent financial statements in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof), other than as described in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus or contemplated hereby, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, not in the ordinary course of business, that are material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or entered into any transactions not in the ordinary course of business that are material to the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and there has not been any change in

 

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the capital stock or long-term indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries of the Company that is material to the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (e) to his knowledge, the sale of the Offered Shares has not been enjoined (temporarily or permanently).

(c) Secretary’s Certificate. On each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate, dated the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, executed by the Secretary of the Company, certifying such customary matters as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(d) Good Standing Certificates. On each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received (i) a certificate evidencing good standing of the Company and each of its subsidiaries in its jurisdiction of organization as of a recent date and (ii) a certificate evidencing qualification by such entity as a foreign corporation in good standing issued by the Secretaries of State (or comparable office) as of a recent date in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(e) CFO’s Certificate. On each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

(f) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. On each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the opinion and negative assurance letter of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

(g) Opinion of the General Counsel of the Company. On each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the opinion of Christopher L. Howard, the General Counsel of the Company, dated the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, and addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

(h) Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriters. On each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date the Representatives shall have received an opinion and negative assurance letter, dated the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, of Covington & Burling LLP, counsel to the Underwriters, in form satisfactory to the Representatives covering such matters as are customarily covered in such opinions.

(i) Comfort Letters. The Representatives shall have received from each Independent Accountant (i) a customary initial comfort letter delivered according to the Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72 (or any successor bulletin), dated the date hereof, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives and counsel to the Underwriters, with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and (ii) a customary “bring-down” comfort letter, dated the First Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives and counsel to the Underwriters, which includes, among other things, a reaffirmation of the statements made in its initial letter furnished pursuant to clause (A) with respect to such financial statements and financial information contained in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus.

(j) No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change. For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and through and including the First Closing Date and, with respect to any Optional Shares purchased after the First Closing Date, each Option Closing Date:

(i) there shall not have been any Material Adverse Change that could, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, be expected to (i) make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Offered Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, or (ii) materially impair the investment quality of any of the Offered Shares; and

(ii) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible

 

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change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act.

(k) No Hostilities. There shall not have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity or crisis, including acts of terrorism, or material adverse change or material disruption in economic conditions in, or in the financial markets of, the United States (it being understood that any such change or disruption shall be relative to such conditions and markets as in effect on the date hereof), if the effect of such outbreak, escalation, calamity, crisis, act or material adverse change in the economic conditions in, or in the financial markets of, the United States could be reasonably expected to make it, in the Representatives’ sole judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to market or proceed with the offering or delivery of the Offered Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of any of the Offered Shares.

(l) No Suspension in Trading; Banking Moratorium. (i) There shall not have occurred any suspension of trading in the Company’s common stock by the SEC or the NASDAQ or a suspension or limitation of trading generally in securities on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ or any setting of limitations on prices for securities generally occurs on any such exchange or market or (ii) there shall not have occurred any declaration of a banking moratorium by any Governmental Authority or the taking of any action by any Governmental Authority after the date hereof in respect of its monetary or fiscal affairs that, in the case of clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph, in the Representatives’ sole judgment, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial markets in the United States or elsewhere.

(m) Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement and all other legal matters relating of the offering, issuance and sale of the Offered Shares shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel to the Underwriters; and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(n) Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No Objection from FINRA.

(i) The Registration Statement shall have become effective.

(ii) The Company shall have filed the Prospectus with the Commission (including the information previously omitted from the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act) in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; or the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement containing the information previously omitted pursuant to such Rule 430A, and such post-effective amendment shall have become effective.

(iii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been instituted or threatened by the Commission.

(iv) If a filing has been made with FINRA, FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(o) Lock-Up Agreements. On or prior to the date hereof, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives an agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto from each of the persons listed on Exhibit B hereto, and each such agreement shall be in full force and effect on each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date.

(p) Additional Documents On or before each of the First Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters shall have received such information, documents and opinions as they may reasonably request for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares as contemplated herein and in connection with the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

 

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If any condition specified in this Section 6 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the First Closing Date and, with respect to the Optional Shares, at any time on or prior to the applicable Option Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Section 4, Section 7 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

Section 7. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 6, Section 10 or Section 11, or if the sale to the Underwriters of the Offered Shares on the First Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters (or such Underwriters as have terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves), severally, upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Offered Shares, including but not limited to fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.

Section 8. Effectiveness of this Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

Section 9. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Underwriter or such affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Offered Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (A) (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any free writing prospectus that the Company has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act, or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to the foregoing), or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (B) the violation of any laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Offered Shares have been offered or sold; and to reimburse each Underwriter and each such affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent and controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or such affiliate, director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company by the Representatives in writing expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any such free writing prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described in Section 9(b) below. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 9(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, or any such director, officer, or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other

 

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federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Underwriter), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any free writing prospectus that the Company has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433 of the Securities Act, or the Prospectus (or any such amendment or supplement) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, such free writing prospectus or the Prospectus (or any such amendment or supplement) in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by the Representatives in writing expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, or any such director, officer, or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company, or any such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The Company hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Representatives have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act, or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to the foregoing) are the statements set forth in the fifth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting”, the first paragraph under the caption “Underwriting—Commission and Expenses” and the first four paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting—Stabilization” in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 9(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Underwriter may otherwise have.

(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. As promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 9 of notice of the commencement of any action for which such indemnified party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 9, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 9, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof in writing; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability under Section 9(a) or (b) above unless and only to the extent it is materially prejudiced as a proximate result thereof and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in Section 9(a) and (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may elect, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after receipt by the indemnifying party of notice of the institution of such action, then, in each such case, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties and such indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties at the expense of the indemnifying party. After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 9 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed

 

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separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that in connection with such action the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, designated by the Representatives in the case of Section 9(a) or the Company in the case of Section 9(b), representing the indemnified parties under such Section 9(a) or (b), as the case may be, who are parties to such action or actions), (ii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party or (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party and shall be paid as they are incurred. After such notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party, the indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless such indemnified party waived in writing its rights under this Section 9, in which case the indemnified party may effect such a settlement without such consent.

(d) Settlements. No indemnifying party shall be liable under this Section 9 for any settlement of any claim or action (or threatened claim or action) effected without its written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if a claim or action settled with its written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff with respect to any such claim or action, each indemnifying party jointly and severally agrees, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth above, to indemnify and hold harmless each indemnified party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities (and legal and other expenses as set forth above) incurred by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement or compromise of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional written release of the indemnified party, in form and substance satisfactory to the indemnified party, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the indemnified party.

(e) Contribution. In circumstances in which the indemnity agreements provided for in this Section are unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contributions, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other hand, from the Offering or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by Applicable Law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof). The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the Offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Underwriters pursuant to Section 9(b) above, on the other hand, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or alleged statement or omissions, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances.

(f) Equitable Consideration. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be equitable if the amount of such contribution determined pursuant to Section 9(e) were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in Section 9(e). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be obligated to make contributions hereunder that in the aggregate exceed the total discounts, commissions and other compensation received by such Underwriter under this Agreement, less the aggregate amount of any damages that the Underwriters have otherwise

 

23

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been required to pay by reason of the untrue or alleged untrue statements or the omissions or alleged omissions to state a material fact. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of Section 9(e), each affiliate, director, officer, employee and agent of any of the Underwriters, and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriters, and each affiliate, director, officer, employee and agent of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

(g) Indemnification of the QIU. Without limitation and in addition to its obligation under the other subsections of this Section 9, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Avondale, in its capacity as the QIU, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and each person, if any, who controls the QIU within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act from and against any loss, claim, damage, liabilities or expense, as incurred, arising out of or based upon the QIU’s acting as a “qualified independent underwriter” (within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the FINRA’s Securities Offering and Trading Standards and Practices Rules) in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified person for any legal or other expense reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense results from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the QIU.

Section 10. Default of One or More of the Several Underwriters. If, on the First Closing Date or any Option Closing Date any one or more of the several Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Offered Shares that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Offered Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the Offered Shares to be purchased on such date, the Representatives may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Offered Shares by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representatives with the consent of the non-defaulting Underwriters, to purchase the Offered Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the First Closing Date or any Option Closing Date any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Offered Shares and the aggregate number of Offered Shares with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Offered Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company for the purchase of such Offered Shares are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 4, Section 7 and Section 9 shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such case either the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the First Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter under this Section 10. Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

Section 11. Termination. The Representatives may terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the Closing Date by written notice to the Company if any of the events described in Sections 6(j) (No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change), 6(k) (No Hostilities) or 6(l) (No Suspension in Trading; Banking Moratorium) shall have occurred or if any of the other conditions set forth in Section 6 hereof are not satisfied or waived at or prior to the Closing Date. Any termination pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability on the part of (a) the Company to the Underwriters, except that the Company shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Underwriters pursuant to Section 4 and Section 7 hereof or (b) the Underwriters to the Company, except, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), that the provisions of Section 9 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

24

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Section 12. Survival. The representations and warranties, covenants, indemnities and contribution and expense reimbursement provisions and other agreements of the parties hereto set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, and will survive, regardless of (i) any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of such party, (ii) the acceptance of the Offered Shares, and payment for them hereunder, and (iii) any termination of this Agreement.

Section 13. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the purchase and sale of the Offered Shares. The Company further acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis, and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to either the Company or its management, stockholders or creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the purchase and sale of the Securities, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company hereby confirms its understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Company regarding such transactions, including, but not limited to, any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary or similar duty to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.

Section 14. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, telecopied or transmitted by facsimile and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

 

If to the Representatives:

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

Facsimile: (212) 816-7912

Attention: Citigroup General Counsel

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Attention: Syndicate Department

Jefferies & Company, Inc.

520 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Facsimile: (646) 619-4437

Attention: General Counsel

 

with a copy to:

Covington & Burling LLP

The New York Times Building

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

Fascimile: (212) 841-1010

Attention: Donald J. Murray

 

If to the Company:

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

830 Crescent Centre Drive, Suite 610

Franklin, Tennessee 37607

Facsimile: (615) 216-9685

Attention: Christopher L. Howard

 

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with a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 N. LaSalle St.

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Facsimile: Fax: (312) 862-2200

Attention:  Christopher Bennett

                   Sarah B. Gabriel

                   Richard W. Porter, P.C.

Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.

Section 15. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Underwriters pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and to the benefit of the affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 9, and in each case their respective successors, and personal representatives, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any purchaser of the Offered Shares as such from any of the Underwriters merely by reason of such purchase.

Section 16. Governing Law Provisions. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. Each of the Company and the Underwriters hereby expressly and irrevocably (i) submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Transactions, and (ii) waive (a) their right to a trial by jury in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Transactions or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether verbal or written) or actions of the Underwriters or the Company, as applicable, and for any counterclaim related to any of the foregoing and (b) any obligation which it may have or hereafter may have to the laying of venue of any such litigation brought in any such court referred to above and any claim that any such litigation has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 17. General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 18. Separability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that it is a sophisticated business person who was adequately represented by counsel during negotiations regarding the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, the indemnification and contribution provisions of Section 9, and is fully informed regarding said provisions. Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges that the provisions of Section 9 hereof fairly allocates the risks in light of the ability of the parties to investigate the Company, its affairs and its business in order to assure that adequate disclosure has been made in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, each free writing prospectus and the Prospectus (and any amendments and supplements to the foregoing), as contemplated by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

Very truly yours,

 

 

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The foregoing Underwriting Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Representatives in New York, New York as of the date first above written.

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                            INCORPORATED

JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

Acting individually and as Representatives

of the several Underwriters named in

the attached Schedule A.

 

By:		CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:
By:		MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH                        INCORPORATED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
By:		JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

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Schedule A

 

 

UNDERWRITERS		NUMBER OF FIRM SHARES TO BE PURCHASED
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.			[—]
Merill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith                  Incorporated			[—]
Jefferies & Company, Inc.			[—]
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.			[—]
RBC Capital Markets, LLC			[—]
Avondale Partners, LLC			[—]
Total			[—]

 

 

 

Schedule A-1

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Schedule B

Free Writing Prospectuses Included in the Time of Sale Prospectus

[            ]

 

Schedule B-1

---

Exhibit A

Form of Lock-up Agreement

[Date]

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                   Incorporated

Jefferies & Company, Inc.

As Representatives of the Several Underwriters

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                        Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

c/o Jefferies & Company, Inc.

520 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10022

RE:      Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. (the “Company”)

Ladies & Gentlemen:

The undersigned is an owner of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Shares”) or of securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Shares. The Company proposes to conduct a public offering of Shares (the “Offering”) for which Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citi”), Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated “Merrill Lynch”) and Jefferies & Company, Inc. (“Jefferies”) will act as the representatives of the underwriters (the “Representatives”). The undersigned recognizes that the Offering will benefit each of the Company and the undersigned. The undersigned acknowledges that the underwriters are relying on the representations and agreements of the undersigned contained in this letter agreement in conducting the Offering and, at a subsequent date, in entering into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) and other underwriting arrangements with the Company with respect to the Offering.

Annex A sets forth definitions for capitalized terms used in this letter agreement that are not defined in the body of this agreement. Those definitions are a part of this agreement.

In consideration of the foregoing, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that, during the Lock-up Period, the undersigned will not (and will cause any Family Member not to), without the prior written consent of Citi, which may withhold its consent in its sole discretion:

 

n

Sell or Offer to Sell any Shares or Related Securities currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by the undersigned or such Family Member,

 

n

enter into any Swap,

 

n

make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration under the Securities Act of the offer and sale of any Shares or Related Securities, or cause to be filed a registration statement, prospectus or prospectus supplement (or an amendment or supplement thereto) with respect to any such registration, or

 

n

publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.

 

Ex. A-1

---

The foregoing will not apply to the registration of the offer and sale of the Shares, and the sale of the Shares to the underwriters, in each case as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement. In addition, the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to the transfer of Shares or Related Securities by gift, or by will or intestate succession to a Family Member or to a trust whose beneficiaries consist exclusively of one or more of the undersigned and/or a Family Member; provided, however, that in any such case, it shall be a condition to such transfer that:

 

n

each transferee executes and delivers to Citi an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Citi stating that such transferee is receiving and holding such Shares and/or Related Securities subject to the provisions of this letter agreement and agrees not to Sell or Offer to Sell such Shares and/or Related Securities, engage in any Swap or engage in any other activities restricted under this letter agreement except in accordance with this letter agreement (as if such transferee had been an original signatory hereto), and

 

n

prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, no public disclosure or filing under the Exchange Act by any party to the transfer (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) shall be required, or made voluntarily, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Shares in connection with such transfer.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that written notice by Citi to the Company of any extension of the 90-day initial lock-up period will be deemed to have been given to, and received by, the undersigned. The undersigned further agrees that, prior to engaging in any transaction or taking any other action that is subject to the terms of this letter agreement during the period from the date of this letter agreement through the close of trading on the date that is the 34th day following the expiration of the 90-day initial lock-up period, the undersigned will give notice thereof to the Company and will not consummate any such transaction or take any such action unless the undersigned has received written confirmation from the Company that the Lock-Up Period has expired.

In addition, if the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) Citi agrees that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of Shares, Citi will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (ii) the Company (in accordance with the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement) will announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by Citi hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if both (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter agreement that are applicable to the transferor to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of Shares or Related Securities held by the undersigned and the undersigned’s Family Members, if any, except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

With respect to the Offering only, the undersigned waives any registration rights relating to registration under the Securities Act of the offer and sale of any Shares and/or any Related Securities owned either of record or beneficially by the undersigned, including any rights to receive notice of the Offering.

The undersigned confirms that the undersigned has not, and has no knowledge that any Family Member has, directly or indirectly, taken any action designed to or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale of the Shares. The undersigned will not, and will cause any Family Member not to take, directly or indirectly, any such action.

Whether or not the Offering occurs as currently contemplated or at all depends on market conditions and other factors. The Offering will only be made pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the underwriters.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power, capacity and authority to enter into this letter agreement. This letter agreement is irrevocable and will be binding on the undersigned and the successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns of the undersigned.

 

Ex. A-2

---

This letter agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

Signature

Printed Name of Person Signing

(Indicate capacity of person signing if signing as custodian or trustee, or on behalf of an entity)

 

Ex. A-3

---

Certain Defined Terms

Used in Lock-up Agreement

For purposes of the letter agreement to which this Annex A is attached and of which it is made a part:

 

n

“Call Equivalent Position” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act.

 

n

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

n

“Family Member” shall mean the spouse of the undersigned, an immediate family member of the undersigned or an immediate family member of the undersigned’s spouse, in each case living in the undersigned’s household or whose principal residence is the undersigned’s household (regardless of whether such spouse or family member may at the time be living elsewhere due to educational activities, health care treatment, military service, temporary internship or employment or otherwise). “Immediate family member” as used above shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16a-1(e) under the Exchange Act.

 

n

“Lock-up Period” shall mean the period beginning on the date hereof and continuing through the close of trading on the date that is 90 days after the date of the Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement); provided, that if (i) during the last 17 days of the 90-day initial lock-up period, the Company issues an earnings release or discloses material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (ii) prior to the expiration of such period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of such period, then in each case the Lock-up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the issuance of the earnings release or the disclosure of the material news or occurrence of the material event, as applicable, unless Citi waives, in writing, such extension. If the initial lock-up period is extended pursuant to the provisions above, “Lock-up Period” shall mean the period described in the first clause of this paragraph, as so extended.

 

n

“Put Equivalent Position” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act.

 

n

“Related Securities” shall mean any options or warrants or other rights to acquire Shares or any securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Shares, or to acquire other securities or rights ultimately exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Shares.

 

n

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

n

“Sell or Offer to Sell” shall mean to:

 

n

sell, offer to sell, contract to sell or lend,

 

n

effect any short sale or establish or increase a Put Equivalent Position or liquidate or decrease any Call Equivalent Position

 

n

pledge, hypothecate or grant any security interest in, or

 

n

in any other way transfer or dispose of,

in each case whether effected directly or indirectly.

 

n

“Swap” shall mean any swap, hedge or similar arrangement or agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of Shares or Related Securities, regardless of whether any such transaction is to be settled in securities, in cash or otherwise.

Capitalized terms not defined in this Annex A shall have the meanings given to them in the body of this lock-up agreement.

 

Ex. A-4

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Exhibit B

Directors, Executive Officers and Others

Signing Lock-up Agreement

Directors:

Executive Officers:

Others:

 

Ex. B-1

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Exhibit C

Form of CFO Certificate

[To be provided separately]

 

Ex. C-1

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Exhibit D

Form of Opinion of Company Counsel.

[To be provided separately]

 

Ex. D-1

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Exhibit E

Form of Opinion of General Counsel of the Company

[To be provided separately]

 

Ex. E-1