8-K
false 0001397911 --12-31 0001397911 2024-02-15 2024-02-15

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (date of earliest event reported): February 15, 2024

 

 

LPL Financial Holdings Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-34963   20-3717839

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

4707 Executive Drive, San Diego, California 92121

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(800) 877-7210

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrants under any of the following provisions:

 

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock - par value $0.001 per share   LPLA   The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter)

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 5.03

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On February 15, 2024, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) amended and restated the Company’s Sixth Amended and Restated Bylaws in connection with (i) the effectiveness of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding universal proxy cards and (ii) amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

The amendments, which followed a routine review of the Company’s corporate governance policies and practices, revise (i) Section 1.2 of the bylaws to address matters relating to Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including providing (a) that stockholders must include in an advance notice of a director nomination, among other things, a statement as to such stockholder’s intention to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, (b) that, if any stockholder provides notice of intent to solicit proxies pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, (1) the Company will disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such stockholder’s nominee(s) if such stockholder subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act and (2) upon request by the Company, such stockholder must provide no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that such stockholder has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, (c) that the Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish information reasonably requested to determine the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee, and (d) for the avoidance of doubt, that the Company is not required to include in its proxy materials any additional or substitute nominations after the expiration of the time periods set forth in the bylaws, (ii) Section 1.4 of the bylaws to provide that communications regarding meeting adjournments are provided in accordance with the DGCL, (iii) Section 1.8 of the bylaws to provide that the white color proxy card is reserved for exclusive use by the Company and (iv) Section 1.11 of the bylaws to eliminate the requirement of having a stockholder list available at a stockholder meeting.

In addition to the amendments described above, the Board also adopted clarifying and conforming changes to other sections of the bylaws.

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the amended and restated bylaws, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d)

Exhibits

 

3.1    Seventh Amended and Restated Bylaws of LPL Financial Holdings Inc., effective February 15, 2024.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC.

 

 

 

     By:  

/s/ Gregory M. Woods

      Name: Gregory M. Woods
      Title: Secretary

Dated: February 20, 2024

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

LPL FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC. (the “Corporation”)

SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

SECTION 1 — STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1.1. Annual Meeting.

An annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors to succeed those whose term expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, on the date and at the time that the Board of Directors shall each year fix. Unless stated otherwise in the notice of the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, such annual meeting shall be at the principal office of the Corporation.

Section 1.2. Advance Notice of Nominations and Proposals of Business.

(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and proposals for other business to be transacted by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (iii) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice contemplated in Section 1.2(b), (B) is entitled to vote at such meeting, (C) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.2 and (D) to the extent that Rule 14a-19 under the Act (as defined below) applies, has complied with Rule 14a-19 under the Act. Subject to Section 1.2(i) and Section 1.12, clause (iii) of this Section 1.2(a) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business (other than matters properly brought pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended from time to time, the “Act”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 1.2(a), (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation with the information contemplated by Section 1.2(c), and (ii) the business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The notice requirements of this Section 1.2 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

(c) To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation on a date (i) not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting or (ii) if there was no annual meeting in the prior year or if the date of the current year’s annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days earlier or more than sixty (60) days later than the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the current year’s annual meeting nor later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to the date of the current year’s annual meeting and (B) the 10th day after the day on which the date of the current year’s annual meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the delivery of such notice. For the avoidance of doubt, a stockholder shall not be entitled to make additional or substitute nominations following the expiration of the time periods set forth in these bylaws. Such notice from a stockholder must state (i) as to each nominee that the stockholder proposes for election or reelection as a director, (A) all information relating to such nominee that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominee as a director pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Act and such nominee’s written consent to serve as a director if elected, and (B) a description of all direct


and indirect compensation and other material monetary arrangements, agreements or understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationship, if any, between or concerning such stockholder, any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below) or any of their respective affiliates or associates, or others with whom they are acting in concert, on the one hand, and the proposed nominee, and such proposed nominee’s respective affiliates or associates, on the other hand; (ii) as to each proposal that the stockholder seeks to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such proposal, the reasons for making the proposal at the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment); and (iii) (A) the name and address of the stockholder giving the notice and the Stockholder Associated Person, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (B) the class (and, if applicable, series) and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (each, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of stock of the Corporation of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (D) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any securities of the Corporation, (E) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, an interest in a general partner, (F) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of the shares of stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, (G) any direct or indirect material legal, economic or financial interest of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person in the outcome of any vote to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or any other entity with respect to any matter that is substantially related, directly or indirectly, to any nomination proposed by any stockholder pursuant to this Section 1.2(c), (H) any other information relating to such stockholder and Stockholder Associated Person, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Act, (I) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination,(J) a certification as to whether or not the stockholder and all Stockholder Associated Persons have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and each Stockholder Associated Person’s acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and the stockholder’s and each Stockholder Associated Person’s acts or omissions as a stockholder (or beneficial owner of securities) of the Corporation and (K) whether either the stockholder intends to (x) deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder to be sufficient to elect such nominee or nominees, (y) solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than persons nominated by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Act or (z) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination. For purposes of these bylaws, (i) a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (A) any “affiliate” or “associate” (as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of the stockholder

 

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that owns beneficially or of record any capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, (B) any beneficial owner of any capital stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder, (C) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such Stockholder Associated Person referred to in clause (A) or (B) above, and (D) any person acting in concert with such stockholder or any affiliate or associate of such stockholder with respect to the capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, and (ii) “beneficial ownership” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act. In addition, any nominee proposed by a stockholder shall complete a questionnaire, in a form provided by the Corporation, within ten (10) days of receipt of the form of questionnaire from the Corporation. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee. A stockholder shall further update and supplement its notice of any nomination to be brought before a meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 1.2 shall be true and correct (i) as of the record date for the meeting and (ii) as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof. Such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation (i) not later than three (3) business days after the later of (A) the record date and (B) the date notice of the record date is first publicly announced (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date for the meeting) and (ii) not later than seven (7) business days prior to (A) the date for the meeting, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the meeting), or (B) any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, any information provided in such update or supplement shall not be deemed to cure any deficiencies in a notice previously delivered pursuant to this Section 1.2(c) and shall not extend the time period for the delivery of notice pursuant to this Section 1.2(c). If a stockholder giving notice fails to provide such update or supplement within the required period, the information as to which such update or supplement relates may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 1.2(c). The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 1.2(c) shall not include any ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is directed to prepare and submit the notice required by this Section 1.2(c) on behalf of a beneficial owner of the shares held of record by such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who is not otherwise affiliated or associated with such beneficial owner.

(d) Subject to the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), Section 1.2(i), Section 1.12 and applicable law, only persons nominated in accordance with procedures stated in this Section 1.2 shall be eligible for election as and to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and the only business that shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders is the business that has been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.2. The chair of the meeting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any proposal has been made according to the procedures stated in this Section 1.2 and, if any nomination or proposal does not comply with this Section 1.2, unless otherwise required by law, the nomination or proposal shall be disregarded.

(e) For purposes of this Section 1.2, “public announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable news service or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Act.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1.2. Nothing in this Section 1.2 shall affect any rights, if any, of stockholders to request inclusion of nominations or proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the Act.

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business or does not provide the information required by Section 1.2(c), including any required supplement thereto, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1.2, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(h) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 1.2 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.2. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (b) of this Section 1.2 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(i) All provisions of this Section 1.2 are subject to, and nothing in this Section 1.2 shall in any way limit the exercise, or the method or timing of the exercise of, the rights of any person granted by the Corporation to nominate directors.

(j) Without limiting any other provisions and requirements of this Section 1.2, unless otherwise required by law, if (i) any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Act (for the avoidance of doubt, such notice must be delivered within the time period provided for in Section 1.2(c) to be considered timely) and (ii) such stockholder subsequently either (A) notifies the Corporation that such stockholder no longer intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Act or (B) fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) or Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Act, then such stockholder’s nominations shall be deemed null and void and the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such stockholder’s nominees. Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five (5) business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Act.

 

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Section 1.3. Special Meetings; Notice.

Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. Notice of every special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and the individual or group calling such meeting shall have exclusive authority to determine the business included in such notice.

Section 1.4. Notice of Meetings.

Notice of the place, if any, date and time of all meetings of stockholders of the Corporation, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed present and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of all special meetings of stockholders, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which such meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting.

The Corporation may postpone or cancel any previously called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 1.2(e)) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. When a previously called annual or special meeting is postponed to another time, date or place, if any, notice of the place (if any), date and time of the postponed meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed present and vote at such postponed meeting, shall be given in conformity with this Section 1.4.

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present and vote at such adjourned meeting are provided in accordance with the DGCL; however, if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, or if after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in conformity herewith to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that may have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 1.5. Quorum.

At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“Voting Stock”), present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number is required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation. If a separate vote by one or more classes or series is required, the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the shares of the class or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter.

If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chair of the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time.

 

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Section 1.6. Organization.

The chair of the Board of Directors or, in the chair’s absence, the person whom the Board of Directors designates or, in the absence of that person or the failure of the Board of Directors to designate a person, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or, in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence, the person chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation and act as chair of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be the person the chair appoints.

Section 1.7. Conduct of Business.

The chair of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall determine the order of business and the rules of procedure for the conduct of such meeting, including the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as the chair determines to be in order. The chair shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chair of the meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The chair of the meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination or matter of business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such chair should so determine, such chair shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 1.8. Proxies; Inspectors.

(a) At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by applicable law. Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for exclusive use by the Corporation.

(b) Prior to a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the Corporation shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by applicable law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before beginning the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of inspectors. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by applicable law.

 

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Section 1.9. Voting.

Except as otherwise required by the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation or pursuant to any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, all matters other than the election of directors shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively or negatively. A nominee for director shall be elected if the number of votes properly cast “for” such nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes properly cast “against” such nominee’s election; provided that, if the number of persons properly nominated for election to the Board of Directors exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by the plurality of the votes properly cast.

Section 1.10. Action by Written Consent.

Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by a consent in writing by such stockholders.

Section 1.11. Stock List.

A complete list of stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of such stockholder, shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder, for any purpose germane to a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, for a period of at least ten (10) days before the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before such meeting date.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the sole evidence of the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting and the number of shares held by each stockholder.

Section 1.12. Proxy Access.

(a) Whenever the Board of Directors solicits proxies with respect to the election of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the provisions of this Section 1.12, the Corporation shall include in its proxy statement (including the proxy card) for such annual meeting, in addition to any persons nominated for election by the Board of Directors, including through a committee thereof, the name, together with the Required Information (defined below), of any person nominated for election (a “Stockholder Nominee”) to the Board of Directors by any stockholder or group of no more than twenty (20) stockholders (provided that a group of funds that are (A) under common management and investment control, (B) under common management and funded primarily by the same employer or (C) a “group of investment companies,” as such term is defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, shall be treated as one stockholder) that satisfies the requirements of this Section 1.12 (the “Eligible Stockholder”), and who expressly elects at the time of providing a notice that names the Stockholder Nominee and otherwise satisfies the requirements of this Section 1.12 (the “Notice of Proxy Access Nomination”) to have the Stockholder Nominee included in the Corporation’s proxy materials (including the proxy card) pursuant to this Section 1.12. For purposes of this Section 1.12, the “Required Information” that the Corporation will include in its proxy statement is the information provided to the Secretary of the Corporation concerning the Stockholder Nominee and the Eligible Stockholder that is required to be disclosed in the Corporation’s proxy statement by the Act, and, if the Eligible Stockholder so elects, a written statement, not to exceed 500 words, for each of its Stockholder Nominee(s) (the

 

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Statement”). Only one Statement may be submitted by an Eligible Stockholder (including any group of stockholders together constituting an Eligible Stockholder) in support of its Stockholder Nominee(s). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 1.12, the Corporation may (A) omit from its proxy materials any information or Statement (or portion thereof) that it, in good faith, believes would violate any applicable law, regulation or listing standard, and (B) solicit against any Stockholder Nominee or include in the Corporation’s proxy statement its own statement or other information relating to any Eligible Stockholder or Stockholder Nominee.

(b) To nominate a Stockholder Nominee, the Eligible Stockholder must timely submit the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation. To be timely, the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation no earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days and no later than ninety (90) days before the anniversary of the date that the Corporation issued its proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders, or, if the date of the annual meeting of stockholders is more than thirty (30) days earlier or more than sixty (60) days later than the anniversary date of the most recent annual meeting of stockholders, then not later than the close of business on the 10th day after public announcement of the meeting date. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of stockholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Notice of Proxy Access Nomination.

(c) The maximum number of Stockholder Nominees nominated by all Eligible Stockholders that will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders shall not exceed the greater of (x) two (2) or (y) twenty percent (20%) of the number of directors in office as of the last day on which a Notice of Proxy Access Nomination may be delivered pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 1.12 (the “Final Proxy Access Nomination Date”), or if such a number is not a whole number, the closest whole number (rounding down) below twenty percent (20%). In the event that one or more vacancies for any reason occurs on the Board of Directors after the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date but before the date of the annual meeting, and the Board of Directors resolves to reduce the size of the Board of Directors in connection therewith, the maximum number of Stockholder Nominees included in the Corporation’s proxy materials shall be calculated based on the number of directors in office as so reduced. Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the Corporation’s proxy materials for a particular meeting of stockholders but either (a) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at the meeting or (b) does not receive at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the votes cast in favor of such Stockholder Nominee’s election, will be ineligible to be a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 1.12 for the next two (2) annual meetings of stockholders following the meeting for which the Stockholder Nominee has been nominated for election. The following persons shall be considered Stockholder Nominees for purposes of determining when the maximum number of Stockholder Nominees provided for in this Section 1.12 has been reached: (w) any Stockholder Nominee whom the Board of Directors decides to nominate as a Board of Directors nominee, (x) any Stockholder Nominee who is subsequently withdrawn, (y) any director who had been a Stockholder Nominee at any of the preceding two annual meetings and whose reelection at the upcoming annual meeting is being recommended by the Board of Directors and (z) any director in office or director candidate that in either case will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials with respect to such annual meeting as an unopposed (by the Corporation) nominee pursuant to an agreement, arrangement or other understanding between the Corporation and a stockholder or group of stockholders, other than any such director who at the time of such annual meeting will have served as a director continuously, as a nominee of the Board of Directors, for at least two annual terms. Any Eligible Stockholder submitting more than one Stockholder Nominee for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 1.12 shall rank such Stockholder Nominees based on the order that the Eligible Stockholder desires such Stockholder Nominees to be selected for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement. In the event that the number of Stockholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Stockholders pursuant to this Section 1.12 exceeds the maximum number of nominees provided for in this Section 1.12, the highest ranking Stockholder Nominee who meets the requirements of this Section 1.12 from each

 

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Eligible Stockholder will be selected for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials until the maximum number is reached, proceeding in order of the amount (largest to smallest) of shares of common stock of the Corporation each Eligible Stockholder disclosed as owned in its respective Notice of Proxy Access Nomination submitted to the Corporation. If the maximum number is not reached after the highest-ranking Stockholder Nominee who meets the requirements of this Section 1.12 from each Eligible Stockholder has been selected, this process will continue as many times as necessary, following the same order each time, until the maximum number is reached. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 1.12, if the Secretary of the Corporation receives notice pursuant to Section 1.2 of these bylaws that a stockholder intends to nominate one or more persons for election to the Board of Directors at such meeting, no Stockholder Nominees will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials with respect to such meeting pursuant to this Section 1.12.

(d) For purposes of this Section 1.12, an Eligible Stockholder shall be deemed to “own” only those outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation as to which the stockholder possesses (A) the sole power to vote, or direct the voting of, and to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, and (B) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit from and risk of loss on) such shares. The number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (A) and (B) shall not include any shares (A) sold by such stockholder (or any of its affiliates) in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (B) borrowed by such stockholder (or any of its affiliates) for any purposes or purchased by such stockholder (or any of its affiliates) pursuant to an agreement to resell or (C) subject to any option, warrant, derivative or other agreement or understanding, whether any such arrangement is to be settled with shares of common stock of the Corporation or with cash based on the notional amount of shares subject thereto, in any such case which has, or is intended to have or if exercised would have, the purpose or effect of (1) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such stockholder’s (or its affiliates’) rights to vote or direct the voting and full rights to dispose or direct the disposition of any of such shares and/or (2) offsetting to any degree any gain or loss arising from the full economic interest in such shares by such stockholder (or affiliate). An Eligible Stockholder’s ownership of loaned shares shall be deemed to continue only during any period in which (x) the Eligible Stockholder has loaned such shares, provided that the Eligible Stockholder has the power to recall such loaned shares on not more than five (5) business days’ notice and recalls such loaned shares not more than five (5) business days after being notified that any of its Stockholder Nominee(s) will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials or (y) the Eligible Stockholder has delegated any voting power by means of proxy, power of attorney, or other instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the Eligible Stockholder. Whether outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation are “owned” for these purposes will be determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Section 1.12, the term “affiliate” or “affiliates” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act.

(e) In order to make a nomination pursuant to this Section 1.12, an Eligible Stockholder must have owned the Required Ownership Percentage (as defined below) of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock (the “Required Shares”) continuously for the Minimum Holding Period (as defined below) as of both the date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is received by the Secretary of the Corporation in accordance with this Section 1.12 and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and must continue to own the Required Shares through the meeting date. For purposes of this Section 1.12, the “Required Ownership Percentage” is 3% or more, and the “Minimum Holding Period” is 3 years. For purposes of determining the denominator to be used in calculating whether an Eligible Stockholder meets the Required Ownership Percentage, the Eligible Stockholder may rely on information about the outstanding shares of the Corporation, as set forth in the Corporation’s most recent quarterly or annual report, and any current report subsequent thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act, unless the Eligible Stockholder has reason to know that the information contained therein is inaccurate. Whenever an Eligible Stockholder consists of a group of stockholders and/or other persons, any and all requirements and obligations for an Eligible Stockholder set forth in this Section 1.12 must be satisfied by and as to each such stockholder or other person, except that shares may be aggregated to meet the Required Shares as provided in this Section 1.12.

 

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(f) The Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must include: (1) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, one or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and from each intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the Minimum Holding Period) verifying that, as of a date within seven (7) calendar days prior to the date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is delivered to, or mailed to and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation, the Eligible Stockholder owns, and has owned continuously for the Minimum Holding Period, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Stockholder’s agreement to provide, within five (5) business days after the record date for the annual meeting, written statements from the record holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Stockholder’s continuous ownership of the Required Shares through the record date and immediate notice if the Eligible Stockholder ceases to own any of the Required Shares prior to the date of the applicable annual meeting of stockholders; (2) documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation demonstrating that any group of funds being counted as one stockholder in meeting the definition of Eligible Stockholder are entitled to be treated as one stockholder for purposes of this Section 1.12, (3) a copy of the Schedule 14N (or any successor form) that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 14a-18 under the Act (or any successor provisions); (4) the information, representations, and agreements that are the same as those that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination pursuant to Section 1.2 of these bylaws; (5) in the case of a nomination by a group of stockholders, that together is an Eligible Stockholder, the designation by all group members of one group member that is authorized to act on behalf of all such members with respect to the nomination and matters related thereto, including withdrawal of the nomination; (6) the consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation; (7) a representation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation that the Eligible Stockholder (u) acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control at the Corporation, and does not presently have such intent, (v) presently intends to maintain qualifying ownership of the Required Shares through the date of the annual meeting, (w) has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting any person other than the Stockholder Nominee(s) being nominated pursuant to this Section 1.12, (x) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be a “participant” in another person’s “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the annual meeting other than its Stockholder Nominee(s) or a nominee of the Board of Directors, (y) agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations applicable to the use, if any, of soliciting material, and (z) will provide facts, statements, and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true and correct in all material respects and do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (8) a statement as to whether the Eligible Stockholder intends to maintain qualifying ownership of the Required Shares for at least one year following the annual meeting; and (9) an undertaking in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation that the Eligible Stockholder agrees to (x) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Stockholder’s communications with the stockholders of the Corporation or out of the information that the Eligible Stockholder provided to the Corporation and (y) indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation and each of its directors, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss, or damages, as incurred, in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit, or proceeding, whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the Corporation or any of its directors, officers, or employees arising out of any nomination submitted by the Eligible Stockholder pursuant to this Section 1.12. The Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must include a written representation and agreement from the Stockholder Nominee in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation that such person (1) is not and will not become a party to (x) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act

 

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or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (y) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (2) has not during the past three (3) years, is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, (3) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with applicable law, all applicable rules of the U.S. exchanges upon which the common stock of the Corporation is listed, and all of the Corporation’s publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines, (4) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true and correct in all material respects and do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (5) will irrevocably resign, pursuant to a letter of resignation, with such resignation to become automatically effective upon determination by the Board of Directors (excluding for this purpose the Stockholder Nominee) that (x) such Stockholder Nominee or the applicable Eligible Stockholder has breached or has failed to comply with any of its or their obligations under this Section 1.12 or any of its or their representations or agreements set forth in the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Section 1.12), (y) any of the information in the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Section 1.12) was not, when provided, true and correct in all material respects or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances they were made, not misleading, or (z) the requirements of this Section 1.12 had not otherwise been met. At the request of the Corporation, each Stockholder Nominee for election as a director of the Corporation must promptly, but in any event within five (5) business days after such request, submit all completed and signed questionnaires required of directors and officers to the Secretary of the Corporation. The Corporation may request such additional information, or such of the foregoing information in a form provided by the Secretary upon written request, as necessary to permit the Board of Directors to determine if each Stockholder Nominee satisfies the requirements of this Section 1.12.

(g) In the event that any information or communications provided by the Eligible Stockholder or the Stockholder Nominee to the Corporation or its stockholders ceases to be true and correct in all material respects or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, each Eligible Stockholder or Stockholder Nominee, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Secretary of the Corporation of any defect in such previously provided information and of the information that is required to correct any such defect; it being understood that providing any such notification shall not be deemed to cure any such defect or limit the remedies available to the Corporation relating to any such defect.

(h) The Corporation shall not be required to include in its proxy materials for any meeting of stockholders, pursuant to this Section 1.12, a Stockholder Nominee (A) for which the Secretary of the Corporation receives a notice that a stockholder has nominated such Stockholder Nominee for election to the Board of Directors pursuant to the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominees for director set forth in Section 1.2 of these bylaws, (B) if the Eligible Stockholder who has nominated such Stockholder Nominee has engaged in or is currently engaged in, or has been or is a “participant” in, another person’s “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the annual meeting other than its Stockholder Nominee(s) or a nominee of the Board of Directors, (C) who is not independent under the listing standards of each principal U.S. exchange upon which the common stock of the Corporation is listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing independence of the Corporation’s directors, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors, (D) who does not qualify as a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Act, (E) whose

 

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election as a member of the Board of Directors would cause the Corporation to be in violation of these bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, the rules and listing standards of the principal U.S. exchanges upon which the common stock of the Corporation is traded, or any applicable state or federal law, rule or regulation, (F) who is currently or was within the last three (3) calendar years an officer, employee or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, as amended, (G) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in such a criminal proceeding within the past ten (10) years, (H) who is subject to any order of the type specified in Rule 506(d) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (I) if such Stockholder Nominee or the applicable Eligible Stockholder shall have provided information to the Corporation in respect to such nomination that was not true or correct in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as determined by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, or (J) if such Stockholder Nominee or the applicable Eligible Stockholder has breached or has failed to comply with any of its or their obligations under this Section 1.12 or any of its or their representations or agreements set forth in the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Section 1.12) or any of the information in the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Section 1.12) was not, when provided, true or correct or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances they were made, not misleading, or the requirements of this Section 1.12 have not otherwise been met.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting of stockholders shall declare a nomination by an Eligible Stockholder to be invalid, and such nomination shall be disregarded and no vote on such Stockholder Nominee will occur, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation, if (A) the Stockholder Nominee(s) becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at the annual meeting, as determined by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, (B) the Stockholder Nominee(s) and/or the applicable Eligible Stockholder shall have breached or failed to comply with any of its or their obligations under this Section 1.12 or any of its or their representations or agreements set forth in the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Section 1.12) or any of the information in the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination (or otherwise submitted pursuant to this Section 1.12) was not, when provided, true or correct or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances they were made, not misleading, or the requirements of this Section 1.12 have not otherwise been met, as determined by the Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting, or (C) the Eligible Stockholder (or a qualified representative thereof) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders to present any nomination pursuant to this Section 1.12. In addition, the Corporation will not be required to include in its proxy materials any successor or replacement Stockholder Nominee proposed by the applicable Eligible Stockholder or any other Eligible Stockholder.

(j) With respect to any particular annual meeting, no stockholder or other person may be a member of more than one group of persons constituting an Eligible Stockholder under this Section 1.12.

(k) The Board of Directors (and any other person or body authorized by the Board of Directors) shall have the power and authority to interpret this Section 1.12 and to make any and all determinations necessary or advisable to apply this Section 1.12 to any persons, facts, or circumstances, including the power to determine whether: (i) a person or group of persons qualifies as an Eligible Stockholder, (ii) outstanding shares of the Corporation’s capital stock are “owned” for purposes of meeting the ownership requirements of this Section 1.12, (iii) a notice complies with the requirements of this Section 1.12, (iv) a person satisfies the qualifications and requirements to be a Stockholder Nominee, (v) inclusion of the Required Information in the Corporation’s proxy statement is consistent with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and listing standards and (vi) any and all requirements of this Section 1.12 have been satisfied. Any such interpretation or determination adopted in good faith by the Board of Directors (or any other person or body authorized by the Board of Directors) shall be conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Corporation and all record or beneficial owners of stock of the Corporation.

 

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SECTION 2 — BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 2.1. General Powers and Qualifications of Directors.

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities these bylaws expressly confer upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by the DGCL or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation to be qualified for election or service as a director of the Corporation.

Section 2.2. Removal; Resignation.

Except as otherwise provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing, including by electronic transmission, to the Corporation.

Section 2.3. Regular Meetings.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the place (if any), on the date and at the time as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of a regular meeting, the date of which has been so publicized, shall not be required.

Section 2.4. Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the Lead Director or by two or more directors then in office and shall be held at the place, if any, on the date and at the time as they shall fix. Notice of the place, if any, date and time of each special meeting shall be given to each director either (a) by mailing written notice thereof not less than five days before the meeting, or (b) by telephone, email, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission providing notice thereof not less than twenty-four hours before the meeting. Any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.5. Quorum.

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date or time, without further notice or waiver thereof.

Section 2.6. Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone or Other Communications Equipment.

Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other director, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 2.7. Conduct of Business.

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in the order and manner that the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present, provided a quorum is present at the time such matter is acted upon, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws or required by applicable law. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may take action without a meeting if all members thereof

 

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consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings, or electronic transmission or electronic transmissions, are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 2.8. Compensation of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall be authorized to fix the compensation of directors. The directors of the Corporation shall be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and shall be reimbursed a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors, paid an annual retainer or paid other compensation, including equity compensation, as directors of the Corporation. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees shall be paid compensation for attending committee meetings and/or have their expenses, if any, of attendance of each meeting of such committee reimbursed.

SECTION 3 — COMMITTEES

Section 3.1. Committees of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors may designate committees of the Board of Directors, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and shall, for those committees, appoint a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in such member’s place, the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member. All provisions of this Section 3.1 are subject to, and nothing in this Section 3.1 shall in any way limit the exercise or method or timing of the exercise of, the rights of any person granted by the Corporation with respect to the existence, duties, composition or conduct of any committee of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4 — OFFICERS

Section 4.1. Generally.

The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and other officers as may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until such officer’s earlier resignation or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The salaries of officers appointed by the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof or by the officers as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.2. President.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these bylaws and to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or which are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation that are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation.

 

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Section 4.3. Vice President.

Each Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to such Vice President by the Board of Directors or the President. One Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s absence or disability.

Section 4.4. Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall have the responsibility for maintaining the financial records of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall make such disbursements of the funds of the Corporation as are authorized and shall render from time to time an account to the Board of Directors of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall also perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 4.5. Secretary.

The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall have charge of the corporate books and shall perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 4.6. Delegation of Authority.

The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

Section 4.7. Removal.

The Board of Directors may remove any officer of the Corporation at any time, with or without cause.

Section 4.8. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Companies.

Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President, or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the President, shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders or equityholders of, or with respect to any action of, stockholders or equityholders of any other entity in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other entity.

SECTION 5 — STOCK

Section 5.1. Certificates of Stock.

Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided in the DGCL. Stock certificates shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (i) the chair of the Board of Directors (if any) or the vice-chair of the Board of Directors (if any), the President or a Vice President, and (ii) the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder. Any signatures on a certificate may be by facsimile.

Section 5.2. Transfers of Stock.

Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation (within or without the State of Delaware) or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation.

Section 5.3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.

In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of the loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or indemnity.

 

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Section 5.4. Regulations.

The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock of the Corporation shall be governed by other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

Section 5.5. Record Date.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

SECTION 6 — INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

Section 6.1. Indemnification.

The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (an “Indemnitee”) who was or is made, or is threatened to be made, a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that an Indemnitee, or a person for whom an Indemnitee is the legal representative, is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or, while a director or an officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, nonprofit entity or other enterprise (including, but not limited to, service with respect to employee benefit plans) (any such entity, an “Other Entity”), against all liability and loss suffered (including, but not limited to, expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnitee only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnitee was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or the Proceeding (or part thereof) relates to the enforcement of the Corporation’s obligations under this Section 6.1.

 

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Section 6.2. Advancement of Expenses.

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Indemnitee to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 6 or otherwise.

Section 6.3. Claims.

If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such proceeding) or advancement of expenses under this Section 6 is not paid in full within sixty (60) days after a written claim therefor by the Indemnitee has been received by the Corporation, the Indemnitee may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

Section 6.4. Insurance.

The Corporation shall purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of the Corporation, or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of an Other Entity, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Section 6.

Section 6.5. Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

The rights conferred on any Indemnitee by this Section 6 are not exclusive of other rights arising under any bylaw, agreement, vote of directors or stockholders or otherwise, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of such Indemnitee.

Section 6.6. Amounts Received from an Other Entity.

Subject to Section 6.7, the Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Indemnitee who was or is serving at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee, member, trustee or agent of an Other Entity shall be reduced by any amount such Indemnitee may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such Other Entity.

Section 6.7. Indemnification Priority.

As between the Corporation and any other person (other than an entity directly or indirectly controlled by the Corporation) who provide indemnification to the Indemnitees for their service to, or on behalf of, the Corporation (collectively, the “Secondary Indemnitors”) (i) the Corporation shall be the full indemnitor of first resort in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses in connection with any Jointly Indemnifiable Claims (as defined below), pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 6, irrespective of any right of indemnification, advancement of expenses or other right of recovery any Indemnitee may have from any Secondary Indemnitor (i.e., the Corporation’s obligations to such Indemnitees are primary and any obligation of any Secondary Indemnitor to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same loss or liability incurred by such Indemnitees is secondary to the Corporation’s obligations), (ii) the Corporation shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by any such Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all liability and loss suffered by such Indemnitee (including, but not limited to, expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding), without regard to any rights any such Indemnitee may have against any Secondary Indemnitor, and (iii) the Corporation irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases each

 

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Secondary Indemnitor from any and all claims against such Secondary Indemnitor for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Corporation shall indemnify each Secondary Indemnitor directly for any amounts that such Secondary Indemnitor pays as indemnification or advancement on behalf of any such Indemnitee and for which such Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification from the Corporation in connection with Jointly Indemnifiable Claims. No right of indemnification, advancement of expenses or other right of recovery that an Indemnitee may have from any Secondary Indemnitor shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnitee or the obligations of the Corporation hereunder. No advancement or payment by any Secondary Indemnitor on behalf of any such Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which such Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Corporation shall affect the foregoing and the Secondary Indemnitors shall be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Indemnitee against the Corporation. Each Indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure the rights of such Indemnitee’s Secondary Indemnitors under this Section 6.7, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Secondary Indemnitors effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights, including in the right of the Corporation. Each of the Secondary Indemnitors shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 6.7, entitled to enforce this Section 6.7. As used in this Section 6.7, the term “Jointly Indemnifiable Claims” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any action, suit, proceeding or other matter for which an Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses from both a Secondary Indemnitor and the Corporation, whether pursuant to Delaware law, any agreement or certificate of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or comparable organizational documents of the Corporation or the Secondary Indemnitors, as applicable.

Section 6.8. Amendment or Repeal.

Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses of any Indemnitee arising hereunder shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal of this Section 6 after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit, proceeding or other matter for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.

Section 6.9. Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

This Section 6 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.

Section 6.10. Reliance.

Indemnitees who after the date of the adoption of this Section 6 become or remain an Indemnitee described in Section 6.1 will be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advancement of expenses and other rights contained in this Section 6 in entering into or continuing the service. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 6 will apply to claims made against any Indemnitee described in Section 6.1 arising out of acts or omissions that occurred or occur either before or after the adoption of this Section 6 in respect of service as a director or officer of the Corporation or other service described in Section 6.1.

SECTION 7 — NOTICES

Section 7.1. Notices.

Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to directors and stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. If mailed, notice to a stockholder of the Corporation shall be deemed given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to a stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders of the Corporation may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL.

 

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Section 7.2. Waivers.

A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder or director, or a waiver by electronic transmission by such person or entity, whether given before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such person or entity. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in the waiver. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the sole purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

SECTION 8 — MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1. Corporate Seal.

The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

Section 8.2. Reliance upon Books, Reports, and Records.

Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall, in the performance of their duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books and records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers, agents or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person or entity as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s or entity’s professional or expert competence and that has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 8.3. Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.

Section 8.4. Time Periods.

In applying any provision of these bylaws that requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days before an event or that an act be done during a specified number of days before an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.

SECTION 9 — AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.

 

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