AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT RELATING TO RETENTION AND NONCOMPETITION AND OTHER COVENANTS

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Title: AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT RELATING TO RETENTION AND NONCOMPETITION AND OTHER COVENANTS
Governing Law: New York Date: 5/9/2008
Industry: BROKER Sector: FINANC

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ex10-1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT RELATING TO RETENTION AND

NONCOMPETITION AND OTHER COVENANTS

AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 7, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Lazard Ltd, a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (“PubliCo”), Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and successor to Lazard LLC (“Lazard”), on its behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively with Lazard, PubliCo, and its and their predecessors and successors, the “Firm”), and Steven J. Golub (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Firm and the Executive wish to amend the Agreement Relating to Retention and Noncompetition and Other Covenants, dated as of May 4, 2005 (the “Original Agreement Date”), by and among Lazard and the Executive (the “Original Agreement”) to (i) make PubliCo, a party to this Agreement, and (ii) modify the terms of the Original Agreement to, among other things, extend certain of the obligations under Section 3 thereof and to make such other changes as are necessary in order for the terms thereof to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and

WHEREAS, as of the Original Agreement Date, the Executive was a “Managing Director” and a “Class A Member” of Lazard (each as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Lazard, dated as of January 1, 2002, as amended (as it may be amended from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”)); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the LLC Agreement and those certain Goodwill Vesting Agreement and Acknowledgements entered into between Lazard and the Executive (each a “Goodwill Agreement,” and, together with the LLC Agreement, the “Current Agreements”), as a Class A Member of Lazard, the Executive is subject to certain restrictions relating to competition and solicitation; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the Executive’s participation in the reorganization of Lazard (the “Reorganization”) that occurred substantially on the terms and conditions described in Amendment No. 2 to the draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “S-1”) dated March 21, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, relating to the initial public offering (the “IPO” and together with the Reorganization and the HoldCo Formation (as defined below), as each was modified, adjusted or implemented after the Original Agreement Date, the “Transactions”) of shares of Class A common stock of PubliCo, the Executive agreed to enter into the Original Agreement with Lazard to set forth the Executive’s (1) understanding of the terms of the Transactions applicable to the Executive as a Class A Member (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and as a member of a newly formed Delaware limited liability company (“HoldCo”) to be formed in connection with the Reorganization and of the fact that the terms were in draft form and were subject to change or alteration after the Original Agreement Date (other than as expressly provided in the Original Agreement), and approval of the Transactions (including as such terms may be changed or altered), (2) continuing employment commitment in contemplation of the IPO and following the IPO, as well as the terms and conditions of the Executive’s continued employment with the Firm prior to the IPO (as provided in Section 3(b)), and (3) obligations in respect of keeping information concerning the Firm confidential, not engaging in competitive activities, not soliciting the Firm’s clients, not hiring the Firm’s employees, not disparaging the Firm or its directors, members or employees, and cooperating with the Firm in maintaining certain relationships, while employed by the Firm and following the termination of the Executive’s employment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Effective Date, the Executive, PubliCo and Lazard hereby agree to amend and restate the Original Agreement to reflect the addition of PubliCo as a party and to modify the terms of the Original Agreement to, among other things, make the changes to Section 3 of the Original Agreement as described in the first recital above.

1. Term. Subject to Sections 3(d) and (e), Section 10(c) and Section 16(b), the “Term” of this Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall continue until March 31, 2011.

2. The Transactions.

(a) Participation in the Reorganization. The Executive hereby acknowledges that he has reviewed and understands the terms of the proposed Transactions and that such terms, including the structure of the Transactions, may be modified or otherwise altered by the Board of Directors of Lazard, an authorized committee thereof or the “Head of Lazard and Chairman of the Executive Committee” (as defined in the LLC Agreement) as such person(s) may determine in furtherance of the purposes underlying the Transactions. The Executive hereby covenants to execute and deliver such documents, consents and agreements as shall be necessary to effectuate each of the Transactions (as described in the S-1 or as such Transactions may be modified or altered in accordance with the foregoing sentence), including, without limitation, any amendments to the Current Agreements or this Agreement (solely to the extent such amendments are necessary to effectuate any such modifications and alterations to the Transactions and are not inconsistent with the intent and purpose of this Agreement and other than as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 2(a)), a customary accredited investor representation letter, a HoldCo membership agreement and the stockholders’ agreement referred to in Section 2(f). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event shall the following provisions be modified in a manner that materially and adversely affects the following rights of the Executive as and to the extent set forth in such provisions of this Agreement: (i) Section 2(c) solely with respect to the vesting of the Class A-2 Interests and the corresponding Holdco Interests, (ii) Section 2(e) solely with respect to the timing of payment of the memo and other capital in Lazard, (iii) Section 2(g)(i) solely with respect to the last sentence thereof relating to the restrictive covenants applicable to the Exchangeable Interests, (iv) Section 2(g)(ii) solely with respect to the timing of exchangeability of the Exchangeable Interests, (v) Section 2(g)(iv) solely with respect to the definition of Cause, and (vi) Schedule I.

(b) Formation of HoldCo. Effective upon the Reorganization and consummation of the mandatory sale of all “Interests” (as defined in the LLC Agreement) pursuant to Section 6.02(b) of the LLC Agreement (as the provisions of such Section 6.02(b) may be waived or modified) or otherwise (the “HoldCo Formation”), and provided that as of the effective time of the HoldCo Formation the Executive continues to be employed by the Firm, the Executive shall receive, in exchange for the Executive’s Class A Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) outstanding immediately prior to the HoldCo Formation, the percentage of membership interests in HoldCo set forth on Schedule I attached hereto (such percentage to be increased pro rata to reflect the redemption of Class B-1 Interests pursuant to the Reorganization) that have substantially the same rights, obligations and terms (including with respect to vesting) with respect to HoldCo pursuant to the HoldCo limited liability company operating agreement (the “HoldCo LLC Agreement”) and applicable law as those of the exchanged Class A Interests, except as provided herein, including in Sections 2(a) and 2(d), or except to the extent that any other changes, taken as a whole with any benefits provided, are not materially adverse to the Executive (such membership interests, the “HoldCo Interests”). The Holdco LLC Agreement will include those terms set forth on Schedule II attached hereto, subject to the limitations set forth therein.

(c) Vesting of Class A-2 Interests (or the Holdco Interests Corresponding to Such Class A-2 Interests). Subject to the consummation of the HoldCo Formation and subject to and effective upon the closing of the IPO (the “IPO Date”), and provided that as of the IPO Date the Executive continues to be employed by the Firm (or has had his employment terminated by the Firm without “Cause” (as defined below) or on account of “disability” within the meaning of the long-term disability plan of the Firm applicable to the Executive (“Disability”) or death), following the date hereof and prior to the IPO Date, the Class A-2 Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) (the “Class A-2 Interests”) held by the Executive as of the date hereof (or upon consummation of the Reorganization, the HoldCo Interests received by the Executive in the Reorganization that correspond to the Executive’s Class A-2 Interests as of the date hereof) that are not vested as of the IPO Date, shall become fully vested. Such vesting shall occur (i) in the case of a termination of employment prior to the IPO Date on the terms described above in this Section 2(c), on the date of such termination (provided that in the event that the IPO Date shall not occur as contemplated by this Agreement, such vesting shall be deemed not to have occurred, unless it is otherwise provided by the Current Agreements) or (ii) in any other case, on the IPO Date.

(d) Profits Interest Allocation. In connection with the Reorganization, subject to the consummation of the HoldCo Formation and subject to and effective upon the closing of the IPO, and provided that as of the IPO Date the Executive continues to be employed by HoldCo or one of its affiliates (including Lazard), the Executive shall become a member participating in the profits of HoldCo with a profit percentage in HoldCo of no less than the amount specified on Schedule I attached hereto (the “Profits Interest”) (such percentage to be increased pro rata to reflect the redemption of Class B-1 Interests pursuant to the Reorganization) having the rights, obligations and terms set forth in the HoldCo LLC Agreement so long as the Executive shall remain employed by the Firm. Subject to the provisions of the HoldCo LLC Agreement and the determination of the Board of Directors of HoldCo (the “HoldCo Board”), HoldCo shall make (i) distributions in respect of income taxes arising from such Profit Interests and (ii) from and after the third anniversary of the IPO Date distributions that are intended to be equivalent to the aggregate amount of dividends that the Executive (and, if applicable, the Executive’s “Entities” (as defined below)) would have received had the Executive (and, if applicable, the Executive’s Entities) exchanged such person’s “Exchangeable Interests” (as defined below) for exchangeable membership interests in Lazard that were then immediately exchanged for “PubliCo Shares” (as defined below) effective as of the third anniversary of the IPO Date (with such amount of distributions, and such profit percentage, to be adjusted from time to time to reflect the actual exchange, in whole or in part, of such Exchangeable Interests).

(e) Treatment of Memo Capital and Other Capital. Upon the HoldCo Formation, HoldCo shall assume the obligations of Lazard for memo capital and other capital in Lazard, and the Executive hereby acknowledges such assumption and releases Lazard in full from such obligations. HoldCo shall distribute to the Executive amounts in respect of the Executive’s assumed memo capital in respect of Class A-1 capital and former Class A-1 capital, if any, in equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the IPO Date, plus any interest accrued through each distribution date. The Executive further hereby agrees that all of his rights and title to and in any and all capital of HoldCo allocated with respect to any Exchangeable Interests which are exchanged for exchangeable membership interests in Lazard that are in turn exchanged for PubliCo Shares, and the related profits interests (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the capital to be repaid in accordance with the immediately foregoing sentence), shall be forfeited without payment therefor, effective immediately upon the exchange of such Exchangeable Interests. This Section 2(e) supercedes and replaces any other agreements or understandings with respect to all capital of Lazard and HoldCo, other than in respect of earnings on such capital, which shall be continued in accordance with past practice.

(f) Stockholders’ Agreement. The Executive hereby agrees that all Exchangeable Interests and PubliCo Shares (as defined in Section 2(g)(i)) held by the Executive and the Executive’s Entities (including PubliCo Shares obtained pursuant to the exchange of Exchangeable Interests for exchangeable membership interests in Lazard which are then exchanged for PubliCo Shares) shall be subject to a stockholders’ agreement which shall provide, among other things, that the Executive (on behalf of himself and any “Entity” (as defined in Section 2(g)(ii)) to whom he has transferred any Class A-2 Interests (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or transfers any such Exchangeable Interests or PubliCo Shares) shall delegate to such person(s) or entity as is described in such agreement the right to vote PubliCo Shares held by the Executive or by any such Entity to whom he made such a transfer. The Executive hereby agrees to execute and deliver such stockholders’ agreement (or, in the case of any Entity, to cause the execution and delivery thereof) in accordance with the HoldCo LLC Agreement. The stockholders’ agreement will include those terms set forth on Schedule III attached hereto, subject to the limitations set forth therein.

(g) Exchangeable Interests.

(i) A portion of the HoldCo Interests received by the Executive pursuant to Section 2(b) equal in percentage to the Executive’s Lazard Class A-2 Interests as of the IPO Date as adjusted in the same manner as all other Lazard Class A-2 Interests in connection with the HoldCo Formation (such portion, the “Exchangeable Interests”) shall be exchangeable, on the terms set forth in this Section 2(g) and the HoldCo LLC Agreement, for membership interests in Lazard that are in turn exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock of PubliCo (“PubliCo Shares”), such exchange to be accomplished in each case by HoldCo distributing to the Executive (in exchange for the appropriate portion of the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests) the corresponding portion of HoldCo’s applicable ownership interest in Lazard and causing PubliCo to issue the PubliCo Shares to the Executive in exchange for such distributed ownership interest in Lazard (or such other structure as may be reflected in the Holdco LLC Agreement and documents ancillary thereto which provide for a similar exchange, directly or indirectly, of Exchangeable Interests for PubliCo Shares). The documents reflecting the Exchangeable Interests shall contain the restrictive covenants set forth in the HoldCo LLC Agreement addressing the subject matter of the Covenants, which covenants shall be consistent with, and no more restrictive on the Executive than those contained in this Agreement. The Executive’s Exchangeable Interests shall not be subject to reduction for any reason.

(ii) Subject to the provisions of the HoldCo LLC Agreement, the Exchangeable Interests may be exchanged for exchangeable membership interests in Lazard that are in turn exchangeable for PubliCo Shares as described above, at the Executive’s election, on and after the eighth anniversary of the IPO Date; provided, however, that (A) if the Executive remains employed by the Firm through the third anniversary of the IPO Date, the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests (and any Exchangeable Interests held by any trust or any entity that is wholly-owned by the Executive or of which the entire ownership or beneficial interests are held by any combination of the Executive and his spouse, parents, and any of their descendants by lineage or adoption (an “Entity”)), may be exchanged for exchangeable membership interests in Lazard that are in turn exchangeable for PubliCo Shares, in whole or in part, at the Executive’s (or, if applicable, such Entity’s) election, in three equal installments on and after each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the IPO Date, provided that each such installment may be exchanged only if the Executive has complied with the Covenants (as defined in Section 10), and (B) if the Executive remains employed by the Firm through the second anniversary of the IPO Date (but not through the third anniversary of the IPO Date), the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests may be exchanged, in whole or in part, at the Executive’s (or, if applicable, such Entity’s) election, in three equal installments on and after each of the fourth, fifth and sixth anniversaries of the IPO Date, provided that each such installment may be exchanged only if the Executive has complied with the Covenants. Notwithstanding the above, (w) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Firm without “Cause” or by the Executive for Good Reason (each as defined below) or by reason of the Executive’s Disability prior to the third anniversary of the IPO Date, the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests may be exchanged as if the Executive had remained employed on the third anniversary of the IPO Date and complied with the requirements of clause (A) above (i.e., the Executive may exchange his Exchangeable Interests on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the IPO Date as described in clause (A) above, provided that each such installment may be exchanged only if the Executive has complied with the Covenants); (x) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death (1) prior to or on the second anniversary of the IPO Date, the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests shall, at the election of the Firm, either (A) become exchangeable in full no later than the first anniversary of such death or (B) be purchased by HoldCo at the trading price of PubliCo Shares on the date of such repurchase no later than the first anniversary of such death or (2) subsequent to the second anniversary of the IPO Date but prior to the fourth anniversary of the IPO Date, the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests may, to the extent not previously exchanged, be exchangeable in full on the later of (A) the third anniversary of the IPO Date and (B) the anniversary of the IPO Date next following such death; (y) if following the IPO Date and prior to the third anniversary of the IPO Date, the Executive’s employment terminates due to his “Retirement” (defined as the voluntary resignation by the Executive on or after the date he attains age 65 or attains age 55 and has at least ten years of continuous service as a managing director of Lazard or one of its affiliates) and thereafter the Executive dies, the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests shall be treated as set forth in clause (x) of this Section, provided that the Covenants have been complied with since his retirement without regard to the time limits set forth therein; and (z) in the event of a “Change of Control” (as defined in the HoldCo LLC Agreement), the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests shall be exchanged prior to the occurrence of such event at a time and in a fashion designed to allow the Executive to participate in the Change of Control transaction on a basis no less favorable (prior to any applicable taxes) than that applicable to holders of PubliCo Shares.

(iii) Prior to the applicable exchange date and as a condition to the exchange of the Exchangeable Interests for PubliCo Shares, the Executive shall have entered into a stockholders’ agreement, as described in Section 2(f), and otherwise complied in all material respects with the terms of the HoldCo LLC Agreement applicable to such exchange. Each of HoldCo and PubliCo shall have the right to require the exchange of all or part of the Executive’s Exchangeable Interests for PubliCo Shares during the period beginning on the ninth anniversary of the IPO Date and ending 30 days after such anniversary.

(iv) For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (A) conviction of the Executive of, or a guilty or nolo contendere plea (or the equivalent in a non-United States jurisdiction) by the Executive to, a felony (or the equivalent in a non-United States jurisdiction), or of any other crime that legally prohibits the Executive from working for the Firm; (B) breach by the Executive of a regulatory rule that materially adversely affects the Executive’s ability to perform his duties to the Firm; (C) willful and deliberate failure on the part of the Executive (i) to perform his employment duties in any material respect or (ii) to follow specific reasonable directions received from the Firm, in each case following written notice to the Executive of such failure and, if such failure is curable, the Executive’s failing to cure such failure within a reasonable time (but in no event less than 30 days); or (D) a breach of the Covenants that is (individually or combined with other such breaches) demonstrably and materially injurious to Lazard or any of its affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the events described in clauses (B) and (C)(i) hereof, the Executive’s acts or failure to act shall not constitute Cause to the extent taken (or not taken) based upon the direct instructions of the Head of Lazard (or after the IPO Date, the Chief Executive Officer of PubliCo (the “CEO”) or the Board of Directors of PubliCo (the “PubliCo Board”)) or a more senior executive officer of Lazard.

(h) Registration; Dilution. The definitive agreements relating to the Transactions will contain (i) provisions obligating PubliCo to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in order to register the reoffer and resale of the PubliCo Shares on and following the exchange of the Exchangeable Interests, subject to customary blackout provisions and other customary restrictions, and obligating PubliCo to use reasonable efforts to list such PubliCo Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, and (ii) customary antidilution and corporate event adjustment protections (consistent with adjustments applicable to PubliCo Shares) with respect to the Exchangeable Interests and the Exchangeable Interests’ exchange rights into PubliCo Shares.

(i) Cooperation With Respect to Taxes. Lazard shall use its reasonable efforts to structure the Transactions in a manner that does not result in any material tax to the Executive (that the Executive would not have incurred in the absence of the Transactions) upon the exchange of the Class A-2 Interests into Exchangeable Interests or other exchange of Class A-2 Interests into HoldCo Interests, it being understood that this shall not be a commitment to maintain the current tax treatment or benefits applicable to the Executive.

(j) HoldCo Governance Structure. Lazard shall use its reasonable efforts to structure the HoldCo governance terms with a view to permitting it to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, with respect to making the distributions and payments provided for in Sections 2(d) and (e) and permitting and effecting the exchange of the Exchangeable Interests for PubliCo Shares in the manner and at the times contemplated by Section 2(g).

3. Continued Employment.

(a) Employment. The Executive hereby agrees to continue in the employ of the Firm, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

(b) Duties and Responsibilities; Code of Conduct. During the Term, the Executive shall serve as a Managing Director of Lazard, Vice Chairman of PubliCo and the Chairman of the Financial Advisory Group of Lazard Group, LLC. In such positions, the Executive shall have such duties and responsibilities as the CEO may from time to time determine and as are commensurate with such positions. During the Term, other than in respect of charitable, educational and similar activities which do not materially affect the Executive’s duties to the Firm (or in respect of directorships, trusteeships, or similar posts, in each case, that were approved by the head of the Lazard house at which the Executive serves as a Managing Director prior to the IPO Date, or the CEO or PubliCo Board as per the policy of PubliCo from and after the IPO Date), the Executive shall devote his entire working time, labor, skill and energies to the business and affairs of the Firm. During the Term, the Executive shall comply with the Firm’s professional code of conduct as in effect from time to time and shall execute on an annual basis and at such additional times as the Firm may reasonably request such code as set forth in the Firm’s “Professional Conduct Manual” or other applicable manual or handbook of the Firm as in effect from time to time and applicable to other managing directors in the same geographic location as the Executive.

(i) Base Salary. During the Term, subject to the Executive’s continued employment hereunder, the Executive shall be paid a base salary at an annual rate of $900,000 (the “Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Firm’s normal payroll practices. The CEO, the PubliCo Board or a committee of the PubliCo Board (the “Committee”) may from time to time review and increase the Executive’s Base Salary in his, or its sole discretion, as applicable. For purposes hereof, the term Base Salary shall refer to Base Salary as in effect from time to time, including any increases.

(ii) Annual Bonus. With respect to each fiscal year of Lazard ending during the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive, so long as the Executive remains employed by the Firm through the end of the applicable fiscal year of Lazard, an annual bonus to be determined under the terms of the applicable annual bonus plan of Lazard on the same basis as annual bonus is determined for other executive officers of PubliCo, with such bonus to be paid in the same ratio of cash to equity awards as is applicable to executives of the Firm receiving bonuses at a level comparable to the bonus of the Executive (each year’s award paid pursuant to this Section 3(c)(ii) shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Bonus”). Consistent with the policies and programs generally applicable to the senior most executives of the Firm, any portion of the Bonus that is satisfied in the form of equity compensation may be subject to vesting conditions and/or restrictive covenants (it being understood that the sole remedy for violation of any such restrictive covenants shall be forfeiture of such equity compensation and/or recapture of previous gains in respect of such equity compensation and that notwithstanding Section 11(b), money damages shall not be an available remedy).

(iii) Long-term Incentive Compensation. With respect to each fiscal year of Lazard ending during the Term, subject to the Executive’s continued employment hereunder, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in any equity incentive plan for executives of the Firm as may be in effect from time to time, in accordance with the terms of any such plan.

(iv) Employee Benefit Plans. During the Term, subject to the Executive’s continued employment hereunder, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the employee retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs of the type made available to the senior most executives of the Firm generally, in accordance with their terms and as such plans and programs may be in effect from time to time, including, without limitation, savings, profit-sharing and other retirement plans or programs, 401(k), medical, dental, flexible spending account, hospitalization, short-term and long-term disability and life insurance plans.

(d) Termination of Employment.

(i) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Term. If the Firm determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Term, it may give the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 16(c) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Firm shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties.

(ii) Cause. The Firm may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Term either with or without Cause.

(iii) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated during the portion of the Term commencing on the Effective Date by the Executive with or without Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean in the absence of a written consent of the Executive: (A) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any material respect with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect as of the Effective Date, or any other action by the Firm which results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities from the level in effect as of the Effective Date, (B) a material breach by the Firm of the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any material failure by the Firm to comply with any of the provisions of Section 3(c) of this Agreement, or (C) any requirement that the Executive’s principal place of employment be relocated to a location that increases the Executive’s commute from his primary residence by more than 30 miles. In the event of a termination for Good Reason, the notice requirements of Sections 3(d)(iv) and (v) shall not apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a termination for Good Reason shall not have occurred unless (I) the Executive gives written notice to Lazard of termination of employment within ninety (90) days after the Executive first becomes aware of the occurrence of the circumstances constituting Good Reason, specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances constituting Good Reason, and Lazard has failed within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice to cure the circumstances constituting Good Reason, and (II) the Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) occurs no later than two years following the initial existence of one or more of the circumstances giving rise to Good Reason. The failure by the Executive to set forth in the written notice any fact which contributes to a showing of Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Executive hereunder or preclude the Executive from asserting such fact in enforcing the Executive’s rights hereunder. For purposes of this Section 3(d)(iii), the “Date of Termination” shall be the earlier of (i) the last day of the cure period (assuming no cure has occurred) and (ii) the date Lazard formally notifies the Executive that it does not intend to cure, unless Lazard and the Executive agree to a later date, which shall in no event be later than 30 days following the first to occur of the dates set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence. The Executive’s mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in clause (A) or (B) shall not affect the Executive’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason.

(iv) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Firm for Cause shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 16(c) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (A) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (B) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (C) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Firm to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause shall not waive any right of the Firm hereunder or preclude the Firm from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Firm’s rights hereunder.

(v) Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Date of Termination” means (A) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Firm for Cause, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein within 30 days of such notice, as the case may be, (B) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Firm other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Firm notifies the Executive of such termination, (C) if the Executive’s employment is voluntarily terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall be the date as specified by the Executive in the Notice of Termination, which date shall not be less than three months after the Executive notifies the Firm of such termination, unless waived in writing by the Firm, and (D) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be. The Firm and the Executive shall take all steps necessary (including with regard to any post-termination services by the Executive) to ensure that any termination described in this Section 3(d) constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which such separation from service takes place shall be the “Date of Termination.”

(e) Obligations of the Firm upon Termination.

(i) By the Firm Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability or By the Executive for Good Reason. If, during the Term, the Firm shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reaso

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