UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
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Sotheby's Holdings, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |||||
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SOTHEBYS
SOTHEBYS
HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 8, 2006
To the Shareholders of
SOTHEBYS HOLDINGS, INC.
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SOTHEBYS HOLDINGS, INC. (the Company) will be held on Monday, May 8, 2006, at the offices of Sothebys, Inc., 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York, at 11:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
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1. To elect nine (9) directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified; |
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2. To consider a proposal to approve the reincorporation of the Company in the State of Delaware (which if approved, will nonetheless not be implemented unless the third and fourth proposals are also approved). The reincorporation will be accomplished by merging the Company into a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware that will be named Sotheby's; |
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3. To consider a proposal to approve a provision in the surviving corporations Delaware certificate of incorporation requiring that any action by shareholders of the surviving corporation may only be taken at a duly called meeting of shareholders (which if approved, will nonetheless not be implemented unless the second and fourth proposals are also approved); |
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4. To consider a proposal to approve a provision in the surviving corporations Delaware certificate of incorporation providing that special shareholder meetings may be called only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Board of Directors or a duly designated committee of the Board of Directors (which if approved, will nonetheless not be implemented unless the second and third proposals are also approved); |
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5. To consider a proposal to approve the Companys Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan, which includes an increase in the number of shares of the Companys Class A Limited Voting Common Stock reserved for issuance under this plan of 4,500,000 shares, from 2,000,000 shares to 6,500,000 shares; |
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6. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2006; and |
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7. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
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The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 24, 2006 as the record date for determining the shareholders that are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
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By Order of
the Board of Directors |
Bloomfield
Hills, Michigan
[April 12, 2006]
SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT INTEND TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND TO RETURN IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE OR TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR BY INTERNET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD. ANY PROXY MAY BE REVOKED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT HAS BEEN VOTED AT THE MEETING.
SOTHEBYS HOLDINGS, INC.
38500 Woodward Avenue
Suite 100
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 8, 2006
ANNUAL MEETING AND RELATED INFORMATION
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
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At the Sothebys Holdings, Inc. (the Company) 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (including any adjournment or postponement, the Meeting), shareholders will consider and vote upon: |
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The election of nine (9) directors (Proposal 1). |
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A proposal to approve the reincorporation of the Company in the State of Delaware (Proposal 2) (which if approved, will nonetheless not be implemented unless Proposal 3 and Proposal 4 are also approved). The reincorporation will be accomplished by merging the Company into a newly-formed, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Delaware subsidiary will be the surviving corporation and be renamed Sothebys. |
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A proposal to approve a provision in the surviving corporations Delaware certificate of incorporation requiring that any action by shareholders of the Company be taken only at a duly called meeting of shareholders (Proposal 3) (which if approved, will nonetheless not be implemented unless Proposal 2 and Proposal 4 are also approved). |
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A proposal to approve a provision in the surviving corporations Delaware certificate of incorporation providing that special shareholder meetings may be called only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Board of Directors or a duly designated committee of the Board of Directors (Proposal 4) (which if approved, will nonetheless not be implemented unless Proposal 2 and Proposal 3 are also approved). |
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A proposal to approve the Companys Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan (the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan), which includes an increase in the number of shares of the Companys Class A Limited Voting Common Stock (the Class A Common Stock), reserved for issuance under this plan of 4,500,000 shares, from 2,000,000 shares (including shares already issued) to 6,500,000 shares of which 4,735,772 shares remain available for issuance (Proposal 5). If the Companys shareholders approve Proposal 5, an amendment approved by the Companys Board of Directors to reduce the number of shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Companys 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the Stock Option Plan), by 6,955,500 shares, from 14,900,000 (including shares already issued and shares underlying outstanding but unexercised options) to 7,944,500 shares of which 500,830 shares remain available for issuance, shall become effective. See the tables under “Proposal 5—Approval of Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan—Number of Shares Available for Future Grants Under Plans for a detailed explanation of these figures.” |
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A proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2006 (Proposal 6). |
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Why am I receiving this Proxy Statement? |
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This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, for use at the Meeting to be held, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, on Monday, May 8, 2006, at the office of Sothebys, Inc., 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York, at 11:00 a.m., local time. The Company expects to first mail this Proxy Statement and the accompanying materials on or about [April 12, 2006]. |
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Who is entitled to vote? |
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Shareholders of record of the Companys Class A Common Stock as of the close of business on March 24, 2006 (the Record Date). At the close of business on the the Record Date, 59,733,442 shares of Class A Stock were outstanding. Each share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be considered at the Meeting. |
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How has the Companys 2005 recapitalization transaction affected who is entitled to vote? |
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The Company entered into a transaction (the Recapitalization) with affiliates of A. Alfred Taubman and his family (collectively, the Shareholders), which includes Robert S. Taubman, a Company director and the son of A. Alfred Taubman, in which all shares of the Companys Class B Common Stock (the Class B Common Stock) held by the Shareholders were either purchased by the Company for cash or converted into shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock. Upon completion of the Recapitalization, the remaining outstanding shares of the Class B Common Stock constituted less than fifty percent of the aggregate voting power of the Companys outstanding capital stock. As a result, pursuant to the Companys Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, each remaining outstanding share of Class B Common Stock was automatically converted into one share of Class A Common Stock without any action on the part of the holder thereof. For further discussion regarding the Recapitalization, see Certain Transactions below. |
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As a result of the Recapitalization, no shares of the Companys Class B Common Stock remain issued and outstanding, and the dual-class supervoting share structure of the Company was effectively eliminated. Consequently, the only shares outstanding of the Company are shares of its Class A Common Stock. |
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How do I vote my shares? |
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You may vote your shares of Class A Common Stock by completing the accompanying proxy card and returning it in the enclosed envelope. In addition, you may vote by telephone or via the Internet pursuant to the instruction contained in the proxy card. |
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What is the effect of my completing and returning the proxy card? |
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A valid proxy from a shareholder will be voted as specified in each proxy card at the Meeting. Any shareholder giving a proxy in the proxy card provided or by telephone or the Internet, pursuant to instructions contained in that card, retains the power to revoke the proxy by written notice to the Company at any time prior to its exercise. |
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How will my shares be voted by the proxies? |
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Unless a shareholder provides contrary instructions on the proxy card, all shares of Class A Common Stock represented by valid proxy cards received pursuant to this solicitation (and not |
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revoked before they are voted) will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The Company knows of no business other than that set forth above to be transacted at the Meeting, but if other matters requiring a vote do arise, it is the intention of Michael I. Sovern and William F. Ruprecht, the persons named in the proxy card and to whom you are granting your proxy, to vote in accordance with their judgment on such matters. |
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Can I vote in person at the Meeting? |
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Yes. Please note, however, that attendance at the Meeting alone will not result in the revocation of your proxy unless you affirmatively indicate at the Meeting that you intend to vote your shares in person. |
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What constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting? |
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The holders of the number of shares possessing a majority of the voting power of all shares entitled to vote at the Meeting, present in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum for the Meeting. |
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How many votes are needed to approve a Proposal? |
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For Proposal 1, the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting is required to elect each of the nominees for director. Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock entitled to vote. The approval of Proposals 3, 4, 5 and 6 each requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. |
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The approval of Proposal 2, concerning the reincorporation of the Company in Delaware, Proposal 3, concerning actions by shareholders by written consent, and Proposal 4, concerning the calling of special meetings of shareholders, are each conditioned upon the approval of the others. Consequently, a vote against one or more of Proposals 2, 3 and 4 will have the effect of a vote against the other linked proposals. |
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Abstentions and broker non-votes (where a broker or nominee is not permitted to vote on a matter without specific instructions from the beneficial owner) are not counted as votes cast on any matter to which they relate, but are counted in determining the presence of a quorum. Proposal 1, the election of directors, is considered a routine matter for which brokers may vote without specific instructions from the beneficial owner. Proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5 are not considered routine matters; accordingly, brokers may not vote on those proposals without such specific instructions. Proposal 6 is considered a routine matter for which brokers may vote without specific instructions from the beneficial owner. |
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Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1 or Proposal 6, but do have the effect of negative votes with respect to Proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5. |
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Who is paying the costs of this proxy solicitation? |
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The Company is paying the costs of this proxy solicitation. The Company has retained Mackenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of votes for a fee of approximately $12,500, plus transaction fees and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Following the mailing of proxy solicitation materials, proxies may be solicited by directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries personally, by telephone or otherwise. Such persons will not receive any fees or other compensation for such solicitation. In addition, the Company will reimburse brokers, custodians, nominees and other persons holding shares of Common Stock for others for their reasonable expenses in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of such shares and in obtaining their proxies. |
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005, which includes financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, and their report thereon dated March 16, 2006 is being mailed with this Proxy Statement to each of the Companys shareholders of record at the close of business on March 24, 2006. ALSO, A COPY OF THE COMPANYS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WILL BE SENT TO ANY SHAREHOLDER, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO INVESTOR RELATIONS, 1334 YORK AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10021, WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY OF THE RECEIPT OF SUCH REQUEST.
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors has recommended to the Board, and the Board has nominated, nine incumbent directors to be elected at the Meeting. The remaining incumbent director, Jeffrey H. Miro, is not standing for reelection to the Board. The Companys shareholders elect directors by a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting. Directors serve until the next annual meeting and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.
The shares of Class A Common Stock represented by the enclosed Proxy, if given and unless otherwise specified, will be voted by the persons named as proxies for the election of the following nine individuals nominated by the Board of Directors. The principal occupation and certain other biographical information regarding each nominee are also set forth below.
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Name |
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Year First |
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Michael Blakenham |
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68 |
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1987 |
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Steven B. Dodge |
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60 |
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2000 |
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The Duke of Devonshire |
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61 |
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1994 |
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Allen Questrom |
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66 |
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2005 |
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William F. Ruprecht |
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50 |
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2000 |
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Michael I. Sovern |
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74 |
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2000 |
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Donald M. Stewart |
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67 |
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2003 |
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Robert S. Taubman |
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52 |
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2000 |
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Robin G. Woodhead |
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54 |
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2000 |
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Lord Blakenham became a director of the Company in 1987. From 1983 to 1997, he was Executive Chairman of Pearson plc, a British media company serving worldwide information, education and entertainment markets, and served as the non-executive Chairman of MEPC plc, a commercial real estate investment and development company, from 1993 to 1998. Lord Blakenham is currently a director of LaFarge SA and from 2001 to 2005 was the President of the British Trust for Ornithology. From 1997 to 2003, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew and has
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also served as Chairman of Japan 2001, a Japanese cultural festival, and as a director of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group.
Mr. Dodge became a director of the Company in August 2000 and is the principal of a private real estate development company, Windover Development LLC. Until February 2004, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of American Tower Corporation, an owner and operator of broadcast and communications towers throughout the United States, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of that company until October 2003. Mr. Dodge had served in those positions since that companys formation in July 1995. He also serves as a director of Nextel Partners, Inc., a wireless telecommunications company. Until November 2002, Mr. Dodge served as a director of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a financial services holding company.
The Duke of Devonshire, formerly the Marquess of Hartington, became a director of the Company in September 1994 and assumed the role of Deputy Chairman of the Company in April 1996. He serves as a director of a number of private companies.
Mr. Questrom became a director of the Company in December 2004. From 2000 to December 2004, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of J.C. Penney Company. Between May 1999 and January 2001, Mr. Questrom served as Chairman of the Board of Barneys New York, Inc., a fashion retailer, and between May 1999 and September 2000, as Chief Executive Officer and President of that company. He also is a principal of AEA Investors, Inc., a partner in Mellon Ventures and a director of the National Retail Federation. Previously, Mr. Questrom was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Neiman Marcus and also has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Federated Department Stores, Inc.
Mr. Ruprecht became a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in February 2000 and served as Executive Vice President of the Company and Managing Director of Sothebys North and South America from February 1994 until February 2000. From 1992 to February 1994, he served as Director of Marketing for the Company worldwide and also oversaw a number of specialist departments. From 1986 to 1992, Mr. Ruprecht served as Director of Marketing for Sothebys, Inc.
Mr. Sovern became a director and Chairman of the Board of the Company in February 2000 and is President Emeritus and the Chancellor Kent Professor of Law of Columbia University. Since 1960, he has been a professor of law at Columbia University and served as the President of Columbia University from 1980 until 1993. Mr. Sovern is a member of the Board of Directors of Comcast Corporation and Sequa Corp. He also has served as the President of the Shubert Foundation since 1996 and serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Japan Society and Chairman Emeritus of the American Academy in Rome.
Mr. Stewart became a director of the Company in April 2003. He is Visiting Professor, Harris School of Public Policy of the University of Chicago and served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chicago Community Trust from 2000 until July 2004 and as President of that organization until 2005. From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Stewart served as Senior Program Officer and Special Advisor to the President, Carnegie Corporation of New York and from 1987 to 1999, he was the President of The College Board, the association of high schools and colleges. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Spelman College from 1976 to 1987. Mr. Stewart was also a director of The New York Times Company and The Campbell Soup Company.
Mr. Taubman became a director of the Company in August 2000. He is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Taubman Centers, Inc. Mr. Taubman joined the Taubman organization in 1976, was elected executive vice president in 1984, chief operating officer in 1988, president and chief executive officer in 1990 and chairman in 2001. He has headed Taubman Centers and served on its board of directors since the companys initial public offering in 1992. Mr. Taubman is a member of the board of
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directors of Comerica Incorporated. He serves as a director of the Real Estate Roundtable in Washington, D.C., as a trustee of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and on the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). Mr. Taubman is immediate past chairman of ULIs Detroit Regional District Council and a member and past trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Mr. Woodhead became a director of the Company in February 2000. He was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company and Chief Executive of Sothebys Europe in December 1998 and in 1999 also became Chief Executive of Sothebys Asia. He was Co-Managing Director, Sothebys Europe from January until December 1998. From 1992 until 1997, he was the Chief Executive of the London Commodity Exchange.
It is not contemplated that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve; however, if any nominee is unable or unwilling to serve, it is intended that the shares represented by the Proxy, if given and unless otherwise specified therein, will be voted for a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors.
MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers
Officers of the Company are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The executive officers of the Company (including certain officers of certain principal subsidiaries and divisions) are listed below, as is biographical information for each person, unless that person has been nominated for a director position, in which case such executive officers biography is contained under the caption Proposal 1 - Election of Directors:
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Susan Alexander |
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52 |
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Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Human Resources |
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George Bailey |
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52 |
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Managing Director, Sothebys Europe |
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Richard C. Buckley |
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43 |
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Managing Director, North America Regional Auction Division |
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Diana Phillips |
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59 |
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Executive Vice President and Worldwide Director of Press and Corporate Affairs |
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Donaldson C. Pillsbury |
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65 |
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Executive Vice President, Worldwide General Counsel and Secretary |
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William S. Sheridan |
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Daryl S. Wickstrom |
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44 |
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Managing Director, Global Auction Division |
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Mitchell Zuckerman |
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59 |
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President, Sothebys Financial Services, Inc. and Sothebys Ventures, LLC |
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William F. Ruprecht |
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50 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Dr. David Ulmer |
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49 |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Technology and Strategy Officer |
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Robin G. Woodhead |
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54 |
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Executive Vice President and Chief Executive, Sothebys Europe and Asia |
Ms. Alexander was appointed Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Human Resources of the Company in October 2004. From January 1986 to October 2004, she served as Senior Vice President and Worldwide Head of Human Resources of the Company and has been employed by the Company since 1984.
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Mr. Bailey became the Managing Director of Sothebys Europe in 1994. Since 1979, he has served in a number of different executive positions with Sothebys.
Mr. Buckley became the Managing Director of Sothebys North American regional auction business in January 2002. From 1999 to 2002, he served in various senior executive positions, including as Managing Director of Sothebys.com. Mr. Buckley also served as head of marketing operations for Sothebys North America from 1996 to 1999, having joined the Company in 1989.
Ms. Phillips became an Executive Vice President of the Company in October 2004. She became Worldwide Director of Press and Corporate Affairs in 1988 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1990. She joined Sothebys in 1985 as Manger of Corporate Information for Sothebys North America. Prior to joining Sothebys, she was with Hill & Knowlton the international public relations firm.
Mr. Pillsbury was appointed Executive Vice President and Worldwide General Counsel in February 2001. Mr. Pillsbury previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company from January 1998 until February 2001. From 1993 until January 1998, he was Senior Counsel to the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell; from 1973 until 1993, he was a partner of that firm. Mr. Pillsbury also is a Director of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and a member of the Distribution Committee of the New York Community Trust.
Mr. Sheridan was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company in February 2001. From November 1996 until February 2001, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Sheridan also serves as a director of Alliance One.
Dr. Ulmer became a Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Company in January 2000 and served as Senior Vice President of Information Technology of the Company from June 1997 until January 2000. In January 2006, he was given added responsibility for strategic planning, adding the title of Chief Strategy Officer to his existing titles.
Mr. Wickstrom became the Managing Director of Sothebys Global Auction Division in January 2002. In 2001, he was appointed Director of Strategic Projects of the Company, having previously served as a Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Company since 1996.
Mr. Zuckerman has been President of Sothebys Financial Services, Inc. since 1988 and Sothebys Ventures, LLC since 1997.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors Generally
Board of Directors Meetings and Attendance. The Board of Directors of the Company met seven times during 2005. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees of the Board on which he served during the applicable time period.
Annual Meeting Attendance by Directors. With respect to the Annual Meeting, the Company expects all Board members to make every effort to attend but also recognizes that unavoidable scheduling conflicts and special individual circumstances need to be taken into account in applying this policy. All of the Board members standing for reelection at the Companys 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders attended that meeting.
Board Sessions of Non-Management Directors. As required by corporate governance rules of The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (NYSE) on which the Companys Class A Common Stock is listed, the non-management directors of the Board of Directors meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. The chairman of these sessions is Mr. Sovern, the Companys Chairman of the Board.
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Board Committees
Audit Committee. The primary purpose of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to insure the integrity of the Companys financial reports. In carrying out its purpose, the Committee serves as an independent and objective monitor of the Companys financial reporting process and internal control systems, including the activities of the Companys independent auditor and internal audit function. The Audit Committee met four times during 2005. Its members are Mr. Dodge (Chairman), Lord Blakenham and Mr. Questrom.
The Companys Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate under the applicable corporate governance rules of the NYSE. In addition, the Board has determined that Steven B. Dodge meets the definition of audit committee financial expert contained in applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Audit Committee operates under a charter that conforms to applicable SEC and NYSE rules.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee undertakes the responsibilities of the Board relating to the compensation of the Companys employees and, in particular, the compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. Its prime responsibilities are to review, evaluate and approve the Companys compensation and other benefit plans, policies and programs. The Compensation Committee met six times during 2005. Its members are Mr. Taubman (Chairman), The Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Miro and Mr. Stewart.
A Section 162(m) Sub-Committee of the Compensation Committee (the Section 162(m) Sub-Committee) also exists and meets as is necessary to oversee and approve certain compensation awards to senior executives in order for the Company to be permitted to deduct such awards as an expense and to comply with certain SEC rules concerning the exemption of employee benefit plan grants from short swing trading liability under those rules. Its members are Mr. Taubman and Mr. Stewart.
The Compensation Committee operates under a charter that conforms to applicable SEC and NYSE rules.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee considers and takes certain corporate action in between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. This committee took action by unanimous written consent during 2005 on 12 occasions, after briefing of individual committee members by the appropriate executive officers. The members of the Committee also consulted with each other on these occasions by telephone, but did not hold formal meetings during 2005. Its members are Mr. Sovern (Chairman), Mr. Dodge and Mr. Ruprecht.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Formed in April 2005, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommends director nominees to be nominated by the Board to stand for election as directors at each annual meeting of shareholders of the Company and to fill vacancies on the Board. Prior to April 2005, the Board has accomplished this through a process guided by its Chairman, Mr. Sovern, and Messrs. Taubman and Ruprecht, in consultation with the companys principal shareholders.
The Committee is also responsible for recommending to the Board appropriate Corporate Governance Guidelines applicable to the Company. This committee did not meet during 2005, in part because of its existence for only a portion of the year. This committee has already held one meeting during 2006 in connection with nominations for directors to be elected at the Meeting, review of the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines and other governance matters. Its current members are Mr. Sovern (Chairman) and Mr. Dodge.
8
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a charter that conforms to applicable SEC and NYSE rules.
Special Committee. The Board formed the Special Committee in July 2005 to carefully examine all details of the Recapitalization. The Special Committee consisted of four disinterested directors, Messrs. Sovern, Dodge, Questrom and Stewart. After careful deliberation and negotiation and based on the advice of independent legal and financial advisors retained by this committee, the Special Committee unanimously recommended that the Companys Board of Directors approve the Recapitalization. This committee met ten times during 2005.
Director Independence and Governance Guidelines
Generally. NYSE corporate governance rules require, among other things, that a majority of a companys directors are independent under those rules. The Board of Directors is responsible for determining whether directors are independent within these rules. To determine whether a particular director is independent, the Board has examined the various relationships of each director to the Company as required by NYSE rules.
Categorical Standards. As permitted by these rules, the Board has adopted the following categorical standards to identify immaterial relationships with the Company that would not disqualify a director from being deemed independent:
|
|
|
1. The Director has received, or an immediate family member has received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years, $100,000 or less in direct compensation from the Company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other deferred compensation for prior service, so long as that compensation is not contingent on continued service; |
|
|
|
2. The Director or an immediate family member is a partner, shareholder or officer of a law firm or other professional service firm that has received less that $150,000 in fees from the Company in any single fiscal year during the preceding three years; |
|
|
|
3. The Company has made a contribution to a tax exempt organization of which the Director or any immediate family member serves as a trustee, director or executive officer and such contributions, for any single fiscal year during the preceding three years, have not exceeded $100,000; |
|
|
|
4. During any single fiscal year within the last three years, the Director, an immediate family member, or a company Controlled by any of them was indebted to the Company, or the Company was indebted to any such person, and either the total amount of such indebtedness did not exceed $100,000 or such indebtedness consists of a loan made in the ordinary course of the Companys art lending business on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for a similarly situated person who is not a Director. Controlled means a company of which the Director or immediate family member beneficially owns a majority of the outstanding voting securities; or |
|
|
|
5. During the last three years, the Director or an immediate family member has purchased or sold property through the Company or its affiliates, so long as such purchases or sales were at public auction or in private transactions in the ordinary course of the Companys business on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for a similarly situated person who is not a Director. |
For purposes of the foregoing standards, an immediate family member includes a Directors spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares the Directors home. When applying the look-back provisions in these standards, individuals who are no longer immediate family members as a result of legal separation or divorce, or those who have died or become incapacitated will not be deemed to be immediate family members.
9
Board Independence Determinations. Upon reviewing each Directors relationships with the Company, after considering all applicable NYSE rules and the stated categorical standards, the Board of Directors has determined that all directors other than the Duke of Devonshire and Messrs. Ruprecht and Woodhead are independent under NYSE rules. The Duke of Devonshire is not independent because of the annual consulting fee he receives from the Company, and Messrs. Ruprecht and Woodhead are not independent as they are, respectively, the President and Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Vice President of the Company. At its February 2006 meeting, the Board of Directors also reviewed the independence of Robert S. Taubman as a result of his interest in the Recapitalization. Though his interest in this transaction may be viewed as being a direct or indirect material one under SEC rules requiring disclosure (see Certain Transactions below), the Board has determined that he continues to be independent under NYSE rules. The NYSE rules focus on the independence of directors from management, and the Board believes that Mr. Taubmans interest in any consideration paid to him and his family in the Recapitalization does not affect his independence from management.
The Board of Directors determined that each member of the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees is independent under NYSE rules. Other than the Duke of Devonshire, the Board also determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under NYSE rules. NYSE rules require that each member of the Compensation Committee be independent, with certain exceptions. In connection with the Companys ceasing to be a controlled company under NYSE rules as a result of the Recapitalization, the Duke of Devonshire may continue to serve on the Compensation Committee during a transition period lasting through September 6, 2007, even though he is not independent.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
As required by NYSE rules, the Company has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines concerning board sessions without management, director education and other matters.
Ethical Conduct
For many years, the Company has had Compliance Policies applicable to all employees. These cover such issues as ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, maintenance of confidentiality of Company and client information and compliance with laws, including specific policies regarding observing export/import, money laundering, data protection and antitrust laws. The Company has an international Compliance Department led by a Worldwide Compliance Director with responsibility for regularly training all relevant employees about the Companys Compliance Policies, auditing compliance with the Compliance Policies and assisting the Company and its employees in interpreting and enforcing the Compliance Policies. To comply with NYSE rules regarding ethical conduct, the Company has incorporated many of these policies in its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
In lieu of reporting any amendments to or waivers with respect to this Code as they may affect or be granted to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and certain other senior financial officers on SEC Form 8-K, the Company will disclose any such amendments or waivers by posting information concerning any amendment or waiver on the Companys website, www.sothebys.com. No such amendments or waivers occurred during 2005.
Availability of Corporate Governance Documents
Copies of the Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on the Companys website, www.sothebys.com. In addition, shareholders may obtain a copy of any of these documents by writing to the Companys Investor Relations Department at 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021.
Shareholder Nomination of Director Candidates
10
The Company does not have a formal policy with respect to director candidates nominated by shareholders and believes that historically the Board process has been effective in assuring that the Companys Class A Common Stock shareholders have appropriate input into the process of determining nominees for election as Directors who will represent their best interests. Since April 2005, the Board has delegated the function of identifying possible director nominees to its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Prior to April 2005, The Board has accomplished this through a process guided by its Chairman, Mr. Sovern, and Messrs. Taubman and Ruprecht, in consultation with the Companys principal shareholders.
Shareholder Communications with Directors
Shareholders may communicate with the Board of Directors, including the non-management directors, by sending written communication to the directors c/o the Companys Worldwide General Counsel, 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021. All such communications will be reviewed by the Worldwide General Counsel, or his designee, to determine which communications will be forwarded to the directors. All communications will be forwarded except those that are solicitations or otherwise relate to improper or irrelevant topics, as determined in the sole discretion of the Worldwide General Counsel or his designee. The Worldwide General Counsel shall maintain copies of all such communications received and forwarded to the Board of Directors and shall report to the Board on the number and nature of communications that were not determined to be forwarded.
11
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Companys Common Stock as of March 24, 2006, the most recent practicable date for the calculation of the ownership table, by (i) each director of the Company; (ii) the Chief Executive Officer and the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company Named; (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group; and (iv) each stockholder known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. In compiling the table, the Company has relied upon information supplied by such persons and upon information contained in SEC filings.
Under applicable rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), a person is deemed to beneficially own shares of Common Stock if that person directly or indirectly has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to those shares. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, the individuals and entities named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock that they respectively own beneficially.
Under applicable Exchange Act rules, a person is also deemed to beneficially own shares which the person has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days. For example, if an individual owns options to acquire 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and those options are or would be exercisable on or before May 18, 2006, that individual will also be deemed to own those 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock as of March 20, 2006.
Each owner of unvested shares of Class A Common Stock (Restricted Stock) issued under the Companys 2003 Restricted Stock Plan, as amended (the Existing Restricted Stock Plan), whether directly or through the Companys Executive Bonus Plan, has the right to vote those shares and receive dividends, if any, with respect to those shares but does not have the right to sell, or otherwise transfer those shares until vesting has occurred.
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
Directors,
Executive Officers |
|
Number of |
|
Percent |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Ariel Capital Management, LLC |
|
3,820,011 |
|
|
6.40 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Bailey |
|
125,986 |
(1) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Blakenham |
|
21,282 |
(2) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven B. Dodge |
|
62,853 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Duke of Devonshire |
|
31,982 |
(3) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FMR Corp |
|
3,894,400 |
|
|
6.51 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey H. Miro |
|
26,027 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allen Questrom |
|
2,783 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William F. Ruprecht |
|
648,175 |
(6) |
|
1.08 |
% |
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
Directors,
Executive Officers |
|
Number of |
|
Percent |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
William S. Sheridan |
|
154,166 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael I. Sovern |
|
6,400 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald M. Stewart |
|
7,638 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Alfred Taubman |
|
4,798,557 |
(9) |
|
8.03 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert S. Taubman |
|
2,410,440 |
(10) |
|
4.03 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Trust Corporation |
|
4,215,286 |
|
|
7.06 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robin G. Woodhead |
|
176,483 |
(11) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mitchell Zuckerman |
|
89,464 |
(12) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group |
|
4,288,701 |
(13) |
|
7.05 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Represents less than 1%. |
|
|
(1) |
Consists of 49,486 shares of unvested Restricted Stock owned by Mr. Bailey and 76,500 shares of Class A Common Stock that he has the right to acquire upon exercising options (Class A Option Stock). |
14
|
|
(2) |
Consists of 3,305 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Lord Blakenham as well as 17,977 Class A Deferred Stock Units (Deferred Stock Units) owned by him, which automatically convert to an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock when a director holding these units terminates service on the board. |
|
|
(3) |
Consists of 14,005 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Duke of Devonshire and 17,977 Deferred Stock Units owned by him. |
|
|
(4) |
Consists of 17,977 Deferred Stock Units owned by Mr. Miro and 8,050 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by his wife and children. |
|
|
(5) |
Consists of 2,783 Deferred Stock Units owned by Mr. Questrom. |
|
|
(6) |
Consists of 56,423 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Mr. Ruprecht, 291,752 shares of unvested Restricted Stock owned by him; and 300,000 shares of Class A Option Stock deemed to be owned by him. |
|
|
(7) |
Consists of 6,095 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Mr. Sheridan; 45,571 shares of unvested Restricted Stock owned by him; 90,000 shares of Class A Option Stock deemed to be owned by him; and 12,500 shares of Class A Option Stock deemed to be owned by his wife, for which Mr. Sheridan disclaims any beneficial ownership.. |
|
|
(8) |
Consists of 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Mr. Stewart and 6,638 Deferred Stock Units owned by him. |
|
|
(9) |
Consists of (i) 2,273,775 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by A. Alfred Taubmans grantor trust, The A. Alfred Taubman Restated Revocable Trust, of which he is the sole trustee, (ii) 769,973 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Mr. Taubmans grantor retained annuity trust, The A. Alfred Taubman 2004 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, of which he is the sole trustee, and (iii) 1,754,809 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Taubman Investments, LLC (TILLC). Mr. Taubman has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares referenced in this footnote. |
|
|
|
Mr. Taubman disclaims any pecuniary interest in the shares owned by TILLC beyond his ownership interest in TILLC. This figure excludes (i) 401,099 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Mr. Taubmans wife, Judith Taubman, including through The Judith M. Taubman Revocable Trust of which Mrs. Taubman is the sole trustee, as to which shares Mr. Taubman has no voting or dispositive power and (ii) 1,908,834 shares of Class A Common Stock held by The A. Alfred Taubman 2003 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, the beneficial ownership of which was transferred to The Family Trust on August 25, 2005, of which Mr. Taubmans three children are the trustees, and as to which shares Mr. Taubman has no voting or dispositive power. Mr. Taubman disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by his wife and beneficially owned by The Family Trust. |
|
|
(10) |
Consists of: 12,853 Deferred Stock Units owned by Robert S. Taubman; 5,500 shares of Class A Common Stock for which Robert S. Taubman is the custodian for the benefit of his four minor children; 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, which his wife owns; 636,278 shares of Class Common Stock owned by The Family Trust, in which Robert S. Taubman has a 1/3 beneficial interest, and 1,754,809 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by TILLC. Robert S. Taubman does not have voting or dispositive control over the shares owned by TILLC and disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares beyond the pecuniary interest he has in TILCC. |
|
|
(11) |
Consists of 2,950 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by Mr. Woodhead; 73,533 shares of unvested Restricted Stock owned by him; and 100,000 shares of Class A Option Stock deemed to be owned by him. |
|
|
(12) |
Consists of 49,464 shares of unvested Restricted Stock owned by Mr. Zuckerman and 40,000 shares of Class A Option Stock deemed to be owned by him. |
15
|
|
(13) |
See above notes. |
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth all compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the Named Executive Officers and, individually, a Named Executive Officer) of the Company during each of the last three years.
Summary Compensation Table
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
Long Term |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus(1) |
|
Other Annual |
|
Restricted |
|
Shares |
|
All Other |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
William F. Ruprecht |
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
650,000 |
|
$ |
1,543,750 |
|
$ |
198,593 |
|
|
28,059 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
182,267 |
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
2004 |
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
$ |
1,250,000 |
|
$ |
129,043 |
|
|
301,591 |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
71,159 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
$ |
15,247 |
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
41,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robin G. Woodhead |
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
473,991 |
|
$ |
641,903 |
|
$ |
7,212 |
|
|
11,658 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
307,935 |
|
|
Executive Vice |
|
|
2004 |
|
$ |
480,494 |
|
$ |
677,655 |
|
$ |
10,393 |
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
294,625 |
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
2003 |
|
$ |
428,759 |
|
$ |
1,268,938 |
|
$ |
6,537 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
230,024 |
|
|
Executive, Sothebys |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe and Asia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Bailey |
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
376,833 |
|
$ |
587,947 |
|
$ |
21,635 |
|
|
10,725 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
115,860 |
|
|
Managing Director, |
|
|
2004 |
|
$ |
382,811 |
|
$ |
600,732 |
|
$ |
21,978 |
|
|
51,682 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
86,064 |
|
|
Sothebys Europe |
|
|
2003 |
|
$ |
317,079 |
|
$ |
846,723 |
|
$ |
19,612 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
38,616 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William S. Sheridan |
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
600,000 |
|
$ |
796,250 |
|
$ |
23,839 |
|
|
15,111 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
157,154 |
|
|
Executive Vice |
|
|
2004 |
|
$ |
600,000 |
|
$ |
1,155,000 |
|
$ |
3,298 |
|
|
40,614 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
83,212 |
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
2003 |
|
$ |
458,333 |
|
$ |
352,500 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
$ |
72,099 |
|
|
Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mitchell Zuckerman |
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
535,000 |
|
$ |
543,750 |
|
$ |
18,000 |
|
|
10,794 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
108,619 |
|
|
President, Sothebys |
|
|
2004 |
|
$ |
535,000 |
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
$ |
24,245 |
|
|
51,561 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
57,949 |
|
|
Financial Services, Inc. |
|
|
2003 |
|
$ |
466,250 |
|
$ |
1,672,500 |
|
$ |
23,623 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
58,971 |
|
|
and Sothebys Ventures, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Bonus amounts in each year include cash paid in the following year in respect of the previous years performance. The bonus amounts disclosed in this column for 2005 consist of a combination of a discretionary bonus and the cash payment portion of a performance bonus paid as a result of the fulfillment of certain pre-established performance criteria by the Company in accordance with the requirements of the Companys Executive Bonus Plan, as follows: |
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
|
Discretionary Bonus |
|
Executive
Bonus |
|
Total |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
William F. Ruprecht |
|
$ |
975,000 |
|
|
$ |
568,750 |
|
|
$ |
1,543,750 |
|
|
Robin G. Woodhead |
|
$ |
405,653 |
|
|
$ |
236,250 |
|
|
$ |
641,903 |
|
|
George Bailey |
|
$ |
370,597 |
|
|
$ |
217,350 |
|
|
$ |
587,947 |
|
|
William S. Sheridan |
|
$ |
490,000 |
|
|
$ |
306,250 |
|
|
$ |
796,250 |
|
|
Mitchell Zuckerman |
|
$ |
325,000 |
|
|
$ |
218,750 |
|
|
$ |
543,750 |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
The amounts disclosed in this column for 2005 consist of: |
|
|
|
|
(a) | Car allowances in the following amounts: $155,101 for Mr. Ruprecht (including cost of driver); $7,212 for Mr. Woodhead, $21,635 for Mr. Bailey and $18,000 for Mr. Zuckerman. | |
|
|
|
(b) |
A spousal travel allowance in the amount of $25,627 for Mr. Ruprecht. |
|
|
|
|
(c) |
Various membership dues in the amount of $6,483 for Mr. Ruprecht and $12,096 for Mr. Sheridan. |
|
|
|
|
(d) |
Financial planning services and legal services in the amounts of: $11,382 provided to Mr. Ruprecht and $11,743 provided to Mr. Sheridan; |
|
|
|
|
(e) |
Private health care premiums of $3,126 and $1,305 for Mr. Bailey and Mr. Woodhead, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
The amounts disclosed in this column for 2005 consist of the restricted stock awards listed in the following table, all of which were part of certain performance bonuses granted under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan pursuant to the achievement by the Company of certain performance-based criteria with respect to 2005 under the Executive Bonus Plan. The cash award component of these performance bonuses for each Named Executive Officer is listed in the table under footnote (1) above. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer |
|
|
Restricted |
|
Award |
|
Award |
|
12/31/05 |
|
Vesting |
|
12/31/05 |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
William F. Ruprecht |
|
28,059 |
|
|
|
2/10/06 |
|
$ |
20.13 |
|
|
$ |
18.36 |
|
|
2/10/07** |
|
|
|
|
||
Robin Woodhead |
|
11,658 |
|
|
|
2/10/06 |
|
$ |
20.13 |
|
|
$ |
18.36 |
|
|
2/10/07** |
|
|
|
|
||
George Bailey |
|
10,725 |
|
|
|
2/10/06 |
|
$ |
20.13 |
|
|
$ |
18.36 |
|
|
2/10/07** |
|
|
|
|
||
William S. Sheridan |
|
15,111 |
|
|
|
2/10/06 |
|
$ |
20.13 |
|
|
$ |
18.36 |
|
|
2/10/07** |
|
|
|
|
||
Mitchell Zuckerman |
|
10,794 |
|
|
|
2/10/06 |
|
$ |
20.13 |
|
|
$ |
18.36 |
|
|
2/10/07** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
* |
SEC rules require that the Company list the December 31, 2005 value of all restricted stock granted in or with respect to 2005 performance and held as of such date. However, as the table illustrates, the Company did not award the listed grants with respect to 2005 performance until early 2006 as the fulfillment of the performance-based criteria for granting this restricted stock could not be finally determined by the Company until after the completion of calendar year 2005. |
|
|
|
|
** |
As to one-third of the award, the remainder of each award to vest in additional one-third increments on each of the second and third anniversaries of the award date. |
|
|
|
(4) |
The number of shares underlying options refers to option grants under the Stock Option Plan. |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
The amounts disclosed in this column for 2005 consist of: |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Company contributions of the following amounts under the Companys Retirement Savings Plan, a qualified defined contribution Plan, which include profit-sharing contributions by the Company: $18,900 on behalf of Mr. Ruprecht; $15,800 on behalf of Mr. Sheridan and $18,900 on behalf of Mr. Zuckerman. |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
Company matching and profit-sharing contributions under the Companys Benefit Equalization Plan, a non-qualified plan, with respect to 2005 and interest on prior years Company contributions in the following amounts: $163,019 on behalf of Mr. Ruprecht; $138,861 on behalf of Mr. Sheridan; and $82,882 on behalf of Mr. Zuckerman. |
17
|
|
(c) |
The following Company contributions to: (i) its U.K. Pension Plan: $70,019 on behalf of Mr. Bailey and $21,732 on behalf of Mr. Woodhead; (ii) a supplemental pension plan: $275,844 on behalf of Mr. Woodhead; (iii) a personal pension plan: $38,741, this represents 50% of the Companys savings from National Insurance contributions due to Mr. Baileys salary deferral, which is known as a salary sacrifice for United Kingdom Inland Revenue purposes. |
|
|
(d) |
Company payments of life insurance premiums: $3,348 on behalf of Mr. Ruprecht; $5,466 on behalf of Mr. Woodhead; $1,116 on behalf of Mr. Bailey; $2,493 on behalf of Mr. Sheridan; and $6,837 on behalf of Mr. Zuckerman. |
|
|
(e) |
Permanent Health Insurance premiums of $2,858 and $3,588 for Mr. Bailey and Mr. Woodhead, respectively. |
Retirement Plans and Other Compensation
U.K. Pension Plan
Sothebys (U.K.) maintains a funded defined benefit pension plan for its employees who are residents of the United Kingdom and were employed by the Company before April 1, 2004. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Woodhead are the only Named Executive Officers who participate in the plan. As of December 31, 2005, Mr. Bailey has twenty-six years and two months of credited service with the Company, and Mr. Woodhead has seven years and eleven months of credited service with the Company.
Standard pension benefits at normal retirement age (age 65) under the plan for employees contributing 4% of salary are 1/60th of the employees final pensionable salary for every year of service up to a maximum of 40 years. For participants contributing 2% of salary, the benefits accrue at half the rate indicated above. Benefits are paid monthly commencing at retirement. The compensation covered by the plan is the employees pensionable earnings (subject to the limitation described below), which includes Salary, but excludes Bonus and Other Annual Compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.
The plan also provides for a benefit on death while an employee in the amount of four times the employees base salary at the time of death plus the refund of the employees contributions to the plan and provides for a pension of 331/3% of the employees base salary at the date of death to be paid to the employees spouse, or proportionately less if the employee has elected to contribute at the reduced rate.
The table below sets forth the estimated annual benefits (in pounds sterling) payable upon retirement under the plan assuming the employee contributes at 4% of base salary. Through April 5, 2006, U.K. tax regulations limit the pensionable salary with respect to which pension benefits may be based to a maximum of £102,000, and £105,600 for U.K. tax years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, respectively for members of the pension plan who became participants after 1989. Under the new tax rules effective April 6, 2006, the benefits provided and associated costs are expected to remain largely unchanged. Sothebys (U.K.) expects, however, that it may be able to take advantage of some new flexibility in the rules.
18
Pension Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years of Service |
|
||||||||||||||
Remuneration |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
£ |
|
|
15 |
|
20 |
|
25 |
|
30 |
|
35 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
13,333 |
|
|
16,667 |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
23,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
26,666 |
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
46,666 |
|
Bonuses
The Companys officers are eligible to receive incentive bonuses. Bonuses are recommended by management and approved by the Compensation Committee. Actual awards are a function of the Companys after-tax worldwide profit and each individuals performance. Every supervisor conducts an employee review. As part of the review, the supervisor and the employee determine future objectives against which the employees performance will be measured. In addition, the program allows the Compensation Committee the discretion to address exceptional performance and unusual circumstances. However, bonus payments under the Companys annual incentive plan are limited for senior executives who participate in the Companys Executive Bonus Plan.
Bonuses paid to senior executives, including the Named Executive Officers, outside of the Executive Bonus Plan are discretionary bonuses and are referred to in this Proxy Statement using that term. A discretionary bonus is a bonus that is paid to a Company employee based on prior performance as determined in the Companys discretion rather than being based on objective, performance criteria determined in advance by the Compensation Committee or its Section 162(m) Sub-Committee. In contrast, bonuses, whether in cash or restricted stock, paid under the Executive Bonus Plan are based on pre-determined objective performance criteria, such as Company net income levels.
Benefit Equalization Plans
United States. The total annual contributions by the employee and employer to the Companys Retirement Savings Plan, which is the Companys U.S. qualified defined contribution plan, are subject to certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company has an unfunded deferred compensation Benefit Equalization Plan that is available to officers of the rank of senior vice president and above of the Company who are affected by such limitations. Participants may enter into agreements pursuant to which their salaries will be reduced and the Company will maintain accounts on their behalf, in the amount of the difference between the contribution election made in the participants Benefit Equalization Plan salary reduction agreement and the aggregate amount of contributions actually permitted to be made by the participant under the Companys Retirement Savings Plan.
Participants may elect to contribute up to 12% of their eligible compensation, and participant contributions are matched by a Company contribution of up to 6% of the participants eligible compensation. Participants are also eligible to share in Company profit sharing contributions if the Company, in its discretion, makes a profit sharing contribution under the Retirement Saving Plan for that year. With respect to 2005, the Company made such a contribution to each participants account equal to 3% of the participants eligible compensation. Benefits under the Benefit Equalization Plan are paid to a participant in a lump sum payment six (6) months following the participants termination of employment with the Company. Amounts contributed by the Company on behalf of the Named Executive
19
Officers of the Company in 2005 pursuant to benefit equalization agreements have been included in the Summary Compensation Table and are accrued for in the Companys balance sheet.
United Kingdom. The total benefits that may be provided from the Companys U.K. qualified defined benefit Pension Plan is subject to certain limitations under applicable law for each participant. For Mr. Woodhead, an agreement has been entered into whereby the maximum allowable benefit under the plan will be supplemented so as to provide a total pension of 2.667% of his salary for each year of service, this pension being payable from age 65. The benefits relating to service prior to April 1, 2004 are subject to actuarial adjustment to reflect payment from age 65 rather than age 60, which was the previous normal retirement age for Pension Plan purposes. Under the Companys agreement with Mr. Woodhead, the intention is that one-third of this benefit will be funded by Mr. Woodhead and two-thirds will be funded by the Company. Retirement benefits before or after age 65, and other options that apply, will be as far as possible identical to the normal terms of the U.K. qualified pension plan. The Company maintains a provision on its balance sheet in an amount sufficient to account for the difference between the aggregate value of the benefits under the agreement referred to above that would have accrued in respect of Mr. Woodhead under the U.K. qualified plan in the absence of the limitations mentioned above and the aggregate value of the benefits actually available in respect of Mr. Woodhead within the U.K. qualified plan. The amount contributed by the Company under Mr. Woodheads agreement in 2005 has been included in the Summary Compensation Table and is accrued for in the Companys balance sheet.
Employment Agreements and Related Matters
A description of certain material terms of agreements with Messrs. Bailey, Ruprecht, Sheridan, Woodhead, and Zuckerman follows below.
William F. Ruprecht. Effective as of April 1, 2006, the Company and Mr. Ruprecht have agreed on the terms of his employment for the five year period ending March 31, 2011. This arrangement supersedes his existing employment agreement. Under the new arrangement Mr. Ruprechts annual base salary is $700,000. He will also be entitled to receive annual cash bonuses based on his own and the Companys performance in relation to a number of management and other objectives determined each year by the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee. His annual target bonus will be 1.5 times his base salary, and his bonus will be subject to a cap specified in his terms of employment and is not subject to a floor or minimum payment.
In an effort to encourage and reward the growth of the Company and the creation of shareholder value, the Company has agreed to grant Mr. Ruprecht a one time award of 300,000 shares of restricted stock that will only vest and create value for Mr. Ruprecht at the end of the third and fifth years of his employment arrangement, and only if certain objective, performance-based criteria are satisfied. These criteria are based on either a specified compound increase in shareholder value as measured by stock price and dividends or a specified compound cumulative increase in Sothebys net income. As he has in the past three years under his existing employment agreement, Mr. Ruprecht received an annual equity award of restricted shares of stock on March 31, 2006, which had a fair market value equal to $2,050,000 on the date of grant. Mr. Ruprecht is no longer eligible to participate in the Companys Executive Bonus Plan, but instead, beginning in 2007, will be entitled to a restricted stock grant in each year, subject to agreed minimum and maximum levels, the value of which will be determined based on the extent to which the performance criteria for the Executive Bonus Plan have been satisfied.
Mr. Ruprechts employment arrangement may be terminated at any time by the Company or Mr. Ruprecht prior to the expiration of the five-year term. If his employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by Mr. Ruprecht without Good Reason, as such terms are defined in his terms of employment, Mr. Ruprecht will be paid only accrued base salary and benefits. If the Company terminates Mr. Ruprechts employment without Cause or he terminates his employment for Good Reason during the five-year term, he will be entitled to a diminished benefit (as compared to the terms of his existing employment agreement) that includes, among other things, (1)
20
accrued but unpaid salary through the termination date, (2) $3.5 million, (3) the immediate vesting of certain shares of restricted stock held by him pursuant to a formula described in his terms of employment, and (4) health benefits for him and his family for three years. Mr. Ruprecht may terminate his employment for Good Reason if, among other things, the Company fails to provide the cash compensation or equity compensation described above.
If Mr. Ruprechts employment is terminated under certain circumstances following a Change of Control (as defined in his terms of employment), the Company will pay him the compensation and benefits to which he would have been entitled had he been terminated by the Company without Cause, as described above, except that he will receive a $4 million termination payment, not a $3.5 million termination payment. If the Internal Revenue Service determines that any Change of Control or other payment to Mr. Ruprecht is subject to a federal excise tax, he is entitled to receive reimbursement for any such tax obligation on an after-tax basis.
At or after expiration of the five-year term, if the Company terminates Mr. Ruprechts employment without Cause or he decides to terminate his employment, he will receive a diminished benefit (as compared to the terms of his existing employment agreement) of, among other things, $2,000,000 in exchange for a covenant not to compete with the Company for 12 months. If on or before December 31, 2010 the Company has not offered to continue his employment for at least one year with the same base salary and bonus opportunity that he is then receiving, but without any obligation by the Company to award him any additional equity compensation, he will forfeit some unvested restricted stock grants from prior years, but will be entitled to the immediate partial vesting of certain shares of restricted stock held by him pursuant to a formula described in his terms of employment.
Robin G. Woodhead. Mr. Woodhead and the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated October 24, 1997, as supplemented by letters from the Company dated May 16, 2002 and October 16, 2000, and the severance plan agreement, dated September 28, 2000. Certain provisions of a retention bonus agreement between the Company and Mr. Woodhead that has terminated survived such termination, including that he and the Company are each required to provide the other with six months notice that his employment with the Company will terminate. In partial consideration for payments under the foregoing agreements, he is bound by certain covenants not to compete with the Company in certain jurisdictions and not to solicit employees of the Company or certain of its clients with whom he has had dealings.
George Bailey. The two-year term of the employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Bailey expired on February 12, 2003. By the agreements terms, however, the minimum base salary, undertakings and non-compete provisions described below do survive the end of the term. He and the Company are each required to provide the other with six months notice that his employment with the Company will terminate. In partial consideration for payments under the foregoing agreements, he is bound by certain covenants not to compete with the Company in certain jurisdictions and not to solicit employees of the Company or certain of its clients with whom he has had dealings.
William S. Sheridan. The employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Sheridan has a three-year term that expires on June 30, 2006, subject to earlier termination by the Company or him under certain conditions. Under this agreement, the Company pays him a minimum annual base salary of $600,000, and he is eligible to receive bonuses. In partial consideration for the foregoing payments, he has agreed to be bound by a covenant not to compete with the Company in certain jurisdictions until the earlier of (i) six months after the end of his employment agreement term or (ii) twelve months after the termination of his employment with the Company. During the applicable non-compete period, he also has agreed not to solicit employees of the Company. The Company and Mr. Sheridan expect in the near future to commence discussions regarding the terms of his employment and compensation after the expiration of his current agreement.
21
Mitchell Zuckerman. The two-year term of the employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Zuckerman expired on February 5, 2003. By the agreements terms, however, the minimum base salary, undertakings and non-compete provisions described below do survive the end of the term. He and the Company are each required to provide the other with six months notice that his employment with the Company will terminate. In partial consideration for payments under this agreement, he is bound by certain covenants not to compete with the Company in certain jurisdictions and not to solicit employees of the Company or certain of its clients with whom he has had dealings.
STOCK OPTIONS
The Company did not make any option grants under the Stock Option Plan to the Named Executive Officers during 2005 or in 2006 with respect to 2005 performance. As described under Report of Compensation Committee-Philosophy below, the Company intends for the foreseeable future to favor restricted stock over stock options as a form of equity compensation for senior executives.
Aggregate Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
Number of Securities |
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
||||||||||||
|
Name |
|
|
|
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William F. Ruprecht |
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
400,000 |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
799,500 |
|
$ |
942,000 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Robin G. Woodhead |
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
87,114 |
|
160,000 |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
341,450 |
|
$ |
265,000 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
George Bailey |
|
27,500 |
|
|
$ |
253,334 |
|
195,000 |
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
$ |
237,200 |
|
$ |
364,125 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
William S. Sheridan |
|
66,250 |
|
|
$ |
459,058 |
|
217,000 |
|
|
62,500 |
|
|
$ |
480,455 |
|
$ |
529,175 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Mitchell Zuckerman |
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
86,840 |
|
120,000 |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
$ |
194,200 |
|
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2005 with respect to shares of the Companys common stock that may be issued under its existing equity compensation plans, including the Sothebys Holdings 1987 Stock Option Plan, the Stock Option Plan, the Existing Restricted Stock Plan and the Sothebys Holdings, Inc. 1998 Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the Directors Stock Plan):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
(B) |
|
(C) |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Plan Category (1) |
|
Number of |
|
Weighted Average |
|
Number of Securities
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders |
|
7,528 |
|
|
|
$ |
16.51 |
|
|
|
|
7,955 |
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
7,528 |
|
|
|
$ |
16.51 |
|
|
|
|
7,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
|
(1) |
Includes 1,356,478 shares of Class A Stock awarded under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan on which the restrictions have not yet lapsed. |
(2) |
The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account 1,356,478 shares of Class A Stock awarded under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan, which have no exercise price. |
(3) |
Includes 412,594 shares of Class A Stock available for future issuance under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan. |
(4) |
Includes 78,183 shares of Class A Stock available for future issuance under the Directors Stock Plan. |
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Through May 5, 2005, each non-employee director generally received a fee of $1,000 for each Board meeting attended by such director, and a fee of $500 ($1,000 for each Executive Committee member) for each committee meeting ($1,000 for the chairman of the committee) attended by such director, in addition to reimbursement of expenses. Members of the Special Committee received a fee of $10,000 and a per meeting fee of $1,000. All of the foregoing fees were paid in cash. Because Mr. Sovern receives his director compensation under his contract, he is not paid customary board or committee fees nor does he receive grants under the Director Stock Plan; however, he did receive compensation as a member of the Special Committee in the amounts described above.
Pursuant to the Directors Stock Plan, with respect to Board service through May 5, 2005, each non-employee director (other than Mr. Sovern) received 565 shares of Class A Common Stock and/or deferred stock compensation units equivalent to such shares, if so elected by a director. All deferred stock compensation units will accrue dividend equivalents.
Effective May 5, 2005, the Board of Directors amended the Directors Stock Plan and the cash compensation of non-employee directors as follows:
|
|
|
1. The Company will issue $35,000 in shares of Class A Common Stock annually to each non-employee director, to be paid quarterly based on the closing price per share of this stock on the business day immediately preceding the quarterly issuance date; and |
|
|
|
2. Each non-employee director will receive a $25,000 annual cash payment, payable quarterly, and a per meeting fee of $1,000 for all Board and Board Committee meetings attended. In addition, the Company will pay an annual fee of $10,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and an annual fee of $5,000 to the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. |
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee is responsible to the Board of Directors for advising the Board with respect to compensation matters and employee benefit plans of the Company. In addition to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, William F. Ruprecht, the Companys Named Executive Officers are Robin G. Woodhead, George Bailey, William S. Sheridan, and Mitchell Zuckerman.
23
The Section 162(m) Sub-Committee (the Sub-Committee) of the Compensation Committee is responsible for approving performance-based cash compensation, restricted stock awards, stock options, and other forms of equity compensation and administering performance criteria with respect to Named Executive Officers under the Companys equity compensation plans. In order to comply with certain SEC rules concerning the exemption of employee benefit plan grants from short swing trading liability under those rules, the Sub-Committee also approves equity compensation awards to certain senior executives, including the Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers.
The Compensation Committee has authority to grant restricted stock awards under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan (whether directly through that plan or indirectly through the Executive Bonus Plan) and stock options under the Stock Option Plan to all individuals other than the Named Executive Officers and certain other senior executives. As of December 31, 2005, except for the Directors Stock Plan, none of the members of the Compensation Committee or the Sub-Committee participated in any of the plans administered by the Committee or the Sub-Committee. All references in this report to the Committee shall mean the Compensation Committee or the Sub-Committee, as applicable.
The members of the Compensation Committee consist of Messrs. Taubman (Chairman), Miro and Stewart and the Duke of Devonshire. Other than the Duke of Devonshire, the Board also determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under NYSE rules. NYSE rules require that each member of the Compensation Committee be independent, with certain exceptions. In connection with the Companys ceasing to be a controlled company under NYSE rules as a result of the Recapitalization, the Duke of Devonshire may continue to serve on the Compensation Committee during a transition period lasting through September 6, 2007, even though he is not independent.
The members of the Section 162(m) Subcommittee consist of Messrs. Stewart and Taubman, each of whom qualifies as an outside director and a non-employee director as required under Section 162(m) and Section 16 of the Exchange Act, respectively.
Philosophy
The Company has a long-standing philosophy of establishing compensation levels that are designed to both attract and retain executives with outstanding leadership ability and experience and be competitive in the market. Compensation for executive officers has been comprised of three major components: salary, cash bonuses and equity-based incentives.
The Committee considers the following factors in determining an executive officers total compensation, including equity-based incentives: (i) Company performance, (ii) individual performance and job responsibilities, (iii) historical compensation levels and restricted stock awards and stock option grants by the Company and (iv) recommendations of management.
The Companys compensation philosophy has evolved towards having a greater proportion of employment compensation be variable and dependent upon the Companys profitability. The adoption of the Executive Bonus Plan by the Companys shareholders in 2005 reflects a significant step in this direction. Moreover, deferred vesting of restricted stock issued under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan and the Executive Bonus Plan is also intended to encourage employee retention.
As part of this compensation shift, the Companys compensation philosophy has also evolved towards a preference for grants of restricted stock as opposed to stock options as a form of equity compensation.
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Annual Compensation
Salary
The Committee sets base salaries for executives that both reflect the job responsibilities of each individual and are consistent with base salaries paid for competitive positions in the market. With respect to the Named Executive Officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Company has consulted from time to time with nationally and internationally recognized independent compensation consulting firms in designing compensation packages for those individuals.
Annual Cash Incentives
The Companys bonus program for all bonus-eligible employees, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the other Named Executive Officers, is based upon the achievement of both Company and individual objectives. Positions within the Company have been separated into salary grades, with bonus opportunities gradually increased through the grades. Within each grade there is a range of bonus targets. With respect to Named Executive Officers, the bonus targets for 2005 ranged from 48% to 100% of base salaries. Bonus targets are established in the first quarter of each year. At the end of each year, the total amount available for bonuses to be paid to eligible employees is subject to the approval of the Committee. The Committee also must approve the specific bonus amounts awarded to senior management. Targets and bonus opportunities are communicated to employees each year.
The discretionary bonuses described above are separate from the cash performance bonus component that may be awarded to participants in the Executive Bonus Plan. See Long Term Compensation below in this report.
The Company has an annual employee review process. As part of the review, the supervisor and the employee will determine future objectives against which the employees performance will be measured. If all objectives are met, the employee can receive up to 100% of the bonus target amount. The employees receipt of greater than or less than the employees personal bonus target also depends upon the Companys profitability.
In 2005, the Company substantially exceeded its performance goal. This level of performance was reflected in the Companys achieving its highest annual revenues in its history in 2005 and its 2005 income from continuing operations being the highest in 15 years for the Company. In addition, the Named Executive Officers as well as other senior management exceeded their individual performance objectives. As a result of the outstanding performance of each of the Named Executive Officers, the Committee awarded bonuses in excess of each Named Executive Officers individual performance target.
Long-Term Compensation
The purpose of the Executive Bonus Plan, the Existing Restricted Stock Plan and the Stock Option Plan is to provide employees with long-term incentives that link their interests with the interests of shareholders. In addition, the vesting schedules of equity awards under each of these plans encourages key employees to continue in the employment of the Company. Stock option and restricted stock grants to the Named Executive Officers are based on each individuals current and expected future contribution to the Company, as well as competitive market practice and related factors listed above.
The Committee believes that providing senior executives with direct stock ownership in the Company through time vesting of restricted stock is more compatible with the Companys goals of attracting and retaining key personnel than the continued use of stock options.
In 2005, the Committee also achieved its goal of implementing a performance-based formula for equity compensation as a result of the adoption of the Executive Bonus Plan. 50% of any performance bonuses paid to participants in the Executive Bonus Plan are paid in the form of restricted stock grants
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while the remaining 50% of such performance bonus is paid in cash to the participants. All restricted stock performance awards under the Executive Bonus Plan are made pursuant to the Existing Restricted Stock Plan.
Bonuses paid under the Executive Bonus Plan are based on Company net income or other performance criteria established by the Committee, and performance bonuses are payable under the Executive Bonus Plan in each year only if pre-established financial criteria are met. A participant is eligible to receive a performance bonus only if the Company achieves the minimum level of performance under the performance criteria for the applicable year, as determined by the Committee. The amount of each bonus increases depending on the achievement by the Company of certain threshold levels in excess of the base level.
For 2005, the Committee used Company net income as the criterion in determining whether participants are to receive performance bonuses under the Executive Bonus Plan and has also adopted Company net income as the criterion for such awards with respect to 2006.
The Companys shift to restricted stock, particularly with objective performance-based criteria, as the favored form of equity compensation for senior executives is reflected in the proposed reduction in shares reserved for issuance under the Stock Option Plan and the increase in shares reserved for issuance under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan for which the Company is requesting shareholder approval at the Meeting. A summary of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan is contained under the caption Proposal 5- Approval of Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan.
Though the Committee is not presently inclined to utilize the Stock Option Plan in any significant way on an ongoing basis, the Committee may from time to time grant stock options as it deems desirable under the Stock Option Plan in the future.
CEO Compensation
The Section 162(m) Sub-Committee and the Compensation Committee each meet, independently of the Board, to review the CEOs performance, determine annual and long-term compensation for the CEO, and set the CEOs bonus target. The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Ruprecht in 2003 that expires as of June 30, 2006, (the 2003 Employment Agreement). The Company recently agreed to a new employment arrangement with Mr. Ruprecht, effective April 1, 2006, in connection with his compensation and other employment arrangements for the next five years. For a summary of this arrangement, see Compensation of Executive Officers- Employment Agreements and Related Matters above. In entering into the new employment arrangement with Mr. Ruprecht, the Committee engaged a nationally recognized compensation consulting firm to assist it in determining appropriate compensation for him.
Under the 2003 Employment Agreement, which applied to Mr. Ruprechts employment during 2005, the Company paid Mr. Ruprecht $650,000 in base salary and the Committee awarded him a discretionary bonus of $975,000. Because the Company exceeded its net income performance target for 2005, in accordance with the Executive Bonus Plan, the Committee granted Mr. Ruprecht 28,059 shares of Class A Common Stock in the form of restricted stock and awarded him a performance-based cash bonus of $568,750. The Company believes that Mr. Ruprechts individual 2005 performance was outstanding, exceeding his excellent performance in 2004, and deserving of the compensation package paid to him for the following reasons, among others:
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The Companys continued profitability in 2005, with a $59 million or 13% increase in auction and related revenues and very substantial increases in operating income and net income, as compared with 2004 (excluding the one-time license fee of $45 million earned in conjunction with consummation of the Cendant License agreement in 2004). |
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Mr. Ruprechts role in attracting a significant number of very successful transactions during 2005. |
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Mr. Ruprechts efforts in leading the Recapitalization which the Company believes was of significant benefit to shareholders and will allow for an improved corporate governance structure and will increase strategic and financing flexibility. |
The Committee will continue to retain compensation consultants from time to time to provide it with advice concerning the CEO compensation package as well as comparative data for companies with characteristics similar to the Company. This ongoing input will assist the Section 162(m) Sub-Committee in making reasonable judgments regarding the appropriate level of compensation for Mr. Ruprecht.
Compensation Deductibility
The Committee has taken into consideration Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and related regulations as they relate to compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers. In order to preserve the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of certain compensation in excess of $1 million that may be paid to a Named Executive Officer, the applicable requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code (Section 162(m)) have been incorporated into the Companys existing equity compensation plans and will be incorporated into the 2006 Restricted Stock Plan. With respect to the Named Executive Officers, the Section 162(m) Sub-Committee, establishes equity compensation grants and otherwise takes actions relating to the Named Executive Officers under the Executive Bonus Plan, the Existing Restricted Stock Plan, to the extent that a restricted stock award would be eligible for the described deductibility, and the Stock Option Plan.
The Companys implementation of the Executive Bonus Plan is in part helpful in this area as it is has already resulted in increased deductibility of certain compensation under Section 162(m) because of the performance formula component of the Executive Bonus Plan for cash bonuses and restricted stock grants to Named Executive Officers. Discretionary bonuses and restricted stock awards that are not subject to objective performance criteria are not deductible under Section 162(m).
The Compensation Committee
Robert S. Taubman, Chairman
The Duke of Devonshire
Jeffrey H. Miro
Donald M. Stewart
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is composed of three independent directors, each of whom meets the criteria for independence under applicable rules of the SEC and the NYSE, and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. As set forth in its charter, the Audit Committee (among other responsibilities) oversees the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Companys management is primarily responsible for the Companys internal controls and for preparing the Companys financial statements contained in the Companys public reports. The Companys independent auditor, the registered public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP, is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Companys audited consolidated financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and on managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. In addition, Deloitte & Touche LLP must express its independent opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with each of management and Deloitte & Touche LLP, as appropriate, the Companys audited consolidated financial statements, managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting and, finally, the independent auditors opinions on, respectively, the Companys audited consolidated financial statements, managements internal control assessment and Deloitte & Touche LLPs separate evaluation of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and has discussed Deloitte & Touche LLPs independence with that firm. The Audit Committee has concluded that Deloitte & Touche is independent from both the Company and management within the meaning of applicable requirements of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
Based on the foregoing considerations, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 be included in the Companys 2005 Annual Report for filing with the SEC.
This report is respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Steven B. Dodge (Chairman)
Michael Blakenham
Allen Questrom
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PROPOSAL 2 - REINCORPORATION OF COMPANY
Introduction
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote upon the reincorporation of the Company from Michigan to Delaware. The reincorporation will be accomplished by merging the Company into Sothebys Delaware, Inc., a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that is incorporated in Delaware (the reincorporation). This section of the Proxy Statement refers to Sothebys Holdings, Inc., the Michigan corporation, as Sothebys Michigan or the Company and to Sothebys Delaware, Inc., the Delaware corporation, as Sothebys Delaware or the surviving corporation. As part of the reincorporation, the name of the surviving corporation will be changed to Sothebys.
Prior to the Recapitalization that was completed in September 2005, the Company had a dual-class, super voting share structure under which the shares of Class B Common Stock carried ten votes per share and were entitled as a class to elect 75% of the members of the Companys Board of Directors. Under this structure, A. Alfred Taubman, his family and affiliates owned approximately 22% of the total shares outstanding but were entitled to cast approximately 62% of the total votes and elect 75% of the members of the Companys Board of Directors. Also, the Company was treated as a controlled company exempt from certain of the New York Stock Exchange director independence and other corporate governance requirements. While the Recapitalization resulted in the conversion of all the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock not repurchased into shares of Class A Common Stock carrying only one vote per share (and thus as a practical matter eliminated the dual-class structure), the Companys Board of Directors believes that it would now be appropriate to permanently eliminate the Class B Common Stock from the Companys authorized capitalization and thereby eliminate the possibility of the future issuance of shares of Class B Common Stock carrying ten votes per share. The proposed reincorporation of the Company in Delaware would accomplish this objective. Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes that reincorporation in Delaware is the natural conclusion to the actions that the Company has been taking over the last year, including the Recapitalization process, to bring its corporate governance in line with contemporary best practices. Reincorporation in Delaware will allow the Company and its shareholders to benefit from what we believe to be the most comprehensive, widely used and extensively interpreted body of state corporate law and a court system that facilitates quick, efficient and informed resolutions of corporate litigation. Delaware is the nationally recognized leader in adopting and implementing comprehensive and flexible corporate law. Approximately one-half of the Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware.
The reincorporation will not result in any change in the headquarters, business, or principal facilities of the Company. The Companys management, including all directors and officers, will remain the same after the reincorporation. There will be no new employee benefit plans in connection with the reincorporation and there is no other direct or indirect interest of the current directors or executive officers in the reincorporation. However, the reincorporation will result in certain changes of a legal nature, the most significant of which are described below under the heading Comparison of Shareholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation.
Sothebys Delaware was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on March 30, 2006. Sothebys Delaware is wholly owned by Sothebys Michigan. The address and phone number of Sothebys Delaware are the same as the address and phone number of the Company. Immediately prior to the reincorporation, Sothebys Delaware will have only nominal assets and no liabilities and will not have carried on any business.
The Reincorporation
Subject to the conditions described below, the reincorporation will be effected pursuant to the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A and which is incorporated into this Proxy Statement by reference. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors and entered into by the Company and Sothebys Delaware on March 31, 2006. Upon completion of the reincorporation, the Company will cease to exist as a separate corporate entity and Sothebys Delaware, as the surviving corporation, will succeed to all of the Companys rights, assets, liabilities and obligations. Following the reincorporation, Sothebys Delaware will continue to
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operate the business of the Company under the name Sothebys. The discussion of the reincorporation set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement.
Upon completion of the reincorporation, each issued and outstanding share of Class A Common Stock of Sothebys Michigan (referred to in this section as Sothebys Michigan Common Stock) would be converted into one share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Sothebys Delaware (Sothebys Delaware Common Stock). Each stock certificate formerly representing Sothebys Michigan Common Stock would continue to represent the same number of shares of Sothebys Delaware Common Stock. If the reincorporation is completed, shareholders would not need to exchange their existing stock certificates of Sothebys Michigan for stock certificates of Sothebys Delaware. Shareholders may, however, exchange their certificates if they choose to do so. If the reincorporation is completed, Sothebys Delaware may decide to issue substitute stock certificates in the future to replace the current certificates that are outstanding. If Sothebys Delaware decides to do so in the future, it will inform the shareholders at that time.
Pursuant to the merger agreement, Sothebys Michigan and Sothebys Delaware will take all actions that Delaware law and Michigan law require to complete the reincorporation. Sothebys Delaware will also qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in the states in which Sothebys Michigan is currently qualified to do business.
The merger agreement provides that the respective obligations of Sothebys Michigan and Sothebys Delaware under the merger agreement are subject to the following conditions:
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The shareholders of Sothebys Michigan and the sole stockholder of Sothebys Delaware shall have approved or adopted, as the case may be, the merger agreement and the shareholders of Sothebys Michigan shall have approved the written consent proposal and special meeting proposal described below; |
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No court or governmental authority, whether by statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling, injunction or other order, shall have prohibited, restrained, enjoined or restricted the consummation of the reincorporation; and |
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The NYSE shall have approved for listing the common stock of Sotheby's Delaware. |
The NYSE lists Sothebys Michigan Common Stock under the symbol BID. The Company plans to file a listing application with the NYSE for the listing of the common stock of the surviving corporation under the name Sothebys and the existing symbol BID. We expect that the NYSE will approve this application prior to completion of the reincorporation.
If the reincorporation is completed, all employee benefit plans (including stock option, restricted stock and other equity-based plans) of Sothebys Michigan would be continued by Sothebys Delaware, and each stock option, share of restricted stock, and other equity-based award issued and outstanding pursuant to such plans would be converted automatically into a stock option, share of restricted stock, or other equity-based award with respect to the same number of shares of Sothebys Delaware Common Stock, upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as set forth in the applicable plan under which the award was granted and in the agreement reflecting the award.
If the shareholders of the Company approve the reincorporation, the reincorporation merger will be completed as soon as practicable after the Meeting. The merger agreement,
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however, provides that the Board of Directors of Sothebys Michigan may abandon the reincorporation merger for any reason, notwithstanding shareholder approval, at any time prior to the effectiveness of the merger. If the shareholders of the Company do not approve the reincorporation, Sothebys Michigan would continue to operate as a Michigan corporation.
Principal Reasons for the Reincorporation Proposal
While Sothebys traces its history back to 1744, the current Michigan corporation was formed on August 26, 1983 in connection with a going-private transaction led by businessman A. Alfred Taubman. The incorporators chose to incorporate in the State of Michigan at that time because the laws of Michigan were suitable for the Companys operations, and because Michigan was where Mr. Taubmans business interests were based. In September 2005, the Company effected the Recapitalization in which Mr. Taubman, his family and affiliates exchanged their shares of Class B Common Stock (which carried ten votes per share) for cash and shares of Class A Common Stock (which carry one vote per share), thus effectively eliminating the Companys dual class, super-voting share structure and the controlling rights of the Class B shareholders. The Board of Directors believes that reincorporation in Delaware is the natural conclusion to the actions that the Company has been taking over the past year, including the Recapitalization process, to bring its corporate governance in line with contemporary best practices. The Board believes that incorporation in Delaware would be more consistent with the interests of its current shareholder base. For many years, Delaware has been the leader in adopting, construing and implementing comprehensive, flexible corporate laws that are responsive to legal and business needs. Delaware has established progressive principles of corporate governance that the Company could draw upon when making business and legal decisions. In addition, an extensive body of case law has developed in Delaware over the years that clarifies the duties of directors and that defines and protects the rights of shareholders under a variety of contexts where other state laws offer little or no guidance. For these reasons, the Company has determined that Delaware law would better suit the current needs of the Company and its shareholders than Michigan law does.
In general, the Company believes that Delaware provides a more appropriate and flexible corporate and legal environment in which to operate than currently exists in Michigan and that the Company and its shareholders would benefit from such an environment. The Board of Directors of the Company has considered the following benefits available to Delaware corporations in deciding to propose reincorporation in Delaware:
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the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, which is generally acknowledged to be the most advanced and flexible state corporate statute in the United States; |
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the responsiveness and efficiency of the Division of Corporations of the Secretary of State of Delaware; |
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the Delaware General Assembly, which each year considers statutory amendments to the DGCL that the Corporation Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association proposes in an effort to ensure that the DGCL continues to be responsive to the changing needs of businesses; |
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the Delaware Court of Chancery, which handles complex corporate issues with a level of experience and a degree of sophistication and understanding unmatched by any other state court in the country, and the Delaware Supreme Court, which is highly regarded; and |
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the well-established body of case law construing Delaware law that has developed over the last century, which provides corporations with a greater degree of predictability and guidance than most, if not all, other jurisdictions provide. |
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Additionally, the Board of Directors believes that, as a Delaware corporation, the Company would be better able to continue to attract and retain qualified directors and officers than it would be able to as a Michigan corporation, in part, because many candidates will already be familiar with Delaware corporate law from their past business experience.
Anti-Takeover Implications
Delaware, like many other states (including Michigan), permits a corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or to otherwise adopt measures that may have the effect of reducing a corporations vulnerability to unsolicited takeover attempts. Certain provisions of Delaware (and Michigan) law may have a similar effect. The Board of Directors of the Company, however, is not proposing the reincorporation to prevent a change in control of the Company and is not aware of any current attempt by any person to acquire control of the Company or to obtain representation on the Companys Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Company has no current plans to take any other action designed to make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company.
While the reincorporation is not being undertaken to prevent or make more difficult a change in control of the Company, the reincorporation will not be completed unless the written consent proposal and the special meeting proposal, each set forth below, are adopted, and the adoption of each of these proposals could under some circumstances make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Company without first gaining the approval of the Board of Directors.
No Change in the Board Members, Business, Management, Employee Benefit Plans or Location of Principal Facilities of the Company
The reincorporation would effect only a change in the legal domicile of the Company and certain other changes of a legal nature, the most significant of which are described in this Proxy Statement. The reincorporation would NOT result in any change in the headquarters, business, management, fiscal year, assets or liabilities, employee benefit plans, or location of the principal facilities of the Company. Assuming that the reincorporation is completed, the directors and officers of Sothebys Michigan immediately prior to the reincorporation would become the directors and officers of Sothebys Delaware. All employee benefit plans (including stock option, restricted stock and other equity-based plans) of Sothebys Michigan would be continued by Sothebys Delaware, and each stock option, share of restricted stock and other equity-based award issued and outstanding pursuant to such plans would automatically be converted into a stock option, share of restricted stock or other equity-based award with respect to the same number of shares of Sothebys Delaware, upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as set forth in the applicable plan under which the award was granted and in the agreement reflecting the award. Approval of the reincorporation proposal would constitute approval of the assumption of these plans by Sothebys Delaware. Assuming the reincorporation is completed, Sothebys Delaware would continue other employee benefit arrangements of Sothebys Michigan upon the terms and subject to the conditions currently in effect.
Comparison of Shareholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation
Because of differences between the Michigan Business Corporation Act (the MBCA) and the DGCL, as well as differences between the Companys organizational documents before and after the reincorporation, the reincorporation will result in some changes in the rights of the Companys shareholders. Set forth below is a table that summarizes some of the most significant differences in the rights of the shareholders of the Company before and after the reincorporation, as a result of the differences between the MBCA and the DGCL,
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and the differences between the current Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the Michigan Articles) and the By-Laws of the Company (the Michigan By-Laws) and the Certificate of Incorporation of Sothebys Delaware (the Delaware Certificate) and the By-Laws of Sothebys Delaware (the Delaware By-Laws). The summary of the differences is significant because if the reincorporation is completed, the Delaware Certificate and the Delaware By-Laws in effect immediately prior to the reincorporation merger will become the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving corporation. The Delaware Certificate and the Delaware By-Laws are attached as Appendix B and C, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. All statements in this Proxy Statement concerning such documents are qualified by reference to the complete provisions of the Michigan Articles, the Michigan By-Laws, the Delaware Certificate and the Delaware By-Laws. The table below is not intended to be relied upon as an exhaustive list of all the differences. The description of Sothebys Michigan in the table below relates only to the Class A Common Stock. The Michigan Certificate also authorizes Sothebys Michigan to issue Class B Common Stock (the special rights of which are not described below), but no such shares are currently outstanding. In connection with the Recapitalization, all of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock were repurchased or converted into Class A Common Stock. Sothebys Michigan has no current intention of issuing any additional shares of Class B Common Stock, and if the reincorporation is completed, Sothebys Delaware will not have the ability to issue such Class B shares.
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SOTHEBYS MICHIGAN, |
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The Michigan By-Laws provide that the number of Directors on the Companys Board of Directors will be not more than 16 nor less than seven, but each such number may be decreased or increased by amendment of the Michigan By-Laws by a vote of the shareholders of record holding the number of shares possessing a majority of the voting power entitled to vote. Within the specified limits, the number of Directors may be determined, between annual meetings of the shareholders, by resolution of the Board of Directors. There are currently ten directors serving on the Board. |
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The Delaware By-Laws provide that the Companys Board of Directors will consist of one or more members, the number thereof to be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. There are expected to be nine Directors serving on the Board following the reincorporation. |
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The Michigan By-Laws provide that, except as otherwise provided by statute, the Michigan Articles, or the Michigan By-Laws, the Directors are elected at the annual meeting of the shareholders and hold office for the period of one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until death, resignation or removal. The Board of Directors is not classified. |
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The Delaware By-Laws provide that each Director holds office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such Directors successor is elected and qualified or until such Directors earlier resignation or removal. The Board of Directors is not classified. |
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Removal of |
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SOTHEBYS MICHIGAN, |
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removed, with or without cause, unless the articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause. The vote for removal shall be by a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that the articles may require a higher vote for removal without cause. The MBCA also provides a statutory mechanism for removing directors by judicial proceedings. In such proceedings, the circuit court of the county in which the principal place of business or registered office of the corporation is located may remove a director if the court finds that (a) the director engaged in fraudulent, illegal, or dishonest conduct, or gross abuse of authority or discretion, with respect to the corporation and (b) removal of the director is in the best interest of the corporation. A corporation or its shareholders holding at least 10% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the corporation may commence such judicial proceedings. |
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removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote. |
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The Michigan Bylaws provide that by a vote of the number of shares possessing a majority of the voting power of all shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote, one or more or all of the Directors may be removed from office at any time for or without cause. The MBCA provides that, if the holders of a class of stock are entitled by the articles to elect one or more directors, then a majority of the voting power of the shares of that class are required to remove a director so elected. |
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SOTHEBYS MICHIGAN, |
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resulting from an increase in the number of directors occurs in a board of directors, the vacancy may be filled by (a) the shareholders or (b) the board of directors. If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office. If a corporation has no directors in office, an officer, a shareholder, or a fiduciary entrusted with responsibility for a shareholder, may call a special meeting of the shareholders in accordance with the articles or the by-laws. The Michigan By-Laws provide that any newly-created directorships and vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal will be temporarily filled by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum. Any Director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy temporarily will hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of his predecessor subject to the Michigan By-Laws. |
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newly-created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Under the Delaware By-Laws, any newly created Directorship or any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors for any cause may be filled solely by a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although such majority is less than a quorum or by a single remaining Director, and each Director so elected will hold office until such Directors successor is elected and qualified. However, the DGCL also provides that if directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board, the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the total number of shares at the time outstanding entitled to vote for directors, order an election of directors to be held. |
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Charter |
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The MBCA provides that unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the board may adopt certain ministerial amendments to the corporations articles of incorporation without shareholder action. Other amendments of the articles of incorporation, except as otherwise provided in the MBCA, must be proposed by the board and approved by the shareholders. The board may condition its submission of the amendment on any basis. See Special Shareholder Meetings, below. |
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Under the DGCL, a proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation requires a resolution adopted by the board of directors and, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon. |
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The MBCA provides that the shareholders or the board (by a vote of not less than a majority of the members of the board then in office) may amend or repeal the by-laws or adopt new by-laws unless the articles of incorporation or by-laws provide that the power to adopt new by-laws is reserved exclusively to the shareholders or that the by-laws or any particular by-law shall not be altered or repealed by the board. The Michigan By-Laws provide that, except as otherwise specifically provided in the Michigan Articles, the Michigan By-Laws may be amended, repealed or adopted by vote of the holders of the number of shares possessing a majority of the voting power of all shares at the time entitled to vote or by majority of the entire Board of Directors. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the articles of incorporation, any by-law adopted by the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed by shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and any by-law adopted by the shareholders may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors, except as limited by statute and except when the shareholders have expressly provided otherwise with respect to any particular by-law. Article X of the Michigan Articles, entitled Vote Required to Amend Certain Provisions of the Corporations By-Laws, was rendered inoperative by its terms at the time Sothebys Michigans Class B shares were no longer outstanding, and, accordingly, any provision of the Michigan By-Laws described in Article X may be |
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Under the DGCL, the power to adopt, alter and repeal the by-laws is vested in the stockholders, except to the extent that a corporations certificate of incorporation or by-laws vest it in the board of directors. However, the conferral of the power to adopt, alter and repeal the by-laws upon the directors does not divest the stockholders of their power to adopt, alter or repeal the by laws. The Delaware Certificate grants the Board of Directors the power to adopt, alter and repeal the Delaware By-Laws. |
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amended, rescinded, or repealed in any manner provided in the Michigan By-Laws. |
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Advance Notice of |
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The MBCA provides that written notice of the time, place (if any), and purposes of a shareholders meeting shall be given to the shareholders not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, unless otherwise provided in the MBCA. The Michigan By-Laws state that the notice of a special meeting shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and by or at whose direction it is being issued. |
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The DGCL provides that written notice of any meeting shall be
given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting
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Special |
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The MBCA provides that a special meeting of shareholders may be called by the board, or by officers, directors or shareholders as provided in the by-laws. Notwithstanding any such provision, upon application of the holders of not less than 10% of all the shares entitled to vote at a meeting, the circuit court of the county in which the principal place of business or registered office is located, for good cause shown, may order a special meeting of shareholders to be called and held at such time and place, upon such notice and for the transaction of such business as may be designated in the order. At any such meeting ordered to be called by the court, the shareholders present in person or by proxy and having voting powers constitute a quorum for transaction of the business designated in the order. The Michigan By-Laws provide that a special meeting of the shareholders may be called at any time and for any purpose or purposes by the Chairman of the Board or the President, or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors. |
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The DGCL provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by a corporations certificate of incorporation or by-laws. The Delaware Certificate provides that subject to the rights of holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock in respect of meetings of the holders of such shares, special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the President, the Board of Directors, or by a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority, as expressly provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors, include the power to call such meetings, but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders is limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of such special meeting. |
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Michigan has two separate anti-takeover statutesChapters 7A and 7B of the MBCA. Pursuant to the Michigan Articles, Sothebys Michigan elected not to be governed by the provisions of Chapter 7A, which restricts the ability of a beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of such corporation to effect a business combination unless certain requirements have been met. Pursuant to the Michigan By-Laws, Sothebys Michigan elected not to be governed by the provisions of Chapter 7B of the MBCA, which provides that an entity that acquires control shares of a company generally may vote those control shares on any matter only if a majority of all shares, and of all non-interested shares of each class of shares entitled to vote as a class, approves those voting rights. Interested shares are shares owned by officers or employee-directors and by the entity making the control share acquisition. Control shares are shares that, when added to shares already owned by an entity, would give that entity voting power in the election of directors over any of three thresholds: one-fifth, one-third or a majority. The statutes effect is to condition the acquisition of voting control on the approval of a majority of the pre-existing disinterested shareholders. |
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Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits certain mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and other transactions with an interested stockholder (generally a stockholder or group of stockholders that owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation) for three years following the date the stockholder became an interested stockholder. This prohibition on mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and other transactions is subject to the following exceptions: (a) the business combination or transaction in which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder is approved by the corporations board of directors prior to the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (b) the business combination is with an interested stockholder who became an interested stockholder in a transaction whereby he acquired at least 85% of the corporations voting stock, excluding shares held by directors who are also officers and certain employee stock plans; or (c) the business combination is approved by the corporations board of directors and authorized at a meeting by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. This provision applies to Delaware corporations that have a class of voting stock listed on a national securities exchange, authorized for quotation on the NASDAQ Stock Market, or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. Assuming that the reincorporation is completed, this provision would apply to the Company because stock of the |
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surviving corporation would be listed on the NYSE. |
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Shareholder |
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The MBCA provides that if an action, other than the election of directors, is to be taken by vote of the shareholders, it will be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote on the action, unless a greater vote is required by the companys articles or another provision of Michigan law. Unless otherwise provided in a companys articles, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election. With certain exceptions, the MBCA requires that a merger or share exchange be adopted by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote on the merger agreement. The exceptions under Michigan law to the voting requirements for mergers are similar to the exceptions under Delaware law. With certain exceptions, unless required by the articles of incorporation, action by shareholders of the surviving corporation on a plan of merger is not required if (a) the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation will not differ from its articles of incorporation before the merger; and (b) each shareholder of the surviving corporation whose shares were outstanding immediately before the effective date of the merger will hold the same number of shares, with identical designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights, immediately after the merger. |
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Under the DGCL, in the absence of a specification in the corporations certificate of incorporation or by-laws, once a quorum is obtained, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter is required for stockholder action; however, under Delaware law directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. The DGCL generally requires that a merger or sale of all or substantially all assets be approved by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock of the corporation entitled to vote on the transaction. However, Delaware law does not require a vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation in a merger (unless the corporation provides otherwise in its certificate of incorporation) if (a) the merger agreement does not amend the existing certificate of incorporation, (b) each share of the stock of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately before the effective date of the merger is an identical outstanding or treasury share after the merger, and (c) either no shares of common stock of the surviving corporation and no shares, securities or obligations convertible into such stock are to be issued or delivered under the plan of merger, or the authorized and unissued shares or the treasury shares of common stock of the surviving corporation to be issued or delivered under the plan of merger plus those initially issuable upon conversion of any other shares, |
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securities or obligations to be issued or delivered under such plan do not exceed 20% of the shares of common stock of such constituent corporation outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger. |
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Action by |
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Under the MBCA, a corporations articles of incorporation may provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if written consents setting forth the action taken are signed by the holders of the outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote upon the action were present and voted. The Michigan Articles provide that any action required or permitted by the MBCA to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. |
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Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the corporations certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a written consent or consents setting forth the action taken is signed by the holders of the outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote upon such action were presented and voted and such votes are delivered to the corporation. Pursuant to the Delaware Certificate, no action required to be taken or that may be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting. |
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Dissenters Rights |
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Under the MBCA, a shareholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his or her shares in the event of, certain corporate actions. Unless otherwise provided in a corporations articles of incorporation, by-laws, or a board resolution, Michigan law excludes appraisal rights for such corporate actions (a) where the shares are listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national |
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The DGCL generally affords dissenters rights of appraisal with respect to stock of a corporation in a merger or consolidation. Delaware law, however, does not afford dissenters rights of appraisal with respect to (a) a sale of assets, (b) stock of a corporation surviving a merger if no vote of the stockholders is required to approve the merger under the circumstances set forth above in the section of this table |
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market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (b) in certain transactions where shareholders receive cash or shares that satisfy the requirements of (a). Neither the Michigan Articles nor the Michigan By-Laws have altered the MBCA appraisal right exclusions. |
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entitled Shareholder Voting or (c) stock of a corporation in a merger or consolidation if the stock is (i) listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security or (ii) widely held (by more than 2,000 stockholders); provided, however that the holders of stock described in clauses (c)(i) or (c)(ii) will be entitled to dissenters rights if such holders are required to accept for shares anything except stock in the surviving corporation or stock in any other corporation that is listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security or widely held. |
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Michigan law requires that the list of shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting be produced at the time and place of the meeting, and be subject to inspection by any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting. The MBCA also provides that any shareholder of record, in person or by attorney or other agent, has the right, upon written demand, to inspect a list of the corporations shareholders for any proper purpose. A proper purpose means a purpose reasonably related to the persons interest as a shareholder. |
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The DGCL requires that the list of stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting be available for inspection by any stockholder in the period beginning 10 days prior to the meeting and continuing through the meeting. Delaware law, however, only permits inspection of the list for a purpose germane to the meeting. Under Delaware law, a corporation must make the list available on a reasonably accessible electronic network or during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the corporation. |
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Dividends and |
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Under the MBCA and unless otherwise restricted by a corporations articles of incorporation, a corporation may not make any distribution if, after making such distribution, (a) the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business or (b) the corporations total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus (unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise) the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved, to |
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The DGCL permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends out of surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or for the preceding fiscal year as long as the amount of capital of the corporation following the declaration and payment of the dividend is not less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of |
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satisfy the preferential rights of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. |
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assets. In addition, Delaware law generally provides that a corporation may redeem or repurchase its shares only if the capital of the corporation is not impaired and such redemption or repurchase would not impair the capital of the corporation. |
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Indemnification |
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Under the MBCA, a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The MBCA permits similar indemnification in the case of derivative actions, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation |
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Under the DGCL, a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceedings if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The DGCL permits similar indemnification in the case of derivative actions, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which |
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unless and only to the extent that the court conducting the proceeding or another court of competent jurisdiction shall determine upon application that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances. Indemnification for settlement of a suit by or in the right of the corporation is permitted under the MBCA. A director or officer who is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any proceeding subject to the MBCAs indemnification provisions must be indemnified by the corporation for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith, including attorneys fees, and in connection with proceedings brought to enforce this mandatory indemnification. The MBCA also provides that a corporation may advance reasonable expenses incurred by a director, officer, employee, or agent who is a party or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding if the party provides the corporation with a written undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the applicable standard of conduct, if any, required by the MBCA for indemnifying a person under the circumstances. The Michigan Articles provide that Sothebys Michigan will indemnify any person who is or was party to, or who is threatened to be made a party to, a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of Sotheby's Michigan, or is or was serving at the request of Sotheby's Michigan as a director of another corporation or any other entity against expenses and |
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such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability and in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Indemnification for settlement of a suit by or in the right of the corporation is not permitted under DGCL. A director, officer, employee or agent who is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any proceedings subject to the DGCLs indemnification provisions must be indemnified by the corporation for reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith, including attorneys fees. The Delaware Certificate and Delaware By-Laws provide, in substance, that each person made a party or threatened to be made a party to any type of proceedings, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Sothebys Delaware or that, being or having been such a director or officer of Sothebys Delaware, or while a director or officer of Sothebys Delaware, such person is or was serving at the request of Sothebys Delaware as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, will be indemnified by Sothebys Delaware to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. In certain cases, the indemnified party will be entitled to the advancement of certain expenses relating to indemnification. Sothebys Delaware may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the |
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amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. The Michigan Articles state they intend to grant Sothebys Michigans directors the fullest protection not prohibited by existing law at the time the Michigan Articles were made effective or such greater protection as may be permitted or not prohibited under succeeding provisions of law. The Michigan Articles provide that Sothebys Michigan has the power to indemnify any person who is or was party to, or who is threatened to be made a party to, a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, employee, or agent of Sothebys Michigan or is or was serving at the request of Sothebys Michigan as an officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another corporation or other enterprise, against expenses and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Sothebys Michigan or its shareholders, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The Michigan Articles provide for advancement of expenses incurred by such persons described above in defending an action, suit or proceeding, but in the case of a person acting as officer, employee or agent of Sothebys Michigan, such person must provide an |
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undertaking to repay the expenses if it is ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by Sothebys Michigan. |
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Limitation or |
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The MBCA provides that a corporations articles of incorporation may include a provision eliminating or limiting a directors liability to the corporation or its shareholders for money damages for any action taken or any failure to take any action as a director. A corporations articles of incorporation, however, may not limit or eliminate a directors personal liability for (a) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which he or she is not entitled, (b) intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders, (c) declaration of unlawful dividends or distributions to shareholders, unlawful distributions to shareholders during or after dissolution of the corporation, or unlawful loans to a director, officer or employee of the corporation or a subsidiary of the corporation, or (d) for an intentional criminal act. The Michigan Articles provide that no director of Sothebys Michigan will be liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of a fiduciary duty. The Michigan Articles do not, however, limit a directors liability to Sothebys Michigan or its shareholders resulting from (a) a breach of the directors duty of loyalty to Sothebys Michigan or its shareholders, (b) acts or omissions of the director not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (c) declaration of unlawful dividends or distributions to shareholders, unlawful distributions to shareholders during or after dissolution of the corporation, or |
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Under the DGCL, if a corporations certificate of incorporation so provides, the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director may be eliminated or limited. A corporations certificate of incorporation, however, may not limit or eliminate a directors personal liability (a) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) for the payment of unlawful dividends, stock repurchases or redemptions, or (d) for any transaction in which the director received an improper personal benefit. The Delaware Certificate provides that a Director of Sothebys Delaware will not be liable to Sothebys Delaware or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption or limitation is not permitted under Delaware law. |
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unlawful loans to a director, officer or employee of the corporation, (d) a transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit, or (e) any act or omission occurring prior to August 21, 1987 (the date of effectiveness of Sothebys Michigans Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation). |
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Under the MBCA, a transaction in which a director or officer is determined to have an interest will not, because of the interest, be enjoined, set aside, or give rise to an award of damages or other sanctions, in a proceeding by a shareholder or by or in the right of the corporation, if the person interested in the transaction establishes (a) the transaction was fair to the corporation at the time entered into, (b) the material facts and the directors or officers interest were disclosed or known to the board, a committee of the board, or the independent directors, and the board, committee or independent directors authorized, approved or ratified the transaction, or (c) the material facts and the directors or officers interest were disclosed or known to the shareholders entitled to vote and they authorized, approved, or ratified the transactions. |
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Under the DGCL, certain contracts or transactions in which one or more of a corporations directors have an interest are not void or voidable solely because of such interest, provided that the contract or transaction is fair at the time it is authorized, is ratified by the corporations shareholders after disclosure of the relationship or interest, or is authorized in good faith by a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors or a committee thereof after disclosure of the relationship or interest. Delaware law permits an interested director to be counted in determining whether a quorum of the directors is present at the meeting approving the transaction, and further provides that the contract or transaction shall not be void or voidable solely because an interested directors vote is counted at the meeting that authorizes the transaction. |
No Dissenters Rights
Because shares of Sothebys Michigan Common Stock are listed on the NYSE, Michigan law does not provide for dissenters rights for holders of Sothebys Michigan Common Stock in connection with the reincorporation.
Accounting Treatment of the Reincorporation
The reincorporation would be accounted for as a reverse merger whereby, for accounting purposes, the Company would be considered the acquiror and the surviving corporation would be treated as the successor to the historical operations of the Company. Accordingly, the historical financial statements of the Company, which the Company previously reported to the SEC on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, among other forms, as of and for all periods through the date of this Proxy Statement, would be treated as the financial statements of the surviving corporation.
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Regulatory Approval
To the Companys knowledge, the only required regulatory or governmental approval or filings necessary in connection with the consummation of the reincorporation merger would be the filing of articles of merger with the Bureau of Commercial Services of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth and the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The Company has been advised by its counsel that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss would be recognized by the shareholders of the Company as a result of the consummation of the reincorporation merger and no gain or loss would be recognized by Sothebys Michigan or Sothebys Delaware. In addition, counsel has advised the Company that each former holder of Sothebys Michigan Common Stock would have the same basis in the common stock of Sothebys Delaware received or deemed received by such person pursuant to the reincorporation merger as such holder had in the Sothebys Michigan Common Stock held by such person immediately prior to the consummation of the reincorporation merger, and such persons holding period with respect to such common stock of Sothebys Delaware would include the period during which such holder held the corresponding Sothebys Michigan Common Stock, provided the latter was held by such person as a capital asset immediately prior to the consummation of the reincorporation merger.
State, local or foreign income tax consequences to shareholders may vary from the U.S. federal income tax consequences described above. SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS AS TO THE EFFECT OF THE REINCORPORATION UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN INCOME TAX LAWS.
Vote Required for the Reincorporation Proposal
To approve the proposed merger agreement, Michigan law requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock entitled to vote. A vote in favor of the reincorporation proposal is a vote to approve the merger agreement and therefore the reincorporation merger. A vote in favor of the reincorporation proposal also effectively constitutes approval the Certificate of Incorporation of Sothebys Delaware and the By-Laws of Sothebys Delaware, subject to approval of the written consent proposal and special meeting proposal described below. If the shareholders approve the merger agreement and the reincorporation is completed, the Delaware Certificate and the Delaware By-Laws in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the reincorporation merger would, respectively, become the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the surviving corporation. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not votes cast affirmatively and consequently will have the effect of as votes against the proposal.
The approval of each of the written consent proposal and the special meeting proposal, each set forth below, is a condition to approval of the reincorporation. Thus, a vote against the written consent proposal or the special meeting proposal would have the effect of a vote against the reincorporation. Conversely, a vote against the reincorporation would have the effect of a vote against the written consent proposal and the special meeting proposal.
Board Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE REINCORPORATION PROPOSAL
47
PROPOSAL 3 - WRITTEN CONSENT
Under the MBCA, a corporations articles of incorporation may provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at an annual or special meeting of the corporations shareholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice to shareholders, and without a shareholder vote, if written consents setting forth the action to be taken are signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action if it were taken at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. The Michigan Articles currently permit shareholder action by written consent under those circumstances.
Under Delaware law, unless a corporations certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, any action required or permitted to be taken by the corporations stockholders may be taken without a meeting or notice to stockholders and without a stockholder vote, if a written consent setting forth the action to be taken is signed by the holders of shares of outstanding stock having the requisite number of votes that would be necessary to authorize such action if it were taken at a meeting of stockholders.
Prior to the Companys recent Recapitalization, the Company had a dual-class voting structure, which would have made it impractical for anyone to make an unsolicited bid for the Company. Given the elimination of the controlling rights of the Class B shareholders, the Board of Directors believes it is appropriate to ensure that any future proposal to acquire the Company is subject to normal rules of corporate procedure. Accordingly, the Board of Directors proposes to include a provision in the Delaware Certificate and a corresponding provision in the Delaware By-Laws that would eliminate the ability of shareholders to act by written consent without a meeting.
The written consent proposal, by eliminating the ability to act by written consent, will give all shareholders of the Company an equal opportunity to participate in determining the outcome of any proposed action requiring shareholder approval and will prevent the holders of a majority of the voting stock from using the written consent procedure to take shareholder action without affording all shareholders an opportunity to participate. This proposal will require that shareholder actions be taken only at an annual or special meeting of shareholders in accordance with the advance notice provisions of the Delaware By-Laws. This will ensure that shareholders will have sufficient time to weigh the arguments presented by both sides in connection with any contested shareholder vote. In addition, if the special meeting proposal (Proposal 4, below) is adopted, shareholders will not have the ability to call a special meeting of shareholders of the Company to take corporate action between annual meetings. Accordingly, the written consent proposal in conjunction with the special meeting proposal could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making more difficult a change in control of the Company. For example, a proposal for the removal of directors for cause could, if the Board of Directors desired, be delayed until the next annual meeting of the Company's shareholders. Although we believe that these provisions are intended to ensure an orderly process of shareholder democracy and may provide for an opportunity to maximize shareholder value in the event of an acquisition proposal by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with the Company's Board of Directors, these provisions will apply even to unsolicited acquisition proposals that may be considered beneficial by some shareholders.
For more information about the rights of the Companys shareholders following completion of the reincorporation, see Comparison of Shareholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation. You should also carefully read the full text of the form of Delaware Certificate, which is attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
48
No Dissenters Rights
Michigan law does not provide for dissenters rights for holders of Sothebys Michigan Common Stock in connection with the written consent proposal.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, assuming a quorum is present, is required to approve the written consent proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not votes cast affirmatively and consequently will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.
Approval of the reincorporation is conditioned on approval of the written consent proposal. As a result, a vote against the written consent proposal would have the effect of a vote against the reincorporation. Conversely, approval of the written consent proposal is conditioned on approval of the reincorporation. Thus, a vote against the reincorporation would have the effect of a vote against the written consent proposal.
Board Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE WRITTEN CONSENT PROPOSAL
49
PROPOSAL 4 - SPECIAL MEETING
Michigan law provides that a special meeting of shareholders may be called by the board, or by officers, directors or shareholders as provided in a companys by-laws. The Michigan By-Laws provide that a special meeting of shareholders may only be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President, or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors (i.e., special meetings may not ordinarily be called by shareholders). However, Michigan law provides that upon application of the holders of not less than 10% of all the shares entitled to vote at a meeting, the circuit court, for good cause shown, may order a special meeting of shareholders to be called and held at such time and place, upon such notice and for the transaction of such business as may be designated in the order.
Delaware law provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by a corporations certificate of incorporation or by-laws. The Delaware Certificate provides that special meetings may only be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors. Because Michigan law would no longer apply following the reincorporation, if the special meeting proposal is adopted, holders of not less than 10% of the shares entitled to vote will no longer be able to petition a court to order a special shareholder meeting. This would mean that certain shareholder proposals, such as a proposed amendment to the by-laws or a proposal for the removal of directors, could not be voted on until the next annual meeting of the Companys shareholders, unless the Board agreed to call a special meeting. Prior to the Companys recent Recapitalization, the Company had a dual-class voting structure, which would have made it impractical for anyone to make an unsolicited bid for the Company. Given the elimination of the controlling rights of the Class B shareholders, the Board of Directors believes it is appropriate to ensure that any future proposal to acquire the Company is subject to normal rules of corporate procedure. Accordingly, the Board of Directors did not include a provision in the Delaware Certificate and a corresponding provision in the Delaware By-Laws that would give the shareholders the right to call a special meeting akin to the right available under Michigan law. However, the Board can still call a special meeting of the shareholders if issues arise that require a special shareholder meeting.
For more information about the rights of the Companys shareholders following completion of the reincorporation, see Comparison of Shareholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation. You should also carefully read the full text of the form of Delaware Certificate, which is attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
No Dissenters Rights
Michigan law does not provide for dissenters rights for holders of Sothebys Michigan Common Stock in connection with the special meeting proposal.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, assuming a quorum is present, is required to approve the special meeting proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not votes cast affirmatively and consequently will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.
Approval of the reincorporation is conditioned on approval of the special meeting proposal. As a result, a vote against the special meeting proposal would have the effect of a vote against the reincorporation. Conversely, approval of the special meeting proposal is conditioned on approval of the reincorporation. Thus, a vote against the reincorporation would have the effect of a vote against the special meeting proposal.
Board Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING PROPOSAL.
50
PROPOSAL 5-APPROVAL OF AMENDED AND RESTATED RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
Background
In March 2006, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan, effective May 8, 2006, subject to shareholder approval. The Board believes the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan, which amends and restates the Existing Restricted Stock Plan, is necessary and desirable for several reasons:
|
|
|
|
|
Only 235,772 shares of Class A Common Stock remain available for issuance under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan. This number is insufficient to permit appropriate continued restricted stock awards to eligible executives and especially with respect to restricted stock awards potentially payable in the future under the Executive Bonus Plan, given the Companys recent performance history. The increase in shares of Class A Common Stock by 4,500,000 shares, from 2,000,000 shares to 6,500,000 shares, under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan is thus reasonable and necessary. |
|
|
|
|
|
Under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan, the Company could accelerate time vesting of restricted stock awards generally without limitation. In order to further align its executive compensation practices with current governance trends, the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan does not generally permit the acceleration of an awards vesting schedule to less than a three (3) year period. |
Related Reduction in Shares Reserved Under the Stock Option Plan
Subject to shareholder approval of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan, the Committee has approved an amendment to the Stock Option Plan to reduce the number of shares reserved for issuance under that Stock Option Plan, by 6,955,500 shares, from 14,900,000 to 7,944,500 shares. The Stock Option Plan amendment is contingent on shareholder approval of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan in order to further demonstrate the Companys commitment to actual stock ownership in the Company by executives rather than the mere possibility of such ownership that is typical of stock option plans. The Company also believes it is prudent to refrain from requesting increases in authorized shares for issuance under one equity compensation plan without reducing the shares available for issuance under another plan that diverges from the Companys present compensation planning. As a result of substantially reducing the shares available for issuance under the Stock Option Plan, the Company believes that it is taking appropriate action.
Number of Shares Available for Future Grants Under Plans
51
The effect of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan and the Stock Option Plan amendment on shares reserved for issuance as well as shares available for future grants under each plan is illustrated in the following tables:
|
|
|
|
|
Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan (as of the Record Date) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Reserved for Issuance under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan |
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Shares of Restricted Stock Previously Issued under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan |
|
|
(1,959,717 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Plus Shares previously withheld for tax obligations of participants that are again available for issuance under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan and forfeited shares |
|
|
195,489 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares Available for Grant under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan |
|
|
235,772 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plus Increase in Shares Reserved for Issuance and Available for Grant under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan |
|
|
4,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Shares Reserved for Issuance and Available for Grant under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan |
|
|
4,735,772 |
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Option Plan (as of the Record Date) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Reserved for Issuance under the Stock Option Plan |
|
|
14,900,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Shares Reserved in connection with Options previously exercised |
|
|
(3,149,790 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Less Shares Reserved in connection with outstanding but unexercised Options |
|
|
(4,293,880 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares Available for Grant under the Stock Option Plan before Amendment |
|
|
7,456,330 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Decrease in Shares Reserved for Issuance in connection with Option Grants under the Stock Option Plan as a result of Amendment |
|
|
(6,955,500 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Shares Reserved for Issuance and available in connection with Future Option Grants under the Stock Option Plan, as amended. |
|
|
500,830 |
|
Principal Features of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan
The following summary describes the principal features of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to this plan, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix D..
Administration. The Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan is administered by the Committee (and, with respect to certain matters, the Section 162(m) Sub-Committee), which presently consists of five directors of the Company. The Committee has all powers and discretion necessary and appropriate to administer the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan and to control its operation.
Eligible Participants. The Committee will select those employees who are eligible to participate in the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan based on recommendation from the Companys management.
Number of Shares Subject to the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan, Maximum Awards. A total of 6,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock are reserved for issuance as Restricted Stock pursuant to the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan. A single participant may not be awarded more than 1,000,000 shares of Restricted Stock during any thirty-six month period. Any shares that are forfeited will again be available for awards under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan. In addition, shares that are withheld in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations are again available for awards under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan prior to April 29, 2013.
53
Restricted Stock Awards. Shares issued under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan are considered restricted because they are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer prior to vesting. Restricted Stock issued under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan will be subject to such restrictions and conditions, including time vesting and vesting based on satisfaction of performance criteria, as the Committee may determine. The issuance of Restricted Stock under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan is evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the participant. The award agreement specifies the number of shares of Restricted Stock issued, the vesting period, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its discretion, determines. The Company may also authorize the issuance of Restricted Stock in exchange for the cancellation of options granted under the Stock Option Plan.
Vesting Schedule. Restricted Stock granted under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan generally vests over a four (4) year period in which 25% of the shares vest on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant.
Acceleration of Vesting. The Committee, in its discretion, and subject to Code Section 162(m), may accelerate the vesting of a participants Restricted Stock awards provided, however, that no acceleration will result in vesting over a period of less than three (3) years unless such acceleration is on account of the participants death, Disability, Retirement, termination of employment or a Change of Control of the Company (as such terms are defined in the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan).
United States Income Tax Consequences
General. A participant will not recognize any income for federal income tax purposes at the time the participant is awarded Restricted Stock under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan. However, upon the lapse of a restriction, i.e., vesting of shares, the participant will realize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the then fair market value of the unrestricted shares. The income realized will be subject to tax withholding by the Company either through withholding shares issued upon vesting or by securing from the participant payment in cash. Generally, the Company will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the ordinary income realized by employees upon vesting of the Restricted Stock.
Section 162(m). Subject to certain exceptions, Code Section 162(m) places a $1 million annual limit on a corporations tax deduction for compensation paid to a Named Executive Officer. Compensation in excess of $1 million will, however, continue to be tax deductible by a corporation if such compensation satisfies the applicable requirements under Section 162(m) for performance-based compensation (the Performance Exception). Restricted Stock awards that provide time vesting restrictions do not satisfy the Performance Exception. Restricted Stock awards that provide performance-based criteria may satisfy the Performance Exception and such awards issued to the Named Executive Officers will be approved by the Section 162(m) Sub-Committee.
The foregoing summary of the effects of United States income taxation upon the employee and the Company with respect to awards under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan does not purport to be complete, and reference should be made to the applicable provisions of the Code. In addition, this summary does not discuss the provisions of the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which the employee may reside.
New Plan Benefits
Because the criteria for Restricted Stock awards under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan will be determined in the Committees or Section 162(m) Sub-Committees discretion, and because Named Executive Officers receive Restricted Stock awards based on Company performance under the Executive Bonus Plan, the Company is not presently able to determine the Restricted Stock that may be
54
awarded to each Named Executive Officer, all current executive officers as a group, or all employees (including current officers who are not executive officers). Non-employee Directors are not eligible to participate in the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan.
However, assuming tht the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan had been in effect with respect to calendar year 2005, the Company would have awarded (and in fact did award under the Existing Restricted Stock Plan directly and indirectly through the Executive Bonus Plan) the following number of shares of restricted stock under the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan directly and under the Executive Bonus Plan indirectly:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan (1) |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
Name and Position or Group |
|
Dollar Value ($) (2) |
|
Number of Shares |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William F. Ruprecht, |
|
$568,756 |
|
|
28,059 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robin G. Woodhead, |
|
$236,308 |
|
|
11,658 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Bailey, |
|
$217,396 |
|
|
10,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William S. Sheridan, |
|
$306,300 |
|
|
15,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mitchell Zuckerman |
|
$218,794 |
|
|
10,794 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers as a Group |
|
$1,897,637 |
|
|
93,618 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Executive Directors as a Group |
|
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group |
|
$3,678,923 |
|
|
207,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
This table includes only grants made during 2005 or in early 2006 with respect to 2005 performance under the Existing Restricted Stock or the Executive Bonus Plan. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Based on the price at which the restricted stock awards were granted. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Excludes 115,000 shares of restricted stock awarded in early 2005 to Mr. Ruprecht that related in part to 2004 performance. |
55
Board Recommendation
The Board of Directors continues to believe that stock-based incentives are important in attracting and retaining the services of outstanding personnel and in encouraging such employees to have greater stock ownership in the Company, thereby aligning their interests closely with those of the shareholders. In order to further the foregoing objectives and to enhance the retentive and incentive impact of outstanding equity compensation awards, the Board believes that it is desirable to adopt the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN PROPOSAL
Required Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of Class A Common Stock is required for approval of the Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the Companys cumulative total shareholder return on its Class A Common Stock (for the five year period from December 31, 2000 to December 31, 2005) with the cumulative return of the Standard & Poors MidCap 400 Stock Index (S&P Midcap 400) and the Companys Peer Group (Peer Group). The Peer Group consists of Nordstrom, Inc., Saks Holdings, Inc., Tiffany & Co. and a new addition for this year, Movado, Inc. Movado, Inc. replaces The Neiman-Marcus Group, Inc., which was acquired by private investors in May 2005, as a result of which that companys stock ceased trading publicly.
The Company believes the members of this Peer Group to be purveyors of luxury goods appealing to a segment of the population consistent with the Companys own clientele as no other auction house of comparable market share or capitalization is publicly traded.
The graph reflects an investment of $100 in the Companys Class A Common Stock, the S&P MidCap 400, which includes the Company, and the Companys Peer Group, respectively, on December 31, 2000, and a reinvestment of dividends at the average of the closing stock prices at the beginning and end of each quarter.
Five Year Cumulative Total Return of Sothebys,
Peer Group, and the S&P Mid Cap 400 as of 12/31
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Sothebys
Peer Group
S&P
MidCap 400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/31/2000 |
|
12/31/2001 |
|
12/31/2002 |
|
12/31/2003 |
|
12/31/2004 |
|
12/31/2005 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sothebys |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
$ |
71.63 |
|
$ |
38.81 |
|
$ |
58.91 |
|
$ |
78.32 |
|
$ |
79.18 |
|
Peer Group |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
$ |
146.27 |
|
$ |
138.82 |
|
$ |
227.44 |
|
$ |
251.89 |
|
$ |
256.05 |
|
S&P MidCap 400 |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
$ |
99.43 |
|
$ |
84.87 |
|
$ |
115.11 |
|
$ |
134.06 |
|
$ |
150.88 |
|
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Companys equity securities, to file
56
reports of ownership and changes in ownership of equity securities with the SEC. Officers, directors, and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by the SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and Forms 4 furnished to the Company pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the Exchange Act during the Companys most recent fiscal year, and Forms 5 with respect to the Companys most recent fiscal year, the Company believes that all such forms required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) were timely filed as necessary, by the executive officers, directors and security holders required to file same during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
CERTAIN COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Company is paying Mr. Sovern $310,000 for his seventh year of service as Chairman of the Board and as a director of the Company. This amount is payable in equal monthly installments, but will be paid in full in the event of a change in control of the Company or his being terminated without cause prior to February 21, 2007. See Compensation of Directors.
The Duke of Devonshire, the Deputy Chairman of the Company, provides consulting services to the Company and is paid £65,000 per year for such services.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In connection with the Recapitalization, which occurred on September 7, 2005, the Company entered into a Transaction Agreement (the Agreement) with various affiliates of A. Alfred Taubman and his family (the Shareholders). Prior to completion of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, the Shareholders were the Companys controlling shareholders, holding in the aggregate 14,034,158 shares of Class B Common Stock, representing approximately 62.4% of the aggregate voting power of the Companys capital stock. Robert S. Taubman, A. Alfred Taubmans son, is a director of the Company.
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company agreed to exchange all 14,034,158 shares of Class B Stock owned by the Shareholders for $168,409,896 in cash and 7.1 million shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock. In the Agreement, each Shareholder agreed to a customary standstill lasting until the earlier of the (1) fourth anniversary of the Recapitalization or (2) 30 days after the date on which (a) the Shareholders, together with their affiliates, own, in the aggregate, securities representing less than ten percent of the Companys total outstanding voting power and (b) no affiliate of any Shareholder is a member of the board of directors of the Company (however, if such 30th day would otherwise occur on or before the second anniversary of the Recapitalization, such 30th day would not be deemed to occur until such second anniversary). Under the standstill, each Shareholder agreed, among other things, unless requested by the Company, not to acquire or propose to acquire ownership of or the ability to vote any securities or other property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. A. Alfred Taubman is either an affiliate of or has an interest in certain of the Shareholders. In addition, Robert S. Taubman is an affiliate of or has a beneficial interest in certain of the Shareholders. Accordingly, each of them may be deemed to have material direct and indirect interests in the consideration paid to the Shareholders in the Recapitalization.
In addition, a subsidiary of the Company has entered into a contract with the Chatsworth House Trust, of which the Duke of Devonshire, the Deputy Chairman of the Company, is a director, to pay a fee in the amount of $180,290 to conduct an auction at Chatsworth during 2006.
57
From time to time, officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Company and members of their immediate families purchase or sell property through the Company at public auction or in private transactions in the ordinary course of business.
PROPOSAL 6- RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP has been the independent auditors for the Company since 1983. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditors for 2006. Although shareholder approval of the appointment is not required by law and is not binding on the Audit Committee, the Committee will take the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP under advisement if such appointment is not approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting.
The Company expects that representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Meeting and will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. The Company also expects such representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP to be available at that time to respond to appropriate questions addressed to the officer presiding at the Meeting.
Independent Auditors Fees
The following table summarizes the aggregate fees billed to Sothebys Holdings, Inc. by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, the Deloitte Entities) for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Audit Fees (a) |
|
$ |
3,232,429 |
|
$ |
2,526,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit-Related Fees (b) (c) |
|
|
176,131 |
|
|
976,634 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees (d) |
|
|
461,134 |
|
|
711,001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees (e) |
|
|
46,250 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
3,915,944 |
|
$ |
4,214,260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Fees for audit services billed in 2005 and 2004 consisted of: the audit of the Companys annual financial statements, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404 attestation, as well as statutory and regulatory audits; and reviews of the Companys quarterly financial statements. |
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(b) |
Fees for audit-related services billed in 2005 consisted of: financial accounting and reporting consultations and employee benefit plan audits. |
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(c) |
Fees for audit-related services billed in 2004 consisted of: financial accounting and reporting consultations; Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404 documentation services; and employee benefit plan audits. |
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(d) |
Fees for tax services billed in 2005 and 2004 consisted of tax compliance and tax planning and advice consisting of: |
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Fees for tax compliance services totaled $334,214 and $517,300 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. Tax compliance services are services rendered based upon facts already in existence or transactions that have already occurred to document, compute, and obtain government approval for amounts to be included in tax filings and in 2005 and 2004 consisted of: federal, state and local income tax |
58
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return assistance; sales and use, property and other tax return assistance; assistance with tax return filings in certain foreign jurisdictions; tax advice related to intra-group allocations of income and value added tax; and assistance with tax audits and appeals. |
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|
Fees for tax planning and advice services totaled $126,920 and $193,701 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. Tax planning and advice are services rendered with respect to proposed transactions or that alter a transaction to achieve a tax compliant result. Such services in 2005 consisted of: tax advice related to the Companys Section 965 Domestic Reinvestment Plan, tax advice related to the Companys jewelry partnership, as well as tax advice for certain executives. In 2004, such services consisted of tax advice related to the Company's sale of Sotheby's International Realty, tax advice related to the alteration of the Company's employee benefit plans and tax advice for certain executives. |
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(e) |
All other Fees consist of Board Education Services. |
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|
|
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2005 |
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2004 |
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Ratio of Tax planning and Advice Fees and All Other Fees to Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Compliance Fees |
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0.05:1 |
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0.05:1 |
|
In considering the nature of the services provided by the Deloitte Entities, the Audit Committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The Audit Committee discussed these services with the independent auditor and Company management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
The Audit Committee has established a policy requiring the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided to the Company by the Deloitte Entities. The policy provides for pre-approval of audit, audit related and tax services specified by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of its members authority to pre-approve permitted services, consisting of audit services, audit related services and tax services. Any pre-approval decision made by such designated member(s) shall be reported to the Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Board Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR RATIFICATION PROPOSAL.
PROPOSALS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Any shareholder proposal intended to be included in the Proxy Statement for the annual meeting to be held in 2007 must be received by the Secretary of the Company at 1334 York Avenue, New York, New York 10028 by the close of business on December 20, 2006. A shareholder proposal intended to be presented for consideration at the annual meeting to be held in 2007 but not intended for inclusion in the Proxy Statement must be received by the Company at the above-stated address by the close of business on March 5, 2006. If the date of such meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the date such meeting is scheduled to be held, the proposal must be received by the Company at a reasonable time before the solicitation of proxies for such meeting is made. Proposals should be sent to the attention of the Secretary. A person may submit only one proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials, and under certain circumstances enumerated in the SECs rules relating to the solicitation of proxies, the Company may be entitled to omit the proposal and any statement in support thereof (which in the aggregate may not exceed 500 words in length) from its proxy statement and form of proxy.
59
Appendix
A AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER MARCH 31, 2006 between Sothebys
Holdings, Inc., a Michigan corporation (Sothebys Michigan) and Sothebys
Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Sothebys Delaware) CONTENTS Section Page 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Sothebys Michigan Options, Stock
Purchase Rights and Other Equity-Based Awards 3 3 3 4 4 4 Conditions to the Obligations of the
Constituent Corporations to Effect the Merger 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated March 31, 2006 (the Agreement), is BETWEEN (1) Sothebys Holdings, Inc., a Michigan corporation (Sothebys Michigan), and (2) Sothebys Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Sothebys Delaware), and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sothebys Michigan. Sothebys Michigan and Sothebys Delaware are
sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the Constituent Corporations. WHEREAS (A) Sothebys Michigan is a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Michigan, and, as of March 24, 2006 has
59,733,442 shares of Class A Limited Voting Common Stock issued and outstanding
(Sothebys Michigan Common Stock). (B) Sothebys Delaware is a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, as of the date hereof,
has 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and
outstanding (Sothebys Delaware Common
Stock), all of which are held by Sothebys Michigan. (C) The respective Boards of Directors of Sothebys
Michigan and Sothebys Delaware have adopted and approved, respectively, this
Agreement, which is the plan of merger for purposes of the Michigan Business
Corporation Act, the agreement of merger for purposes of the Delaware General
Corporation Law and the plan of reorganization for purposes of Section 368 of
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. (D) The Board of Directors of Sothebys Michigan has
determined to recommend this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including the Merger, to the shareholders of Sothebys
Michigan, and the Board of Directors of Sothebys Delaware has determined
that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including the Merger, are advisable. NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and
covenants set forth herein, Sothebys Michigan and Sothebys Delaware hereby
agree, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows: 1. 1.1 Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the provisions of the
Delaware General Corporation Law and the Michigan Business Corporation Act,
Sothebys Michigan shall be merged with and into Sothebys Delaware (the Merger) at the Effective Time of the
Merger (as defined below) in a transaction intended to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code,
whereupon the separate existence of Sothebys Michigan shall cease and
Sothebys Delaware shall become, and is hereinafter sometimes referred to as,
the A-1 Surviving Corporation. 1.2 The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the certificate
of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the
Bureau of Commercial Services of the Michigan Department of Labor &
Economic Growth of the State of Michigan, unless another date and time
is set forth in the certificate of merger. The date and time when the
Merger shall become effective is referred to herein as the Effective
Time of the Merger. 1.3 As of the Effective Time of the Merger, the separate existence
of Sothebys Michigan shall cease, and the Merger shall have the
effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the Delaware General
Corporation Law and the Michigan Business Corporation Act. 2. 2.1 The Certificate of Incorporation of Sothebys Delaware
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall
be, as of the Effective Time of the Merger, amended to be in the form
of Exhibit A hereto, and, as so amended, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended in accordance with the
provisions thereof and applicable law. The certificate of merger filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware will amend the Certificate of Incorporation of Sothebys Delaware to change the name
of Sothebys Delaware to Sothebys. 2.2 The By-Laws of Sothebys Delaware in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be, as of the Effective
Time of the Merger, the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation until duly
amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable law.
2.3 The directors and officers of Sothebys
Michigan immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be
the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation (holding the same
titles as directors and officers as each such director or officer held
with Sothebys Michigan) until the earlier of their resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed
and qualified. 3. 3.1 As of the Effective Time of the Merger, each share of
Sothebys Michigan Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately
prior thereto shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action by the
Constituent Corporations, the holder of such share or any other person, be
converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Sothebys Delaware
Common Stock (the Merger Consideration).
As of the Effective Time of the Merger, all shares of Sothebys Michigan
Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist. A-2 A-3 such holder shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor
a certificate or certificates representing an equivalent number of shares
of Sothebys Delaware Common Stock. Until so surrendered, each outstanding
certificate previously representing Sothebys Michigan Common Stock
shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the shares of Sothebys
Delaware Common Stock into which the shares of Sothebys Michigan
Common Stock previously represented by such certificate have been converted
as herein provided. (b) The registered owners of Sothebys Michigan Common Stock
on the books and records of Sothebys Michigan immediately prior
to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be the registered owners of
Sothebys Delaware Common Stock on the books and records of Sothebys
Delaware immediately after the Effective Time of the Merger, and the holders
of certificates previously representing shares of Sothebys Michigan
Common Stock, until such certificates shall have been surrendered for
transfer or conversion or otherwise accounted for by the Surviving Corporation,
shall be entitled to exercise any voting and other rights with respect
to, and receive dividends and other distributions upon, the shares of
Sothebys Delaware Common Stock that such shares of Sothebys
Michigan Common Stock were converted into pursuant to the Merger. (c) Each certificate representing Sothebys Delaware
Common Stock so issued in the Merger shall bear the same legends, if any,
with respect to the restrictions on transfer that appeared on the
certificates representing Sothebys Michigan Common Stock so converted and
given in exchange therefor, unless otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors of the Surviving Corporation in compliance with applicable laws. (d) If any certificate representing shares of Sothebys
Delaware Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than the name in which
the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, the following
conditions must be satisfied before the issuance thereof: (i) the certificate
so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for
transfer; (ii) such transfer shall otherwise be proper; and (iii) the person
requesting such transfer shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or
other taxes payable by reason of issuance of such new certificate in a name
other than the name of the registered holder of the certificate surrendered
or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such
tax has been paid or is not payable. 4. 4.1 Sothebys Michigan covenants and agrees that it will
on or before the Effective Time of the Merger take all such other actions as
may be required by the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Michigan
Business Corporation Act to effect the Merger. 4.2 Sothebys Delaware covenants and agrees that it will
on or before the Effective Time of the Merger: (a) take such action as may be required to qualify
to do business as a foreign corporation in the states in which Sothebys
Michigan is qualified to do business immediately before the Effective
Time of the Merger, to the extent necessary, and in connection therewith
irrevocably appoint an agent for service of process as required under
the applicable provisions of the relevant state laws; (b) take all such other actions as may be required by
the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Michigan Business Corporation
Act to effect the Merger. A-4 (a) Each of (i) the Agreement, (ii) the proposal to include a provision
in the Surviving Corporations Certificate of Incorporation requiring
that action by shareholders of the Surviving Corporation be taken at a
duly called meeting of shareholders, and (iii) the proposal to include
a provision in the Surviving Corporations Certificate of Incorporation
providing that special shareholder meetings may be called only by the
Chairman of the Board, if any, the President, the Board of Directors or
a duly designated committee of the Board of Directors (clauses (ii) and
(iii) are referred to below as the Related Proposals), shall have
been approved by (A) in the case of the Agreement, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Sothebys
Michigan Common Stock entitled to vote thereon and (B) in the case of the Related
Proposals, by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Sothebys
Michigan Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, and the Agreement shall
have been adopted by the sole stockholder of Sothebys Delaware.
(b) No statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or
permanent) shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any
court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits,
restrains, enjoins or restricts the consummation of the Merger; provided,
however, that the Constituent Corporations shall use their
reasonable best efforts to cause any such decree, ruling, injunction or other
order to be vacated or lifted. (c) The shares of Sothebys Delaware Common Stock
issuable pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for listing on
the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. 4.4 From time to time, as and when required by Sothebys
Delaware, Sothebys Michigan shall execute and deliver or shall cause to be
executed and delivered such deeds and other instruments, and Sothebys
Michigan shall take or cause to be taken any actions as shall be appropriate
or necessary, (a) to vest or perfect in Sothebys Delaware or confirm that
Sothebys Delaware shall have record ownership of or otherwise own the title
to and possession of all the property, interests, assets, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers, franchises and authority of Sothebys Michigan on the
Effective Time of the Merger or shortly thereafter and (b) to carry out the
purposes of or to effectuate this Agreement by the Effective Time of the
Merger or shortly thereafter, unless a specific deadline is established by
this Agreement. 4.5 At any time before the Effective Time of the Merger, this Agreement
may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned for any reason whatsoever
by the Board of Directors of any Constituent Corporation, notwithstanding
the approval or adoption, as the case may be, of this Agreement by the
shareholders of Sothebys Michigan or the stockholder of Sothebys
Delaware. 4.6 The registered office of the Surviving Corporation
in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and The Corporation Trust Company is the registered agent of the Surviving
Corporation at such address. A-5 4.7 Executed copies of this Agreement will be
on file at the principal place of business of the Surviving Corporation
in New York, NY, and copies thereof will be furnished to any shareholder
or stockholder, as the case may be, of either Constituent Corporation,
upon request and without cost. 4.8 This Agreement shall in all respects be construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware (without giving effect to any conflict of law rules
that might lead to the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction)
and, so far as applicable, the provisions of the Michigan Business
Corporation Act. 4.9 In order to facilitate the filing and recording
of this Agreement, this Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument. 4.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries This Agreement is for the sole benefit of
the parties hereto and is not intended to and shall not confer upon any
person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder. 4.11 Severability If any provision of this Agreement (or any
portion thereof) or the application of any such provision (or any portion
thereof) to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provision hereof (or the remaining portion thereof) or the application
of such provision to any other person or circumstances. [SIGNATURE PAGE
FOLLOWS] A-6 IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Sothebys Michigan and Sothebys Delaware
have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above
written by their respective duly authorized officers. SOTHEBYS HOLDINGS, INC., SOTHEBYS DELAWARE, INC., By: By: Name: Name: Title: Title: A-7 Appendix B CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION FIRST. The name of the corporation (which is hereinafter referred to
as the Corporation) is Sothebys. SECOND. The address
of the Corporations registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation
Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, New Castle
County, Delaware, 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is
The Corporation Trust Company. THIRD. The purpose
of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware. FOURTH. (a) The total
number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue
is 250,000,000, of which 200,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share, shall
be designated as Common Stock (Common Stock), and 50,000,000 shares, par
value $0.01 per share, shall be designated as Preferred Stock (Preferred
Stock). (b) The Board of
Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law and the
provisions of this Article Fourth, to provide from time to time for the
issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a
certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish
from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series,
and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of
each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
The
authority of the Board to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights
of the shares of each series and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof shall include, but not be limited to, determination of
the following: (1) the number
of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that
series; (2) the dividend
rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be cumulative,
and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if
any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series; (3) whether that
series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by
law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights; (4) whether that
series shall have conversion or exchange privileges, and, if so, the terms
and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including provision for
adjustment of the conversion or exchange rate in such events as the Board of
Directors shall B-1 determine; (5) whether or
not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and
conditions of such redemption, including the date or date upon or after which
they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of
redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different
redemption dates; (6) whether that
series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of
that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund; (7) the rights
of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and the relative
rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and (8) any other
relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series. (c) Each holder
of Common Stock shall have one vote for each share thereof held. FIFTH. The name and
mailing address of the incorporator is Eric S. Shube, Allen & Overy LLP,
1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, 10020. SIXTH. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred
by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors of the Corporation
is expressly authorized to make, alter and repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation,
subject to the power of the stockholders of the Corporation to alter or
repeal any By-Law whether adopted by them or otherwise. SEVENTH. Unless and except to the extent that the By-Laws of the Corporation
shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not
be by written ballot. EIGHTH. A director
of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to
the extent that such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not
permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware as currently in effect or
as the same may hereafter be amended.
Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Article Eighth shall be
prospective only and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a
director of the Corporation that exists at the time of such amendment,
modification or repeal. NINTH. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, including
the advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law as it currently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person 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, by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for
whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer
of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation,
is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect
to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (a
Covered Person) (including the heirs, executors, administrators
B-2 and estate of such Covered Person), against all liability and
loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys fees) reasonably
incurred by such Covered Person. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized
from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to
the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation
to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article Ninth with respect
to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers
of the Corporation. Without limiting the generality or the effect of the
foregoing, the Corporation may enter into one or more agreements with
any person that provide for indemnification greater than or different
from that provided in this Article Ninth. No amendment or repeal of this
Article Ninth shall adversely affect any right or protection existing
hereunder or pursuant hereto immediately prior to such amendment or repeal.
The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent
of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted
against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity,
or arising out of such persons status as such, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such
liability under the provisions of this Article Ninth or under the applicable
provisions of law. TENTH. No action
required to be taken or that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power
of stockholders to consent in writing without a meeting to the taking of any
action is specifically denied. ELEVENTH. Subject to
the rights of holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock in
respect of meetings of the holders of such shares, special meetings of
stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the
Chairman of the Board, if any, the President, the Board of Directors, or by a
committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the
Board of Directors and whose powers and authority, as expressly provided in a
resolution of the Board of Directors, include the power to call such
meetings, but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or
persons. Business transacted at any
special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the
purpose or purposes stated in the notice of such special meeting. B-3 Appendix C BY-LAWS OF (a
Delaware corporation, the Corporation) (adopted
as of March 31, 2006) ARTICLE I Stockholders Section
1.1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held
for the election of Directors, and, subject to Section 1.12 of these By-Laws
to conduct such other proper business as may be brought before the meeting,
at such date, time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware,
as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Section
1.2. Special
Meetings. Subject to the rights of
holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock in respect of
meetings of the holders of such shares, special meetings of stockholders for
any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board,
if any, the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, or
by a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the
Board of Directors and whose powers and authority, as expressly provided in a
resolution of the Board of Directors, include the power to call such meetings,
but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons.
Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to
matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of such
special meeting. Section
1.3. Notice of Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted
to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given
in writing or by electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law to
each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. Such notice shall
state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special
meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise
provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the notice
of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60)
days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at
such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited
in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at the
address of such stockholder as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Section
1.4. Adjournments.
Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to
time by the chairman of such meeting, whether or not there is a quorum present
at such meeting, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need
not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned
meeting the Corporation may transact any business that might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty
(30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. C-1 Section
1.5. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these By-Laws, at each meeting of stockholders the presence
in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of capital stock of the Corporation
having a majority of the votes that could be cast by the holders of all outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting shall
be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum,
the chairman of such meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the
manner provided in Section 1.4 of these By-Laws until a quorum shall attend.
Shares of capital stock of the Corporation belonging to the Corporation or to
another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election
of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present at any meeting of stockholders; provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation
to vote capital stock, including but not limited to its own capital stock, held
by it (or any other corporation) in a fiduciary capacity. The stockholders present
at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact
business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders
to leave less than a quorum. Section
1.6. Organization.
Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board,
if any, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board by the Vice Chairman of
the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Vice Chairman of the Board by the
President and Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of the President and
Chief Executive Officer by any Vice President, or in the absence of the
foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the
absence of such designation by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary
shall act as secretary of the meeting, but the chairman of the meeting may
appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The chairman of the
meeting shall announce at the meeting of stockholders the date and time of the
opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the
stockholders will vote. Section
1.7. Voting; Proxies. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any
meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital
stock of the Corporation held by such stockholder that has voting power upon
the matter in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders
may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such
proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the
proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states
that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest
sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke
any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person
or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or by delivering a
proxy in accordance with applicable law bearing a later date to the Secretary
of the Corporation. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written
ballot and, unless otherwise required by law, need not be conducted by inspectors
of election. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of Directors,
a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect Directors. All other
matters considered at a meeting of stockholders shall, unless otherwise provided
by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, be decided by a majority
of the votes that could be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon that are present in
person or by proxy at such meeting (assuming that a quorum is present). Section
1.8. Fixing
Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. In order that the
Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at
any meeting of C-2 stockholders or any adjournment thereof or 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
capital stock of the Corporation or for the purpose of any other lawful action,
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: (a) in the case of determination
of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment
thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60)
nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting; and (b) in the
case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such
other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) 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; and (ii) the record date
for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of
business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution
relating thereto. 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 the adjourned meeting. Section
1.9. List
of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Secretary shall prepare and
make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete
list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
and class of shares of capital stock of the Corporation registered in the name
of each stockholder. Nothing in this Section 1.9 shall require the
Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact
information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten
(10) days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic
network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is
provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours,
at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the
Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the
Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is
available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held
at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of
the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder
who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote
communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any
stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible
electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be
provided with the notice of the meeting. Upon the willful neglect or refusal of
the Directors to produce such a list at any meeting for the election of
Directors held at a place, or to open such a list to examination on a
reasonably accessible electronic network during any meeting for the election of
directors held solely by means of remote communication, they shall be
ineligible for election to any office at such meeting. The stock ledger shall
be the only evidence as to which stockholders are entitled to examine the list
of stockholders or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of
stockholders. Section
1.10. No
Action By Consent of Stockholders. No action required to be taken or
that may be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the
Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to
take action by consent in writing, without a meeting, is expressly denied. Section
1.11. Conduct
of Meetings. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such C-3 rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as
it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules
and regulations as may be adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of
any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe
such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the
judgment of such chairman, 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 chairman of the meeting, may include, without
limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of
business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the
meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or
participation in the meeting to stockholders of record, their duly authorized
and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting
shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed
for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to
questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by
the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders
shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary
procedure. Section
1.12. Advance Notice of Stockholder Business. At an annual meeting of
the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly
brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting,
business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto)
given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors,
or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder of the
Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice
provided for in this Section 1.12. For business to be properly brought
before an annual meeting by a stockholder of record, the stockholder must have
given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholders
notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business
on the sixtieth (60th) day nor earlier than the close of business
on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that
in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days
before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of
business on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting
and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement
of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall
the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new
time period for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.
A stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter
the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description
of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons
for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address,
as they appear on the Corporations books, of the stockholder proposing
such business, and, if applicable, the beneficial owner on whose behalf the
stockholder is acting, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock
of the Corporation that are owned of record by the stockholder, and, if applicable,
beneficially by the beneficial owner, and (iv) any material interest of the
stockholder or, if applicable, the beneficial owner in such business. Notwithstanding
anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at
any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 1.12. The chairman of the annual meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly
brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.12,
and if the chairman should so determine, the chairman shall so declare to the
meeting, and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall
not be transacted. C-4 Section
1.13. Notice of Stockholder Nominees. Only persons who are nominated
in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.13 shall
be eligible for election as Directors. Nominations of persons for election to
the Board of Directors may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for
the election of Directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures
set forth in this Section 1.13. Such nominations, other than those
made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant
to timely notice in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholders
notice shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business
on the sixtieth (60th) day nor earlier than the close of business
on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the first anniversary of the
preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that
in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days
before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of
business on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting
and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60th)
day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following
the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made
by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment
of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders
notice as described above. Such stockholders notice to the Secretary shall
set forth: (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for
election or reelection as a Director, (i) the name, age, business address and
residence address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment
of such person, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation that are beneficially owned by such person, and (iv) any other information
relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies for election of Directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant
to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including,
without limitation, such persons written consent to being named in the
proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected); and (b)
as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear
on the Corporations books, of such stockholder and (ii) the class and
number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned
by such stockholder. At the request of the Board of Directors any person nominated
by the Board of Directors for election as a Director shall furnish to the Secretary
that information required to be set forth in a stockholders notice of
nomination that pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election
as a Director unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in
this Section 1.13. The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made
in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these By-Laws, and if the chairman
should so determine, the chairman shall so declare to the meeting, and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded. Section
1.14. Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted
at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting
pursuant to the Corporations 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 Corporations notice
of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) 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 of giving of notice provided for in this Section 1.14,
who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Section 1.14. 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 may nominate a person
or persons (as C-5 the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified
in the Corporations notice of meeting, if the stockholders notice
required by Section 1.13 of these By-Laws shall be delivered to the Secretary
at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close
of business on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting
and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60th)
day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following
the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special
meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected
at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment
of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders
notice as described above. ARTICLE II Board of Directors Section
2.1. Number; Qualifications. The Board of Directors shall consist of
one or more members, the number thereof to be determined from time to time by
resolution of the Board of Directors. Directors need not be stockholders. The
Board of Directors may, if it so determines, choose a Chairman of the Board
and a Vice Chairman of the Board from among its members. No decrease in the
number of authorized Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director. Section
2.2. Election;
Resignation; Vacancies; Removal. The Board of Directors shall
initially consist of the persons named as Directors by the incorporator, and
each Director so elected shall hold office until such Directors successor is
elected and qualified. At the first annual meeting of stockholders and at each
annual meeting thereafter, the stockholders shall elect Directors each of whom
shall hold office until such Directors successor is elected and qualified. Any
Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Any
newly created Directorship or any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors
for any cause may be filled solely by a majority of the remaining members of
the Board of Directors, although such majority is less than a quorum or by a
single remaining Director, and each Director so elected shall hold office until
such Directors successor is elected and qualified. Subject to the rights of holders of shares of any class or series of
Preferred Stock with respect to such class or series of Preferred Stock, any
director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any
time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of Directors. Section
2.3. Regular
Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at
such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the
Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and, if so determined, notices
thereof need not be given. Section
2.4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may
be held at any time or place within or without the State of Delaware whenever
called by the Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer,
the Secretary, or any other Director. Notice of a special meeting of the Board
of Directors shall be given by the person or persons calling the meeting at
least twenty-four hours before the special meeting, unless such notice is waived
by each Director who is not present for such special meeting. Section
2.5. Telephonic
Meetings Permitted. Directors, or any member of any committee C-6 designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting
thereof by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other,
and participation in a meeting pursuant to this By-Law shall constitute presence
in person at such meeting. Section
2.6. Quorum; Vote Required for Action. At all meetings of the Board of
Directors a majority of the whole Board of Directors (including any vacancies)
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except in cases in
which the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws otherwise provide, the
vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. Section
2.7. Organization.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of
the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board by the Vice
Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Vice Chairman of the
Board by the President and Chief Executive Officer, or in their absence by a
chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the
meeting, but the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as
secretary of the meeting. Section
2.8. Informal Action by Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof,
may be taken without a meeting if all Directors or members of such committee,
as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission,
and the writing or writings or paper evidence of the electronic transmission
are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such
committee. Section
2.9. Compensation. By resolution of the Board of Directors an annual
or other fee as well as a fixed sum and expenses may be allowed for service
as a member of the Board of Directors, for attendance by a member of such committee
at each annual or special meeting of the Board of Directors and for attendance
by a member of such committee at each meeting of any committee designated by
the Board of Directors; provided, however, that nothing herein
contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Corporation
in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. ARTICLE III Committees Section
3.1. Committees.
The Board of Directors may by resolution designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of one or more of the Directors. The Board of Directors
may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who
may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.
Any such committee, to the extent permitted by law and to the extent provided
in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all
the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the
business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it. Section
3.2. Committee
Rules. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each
committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules
for the conduct C-7 of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall
conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its
business pursuant to Article II of these By-Laws. ARTICLE IV Advisory Committee Section
4.1. Advisory Committee: Constitution and Powers. The President and Chief
Executive Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, if any may
designate an advisory committee (to be known as the Advisory
Committee or Advisory Board), the members of which need not
be Directors but shall be prominent members of the art or business communities
of the world. The Advisory Committee and its members shall advise the Corporation
as to matters relating to conditions in the national and international art markets
and shall recommend actions that the Corporation may take in respect thereto.
The compensation, if any, of the members of the Advisory Committee shall be
fixed from time to time by the President and Chief Executive Officer, in consultation
with the Chairman of the Board, if any. The Advisory Committee, as such, shall
have no rights, powers, duties, authority, or responsibilities in respect of
the Corporation or its shareholders but shall be entitled to all of the indemnifications
to which a member of the Board of Directors is entitled. Section
4.2. Meetings of Advisory Committee. Meetings of the Advisory
Committee shall be held at such time(s) and place(s), as shall from time to
time be determined by resolution of the Advisory Committee or by its chairman,
who shall be elected by the Board of Directors or appointed by the President
and Chief Executive Officer. In case the day so determined shall be a legal
holiday, such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding day, not a legal
holiday, at the same hour. Section
4.3. Vacancies in Advisory Committee. Any newly created memberships and
vacancies occurring in the Advisory Committee may be filled by the President
and Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board,
if any. ARTICLE V Officers Section
5.1. Officers;
Election; Qualifications; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies.
The Board of Directors shall elect a President and Chief Executive Officer and
a Secretary. The Board of Directors may also choose a Chairman of the Board,
one or more Vice Chairmen of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents (who may be
further designated as Executive Vice Presidents or Senior Vice Presidents), one
or more Assistant Secretaries, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer and one
or more Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine. Each such officer shall hold office until the
first meeting of the Board of Directors after the annual meeting of
stockholders next succeeding his election, and until such officers successor
is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Any
officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. The
Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause at any time,
but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such
officer, if any, with the Corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the
same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death,
resignation, removal or otherwise may be C-8 filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors
at any regular or special meeting. Section
5.2. Powers
and Duties of Executive Officers. The officers of the Corporation
shall have such powers and duties in the management of the Corporation as may
be prescribed in a resolution by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not
so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the
control of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may require any
officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his
duties. ARTICLE VI Stock Section
6.1. Stock
Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a
certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or Vice
Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President and Chief
Executive Officer or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation
certifying the number and class of shares of capital stock of the Corporation
owned by such stockholder; provided that the Board of Directors may
provide by resolution that some or all classes of its capital stock shall be
uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares
represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the
Corporation. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were
such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Section
6.2. Lost,
Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates.
The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any
certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a
bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it
on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or
the issuance of such new certificate. Section
6.3. Transfer
Agents and Registrars. The Board of Directors may appoint, or
authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents and
one or more registrars. ARTICLE VII Indemnification Section
7.1. Right
to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold
harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it currently
exists or may hereafter be amended, any person 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 (other
than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact
that such person, C-9 or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was
a Director or officer of the Corporation or, while a Director or officer of the
Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint
venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect
to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (including
the heirs, executors, administrators and estate of such person), against all
liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys fees) reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding
provided such person shall have acted in good faith and in a manner the person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the persons conduct was unlawful. The Corporation
shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding (or
part thereof) initiated by such person only if the proceeding (or part thereof)
was authorized by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may, to the extent
authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification to
any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the
provisions of this Article VII with respect to the indemnification of Directors
and officers of the Corporation. Without limiting the generality or the effect
of the foregoing, the Corporation may enter into one or more agreements with
any person that provide for indemnification greater than or different from that
provided in this Article VII. Section
7.2. Actions
by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall
indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law
as it currently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is
made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any
action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a
Director or officer of the Corporation, or, while a Director or officer of the
Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director
or officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity against expenses (including
attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection
with the defense or settlement of such action or suit provided such person
shall have acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except
that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery
or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other
court shall deem proper. Section
7.3. Prepayment of Expenses. The Corporation shall pay the expenses (including
attorneys fees) of any person entitled to indemnification pursuant to
Section 7.1 of these By-Laws or the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition;
provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by a
Director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall
be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Director or officer to repay
all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Director
or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VII or
otherwise. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by
the Board, grant rights to advancement of expenses to any employee or agent
of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VII
with respect to the advancement of expenses C-10 of Directors and officers of the Corporation. Section
7.4. Claims.
If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses under this
Article VII is not paid in full within sixty (60) days after a written
claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, the claimant 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. In
any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the
claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of
expenses under applicable law. Section
7.5. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by
this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights that such person
may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation, these By-Laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
Directors or otherwise. Section
7.6. Other
Indemnification. The Corporations obligation, if any, to indemnify
any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may
collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit enterprise. Section
7.7. Amendment
or Repeal. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of
this Article VII shall not adversely affect any right or protection
hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to
the time of such repeal or modification. Section
7.8. Insurance. The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee,
or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against
such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out
of such persons status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have
the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions
of this Article VII or under the applicable provisions of law. ARTICLE VIII Miscellaneous Section
8.1. Fiscal
Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined from time
to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Section
8.2. Seal.
The corporate seal shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and
shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of
Directors. Section
8.3. Waiver
of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees. Any
written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether
before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.
Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for C-11 the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to
the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any
regular or special meeting of the stockholders, Directors, or members of a
committee of Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice. Section
8.4. Interested
Directors; Quorum. No contract or transaction between the
Corporation and one or more of its Directors or officers, or between the
Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other
organization in which one or more of the Corporations Directors or officers
are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or
voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the Director or officer is
present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or
committee thereof that authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely
because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (a) the material
facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction
are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the
Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or
transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested
Directors, even though the disinterested Directors be less than a quorum; (b)
the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or
transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote
thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith
by vote of the stockholders; or (c) the contract or transaction is fair as to
the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the
Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders. Interested
Directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting
of the Board of Directors or of a committee that authorizes the contract or
transaction. Section
8.5. Form
of Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular
course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and
minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape,
photographs, microphotographs, or any other information storage device,
provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form
within a reasonable time. Section
8.6. Amendment of By-Laws. These By-Laws may be altered or repealed,
and new By-Laws made, by the Board of Directors, but the stockholders may make
additional By-Laws and may alter and repeal any By-Laws whether adopted by them
or otherwise. C-12 Appendix D SOTHEBYS HOLDINGS, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN SOTHEBYS
HOLDINGS, INC. TABLE
OF CONTENTS Page 1 Establishment of Original Plan and
Amendment and Restatement of
Plan 1 1 1 1 5 5 6 6 6 6 Restricted Stock Subject to Forfeited
or Terminated Awards or
Withholding Tax 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 i 9 ii 10 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE
PLAN; REORGANIZATIONS AND
RECAPITALIZATIONS OF THE CORPORATION 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 13 Compliance with Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act 13 13 13 13 iii SOTHEBYS HOLDINGS, INC. AMENDED
AND RESTATED Article 1 1.1 Establishment of Original Plan and Amendment and
Restatement of Plan. The Sothebys Holdings, Inc. 2003 Restricted Stock
Plan was originally established effective May 1, 2003. The plan is now amended
and restated in connection with the Corporations 2005 recapitalization and
such other changes as the Corporation deems desirable. Subject to the
consummation of the reincorporation of the Corporation in the State of
Delaware, which will be on or around May 8, 2006, the plan will be adopted by
Sothebys, a Delaware corporation, as the successor to the Corporation. The
Sothebys Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan as
effective May 8, 2006, is referred to herein as the Plan. 1.2 Purpose of
Plan. The purpose of
the Plan is to promote the interests of the Corporation and its shareholders by
providing certain Employees of the Corporation with additional incentives to
continue and increase their efforts with respect to achieving success in the
business of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and attracting and retaining
the best available personnel to participate in the ongoing business operations
of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries. 1.3 Adoption
and Term. The Plan has
been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and subject to the
approval of a majority of the voting power of the shareholders of the
Corporation is effective May 8, 2006. The Plan will remain in effect until
terminated or abandoned by action of the Board of Directors. In
the Plan, whenever the context so indicates, the singular or plural number, and
the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall each be deemed to include the
other, the terms he, his, and him shall refer to a Participant, and the
capitalized terms shall have the following meanings: 2.1 Articles of
Incorporation means the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time. 2.2 Award means
individually or
collectively, a grant of Restricted Stock under this Plan. 2.3 Award Agreement
means an agreement entered into by
each Participant and the Corporation, setting forth the terms and provisions
applicable to Awards granted to Participants under the Plan. D-1 2.4 Beneficiary means (i) an individual, trust, or
estate, who or which, by will or by operation of the laws of descent and
distribution, succeeds to the rights and obligations of a Participant under the
Plan upon the Participants death; or (ii) an individual who, as a result of
designation by a Participant, succeeds to the rights and obligations of such
Participant under the Plan and the Award Agreement upon such Participants
death. 2.5 Board of
Directors means the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. 2.6 Business
Day means any Day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading. 2.7 Change in
Control means the date
upon which: (i) any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act) (a Person), shall become, directly or indirectly, the
beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of Common Stock of the Corporation enabling such Person to elect
a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation; or (ii)
the individuals who constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any
reason within any period of 18 consecutive months to constitute at least a
majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
becoming a director whose election, or nomination for election by the
Corporations shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then compromising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though the individual were a member of the Incumbent Board. 2.8 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of
succeeding law). 2.9
Common Stock means the Class A Limited Voting
Common Stock of the Corporation. Upon the reincorporation of the Corporation
in the State of Delaware, Common Stock means common stock of the Delaware corporation,
as successor to the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share. 2.10 Compensation
Committee or Committee
means the Compensation Committee established by the Board of Directors, or such
other committee as the Board may establish and assign the responsibility of
administering this Plan. 2.11 Confidential
Information means, with respect to the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries, any confidential information regarding the
financial situation and particular needs of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries
as well as of, or relating to, their customers and clients (including, without
limitation, consignors, buyers and principals), the identity of such Persons,
client lists, documents and information regarding the Corporations and any
Subsidiarys sales data, marketing, operational and appraisal techniques,
contracts, pricing, costs and profits, and any other information maintained as
proprietary or as trade secrets or as confidential. 2.12 Corporation means Sothebys Holdings, Inc., a
Michigan corporation, and any successor in interest to the business of the
Corporation that has, by agreement, adopted the Plan. D-2 2.13 Date of
Grant, with respect to an Award, means
the date on which the Compensation Committee grants such Award pursuant to the
Plan. 2.14 Day means each calendar day, including
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; provided, however, that if the Day on
which a period of time for consent or approval or other action ends is not a
Business Day, such period shall end on the next Business Day. 2.15 Disability or Disabled
means, with respect to an Employee, a physical or mental condition resulting
from any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that renders such
Employee incapable of engaging in any substantial gainful employment and that
can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to
last for a continuous period of not less than three hundred sixty-five (365)
Days. Certain conditions are
excluded from the definition of Disability. The Disability of an Employee and
the date upon which an Employee ceases to be employed by reason of Disability
shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance with uniform
principles consistently applied, upon the basis of such evidence as the
Compensation Committee deems necessary and desirable, and its good faith
determination shall be conclusive for all purposes of this Plan and the
relevant Award Agreement. 2.16 Eligible
Options means those Options
previously granted under the Stock Option Plan which are eligible for exchange
under an Exchange Offer. 2.17 Employee
means an individual who is and
continues to be employed (within the meaning of section 3401 of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder) by the Corporation or a Subsidiary
(while a corporation continues to be a Subsidiary) including officers (whether
or not they may also be directors) of the Corporation or a Subsidiary. An
Employee shall cease to be an Employee upon the voluntary or involuntary
termination of his employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary for any
reason, including death, Disability, Retirement, or with or without cause.
Whether an authorized leave of absence, or an absence due to military or
government service, Disability, or any other reason, constitutes a cessation of
employment shall be determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole
discretion. 2.18 Exchange
Act means the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. 2.19 Exchange
Offer means an offer to
exchange Options for shares of Restricted Stock pursuant to such terms and
conditions as the Compensation Committee may approve. 2.20 Fair Market
Value means the value of each share of
Restricted Stock, determined for a particular date as follows: (a) if
the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on any United States
national securities exchange, the value of each share of Restricted Stock
shall be the closing price per share of Common Stock on such exchange (or, if
listed on more than one United States exchange, the principal said exchange)
on the relevant Valuation Date hereunder; D-3 (b) if
paragraph (a) is not applicable, the value of each share of Restricted Stock
shall be the fair market value as determined by the Committee, in good faith
and in accordance with uniform principles consistently applied, on the last
day of the relevant Fiscal Year immediately preceding the relevant date
hereunder, or such other date as the Committee shall select. (c) for
purposes of determining taxation of the Restricted Stock issued to U.K.
employees, the definition of Fair Market Value may be adjusted as required by
the Shares Valuation Division of the U.K. Inland Revenue. 2.21 Fiscal
Year means the fiscal year of the
Corporation. 2.22 Fractional
Share means a portion of, or less than
the whole of, a share of Common Stock. 2.23 Option
means an Option granted under the
Stock Option Plan. 2.24 Optionee
means an individual who
has outstanding Option grants under the Stock Option Plan. 2.25 Participant means an Employee who has an
outstanding Award granted under this Plan. 2.26 Period of
Restriction means the period during which the
transfer of shares of Restricted Stock is limited in some way (based on the
passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence
of other events as determined by the Compensation Committee, in its
discretion), and the shares are subject to substantial risk of forfeiture, as
provided in Section 6.2 or 7.3. 2.27 Person
or Persons
means an individual, a partnership (general or limited), corporation, joint
venture, business trust, cooperative, association, or other form of business
organization, whether or not regarded as a legal entity under applicable law, a
trust (inter vivos or testamentary), an estate of a deceased, insane, or
incompetent person, a quasi-governmental entity, a government or any agency,
authority, political subdivision, or other instrumentality thereof, or any
other entity. 2.28 Plan means the Sothebys Amended and
Restated Restricted Stock Plan, as such plan may be amended from time to time. 2.29 Reporting
Person means any and all Employees subject
to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. 2.30 Restricted
Stock means those
shares of Common Stock made the subject of any Award granted pursuant to the
Plan. D-4 2.31 Retirement means the termination of employment
by an Employee after the attainment of the age of sixty-five (65) years or upon
such earlier date as required by local law or as otherwise determined or
approved by the Compensation Committee. 2.32 Section 162(m)
Subcommittee shall
be a Subcommittee of the Compensation Committee comprised solely of two or more
members of the Board, as determined by the Board from time to time, each of
whom shall be (i) a non-employee director as that term is defined and interpreted
pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and
(ii) an outside director as that term is defined and interpreted pursuant to
section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. The purpose of the
Section 162(m) Subcommittee is to approve Restricted Stock Awards to covered
employees (as defined in Code Section 162(m)) so that the Restricted Stock can
qualify as performanced-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). 2.33 Securities
Act means the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. 2.34 Stock Option
Plan means the
Sothebys Holdings, Inc. 1987 and 1997 Stock Option Plans, as amended from time
to time. 2.35 Subsidiary means any corporation at least 50%
of the total combined voting power of which is owned by the Corporation or
another Subsidiary. 2.36 Transfer
means any assignment, sale,
transfer, conveyance, mortgage or other encumbrance, pledge, or other
disposition or act of alienation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or by
operation of law. 2.37 Valuation
Date means, with respect to an Award of
Restricted Stock, the Business Day immediately preceding either the Date of
Grant of such Award, or the vesting date or other event applicable to such
Award. The Valuation Date for the issuance of Restricted Stock in connection
with an Exchange Offer shall be the date specified in the Exchange Offer
documents. Whenever reference is made to a Valuation Date, it shall mean, with
respect to the Common Stock, the value at the close of trading on such
Valuation Date, and with respect to any other item, midnight in New York City,
New York at the end of such Valuation Date. 3.1 Administration. The Plan shall be administered by
the Committee in accordance with this Article 3. Subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, the Committee or the Section 162(m) Subcommittee as
applicable shall have the sole discretionary authority: (a) to authorize the granting of
Restricted Stock Awards; (b) to select any Reporting Persons
who are to be granted Restricted Stock under the Plan and to determine,
subject to the limitations provided in D-5 Section 6.1 hereof, the number of
shares of Restricted Stock to be granted to each Reporting Person; (c) to construe and interpret the
Plan; (d) to establish and modify
administrative rules for the Plan; (e) to impose such conditions and
restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock Awards, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, as it determines appropriate; (f) to execute or cause to be executed
Award Agreements; and (g) generally, to exercise such power
and perform such other acts in connection with the Plan and the Awards and to
make all determinations under the Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable
or as required, provided or contemplated hereunder. Action
taken or not taken by the Compensation Committee on one or more occasions shall
be without obligation to take or not take such action on any other occasion(s). The
Committee may delegate to one or more Persons any of its powers, other than its
power to authorize the granting of Awards, hereinbefore or hereinafter provided
or conferred, or designate one or more Persons to do or perform those matters
to be done or performed by the Compensation Committee, including administration
of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not delegate a
power if the delegation of such power would cause the Plan to fail to satisfy
the plan administration requirements set forth in Rule 16b-3(c) promulgated
under the Exchange Act or section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder. Any Person or Persons delegated or designated by the
Committee shall be subject to the same obligations and requirements imposed on
the Committee and its members under the Plan. 3.2 Expenses of
Administration. The Corporation shall pay all costs and expenses of
administering the Plan. 3.3 Indemnification. The Committee, members of the
Committee, and each Person or Persons designated or delegated by the Committee,
and the shareholders, directors and officers of the Corporation, shall be
entitled to indemnification and reimbursement from the Corporation for any
action or any failure to act in connection with services performed by or on
behalf of the Committee for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest
extent provided or permitted by the Corporations Articles of Incorporation and
by any insurance policy or other agreement intended for the benefit of the
Committee as a committee of the Board of Directors or otherwise, or by any
applicable law. D-6 Article 4 4.1 Shares Subject
to the
Plan. The Restricted Stock to be made the subject of Awards granted under the
Plan shall be shares of the Corporations authorized but unissued or reacquired
Common Stock. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.3 hereof, the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued by the
Corporation under the Plan is 6,500,000 shares of Common Stock. The number of
shares of Restricted Stock to be granted at any time shall not exceed the
relevant number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under
the Plan. 4.2 Restricted
Stock
Subject to Forfeited or Terminated Awards or Withholding Tax. In the event that any Restricted
Stock with respect to an outstanding Award is forfeited, surrendered, expires
or is terminated for any reason before the Period of Restriction has been
satisfied, all shares of Restricted Stock allocable to the forfeited or
terminated portion of such Award shall again be available for Awards
subsequently granted under the Plan. If a Participant elects or is deemed to have
elected to have shares of Restricted Stock withheld in satisfaction of tax
withholding obligations prior to April 29, 2013, the withheld shares of
Restricted Stock shall, for purposes of this Section 4.2, be considered to have
been surrendered and shall therefore be available for Awards subsequently
granted under the Plan. Shares of Restricted Stock withheld in satisfaction of
tax withholding obligations on or after April 29, 2013 shall not be available
for Awards subsequently granted under the Plan unless the surrender and
reissuance of these shares is approved by shareholders, if such approval is
then deemed necessary to comply with applicable rules or regulations. 4.3 Exchange of
Options for Restricted Stock.
From time to time, the Corporation may authorize the issuance of Restricted
Stock in exchange for the cancellation of options granted under the Stock
Option Plan. Employees who were previously granted certain Options under
the Stock Option Plan may have a choice to exchange those Options for
Restricted Stock under the Plan pursuant to a pre-determined conversion ratio
as approved by the Compensation Committee (the Exchange Offer). Options
eligible for the exchange (Eligible Options) will be determined by the
Compensation Committee prior to the Date of Grant. Only those Optionees who
satisfy the following criteria are eligible for the exchange: (a) Optionee must be actively employed
by the Corporation or a Subsidiary (or on an approved leave of absence) on
the Date of Grant and must not either have given notice of termination
of employment or received notice of termination of employment as of
the Date of Grant; and (b) Optionee must hold a certain
number of Eligible Options which are unexercised and outstanding (i.e., have
not expired). The number shall be determined by the Compensation Committee. An
Optionee who satisfies the criteria under this Section 4.3 may have a choice to
exchange all Eligible Options; no partial exchange is permitted. The
number of Eligible Options and the number of shares of Restricted Stock granted
in exchange for cancellation of the Eligible Options will be set forth in the
Award Agreement for each Participant. Any D-7 Options which are exchanged for
Restricted Stock pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be cancelled. Restricted Stock granted in exchange for the
cancelled Options shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this
Plan. Plan Participants shall be such
Employees as the Compensation Committee may select (who may include
officers). In making such selections,
the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by such
Employees, their present and potential contributions to the Corporations
success, and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem
relevant. 6.1 Grant of Restricted
Stock. The Compensation Committee may cause the Corporation
to issue shares of Restricted Stock under the Plan, subject to such
restrictions, conditions and other terms as the Compensation Committee may
determine in addition to those set forth herein. The Compensation Committee may also cause the Corporation to
issue Restricted Stock under the Plan in connection with an Exchange Offer
described in Section 4.3. The maximum
aggregate number of shares of Restricted Stock which may be granted to any one
Employee during a 36-consecutive month period shall be limited to 1 million
shares. For purposes of calculating the
maximum number of shares of Restricted Stock granted during a 36-consecutive
month period to an Employee who is subject to Code Section 162(m), any shares
that are granted and subsequently cancelled or surrendered during such 36-month
period, including shares surrendered or cancelled for tax withholding purposes
shall continue to be counted against the maximum number of shares which may be
granted to such Employee pursuant to the Plan during such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent
an adjustment is made to the Common Stock to reflect a change in the corporate
capitalization of the Corporation, the additional shares of Restricted Stock,
if any, shall not be counted against the maximum number of shares which may be
granted to the Participant. 6.2 Establishment of Performance
Criteria and Restrictions. Restricted Stock grants, including Restricted Stock issued in
connection with an Exchange Offer, will be subject to time vesting under
Section 7.3. The Compensation Committee
may, in its sole discretion, at the time a grant is made, prescribe
restrictions in addition to or other than time vesting, including the
satisfaction of corporate or individual performance objectives, which shall be
applicable to all or any portion of the Restricted Stock. Corporate or individual performance criteria
include, but are not limited to, designated levels or changes in total shareholder
return, net income, EBIDTA, or such other financial measures or performance criteria
as the Committee may select. Such
restrictions shall be set forth in the Participants Award Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Stock may be
subject to a different Period of Restriction as specified in the Award
Agreement. Subject to Section 7.4 and except
with respect to grants of Restricted Stock intended to qualify as performance
based D-8 compensation for purposes of Section
162(m) of the Code, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion,
shorten or terminate the Period of Restriction or waive any other restrictions
applicable to all or a portion of such Restricted Stock. 6.3 Restricted Stock Share
Certificates. Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant
may be held under the Participants name in a book entry account maintained by
or on behalf of the Corporation. Upon
vesting of the Restricted Stock, the Corporation will establish procedures
regarding the delivery of share certificates or the transfer of shares in book
entry form. None of the Restricted
Stock may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or
disposed of prior to the date on which such Restricted Stock vests in
accordance with Sections 6.2 and 7.3. 6.4 Voting and Dividend
Rights. Except as otherwise determined by the
Committee either at the time Restricted Stock is awarded or at any time
thereafter prior to the lapse of the restrictions, holders of Restricted Stock
shall have the right to vote such shares and the right to receive any dividends
with respect to such shares, whether or not the shares of Restricted Stock are
vested. All distributions, if any,
received by an Employee with respect to Restricted Stock as a result of any
stock split, stock distributions, combination of shares, or other similar
transaction shall be subject to the restrictions of the Plan. Article
7 7.1 Award Agreements.
The terms of the Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall be
as set forth in a written agreement (an Award Agreement) in such form as the
Committee shall from time to time determine.
Each Award Agreement shall comply with and be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may
deem appropriate. No Person shall have
any rights under the Plan unless and until the Corporation and the Participant
have executed an Award Agreement setting forth the grant and the terms and
conditions of the Restricted Stock. 7.2 Plan Provisions Control
Terms.
The terms of the Plan shall govern all Restricted Stock granted under
the Plan. In the event that any
provision of an Award Agreement shall conflict with any term in the Plan as
constituted on the Date of Grant, the term in the Plan shall control. D-9 7.3 Time
Vesting.Except in the case of the death, Disability,
or Retirement of a Participant, and subject to the provisions of Sections 6.2
and 7.4 hereof, the Restricted Stock granted under the Plan will vest in
accordance with the following schedule: Completed Years of Employment Cumulative 1 25% 2 50% 3 75% 4 or more 100% In
the event a Participant terminates employment prior to 100% vesting, any shares
of Restricted Stock which are not vested shall be forfeited immediately and
permanently. However, a Participant
shall be 100% vested in his Restricted Stock in the event he terminates
employment by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement. A Participant shall also be 100% vested in
his Restricted Stock on the date of a Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for grants of
Restricted Stock with performance-based restrictions, the Compensation
Committee, in its sole discretion will determine whether a Participant is
entitled to 100% vesting in the event of his death, Disability, Retirement or a
Change of Control. Subject to Section
7.4, the Compensation Committee may approve Restricted Stock grants that
provide alternate vesting schedules. For
purposes of this Section 7.3, account shall be taken of any adjustments made to
the shares of Restricted Stock as described in Section 8.3 hereof after the
Date of Grant of the Restricted Stock, such that the number of shares of
Restricted Stock with respect to which a
Participant is vested shall be redetermined at the time of an
adjustment. 7.4 Acceleration of
Vesting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan,
including Sections 6.2 and 7.3, the Compensation Committee, in its discretion,
may accelerate, in whole or in part, the vesting schedule applicable to a grant
of Restricted Stock; provided, however that no acceleration will result in
vesting over a period of less than three (3) years unless such acceleration is
on account of the Participants death, Disability, Retirement, termination of
employment or a Change of Control. 7.5 Taxes and
Withholding.
When a Participant incurs tax liability in connection with the lapse of
a restriction which tax liability is subject to tax withholding under
applicable tax laws, and the Participant is obligated to pay an amount required
to be withheld under applicable tax laws, the withholding tax obligation will
be satisfied by withholding from shares to be issued upon lapse of such
restriction that number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal
to the minimum amount required to be withheld (but in no event any more than
the minimum amount required to be withheld).
The Corporation will establish the procedures for selling shares needed
to satisfy the tax withholding liability, which procedures may include selling
shares on the open market or the Corporations purchase of such shares or such
other procedures as the Corporation deems desirable. The Participant also has the option to make payment in cash in
United States dollars in lieu of the share withholding described above pursuant
to procedures established D-10 by the Corporation. The amount of any such withholding shall be
determined by the Corporation. 7.6 Surrender of Restricted
Stock.
Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be surrendered to the
Corporation for cancellation on such terms as the Committee and the Participant
agree. 7.7 Incorporation by Reference of
Articles of
Incorporation. The relevant provisions of the Articles of Incorporation are
hereby incorporated by reference. Article
8 8.1 Amendment of the
Plan.
The Compensation Committee may from time to time suspend or discontinue
the Plan or revise or amend the Plan in any respect whatsoever; provided,
however, that to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act and with section 162(m) of the Code (or any other
applicable law or regulation, including the requirements of any stock exchange
on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted), shareholder approval of any
plan amendment shall be obtained in such a manner and to such a degree as is
required by the applicable law or regulation.
In the event of a revision or amendment to the Plan, all outstanding
Restricted Stock shall be adjusted to be consistent with the terms and
provisions of the Plan, as revised or amended, and in such manner as the
Compensation Committee may deem equitable or as may be required pursuant to
applicable law; provided, however, that except with the written consent of a
Participant or as otherwise specifically provided herein with respect to a
replacement plan, no amendment, suspension, termination or modification of the
Plan shall alter or impair the rights of a Participant under any Award
previously granted under the Plan. 8.2 Termination of the
Plan. The Compensation Committee, with the approval or at the direction of the
Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors shall have the right and power
to terminate the Plan at any time, and no Restricted Stock shall be granted
under the Plan after the termination of the Plan. The termination of the Plan
shall not have any other effect, and any outstanding Restricted Stock shall be
subject to the same terms and conditions as provided in Article 7 hereof, that
would have applied to such Restricted Stock if the Plan had not been
terminated. 8.3 Reorganizations and
Recapitalizations of the
Corporation. (a) The existence of this Plan and Restricted Stock granted
hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Corporation
or its shareholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments,
recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the Corporations
capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the
Corporation, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference
stocks ahead of or affecting the shares or the rights thereof, or the
dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, or any sale or D-11 transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or
any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or
otherwise. (b) Except as hereinafter provided, the issue by the
Corporation of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services,
either upon direct sale or upon exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe
therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Corporation convertible
into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by
reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares subject to
Restricted Stock granted hereunder. (c) The shares with respect to which Restricted Stock may be
granted hereunder are shares of Common Stock of the Corporation as presently
constituted, but if, and whenever, prior to the vesting of the Restricted
Stock and the delivery by the Corporation of the Common Stock, the Corporation
shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of shares or other capital
readjustments, the payment of a stock dividend or other increase or reduction
of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, without receiving
compensation therefore in money, services or property, the number of shares
subject to the Plan shall be proportionately adjusted, and the number of
shares of Restricted Stock granted, as well as the number of shares of Common
Stock available for future Restricted Stock Awards, shall be adjusted as
follows: (i) in the event of an increase in the number of
outstanding shares, be proportionately increased; and (ii) in the event of a reduction in the number of
outstanding shares, be proportionately reduced. (d) To the extent that any adjustment described in this Section
8.3 relates to securities of the Corporation, such adjustments shall be made
by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and binding on all
persons, subject to obtaining the agreement of the Corporations auditors to
such adjustments. Article
9 9.1 Registration or Qualification
of Securities.
The Plan and the grant of Restricted Stock under the Plan shall be
subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and to
such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required. Each share of Restricted Stock shall be
subject to the requirement that if at any time the Compensation Committee shall
determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification
of the shares covered thereby under any securities exchange or under any state
or federal law or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body
is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the
granting of such D-12 Restricted Stock, the Restricted
Stock shall comply with any registration, qualification, consent or approval
requirements as imposed by the Compensation Committee. 9.2 Representation.
The Compensation Committee may require that any Person who is granted
Restricted Stock under the Plan represent and agree in writing that if the
shares of Common Stock made subject to the Restricted Stock are issuable under
an exemption from registration requirements, the shares will be restricted
securities which may be resold only in compliance with the applicable
securities laws, and that such Person is acquiring the shares issued for
investment purposes and not with a view toward distribution. Article
10 A
Participants rights and interests
under the Plan may not be assigned or transferred other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution, and during the lifetime of a Participant,
only the Participant personally (or the Participants personal representative)
may exercise his rights under the Plan.
No purported assignment, pledge or transfer of Restricted Stock granted
under the Plan, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise,
shall vest in the purported transferee or assignee any interest or right
therein whatsoever but immediately upon any such purported assignment or
transfer, or any attempt to make the same, such Restricted Stock thereunder
shall terminate and become of no further effect. 11.1 No Right to Continued
Employment. No Employee or any other Person shall have any claim or right to
be issued Restricted Stock under the Plan.
Neither the adoption and maintenance of the Plan nor the granting of
Restricted Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be deemed to constitute a contract
of employment between the Corporation and any Employee or to be a condition of
the employment of any Person. The Plan
and any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall not confer upon any
Participant any right with respect to continued employment by the Corporation,
nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation to
terminate the employment of any Participant at any time, and for any reason,
with or without cause, it being acknowledged, unless expressly provided
otherwise in writing, that the employment of a Participant is and continues to
be at will. 11.2 Beneficiaries or
Representatives of a
Participant. The Compensation Committees determination of death or Disability
and of the right of any Person other than a Participant under the Plan shall be
conclusive. The Compensation Committee,
in its discretion, may require from any Person, other than a Participant such
security and indemnity as the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, deems
necessary or advisable. D-13 11.3 Elimination of Fractional
Shares. If under any provision of the Plan that requires a computation of
the number of shares of Restricted Stock the number so computed is not a whole
number of shares of Restricted Stock, such number of shares of Restricted Stock
shall be rounded down to the next whole number. 11.4 Inspection of
Records. Copies of the Plan, records reflecting each Participants Awards,
and any other documents and records that a Participant is entitled by law to
inspect shall be open to inspection by the Participant and his duly authorized
representative(s) at the office of the Corporation at any reasonable business
hour. 11.5 Word Meanings. The words such as herein, hereinafter, hereof, and hereunder
refer to this Plan as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such
words appear unless the context otherwise requires. 11.6 Section Titles. Section titles are for descriptive purposes only and shall not
control or alter the meaning of the Plan as set forth in the text. 11.7 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision in the Plan and all Restricted
Stock granted under the Plan shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be
effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of the Plan or
any Restricted Stock at any time granted under the Plan shall be held to be
prohibited or invalid under applicable law, then, (i) such provision shall be
deemed amended to accomplish the objectives of the provision as originally
written to the fullest extent permitted by law, and (ii) all other provisions
of the Plan and all other Restricted Stock at any time granted under the Plan
shall remain in full force and effect. 11.8 Compliance with Section 16(b)
of the
Securities Exchange Act. With respect
to Reporting Persons, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with
all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange
Act and in all events the Plan shall be construed in accordance with Rule
16b-3. To the extent any provision of
the Plan or action by the Compensation Committee fails to so comply, it shall
be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by
the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee, in its absolute discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so
as to restrict, limit or condition the use of any provision of the Plan to
participants who are officers or directors of the Corporation, subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act without so restricting, limiting or conditioning
the Plan with respect to other participants. 11.9 Compliance with Code Section
162(m).
This Plan is intended to comply with all applicable provisions of
section 162(m) of the Code. To the
extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Compensation Committee fails
to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by law
and deemed advisable by the Compensation Committee. 11.10 Strict
Construction. No rule of strict construction shall be implied against the
Compensation Committee, the Corporation or any other Person in the
interpretation of any of the terms of the Plan, any Restricted Stock granted
under the Plan or any rule or procedure established by the Compensation
Committee. D-14 11.11 Choice of
Law.
All determinations made and actions taken pursuant to the Plan shall be
governed by the internal laws of the State of New York and construed in
accordance therewith. To
record the adoption of the Plan, the Corporation has caused the execution
hereof as of this ____ day of ____________, 2006. SOTHEBYS
HOLDINGS, INC., a Michigan corporation By: Its: President and Chief Executive Officer D-15 SOTHEBYS HOLDINGS, INC. The
undersigned hereby appoints each of MICHAEL I. SOVERN and WILLIAM F.
RUPRECHT, with full power of substitution, to represent the undersigned
at the annual meeting of shareholders of Sothebys Holdings, Inc.,
on Monday, May 8, 2006, at the office of Sothebys, Inc., 1334
York Avenue, New York, New York, at 11:00 a.m., local time, and at any
adjournment thereof, and to vote at such meeting the shares of Class
A Limited Voting Common Stock that the undersigned would be entitled
to vote if personally present in accordance with the following instructions
and to vote in their judgment upon all other matters which may properly
come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof. If
at least one of the above named Proxies shall be present in person or by
substitution at such meeting or at any adjournment thereof, said Proxy or
Proxies, as the case may be, so present and voting, either in person or by
substitution, shall exercise all of the powers hereby given. The undersigned
hereby revokes any proxy heretofore given to vote at such meeting.
(Continued
and to be SIGNED and dated on the reverse side.) Address Change/Comments (Mark
the corresponding box on the reverse side) The Board of
Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. If no
direction is given, the shares will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3 4, 5 and
6. Such shares will be voted in the proxies discretion upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting. Please o SEE REVERSE SIDE 1. Election of Directors Election by Holders of Class A Limited
Voting Common Stock of 01 Michael Blakenham 02 Steven B. Dodge 03 The
Duke of Devonshire 04 Allen Questrom 05 William F. Ruprecht 06 Michael
I. Sovern 07 Donald M. Stewart 08 Robert S. Taubman and 09 Robin G.
Woodhead as directors. FOR all
Nominees WITHHOLD To withhold authority to vote for
any individual nominee, write that nominees name on the space provided below o o The approval of
Proposals 2, 3 and 4 are conditioned upon the approval of each other. If any
of these proposals is not approved, none of these proposals will be
implemented. 2. Approval of the reincorporation
of Sothebys Holdings, Inc. in Delaware 3. Approval of a provision
in the surviving corporations Delaware certificate of incorporation
to provide that shareholder action may only be taken at a duly called
meeting of shareholders FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN o o o o o o 4. Approval of a provision in the surviving corporations
Delaware certificate of incorporation regarding who may call special
shareholder meetings. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN o o o 5. Approval of the Sothebys
Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Plan. 6. Ratification
of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for
2006. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN o o o o o o Please
sign exactly as name appears hereon and date. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee, or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation,
please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer.
If a partnership, please sign in full partnership name by authorized person. Signature Signature if held jointly Dated: ___________________, 2006 PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE
ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. Vote by Internet or Telephone or Mail Internet
and telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time Your
Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in
the same manner Internet OR Telephone OR Mail If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone,
a Michigan corporation
a Delaware corporation
OF
SOTHEBYS
SOTHEBYS DELAWARE, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
Purpose of the Plan, Adoption and Term
Shares of Common Stock Subject to the Plan
Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock
From Date of Grant
Vesting Percentage
Amendment and Termination of the Plan; Reorganizations and
Recapitalizations of the Corporation
Compliance With Other Laws and Regulations
Restrictions on Transfer
CLASS A LIMITED VOTING
COMMON STOCK
PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON
BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - MAY 8, 2006
Dear
Shareholders of Sothebys Holdings, Inc.
Enclosed
you will find material regarding the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. The notice of the Annual Meeting and proxy statement describe
the formal business to be transacted at the meeting, as summarized on the
attached proxy card.
Whether
or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete and return
promptly the attached proxy card in the accompanying envelope, which requires
no postage if mailed in the United States. As a shareholder, please remember
that your vote is important to us. We look forward to hearing from you.
For Certain Sothebys Employees Who Are Retirement Savings Plan
Participants: The attached proxy card covers all shares for which
you have the right to give voting instructions to Vanguard Fiduciary
Trust Company, Trustee of the companys Retirement Savings Plan
(the Plan). The attached proxy card, when properly executed,
will be voted as directed as long as the proxy card is received by Mellon
Investor Services no later than May 3, 2006. If no direction is given
to the Trustee by such date, the Trustee will vote your shares held
in the Plan in the same proportion as votes received from other participants
in the Plan.
Mark Here
for Address
Change or
Comments
listed (except as
marked to the
contrary at right)
AUTHORITY
to vote for all
Nominees
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
the day prior to annual meeting day.
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
http://www.proxyvoting.com/bid
Use
the internet to vote your proxy.
Have your proxy card in hand when
you access the web site.
1-866-540-5760
vote your proxy. Have your proxy
card in hand when you call.
Mark,
sign and date
your proxy card
and
return it in the
enclosed postage-paid
envelope.
you do NOT need to mail
back your proxy card.