EX-10.1 2 d693829dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

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CONSULTING AGREEMENT

This Consulting Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Alaleh Nouri (“CONSULTANT”) and Accuray Incorporated (“ACCURAY”), effective as of July 7, 2018 (“Effective Date”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, CONSULTANT voluntarily resigned from CONSULTANT’s employment with ACCURAY on July 6, 2018;

WHEREAS, CONSULTANT has training, expertise and prior experience in the executive management of ACCURAY and its Legal department;

WHEREAS, ACCURAY desires to retain the services of CONSULTANT to provide the consulting services specified in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, CONSULTANT desires to provide consulting services for the benefit of ACCURAY and its related entities using CONSULTANT’s knowledge, skills, experience and abilities;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I - SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

A. Nature of Services. CONSULTANT shall be available to provide advice and assistance to ACCURAY and its related entities, and specifically to ACCURAY’s (1) Chief Executive Officer, (2) Chief Financial Officer, (3) Interim General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, (4) Senior Vice President, Human Resources, (5) Chief Commercial Officer and (6) other members of ACCURAY management, with respect to various questions, initiatives and projects in the area of law and the management of the Legal function (collectively, “Services”) on an as needed basis, up to a maximum of 80 hours of Services each month during the Term of this Agreement.

B. Right of Control. CONSULTANT shall have exclusive control over the means, manner, methods and processes by which the Services are performed.

C. Exclusive Services. In order to ensure that CONSULTANT is available to provide, and to devote CONSULTANT’S undivided attention and effort in providing, the Services as required by ACCURAY, and to ensure compliance with the obligations in Article IV of this Agreement, CONSULTANT agrees that CONSULTANT will not accept any employment or engage in any other consulting, business and/or commercial activities with the following entities: Varian Medical Systems, Elekta AB, Siemens AG, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Brainlab AG, ViewRay Inc., Best Medical, Rotary Systems, Radiation Stabilization Solutions, Alliance Oncology,

 

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MedyTec, Oncology Systems Limited, Rotary Systems Incorporated, Cowealth Medical Holding Co., Ltd. or any of their respective affiliates (the “Prohibited Entities”). In addition, in the event CONSULTANT intends to provide services related in any way to radiation oncology, including radiosurgery or radiation therapy, during the Term of this Agreement to any entity other than a Prohibited Entity, CONSULTANT shall notify ACCURAY’s Chief Executive Officer to get approval by ACCURAY and such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event CONSULTANT desires to provide work to any of the above, then both parties could mutually agree to terminate this agreement in writing, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld.

ARTICLE II - COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES

A. Consulting Consideration. As sole consideration for CONSULTANT’s performance of the Services, ACCURAY shall provide CONSULTANT with:

(1)    continued vesting of CONSULTANT’S outstanding ACCURAY equity awards as detailed in subsection B below;

(2)    continued coverage under ACCURAY’s directors and officers insurance policies for so long as CONSULTANT remains as an officer or director of ACCURAY or any of its affiliate entities; and

(3)    so long as this Agreement has not terminated prior to the Bonus Payment Date, payment of the actual bonus CONSULTANT would have received under ACCURAY’s Performance Bonus Plan for fiscal 2018 as if CONSULTANT had remained employed by the Company through the date that would have otherwise been required to earn the bonus, but without the Board or any committee of the Board exercising any negative discretion to reduce the amount of the award, which amount will be paid at the same time as bonuses are paid under the Performance Bonus Plan to the executive officers of ACCURAY (the “Bonus Payment Date”).

B. Equity. No additional equity will be granted under this Agreement, however, any currently outstanding equity awards granted by Accuray to CONSULTANT shall continue to vest in accordance with the terms thereof until the expiration or earlier termination of the Term.

C. Reimbursement of Authorized Expenses. ACCURAY agrees to reimburse CONSULTANT for all actual out-of-pocket expenses that are necessary for the performance of CONSULTANT’s Services under this Agreement, provided, however, that any expenses must be approved in advance in writing by ACCURAY’s Chief Executive Officer.

D. Tax Obligations. CONSULTANT understands and agrees that all compensation to which CONSULTANT is entitled under the Agreement shall be reported on an IRS Form 1099, and that CONSULTANT is solely responsible for all income and/or other tax obligations, if any, including but not limited to all reporting and payment obligations, if any, which may arise as a consequence of any payment under this Agreement.

 

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E. No Benefits. CONSULTANT understands and agrees that since CONSULTANT is no longer an employee of ACCURAY, CONSULTANT shall not, except as expressly set forth in Section A of Article II above, be entitled to participate in ACCURAY employee benefits plans or receive any benefits provided to employees of ACCURAY, including, but not limited to participation in retirement savings or benefit plans, bonus plans and/or stock option plans beyond CONSULTANT’s participation during CONSULTANT’s employment by ACCURAY; holidays off with pay; vacation time off with pay; paid leaves of absence of any kind; and insurance coverage of any kind, specifically including, but not limited to, medical and dental insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and state disability insurance, but excluding any insurance coverage CONSULTANT may be entitled to that extend, pursuant to its terms, through the last day of the month in which CONSULTANT ceased to be an employee of ACCURAY, which insurance coverage will terminate as of the last day of such month.

ARTICLE III - TERM AND TERMINATION

A. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect from the Effective Date through December 31, 2018, unless extended at ACCURAY’s request (the “Term”) or earlier terminated pursuant to subsection B below.

B. Termination Prior to Expiration of Term. ACCURAY may terminate this Agreement for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement between the ACCURAY and CONSULTANT dated January 1, 2018 (the “Executive Employment Agreement”)) before the expiration of the Term hereof without any prior notice.

ARTICLE IV — PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

A. No Impediments to Providing Consulting Services. CONSULTANT represents that CONSULTANT is not party to any agreement with any individual or business entity, including any relating to protection of alleged trade secrets or confidential business information that would prevent CONSULTANT from providing the Services or that would be violated by the providing of the Services.

B. Confidential and Proprietary Information. CONSULTANT acknowledges that the post-employment terms of the ACCURAY Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement, the Employment Agreement that existed before this Agreement and any release agreement that may be entered into between ACCURAY and CONSULTANT, remain in full force and effect, specifically including the prohibitions against using or disclosing any of ACCURAY’s trade secrets or proprietary and/or confidential information learned while employed by ACCURAY during any subsequent employment. CONSULTANT also acknowledges that during the Term, CONSULTANT will have access to and learn additional confidential information and/or trade secrets regarding the business of ACCURAY and its related entities, including, but not limited to, radio surgery and radiation therapy devices, and various other business, financial, technical and employee information (collectively, “Confidential and Proprietary Information”).

C. Restrictions on Use and Disclosure of Confidential and Proprietary Information. In addition to the confidential information obligations that continue from the period

 

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of CONSULTANT’s employment with ACCURAY, CONSULTANT agrees to hold all Confidential and Proprietary Information in trust and in the strictest of confidence, and to protect the Confidential and Proprietary Information from disclosure, and to only use such Confidential and Proprietary Information as required to perform the Services hereunder. CONSULTANT further agrees that CONSULTANT will not, directly or indirectly, use, publish, disseminate or otherwise disclose any Confidential and Proprietary Information to any third party without the prior written consent of ACCURAY, which may be withheld in its absolute discretion.

D. Return of Property. CONSULTANT agrees not to remove any property of ACCURAY or its related entities from their premises without express permission, and to return all such property, including computer data, written materials provided to or obtained during the term of this Agreement, customer and supplier address lists, and any other items of value at the time this Agreement is terminated.

E. Violations. CONSULTANT agrees that ACCURAY and its related entities would be irreparably harmed by any actual or threatened violation of the promises in this Article IV, and therefore, that, in addition to other remedies, ACCURAY and its related entities will be entitled to an injunction prohibiting CONSULTANT from committing any such violations.

ARTICLE V — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

A. Independent Contractor Status. CONSULTANT understands and agrees that CONSULTANT is an independent contractor and not an employee of ACCURAY and that CONSULTANT shall not become an employee of ACCURAY by virtue of the performance of the services called for under this Agreement.

B. No Office Space. CONSULTANT understands and agrees that CONSULTANT will not be provided with a regular office or access to telephone, clerical support, facsimile or internet services at ACCURAY. CONSULTANT shall at CONSULTANT’s own expense acquire, operate, maintain and repair or replace any office and equipment and supplies as maybe required for CONSULTANT’s performance of consulting services under this Agreement.

C. Subconsultants and Other Contractors. CONSULTANT is not authorized to engage the services of subconsultants, vendors or other contractors on behalf of ACCURAY or its related entities, unless CONSULTANT has obtained written authorization from ACCURAY to do so in advance. To the extent such advance authorization has been obtained, ACCURAY will pay for the services provided by such subconsultants, vendors and/or other contractors.

D. Consultant’s Employees. To the extent CONSULTANT has any employees as of the date CONSULTANT signs this Agreement or hires any employees during the Term of this Agreement, CONSULTANT understands and agrees that all such employees shall be CONSULTANT’s employees only, and that ACCURAY shall not be an employer of the employees. ACCURAY shall have no responsibility for providing and shall not provide directions, instructions or supervision to any of CONSULTANT’s employees. Only CONSULTANT shall provide such directions, instructions and supervision. In addition, all decisions with respect to the employment of CONSULTANT’s employees, if any, shall be made solely and exclusively by CONSULTANT.

 

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ACCURAY shall have no responsibility for or input into such decisions. CONSULTANT hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold ACCURAY harmless from and against any costs, losses, damages, obligations, liabilities and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or in connection with any claim asserted by any of CONSULTANT’s employees against ACCURAY based on the employees’ employment with CONSULTANT, such as claims for discrimination in employment, harassment, retaliation, violation of statutory law, and wrongful termination.

E. No Purchases. CONSULTANT shall not purchase materials or supplies for the accounts of ACCURAY or its related entities, or otherwise hold CONSULTANT out as being authorized to make purchases for which ACCURAY or its related entities would be billed directly by the seller of the materials or supplies, unless such purchase is authorized in writing by ACCURAY in advance.

F. Compliance with Governmental Requirements. CONSULTANT will maintain in force and/or secure all required licenses, permits, certificates and exemptions necessary for the performance of CONSULTANT’s services under this Agreement, and at all times shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders.

G. Indemnification. CONSULTANT shall indemnify and hold ACCURAY and its related entities, and the directors, officers, agents, representatives and employees of all such entities, harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses, causes of action, claims, suits, legal proceedings and similar matters, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, resulting from or arising out of the failure of CONSULTANT or any of CONSULTANT’s employees to comply with and perform fully the obligations hereunder, or resulting from any act or omission on the part of CONSULTANT, provided however that the indemnification shall not apply to any good faith action on the part of the CONSULTANT that is within the scope of this Agreement. If any cause of action, claim, suit or other legal proceeding is brought against CONSULTANT in connection with any services rendered under this Agreement, CONSULTANT shall promptly notify ACCURAY upon learning of any such proceeding.

ACCURAY shall indemnify and hold CONSULTANT and CONSULTANT’s agents, employees, representatives and heirs, harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses, causes of action, claims, suits, legal proceedings and similar matters, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, resulting from or arising out of the performance of any act specifically requested or authorized by ACCURAY in connection with this Agreement. This promise does not apply to any actions arising out of or in connection with CONSULTANT’s operation of any motor vehicle. If any cause of action, claim, suit or other legal proceeding is brought against ACCURAY in connection with any services provided by CONSULTANT under this Agreement, ACCURAY shall promptly notify CONSULTANT upon learning of any such proceeding.

H. Notices. Any and all notices and other communications hereunder shall have been deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally or by e-mail during normal business hours, or 24 hours after being emailed outside of normal business hours or mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in the English language, to the addresses set forth below the signatures of the parties hereto or to such other address as either of the parties hereto may from time-to-time designate to the other party in writing.

 

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I. Waiver. No purported waiver by either party hereto of any provision of this Agreement or of any breach thereof shall be deemed a waiver of such provision or breach unless such waiver is in writing signed by the party making such waiver. No such waiver shall be deemed to be a subsequent waiver of such provision or waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision hereof.

J. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any part of it is found to be unenforceable, the other paragraphs shall remain fully valid and enforceable.

K. Arbitration. This Agreement shall in all respects be interpreted and governed by and under the laws of the State of California. Any dispute between the parties hereto, including any dispute regarding any aspect of this Agreement or any act which allegedly has or would violate any provision of this Agreement or any law (hereinafter “Arbitrable Dispute”), will be submitted to arbitration through Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) in San Jose, California, unless the parties agree to another location, using the JAMS Commercial Arbitration Rules (“JAMS Rules”). The arbitrator shall be an experienced arbitrator licensed to practice law in California and selected in accordance with the JAMS Rules, unless the parties agree to another arbitrator. Arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for any such Arbitrable Dispute. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the parties. Should any party to this Agreement pursue any Arbitrable Dispute by any method other than said arbitration, the responding party shall be entitled to recover from the initiating party all damages, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees incurred as a result of such action. This section shall not restrict the right of ACCURAY to go to court seeking injunctive relief for a violation of Article IV of this Agreement, pending the outcome of an arbitration proceeding.

L. Sole and Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the parties hereto, whether written or oral, pertaining to the subject matter hereof. No change in, modification of, or addition, amendment or supplement to this Agreement shall be valid unless set forth in writing and signed and dated by each of the parties hereto subsequent to the execution of this Agreement.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date set forth above.

 

/s/ Alaleh Nouri

    ACCURAY INCORPORATED
Alaleh Nouri      
Date: 7/6/2018     By:  

/s/ Joshua H. Levine

    Name:   Joshua H. Levine
Address:     Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
Most recent on file with the Company              Date:   7/6/2018
    Address:   1310 Chesapeake Terrace
      Sunnyvale, CA 94089

 

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