-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JtAgkXWRLw0Yhb3h4XFFEtN0lAuBki43EMFgcFIxOkF2/NUgme0HqnxhzoIvXjAi J5pwNp3UPZ44a5ntuy5Fzg== 0000893750-99-000526.txt : 20000211 0000893750-99-000526.hdr.sgml : 20000211 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000893750-99-000526 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-A12B PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990929 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000819539 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311] IRS NUMBER: 954119509 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0801 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-A12B SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09659 FILM NUMBER: 99720054 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 BOYLSTON ST STREET 2: P O BOX 9187 CITY: CHESTNUT HILL STATE: MA ZIP: 02167 BUSINESS PHONE: 6172320760 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 BOYLSTON ST STREET 2: P O BOX 9187 CITY: CHESTNUT HILL STATE: MA ZIP: 02167 8-A12B 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ________________ FORM 8-A FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. ______________________________________________________________________________ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware No. 95-4119509 ______________________________________________________________________________ (State of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 27 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467 ______________________________________________________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which to be so registered each class is to be registered ___________________ ______________________________ COMMON STOCK, CLASS B New York Stock Exchange $0.01 PAR VALUE Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None ______________________________________________________________________________ (Title of Class) Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered The stockholders, having approved all matters submitted to the vote of the stockholders at a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on September 15, 1999 (the "Special Meeting"), The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (the "Company") has authorized (i) an aggregate of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock ("Class A Common Stock"), 100,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock ("Class B Common Stock") and 50,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock ("Class C Common Stock" and collectively the "Common Stock"), and (ii) an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock ("Preferred Stock"). The par value of each share of Common Stock shall be $0.01 and the par value of each share of Preferred Stock shall be $0.01. The relative rights, powers, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Company's capital stock are as follows: Common Stock The Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are identical in all respects except as otherwise expressly described below. (a) Cash Dividends. Subject to the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock as set forth in any resolution or resolutions that may be adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available therefor, at such time and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time. Whenever cash dividends are paid on the common stock, the same amount shall be paid for each share of Class A Common Stock, each share of Class B Common Stock and each share of Class C Common Stock outstanding. (b) Stock Dividends. If any dividend on the outstanding shares of Common Stock is paid in Common Stock, then the same ratio of shares shall be paid with respect to each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. In such event the dividend paid to holders of Class A Common Stock shall be paid only in Class A Common Stock, the dividend paid to holders of Class B Common Stock shall be paid only in Class B Common Stock and the dividend paid to holders of Class C Common Stock shall be paid only in Class C Common Stock. (c) Property Dividends. If any dividend on the outstanding shares of Common Stock is paid in rights to purchase shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock or Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, all having a par value of $0.01 per share, then the same ratio of shares or other property shall be paid with respect to each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock, Class B -2- Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. In such event, the dividend paid to holders of Class A Common Stock shall be paid only in rights to purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, the dividend paid to holders of Class B Common Stock shall be paid only in rights to purchase Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the dividend paid to holders of Class C Common Stock shall be paid only in rights to purchase Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock. (d) Stocks Splits, Subdivisions and Combinations. The Company will not subdivide, reclassify or combine stock of any class of Common Stock without at the same time making a proportionate subdivision, reclassification or combination of the other classes. (e) Voting. The holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall vote together as a single class in all matters requiring the vote of holders of Common Stock of the Company with each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock having one vote and each share of Class C Common Stock having one-tenth (1/10th) vote, except that (i) the holders of each class shall be entitled to vote as a separate class when required by law to do so under mandatory statutory provisions that may not be excluded or overridden by a provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and (ii) the holders of Common Stock shall vote in respect of directors as specified below. With respect to the election of directors, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall vote with the holders of Class C Common Stock. The holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock will be entitled to elect a number of directors that equals 18% of the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors (or, if such 18% is not a whole number, then the nearest lower whole number of directors) (the "Class A Directors"). In the election of Class A Directors, each share of Class A Common Stock shall have one vote and each share of Class C Common Stock shall have one-tenth (1/10th) of one vote. The remaining members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by holders of Class B Common Stock (the "Class B Directors"). In the election of Class B Directors, each share of Class B Common Stock shall have one vote. The term "Special Voting Rights" means the different voting rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, on the one hand, and holders of Class B Common Stock, on the other hand, with respect to the election of the applicable percentage of the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors as described above. The initial Class A Director shall be designated by a majority of the directors of the Company and the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, voting together, shall be entitled to vote for the election or replacement of such Class A Director at the next election of directors of the Class in which such director serves are elected. -3- Any vacancy in a Class A directorship created by the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled by the vote of the majority of the remaining Class A Directors, and any vacancy in a Class B directorship created by the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled by the vote of majority of the remaining Class B Directors. If there are no remaining directors in a particular Class, the vacancy shall be filled by the stockholders entitled to vote for such Class. If the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated, the vacancy shall be filled by the vote of the majority of directors, regardless of any quorum requirements. A director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors will have the same remaining term as that of the predecessor director. Unless the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated, all newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be allocated between Class A Directors and Class B Directors, such that at all times the number of Class A Directors shall be 18% of the authorized number of directors (or, if such 18% is not a whole number, then the nearest lower whole number of directors) and the remaining directors shall be Class B Directors. No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Any newly-created Class A directorships must be filled by the vote of the majority of existing Class A Directors and any newly-created Class B directorship must be filled by the vote of the majority of existing Class B Directors. If there are no directors in a particular Class, the vacancy shall be filled by the stockholders entitled to vote for such Class. If the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated, the vacancy shall be filled by the vote of the majority of directors, regardless of any quorum requirements. (f) Merger or Consolidation. Upon any merger or consolidation of the Company, the holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, with respect to each of their shares, the identical kind and amount of consideration receivable upon such consolidation or merger, except that the holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock may each receive different kinds of shares of stock provided that such shares differ only with respect to the rights of holders of such shares as the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock themselves differ. (g) Liquidation. The holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock will participate equally per share in any distribution to stockholders resulting from a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. -4- Preferred Stock The Board of Directors has the authority to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more series not exceeding the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock authorized by the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation; to determine, with respect to each series, the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions relating thereto; including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the voting rights relating to shares of Preferred Stock of any series, the rate of dividend to which holders of Preferred Stock of any series may be entitled, the rights of holders of Preferred Stock of any series in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, the rights, if any, of holders of Preferred Stock of any series to convert or exchange such shares of Preferred Stock of such series for shares of any other class or series of capital stock or for any other securities, property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary, 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 dates 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, and whether any shares of that series shall be redeemed pursuant to a retirement or sinking fund or otherwise and the terms and conditions of such obligation. The Board of Directors has the authority to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock subsequent to the issuance of shares of such series (but not below the number of shares of any series then outstanding). Classified Board The directors are divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III. The directors of each class are elected at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders and hold office for three-year terms. Directors elected by any class or series of stock, including Class A Directors and Class B Directors, shall be divided as evenly as possible among Class I, Class II and Class III. Item 2. Exhibits A. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended at the Special Meeting). B. By-laws of the Company (as amended at the Special Meeting). C. Form of stock certificate for Class B Common Stock. -5- SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized. Date: September , 1999 The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. By: /s/ Eric P. Geller -------------------- Name: Eric P. Geller Title: Secretary -6- EX-99.A 2 EXHIBIT A RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION of THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. First: The name of the Corporation is The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (hereinafter the "Corporation"). Second: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company. Third: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "GCL"). Fourth: 1. Authorized Stock. The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is three hundred million (300,000,000) shares. Two hundred fifty million (250,000,000) shares shall be designated common stock (the "Common Stock"), of which one hundred million (100,000,000) shares shall be designated Class A Common Stock (the "Class A Common Stock"), one hundred million (100,000,000) shares shall be designated Class B Common Stock (the "Class B Common Stock") and fifty million (50,000,000) shares shall be designated Class C Common Stock (the "Class C Common Stock"). Fifty million (50,000,000) shares shall be designated preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock"), all of which are presently undesignated as to series. Each share of Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.01 and each share of Common Stock shall have a par value of $0.01. 2. Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and the Class C Common Stock shall be identical in all respects, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. The relative powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall be as follows: (a) Cash Dividends. Subject to the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock as set forth in any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such stock pursuant to this Article Fourth, and except as otherwise provided for herein, the holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available therefor at such times and in such per share amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine; provided that whenever a cash dividend is paid, the same amount shall be paid in respect of each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. (b) Stock Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in shares of Class A Common Stock, shares of Class B Common Stock or shares of Class C Common Stock (a "stock dividend"), such stock dividend may be declared and paid only as follows: only Class A Common Stock may be paid to holders of Class A Common Stock, only Class B Common Stock may be paid to holders of Class B Common Stock and only Class C Common Stock may be paid to holders of Class C Common Stock. Whenever a stock dividend is paid, the same rate or ratio of shares shall be paid in respect of each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. (c) Property Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in rights to purchase shares of Series A Preferred Stock, shares of Series B Preferred Stock or shares of Series C Preferred Stock (a "rights dividend") (including in each case with adjustments that will, under certain circumstances, constitute rights to purchase Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, respectively), such rights dividend may be declared and paid only as follows: only rights to purchase Series A Preferred Stock may be paid to holders of Class A Common Stock, only rights to purchase Series B Preferred Stock may be paid to holders of Class B Common Stock and only rights to purchase Series C Preferred Stock may be paid to holders of Class C Common Stock. Whenever any other property dividend is paid, the same rate or ratio of shares or other property shall be paid in respect of each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. The references in this paragraph to any series of preferred stock contemplate the issuance of such preferred stock pursuant to a stockholders rights plan adopted by the Corporation. (d) Stock Subdivisions and Combinations. The Corporation shall not subdivide, reclassify or combine stock of any class of Common Stock without at the same time making a proportionate subdivision, reclassification or combination of shares of the other classes. (e) Voting. Voting power shall be divided between the classes of stock as follows: (i) Subject to Sections (2)(e)(ii) and (2)(e)(iv) of this Article Fourth, with respect to the election of directors, holders of Class A Common Stock and holders of Class C Common Stock, voting together as a class, shall be entitled to elect that number of directors which constitutes 18% of the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors (or, if such 18% -2- is not a whole number, then the nearest lower whole number) (the "Class A Directors"). Each share of Class A Common Stock shall have one vote in the election of the Class A Directors and each share of Class C Common Stock shall have one-tenth (1/10th) of one vote in the election of the Class A Directors. Subject to Section (2)(e)(ii) of this Article Fourth, holders of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to elect the remaining directors (the "Class B Directors"). The initial Class A Director shall be designated by a majority of the directors of the Corporation as of the effectiveness of this Amendment, and the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, voting together as a class, shall be entitled to vote for the election or replacement of such Class A Director in satisfaction of their "Special Voting Rights" as defined in clause (ii) below, at the next election of directors of the Class (e.g. Class I, Class II or Class III) in which such director serves are elected. Each share of Class B Common Stock shall have one vote in the election of Class B Directors. For purposes of this Section (2)(e)(i), references to the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors shall not include any directors which the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect. (ii) For purposes of this Section (2)(e)(ii), "Special Voting Rights" means the different voting rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, on the one hand, and holders of Class B Common Stock, on the other hand, with respect to the election of the applicable percentage of the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors as described in Section (2)(e)(i). If approved by the Board of Directors, at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held at any time after the fifth anniversary of the distribution by Harcourt General, Inc. to its stockholders of all of the Class B Common Stock owned by it (the "Fifth Year Anniversary"), a majority of the outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, voting together as a class, and a majority of the outstanding shares of the Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class, may vote to eliminate the Special Voting Rights, in which case Section (2)(e)(i) of this Article Fourth shall have no further force or effect, and thereafter holders of Common Stock shall have voting rights as are specified in Section (2)(e)(iv) of this Article Fourth and shall be entitled to elect all members of the Board of Directors. This Section (2)(e)(ii) shall not be amended prior to the Fifth Year Anniversary without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66- 2/3% of the combined voting power of all of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, together with any vote of the holders of any class of stock required by law. (iii) Unless the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in accordance with Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth, all newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be allocated between Class A Directors and Class B Directors such that at all times the number of Class A directorships shall be 18% of the -3- authorized number of members of the Board of Directors (or, if such 18% is not a whole number, then the nearest lower whole number) and the remaining directorships shall be Class B directorships. (iv) Except as otherwise specified herein or required by law, the holders of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall in all matters not otherwise specified in this Section (2)(e) of this Article Fourth vote together as one class (including, without limitation, with respect to increases or decreases in the authorized number of shares of any class of stock of the Corporation and without the vote of any class voting separately as a class), with each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock having one vote and each share of Class C Common Stock having one-tenth (1/10th) vote. (v) Every reference in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Corporation's Amended and Restated By-laws to a majority or other proportion of shares of stock shall refer to such majority or other proportion of the votes of such shares of stock. (f) Merger or Consolidation. The Corporation shall not enter into any consolidation of the Corporation with one or more other corporations, a merger of the Corporation with another corporation, a reorganization of the Corporation or other similar combination of the Corporation with one or more third parties, in which each holder of a share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock is not entitled to receive with respect to such share the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation, merger, reorganization or other combination as each other holder of a share of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock; provided that, in any such transaction, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock may each receive different kinds of shares of stock that differ to the extent and only to the extent that the Board of Directors determines in good faith that such shares differ with respect to the rights of holders of such shares as the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock differ as provided herein. (g) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall participate equally per share in any distribution to stockholders, without distinction between classes. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized from time to time to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series not exceeding the aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock authorized by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time; and to determine with respect to each such series the voting -4- powers, if any (which voting powers if granted may be full or limited), designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions relating thereto; including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the voting rights relating to shares of Preferred Stock of any series (which may be one or more votes per share or a fraction of a vote per share, which may vary over time and which may be applicable generally or only upon the happening and continuance of stated events or conditions), the rate of dividend to which holders of Preferred Stock of any series may be entitled (which may be cumulative or noncumulative), the rights of holders of Preferred Stock of any series in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the rights, if any, of holders of Preferred Stock of any series to convert or exchange such shares of Preferred Stock of such series for shares of any other class or series of capital stock or for any other securities, property or assets of the Corporation or any subsidiary (including the determination of the price or prices or the rate or rates applicable to such rights to convert or exchange and the adjustment thereof, the time or times during which the right to convert or exchange shall be applicable and the time or times during which a particular price or rate shall be applicable), 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 dates 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, and whether any shares of that series shall be redeemed pursuant to a retirement or sinking fund or otherwise and the terms and conditions of such obligation. Before the Corporation shall issue any shares of Preferred Stock of any series, a certificate setting forth a copy of the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, fixing the voting powers, designations, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions, if any, relating to the shares of Preferred Stock of such series, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock of such series authorized by the Board of Directors to be issued shall be made under seal of the Corporation and signed by and shall be filed and a copy thereof recorded in the manner prescribed by the GCL. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of such shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series. Fifth: The directors shall have concurrent power with the stockholders to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation. -5- Sixth: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of the GCL or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of the GCL, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation. Seventh: Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation to call an annual or special meeting of stockholders, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by the stockholders of the Corporation. Eighth: Notwithstanding the GCL, any action required to be taken or which may be taken by the holders of the Common Stock must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be taken by any consent in writing by such holders. Ninth: The directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. Initially, Class I directors shall be elected for a one-year term, Class II directors for a two-year term and Class III directors for a three-year term. At the annual meeting of stockholders beginning in 1988, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of -6- that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. A director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his term expires and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Any vacancy in the office of a director created by the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office of a director or other cause, elected by (or appointed on behalf of) the holders of the Class B Common Stock, on the one hand, or the holders of the Class A Common Stock and any other class of stock entitled to vote for the class of directors elected by the holders of the Class A Common Stock, on the other hand, as the case may be, shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director) elected by (or appointed on behalf of) such holders of Class B Common Stock, on the one hand, or Class A Common Stock and any other class of stock entitled to vote for the class of directors elected by the holders of the Class A Common Stock, on the other hand (or on behalf of whom that director was appointed), as the case may be, unless there are no such directors in such Class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the stockholders of such Class, or the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in accordance with Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director), regardless of any quorum requirements set out in the By-laws. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor. Unless the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in accordance with Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth, all newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be allocated pursuant to Section (2)(e)(iii) of Article Fourth. Once such newly-created directorships have been allocated as Class A Directors or Class B Directors, such newly-created directorships shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors in such Class (or the sole remaining director in such Class), as the case shall be, unless there are no such directors in such Class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the stockholders of such Class, or the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in accordance with Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director), regardless of any quorum requirements set out in the By-laws. In the event that there are no remaining directors, any vacancy in the office of a director shall be filled by the vote of the majority of stockholders who elected such director (or on whose behalf such director was appointed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the holders -7- of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Article Ninth unless expressly provided by such terms. Tenth: No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the GCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of this Article Tenth by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such repeal or modification. Eleventh: Subject to Article Fifth and notwithstanding anything else contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the combined voting power of all of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend, rescind or repeal (A) Article Seventh, Article Eighth, Article Ninth or this Article Eleventh or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith or (B) Section 3 of Article II, Sections 1, 2 and 10 of Article III, Article VIII or Article IX of the By-Laws of the Corporation or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith. "Voting Stock" shall mean the securities of the Corporation which are entitled to vote generally for the election of directors of the Corporation. Twelfth: Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to Article Fourth of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation acting separately by class or series, to elect, under specified circumstances, directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than six nor more than nine persons, the exact number to be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the combined voting power of all of the Voting Stock, voting together as a -8- single class, shall be required to alter, amend, rescind or repeal this Article or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith. Thirteenth: Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the Corporation to effect or consummate: (1) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into any other corporation; (2) any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to or with any other person; or (3) any issuance by the Corporation of any voting securities of the Corporation which issuance would require approval by the stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to the GCL or the rules of any exchange on which the voting securities of the Corporation are listed, other than an issuance by the Corporation of voting securities as required by any stockholder rights plan adopted by the Corporation, unless such issuance has been approved by a resolution adopted by not less than two-thirds of all the directors then in office; provided, however, that the foregoing requirement shall not apply, and the provisions of the GCL relating to the percentage of stockholder approval, if any, shall apply to any merger or other transaction described in the preceding subparagraphs (1), (2) or (3) if the other party to the merger or other transaction is a Subsidiary of the corporation. For purposes of this Article Thirteenth a "Subsidiary" is any corporation more than 50% of the voting securities of which are owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation; and a "person" is any individual, partnership, corporation or entity. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the combined voting power of all of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend, rescind or repeal this Article or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith. This Article Thirteenth shall be of no further force and effect from and after the Fifth Year Anniversary. -9- EX-99.B 3 EXHIBIT B BY-LAWS OF THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. (hereinafter called the "Corporation") (As amended through September 15, 1999) Article I. PREAMBLE These By-Laws shall be subject to all provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("GCL") and all of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation. Article II. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Section 2. Annual Meetings. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect directors in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and in these By-Laws, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Written notice of the Annual Meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. Section 3. Special Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by the Certificate of Incorporation, Special Meetings of Stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors and shall be called by such officer or the Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Written notice of a Special Meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. Section 4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by the GCL or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the holders of a majority of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting. Any stock of the Corporation belonging to the Corporation at the time of any meeting or any adjourned session thereof shall neither be entitled to vote nor counted for quorum purposes provided, however, that this sentence shall not be construed as limiting the right of the Corporation to vote its own stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity. Section 5. Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, (a) any question brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote thereat and (b) each stockholder represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of the capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such stockholder. Such votes may be cast in person or by proxy but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in his discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot. Section 6. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list of the stockholders entitled to vote at every meeting of stockholders or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders. Section 7. Business Brought Before Meetings. At any Annual Meeting of Stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (a) pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by a stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2, who shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2. For business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to clause (c) above, the stockholder must have given written notice thereof to, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, and such notice must have been received by, the Secretary of the Corporation, not later than ninety days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting. Such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of the stockholder who is proposing such business, and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (b) the number and class of shares of stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned on the date of such notice by the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made; (c) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business; (d) a description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for 2 conducting such business at the meeting, (e) any material interest of such stockholder of record and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, in such business and (f) a statement as to whether such stockholder of record, and the beneficial owner, if any, intend to solicit proxies in support of such proposal. The presiding officer of the meeting shall determine and declare to the meeting whether or not such business was properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these By-Laws, and at such officer's discretion, may declare such business not properly brought before the meeting and shall not recognize the bringing of such business. At any Special Meeting of Stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice of Special Meeting. Article III. DIRECTORS Section 1. Number and Election of Directors. Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation acting separately by class or series, to elect, under specified circumstances, directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than six nor more than nine persons, the exact number to be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Except as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or Section 2 of this Article, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at Annual Meetings of Stockholders by the stockholders entitled to vote for the election of directors (or for the election of directors of a given class, as applicable), and each director so elected shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his term expires and until a director of the same class succeeding such director is duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation. Directors need not be stockholders. Section 2. Vacancies. Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation, acting separately by class or series, to elect, under specified circumstances, directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to the provisions of Article Ninth thereof, relating to the power of the Board of Directors to fill newly created directorships and vacancies in the Board of Directors, any vacancy in the office of a director created by the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office of a director or other cause, elected by (or appointed on behalf of) the holders of the Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "Class B Common Stock") on the one hand, or the holders of the Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "Class A Common Stock"), and the Class C Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the 3 Corporation (the "Class C Common Stock"), on the other hand, as the case may be, shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director) elected by (or appointed on behalf of) such holders of Class B Common Stock, on the one hand, or Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, on the other hand (or on behalf of whom that director was appointed), as the case may be, unless there are no such directors in such Class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the stockholders of such Class, or the Special Voting Rights (as defined in Section 2(e)(ii) of Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation) have been eliminated in accordance with Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director), regardless of any quorum requirements set out in these By-Laws. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor. Unless the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in accordance with Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation, all newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be allocated pursuant to Section (2)(e)(iii) of Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation. Once such newly-created directorships have been allocated as Class A Directors or Class B Directors (as such terms are defined in Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation), such newly-created directorships shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors in such Class (or the sole remaining director in such Class), as the case shall be, unless there are no such directors in such Class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the stockholders of such Class, or the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in accordance with Section (2)(e)(ii) of Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director), regardless of any quorum requirements set out in these By-Laws. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his term expires and until a director of the same Class succeeding such director shall have been elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Section 3. Duties and Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without 4 notice at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman or a majority of the Board of Directors. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director either by mail not less than 48 hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone or telegram on 24 hours' notice, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances. Section 5. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Section 6. Actions of Board. 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 the members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Section 7. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a 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 Section 7 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Section 8. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more committees to exercise the power and authority provided herein with respect to such committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. 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 any such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, 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. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required. 5 Section 9. Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings. Section 10. Nomination of Directors. Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation acting separately by class or series, to elect, under specified circumstances, directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally. However, any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at a meeting only if written notice of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, ninety days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting (or, in the case of the annual meeting to be held in 1988, on or before October 1, 1988); and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (d) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected. The presiding officer of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure. 6 Article IV. OFFICERS Section 1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall be one or more Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also choose one or more Chief Executive Officers, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders of the Corporation nor need such officers be directors of the Corporation. Section 2. Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors. Section 3. Resignations and Removals. Any director or officer may resign at any time by delivering his resignation in writing to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary or to a meeting of the Board of Directors. Such resignation shall take effect at the time stated therein, or if no time be so stated then upon its delivery, and without in either case the necessity of its being accepted unless the resignation shall so state. The Board of Directors may at any time remove from office any officer either with or without cause. Section 4. Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. Section 5. President. The President shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision of the business of the Corporation. The President shall also perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. Section 6. Vice-Presidents. Any Vice-President shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President. Section 7. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be in charge of the Corporation's funds and valuable papers. He shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President. Any Assistant Treasurers shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the President or the Treasurer. Section 8. Controller and Assistant Controllers. The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer of the Corporation and shall be in charge of its books of account and accounting records and of its accounting procedures. He shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President. 7 Any Assistant Controllers shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the President or the Controller. Section 9. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders, of the Board of Directors and of committees of the Board of Directors, in books kept for that purpose. In his absence from any such meeting an Assistant Secretary or if there be none or he is absent, a temporary Secretary chosen at the meeting shall record the proceedings thereof. Any Assistant Secretaries shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from time to time by the President or the Secretary. Section 10. Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any other office of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers. Section 11. Loans and Guaranties to Directors or Officers. Upon resolution by vote of disinterested directors, the Corporation may make a loan of money or property to, or guarantee the obligation of, any director or officer of the Corporation or a subsidiary if the Board determines that such transaction may reasonably be expected to benefit the Corporation. Article V. STOCK Section 1. Form of Certificates. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed in the name of the Corporation as required by the GCL. Section 2. Signatures. Where a certificate is countersigned by (i) a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (ii) a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any other signature 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 3. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit (in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation) of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. In the case of the alleged loss or destruction or the mutilation of a certificate of stock, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms in conformity with the law as the Board of Directors may prescribe. Section 4. Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these By-Laws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate or by his attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the 8 surrender of the certificate therefor, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate shall be issued. Section 5. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of 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 stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty days nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed, 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. 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 6. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other persons, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law. Section 7. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman, the Vice- Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or any Vice-President and any such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons. Article VI. NOTICES Section 1. Notices. Whenever written notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when 9 the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Written notice may also be given personally or by telegram, telex or cable and such notice shall be deemed to be given upon receipt. Section 2. Waivers of Notice. Whenever any notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, a waiver thereof in writing, signed, by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting or such other event need be specified in any written waiver of notice. Article VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends, if any, upon the capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock. Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. Section 3. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal, Delaware". The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. Article VIII. INDEMNIFICATION Section 1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings other Than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall 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 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 is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer 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 him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he 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 proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he 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 reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. Section 2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits of Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 3 of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by 10 or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; 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 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 which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Section 3. Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the stockholders. To the extent, however, that a director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 3 to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify any person against any liability, cost or expense (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding voluntarily initiated or prosecuted by such person unless the initiation or prosecution of such action, suit, or proceeding by such person was authorized by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, provided, however, that a majority of the entire Board of Directors may, after any such action, suit or proceeding has been initiated or prosecuted, in its discretion, indemnify any such person against any such liability, cost or expense. Section 4. Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination under Section 3 of the Article VIII, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or 11 proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, if his action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to him by the officers of the Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or other enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enterprise. The term "another enterprise" as used in this Section 4 shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. The provisions of this Section 4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstance in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 1 or 2 or this Article VIII, as the case may be. Section 5. Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under Section 3 of this Article VIII, and notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, any director or officer may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for indemnification to the extent otherwise permissible under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII. The basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standards of conduct set forth in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be. Notice of any application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 shall be given to the Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application. Section 6. Expenses Payable in Advance. Expenses incurred in defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VIII. Section 7. Non-exclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any By-Law, agreement, contract, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or pursuant to the direction (howsoever embodied) of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to preclude the 12 indemnification of or advancement of expenses to any person who is not specified in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article VIII, including employees or agents of the Corporation, but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of GCL, or otherwise. Section 8. Insurance. The Corporation may 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 him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII. Section 9. Meaning of "Corporation" for Purposes of Article VIII. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to "the Corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. Section 10. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Each person who is or becomes a director, officer, employee or agent as aforesaid shall be deemed to have served or to have continued to serve in such capacity in reliance upon the indemnity provided for in this Article VIII. Article IX. AMENDMENTS These By-Laws may be amended, altered, rescinded or repealed at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders, provided, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, notice of the proposed change was given in the notice of the meeting; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any Voting Stock (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation) required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-Laws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3 percent of the combined voting power of all 13 the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter, rescind or repeal Section 3 of Article II and Sections 1, 2 and 10 of Article III, Article VIII and this Article IX of these By-Laws. 14 EX-99.C 4 Exhibit C - Form of Stock Certificate THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. NMG CLASS B COMMON STOCK PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE This certificate is INCORPORATED UNDER THE See reverse for transferable in LAWS OF THE STATE OF key to abbreviations Boston, MA or in DELAWARE New York, N.Y. CUSIP 640204 30 1 THIS CERTIFIES THAT _________________________________________________________ is the owner of ____________________ fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Class B Common Stock of The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (herein called the "Corporation") transferable upon the books of the Corporation upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed or assigned. This certificate and the shares represented hereby are subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, and to the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Corporation, as amended from time to time (copies of which are on file with the Transfer Agent). This certificate is not valid until countersigned by a Transfer Agent and registered by a Registrar. In Witness Whereof, The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. has caused its facsimile corporate seal and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers to be hereunto affixed. Dated: __________________ _______________________________________ Countersigned and registered: Secretary BankBoston, N.A. Transfer Agent and Registrar _______________________________________ By: _____________________________ Chairman Authorized Signature [REVERSE] THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. The Corporation shall furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock of the Corporation or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Such requests shall be made to the Corporation's Secretary at the principal office of the Corporation. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -________ Custodian _____ TEN ENT - as tenants by the (Cust) (Minor) entireties under Uniform Gifts to JT TEN - as joint tenants with Minors Act _______________ right of survivorship (State) and not as tenants in common UNIF TRF MIN ACT - ____ Custodian (until age__) (Cust) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ________________ (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. For Value Received, _____________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto _____________________________ (please insert social security or other identifying number of assignee), ________________________________________________________ (please print or typewrite name and address, including zip code, of assignee), ___________________ Shares of the Class B Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________ Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated _______________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ -2- Notice: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. Signature(s) Guaranteed: _________________________________________________ The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15. -3- -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----