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Commitments and Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Acquisitions - The purchase price that we normally pay for businesses and client lists consists of two components: an up-front non-contingent portion, and a portion which is contingent upon the acquired businesses or client lists’ future performance. The fair value of the contingent purchase price consideration is recorded at the date of acquisition and re-measured each reporting period until the liability is settled. Shares of our common stock that are issued in connection with acquisitions may be contractually restricted from sale for periods up to one year. Acquisitions are further disclosed in Note 18, Business Combinations.
Indemnifications - We have various agreements in which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters. Generally, these indemnification clauses are included in contracts arising in the normal course of business under which the Company customarily agrees to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, related to matters such as title to assets sold and certain tax matters. Payment by us under such indemnification clauses are generally conditioned upon the other party making a claim. Such claims are typically subject to challenge by us and to dispute resolution procedures specified in the particular contract. Further, our obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time and/or amount and, in some instances, we may have recourse against third parties for certain payments made by us. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these
indemnification agreements due to the conditional nature of our obligations and the unique facts of each particular agreement. Historically, we have not made any payments under these agreements that have been material individually or in the aggregate. As of December 31, 2020, we were not aware of any obligations arising under indemnification agreements that would require material payments, and therefore have not recorded a liability.
Employment Agreements - We maintain severance and employment agreements with certain of our executive officers, whereby such officers may be entitled to payment in the event of termination of their employment. We also have arrangements with certain non-executive employees which may include severance and other employment provisions. We accrue for amounts payable under these contracts and arrangements as triggering events occur and obligations become known. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, payments under such contracts and arrangements were not material.
Letters of Credit and Guarantees - We provide letters of credit to landlords (lessors) of our leased premises in lieu of cash security deposits which totaled $1.7 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In addition, we provide license bonds to various state agencies to meet certain licensing requirements. The amount of license bonds outstanding was $2.2 million and $2.3 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Legal Proceedings - In 2010, CBIZ, Inc. and its subsidiary, CBIZ MHM, LLC (fka CBIZ Accounting, Tax & Advisory Services, LLC) (the “CBIZ Parties”), were named as defendants in lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and the Superior Court for Maricopa County, Arizona. The federal court case is captioned Robert Facciola, et al v. Greenberg Traurig LLP, et al, and the state court cases are captioned Victims Recovery, LLC v. Greenberg Traurig LLP, et al, Roger Ashkenazi, et al v. Greenberg Traurig LLP, et al, Mary Marsh, et al v. Greenberg Traurig LLP, et al; and ML Liquidating Trust v. Mayer Hoffman McCann, P.C. (“Mayer Hoffman”), et al. Prior to these suits CBIZ MHM, LLC was named as a defendant in Jeffrey C. Stone v. Greenberg Traurig LLP, et al.
These lawsuits arose out of the bankruptcy of Mortgages Ltd., a mortgage lender to developers in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Various other professional firms and individuals not related to the Company were also named defendants in these lawsuits. The lawsuits asserted claims for, among others things, violations of the Arizona Securities Act, common law fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, and sought to hold the CBIZ Parties vicariously liable for Mayer Hoffman’s conduct as Mortgage Ltd.’s auditor, as either a statutory control person under the Arizona Securities Act or a joint venturer under Arizona common law.
With the exception of claims being pursued by two plaintiffs from the Ashkenazi lawsuit (“Baldino Group”), all other related matters have been dismissed or settled without payment by the CBIZ Parties. The Baldino Group’s claims, which allege damages of approximately $16.0 million, are currently pending, though no trial date has been set.
On September 16, 2016, CBIZ, Inc. and its subsidiary CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services, Inc. (“CBIZ Benefits”) were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The federal court case is brought by UPMC, d/b/a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and a health system it acquired, UPMC Altoona (formerly, Altoona Regional Health System).  The lawsuit asserts professional negligence, breach of contract, and negligent misrepresentation claims against CBIZ, CBIZ Benefits and a former employee of CBIZ Benefits in connection with actuarial services provided by CBIZ Benefits to Altoona Regional Health System. The plaintiff now seeks compensatory damages of between $124.0 million and $266.0 million, plus punitive damages.  The Court recently denied CBIZ Benefits’ motion for a summary judgment and trial is set for June 2021.  
On December 19, 2016, CBIZ Operations, Inc. (“CBIZ Operations”) was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Zotec Partners, LLC ("Zotec") in the Marion County Indiana Superior Court. After various amendments, the lawsuit asserts claims under Indiana law for securities, statutory and common law fraud or deception, unjust enrichment, breach of contract, and vicarious liability against CBIZ Operations and a former employee of CBIZ MMP in connection with the sale of the CBIZ MMP medical billing practice to Zotec. The plaintiff claims that CBIZ Operations had a duty to disclose the unknown fact that the former employee had a financial arrangement with a Zotec vendor at the time CBIZ Operations sold CBIZ MMP to Zotec. The plaintiff is now seeking damages of up to $177.0 million out of the $200.0 million transaction price. Trial is scheduled for August 2021.
We cannot predict the outcome of the above matters or estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss, if any. Although the proceedings are subject to uncertainties inherent in the litigation process and the ultimate
disposition of these proceedings is not presently determinable, we intend to vigorously defend these cases and we believe we have meritorious defenses to these claims. In addition to those items disclosed above, we are, from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business.