As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2019
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM S‑8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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New Fortress Energy LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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83-1482060
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(516) 268-7400
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(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
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New Fortress Energy LLC
2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan
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(Full title of the plan)
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Cameron D. MacDougall, Esq.
General Counsel and Secretary
New Fortress Energy LLC
111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(516) 268-7400
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(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
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_________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Large accelerated filer
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☐ |
Accelerated filer ☐
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Non-accelerated filer
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☒ (Do not check if smaller reporting company)
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Smaller Reporting Company ☐
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Emerging Growth Company
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☒ (Do not check if smaller reporting company)
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant
has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
to be registered
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Amount to be
registered (1)(2)
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Proposed
maximum offering
price per share (3)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate
offering price (3)
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Amount of
registration fee
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Class A shares representing limited liability company interests
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18,376,471
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$
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13.34
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$
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245,142,124
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$
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29,712
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(1) |
This Registration Statement (as defined below) registers 18,376,471 Class A shares, representing limited liability company interests (the “Shares”) of New Fortress Energy
LLC (the “Registrant”) that may be delivered with respect to awards under the New Fortress Energy LLC 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which number of Shares consists of (a) 16,705,882 Shares reserved and available for delivery
with respect to awards under the Plan and (b) 1,670,589 Shares related to awards granted under the Plan that expire or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash or otherwise terminated without issuance of Shares and that again
become available for the issuance of awards under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.
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(2) |
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (this “Registration Statement”) shall be deemed to cover an indeterminate number
of additional Shares that may become issuable pursuant to the adjustment provisions of the Plan.
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(3) |
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act. The price for the Shares being registered hereby
is based on a price of $13.34 per Share, which is the average of the high and low prices of the Shares as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 31, 2019.
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PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The Registrant will send or give to all participants in the Plan document(s) containing the information required by Part I of Form S-8,
as specified in Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act. In accordance with Rule 428, the Registrant has not filed such document(s) with the Commission, but such documents
(along with the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof) shall constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by
Reference.
Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws and regulations, the Registrant
hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following documents:
(a)
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The Registrant’s prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act on January 31, 2019 relating to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-228339), originally filed with the Commission on November 9, 2018;
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(b)
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All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the registration
document referred to in (a) above; and
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(c)
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The description of the Class A shares included under the captions “Summary” and “Description of Shares” contained in the prospectus forming part
of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-228339), which description has been incorporated by reference in Item 1 of the Registrant’s
Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-38790), filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, on January 30, 2019 including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
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Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws and regulations, all documents filed
by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and all reports on Form 8-K subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and
Officers.
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “Delaware LLC Act”) empowers a Delaware limited liability company to
indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
The Registrant’s operating agreement provides that it will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware LLC Act, each
person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party in any legal proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was the Registrant’s or the Registrant’s subsidiary’s director or officer. However, such indemnification is
permitted only if such person acted in good faith and lawfully. Indemnification is authorized on a case-by-case basis by (1) the Registrant’s board of directors by a majority vote of disinterested directors, (2) a committee of the disinterested
directors, (3) independent legal counsel in a written opinion if (1) and (2) are not available, or if disinterested directors so direct, or (4) the Registrant’s shareholders. Indemnification of former directors or officers shall be determined by
any person authorized to act on the matter on the Registrant’s behalf. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending against such legal proceedings are payable before the final disposition of the action, provided that the director or
officer undertakes to repay the Registrant if it is later determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification.
The Registrant’s operating agreement provides that it may indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of us
to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The indemnification provisions contained in the Registrant’s operating agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise. In addition, the Registrant has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers, which are broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in
the Delaware LLC Act. These indemnification agreements require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than
liabilities arising from willful misconduct.
The Registrant will purchase insurance covering its officers and directors against liabilities asserted and expenses incurred in connection
with their activities as its officers and directors or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.
The Registrant plans to enter into an underwriting agreement which provides that the underwriters are obligated, under some
circumstances, to indemnify the Registrant’s directors, officers and controlling persons against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The Plan provides that no member of the committee that administers the Plan, nor any officer or employee of the Registrant or any
subsidiary of the Registrant acting on behalf of the committee, shall be personally liable for any action, omission, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the committee and each
and any officer or employee of the Registrant and of any subsidiary of the Registrant acting on their behalf shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Registrant in respect of any such action,
omission, determination or interpretation.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration
Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the Registrant with the Commission, each of the
following exhibits is filed herewith:
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Certificate of Formation of New Fortress Energy LLC (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-228339), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2018).
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Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of New Fortress Energy LLC
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-228339), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2018).
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Form of First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of New Fortress
Energy LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-228339), filed with the Commission on January 14, 2019).
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New Fortress Energy LLC 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
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Form of Director Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-228339), filed with the Commission on December 24, 2018).
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins LLP as to the legality of the securities being
registered.
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Consent of Vinson & Elkins LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).
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* Filed herewith.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
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The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
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(1) |
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
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(i) |
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
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(ii) |
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar
value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration
statement; and
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(iii) |
to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
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provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i)
and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
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(2) |
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(3) |
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(b)
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The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(h) |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York City, State of New York on February 4, 2019.
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NEW FORTRESS ENERGY LLC
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By:
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/s/ Christopher S. Guinta |
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Name: Christopher S. Guinta
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wesley R. Edens , and
Christopher S. Guinta, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully and to all intents and purposes as
they might or could not in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on February 4, 2019.
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/s/ Wesley R. Edens |
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Chief Executive Officer and Director
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Wesley R. Edens
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(Principal Executive Officer)
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/s/ Christopher S. Guinta |
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Chief Financial Officer
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Christopher S. Guinta
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(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
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/s/ Randal A. Nardone |
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Director
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Randal A. Nardone
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/s/ C. William Griffin |
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Director
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C. William Griffin
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/s/ John J. Mack |
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Director
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John J. Mack
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/s/ Matthew Wilkinson |
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Director
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Matthew Wilkinson
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/s/ David J. Grain |
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Director
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David J. Grain
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/s/ Desmond Iain Catterall |
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Director
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Desmond Iain Catterall
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/s/ Katherine E. Wanner |
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Director
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Katherine E. Wanner
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NEW FORTRESS ENERGY LLC
2019 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1.
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Purpose of Plan.
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The name of the Plan is the New Fortress Energy LLC 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purposes of the Plan are to provide an additional incentive to selected officers, employees, non-employee directors, independent contractors, and
consultants of the Company or its Affiliates (as hereinafter defined) whose contributions are essential to the growth and success of the business of the Company and its Affiliates, in order to strengthen the commitment of such persons to the Company
and its Affiliates, motivate such persons to faithfully and diligently perform their responsibilities and attract and retain competent and dedicated persons whose efforts will result in the long-term growth and profitability of the Company and its
Affiliates. To accomplish such purposes, the Plan provides that the Company may grant Options, Share Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units, Share Bonuses, Other Share-Based Awards, Cash Awards or any combination of the
foregoing.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a) “Administrator”
means the Board, or, if and to the extent the Board does not administer the Plan, the Committee in accordance with Section 3 hereof.
(b) “Affiliate”
means (i) a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified or (ii) solely for purposes of the Plan, Fortress Investment Group LLC and its
Subsidiaries.
(c) “Award”
means any Option, Share Appreciation Right, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Unit, Share Bonus, Other Share-Based Award or Cash Award granted under the Plan.
(d) “Award Agreement”
means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent
with the Plan. Each Participant who is granted an Award shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, containing such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion.
(e) “Base Price”
has the meaning set forth in Section 8(b) hereof.
(f) “Beneficial Owner”
(or any variant thereof) has the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(g) “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(h) “Cash Award”
means an Award granted pursuant to Section 12 hereof.
(i) “Cause” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Award Agreement or in any individual employment or severance agreement with the Participant or, if any such agreement does not
define “Cause,” Cause means (i) the commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty by the Participant in the course of the Participant’s employment or service; (ii) the indictment of, or conviction of, or entering of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere
by, the Participant for a crime constituting a felony or in respect of any act of fraud or dishonesty; (iii) the commission of an act by the Participant which would make the Participant or the Company (including any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates)
subject to being enjoined, suspended, barred or otherwise disciplined for violation of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, including a statutory disqualification; (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the
Participant’s performance of his or her duties in connection with the Participant’s employment by or service with the Company (including any Subsidiary or Affiliate for whom the Participant may be employed by or providing services to at the time) or
the Participant’s failure to comply with any of the restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject; (v) the Participant’s willful failure to comply with any material policies or procedures of the Company as in effect from time to time,
provided that the Participant shall have been delivered a copy of such policies or notice that they have been posted on a Company website prior to such compliance failure; or (vi) the Participant’s failure to perform the material duties in connection
with the Participant’s position, unless the Participant remedies the failure referenced in this clause (vi) no later than ten (10) days following delivery to the Participant of a written notice from the Company (including any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates) describing such failure in reasonable detail (provided that the Participant shall not be given more than one opportunity in the aggregate to remedy failures described in this clause (vi)).
(j) “Change in
Capitalization” means any (1) merger, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase or other reorganization or corporate transaction or event, (2) special or
extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution (whether in the form of cash, Class A Shares, or other property), share split, reverse share split, subdivision or consolidation, (3) combination or exchange of shares, or (4) other change in
corporate structure, which, in any such case, the Administrator determines, in its sole discretion, affects the Class A Shares such that an adjustment pursuant to Section 5 hereof is appropriate.
(k) “Change in Control”
shall mean an event or series of events after which Fortress Entities collectively directly or indirectly legally or beneficially own less than 40% of the voting shares (or other voting equity interests) of the Company; provided, however, that a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to occur upon the occurrence
of either of the following events:
(1) an acquisition, merger, continuation into another jurisdiction or other business combination
involving the Company, including the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (each, a “Business Combination”), if one or more Fortress
Entities collectively (x) directly or indirectly legally or Beneficially Own at least 30% of the voting shares (or other voting equity interests) of the Company or the surviving/acquiring entity, as the case may be, and (y) continue to be the largest
shareholder (or other holder of equity) of the Company or the surviving/acquiring entity, as the case may be, following such Business Combination; and a “Change in Control” will not result after any such Business Combination so long as (but only so
long as) the conditions set forth in clause (x) and clause (y) continue to be satisfied; or
(2) (x) upon an initial public offering of the voting shares or other equity interests of the Company or
any direct or indirect parent of the Company (without regard to the percentage of voting shares or other equity interests of the Company or such other entity directly or indirectly legally or beneficially owned by the Fortress Entities immediately
after such offering) or (y) without limiting clause (x), if at any time following such initial public offering, one or more Fortress Entities collectively directly or indirectly legally or beneficially own at least 30% of the voting shares (or other
voting equity interests) of the Company or such direct or indirect parent and are the largest shareholder (or other holder of equity) of the Company or such direct or indirect parent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each Award that constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, and to
the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred under the Plan with respect to such Award only if a change in the ownership or effective
control of the Company or a change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code.
(l) “Class A Shares”
means Class A shares of the Company representing limited liability company interests.
(m) “Class B Shares”
means Class B shares of the Company representing limited liability company interests.
(n) “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
(o) “Committee”
means any committee or subcommittee the Board may appoint to administer the Plan. Subject to the discretion of the Board, the Committee shall be composed entirely of individuals who meet the qualifications of (i) a “non-employee director” within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (ii) any other qualifications required by the applicable stock exchange on which the Class A Shares are traded. If at any time or to any extent the Board shall not administer the Plan, then the functions of the
Administrator specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in the organizational documents of the Company, any action of the Committee with respect to the administration of the Plan shall be taken by a
majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is duly constituted or unanimous written consent of the Committee’s members.
(p) “Company”
means New Fortress Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company or any successor company.
(q) “Disability”
has the meaning assigned to such term in the Award Agreement or in any individual employment or severance agreement with the Participant or, if any such agreement does not define “Disability,” Disability means, with respect to any Participant, that
such Participant (i) as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a
continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company or an Affiliate thereof.
(r) “Effective Date”
has the meaning set forth in Section 20 hereof.
(s) “Eligible Recipient”
means an officer, employee, non-employee director, independent contractor or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company who has been selected as an eligible participant by the Administrator; provided, however, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section
409A of the Code, an Eligible Recipient of an Option or a Share Appreciation Right means an employee, non-employee director, independent contractor or consultant of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with respect to whom the Company is an
“eligible issuer of service recipient stock” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code; provided further, that an Eligible Recipient must be an
“employee” of the Company or any of its parents or subsidiaries within the meaning of General Instruction A.1(a) to Form S-8 if such individual is granted an Award that may be settled in Class A Shares.
(t) “Exchange Act”
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
(u) “Exercise Price”
means, with respect to any Option, the per share price at which a holder of such Option may purchase such Class A Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Option.
(v) “Fair Market Value”
of Class A Shares or another security as of a particular date shall mean the fair market value as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided,
however, (i) if the Class A Shares or other security are admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the fair market value on any date shall be the
closing sale price reported on such date, or if no Class A Shares were traded on such date, on the last preceding date for which there was a sale of a Class A Share on such exchange, or (ii) if the Class A Shares or other security are then traded in
an over-the-counter market, the fair market value on any date shall be the average of the closing bid and asked prices for such share in such over-the-counter market for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such share in such market.
(w) “Fortress Entities”
means Fortress Equity Partners (A) LP, New Fortress Energy Holdings LLC and their respective Affiliates.
(x) “Free Standing Right”
has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.
(y) “Good Reason”
has the meaning assigned to such term in the Award Agreement or in any individual employment or severance agreement with the Participant or, if any such agreement does not define “Good Reason,” Good Reason and any provision of this Plan that refers
to Good Reason shall not be applicable to such Participant.
(z) “ISO” means
an Option intended to be and designated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(aa) “Nonqualified Share
Option” means an Option that is not designated as an ISO.
(bb) “Option”
means an option to purchase Class A Shares granted pursuant to Section 7 hereof. The term “Option” as used in the Plan includes the terms “Nonqualified Share Option” and “ISO.”
(cc) “Other Share-Based
Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(dd) “Participant”
means any Eligible Recipient selected by the Administrator, pursuant to the Administrator’s authority provided for in Section 3 hereof, to receive grants of Awards, and, upon his or her death, his or her successors, heirs, executors and
administrators, as the case may be.
(ee) “Performance Goals”
means performance goals based on criteria selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Where applicable, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criteria or the attainment of a
percentage increase or decrease in the particular criteria, and may be applied to one or more of the Company or any Affiliate thereof, or a division or strategic business unit of the Company or any Affiliate thereof, or may be applied to the
performance of the Company relative to a market index, a group of other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Administrator. The Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment shall be
made (or no vesting shall occur), levels of performance at which specified payments shall be made (or specified vesting shall occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment shall be made (or at which full vesting shall
occur). The Administrator shall have the authority to make equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(ff) “Person”
has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.
(gg) “Plan” has
the meaning set forth in Section 1 hereof.
(hh) “Related Right”
has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.
(ii) “Restricted Shares”
means Class A Shares granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof subject to certain restrictions that lapse at the end of a specified period or periods.
(jj) “Restricted Share
Unit” means the right, granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof, to receive an amount in cash or Class A Shares (or any combination thereof) equal to the Fair Market Value of a Class A Share subject to certain restrictions that lapse at
the end of a specified period or periods.
(kk) “Rule 16b-3”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.
(ll) “Share Appreciation
Right” means the right to receive, upon exercise of the right, the applicable amounts as described in Section 8 hereof.
(mm) “Share Bonus”
means a bonus payable in fully vested Class A Shares granted pursuant to Section 11 hereof.
(nn) “Subsidiary”
means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such first Person owns or otherwise controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting shares or other similar interests or a sole general
partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such other Person.
(oo) “Transfer”
has the meaning set forth in Section 18 hereof.
Section 3.
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Administration.
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(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator and shall be administered in accordance with the
requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), to the extent applicable.
(b) Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator, subject, in the case of any Committee, to any
restrictions on the authority delegated to it by the Board, shall have the power and authority, without limitation:
(1) to select those Eligible Recipients who shall be Participants;
(2) to determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted hereunder to Participants;
(3) to determine the number of Class A Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(4) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of each Award
granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, (i) the restrictions applicable to Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units and the conditions under which restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units shall lapse,
(ii) the Performance Goals and periods applicable to Awards, (iii) the Exercise Price of each Option and the Base Price of each Share Appreciation Right, (iv) the vesting schedule applicable to each Award, subject to Section 4(d) hereof, (v) the
number of Class A Shares or amount of cash or other property subject to each Award and (vi) subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (to the extent applicable), any amendments to the terms and conditions of outstanding Awards,
including, but not limited to, extending the exercise period of such Awards and accelerating the vesting schedule of such Awards);
(5) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, which shall
govern all written instruments evidencing Awards;
(6) to determine the Fair Market Value in accordance with the terms of the Plan;
(7) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which may be granted to a Participant
without constituting termination of the Participant’s employment or service for purposes of Awards granted under the Plan;
(8) to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as
it shall from time to time deem advisable; and
(9) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the
purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws, which rules and regulations may be set forth in an appendix or appendices to the Plan; and
(10) to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan
(and any Award Agreement relating thereto), and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan and to exercise all powers and authorities either specifically granted under the Plan or necessary and advisable in the administration of the Plan.
(c) All decisions made by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final,
conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company and the Participants. No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be
personally liable for any action, omission, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company and of any Subsidiary
thereof acting on their behalf shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, omission, determination or interpretation.
(d) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, delegate its authority, in whole or in part, under this
Section 3 (including, but not limited to, its authority to grant Awards under the Plan, other than its authority to grant Awards under the Plan to any Participant who is subject to reporting under Section 16 of the Exchange Act) to one or more
officers of the Company, subject to the requirements of applicable law or any stock exchange on which the Class A Shares are traded.
Section 4.
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Class A Shares Reserved for Issuance; Certain Limitations.
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(a) The maximum number of Class A Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be 16,705,882 shares
(subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5), as increased on the first day of each fiscal year of the Company beginning in calendar year 2020 by a number of Class A Shares equal to the excess, if any, of (x) 10% of the aggregate number of
outstanding Class A Shares and Class B Shares on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, over (y) the number of Class A Shares reserved and available for issuance in respect of future grants of Awards under the Plan as of the last day
of the immediately preceding fiscal year. Notwithstanding the number of Class A Shares available under the Plan, no more than 16,705,882 Class A Shares will be available for issuance in connection with ISOs under the Plan.
(b) Class A Shares issued under the Plan may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued Class A
Shares or Class A Shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. If any Class A Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an Award
otherwise terminates or expires without a distribution of Class A Shares to the Participant, the Class A Shares with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration,
again be available for Awards under the Plan. Additionally, Class A Shares that are exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the
Plan or the payment of any purchase price with respect to any other Award under the Plan, as well as any Class A Shares exchanged by a Participant or withheld by the Company or any Subsidiary to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any
Award under the Plan, shall also be available for subsequent Awards under the Plan. Upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards, such related Awards shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of Class A Shares as to
which the Award is exercised and, notwithstanding the foregoing, such number of Class A Shares shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan. Class A Shares, if any, that are repurchased by the Company using the proceeds received by the
Company from the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right or from the payment of any purchase price with respect to any other Award shall not be added to the aggregate number of Class A Shares available for Awards under the Plan. In
addition, (i) to the extent an Award is denominated in Class A Shares, but paid or settled in cash, the number of Class A Shares with respect to which such payment or settlement is made shall again be available for grants of Awards pursuant to the
Plan and (ii) Class A Shares underlying Awards that can only be settled in cash shall not be counted against the aggregate number of Class A Shares available for Awards under the Plan.
Section 5.
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Equitable Adjustments.
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(a) In the event of any Change in Capitalization, an equitable substitution or
proportionate adjustment shall be made, in each case, as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, in (i) the aggregate number of Class A Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan and the maximum number of Class A Shares or
cash that may be subject to Awards granted to any Participant in any calendar year, (ii) the kind and number of securities subject to, and the Exercise Price or Base Price of, any outstanding Options and Share Appreciation Rights granted under the
Plan, (iii) the kind, number and purchase price of Class A Shares, or the amount of cash or amount or type of other property, subject to outstanding Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units, Share Bonuses and Other Share-Based Awards granted under
the Plan or (iv) the Performance Goals and performance periods applicable to any Awards granted under the Plan; provided, however, that any fractional Class A Shares resulting from the adjustment shall be eliminated. Such other equitable substitutions or adjustments shall be made as may be determined by the
Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in connection with a Change in Capitalization, the
Administrator may provide, in its sole discretion, but subject in all events to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, for the cancellation of any outstanding Award in exchange for payment in cash or other property having an aggregate Fair
Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the Class A Shares, cash or other property covered by such Award, reduced by the aggregate Exercise Price or Base Price thereof, if any; provided, however, that if the Exercise Price or Base Price of any outstanding Award is equal to or greater than the Fair
Market Value of the Class A Shares, cash or other property covered by such Award, the Board may cancel such Award without the payment of any consideration to the Participant.
(c) The determinations made by the Administrator or the Board, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 5
shall be final, binding and conclusive.
The Participants under the Plan shall be selected from time to time by the Administrator, in its sole
discretion, from those individuals that qualify as Eligible Recipients.
(a) General.
Each Participant who is granted an Option shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, containing such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, which Award Agreement shall set forth, among other
things, the Exercise Price of the Option, the term of the Option and provisions regarding exercisability of the Option, and whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a Nonqualified Share Option (and in the event the Award Agreement has no such
designation, the Option shall be a Nonqualified Share Option). The provisions of each Option need not be the same with respect to each Participant. More than one Option may be granted to the same Participant and be outstanding concurrently
hereunder. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem
desirable and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(b) Exercise Price.
The Exercise Price of Class A Shares purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion at the time of grant, but in no event shall the exercise price of an Option be less than one hundred percent (100%) of
the Fair Market Value of the related Class A Shares on the date of grant.
(c) Option Term.
The maximum term of each Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Option shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such Option is granted. Each Option’s term is subject to earlier expiration pursuant to the applicable
provisions in the Plan and the Award Agreement.
(d) Exercisability.
Each Option shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions, including the attainment of Performance Goals, as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator may also
provide that any Option shall be exercisable only in installments, and the Administrator may waive such installment exercise provisions at any time, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Administrator may determine in its sole
discretion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Class A Share.
(e) Method of Exercise.
Options may be exercised in whole or in part by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of whole Class A Shares to be purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Class A Shares so
purchased in cash or its equivalent, as determined by the Administrator. As determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, with respect to any Option or category of Options, payment in whole or in part may also be made (i) by means of
consideration received under any cashless exercise procedure approved by the Administrator (including the withholding of Class A Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise), (ii) in the form of unrestricted Class A Shares already owned by the
Participant which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Class A Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (iii) any other form of consideration approved by the Administrator and
permitted by applicable law or (iv) any combination of the foregoing.
(f) ISOs. The
terms and conditions of ISOs granted hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 422 of the Code and the terms, conditions, limitations and administrative procedures established by the Administrator from time to time in accordance with
the Plan. At the discretion of the Administrator, ISOs may be granted only to an employee of the Company, its “parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or a Subsidiary of the Company.
(i) ISO Grants to 10%
Shareholders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, if an ISO is granted to a Participant who owns shares representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company, its
“parent corporation” (as such term is defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or a Subsidiary of the Company, the term of the ISO shall not exceed five (5) years from the time of grant of such ISO and the Exercise Price shall be at least one hundred
and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Shares on the date of grant.
(ii) $100,000 Per Year
Limitation For ISOs. To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the date of grant) of the Class A Shares for which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans
of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such excess ISOs shall be treated as Nonqualified Share Options.
(iii) Disqualifying
Dispositions. Each Participant awarded an ISO under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date the Participant makes a “disqualifying disposition” of any Class A Share acquired pursuant to the exercise of
such ISO. A “disqualifying disposition” is any disposition (including any sale) of such Class A Shares before the later of (i) two years after the date of grant of the ISO and (ii) one year after the date the Participant acquired the Class A Shares
by exercising the ISO. The Company may, if determined by the Administrator and in accordance with procedures established by it, retain possession of any Class A Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO as agent for the applicable
Participant until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence, subject to complying with any instructions from such Participant as to the sale of such Class A Shares.
(g) Rights as Shareholder.
A Participant shall have no rights to dividends, dividend equivalents or distributions or any other rights of a shareholder with respect to the Class A Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given written notice of the exercise
thereof, has paid in full for such Class A Shares and has satisfied the requirements of Section 17 hereof.
(h) Termination of
Employment or Service. In the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Options, such Options shall be exercisable at such time or
times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.
(i) Other Change in
Employment or Service Status. An Option shall be affected, both with regard to vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, including unpaid and un-protected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time
employment, partial Disability or other changes in the employment status or service status of a Participant, in the discretion of the Administrator.
Section 8.
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Share Appreciation Rights.
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(a) General.
Share Appreciation Rights may be granted either alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in conjunction with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”). Related Rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Option. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible
Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Share Appreciation Rights shall be made, the number of Class A Shares to be awarded, the Base Price, and all other conditions of Share Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no Related Right may be granted for more Class A Shares than are subject to the Option to which it relates. The provisions of Share Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Share Appreciation Rights granted under
the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable, as set forth
in the applicable Award Agreement.
(b) Base Price.
Each Share Appreciation Right shall be granted with a base price that is not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the related Class A Shares on the date of grant (such amount, the “Base Price”).
(c) Rights as Shareholder.
A Participant shall have no rights to dividends, dividend equivalents or any other rights of a shareholder with respect to the Class A Shares, if any, subject to a Share Appreciation Right until the Participant has given written notice of the
exercise thereof and has satisfied the requirements of Section 17 hereof.
(d) Exercisability.
(1) Share Appreciation Rights that are Free Standing Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times
and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement.
(2) Share Appreciation Rights that are Related Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and
to the extent that the Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 hereof and this Section 8.
(e) Consideration Upon
Exercise.
(1) Upon the exercise of a Free Standing Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but
not more than, that number of Class A Shares equal in value to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Class A Share as of the date of exercise over the Base Price per Class A Share specified in the Free Standing Right, multiplied by (ii) the
number of Class A Shares in respect of which the Free Standing Right is being exercised.
(2) A Related Right may be exercised by a Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the
related Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, that number of Class A Shares equal in value to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Class A Share as of the date of
exercise over the Exercise Price specified in the related Option, multiplied by (ii) the number of Class A Shares in respect of which the Related Right is being exercised. Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer
be exercisable to the extent the Related Rights have been so exercised.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may determine to settle the exercise of a Share
Appreciation Right in cash (or in any combination of Class A Shares and cash).
(f) Termination of
Employment or Service.
(1) In the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof
of a Participant who has been granted one or more Free Standing Rights, such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.
(2) In the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof
of a Participant who has been granted one or more Related Rights, such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the related Options.
(g) Term.
(1) The term of each Free Standing Right shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Free Standing Right
shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.
(2) The term of each Related Right shall be the term of the Option to which it relates, but no Related
Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.
(h) Other Change in
Employment or Service Status. Share Appreciation Rights shall be affected, both with regard to vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, including unpaid and un-protected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to
part-time employment, partial Disability or other changes in the employment status or service status of a Participant, in the discretion of the Administrator.
Section 9.
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Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units.
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(a) General.
Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units may be issued under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units shall be made; the number of
Class A Shares to be awarded; the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for the acquisition of Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units; the period of time prior to which Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units become vested and free of
restrictions on Transfer (the “Restricted Period”); the Performance Goals (if any); and all other conditions of the Restricted Shares and Restricted Share
Units. If the restrictions, Performance Goals and/or conditions established by the Administrator are not attained, a Participant shall forfeit his or her Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units, in accordance with the terms of the grant. The
provisions of Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b) Awards and
Certificates.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 9(c) hereof, (i) each Participant who is granted an Award of
Restricted Shares may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued a share certificate in respect of such Restricted Shares; and (ii) any such certificate so issued shall be registered in the name of the Participant, and shall bear an appropriate
legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to any such Award. The Company may require that the share certificates, if any, evidencing Restricted Shares granted hereunder be held in the custody of the Company until the
restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any award of Restricted Shares, the Participant shall have delivered a transfer form, endorsed in blank, relating to the Class A Shares covered by such award. Certificates for
unrestricted Class A Shares may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be delivered to the Participant only after the Restricted Period has expired without forfeiture in respect of such Restricted Shares.
(2) With respect to an Award of Restricted Share Units to be settled in Class A Shares, at the expiration
of the Restricted Period, share certificates in respect of the Class A Shares underlying such Restricted Share Units may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be delivered to the Participant, or his legal representative, in a number equal to the number
of Class A Shares underlying the Award of Restricted Share Units.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, any Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units
to be settled in Class A Shares (at the expiration of the Restricted Period) may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued in uncertificated form.
(4) Further, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, with respect to Restricted Share
Units, at the expiration of the Restricted Period, Class A Shares (either in certificated or uncertificated form) or cash, as applicable, shall promptly be issued to the Participant, unless otherwise deferred in accordance with procedures established
by the Company in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, and such issuance or payment shall in any event be made no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the year of vesting or within such other period as is required to avoid
accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code.
(c) Restrictions and
Conditions. The Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units granted pursuant to this Section 9 shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions and any additional restrictions or conditions as determined by the
Administrator at the time of grant or, subject to Section 409A of the Code where applicable, thereafter:
(1) Subject to Section 4(d) hereof, the Award Agreement may provide for the lapse of restrictions in
installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part based on such factors and such circumstances as set forth in the Award Agreement, including, but not limited to, the attainment of certain performance related goals, the
Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate thereof, or the Participant’s death or Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a Change in Control, the outstanding Awards shall be subject to Section 14
hereof.
(2) Except as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall generally have the rights
of a shareholder of the Company with respect to Restricted Shares during the Restricted Period, including the right to vote such Class A Shares and to receive any dividends declared with respect to such Class A Shares; provided, however, that except as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, any dividends
declared during the Restricted Period with respect to such Class A Shares shall only become payable if (and to the extent) the underlying Restricted Shares vests. Except as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall generally
not have the rights of a shareholder with respect to Class A Shares subject to Restricted Share Units during the Restricted Period; provided, however, that, subject to Section 409A of the Code, an amount equal to any dividends declared during the Restricted Period with respect to the number of Class A
Shares covered by Restricted Share Units may, to the extent set forth in an Award Agreement, be paid or distributed to the Participant when accrued, or at the time (and to the extent) that Class A Shares in respect of the related Restricted Share
Units are delivered to the Participant.
(d) Termination of
Employment or Service. The rights of Participants granted Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units upon termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof for any reason during the Restricted Period
shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(e) Form of Settlement.
The Administrator reserves the right in its sole discretion to provide (either at or after the grant thereof) that any Restricted Share Unit represents the right to receive the amount of cash per unit that is determined by the Administrator in
connection with the Award.
Section 10.
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Other Share-Based Awards.
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Other forms of Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Class A Shares,
including but not limited to dividend equivalents, may be granted either alone or in addition to other Awards (other than in connection with Options or Share Appreciation Rights) under the Plan. Dividends or dividend equivalents awarded hereunder may
be paid or distributed when accrued, or may be subject to the same restrictions, conditions and risks of forfeiture as the underlying Awards and only become payable if (and to the extent) the underlying Awards vest. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, the Administrator shall have sole and complete authority to determine the individuals to whom and the time or times at which such Other Share-Based Awards shall be granted, the number of Class A Shares to be granted pursuant to such Other
Share-Based Awards, or the manner in which such Other Share-Based Awards shall be settled (e.g., in Class A Shares, cash or other property), or the conditions to the vesting and/or payment or settlement of such Other Share-Based Awards (which may
include, but not be limited to, achievement of performance criteria) and all other terms and conditions of such Other Share-Based Awards.
Section 11.
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Share Bonuses.
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In the event that the Administrator grants a Share Bonus, the Class A Shares constituting such Share Bonus
shall, as determined by the Administrator, be evidenced in uncertificated form or by a book entry record or a certificate issued in the name of the Participant to whom such grant was made and delivered to such Participant as soon as practicable after
the date on which such Share Bonus is payable.
The Administrator may grant Awards that are payable solely in cash, as deemed by the Administrator to be
consistent with the purposes of the Plan, and such Cash Awards shall be subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, from time to time. Cash Awards may be granted with value
and payment contingent upon the achievement of Performance Goals.
Section 13.
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Change in Control Provisions.
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Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator prior to a Change in Control or evidenced in an Award
Agreement, in the event that (a) a Change in Control occurs and (b) the Participant’s employment or service is terminated by the Company, its successor or an Affiliate thereof without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason (if applicable) on or
after the effective date of the Change in Control but prior to twelve (12) months following the Change in Control, then:
(a) any unvested or unexercisable portion of any Award carrying a right to exercise shall become fully
vested and exercisable; and
(b) the restrictions, deferral limitations, payment conditions and forfeiture conditions applicable to an
Award granted under the Plan shall lapse and such Awards shall be deemed fully vested and any performance conditions imposed with respect to such Awards shall be deemed to be fully achieved.
Section 14.
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Voting Proxy.
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The Company reserves the right to require the Participant, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, to appoint the Company’s Secretary (or another person at the request of the Administrator) as the Participant’s proxy with respect to all applicable unvested Awards of which the Participant may be the record holder of from time to time to (A)
attend all meetings of the holders of the Class A Shares, with full power to vote and act for the Participant with respect to such Awards in the same manner and extent that the Participant might were the Participant personally present at such
meetings, and (B) execute and deliver, on behalf of the Participant, any written consent in lieu of a meeting of the holders of the Class A Shares in the same manner and extent that the Participant might but for the proxy granted pursuant to this
sentence.
Section 15.
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Amendment and Termination.
|
The Board may amend, alter or terminate the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, or termination shall be
made that would impair the rights of a Participant under any Award theretofore granted without such Participant’s consent. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the Board shall obtain approval of the Company’s shareholders for any amendment to the
Plan that would require such approval in order to satisfy any rules of the stock exchange on which the Class A Shares is traded or other applicable law. The Administrator may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or
retroactively, but, subject to Section 5 hereof and the immediately preceding sentence, no such amendment shall impair the rights of any Participant without his or her consent.
Section 16.
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Unfunded Status of Plan.
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The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any
payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.
Section 17.
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Withholding Taxes.
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Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award first becomes includible
in the gross income of such Participant for purposes of applicable taxes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, an amount in respect of such taxes up to the maximum statutory rates in the
Participant’s applicable jurisdiction with respect to the Award, as determined by the Company. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on the making of such payments or arrangements, and the Company shall, to the extent
permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant. Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient to
satisfy any applicable withholding tax requirements related thereto as determined by the Company. Whenever Class A Shares or property other than cash are to be delivered pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to (i) require the
Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any related taxes to be withheld and applied to the tax obligations as determined by the Company, (ii) withhold from delivery of Class A Shares or other property, or (iii)
accept delivery of already owned unrestricted Class A Shares, in each case in the sole and absolute discretion of the Administrator. The Class A Shares withheld or accepted as payment for taxes must have a value not exceeding the applicable taxes to
be withheld, determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, foreign and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized without creating adverse accounting treatment with respect to such Award, as
determined by the Company. For purposes of this Section 17, Class A Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date on which the amount of tax
to be withheld is determined and any fractional share amounts resulting therefrom shall be settled in cash. The Company may also use any other method of obtaining the necessary payment or proceeds, as permitted by law, to satisfy its withholding
obligation with respect to any Award as determined by the Company.
Section18.
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Transfer of Awards.
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Until such time as the Awards are fully vested and/or exercisable in accordance with the Plan or an Award
Agreement, no purported sale, assignment, mortgage, hypothecation, transfer, charge, pledge, encumbrance, gift, transfer in trust (voting or other) or other disposition of, or creation of a security interest in or lien on, any Award or any agreement
or commitment to do any of the foregoing (each, a “Transfer”) by any holder thereof in violation of the provisions of the Plan or an Award Agreement will be
valid, except with the prior written consent of the Administrator, which consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the Administrator. Any purported Transfer of an Award or any economic benefit or interest therein in violation of
the Plan or an Award Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, and shall not create any obligation or liability of the Company, and any Person purportedly acquiring any Award or any economic benefit or interest therein transferred in violation of
the Plan or an Award Agreement shall not be entitled to be recognized as a holder of any Class A Shares or other property underlying such Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in accordance with the provisions of the immediately
preceding sentence, an Option or Share Appreciation Right may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant or, during any period during which the Participant is under a legal disability, by the Participant’s guardian
or legal representative.
Section 19.
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Continued Employment or Service.
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Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the grant of an Award hereunder shall confer upon any Eligible
Recipient any right to continued employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate thereof, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate thereof to terminate the employment or service of
any of its Eligible Recipients at any time.
Section 20.
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Effective Date.
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The Plan was adopted by the Board effective as of January 31, 2019 (“Effective Date”).
Section 21.
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Term of Plan.
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No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date,
but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
Section 22.
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Securities Matters and Regulations.
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(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligation of the Company to sell or deliver
Class A Shares with respect to any Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including all applicable federal and state securities laws, the obtaining of all such approvals by governmental agencies
as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator and the listing requirements of any securities exchange on which the Class A Shares are traded. The Administrator may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of certificates
evidencing Class A Shares pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such Class A Shares make such agreements and representations, and that such certificates bear such legends, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or
advisable.
(b) Each Award is subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Administrator determines that the
listing, registration or qualification of Class A Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan is required by any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable
as a condition of, or in connection with, the grant of an Award or the issuance of Class A Shares, no such Award shall be granted or payment made or Class A Shares issued, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent
or approval has been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Administrator.
(c) In the event that the disposition of Class A Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan is not covered by a
then current registration statement under the Securities Act and is not otherwise exempt from such registration, such Class A Shares shall be restricted against transfer to the extent required by the Securities Act or regulations thereunder, and the
Administrator may require a Participant receiving Class A Shares pursuant to the Plan, as a condition precedent to receipt of such Class A Shares, to represent to the Company in writing that the Class A Shares acquired by such Participant is acquired
for investment only and not with a view to distribution.
Section 23.
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Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code.
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If any Participant shall, in connection with the acquisition of Class A Shares under the Plan, make the
election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days after filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service.
Section 24.
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No Fractional Class A Shares.
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No fractional Class A Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Administrator shall
determine whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional Class A Shares or whether such fractional Class A Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
A Participant may file with the Administrator a written designation of a beneficiary on such form as may
be prescribed by the Administrator and may, from time to time, amend or revoke such designation. If no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate shall be deemed to be the Participant’s
beneficiary.
Section 26.
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Paperless Administration.
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In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated
system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use
of such an automated system.
Section 27.
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Severability.
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If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions of the Plan
shall not be affected but shall be applied as if the invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award which is subject to recovery under any law,
government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement or pursuant to any policy adopted by the Company, as approved by the Board, will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government
regulation, stock exchange listing requirement or policy adopted by the Company.
Section 29.
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Section 409A of the Code.
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The Plan as well as payments and benefits under the Plan are intended to be exempt from, or to the extent
subject thereto, to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent required in
order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, the Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service with the Company for purposes of the Plan and no payment shall be due to the
Participant under the Plan or any Award until the Participant would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company and its Affiliates within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments described in the Plan that
are due within the “short term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent that
any Awards (or any other amounts payable under any plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any of its Affiliates) are payable upon a separation from service and such payment would result in the imposition of any individual tax and penalty
interest charges imposed under Section 409A of the Code, the settlement and payment of such awards (or other amounts) shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or
death, if earlier). Each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under this Plan shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. The Company makes no representation that any or all of the payments or
benefits described in this Plan will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to any such payment. The Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment
of any taxes and penalties incurred under Section 409A of the Code.
Section 30.
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Governing Law.
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The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law of such state.
Section 31.
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Titles and Headings.
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The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the
event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or
organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.
Section 33.
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Relationship to other Benefits.
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No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension,
retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare, or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
21
Exhibit 5.1
New Fortress Energy LLC
111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10011
We have acted as counsel for New Fortress Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), in connection with the
Company’s registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of the offer and sale of an aggregate of up to 18,376,471 Class A shares of the Company, representing limited liability company interests (the “Class A Shares”),
pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2019, which Class A Shares may be issued from time to time in accordance with the
terms of the New Fortress Energy LLC 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”).
In reaching the opinions set forth herein, we have examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such documents and records of the Company and such statutes, regulations and other instruments as we deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion, including (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) certain resolutions
adopted by the board of directors of the Company, (iii) the Plan, and (iv) such other certificates, instruments, and documents as we have considered necessary for purposes of this opinion. As to any facts material to our opinion, we have made no
independent investigation or verification of such facts and have relied, to the extent that we deem such reliance proper, upon certificates and other communications of public officials and officers or other representatives of the Company.
We have assumed (i) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (ii) the genuineness of all signatures, (iii) the authority of all
persons signing all documents submitted to us on behalf of the parties to such documents, (iv) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (v) the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as
copies, (vi) that all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true, correct and complete, and (vii) that the Class A Shares will be issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Based on the foregoing and subject to the limitations set forth herein, and having due regard for the legal considerations we deem
relevant, we are of the opinion that the Class A Shares have been duly authorized and, when the Class A Shares are issued by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the instruments executed pursuant to the Plan, as applicable, that
govern the awards to which any Class A Share relates, the Class A Shares will be validly issued and fully paid and, under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the holders of the Class A Shares will have no obligation to make further payments
for the purchase of such Class A Shares or contributions to the Company solely by reason of their ownership of such Class A Shares except for their obligation to repay any funds wrongfully distributed to them.
This opinion is limited in all respects to the Delaware
Limited Liability Company Act. We express no opinion as to any other law or any matter other than as expressly set forth above, and no opinion as to any other law or matter may be inferred or implied herefrom. The opinions expressed herein
are rendered as of the date hereof and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update this letter or advise you of any change in any matter after the date hereof.
Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law
Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London New York
Richmond Riyadh San Francisco Tokyo Washington
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1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, TX 77002-6760
Tel +1.713.758.2222 Fax +1.713.758.2346 www.velaw.com
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This opinion letter may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.
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Very truly yours,
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/s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
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Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
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Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the to the New Fortress Energy LLC 2019 Omnibus Incentive
Plan of our report dated August 16, 2018, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of New Fortress Energy Holdings LLC included in Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-228339) and related Prospectus of New
Fortress Energy LLC dated January 29, 2019.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 1, 2019