<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 1999
Registration No. 333-81107
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
----------------
Amendment No. 2
To
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
----------------
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 7374 71-0655999
(State or other (Primary Standard (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Industrial Identification No.)
incorporation or Classification Code
organization) Number)
----------------
105 North 28th Street
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
(501) 471-5581
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
Registrant's principal executive offices)
----------------
KYLE D. PARKER
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Loislaw.com, Inc.
105 North 28th Street
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
(501) 471-5581
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
----------------
Copies to:
Kenn W. Webb, Esq. Lawrence S. Wittenberg, Esq.
Thompson & Knight, P.C. Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 3300 125 High Street
Dallas, Texas 75201 Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(214) 969-1700 (617) 248-7000
----------------
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [_]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an Offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same Offering. [_]
If this Form is a post effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same Offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same Offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. +
+Loislaw.com may not sell these securities until the registration statement +
+filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This +
+prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting +
+of an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is +
+not permitted. +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION-- , 1999
PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares
[LOGO] Loislaw.com, Inc.
Common Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loislaw.com, Inc. is offering shares of its common stock and Douglas
W. Parker, Sr. is offering shares of common stock in an initial public
offering. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for
Loislaw.com's common stock.
Loislaw.com provides comprehensive, affordable and easy-to-use legal and
related information to lawyers and law firms over the Internet and on CD-ROM.
It is anticipated that the public offering price will be between $ and
$ per share. The shares of Loislaw.com will be quoted in the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "LOIS."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Share Total
<S> <C> <C>
Public offering price...................................... $ $
Underwriting discounts and commissions..................... $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Loislaw.com.................. $ $
Proceeds to Douglas W. Parker, Sr. ........................ $ $
</TABLE>
See "Risk Factors" on pages 9 to 16 for factors that you should consider before
investing in the shares of Loislaw.com.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The underwriters may purchase up to additional shares from Loislaw.com
at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
Delivery and payment for the shares will be on , 1999.
Prudential Securities
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray
Dain Rauscher Wessels
a division of Dain
Rauscher Incorporated
, 1999
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary................... 4
Risk Factors......................... 9
Forward-Looking Statements........... 17
Use of Proceeds...................... 18
Dividend Policy...................... 18
Dilution............................. 19
Capitalization....................... 20
Selected Financial Data.............. 21
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations....................... 23
Business............................. 33
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Management.......................... 45
Certain Transactions................ 51
Principal and Selling Stockholders.. 55
Description of Capital Stock........ 57
Shares Eligible for Future Sale..... 59
Underwriting........................ 61
Legal Matters....................... 62
Experts............................. 62
Available Information............... 63
Index to Financial Statements....... F-1
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts... S-1
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume
that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date
other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus.
3
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
You should read the entire prospectus carefully.
Loislaw.com
Loislaw.com provides comprehensive, affordable and easy-to-use legal and
related information to lawyers and law firms over the Internet and on CD-ROM.
We offer more than 1,180 databases that we estimate to contain over 50 million
pages of federal and state law, continuing legal education materials and other
legal information. We believe this is the largest collection of legal databases
in hypertext mark-up language, or HTML, the standard format language used on
the Internet. We offer powerful and intuitive search tools designed to make our
information easily accessible and valuable to our users. Through LOIS LawWatch,
we provide personalized, intelligent-searching software programs that
automatically and continuously search our web site and notify our users when
new documents match their search criteria. Our news feeds provide up to 150,000
news articles a month from more than 400 domestic and international sources.
Our legal information is available through our web site at loislaw.com or
through our CD-ROM products for an annual subscription price.
We have historically targeted our marketing efforts to law firms with fewer
than 20 lawyers. Small law firms typically require legal information for the
states in which they practice, while large law firms typically require legal
information for all 50 states. Currently, we provide statutes, regulations and
rules of court for all state and federal jurisdictions. We also provide
comprehensive court decisions for the U.S. Supreme Court dating back to 1899
and all federal circuit courts of appeal dating back to 1971. In addition, with
the completion of databases for 12 new states in the last six months, we
currently provide comprehensive legal information for 32 of the 50 states. The
lawyers in these states represent over 88% of the total number of practicing
lawyers in small U.S. law firms. We intend to complete our state law databases
for all 50 states by December 31, 1999. Upon completion of these databases, we
plan to aggressively market to additional small law firms, large law firms and
legal departments of corporations.
Since we launched our web site in 1996, our web-based products have
represented an increasing percentage of our sales. We expect this trend to
continue as we sell more web-based products to existing customers and gain new
customers, and as our existing CD-ROM customers migrate to our web-based
products. During the month of June 1999, we exceeded 1.8 million searches on
our web site compared to 196,000 during June 1998. At June 30, 1999, we had a
total of 7,844 customers of which 3,132 purchased our web-based products. The
percentage of customers that renewed their subscriptions to our products was
89.3% in 1998. We generated revenues of $5.0 million in 1998 and $2.8 million
in the six months ended June 30, 1999, and incurred a net loss of $8.6 million
in 1998 and $7.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 1999. Through June
30, 1999, our accumulated deficit totaled $22.5 million.
Our Market
The market for web-based and other on-line legal, tax and public record
information is large and growing. According to Simba Information, Inc.'s
Web/Online Services 1998-2002: Market Analysis & Forecast, the market for web-
based and other on-line legal, tax and public record information was $1.7
billion in 1998 and is projected to grow to $2.7 billion in 2002.
4
<PAGE>
We believe that the following are the key drivers of growth in the market
for web-based and other on-line legal information:
.An increase in the number of lawyers;
.An increase in litigation; and
.The growth of the Internet.
Our Strategy
Our objective is to become the leading Internet destination for lawyers, law
students, business people and consumers who need legal and related information.
We developed our core products to serve the research needs of lawyers. As we
expand our product offerings, we plan to address additional needs of lawyers
and offer legal information designed to meet the needs of consumers. To achieve
our business objectives, we plan to do the following:
. Continue to market aggressively to small law firms to expand our small
law firm customer base;
. Complete our state law databases for all 50 states by December 31, 1999,
at which time we intend to aggressively market our products to large law
firms and legal departments of corporations;
. Continue to build the depth and breadth of our databases through internal
development and by licensing and acquiring information from third
parties;
. Continue to promote brand awareness through expansion of our direct sales
force, reliable product offerings, excellent customer service and
effective marketing and promotion;
. Continue to forge alliances with state and national bar associations,
continuing legal education associations and court systems; and
. Develop a new web site linked to our loislaw.com web site that will offer
legal and related information to consumers.
Loislaw.com was incorporated in Arkansas as Law Office Information Systems,
Inc. on October 13, 1987 and reincorporated in the State of Delaware on June
18, 1999. Our principal executive offices are located at 105 North 28th Street,
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956 and our telephone number is (501) 471-5581. Our web
site address is www.loislaw.com. The information contained on our web site is
not a part of this prospectus.
5
<PAGE>
The Offering
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Shares offered by Loislaw.com................ shares
Shares offered by Douglas W. Parker, Sr. .... shares
Total shares outstanding after this
offering.................................... shares
Use of proceeds by Loislaw.com............... For debt reduction, redemption of
preferred stock, continued development
of legal databases, expansion of
marketing and sales activities,
potential acquisitions and other general
corporate purposes.
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol....... LOIS
</TABLE>
The common stock to be outstanding after the offering is based on the shares
outstanding as of June 30, 1999 and does not include the following:
. 1,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our
employee stock option plan, of which options to purchase 583,122 shares
are currently outstanding and options covering 186,500 shares to be
granted upon the completion of this offering at the initial price to the
public;
. 320,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our stock
option plan for nonemployee directors, including 120,000 shares that
will be covered by options we intend to grant with exercise prices equal
to the initial public offering price;
. 300,000 shares reserved for issuance under our employee stock purchase
plan; and
. 35,536 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
warrants.
Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus
reflects:
. a two-for-one stock split effected on July 23, 1999;
. the conversion of Series A Convertible preferred stock and Series C
Convertible preferred stock into common stock, which will occur
immediately upon the completion of this offering; and
. does not include shares subject to the underwriters' over-allotment
option.
Risk Factors
You should consider the risk factors before investing in Loislaw.com's
common stock, and the impact of various events that could adversely affect our
business.
6
<PAGE>
Summary Financial Data
The summary financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction
with Loislaw.com's financial statements and notes and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing
elsewhere in this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December Six Months
31, Ended June 30,
------------------------- ----------------
1996 1997 1998 1998 1999
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(unaudited)
Statement of Operations
Data: (in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Web-based products
revenue............... $ 28 $ 208 $ 842 $ 272 $ 1,171
CD-ROM products
revenue............... 1,855 3,157 3,182 1,516 1,621
Other revenue(1)....... -- -- 1,000 353 --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total revenues.......... 1,883 3,365 5,024 2,141 2,792
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating
expenses............... 5,125 5,574 12,111 4,934 8,966
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Loss from operations.... (3,242) (2,209) (7,087) (2,793) (6,174)
Other income
(expenses)............. (249) (461) (1,507) (642) (1,303)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss................ (3,491) (2,670) (8,594) (3,435) (7,477)
Accrued preferred stock
dividends and accretion
on redeemable preferred
stock and common stock
warrants............... -- (34) (500) (211) (462)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss applicable to
common stock........... $(3,491) $(2,704) $(9,094) $(3,646) $(7,939)
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net loss per share--
basic and diluted...... $ (0.49) $ (0.38) $ (1.26) $ (0.51) $ (0.94)
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average common
shares outstanding--
basic and diluted...... 7,057 7,163 7,222 7,180 8,424
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
<CAPTION>
Years Ended Six Months
December 31, Ended June 30,
---------------- ----------------
1997 1998 1998 1999
------- ------- ------- -------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Other Data (unaudited):
Web-based new sales(2)........... $ 485 $ 1,985 $ 733 $ 1,780
CD-ROM new sales(2).............. 2,370 2,081 1,088 514
------- ------- ------- -------
Total new sales(2).............. $ 2,855 $ 4,066 $ 1,821 $ 2,294
======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Other revenues in 1998 were from producing customized databases for a third
party.
(2) New sales represent the total payments to be received by us over the lives
of the subscription contracts from all new product sales to our new and
existing customers during the period. New sales do not include renewals of
existing subscriptions to our products.
7
<PAGE>
The Pro Forma column included in the Balance Sheet Data adjusts the numbers
in the Actual column to give effect to:
. the conversion of 931,044 shares of Series A Convertible preferred stock
and 2,495,697 shares of Series C Convertible preferred stock into
6,853,482 shares of common stock immediately upon completion of this
offering; and
. the elimination of the redemption features on 2,113,232 shares of common
stock and outstanding warrants for the purchase of 35,536 shares of
common stock.
The As Adjusted column included in the Balance Sheet Data adjusts the
numbers in the Actual column to give effect to the pro forma adjustments
described in the preceding paragraph and:
. net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock at an assumed
public offering price of $ per share by us in this offering after
deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses;
. our application of $4,940,157 to redeem 439,589 shares of Series B
Redeemable preferred stock and accrued dividends on this stock and
$14,557,184 to repay outstanding debt with a portion of the net proceeds
of this offering; and
. the loss on extinguishment of debt attributable to the write-off of
deferred loan costs in the amount of $4,017,634 as a result of repaying
the related debt.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of June 30, 1999
-------------------------------
Actual Pro Forma As Adjusted
Balance Sheet Data (unaudited): -------- --------- -----------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents................. $ 3,275 $ 3,275 $
Working capital (deficit)................. (15,543) (15,543)
Total assets.............................. 27,988 27,988
Total debt (including capital lease
obligations)............................. 14,586 14,586
Deferred revenues......................... 4,006 4,006
Redeemable equity securities.............. 25,324 4,940
Total stockholders' equity ( deficit)..... (20,408) (24)
</TABLE>
Intellectual Property
We have obtained federal trademark registrations for LOIS PROFESSIONAL
LIBRARY(R), N-line(R), PITA(R) and THE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY WITH A LAW DEGREE(R),
and have pending trademark applications for LOIS SM and the LOIS logo SM. We
have also obtained copyright registrations for the following proprietary
software programs: PITA(R), CaseBase: The Arkansas Reports, and Law Office
Information Systems: Master Menu Systems. Other trademarks and trade names in
this prospectus are the property of other owners.
8
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the following risk factors in addition to the
other information set forth in this prospectus before purchasing shares of
common stock of Loislaw.com. Each of these risk factors could adversely affect
our business, operating results and financial condition as well as adversely
affect the value of an investment in our common stock.
Risks Particular to Loislaw.com
We have operated at a loss in recent periods and may not become profitable
in the future.
We had net operating losses of $3.5 million in 1996, $2.7 million in 1997,
$8.6 million in 1998 and $7.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 1999.
These losses have resulted principally from expenses related to data conversion
and the marketing costs incurred with the introduction of our new products in
the various state markets. We expect operating losses and negative cash flows
to continue for the foreseeable future as we continue to incur significant
operating expenses and make capital investments in our business. We may never
generate sufficient revenues to achieve profitability. Even if we do become
profitable, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a
quarterly or annual basis. At June 30, 1999, we had an accumulated deficit of
$22.5 million.
The competition in our industry is intense, our principal competitors have
significantly greater resources than we do, and this competition may cause
us to lose customers and prevent us from attracting new customers.
The market for electronic legal information is currently dominated by LEXIS-
NEXIS, which is owned by Reed-Elsevier, and West Group, a division of The
Thomson Corporation. These competitors are both large, well-established
companies. They offer databases that are similar to or in some cases larger
than the databases that we offer. While we have been in the legal publishing
business since 1987, LEXIS-NEXIS has been in operation for over 25 years and
West Group has been in operation for over 100 years. Our competitors also have
greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater
financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. This may enable them
to undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, to respond more quickly to new
or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote
greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than
we can. LEXIS-NEXIS and West Group have significant penetration in the large
law firm market, a market in which we intend to compete. Also, both LEXIS-NEXIS
and West Group maintain web sites that offer access to their legal databases.
Although all of our data is in hypertext markup language which is the standard
format language used on the Internet, LEXIS-NEXIS and the West Group are in the
process of converting their data into hypertext mark-up language which may
enable them to better serve their customers.
In addition, we compete with companies that offer fee-based access to
selected legal databases over the Internet. These companies may be more
successful than we may be in capturing market share.
Our results of operations have fluctuated from quarter to quarter due, in
part, to the introduction of new legal databases. Our results may continue
to fluctuate due to the factors listed below. These fluctuations could
result in a lower price for our common stock.
Database costs have fluctuated historically because during some quarters we
have incurred more costs related to the production of statutes and regulations
databases that we expensed and during other quarters we have incurred more
costs related to court decisions that we capitalized.
In the future, our quarterly results may be affected by factors that are
beyond our control, including:
. introduction of new products or pricing programs by our competitors;
. difficulties in managing growth;
9
<PAGE>
. technical difficulties or system downtime affecting our web-based
products;
. variations in spending patterns by lawyers;
. other business interruptions;
. increases in selling and marketing expenses, as well as other operating
expenses;
. Year 2000 problems with our technology or the technology of third parties
with which we do business;
. the amount and timing of costs associated with the development and
introduction of new database products;
. economic conditions specific to the Internet or to the legal profession,
as well as general economic conditions; and
. costs and risks associated with potential acquisitions.
In addition, a substantial portion of our expenses, including most product
development and selling and marketing expenses, must be incurred in advance of
revenue generation. If our projected revenue does not meet our expectations,
then our operating profit, if any, may fall short of our expectations. Further,
we may change our pricing strategy for our products due to the rapidly evolving
market for electronic legal information, and this may affect our quarterly
results.
Any one or more of these factors could affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations, and this makes the prediction of results
of operations on a quarterly basis unreliable. As a result, we believe that
period-to-period comparisons of our historical results of operations are not
necessarily meaningful and that you should not rely on them as an indication of
future performance. Also, due to these and other factors, it is possible that
our quarterly results of operations may be below the expectations of public
market analysts and investors. This could adversely affect the price of our
common stock.
We may require additional capital in the future which may not be available
to us.
We may need to raise additional funds through public or private debt or
equity financing. Adequate funds may not be available when needed or may not be
available on favorable terms. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity
securities, dilution to existing stockholders may result. If funding is
insufficient at any time in the future, we may be unable to develop or enhance
our products or services, take advantage of business opportunities or respond
to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business. Our future
capital requirements depend upon many factors, including, but not limited to:
.our significant database costs due to the development of our legal
databases;
.the rate at which we expand our sales and marketing operations;
.the rate at which we expand our operations;
.the extent to which we develop and upgrade our technology;
.the occurrence, timing, size and success of acquisitions; and
.the response of competitors to our service offerings.
We could be exposed to legal liability for inaccuracies in the information
we provide because lawyers rely on the integrity of our databases when
conducting their legal research.
Although we perform extensive quality control tests on information we
include in our legal databases, we cannot achieve 100% accuracy. We may be
subject to claims by our customers based on negligence or other theories
relating to the legal information we distribute. These types of claims could be
time-consuming and expensive to defend and could result in the diversion of our
management's time and attention. We maintain business liability insurance and
provide no express or implied warranties to our customers, but our insurance
and our contracts with customers may not fully protect us against these types
of claims.
10
<PAGE>
Rapid growth in our business due to an increase in the number of customers
subscribing to our web-based products could strain our operational and
financial resources causing us to lose customers and increase our operating
expenses.
Since we began delivering our legal information databases over the Internet
in July 1996, we have experienced rapid growth in our operations. This growth
has placed a strain on our operational and financial resources. Any increase in
the volume of users of our computer system could strain the capacity of our
software or hardware, which could lead to slower response times or system
failures. Any future growth may require us, among other things, to:
. expand and upgrade our hardware and software systems;
. expand and improve our operational and financial procedures, systems and
controls;
. improve our financial and management information systems;
. expand, train and manage a larger workforce; and
. improve the coordination among our technical, sales and marketing,
financial, accounting and management personnel.
We cannot assure you that our personnel, systems and controls will be
adequate to support future growth. Our inability to manage growth effectively
or to maintain the quality of our products and services could cause us to lose
customers and could materially increase our operating expenses.
If we do not increase awareness of our brand name, our ability to reach new
customers will be limited.
Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to increase
awareness of our brand name and our loislaw.com web site. In order to do so, we
must succeed in our marketing efforts, provide high-quality products and
services and increase traffic to our web site. We intend to increase our
marketing budget substantially as part of our brand-building efforts. If our
marketing efforts are unsuccessful or if we cannot increase our brand
awareness, we may not be able to attract new customers and increase our
revenues.
The large law firm market is currently dominated by West Group and LEXIS-
NEXIS, and we have very little experience in marketing our products to
large law firms, corporate legal departments and consumer markets, and thus
our inability to penetrate these markets could impede our growth.
Substantially all of our revenues to date have been generated by sales of
our products to small law firms having 20 or fewer lawyers. Our business
strategy calls for increased sales to large law firms and legal departments of
corporations and the development of a consumer-oriented web site. The large law
firm market for electronic legal information is dominated, and is likely to be
dominated for the near future, by West Group and LEXIS-NEXIS, our two principal
competitors. Moreover, we have little experience designing products and serving
the needs of large law firms, legal departments of corporations or consumers.
In addition, our failure to complete our comprehensive state law databases for
all 50 states by December 31, 1999 could have a material adverse effect on our
ability to penetrate the large law firm, and corporate legal department
markets. Our inability to market our products to large law firms, legal
departments of corporations or consumers successfully would prevent us from
carrying out our business plan.
The loss of our relationships with courts and legislatures that provide us
with court decisions, statutes and other legal information within hours of
being released could adversely affect our business by increasing the time
and expense required to convert legal data.
Loislaw.com maintains databases consisting of court decisions, statutes,
regulations, administrative decisions and other legal information that has been
provided to us by various courts and legislatures. We have formal agreements
with some but not all of these data providers. Our ability to maintain our
relationships with
11
<PAGE>
courts and legislatures and to build new relationships with additional data
providers is critical to the success of our business. If we were not able to
obtain data directly from courts and legislatures, we would have to obtain it
in printed format from an alternate source, which would significantly increase
the time and expense required to convert the information into the format we use
for our products. We obtain data from most courts and legislatures free of
charge or at nominal costs. If any of them began to charge us significant fees
for providing court decisions, statutes and other data, our costs of data
acquisition could increase significantly. The loss of any relationships with
data providers, or any significant increase in data acquisition costs, could
materially increase our operating expenses.
System failures could be harmful to our reputation by interrupting our
ability to provide services through our web site.
The continued and uninterrupted performance of our computer system is
critical to our success. Any system failure that causes interruptions in our
ability to deliver our products to our customers, including failures that
affect our ability to collect information from our data providers, could reduce
customer satisfaction and, if sustained or repeated, would reduce the
attractiveness of our services. We also face the risk of a security breach of
our computer system which could disrupt the distribution of our legal
information. The number of visits to our web site has been increasing, and we
have had to purchase additional computer equipment to handle the increased
traffic. Further increases in traffic on our web site could strain our systems
and increase the likelihood of system failures.
Damage to our computer system could delay or prevent delivery of our
products and result in the loss of our customers.
Our operations are dependent on our ability to protect our computer system
against damage from computer viruses, fire, power loss, telecommunications
failures, vandalism and other malicious acts, and similar unexpected adverse
events. In addition, a failure of our telecommunication providers to provide
the data communications capacity in the time frame required by us for any
reason could cause interruptions in the delivery of our products. Substantially
all of our computer and communications hardware is located at a single facility
in Van Buren, Arkansas, and the loss of this hardware or the data it contains
would cause us not to be able to operate our business for a substantial period
of time. Unanticipated problems could interrupt or delay access to our web-
based products. Although we carry general liability insurance, our insurance
may not cover any claims by dissatisfied subscribers or may not be adequate to
indemnify us for any liability we may incur if we are sued. Any system failure,
security breach or other damage could interrupt or delay our operations, damage
our reputation and cause us to lose customers.
Our reliance on foreign data converters to convert large amounts of printed
legal material into electronic format creates risks of business
interruption due to the unpredictable nature of international business
transactions.
We rely on third parties with operations in India, Philippines and The
People's Republic of China to convert some of our printed materials into
electronic format, which we then edit and code into our legal databases. Our
ability to expand our product offering depends upon the simultaneous expansion
of our legal databases. Any interruption or termination of our arrangements
with third-party data converters could result in increased costs to us or a
slow-down in our expansion and product introduction plans while we locate
alternative sources for the data conversion or increase our own conversion
capabilities. There are numerous risks related to our business with foreign
companies, including the adoption of laws and changes in political and economic
conditions that could restrict or eliminate our ability to do business in these
countries.
We depend heavily on our management team, which has little experience
working together or managing a public company.
Our success depends, to a significant extent, upon the efforts and abilities
of Kyle D. Parker, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Mark
O. Beyland, our President and Chief Financial Officer, and
12
<PAGE>
other members of senior management. Loss of their services could materially and
adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, the rapid growth of our operations has strained our managerial
resources. Until recently, Mr. Parker also performed the duties of president
and chief financial officer. We hired Mr. Beyland in May 1999 to serve as our
President and Chief Financial Officer. The short period of time that our senior
officers have worked together, or their inability to work successfully
together, may adversely affect our ability to manage growth. Moreover, none of
our officers has ever been a senior executive of a public company. Our
management team may not be able to manage future growth, if any, or the demands
of successfully operating a public company.
There is intense competition for qualified computer technicians,
programmers and sales and marketing personnel, and our failure to attract
and retain these people could affect our ability to respond to rapid
technological change and to increase our sales.
Our future success also depends upon our ability to attract and retain
qualified computer programmers, other technical personnel and sales and
marketing personnel. Competition for talented personnel, particularly technical
personnel, is intense. This competition could increase the costs of hiring and
retaining personnel.We do not have employment agreements with any of our
employees, other than senior management. We may not be able to attract, retain
and adequately motivate our personnel or to integrate new personnel into our
operations successfully.
If our software becomes defective, it could be costly for us to correct.
Complex software such as the software we develop for our products may
contain errors or defects, especially when first implemented, that may be
costly to correct. Defects or errors also could result in downtime and our
business could suffer significantly from potential adverse customer reaction,
negative publicity and harm to our reputation.
We may not be able to protect our proprietary technology, including our
coding software, and we may infringe the proprietary rights of others.
Our services are highly dependent upon proprietary technology, including,
for example, our proprietary coding software which allows us to mark certain
information contained in our databases to enable users to search our databases.
We rely on contracts, copyright, confidentiality agreements and trademark and
trade secrecy laws to protect our proprietary rights in our technology. We have
also obtained several trademark registrations for our various product names.
These measures may not be adequate to protect our proprietary technology. Our
competitors or potential competitors may independently develop technologies
that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. We have
developed many of our software programs in-house, including our proprietary
coding software. These programs interact with and perform numerous functions
similar to software available from third parties. Therefore, although we do not
believe we infringe any proprietary rights, we could be subject to claims that
our technology infringes the proprietary rights of third parties. These claims,
even if without merit, could subject us to costly litigation and could divert
the time and attention of our technical and management teams.
Potential difficulties caused by the Year 2000 problems may decrease use of
Internet services, may cause harm to our reputation and may adversely
affect our revenues.
Our business could be adversely affected if the systems on which we depend
to conduct our operations are not Year 2000 compliant. Our potential areas of
exposure include products purchased from third parties and computers, software,
telephone systems and other equipment used internally. If any of our
significant hardware or software systems are not Year 2000 compliant, our web
site could be unavailable and we would not be able to deliver products to our
users over the Internet. Many third parties with which our computer systems
interact have not responded to our inquiries about their Year 2000 compliance.
Any failure by us to address our Year
13
<PAGE>
2000 compliance issues successfully, or of our suppliers and other third
parties with which we conduct business to address their Year 2000 issues
successfully, could cause harm to our reputation, result in the loss of
customers and adversely affect our revenues.
Our business strategy includes acquiring complementary businesses. However,
we may be unable to make attractive acquisitions or integrate acquired
companies, and our inability to do so may disrupt our business.
Our business strategy calls for acquisitions of businesses or technologies
that complement our current business. We cannot assure you that we will be able
to identify attractive acquisition opportunities. Even if we do identify
attractive candidates, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete
the acquisition of them on commercially acceptable terms. If we acquire another
business, we could have difficulty integrating its operations, systems,
management and other personnel and technology with our own. These difficulties
could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees,
increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations. Even if
these difficulties could be overcome, we cannot assure you that the anticipated
benefits of any acquisition would be realized. In addition, we may incur debt
or issue equity securities to pay for any future acquisitions. The issuance of
equity securities could be dilutive to our existing stockholders.
Risks Related to Our Industry
The market for web-based legal information is new and rapidly evolving, and
we may not be able to accurately predict and respond to market
developments, which could prevent our products from being accepted.
The market for web-based distribution of electronic legal information has
only recently begun to develop and it is rapidly evolving. This makes it
difficult to predict demand and market acceptance for our products as well as
an appropriate pricing strategy for our products. We cannot guarantee you that
the market for our products will grow, that our products will become widely
accepted or that our pricing strategy will be successful. If the market for our
products does not develop as quickly as we expect, if our products are not
accepted by customers or if our pricing strategy is not successful, our future
revenues from product sales will be adversely affected.
Availability of free information from Internet portal companies may lessen
the demand for our products because we charge subscription fees for our
products.
We compete with Internet portal companies that offer free access to
government sponsored sites that provide some of the same information that we
provide. These companies often expect to achieve high enough usage to allow
them to achieve profitability by selling advertising on their sites.
Substantial amounts of free legal information is also available over the
Internet and from other sources, such as courts and other government agencies.
This free information may lessen the demand for our products.
If we do not respond to rapid technological change and evolving industry
standards in the web-based legal information market, we will be at a
competitive disadvantage and we could lose potential customers to our
competitors.
The market for web-based products and services is characterized by rapid
technological developments, evolving industry standards, changing customer
demands and frequent introductions of new products, services and enhancements.
As a result, our success depends upon our ability to improve the performance,
content and reliability of our products in response to both evolving demands of
the legal community and competitive product offerings. We cannot assure you
that we will be able to do so successfully or that any enhancements or new
products that we introduce will gain acceptance in the marketplace. If we are
not successful or if our products are not accepted, we could lose potential
customers to our competitors.
14
<PAGE>
A downturn in the legal industry could cause our revenues to decrease.
Our business depends on the continued demand for legal information in
electronic format. Therefore, any downturn in business for the legal profession
could cause our revenues to decrease which will adversely affect our results of
operations.
Sales of our web-based products are tied to the adequacy of the Internet
infrastructure and the continued growth and commercial viability of the
Internet. The failure of the Internet to grow or remain a viable commercial
medium could harm our growth.
Our success depends in large part on the maintenance of the Internet
infrastructure as a reliable network backbone that provides adequate speed,
data capacity and security. Our success also depends on the timely development
of products, such as high-speed modems, that enable reliable Internet access
and services. The Internet may continue to experience significant growth in the
number of users, frequency of use and amount of data transmitted. The Internet
infrastructure may not be able to support the demands placed on it and the
performance or reliability of the Internet may be adversely affected by this
continued growth. In addition, the Internet could lose its commercial viability
if the number of people who use the Internet does not continue to grow. A
number of factors, including unreliable service or concerns about security,
could impede this growth. The infrastructure or complementary products and
services necessary to maintain the Internet as a viable commercial medium may
not be developed, and the Internet may not continue to be a viable commercial
medium for us.
If the government adopts regulation that charges Internet access fees or
imposes taxes on subscriptions to our web-based products, our operating
expenses will increase.
Currently there are few laws or regulations that specifically regulate
communications or commerce on the Internet. However, laws and regulations may
be adopted that address issues such as pricing and the characteristics of
products and services. In addition, several telecommunications companies have
petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to regulate Internet and on-
line service providers in a manner similar to long-distance telephone carriers
and to impose access fees on them. This could increase the cost of transmitting
data over the Internet. Finally, state tax laws and regulations relating to the
provision of products and services over the Internet are still developing. A
few states have tried to impose taxes on products and services provided over
the Internet. If additional states try to do so, the cost of our products may
increase and we may not be able to increase the price that we charge for our
products to cover these costs. Most states impose sales taxes on sales of
information delivered in CD-ROM format. Any new laws or regulations or new
interpretations of existing laws and regulations relating to the Internet, or
any increases in taxes imposed on CD-ROM sales, could increase our operating
expenses and adversely affect our results of operations.
Risks Related to This Offering
If you purchase shares of Loislaw.com in this offering, you will suffer
immediate and substantial dilution of $ per share.
You will experience an immediate and substantial dilution of $ per share
in the net tangible book value per share of common stock from the initial
public offering price. Assuming an initial public offering price of $ per
share of common stock, our net tangible book value as of June 30, 1999, after
giving effect to this offering, is $ per share. See "Dilution" on page 19
for more detailed information about the dilution that you will incur.
After this offering existing stockholders will continue to control
Loislaw.com.
Following this offering, Kyle D. Parker, Mark O. Beyland, Capital Resource
Lenders III, L.P., CRP Investment Partners III, LLC, Sandler Capital Partners
IV, L.P., Sandler Capital Partners IV, FTE, L.P., Exeter Capital Partners IV,
L.P., Rowland Moriarty and Dublind Partners Inc. will beneficially own % of
our outstanding common stock ( % if the underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full). If these persons
15
<PAGE>
acted together, they would have sufficient voting power to control the outcome
of corporate actions submitted to the stockholders for approval and to control
the management and affairs of the company. In addition, our existing
stockholders have agreed under an Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement
dated May 25, 1999 that for so long as each of (a) Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. and (b) Sandler Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Sandler Capital
Partners IV, FTE, L.P. own at least 10% of the common stock of Loislaw.com,
they will vote their shares of common stock in favor of the election to our
Board of Directors of one representative designated by Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. and one representative designated by the Sandler parties.
The shares that you purchase in this offering might not trade at or above
the initial public offering price.
The public offering price for the common stock will be determined by
negotiations among us, the selling stockholder and the representatives of the
underwriters. While we intend to include the common stock for quotation in the
Nasdaq National Market, we do not know the extent to which investor interest in
Loislaw.com will lead to the development of a trading market for the common
stock or how the common stock will trade in the future. As a result, you may
not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering
price.
The price at which our common stock will trade depends upon a number of
factors, including our historical and anticipated operating results and general
market and economic conditions, some of which are beyond our control. Factors
such as fluctuations in our financial and operating results and developments
affecting us and the markets or industry in which we compete could also cause
the market price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. In addition,
the stock market, and the technology sector of the stock market, have from time
to time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. These market
fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
A large number of shares of our stock is eligible for future sale, and the
sale of these shares may cause the price of our common stock to drop.
After this offering, we will have outstanding shares of common stock,
shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full.
This includes the shares we are selling in this offering, shares if
the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, which may be
resold in the public market immediately without restrictions under the
Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by "affiliates" of Loislaw.com
(as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act).
The market price of our common stock could drop due to sales of a large
number of shares of our common stock or the perception that they could occur.
These factors could also make it more difficult to raise funds through future
offerings of common stock. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" on page 59 for
more information regarding lockup agreements and registration rights.
Our management has broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from
this offering and may allocate these net proceeds in ways in which you do
not agree.
A significant portion of the anticipated net proceeds to Loislaw.com from
this offering have not been designated for specific uses. Accordingly,
management will have broad discretion with respect to the use of these funds.
Our charter and the Delaware General Corporation Law may inhibit a
takeover, which may limit the price that certain investors might be willing
to pay for our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may make
it more difficult for a third party to acquire Loislaw.com, or may discourage
acquisition bids for Loislaw.com and could limit the price that investors might
be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. For example, we
have a classified board and after the completion of this offering and the
conversion of the Series A Convertible preferred stock and the Series C
Convertible preferred stock into common stock, and after the redemption of the
Series B Redeemable preferred stock, the Board of Directors of Loislaw.com will
have the authority to issue up to 10,000,000 additional shares of preferred
stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of those
shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders.
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<PAGE>
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. We have based these
forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections
about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of
our business. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of
risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, among other things:
. General economic and business conditions, both nationally and in our
markets;
. Assumed growth in usage of the Internet;
. Assumed growth in the number of lawyers;
. Our expectations and estimates concerning future financial performance,
financing plans and the impact of competition;
. The impact of Year 2000 problems;
. Anticipated trends in our business;
. Existing and future regulations affecting our business;
. Our acquisition opportunities; and
. Other risk factors set forth under "Risk Factors" on pages 9-16 in this
prospectus.
In addition, in this prospectus, the words "believe", "may", "will",
"estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect" and similar
expressions, as they relate to Loislaw.com, our business or our management, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and
circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results
could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-
looking statements.
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<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to Loislaw.com from the sale of common stock by us in this
offering, assuming a public offering price of $ per share, are estimated to
be $ ($ if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment
option in full), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses of $ . We intend to use these net proceeds for
the following purposes:
. to repay approximately $10.2 million of principal and interest on three
senior subordinated notes issued by us to Capital Resource Lenders III,
L.P., CRP Investment Partners III, L.P. and Rowland Moriarty. These notes
bear interest at a rate of 12.5% per year and are due November 30, 2003,
unless accelerated upon the occurrence of any one of several events;
. to pay approximately $5.0 million to redeem the 439,589 shares of
Series B Redeemable preferred stock plus accrued dividends held by
Melissa Parker. For more information about the Series B Redeemable
preferred stock, see "Certain Transactions" on page 51;
. to repay approximately $1.2 million outstanding under our secured
converting equipment line of credit and $3.0 million under our secured
lines of credit for database development with Fleet National Bank, N.A.
Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit bear an annual interest
at a rate of prime plus 1.5%;
. to pay $250,000 to Dublind Partners, Inc. for financial advisory
services; and
. the remainder of the net proceeds may be used for development of a
consumer web site, our legal databases and expansion of our marketing and
sales activity.
We have broad discretion regarding the use of some of the proceeds to us
from this offering. We intend to use the remaining net proceeds for general
corporate purposes, including working capital. We may also use a portion of the
net proceeds to acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products or to
obtain the right to use complementary technologies. While we discuss potential
acquisitions and investments from time to time, we currently have no
commitments or agreements for any such acquisitions or investments.
Pending these uses, we may invest the net proceeds temporarily in short-
term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities or guaranteed obligations
of the U.S. government. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of
common stock by the selling stockholder.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not declared or paid and do not anticipate declaring or paying any
dividends on our common stock in the near future. Any future payment of
dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend
on then existing conditions, including our financial condition, results of
operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects
and other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant. Moreover, we have
an existing line of credit with Fleet National Bank, N.A., that prohibits us
from declaring any dividend on any class of our stock, including the common
stock.
18
<PAGE>
DILUTION
Purchasers of the common stock in this offering will experience immediate
and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock
from the initial public offering price. Pro forma net tangible book value per
share represents the amount of the total tangible assets less total liabilities
of Loislaw.com, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding on
a pro forma basis after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding
shares of convertible preferred stock and the elimination of the redemption
features on 2,113,232 shares of common stock and outstanding warrants for the
purchases of 35,536 shares of common stock. At June 30, 1999, Loislaw.com had a
negative net tangible book value of $24,182 or $0.001 per share of common
stock. After giving effect to the sale of shares of common stock offered
by Loislaw.com at an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share and
after the deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses payable by us, the pro forma net tangible book value of
Loislaw.com at June 30, 1999 would have been $ per share. This represents an
immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ per share to existing
stockholders and an immediate and substantial dilution of $ per share to new
investors purchasing common stock in this offering. The following table
illustrates this per share dilution:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Assumed initial public offering price............................. $
Pro forma net tangible book value as of June 30, 1999........... $
Increase attributable to new investors.......................... $
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering.............
----
Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value to new investors.... $
====
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes, on the pro forma basis set forth above as of
June 30, 1999, the differences between existing stockholders and new investors
in this offering with respect to the number of shares of common stock purchased
from us, the total consideration paid and the average consideration paid per
share (before the deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and
offering expenses payable by us):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Purchased Total Consideration Average
------------------ ------------------- Price
Number Percent Amount Percent Per Share
---------- ------- ----------- ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing stockholders....... 17,039,524 % $18,451,621 % $1.08
New investors............... % %
---------- --- ----------- ---
Total..................... 100% $ 100%
========== === =========== ===
</TABLE>
The foregoing tables assume no exercise of the options or warrants
outstanding on June 30, 1999 to purchase an additional 618,658 shares of common
stock at a weighted average exercise price of $2.65 per share. To the extent
that these options or warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution to
new stockholders in the net tangible book value of their shares. For more
information about outstanding options granted by Loislaw.com, see "Management--
Equity Plans" on page 48. In addition, the second table does not reflect the
sale of shares by the selling stockholder in this offering. These sales
will reduce the shares held by existing stockholders to of the total shares
of common stock to be outstanding after this offering, and will increase the
number of shares to be purchased by the new stockholders to of the total
shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering. Finally, the
number of shares disclosed for existing stockholders includes 6,853,482 shares
of common stock expected to be issued immediately upon the completion of this
offering upon conversion of the outstanding Series A Convertible preferred
stock and Series C Convertible preferred stock. For more information regarding
the number of shares held by existing stockholders, see "Principal and Selling
Stockholders" on pages 55-56.
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<PAGE>
CAPITALIZATION
The following table displays our Actual, Pro Forma and As Adjusted
capitalization as of June 30, 1999. Capitalization consists of long-term debt,
including the current portion, redeemable equity securities and stockholders'
equity (deficit). Our Pro Forma capitalization reflects:
. the conversion of 931,044 shares of Series A Convertible preferred stock
and 2,495,697 shares of Series C Convertible preferred stock into
6,853,482 shares of common stock immediately upon completion of this
offering; and
. the elimination of the redemption features on 2,113,232 shares of common
stock and outstanding warrants for the purchase of 35,536 shares of
common stock.
Our As Adjusted capitalization reflects the pro forma adjustments described
in the previous paragraph and the following:
. the net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock at an
assumed public offering price of $ per share in this offering after
deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses;
. our application of $4,940,157 to redeem 439,589 shares of Series B
Redeemable preferred stock and accrued dividends on this stock and
$14,557,184 to repay outstanding debt with a portion of the net proceeds
of this offering; and
. the loss on extinguishment of debt attributable to the write-off of
deferred loan costs in the amount of $4,017,634 as a result of repaying
the related debt.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, 1999
(unaudited)
-------------------------------
Actual Pro Forma As Adjusted
-------- --------- -----------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Long-term debt, including current portion:
12.5% Senior Subordinated Notes.............. $ 9,989 $ 9,989 $ --
Notes payable due in monthly installments.... 4,568 4,568 --
Capital lease obligation..................... 29 29 29
-------- ------- -------
Total long-term debt....................... 14,586 14,586 29
-------- ------- -------
Redeemable equity securities:
Series A Convertible preferred............... 2,772 -- --
Series B 7.735% preferred, including accrued
dividends................................... 4,940 4,940 --
Series C Convertible preferred............... 13,876 -- --
Common stock................................. 3,674 -- --
Common stock warrants........................ 62 -- --
-------- ------- -------
25,324 4,940 --
-------- ------- -------
Stockholders' equity (deficit)(1):
Common stock, $.001 par value; 50,000,000
shares authorized; 10,186,042 shares issued
and 17,049,524 and shares issued pro
forma and as adjusted, respectively......... 10 17
Additional paid-in capital................... 5,753 22,456
Accumulated deficit.......................... (22,481) (22,481) (26,498)
Redeemable common stock...................... (3,674) -- --
Treasury stock at cost, 10,000 common
shares...................................... (16) (16) (16)
-------- ------- -------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)....... (20,408) (24)
-------- ------- -------
Total capitalization....................... $ 19,502 $19,502 $
======== ======= =======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Excludes the following:
. 1,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our stock
option plan, of which options to purchase 583,122 shares are currently
outstanding and options covering 186,500 shares are to be granted upon
the completion of this offering at the initial price to the public;
. 320,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our stock
option plan for nonemployee directors, including options covering
120,000 shares that we intend to grant with exercise prices equal to the
offering price;
. 300,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our employee
stock purchase plan; and
. 35,536 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
warrants.
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<PAGE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction
with our financial statements and notes and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," appearing elsewhere
in this prospectus. The Statement of Operations data for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and the Balance Sheet Data as of December 31,
1997 and 1998, have been derived from our audited financial statements and
notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The Balance Sheet Data as of
December 31, 1996 has been derived from our audited balance sheet that does not
appear in this prospectus. The Statements of Operations data and Balance Sheet
Data as of and for the two years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 have been
derived from our unaudited financial statements that do not appear in this
prospectus. The Statement of Operations data and Balance Sheet Data as of and
for the six-month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 are derived from
unaudited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In the
opinion of management, all unaudited financial statements include all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations for the
periods presented. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the
operating results to be expected in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months
Years Ended December 31, Ended June 30,
------------------------------------------ ----------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations
Data:
Revenues:
Web-based products.... $ -- $ -- $ 28 $ 208 $ 842 $ 272 $ 1,171
CD-ROM products....... 93 1,742 1,855 3,157 3,182 1,516 1,621
Other(1).............. 1,381 -- -- -- 1,000 353 --
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total revenues...... 1,474 1,742 1,883 3,365 5,024 2,141 2,792
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Costs and expenses:
Database costs........ 738 1,137 1,346 1,590 4,593 1,494 2,605
Costs of other
revenues............. 600 -- -- -- 393 147 --
Selling and
marketing............ 208 935 2,153 2,363 4,607 1,902 4,320
General and
administrative....... 301 569 1,525 1,535 1,977 1,023 1,708
Product development... 27 133 101 86 541 368 333
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating
expenses........... 1,874 2,774 5,125 5,574 12,111 4,934 8,966
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Loss from operations.... (400) (1,032) (3,242) (2,209) (7,087) (2,793) (6,174)
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense,
net.................. 13 (69) (251) (455) (1,549) (643) (1,308)
Other, net............ (74) 5 2 (6) 42 1 5
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(61) (64) (249) (461) (1,507) (642) (1,303)
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Loss before income
taxes.................. (461) (1,096) (3,491) (2,670) (8,594) (3,435) (7,477)
Income tax benefit...... (99) (259) -- -- -- -- --
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss................ (362) (837) (3,491) (2,670) (8,594) (3,435) (7,477)
Accrued preferred stock
dividends and accretion
on redeemable preferred
stock and common stock
warrants .............. -- -- -- (34) (500) (211) (462)
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss applicable to
common stock........... $ (362) $ (837) $(3,491) $(2,704) $(9,094) $(3,646) $(7,939)
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net loss per share--
basic and diluted...... $(0.05) $ (0.12) $ (0.49) $ (0.38) $ (1.26) $ (0.51) $ (0.94)
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average common
shares outstanding--
basic and diluted...... 7,000 7,000 7,057 7,163 7,222 7,180 8,424
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Other revenues in 1994 represent payments received from a legal publishing
company which had exclusive marketing rights to our products. Other
revenues in 1998 were from producing customized databases for a third
party.
21
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months
Years Ended Ended
December 31, June 30,
------------- -------------
1997 1998 1998 1999
------ ------ ------ ------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Other Data (unaudited):
Web-based new sales(2).............................. $ 485 $1,985 $ 733 $1,780
CD-ROM new sales(2)................................. 2,370 2,081 1,088 514
------ ------ ------ ------
Total new sales(2)................................ $2,855 $4,066 $1,821 $2,294
====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of
As of December 31, June 30,
------------------------------------------ -----------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
------ ------ ------- ------- -------- -----------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash
equivalents............ $ 40 $ 318 $ 102 $ 3,233 $ 99 $ 3,275
Working deficit......... (37) (629) (3,397) (514) (4,751) (15.543)
Total assets............ 2,011 3,476 5,799 16,067 17,012 27,988
Total debt (including
capital lease
obligations)........... 116 1,744 3,963 4,107 12,272 14,586
Deferred revenues....... -- 157 1,754 3,522 3,928 4,006
Redeemable equity
securities............. -- -- -- 11,216 11,720 25,324
Total stockholders'
equity (deficit)....... 1,592 755 (2,436) (4,990) (14,100) (20,408)
</TABLE>
- --------
(2) New sales represent the total payments to be received by us over the lives
of the subscription contracts from all new product sales to our new and
existing customers during the period. New sales do not include renewals of
existing subscriptions to our products.
22
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with
the "Selected Financial Data" and the accompanying financial statements and
related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following discussion
contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and
beliefs. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in
these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including
but not limited to those set forth under "Risk Factors" and included elsewhere
in this prospectus.
Overview
Loislaw.com provides comprehensive, affordable and easy-to-use legal and
related information to lawyers and law firms over the Internet. We offer more
than 1,180 databases that we estimate to contain over 50 million pages of
federal and state law, continuing legal education materials and other legal
information.
Since our inception in 1987, and our release of the first known
comprehensive legal research CD-ROM in 1989, we have concentrated on producing
high quality, comprehensive coverage of state and federal legal information.
Our first CD-ROM product contained legal information for Arkansas, and we have
added legal databases each year since then. From August 1991 to July 1994, we
had an exclusive marketing agreement with Thompson Legal Publishing Company.
Substantially all of our other revenues of $1.4 million in 1994 represent
payments made to us by Thomson in connection with this agreement. This
agreement was terminated by mutual consent in 1994. In August 1994, we began
marketing our own CD-ROM products. At that time, we had 42 databases containing
legal information for five states.
We generate revenues from the sale of web-based products and CD-ROM
products. Sales of web-based products and CD-ROM products consist primarily of
fixed annual subscription fees. The list price for unlimited Internet access to
substantially all federal and state law databases that we offer is $1,176 per
seat per year. This product offers our customers access to 891 databases
comprised of acts, statutes, regulations and case law. It does not include
eight special databases comprised of regulations that we license from a third
party which may be specifically subscribed to by our customers at an additional
cost of $3,600. The list price for unlimited Internet access to substantially
all state law for one state is $690 per seat per year. We do not charge any
additional costs for multiple users of a seat. For example, a law firm with
three lawyers may purchase only one seat and allow all three lawyers to share
this seat for no additional cost. The list prices for annual subscriptions for
our CD-ROM products range from $300 to $690 per state or federal jurisdiction.
Pricing discounts on CD-ROM products are offered mainly to customers who also
purchase our web-based products. Our pricing strategy may change as a result of
our evolving market. Continuing legal education and bar materials are available
for purchase at an additional charge.
Upon the sale of a new subscription, the total amount of the subscription
fee is accounted for as deferred revenue. Revenues from subscription sales are
then recognized and charged against deferred revenue on a monthly basis over
the subscription period, which is typically one year. Subscription fees are
paid up front in cash or on a monthly basis by electronic funds transfer.
Revenues from CD-ROM products also include a small amount of revenue from one-
time sales of bar association publications.
Since revenues from the sales of our products are primarily recognized over
the subscription period, we use new sales as a performance measure to monitor
the growth of our business and the effectiveness of our sales personnel and
marketing programs. New sales represent the total payments to be received by us
over the lives of the subscription contracts from all new product sales to our
new and existing customers during the period. New sales do not include renewals
of existing subscriptions to our products.
During 1995, 1996 and 1997, substantially all of our new sales were sales of
CD-ROM products. We launched our web site, loislaw.com, in July 1996 and began
selling subscriptions to our web-based products in October 1996. Since then, we
have experienced a significant shift in the mix of new sales. In 1997, web-
based
23
<PAGE>
products produced 17.0% of new sales and CD-ROM products produced 83.0% of new
sales. In 1998, web-based products produced 48.8% of new sales and CD-ROM
products produced 51.2% of new sales. For the six months ended June 30, 1999,
web-based products generated 77.6% of new sales, while CD-ROM products fell to
22.4% of new sales. We expect that this trend will continue and that sales of
subscriptions to our web-based products will represent an increasing percentage
of new sales in future periods. This trend in new sales, together with the
continuing migration of existing CD-ROM customers to our web-based products,
will ultimately result in a larger portion of total revenues being attributable
to subscriptions to our web-based products than to subscriptions to our CD-ROM
products. Internet searches have also increased rapidly. During the month of
June 1999, we exceeded 1.8 million searches on our web site compared to 196,000
during June 1998.
Database costs consist primarily of database production costs that support
both our web-based products and our CD-ROM products. Since January 1, 1996, we
have spent more than $22 million on our database development. Database
development costs represent amounts incurred for data acquisition and
conversion, editing, coding and quality control of legal information, related
salaries and benefits, facilities cost allocation and related expenses
associated with computers for data processing. We capitalize costs related to
the production of databases containing court decisions. Court decisions
establish legal precedent that is valid until the decision is reversed by the
court or overruled by a higher court. Many court decisions are never reversed
or overruled. Therefore, court decisions, particularly those of the U.S. and
state supreme courts, have significant value for long periods of time or
indefinitely. We amortize our court decision databases over 20 years. We
expense as incurred costs related to the production of databases containing
statutes and regulations, the value of which declines rapidly if they are not
continually updated. We also expense as incurred database maintenance and
updating costs.
Our goal is to encourage continuing migration of existing CD-ROM customers
to our web-based products. This migration increases our average revenue per
customer and decreases our cost per customer. This is because we provide our
CD-ROM customers with updated discs every 90 days and because CD-ROM products
typically require significantly more customer and technical support due to the
reinstallation of updated CD-ROM discs and issues with customer hardware
configuration changes.
As of June 30, 1999, we had unamortized deferred loan costs of $4.0 million.
These deferred loan costs relate to debt that we plan to pay off with the net
proceeds from this offering. In the period that the debt is paid off, the
related deferred loan costs will be expensed and accounted for as an
extraordinary item.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998
Revenues. Total revenues increased 30.4% to $2.8 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1999 from $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
Revenues from web-based products increased 330.5% to $1.2 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 from $272,000 for the six months ended June 30,
1998. We believe the increase in revenues from web-based products was due
primarily to the increase in the number of legal databases we offered to 1,187
at June 30, 1999 from 342 at June 30, 1998, an increase in marketing efforts
and the expansion of our sales staff. Our total number of customers increased
23.3% to 7,844 at June 30, 1999 from 6,362 at June 30, 1998. We expect that
this trend will continue and that web-based product revenues will represent an
increasing percentage of total revenues in future periods. Revenues from CD-ROM
products increased 7.0% to $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999
from $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998. This increase was
less than the increase in web-based product revenues due to the migration of
some CD-ROM customers to our web-based products and to the high percentage of
new sales generated by web-based products. Other revenues of $353,000 and costs
of other revenues of $147,000 in the first six months of 1998 related to a
customized database project that was started and completed in 1998.
24
<PAGE>
Database costs. Total database costs increased 74.5% to $2.6 million for the
six months ended June 30, 1999 from $1.5 million for the six months ended June
30, 1998. The increase in the costs in the first six months of 1999 compared to
the first six months of 1998 is attributable to our production and updating
costs of more databases, particularly statute and regulation databases, which
we expensed in 1999, compared to our production of more court decision
databases, which we capitalized, in 1998. For the six months ended June 30,
1999, we added 36 statutes and regulation databases, compared to six statutes
and regulation databases added for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expense increased
127.1% to $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 from $1.9 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1998. This was principally due to a 216.5%
increase in compensation and commission expenses associated with an increase in
the number of sales and marketing personnel to 183 at June 30, 1999 from 66 at
June 30, 1998. Selling and marketing expense consists primarily of:
. employee salaries and benefits for marketing and customer support
personnel;
. sales commissions paid to our sales force;
. advertising expenses;
. the cost of direct marketing promotional materials; and
. facilities cost allocation and related expenses.
We pay sales commissions when subscription agreements are signed. We record
commissions as prepaid commissions and amortize them ratably over the term of
the contract, typically one year, as we recognize the associated revenues. We
do not pay commissions on renewals of subscriptions. We expense all other
selling and marketing costs as incurred.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense
increased 66.9% to $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 from
$1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998. This increase resulted
primarily from an increase in our number of administrative employees to 50 at
June 30, 1999 from 19 at June 30, 1998 and executive recruiting and relocation
costs of approximately $174,000 in the first six months of 1999. General and
administrative expense consists primarily of employee salaries and benefits,
facilities cost allocation and related expenses associated with our management,
finance, human resources, management information systems and administrative
groups.
Product Development Expense. Product development expense decreased 9.5% to
$333,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1999 from $368,000 for the six
months ended June 30, 1998. This decrease was due to a decrease in recruiting
costs incurred to hire personnel to perform product development functions.
Product development expense consists primarily of employee salaries and
benefits, facilities cost allocation and expenses related to the development
and enhancement of core software supporting our products. Product development
expense does not include the cost of acquiring or converting the data that we
include in our databases.
Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net of interest income, increased
103.4% to $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 from $643,000 for
the six months ended June 30, 1998. This increase was due primarily to an
increase in borrowings to support the rapid expansion of database production
and the related increase in selling and marketing efforts. Interest expense
included amortization of deferred loan costs of $396,000 for the six months
ended June 30, 1999 and $335,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
Comparison of Results for the Years Ended December 31, 1998 and December 31,
1997
Revenues. Total revenues increased 49.3% to $5.0 million in 1998 from $3.4
million in 1997. Revenues from web-based products increased 304.2% to $842,000
in 1998 from $208,000 in 1997. The increase in web-
25
<PAGE>
based revenues was due in part to an increase in the number of legal databases
we offered to 517 at December 31, 1998 from 323 at December 31, 1997, expanded
sales and marketing efforts and the migration of some CD-ROM customers to our
web-based products. Total customers increased 18.4% to 6,976 at December 31,
1998 from 5,894 at December 31, 1997. Revenues from CD-ROM products remained
relatively flat at $3.2 million in 1998 and in 1997. Other revenues of $1.0
million and costs of other revenue of $393,000 in 1998 resulted from a
customized database development project for a publishing company that was
started and completed in 1998. We earned no revenue from customized database
development projects in 1997.
Database Costs. Total database costs increased 188.9% to $4.6 million in
1998 from $1.6 million in 1997. The increase in costs for 1998 compared to 1997
is attributable to our production of more databases containing statutes and
regulations, the costs of which we expensed as incurred, in 1998, compared to
our production of more databases containing court decisions, the costs of which
we capitalized, in 1997. During 1998 we added 80 statutes and regulation
databases, compared to seven statutes and regulation databases added in 1997.
Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expense increased 94.9%
to $4.6 million in 1998 from $2.4 million in 1997. This increase was
principally due to a 21.9% increase in sales commissions due to increased
product sales and a 124.0% increase in compensation expense associated with an
increase in the number of sales and marketing personnel to 87 at December 31,
1998 from 44 at December 31, 1997.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense
increased 28.8% to $2.0 million in 1998 from $1.5 million in 1997. This
increase primarily resulted from an increase in the number of employees to 28
at December 31, 1998 from 13 at December 31, 1997 performing general and
administrative functions.
Product Development Expense. Product development expense increased 525.5% to
$541,000 in 1998 from $86,000 in 1997. The increase was primarily due to
$304,000 paid to third party consultants for product enhancements.
Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net of interest income, increased
240.7% to $1.5 million in 1998 from $455,000 in 1997. The increase was due
primarily to an increase in borrowings to support the rapid expansion of
database production and the related increase in selling and marketing efforts.
Interest expense included amortization of deferred loan costs of $680,000 in
1998 and $48,000 in 1997.
Comparison of Results for the Years Ended December 31, 1997 and December 31,
1996
Revenues. Total revenues increased 78.7% to $3.4 million in 1997 from $1.9
million in 1996. Revenues from web-based products increased to $208,000 in 1997
from $28,000 in 1996. We launched our loislaw.com web site in July 1996 and
began selling subscriptions to our web-based products in October 1996. Revenues
from CD-ROM products increased 70.2% to $3.2 million in 1997 from $1.9 million
in 1996. The increase in total revenues was due in part to a significant
increase in the number of legal databases we offered. At December 31, 1997, we
had 323 databases, compared to 223 at December 31, 1996. In addition, the total
number of customers increased to 5,894 at December 31, 1997 from 4,686 at
December 31, 1996.
Database costs. Total database costs increased 18.1% to $1.6 million in 1997
from $1.3 million in 1996. The increase in cost of revenues is attributable to
our production of more databases.
Selling and Marketing Expense. Selling and marketing expense increased 9.8%
to $2.4 million in 1997 from $2.2 million in 1996. This increase was
principally due to an increase in sales commissions due to increased product
sales and an increase in compensation expense associated with an increase in
the number of sales and marketing personnel. Prior to June 1996, we outsourced
selling and marketing to a third party.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense
remained relatively unchanged at $1.5 million in 1997 and in 1996. Bad debt
expense declined from $525,000 in 1996 to $94,000 in 1997 due
26
<PAGE>
primarily to the transfer of our sales, billing and collection functions from
third parties to in-house personnel in June 1996. This was offset by $41,000 of
consulting fees paid for the development of our enterprise systems, an increase
in the number of employees performing general and administrative functions and
the $160,000 settlement of a lawsuit regarding the ownership of equity
securities of Loislaw.com with a third party to which we outsourced
administrative tasks.
Product Development Expense. Product development expense decreased 14.4% to
$86,000 in 1997 from $101,000 in 1996. Product development expense was minimal
in both years as efforts were focused primarily on production of databases in
both 1996 and 1997.
Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net of interest income, increased
81.2% to $455,000 in 1997 from $251,000 in 1996. The increase was due primarily
to an increase in borrowings to support the rapid expansion of database
production and the related increase in selling and marketing efforts. Interest
expense included amortization of deferred loan costs of $48,000 in 1997.
Quarterly Results of Operations and Other Data
The following Statement of Operations Data table sets forth a summary of our
unaudited quarterly operating results for each of the six quarters in the 18-
month period ended June 30, 1999. This information has been derived from
unaudited interim financial statements that, in the opinion of management, have
been prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements appearing
elsewhere in this prospectus and include all adjustments, consisting of only
normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of this
information when read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes.
Our operating results and other data for any quarter do not necessarily
indicate what the results for any future period may be.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1999
------------------------------------------- -----------------
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 March 31 June 30
-------- ------- ------------ ----------- -------- -------
(Unaudited, in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations
Data:
Revenues:
Web-based products.... $ 115 $ 157 $ 257 $ 313 $ 499 $672
CD-ROM products....... 737 778 801 866 837 784
Other................. 117 236 255 392 -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total revenues...... 969 1,171 1,313 1,571 1,336 1,456
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating expenses:
Database costs........ 986 506 1,117 1,984 1,395 1,210
Costs of other
revenues............. 46 101 102 144 -- --
Selling and
marketing............ 801 1,102 1,270 1,435 1,740 2,580
General and
administrative....... 568 455 418 536 772 936
Product development... 154 214 105 68 215 118
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total costs and
expenses........... 2,555 2,378 3,012 4,167 4,122 4,844
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Loss from operations.... (1,586) (1,207) (1,699) (2,596) (2,786) (3,388)
Other income
(expenses)............. (278) (364) (410) (455) (593) (711)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss................ $(1,864) $(1,571) $(2,109) $(3,051) $(3,379) (4,099)
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Other Data:
Web-based new sales(1).. $ 181 $ 552 $ 444 $ 807 $ 608 1,172
CD-ROM new sales(1)..... 462 626 593 401 256 258
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total new sales(1).. $ 643 $ 1,178 $ 1,037 $ 1,208 $ 864 1,430
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) New sales represent the total payments to be received by us over the lives
of the subscription contracts from all new product sales to our new and
existing customers during the period. New sales do not include renewals of
existing subscriptions to our products.
27
<PAGE>
Our quarterly revenues and results of operations have fluctuated
significantly in the past, and we expect them to continue to fluctuate
significantly in the future. Other revenues in all four quarters of 1998
resulted from a customized database development project for a publishing
company that was started and completed in 1998. Quarterly results from
operations are significant to investors because they illustrate recent changes
and trends in our business. For example, the quarterly revenue information
illustrates a transition from CD-ROM products to web-based products. Likewise,
the quarterly results show that total revenues declined for the quarter ended
March 31, 1999 because of the lapse of our customized database development
revenue. Database costs have fluctuated because during some quarters we have
had more costs related to statutes and regulations that we expensed and in
other quarters we have had more costs related to court decisions that we
capitalized. Other causes of quarterly fluctuations have included and may
include, among other factors:
.introduction of new products or pricing programs by our competitors;
. difficulties in managing growth;
. technical difficulties or system downtime affecting our web-based
products;
. other business interruptions;
. changes in pricing strategy;
. increases in selling and marketing expenses, as well as other operating
expenses;
. Year 2000 problems with our technology or the technology of third parties
with which we do business;
. amount and timing of the costs associated with the development and
introduction of new database products;
. economic conditions specific to the Internet or to the legal profession,
as well as general economic conditions; and
. costs and risks associated with potential acquisitions.
Our quarterly operating results have also been subject to seasonal
fluctuations. Our results are affected by the spending patterns of small law
firms, which constitute our primary customers. These timing variations can
cause our revenues to fall short of our expectations and have an adverse effect
on our operating results.
In addition, we must incur a substantial portion of our expenses, including
product development and selling and marketing expenses in advance of revenue
generation. If our projected revenue does not meet our expectations, then our
operating profit (loss) is likely to fall even shorter of our expectations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have used substantial amounts of cash in the growth of our company.
Operating activities provided $199,000 in cash during 1996. Operating
activities used cash of $1.9 million in 1997, $7.2 million in 1998, and $6.4
million in the six months ended June 30, 1999, primarily resulting from our net
losses, reduced by depreciation and amortization during those periods. We
expect to continue to incur significant database production costs for the
foreseeable future. The continued development of new databases is expected to
generate losses for 1999 through the end of 2000.
Investing activities used cash of $2.8 million in 1996, $1.9 million in
1997, $4.0 million in 1998 and $7.1 million during the six months ended June
30, 1999. In 1996 and 1997, the primary use of cash was the payment of our
database development costs, which were capitalized. In 1998, $2.6 million of
these expenditures was for the payment of our database development costs, which
we capitalized, and $1.2 million was for property and equipment purchased to
support the growth of our business. In the first six months of 1999, $5.2
million of these expenditures was for the payment of our database development
costs, which we capitalized, and $1.7 million of these expenditures was for
property and equipment purchased to support the growth of our business.
28
<PAGE>
To finance our operations and continued expansion we have obtained
additional capital through private placements of debt and equity and from
related party and bank financing. Total financing, net of repayments, was
approximately $2.4 million in 1996, $6.9 million in 1997, $8.1 million in 1998
and $16.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 1999, which included
financing from a private placement of common stock and convertible preferred
stock in the amount of $15.0 million.
During the final six months of 1999, we are obligated to pay $1.2 million to
a third party for data conversion services. During the final six months of
1999, we anticipate spending significant amounts for data conversion costs in
connection with updating existing and acquiring new databases, for the purchase
of property and equipment and in connection with the development of a shadow
site fully equivalent to our current web site. We believe the recent private
placement of equity, available borrowings under our bank credit facility, cash
generated by operations and the proceeds of this offering will be adequate to
meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures
for at least the next 12 months.
As part of our growth strategy, we may consider acquiring companies or
businesses, and any acquisition could significantly increase our cash
requirements. We are not currently involved in any negotiations relating to any
acquisition. An acquisition, or any other increase in our anticipated cash
requirements, could require us to obtain additional financing. We cannot assure
you that additional financing would be available to us or, if available, that
we would be able to obtain it on terms we considered satisfactory. If we raise
capital through the issuance of additional equity securities, you may suffer
additional dilution in the value of the common stock you purchase in this
offering.
Our credit agreement with Fleet National Bank dated August 20, 1998, as
amended, establishes the following:
. a working capital revolving line of credit in the maximum principal
amount of $2.5 million;
. an equipment line of credit in the maximum principal amount of $1.0
million;
. a second equipment line of credit in the maximum principal amount of
$1.5 million; and
. a line of credit to finance the development of our databases in the
maximum principal amount of $7.0 million.
Each of these lines bears interest at a floating rate equal to a specified
percentage above the bank's prime rate. We must pay a commitment fee with
respect to the revolving line of credit in the amount of $6,250 per fiscal
quarter. In addition, the Fleet credit facility contains restrictive covenants
that obligate us to meet requirements and that, without the prior written
consent of the bank, generally prohibit us from incurring indebtedness or
declaring or paying dividends or other distributions. At December 31, 1998 and
March 31, 1999 we were in default under the credit facility for failing to meet
financial covenants. In May 1998 the bank waived the default of these
covenants. On June 30, 1999 we were in default under our quick ratio covenant,
however, our bank waived this default and any future defaults that may occur
regarding this quick ratio covenant until March 31, 2000. We expect to incur
significant database production costs for the foreseeable future. Consequently,
we may need to obtain additional funds in order to prevent a future default. As
of June 30, 1999, we had outstanding borrowings under the credit facility as
follows:
. $994,000 under the first equipment line,
. $292,500 under the second equipment line, and
. $3.3 million under the line of credit for database development costs.
All borrowings under the credit facility are secured by a pledge of most of
our assets.
Net Operating Loss
Since 1994, we have incurred significant net losses. Through June 30, 1999,
our accumulated deficit totaled $22.5 million. At December 31, 1998, we had net
operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $17.3
29
<PAGE>
million for federal income tax purposes that begin to expire in 2010 and state
net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $19.0 million that begin to
expire in 2000. We cannot assure you that we will have income, if any, that is
sufficient to allow us to use these loss carry-forwards.
Year 2000 Disclosure
The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs being written using
two rather than four digits to define the applicable year. The arrival of the
year 2000 poses a unique worldwide challenge to the ability of systems to
recognize the date change from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000. The Year
2000 issue could result in system failures or miscalculations causing
disruptions of operations. Among other things, our customers may temporarily be
unable to access our databases or we may be unable to engage in other normal
business activities. For purposes of this discussion, the terms "computer
equipment" and "software" include systems that are commonly thought of as
information technology systems, including accounting, data processing, data
conversion and telephone/PBX systems, as well as systems that are not commonly
thought of as information technology systems, such as heating and air
conditioning systems, fax machines, or other miscellaneous systems. Both
information technology and non-information technology systems may contain
embedded technology, which complicates our identification, assessment,
remediation and testing efforts.
We have taken various steps intended to ensure that our computer equipment
and software will function properly on January 1, 2000 and thereafter. We have
completed assessments of our information technology systems and our non-
information technology systems, which consist primarily of minor office
equipment. Based upon our identification and assessment of our information
technology systems, we have replaced or modified computer equipment and
software, as necessary, including our telephone/PBX system. Based upon our
identification and assessment of our non-information technology systems, we
have not identified any equipment or software requiring replacement or
modification. In addition, in the ordinary course of replacing computer
equipment and software, we only purchase replacement parts that manufacturers
represent are Year 2000 compliant. Using both internal and external resources
to identify and assess needed Year 2000 remediation, we currently anticipate
that our Year 2000 identification, assessment, remediation and testing efforts,
which began in August 1997, will be completed by November 1999, and that these
efforts will be completed prior to any currently anticipated impact on our
computer equipment and software. At July 15, 1999, we had completed
approximately 85 percent of our Year 2000 initiatives and the remaining ones
are in process and we expect them to be completed on or about November 1, 1999.
Specifically, we completed our analysis of and corrected Year 2000 problems
associated with our main computer system which includes our application servers
that run our programs and our data servers that house our data. With respect to
the desktop and individual work stations of our employees, we have completed
our analysis of Year 2000 problems and have begun to replace defective
hardware. We expect to complete this process by November 1, 1999.
Our programs are not dependent on computer time and date stamps. Instead,
our programs store references to times and dates internally in data files that
are able to recognize four character dates including the year 2000. This will
enable our customers to perform searches and display search results even if
their personal computer only recognizes two character dates.
We have mailed letters to our overseas data convertors to determine the
extent to which their information technology and non-information technology
systems are vulnerable to Year 2000 issues. Based on their responses, we
believe that these data converters' software and computers are year 2000
compliant. We do not believe that there are any Year 2000 issues with respect
to the electronic data we receive from our third party data providers. We
typically receive the data in both electronic and printed form and believe that
if a Year 2000 issue should arise with respect to the electronic data, we could
convert the same data from printed form with minimal delay.
In addition, we are in the process of mailing letters to significant vendors
and service providers to determine the extent to which our interfaces with them
are vulnerable to Year 2000 issues and whether the products obtained from and
services provided by them are Year 2000 compliant. A follow-up telephone survey
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to significant vendors and service providers that do not initially respond, or
whose responses we deem unsatisfactory, will be completed by August 16, 1999,
with responses due by August 30, 1999.
We believe the total cost of our Year 2000 identification, assessment,
remediation and testing efforts, as well as costs we expect to incur with
respect to Year 2000 issues of our third party information technology vendors,
will not exceed $200,000, which will be funded from operating cash flows. All
of this amount relates to analysis, repair or replacement of existing software,
upgrades of existing software, or evaluation of information received from
significant vendors, service providers or customers. This amount represents
approximately 6.0% of our total actual and anticipated information technology
expenditures for fiscal 1999. As of June 30, 1999, we had incurred costs of
approximately $35,000 related to our Year 2000 program. Other non-Year 2000 IT
efforts have not been materially delayed or impacted by Year 2000 projects. We
believe that the Year 2000 issue will not pose significant operational problems
for us. However, if we do not properly identify all Year 2000 issues, do not
successfully complete remediation and testing with respect to problems that we
identify, or do not do so in a timely manner, we cannot assure you that the
Year 2000 issue will not materially adversely affect our relationships with
customers, vendors or others. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the Year
2000 issues of other entities will not have a material adverse impact on our
systems or business.
We have begun, but not yet completed, a comprehensive analysis of the
operational problems and costs that would be reasonably likely to result from
our failure and the failure of our data converters, vendors and service
providers to achieve Year 2000 compliance on a timely basis. We have not yet
developed a contingency plan for dealing with the most reasonably likely worst
case scenario, and we have not yet clearly identified the worst case scenario.
We plan to complete the worst case scenario analysis and contingency planning
by November 1, 1999.
We do not plan to engage an independent expert to evaluate our Year 2000
identification, assessment, remediation and testing efforts. However, we have
engaged a third party to perform an overall review and assessment of our web
site architecture, and that review will include Year 2000 compliance of the
systems included in the review. We expect this review to be completed by
September 1999. In addition, the firm that provided installation, training and
other services in connection with our new accounting and sales force management
software is reviewing Year 2000 issues related to that software. A number of
problems have been identified and are being corrected. We expect this review
and related remediation to be completed by July 1999.
The costs of our Year 2000 identification, assessment, remediation and
testing efforts and the dates on which we believe we will complete those
efforts are based upon our management's best estimates, which were made using
numerous assumptions regarding future events, including the continued
availability of resources, third-party remediation plans and other factors. We
cannot assure you that these estimates will prove to be accurate and actual
results could differ materially from those we currently anticipate. Specific
factors that could cause material differences include, but are not limited to,
the availability and cost of personnel trained in Year 2000 issues, the ability
to locate and correct all relevant computer codes, and the ability to identify,
assess, remediate and test all embedded technology and similar uncertainties.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In March 1998, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC") issued
Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 establishes the
accounting for costs of software products developed or purchased for internal
use, including when these costs should be capitalized. We do not expect SOP 98-
1, which is effective for Loislaw.com beginning January 1, 1999, to have a
material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
In April 1998, the AcSEC issued SOP 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-
Up Activities." Start-up activities are defined broadly as those one-time
activities relating to opening a new facility, introducing a new
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product or service, conducting business in a new territory, conducting business
with a new class of customer, commencing some new operation or organizing a new
entity. Under SOP 98-5, the cost of start-up activities should be expensed as
incurred. SOP 98-5 is effective for Loislaw.com's 1999 financial statements and
we do not expect its adoption to have a material effect on our financial
condition or results of operations.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We do not engage in commodity futures trading or hedging activities and do
not enter into derivative financial instrument transactions for trading or
other speculative purposes. We also do not engage in transactions in foreign
currencies or in interest rate swap transactions that could expose us to market
risk.
We are subject to some interest rate risk in connection with our bank credit
facility. This facility permits us to borrow up to $12.0 million, consisting of
up to $2.5 million under a secured working capital revolving line of credit, up
to $2.5 million under two secured equipment lines of credit and up to $7.0
million under a secured line of credit to develop our databases. All amounts
that we borrow under the credit facility bear interest at floating rates. At
June 30, 1999, the outstanding principal balance under the credit facility was
$4.6 million, and during 1998 the average outstanding principal balance was
$2.9 million.
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BUSINESS
Overview
Loislaw.com provides comprehensive, affordable and easy-to-use legal and
related information to lawyers and law firms over the Internet and on CD-ROM.
We offer more than 1,180 databases that we estimate to contain over 50 million
pages of federal and state law, continuing legal education materials and other
legal information. We believe this is the largest collection of legal databases
in hypertext mark-up language, or HTML, the standard format language used on
the Internet. We offer powerful and intuitive search tools designed to make our
information easily accessible and valuable to our users. Through LOIS LawWatch,
we provide personalized, intelligent-searching software programs that
automatically and continuously search our web site and notify our users when
new documents match their search criteria. Our news feeds provide up to 150,000
news articles a month from more than 400 domestic and international sources.
Our legal information is available through our web site at loislaw.com or
through our CD-ROM products at a low annual subscription price.
At June 30, 1999, we had a total of 7,844 customers of which 3,132 purchased
our web-based products. The percentage of customers that renewed their
subscriptions to our products was 89.3% in 1998. We have historically targeted
our sales to small law firms with fewer than 20 lawyers. Currently, we provide
statutes, regulations and rules of court for all state and federal
jurisdictions. We also provide comprehensive court decisions for the U.S.
Supreme Court and all federal circuit courts of appeal. In addition, with the
completion of databases for 12 new states in the last six months, we currently
provide comprehensive legal information for 32 of the 50 states, representing
over 88% of the total number of practicing lawyers in small U.S. law firms.
Small firms typically require legal information for the states in which they
practice, while large law firms typically require legal information for all 50
states. We intend to complete our state law databases for all 50 states by
December 31, 1999. Upon completion of these databases, we plan to aggressively
market to additional small law firms, large law firms and legal departments of
corporations.
Our objective is to become the leading Internet destination for lawyers, law
students, business people and consumers who need legal and related information.
We developed our core products to serve the research needs of lawyers. As we
expand our product offerings, we plan to address additional needs of lawyers
and offer legal information in a format designed to meet the needs of
consumers.
Industry Overview
The market for web-based and other on-line legal, tax and public record
information is large and growing. According to Simba Information, Inc.'s
Web/Online Services 1998-2002: Market Analysis & Forecast, the market for web-
based and other on-line legal, tax and public record information was $1.7
billion in 1998 and is projected to grow to $2.7 billion in 2002. We cannot
assure you that any of these projected amounts can be achieved.
We believe that the following are the key drivers of growth in the market
for web-based and other on-line legal information:
. An increase in the number of lawyers;
.An increase in litigation; and
.The growth of the Internet.
Users of legal information include lawyers, law students, business people
and consumers. Lawyers are the largest users of legal information. According to
Veronis Suhler & Associates in its October 1998 Communications Industry
Forecast, there were approximately 980,000 lawyers in the United States as of
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December 31, 1998 and this number is projected to grow to 1,065,000 in 2002. We
cannot assure you that the number of lawyers will grow to this projected
amount.
In recent years the number of lawsuits has increased. According to a report
by the National Center for State Courts, from 1984 to 1997 the number of civil
lawsuits grew by 28% and criminal caseloads increased by 55% in the state court
systems.
The explosive growth of the Internet is rapidly transforming the market for
legal information. The Internet is an increasingly significant medium for
collecting, manipulating and distributing information. This growth is being
driven by, among other things, the increased use of personal computers and
modems, lower cost access to the Internet, increased awareness of the Internet
and more compelling interactive content available on the Internet. These
factors are also fueling the growth of Internet use in law firms. According to
a February 1998 survey by the American Bar Association, nearly 99% of large law
firms surveyed had Internet access.
Increasingly, Internet use has penetrated small law firms with fewer than 20
lawyers, which we believe represent approximately 55% of all lawyers in the
U.S. According to the February 1998 American Bar Association survey, nearly 80%
of small law firms surveyed had Internet access and 37% of small law firms
without Internet access planned to obtain it in 1998. Although Internet access
at small law firms has increased, many lawyers at small law firms continue to
rely on books and reference guides for their legal research needs. Books and
reference guides are inefficient, cumbersome and sometimes not updated in a
timely manner to reflect changes in the law. Moreover, the capital investment
required to acquire a printed law library is substantial, and prohibitive for
many small law firms. As a result, lawyers in small law firms often must travel
to local law libraries to conduct legal research. Electronic legal information
has emerged as an alternative to printed legal information because it can be
more rapidly updated, more easily stored and more quickly searched than printed
legal information.
The dominant providers of electronic legal information have been LEXIS-NEXIS
and West Group. Until recently, they have provided their information through
closed networks accessed through a dial-up modem. These traditional electronic
legal information providers built their network infrastructures based upon
mainframe computer systems. Recently, these traditional providers have offered
an Internet gateway to their closed systems. However, we believe the source
information in their legal databases is generally not organized in HTML, the
standard format language used on the Internet. Databases that are not organized
in HTML or another Internet-based language are not designed to provide full
functionality and ease of use over the Internet. In addition, we believe these
traditional electronic legal information providers' infrastructures, computer
systems, business models and distribution methods have resulted in pricing that
has traditionally made their products too expensive for many small firms.
Currently, there are other providers of legal information on the Internet.
However, we believe that most of them do not provide comprehensive and current
legal information required by lawyers and business professionals. Most legal
Internet sites act as portals to free legal information that is on government-
sponsored sites. These legal sites are simply aggregators of information, which
often is not edited or reviewed to ensure the integrity of the information.
Furthermore, the information may not be in a format that allows researchers to
complete tasks in a timely manner. While some of this information may be an
improvement over law books, it generally does not match the functionality of
traditional electronic legal databases.
Traditional electronic legal information providers, book publishers and
Internet portal companies do not adequately meet the information needs of many
legal professionals in today's highly litigious and competitive legal
environment. We believe there is a significant opportunity to provide
comprehensive, easy-to-use, web-based legal information to meet the needs of
law firms, corporations and other consumers of legal information.
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The Loislaw.com Solution
Through our web site, loislaw.com, we provide comprehensive, affordable and
easy-to-use legal information to lawyers and law firms over the Internet. We
believe that we were the first company to provide this comprehensive
information over the Internet and that we have the largest collection of
databases of federal and state law organized in HTML. We offer an attractive
alternative to law firms, legal departments of corporations, government bodies
and law schools that previously could only choose between law books and
expensive electronic legal information.
Internet delivery model
Our Internet delivery model allows us to provide easily accessible legal
information in a user-friendly format. To access our legal information, a
subscriber needs only an Internet connection. Our databases are based on
standard Internet technology and our customers need no additional installation
or systems support and have full access to the databases at all times and from
anywhere via the Internet.
Price
Access to our loislaw.com web site is available at an affordable fixed
annual subscription price. Our fixed price model encourages lawyers to use our
web site as needed without concern for additional charges. Subscribers pay a
fixed annual subscription price of $1,176 per seat per year and receive access
to acts, statutes, regulations, case law and attorney general opinions. Access
to these databases does not include eight special databases comprised of
regulations that we license from a third party which may be specifically
subscribed to by our customers at an additional cost of $3,600.
Customers may also purchase our CD-ROM products which range from $300 to
$690 per state or federal jurisdiction.
Advanced Functionality
Our loislaw.com web site provides advanced functionality. For example, we
provide:
. simultaneous searching of multiple databases and fields using
sophisticated search technology that employs both traditional and plain
language searches;
. the ability to save multiple searches for an indefinite period of time;
. summaries of documents produced by a search that gives a user the ability
to determine the relevance of the search results prior to reviewing the
full text;
. automatic notification by email of new information matching the user's
specified search criteria;
. HTML formatting, which permits hyperlinking, cutting-and-pasting and
printing;
. pop-up abilities, which permit simultaneous review of original and
hyperlinked documents; and
. complete multi-media tutorials.
Breadth of Information
We have more than 1,180 databases that we estimate to contain over 50
million pages of federal and state law, continuing legal education materials
and other legal information. We provide statutes, regulations and rules of
court for all state and federal jurisdictions. We currently provide
comprehensive court decisions for the U.S. Supreme Court, all federal circuit
courts of appeal and 32 states as well as a limited number of court decisions
for the remaining 18 states. Over 88% of lawyers in small U.S. law firms
practice in states in which we have comprehensive legal databases. We expect to
provide comprehensive court decisions for all 50 states by December 31, 1999
and for bankruptcy courts, tax courts and selected federal district courts by
the second
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quarter of 2000. Through Loislaw.com news feeds, we also provide access to up
to 150,000 news articles per month extracted from more than 400 domestic and
international sources of legal, business, financial, health, technology and
political news.
Timeliness
Our infrastructure and relationships with data providers enable us to meet
or exceed the industry standards in timeliness. We have relationships with over
500 governmental entities and independent publishers from whom we receive court
decisions, statutes, regulations and administrative decisions. We have over 200
employees in our production department who process this legal information and
make it available on our web site. We are usually able to make newly-released
legal information available on our web site within 24 hours after we receive it
in electronic format and within 72 hours after we receive it in print.
Accuracy
We maintain databases consisting of court decisions, statutes, regulations
and administrative decisions that we have tested to a 99.995% rate of accuracy.
We believe this rate is comparable to the accuracy rates of our principal
competitors and is substantially better than the typical accuracy rates of many
legal web sites accessed through Internet portal companies. To achieve our
accuracy standards, we follow a strict quality control process involving 56
testing procedures.
Strategy
Our goal is to gain a significant share of the market for web-based and
other on-line legal information and to become the leading Internet destination
for legal and related information. The key elements of our strategy include:
. Expand Current Loislaw.com Customer Base. We believe that substantially
all of our existing customer base consists of small law firms. We
believe this segment of the market is underserved by traditional
electronic legal information providers and, as a result, we intend to
continue to market aggressively to small law firms to expand our small
firm customer base. We believe there are substantial opportunities to
expand our presence in this underserved segment through completion of
databases in new states, increased sales to our current customer base,
aggressive marketing to potential new customers and continued conversion
of our CD-ROM customers to web-based customers.
. Aggressively Market Products to Large Law Firms and Legal Departments of
Corporations. After we complete our state law databases for all 50
states, we intend to aggressively market our products to large law firms
and legal departments in corporations. We have not focused our marketing
efforts on these potential customers to date because they generally
require access to comprehensive court decisions from all 50 states. We
expect to complete databases of comprehensive court decisions for all 50
states by December 31, 1999. We believe our ability to provide low-cost,
comprehensive and easy-to-use legal information will present an
attractive alternative or complement to information currently purchased
from traditional providers of legal information.
. Expand Content and Features. We intend to continue to build the depth
and breadth of our databases through internal development and by
licensing and acquiring information from third parties. For example, in
addition to completing the state law databases for the remaining 18
states by December 31, 1999, we intend to add tax court and bankruptcy
court and selected federal district court decisions by the second
quarter of 2000. In addition to expanding content, we intend to expand
features available through our web site and are currently developing
personalized database management capabilities and tools for personalized
customer homepages.
. Build Brand Awareness. We believe it is critical to continue to build
brand awareness in order to market our products to large law firms and
legal departments of corporations as well as to our
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existing small law firm customer base. We intend to continue to promote
brand awareness through expansion of our direct sales force, reliable
product offerings, excellent customer service and effective marketing
and promotion. Further, in an effort to increase law student awareness
of Loislaw.com, we instituted a program of introducing our products to
law librarians at law schools across the U.S. Currently, we provide law
librarians at law schools free training as well as access to our web-
based products for a nominal charge. We have entered into similar
relationships with many state bar associations and continuing legal
education associations offering lawyers who are members of these
associations the opportunity to learn about and try our products at
reduced rates. We intend to pursue relationships with additional state
bar associations and continuing legal education organizations.
. Form Strategic Alliances and Make Acquisitions. We intend to continue to
forge alliances with state and national bar associations, continuing
legal education associations and court systems. Moreover, we may seek
additional information sources, distribution channels or technology
through selective acquisitions or strategic alliances.
. Enter the Consumer Market. We are currently developing a new web site
linked to loislaw.com that will offer legal information and related
services to nonlawyers. We intend to leverage the content on our current
web site, together with our experience in the legal market, to enter
this new market. We expect that this new web site will include news
feeds, selected legal information from our current web site and legal
forms. In addition, the web site may include attorney referrals, an ask-
an-attorney service and other services.
Products
Loislaw.com Web Site
Our web site offers Internet access to federal and state law, continuing
legal education materials, current news feeds and other legal information. We
have more than 1,180 databases that we estimate to contain over 50 million
pages of information.
Our customers access our website with a user identification number and a
password that we provide when they subscribe to our web-based products.
Customers search our databases by typing in search words. Search results are
first presented to a customer in a summary form and if a customer decides to
see the full document, he simply selects this option on the screen.
. Federal Law. The following table sets forth the content of our federal
law databases. In addition, by the second quarter of 2000 we intend to
offer bankruptcy court, tax court and selected federal district court
decisions.
Description of Federal Law Databases
---------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Reports (official court decisions of the U.S.
Supreme Court) 1899-present
U.S. Constitution
U.S. Code (federal statutory law)
U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and Federal Register
U.S. Federal Reports (official court decisions of all
13 U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal) 1971-present
Rules of the U.S. Supreme Court
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. State Law. We currently offer 32 comprehensive state law databases and
intend to complete the databases for the remaining 18 states by December
31, 1999. Over 88% of the total number of practicing lawyers in small
U.S. firms practice in states in which we have comprehensive state law
databases. A comprehensive state law database provides all statutes,
regulations, acts and court rules, appellate court decisions as well as
at least 45 years of court decisions. The map and table below depict the
states for which we provide comprehensive state law databases and the
years in which they were completed.
[Map of the United States with shaded states corresponding to the 31 states in
which the Company has comprehensive state law databases. The shaded states are
the same as the states listed in the table following the map.]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Comprehensive State Legal Information Coverage
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 (1)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------- --------- -------------- ------------- -------- ------------
Arkansas Georgia Massachusetts Kansas Arizona Alabama
Colorado Missouri Oklahoma New Hampshire Florida California
Connecticut Wisconsin South Carolina Rhode Island Indiana Idaho
Louisiana New York Illinois
Nebraska Texas Maryland
North Carolina Michigan
New Jersey
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
</TABLE>
(1) Represents coverage through August 2, 1999.
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. Continuing Legal Education. Under cooperative marketing alliances with
state bar associations and continuing legal education associations, we
provide continuing legal education and bar materials to lawyers in over
10 states. We provide more than 280 databases related to the continuing
legal education programs administered by these groups.
. Loislaw.com News Feeds. Our web site provides news feeds of up to
150,000 news articles per month from more than 400 domestic and
international sources of legal, business, financial, health, technology
and political news. The news feeds can be filtered to reflect the user's
personal search criteria or interests. Ninety days of news is stored in
our servers and can be searched by the user.
A subscription to the products we offer on our web site includes the
following features and benefits:
. LOIS LawWatch. Our web site provides personalized, intelligent-searching
software programs that automatically and continuously search our federal
and state law databases and news feeds. LOIS LawWatch delivers results
of these searches to users by email or by saving search results on
users' personalized homepages on our web site. LOIS LawWatch is in an
easy-to-use format with on-screen tutorials to guide users in
establishing ongoing, personalized search instructions.
. Advanced Functionality. We offer intuitive search tools designed to make
our information easily accessible and valuable to our users. Users may
search for information in any combination of multiple jurisdictions
simultaneously and may do so simply by entering a string of words.
Moreover, all of our data is hyperlinked to enable the user to retrieve
a second document and view it simultaneously with the initial document.
Loislaw.com also offers a time clock to assist lawyers in timekeeping as
well as a citation checking service that allows a user, among other
things, to confirm that a court decision has not been overruled.
. Exceptional Service. Our web site is user friendly, offering tips and
navigational instructions on each page. In addition, we provide our
subscribers with 24-hour customer telephone and email support and
provide company field sales representatives who assist customers with
training.
We sell our web-based products through annual subscriptions. Unlimited
Internet access to substantially all federal and state law databases lists for
$1,176 per seat per year. Unlimited Internet access to substantially all state
law for one state lists for $690 per seat per year. Continuing legal education
and bar materials are available for purchase at an additional charge.
CD-ROM Products
Prior to our introduction of the loislaw.com web site in 1996, we
distributed federal and state law databases exclusively on CD-ROM. We expect to
continue to produce and sell CD-ROMs as long as customer demand exists. In
addition, we will continue to provide our CD-ROM customers with an updating
service called N-Line that allows users to receive weekly electronic updates
via modem. N-Line integrates these updates with existing information to permit
users to use a single search to find old and new law. We expect our CD-ROM
customers to continue to transition to our web-based products. The list prices
for annual subscriptions for our CD-ROM products range from $300 to $690 per
state or federal jurisdiction.
Production of Databases
Our customers require access to highly accurate, searchable and up-to-date
legal databases. Accordingly, the process of producing our databases is
critical to our success.
We generally receive all statutes, court decisions, regulations and rules
directly from official sources within each jurisdiction. We receive this
information in both print and electronic form. We have entered into
relationships with official sources in each jurisdiction where we provide legal
information. In some jurisdictions we have written agreements formalizing our
relationships and in other jurisdictions that do not require a written
agreement we do not have a written agreement.
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The charges for access to legal information varies from agreement to
agreement. For example, a number of our official sources charge us a nominal
fee for delivery of the legal information. Other official sources charge us
annual amounts and a percentage of sales. In addition, other official sources
charge us a "per email" or "per megabyte" charge. With respect to our news
feeds database, we have entered into an agreement with a third party provider
and we are charged a monthly fee. We convert legal information into standard
mark-up language, or SGML, and hypertext mark-up language, or HTML, to make it
easy for users to search our legal databases. By using HTML and SGML
programming languages we require fewer lines of code than mainframe computer
languages and thereby reduce our costs.
When we initially establish a database of legal information, we typically
must convert large amounts of historical information from printed text to
electronic form. Currently, we have agreements with Pacific Data Conversion
Corp. operating from The People's Republic of China, Digital Publishing
International Ltd. operating from the Phillipines, and Infocon operating from
India to convert this data. We pay these companies based on the number of
characters converted, the accuracy of the converted data and the timeliness of
the conversion. Our agreement with Pacific Data Corporation is for a term of 6
months, and our contract with Digital Publishing International Ltd. is for a
term of 18 months. Our agreement with Infocon continues for an unspecified
period of time. After the information is converted to electronic format, it is
forwarded to us for further processing. All of our historical court decisions,
approximately 40% of our new statutes and 40% of our new regulations are
converted by these third party converters. The balance of this information is
converted by us.
We continually update our databases by adding new court decisions, statutes,
regulations and other legal information. We receive this new information in
both electronic and printed format. For information delivered to us in printed
format, we scan the printed text on imaging equipment, convert it to an
electronic format and run software programs to identify and correct errors.
With respect to both electronic data converted overseas and electronic data
received or converted by us, we perform extensive quality control and editing
functions including:
. spell checks;
. translation of information into SGML and HTML;
. input of page numbers, carriage returns and line feeds, reference lines
and other information; and
. assembly of the information into logical blocks.
After the editing process, our paralegals code the information using up to 30
different codes, such as parties' names, dates and judges' names, to provide
fields for accurately searching the information in each database.
To complete this process, we perform both automated and manual quality
control tests to assure that we have completed the imaging/scanning, editing
and coding processes successfully. We compile and index the information and
then submit it to a final, more stringent, quality control test. If the
information does not satisfy our accuracy standards, we send the information
back to editing or coding to restart the entire process. If the information
passes the second quality control test, we place it on our Internet server.
This quality control process includes 56 testing procedures and results in data
that we have tested to an accuracy rate of 99.995%.
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The following graphic depicts these database production processes:
[Graph containing six horizontal rows of boxes with arrows pointing downward
from each box (other than the box on the bottom row) to a box or boxes below
it. The top row contains one box with text: "Receive Print from Data
Providers." The arrow from this box points downward to a box in the second row
(which is the third box from the left, of three total), which contains text:
"Convert Print to Electronic Data." The other two boxes on the second row
(from left to right) contain text: "Receive Electronic Data From Third Party
Converters" and "Receive Electronic Data From Data Providers." There is an
arrow pointing downward from each box on this row to the single box on the
third row, which contains text: "Editing." There is an arrow pointing downward
from this box to the single box in the fourth row, which contains text:
"Coding." There is an arrow pointing downward from this box to the single box
in the fifth row, which contains text: "Quality Assurance." There are two
arrows pointing downward from this box to the two boxes in the sixth row,
which contain text (from left to right): "CD-ROM Products" and "Web-based
Products."]
We have committed significant resources to establish our production
capabilities and processes. At June 30, 1999, our production staff included
142 converters and editors, 37 coders and 36 quality assurance specialists. As
a result, we usually are able to make updated legal information available to
our Internet users within 24 hours of receipt in electronic format and within
72 hours of receipt in paper format.
We have been producing data since 1989. From January 1, 1996 through June
30, 1999, we spent over $22 million on database production, including costs of
converting, editing, coding and quality control.
Product Development
In addition to enhancing content, we conduct product development efforts
focused on continuously improving the search capabilities, tools and
applications available at our loislaw.com web site. At June 30, 1999, we had
five employees devoted to this aspect of product development. We will continue
to add new features to our products, such as searchable tables of contents and
personal email, that will make our sites easier and more enjoyable to use.
We intend to offer subscribers to our loislaw.com web site the ability to
convert word processing, billing and other electronic files into personal
databases stored at our web site. These databases may include all types of
documents, such as briefs, motions, interrogatories, memoranda, contracts,
correspondence and other forms, and will be searchable in the same manner as
the law databases. Access to the databases will be password-protected and can
be shared among, for example, a law firm and specific clients or co-counsel.
We are currently developing a consumer web site. This web site will be free
of charge and will offer, among other products, limited access to some of our
existing databases. We are developing a consumer web site because we believe
that we can provide consumers with access to legal information that will
include a
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subset of our current legal databases. We expect to derive revenue from this
consumer site from multiple sources that may include referring customers to
subscription-based access to our complete legal databases and advertising
revenues. We have no experience in offering our products to non-lawyers and
recognize that we face many challenges with the development of this consumer
site.
Sales and Marketing
We sell our products through a sales force that as of June 30, 1999 included
105 company field sales representatives based in 31 states and 65 inside sales
representatives. Our sales force is compensated with a base salary plus a
commission. In addition, we have a marketing department that at June 30, 1999
consisted of 13 people responsible for direct mail, advertising and cooperative
marketing programs.
We also market our products by seeking endorsements from organizations that
are likely to influence lawyers' purchasing decisions. We offer our products
for a nominal per-student charge to law schools and to state bar associations
and courts. Eleven state bar associations have agreed to promote our products.
We provide free CD-ROM products to the supreme courts of 12 states. We also
develop relationships with individual leaders of the legal community in cities
throughout the country, as we believe recommendations of respected peers and
mentors significantly influence many lawyers' purchasing decisions.
After we complete our state law databases for all 50 states we intend to
hire additional sales professionals and to aggressively market our products to
large law firms and legal departments of corporations.
Customers
At June 30, 1999, we had a total of 7,844 customers of which 3,132 purchased
our web-based products. At December 31, 1998, we had a total of 6,976 customers
of which 1,841 purchased our web-based products. A customer represents a single
account, which in many cases includes subscriptions for multiple seats or
concurrent users. Substantially all of our customers are law firms having fewer
than 20 lawyers.
Customer Support
We provide telephone and email support for our clients 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. Our customer service employees assist customers with preparing
searches and our technical support employees assist customers with technical
issues. At June 30, 1999, we had 10 customer service employees and 25 technical
support employees. In addition, our field sales representatives provide on-site
support.
Web Site Hardware and Software Design
We currently host our loislaw.com web site at our office in Van Buren,
Arkansas. We have designed our web site hardware and software to be flexible,
scalable and reliable. Our web site operates using Verity searching software,
Microsoft NT Operating System software and Novell Networking software that runs
on Hewlett-Packard servers. Our databases and searching software are designed
to run on more than one operating system.
Our web site hardware and software is designed to be able to expand easily
by adding additional servers. We currently have two information servers that we
use to maintain identical versions of our legal information. Each information
server is connected to three search servers that use the Verity database
searching software to process search queries. Upon initial conversion of a
legal database, the Verity software catalogues the information contained in the
database. When a user searches for information on our web site, the Verity
software assists in the retrieval of search results by identifying the search
request in the catalogued information. We employ multiple servers that have
technology that enables them to share incoming user requests so that no single
server is overloaded. We believe our servers have sufficient capacity to
support our planned growth over the next 12 months; nevertheless, we have
ordered two additional information servers to create additional system
capacity.
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We currently have backup systems in place to protect our data and we intend
to create additional backup systems. Our legal databases are backed up on
temporary tapes each night and backed up on permanent tapes once a week. The
weekly backup tapes are kept in a safety deposit box at a local commercial
bank. We currently have enough battery power to operate our web site for one
hour if there is a power outage at our facility. In addition, we are in the
process of installing a power generator that should be operational in the next
several months. We are also currently analyzing alternatives for a second site
fully equivalent to our live web site. This second web site would be fully
operational and could completely replace the operations of our existing web
site, if necessary.
Monitoring of the web site is a continuous process. Monitoring software
watches for key service problems of the various servers and reports to our
Information Systems staff by email and pager if any of the servers stop
responding. Additional software is in place to analyze server activity to
profile the performance and usage of the web site.
Trademarks and Copyrights
We have obtained federal trademark registrations for LOIS PROFESSIONAL
LIBRARY(R), N-line(R), PITA(R) and THE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY WITH A LAW DEGREE(R),
and have pending trademark applications for LOIS SM and the LOIS logo SM. We
use the service mark LOIS LAWWATCH SM and claim common law service mark rights
in this mark. We have also obtained copyright registrations for the following
proprietary software programs: PITA(R), CaseBase: The Arkansas Reports, and Law
Office Information Systems: Master Menu Systems. Other trademarks and trade
names in this prospectus are the property of other owners.
Competition
The market for electronic legal information is intensely competitive.
Historically, this market has been dominated by West Group, a division of The
Thomson Corporation, and LEXIS-NEXIS, which is owned by Reed-Elsevier. While we
have been in the legal publishing business since 1987, West Group has been in
the legal publishing business over 100 years and LEXIS-NEXIS over 25 years. In
addition to longer operating histories, our competitors have greater name
recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial,
technical and marketing resources than we do. For more information about our
competitors, see "Risk Factors--The competition in our industry is intense, our
principal competitors have significantly greater resources than we do and this
competition may cause us to lose customers and prevent us from attracting new
customers" on page 9.
The principal competitive factors in our industry are:
. price;
. quality and accuracy of data;
. comprehensiveness of data;
. ease of use;
. support and training required; and
. performance characteristics of the database.
As a new entrant in a market dominated by these major corporations, we are
in the position of having to ease customer concerns over accuracy and
reliability. Furthermore, our products are not as comprehensive as those of
LEXIS-NEXIS or West Group because we do not provide any form of legal treatises
or law review
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articles, or many of the other types of analysis and specialized legal
information that they provide. Further, we do not provide comprehensive court
decisions for all 50 states or federal district court decision, and for those
court decision databases we do offer we provide substantially fewer historical
court decisions than offered by LEXIS-NEXIS and West Group in their comparable
databases.
We also compete with a few smaller Internet portal companies that offer free
access to government sponsored sites that provide some of the same information
that we provide. A few offer fee-based access to selected legal databases. We
do not believe that any of these companies are comparable to Loislaw.com with
respect to breadth and depth of coverage, reliability and quality of data or
sophistication of functionality.
Employees
We had 488 full-time employees at June 30, 1999, including five in product
development, 105 in field sales, 65 in inside sales, 13 in marketing, 179 in
converting and production, 36 in quality assurance, 25 in technical support, 16
in management information systems, 10 in customer service, 14 in finance and 20
in administration. Our employees are not represented by any collective
bargaining organization. We have never experienced a work stoppage and we
believe that our relationships with our employees are good.
Facilities
Our corporate headquarters are located in a 36,200 square foot leased
facility in Van Buren, Arkansas, under a lease expiring in May 2004, with an
option to renew for two, five-year periods. The lessor of our headquarters is
The Parker Law Firm, an entity owned by Kyle D. Parker and Douglas W. Parker,
Sr. We believe that these facilities and additional or alternative space
available to us will be adequate to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.
Litigation
Loislaw.com is not a party to any material litigation.
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MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers and Directors
The following table sets forth information with respect to the executive
officers and directors of Loislaw.com as of August 2, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
- ---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Kyle D. Parker(1)....... 42 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Mark O. Beyland(2)...... 49 President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
W. Clark Wigley......... 46 Vice President of Business Development
Reves W. Dillon, Jr. ... 45 Vice President of Operations
Michael E. Romanies..... 36 Vice President of Marketing
Jay Scott Thompson...... 41 Chief Technology Officer
Pamela G. Rogers........ 39 Controller
Douglas W. Parker,
Sr. ................... 74 Secretary
Robert C. Ammerman(1)... 45 Director
D. Randy Laney(2)....... 45 Director
Hannah C. Stone(1)(2)... 34 Director
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of compensation committee.
(2) Member of audit committee.
Kyle D. Parker founded Loislaw.com in 1987 and has served as Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board since that time. Mr. Parker also served as
President of Loislaw.com from 1987 to May 1999. Since 1985 Mr. Parker has been
a partner at the Parker Law Firm in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mr. Parker served on
the Legal Automation Committee of the Arkansas Bar Association and the American
Association of Law Librarian's Task Force on Citation Formats. Mr. Parker holds
a J.D., with highest honors, from Franklin Pierce Law Center and a B.A., cum
laude, from Arkansas Tech University. Mr. Parker is the son of Douglas W.
Parker, Sr.
Mark O. Beyland joined Loislaw.com as President, Chief Financial Officer and
a director in May 1999. Mr. Beyland served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Reed Technology and Information Services, Inc., a subsidiary of
Reed-Elsevier, from September 1993 to March 1998. Mr. Beyland holds a B.S. in
Business and Science from Ohio State University and an M.B.A. from the
University of Dayton.
W. Clark Wigley joined Loislaw.com as Chief Operating Officer in February
1995 and became Vice President of Business Development in April 1998. Prior to
joining Loislaw.com, Mr. Wigley served as Vice President at Barclays Law
Publishers in California, a legal publishing company, from 1993 to February
1995. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Wigley was a Vice President and a general manager
at Thomson Electronic Publishing, a division of Thomson Legal Publishing, a
legal publishing company. Mr. Wigley holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Engineering
from Lehigh University and an M.B.A. from U.C.L.A.
Reves W. Dillon, Jr. joined Loislaw.com as a scanning and editing operator
in September 1989. Mr. Dillon served as Director of Production from May 1994 to
November 1997 and served as Chief Operations Officer from November 1997 to May
1999. Mr. Dillon became Vice President of Operations in May 1999. Mr. Dillon
has over 25 years of experience serving in production management capacities in
various industries.
Michael E. Romanies joined Loislaw.com as Vice President of Marketing in
July 1999. Mr. Romanies served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales at
NETsilicon Inc. from August 1998 to June 1999. He also served as Vice President
at Number Nine Visual Technology from October 1996 to August 1998, and
President of World Color Press New Media from November 1995 to September 1996.
In addition, he served as Vice President at Reed Technology from January 1987
to November 1995. Mr. Romanies holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from
Wilkes University.
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Jay Scott Thompson joined Loislaw.com in April 1992 as Assistant MIS
Director. Mr. Thompson served as Director of Information Systems from February
1995 to November 1997. Mr. Thompson became Chief Technology Officer in December
1998. Mr. Thompson has over 15 years of experience in the electronics industry.
Pamela G. Rogers joined Loislaw.com as Controller in October 1997. Prior to
joining Loislaw.com, Ms. Rogers served as Controller for Stapleton Corporation,
a manufacturing company, from March 1997 to October 1997. Ms. Rogers also
served as Controller for Exsorbet Administration, Inc., an environmental
remediation company, from January 1996 to February 1997 and Controller for
Consolidated Environmental Services, Inc., an environmental consulting company,
from January 1995 to January 1996. Ms. Rogers holds a B.A. in Accounting from
the University of Central Arkansas and is a certified public accountant.
Douglas W. Parker, Sr. has served as Secretary of Loislaw.com since October
1987. He served as a director and Treasurer of Loislaw.com from October 1987 to
June 1999. Mr. Parker practiced law at the Parker Law Firm for over 36 years.
Mr. Parker is the father of Kyle D. Parker. Mr. Parker holds a B.S. from the
University of Arkansas and an L.L.B. from LaSalle University.
Robert C. Ammerman has served as a director of Loislaw.com since November
1997. Since 1987 Mr. Ammerman has served as Treasurer of Capital Resource
Management, Inc., a private capital investment firm, and as general partner of
several private capital funds affiliated with Capital Resource Management. Mr.
Ammerman holds a B.A. and an M.S. from Carnegie Mellon University.
D. Randy Laney has served as a director of Loislaw.com since June 1999.
Since October 1998 Mr. Laney has served as Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chairman of BAV Software, Inc., a web-enabling supply chain software
development company. From August 1995 to October 1998, Mr. Laney served as a
partner of Bentonville Associates Ventures, LLC, a financial and business
consulting company. In addition, Mr. Laney was employed by Wal-Mart Corporation
from 1980 to 1993 and served as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer for a
portion of that time. He holds a B.S. and a J.D. from the University of
Arkansas.
Hannah C. Stone has served as a director of Loislaw.com since June 1999. In
1993, Ms. Stone joined Sandler Capital Management, a private capital investment
firm, and she is a general partner of various partnerships associated with
Sandler Capital Management. She holds a B.A. from Stanford University and an
M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She is also a director of Millbrook Press.
Election of Officers and Directors
The executive officers of Loislaw.com are elected by the Board of Directors
on an annual basis and serve until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. Under an Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of
May 25, 1999, as long as each of (a) Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. and (b)
Sandler Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Sandler Capital Partners IV, FTE, L.P.,
collectively, hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock,
our existing stockholders have agreed to vote their shares to elect one
representative of Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. and one representative of
the Sandler parties to our Board of Directors. Mr. Ammerman will continue as a
director and Ms. Stone was selected as a director of Loislaw.com in connection
with this agreement. For more information regarding the Amended and Restated
Stockholders Agreement, see "Certain Transactions" on page 52.
Board Composition
The Board of Directors of Loislaw.com is divided into three classes. The
Board currently consists of one Class I director (Ms. Stone), two Class II
directors (Messrs. Laney and Ammerman) and two Class III directors (Messrs.
Parker and Beyland). At each annual meeting of stockholders, a class of
directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the directors of the
same class whose terms are then expiring. The terms of the Class I director,
Class II directors and Class III directors will expire upon the election and
qualification of successor directors at the annual meetings of stockholders to
be held during calendar years 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.
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Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has appointed a compensation committee consisting of
Messrs. Ammerman and Parker and Ms. Stone. The compensation committee reviews
and evaluates the compensation and benefits of all officers of Loislaw.com,
reviews general policy matters relating to compensation and benefits of
Loislaw.com employees and makes recommendations concerning these matters to the
Board of Directors. The compensation committee also administers our 1996 Stock
Option Plan. For more information about our 1996 Stock Option Plan, see "--
Equity Plans" on pages 48-49.
The Board of Directors has also appointed an audit committee consisting of
Messrs. Laney and Beyland and Ms. Stone. The audit committee reviews, with our
independent auditors, the scope and timing of the auditors' services, the
auditors' report on our financial statements following completion of their
audit, and our policies and procedures with respect to internal accounting and
financial controls. In addition, the audit committee will make annual
recommendations to the Board of Directors for the appointment of independent
auditors for the ensuing year.
Compensation of Directors
We pay each nonemployee director an annual fee of $10,000 and reimburse each
director for reasonable expenses incurred in attending board meetings. In
addition, directors who are not officers or employees of Loislaw.com are
eligible to receive options under our stock option plan for nonemployee
directors.
Nonemployee Directors Stock Option Plan. The Board of Directors adopted the
Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors on July 22, 1999, and
we expect to submit it to our stockholders for approval in August 1999. This
plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of 320,000 shares of common stock.
For more information regarding the Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for
Nonemployee Directors, see "--Equity Plans" on page 49.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Parker and Ammerman and
Ms. Stone. Mr. Parker is an executive officer of Loislaw.com. and is the
trustee of the Parker Trust which is a principal stockholder of Loislaw.com.
Additionally, Mr. Parker is a partner of the Parker Law Firm which is the
lessor of Loislaw.com's executive offices. Ms. Melissa A. Parker, Mr. Parker's
sister-in-law, also loaned Loislaw.com a total of $4,000,000 which has
subsequently been converted into Series B Redeemable preferred stock.
Both Mr. Ammerman and Ms. Stone are employed by entities that are principal
stockholders of Loislaw.com. These entities are also parties to an Amended and
Restated Registration Rights Agreement and an Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement, which grant special rights and privileges to several stockholders
that will not be afforded to you if you purchase common stock in this offering.
For more information relating to the terms of the Amended and Restated
Registration Rights Agreement and the Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement, see "Certain Transactions" on pages 51-52
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation that we paid for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998 to our Chief Executive Officer and the one other
executive officer of Loislaw.com whose compensation exceeded the threshold for
inclusion in the table:
Summary Compensation Table for Last Fiscal Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation
----------------------
Name and Principal Position Salary Bonus Other
- --------------------------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Kyle D. Parker, Chief Executive Officer........ $ 150,000 $ 0 $ 0
W. Clark Wigley, Vice President of Business
Development................................... $ 144,000 $ 0 $6,000(1)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Consists of a monthly car allowance of $500.
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<PAGE>
Employment Agreements
We have entered into the following employment agreements with the executive
officers included in the Summary Compensation Table and our President and Chief
Financial Officer:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Officer Term Base Salary Position
------- ------------------- ----------- -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Kyle D. Parker.......... June 1999-June 2002 $225,000 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mark O. Beyland......... June 1999-June 2002 $175,000 President and Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>
The employment agreements of Messrs. Parker and Beyland entitle each of them
to participate in any bonus or employee benefit plans or arrangements from time
to time in effect. If we terminate the employment of Mr. Parker or Mr. Beyland
without "cause," as defined in the agreements, Mr. Parker or Mr. Beyland will
be entitled to receive payments equal to one year's annual salary. If the
termination of their employment is in connection with a change of control of
Loislaw.com, Mr. Parker and Mr. Beyland each will be entitled to receive a
lump-sum payment equal to two times his annual salary plus bonuses and
continuing coverage under our medical plan for one year. Under the employment
agreements, Messrs. Parker and Beyland each agree not to engage, directly or
indirectly, in activities in competition with Loislaw.com either as an
employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder,
corporate officer, director, or in any other capacity.
Equity Plans
1996 Stock Option Plan. The Board of Directors and our stockholders adopted
the Loislaw.com 1996 Stock Option Plan on June 17, 1996. We have reserved
1,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 1996 Plan to employees
and consultants. The 1996 Plan provides for the grant of options that are
intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and options not intended
to qualify as incentive stock options. Incentive stock options may be granted
only to employees of Loislaw.com. The maximum number of shares with respect to
which awards may be granted to any employee under the 1996 Plan may not exceed
100,000 shares of common stock during any calendar year.
The Board of Directors, or a committee to which the Board has delegated
authority, administers the 1996 Plan. Options granted under the 1996 Plan are
not transferrable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution and may be exercised during the grantee's lifetime only by the
grantee. Subject to the provisions of the 1996 Plan, the Board of Directors or
the committee appointed by the Board has the authority to select the
individuals to whom options may be granted and determine the terms of each
award, including the number of shares of common stock subject to any option,
the exercise date and the vesting requirements. Payment of the exercise price
may be made in cash or by shares of common stock valued at the fair market
value on the date of exercise or by a combination of those methods of payment.
If we merge with or into another corporation or sell all or substantially
all our assets, each outstanding option under the 1996 Plan will automatically
vest and become fully exercisable if the successor corporation does not assume
or provide for the substitution of each outstanding option.
To date, we have granted stock options to purchase a total of 583,122 shares
of common stock under the 1996 Plan. We have not granted any options under the
1996 Plan to any of the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
On May 25, 1999, in connection with our hiring of Mark O. Beyland to serve
as our President and Chief Financial Officer, we granted him incentive stock
options under the 1996 Plan covering a total of 441,454 shares of our common
stock at an exercise price of $2.91. One-half of these options vested on the
date of grant and the remaining options vest at the rate of 1/48th per month
until fully vested. In addition we intend to grant to 18 of our employees under
the 1996 plan incentive stock options to purchase a total of 186,500 shares at
an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. Twenty-five
percent of each of these options will vest one year from the date of the grant
and the balance of the options will vest at a rate of 1/48th per month
beginning after that first year.
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<PAGE>
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We expect that our Board of Directors and our
stockholders will adopt the Employee Stock Purchase Plan in August, 1999. The
stock purchase plan provides for the purchase by employees of a maximum of
300,000 shares of common stock after the completion of this offering. Shares
purchased under the plan may be newly issued shares of common stock or treasury
shares, including shares purchased by us on the open market for sale under the
plan.
A committee of three or more employees appointed by the Board of Directors
will administer the stock purchase plan. All of our full-time employees who
have been employed by us for more than six months on or before the first day of
any payment period and whose customary employment is more than 20 hours per
week will be eligible to participate in the stock purchase plan. Employees who
would own 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of our stock
immediately after the grant will not be eligible to participate in the stock
purchase plan. To participate in the stock purchase plan, an employee must
authorize us to deduct not less than one percent nor more than ten percent from
his or her pay during six-month payment periods. The first payment period will
commence on the first day of the month following the registration of
Loislaw.com's common stock under the Exchange Act and will end on December 31,
1999. Thereafter, the payment periods will commence on each January 1 and July
1 and end on the following June 30 and December 31, respectively, of each year,
but in no case will an employee be entitled to purchase in any one payment
period a number of shares that has a fair market value (determined at the
beginning of the period) of more than $12,500. The purchase price for the stock
that employees are entitled to purchase in any payment period is equal to the
lesser of 90% of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning of
the payment period and 90% of the fair market value of the common stock at the
end of the payment period. If an employee is not a participant on the last day
of the payment period, the employee will not be entitled to purchase any shares
for that period, and the amount of his or her accumulated payroll deductions
will be refunded. An employee's rights under the Stock Purchase Plan will
terminate upon his or her voluntary withdrawal from the plan at any time or
upon termination of his or her employment.
1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors. The Board of
Directors adopted the Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors
on July 22, 1999. The nonemployee directors plan provides for the issuance of a
maximum of 320,000 shares of common stock. We expect to submit the Nonqualified
Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors to our stockholders for approval in
August 1999.
The Nonemployee Directors Plan is administered by a committee of
disinterested directors which approved a grant of options to each nonemployee
director to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price that
will be equal to the initial public offering price of the common stock in this
offering. Subject to the director's continued membership on the Board, each
option will vest in annual increments of 25% beginning one year from the date
of grant. Directors, including new members elected to the Board of Directors
after the completion of this offering, may be granted options at the discretion
of the committee of the Board administering the plan. All options granted to
nonemployee directors will be nonstatutory options with an exercise price equal
to 100% of the fair market value of common stock on the date of grant.
401(k) Plan
We have established a tax-qualified employee savings and retirement plan.
Employees must complete 12 months of service before they are eligible to
participate. Employees may contribute a percentage of their pre-tax
compensation and Loislaw.com may, in its discretion from year-to-year, make
matching and profit sharing contributions to the retirement plan. Amounts
contributed by Loislaw.com vest over six years.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that our directors and
officers will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware
law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended, against all expenses and
liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with their service for or on
behalf of Loislaw.com. In addition, our restated certificate of incorporation
provides that our directors will not be
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<PAGE>
personally liable for monetary damages to us for breaches of their fiduciary
duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to us or our
stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law,
authorized illegal dividends or redemptions or derived an improper personal
benefit from their action as directors. Further, we have entered into
indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors in which we
have agreed to indemnify them in addition to the indemnification provided for
in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws. These agreements indemnify our
directors and officers for expenses (including attorneys' fees and associated
legal expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and
reasonably incurred by them in connection with services as a director or
officer of Loislaw.com. In order to receive the indemnification, the director
or officer must have acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
Loislaw.com or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, must have had
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful. We intend to
obtain insurance that insures our directors and officers against specified
losses and that insures us against specific obligations to indemnify its
directors and officers. We believe these provisions and agreements are
necessary to attract and retain qualified directors and officers.
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<PAGE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In May 1999 we sold shares of Series C preferred stock and common stock to a
limited number of investors. On May 25, 1999, we sold a total of $14.5 million
of Series C Convertible preferred stock to a limited number of investors. The
names of the investors and the number of shares purchased by them for $5.81 per
share are set forth below:
. Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. purchased 857,509 shares of Series C
Convertible preferred stock;
. Sandler Capital Partners IV, L.P. purchased 793,680 shares of Series C
Convertible preferred stock;
. Sandler Capital Partners IV, FTE, L.P. purchased 325,080 shares of Series
C Convertible preferred stock;
. Mark O. Beyland purchased 129,088 shares of Series C Convertible
preferred stock; and
. Exeter Capital Partners IV, L.P. purchased 390,340 shares of Series C
Convertible preferred stock.
In addition, on May 25, 1999 we sold 172,118 shares of common stock to
Dublind Partners, Inc. at $2.91 per share.
Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. is one of our Series A Convertible
preferred stockholders, and it purchased its portion of the Series C
Convertible preferred stock by converting notes issued to it by us with a total
outstanding principal balance of $5 million. Mark O. Beyland is our President
and Chief Financial Officer.
We entered into a Registration Rights Agreement that requires us to register
shares held by our existing stockholders for resale. On May 25, 1999, we
entered into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement with our
stockholders. This agreement gives Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P., CRP
Investment Partners III, LLC, Mark O. Beyland, Sandler Capital Partners IV,
L.P., Sandler Capital Partners IV, FTE, L.P., Exeter Capital Partners IV, L.P.,
transferees of Dublind Partners, Inc. and Rowland T. Moriarty, the right to
require us to use our best efforts to register under the Securities Act all or
any part of the shares of our common stock that they own. This right is subject
to limitations and conditions, including that we will not be required to effect
a registration:
. more than one time for the former holders of the Series A Convertible
preferred stock;
. more than one time for the former holders of the Series C Convertible
preferred stock; and
. if the reasonably anticipated total price of the offering to the public
will not exceed $5 million.
Additionally, if we propose to register common stock under the Securities
Act, the above stockholders as well as Charles J. Lindsay, George P. Lindsay,
Charles M. Dubroff, Nester J. Olivier and Dublind Partners, Inc., may have the
right to request the inclusion of their shares of common stock in the
registration. Finally, all former holders of Series A Convertible preferred
stock and Series C Convertible preferred stock have the right to request any
number of registrations on Form S-3, subject to limitations and conditions,
including that the reasonably anticipated total price to the public must exceed
$500,000.
We have agreed to pay the expenses of the registrations described above.
These costs include filing fees, printing expenses, and $10,000 in fees of
legal counsel for the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders will pay
any underwriting discounts and commissions associated with the sale of their
securities.
We have agreed that in the event of any registration of securities under the
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, we will indemnify the
selling stockholders against Securities Act liabilities incurred in connection
with the registration.
Subject to some limitations and conditions, the registration rights held by
these selling stockholders may be transferred with their securities.
51
<PAGE>
Rowland T. Moriarty is a Series A Convertible preferred stockholder, a
warrant holder and, on occasion, a marketing consultant to us. He also has
guaranteed a portion of our lines of credit with our bank.
We entered into a Stockholders Agreement that grants special rights to our
existing stockholders. On May 25, 1999, we and our existing stockholders
entered into an Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement. After the
completion of this offering, this agreement will continue to provide that the
existing stockholders will vote their shares to elect to the Board of Directors
of Loislaw.com one person designated by each of (a) Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. and (b) Sandler Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Sandler Capital
Partners IV, FTE, L.P., so long as they each hold at least 10% of our
outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, these stockholders as well as
the Parker Trust, will have co-sale rights entitling them to include shares of
their stock in the following sales:
. a control block sale of securities of Loislaw.com; or
. the sale of shares of Loislaw.com by any party to the stockholders'
agreement to a designated competitor of Loislaw.com.
The existence of this co-sale right could allow these stockholders to sell
their shares of stock at a premium over the fair market value of the common
stock and could transfer control of Loislaw.com.
Finally, all stockholders that are parties to this agreement have transfer
restrictions on their shares of capital stock of Loislaw.com in the event that
they attempt to sell their stock in a control block sale or a private sale to a
designated competitor.
We sold Series A Convertible preferred stock to Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. On November 24, 1997, we entered into a Senior Subordinated Note and
Securities Purchase Agreement with Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. Under the
terms of this agreement, we sold $2,998,934 of Series A Convertible preferred
stock and issued a warrant for the right to purchase 1,944,586 shares of
Loislaw.com common stock at $0.005 per share to Capital Resource Lenders III,
L.P. In connection with this sale, we entered into a Stockholders' Agreement
and a Registration Rights Agreement. Both of these agreements were amended on
May 25, 1999 and are described above.
We have outstanding shares of Series B Redeemable preferred stock that we
will redeem. On November 1, 1995, we borrowed $2.0 million from Melissa A.
Parker, sister-in-law of Kyle D. Parker and daughter-in-law of Douglas W.
Parker, Sr. Further, we borrowed additional funds from Mrs. Parker and as of
June 30, 1997 the outstanding principal balance borrowed was $4.0 million. In
November 1997, the $4.0 million loan plus accrued interest in the amount of
$395,891 was converted into 439,589 shares of Series B Redeemable preferred
stock. These shares earn dividends at a rate of 7.735% per year and dividends
are paid as and when declared by the Board. We intend to redeem these shares of
Series B Redeemable preferred stock upon the completion of this offering.
We paid advisory fees to an affiliate of one of our stockholders. On
February 5, 1999, Loislaw.com renewed a letter agreement with Dublind Partners,
Inc. and Dublind Services, Inc. under which the Dublind entities provided to us
financial advisory services relating to private financings and an initial
public offering. Under the original letter agreement, we issued a warrant to
Dublind Investments on November 24, 1997 for the right to purchase 730,692
shares of common stock at $0.005 per share for advisory services relating to
the Series A Convertible preferred stock financing. We paid Dublind Investments
LLC, an affiliate of Dublind Partners, Inc. and Dublind Securities, Inc.,
$475,000 on May 25, 1999 in connection with their services in our Series C
Convertible preferred stock financing. Upon the closing of this offering, we
will also pay to Dublind a fee of $250,000 in exchange for financial advisory
services provided to us.
We have borrowed money from one of our stockholders. We have borrowed money
from Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P., CRP Investment Partners III, LLC and
Rowland T. Moriarty and have executed several senior subordinated notes, which
as of June 30, 1999 had a combined outstanding principal balance of
52
<PAGE>
$9,989,434. These notes accrue interest at a rate of 12.5% per annum and are
due on November 30, 2003. Interest on these notes is payable quarterly in
arrears on the last business day of March, June, September and December of each
year. These notes are subject to the terms and conditions of a Senior
Subordinated Note and Securities Agreement, dated as of November 24, 1997, as
subsequently amended. We intend to repay these notes upon completion of this
offering.
1997 Subordinated Debt
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount We Borrowed Interest Paid Amount We Owed
Stockholder during 1997 during 1997 at Year End
- ----------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. ............. $4,000,000 $ 52,778 $4,000,000
On November 24, 1997, we granted Capital Resource Lenders III a warrant to
purchase 972,293 shares of our common stock as part of the consideration for
the loan described above.
1998 Subordinated Debt
<CAPTION>
Amount We Borrowed Interest Paid Amount We Owed
Stockholder during 1998 during 1998 at Year End
- ----------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. ............. $3,933,847 $ 819,380 $7,867,693
CRP Investment Partners
III, LLC .............. $ 4,615 $ 960 $ 9,231
Rowland Moriarty ....... $ 61,538 $ 12,800 $ 123,076
On January 1, 1998, Capital Resource Lenders assigned $4,616 of the
principal of the $4,000,000 note to CRP Investment Partners and $61,538 of the
principal of the $4,000,000 note to Rowland Moriarty.
1999 Subordinated Debt
<CAPTION>
Interest Paid and
Amount We Borrowed Principal Repaid Amount We Owed
Stockholder during 1999 during 1999 at June 30, 1999
- ----------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. ............. $1,966,924 $ 603,663 $9,824,050
CRP Investment Partners
III, LLC .............. $ 2,308 $ 696 $ 11,539
Rowland Moriarty ....... $ 30,768 $ 9,281 $ 153,844
On February 9, 1999, we granted Capital Resource Lenders, CRP Investment
Partners and Rowland Moriarty warrants to purchase a total of 102,091 shares of
our common stock in connection with a limited guaranty of our credit agreement
with Fleet National Bank provided by these parties. The amount we repaid to
Capital Resource Lenders on May 19, 1999 includes a $10,567 reduction of
principal in connection with the exercise of warrants. In all other periods, we
only paid interest due on the loans.
1999 Convertible Debt
<CAPTION>
Amount Converted
Into Shares of Amount of Interest
Amount We Borrowed Series C Convertible We Paid on
Stockholder during 1999 Stock during 1999 May 25, 1999
- ----------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. ............. $5,000,000 $4,982,127 $ 89,931
</TABLE>
On May 25, 1999, the notes described in the table above were converted into
857,509 shares of Series C Convertible preferred stock which will convert into
1,715,018 shares common stock upon the completion of this offering.
53
<PAGE>
Three of our board members are affiliated with our significant
stockholders.
The persons named below are members of our Board of Directors and are also
affiliated with certain of our stockholders.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Entity with Whom
Name of Board Member Board Member is Affiliated Relationship with Entity
-------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
Robert C. Ammerman Capital Resource Partners III, Managing Member
LLC, the general partner of
Capital Resource Lenders III,
L.P.
CRP Investment Partners III, LLC Managing Member
Hannah C. Stone Sandler Capital Management, an Managing Director
affiliate of Sandler Capital
Partners IV, L.P. and Sandler
Capital Partners IV, FTE, L.P.
Kyle D. Parker The Parker Trust Trustee
</TABLE>
The other three managing members of Capital Resource Partners with whom Mr.
Ammerman shares voting and dispositive power with respect to shares held by
Capital Resource Lenders are Fred C. Danforth, Stephen M. Jenks and Alexander
S. McGrath. Messrs. Danforth, Jenks and McGrath are also the only other
managing members of CRP Investment Partners. Investment decisions are
determined by a majority vote.
The persons who share voting and dispositive power with respect to the
shares held by Sandler Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Sandler Capital Partners
IV, FTE, L.P. are Mr. Harvey Sandler, Mr. John Kornreich and Mr. Michael
Marocco.
We lease our offices from the Parker Law Firm. We lease our principal
executive office and operations facility in Van Buren, Arkansas from the Parker
Law Firm, of which Douglas W. Parker, Sr. and Kyle D. Parker are partners. The
lease provides for a five-year term expiring in May 2004 with two five-year
renewals. Monthly payments under the lease were increased to $14,100 in May
1999 as a result of expansion of space under the lease. During 1996, 1997 and
1998, we paid $49,834, $49,834 and $65,984, respectively, under this lease.
All future transactions will be approved by a majority of our disinterested
directors. All future transactions, including loans between us and our
officers, directors, principal stockholders and their affiliates will be
approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the
disinterested directors of the Board of Directors, and will be on terms no less
favorable to us than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
54
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of Loislaw.com's common stock as of August 2, 1999 and as adjusted to
reflect the completion of this offering by:
. each of our directors,
. each named executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table,
. all directors and executive officers of Loislaw.com as a group, and
. each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than five percent
of the outstanding shares of the common stock (including the selling
stockholder).
Unless otherwise indicated:
. each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and
investment power (or shares the power with his or her spouse) with
respect to all shares of capital stock listed as beneficially owned by
the person or entity; and
. the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Loislaw.com, Inc., 105 North
28th Street, Van Buren, Arkansas 72956.
The number of shares of common stock outstanding used in calculating the
percentage for each person listed includes the shares of common stock
underlying options held by the person that are exercisable within 60 days of
August 2, 1999, but excludes shares of common stock underlying options held by
any other person. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 17,039,524
shares of common stock outstanding as of August 2, 1999, after giving effect to
the conversion of the convertible preferred stock, and shares of common
stock outstanding after completion of this offering.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Beneficially Shares Beneficially
Owned Owned
Prior to the Offering After the Offering
-------------------------Shares -----------------------
Name of Beneficial Owner Number Percent Offered Number Percent
- ------------------------ ------------- ------------------ ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Kyle D. Parker,
Trustee(1)............. 6,790,000 39.8% 0 6,710,000
W. Clark Wigley(1)(2)... 280,000 1.6 0 280,000
Mark O. Beyland(3)...... 515,691 2.9 0 515,691
Michael E. Romanies(4).. 24,166 * 0 24,166
Robert C. Ammerman(5)... 5,664,170 33.2 0 5,664,170
Hannah C. Stone(6)...... 2,237,520 13.1 0 2,237,520
D. Randy Laney.......... 0 * 0 0
Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P.(5)........... 5,664,170 33.2 0 5,664,170
Sandler Capital Partners
IV, L.P.(6)............ 2,237,520 13.1 0 2,237,520
Sandler Capital Partners
IV, FTE, L.P.(6)....... 2,237,520 13.1 0 2,237,520
Douglas W. Parker,
Sr.(1)................. 1,559,600 9.2 -- --
All directors and
executive officers as a
group
(11 persons)........... 15,273,127 89.6 -- --
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than 1%
(1) Kyle D. Parker is the trustee of the Parker Trust. Under the terms of the
trust, Mr. Parker has sole voting power of all of the shares held of record
by the trustee and he is the beneficiary of 3,119,200 shares. Douglas W.
Parker, Sr. is the beneficiary of 1,479,600 shares and Melissa Parker is
the beneficiary of 1,559,600 shares. Further, W. Clark Wigley has been
granted an option by the trust to purchase 280,000 shares, and another
employee of Loislaw.com beneficially owns 271,600 shares held of record by
the trust. Kyle D. Parker holds a right of first refusal to purchase the
271,600 shares beneficially owned by the employee upon the employee's
resignation, termination, incapacity or death. Kyle D. Parker disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Parker Trust, except to the
extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
55
<PAGE>
(2) Consists of an option to purchase 70,000 shares of common stock from the
Parker Trust that vested on June 18, 1999 and an option to purchase 210,000
shares of common stock from the Parker Trust that will vest on August 1,
1999.
(3) Includes 257,515 shares subject to options held by Mr. Beyland that are
presently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days.
(4) Consists of options that will be granted upon the pricing of this offering
and will be exercisable within 60 days.
(5) Consists of the following:
. 2,113,232 shares of common stock held of record by Capital Resource
Lenders III, L.P., 1,831,292 shares of common stock that it will acquire
upon conversion of Series A Convertible preferred stock and 1,715,018
shares of common stock that it will acquire upon conversion of Series C
Convertible preferred stock; and
. 2,148 shares of common stock which CRP Investment Partners III, LLC will
acquire upon the conversion of Series A Convertible preferred stock and
2,480 shares of common stock covered by a warrant held by it.
Mr. Ammerman is a managing member of Capital Resource Partners III, LLC,
which is the general partner of Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. Capital
Resource Partners III, LLC has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares held of record by Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P.
Mr. Ammerman is also a managing member of CRP Investment Partners III, LLC.
Mr. Ammerman shares with three other managing members the voting and
investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by CRP
Investment Partners III, LLC. Mr. Ammerman disclaims beneficial ownership
of all shares owned by these entities, except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest therein. The address for Mr. Ammerman, Capital Resource
Lenders III, L.P. and CRP Investment Partners III, LLC is 85 Merrimac
Street, Suite 200, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.
(6) Consists of 1,587,360 shares of common stock that Sandler Capital Partners
IV, L.P. will acquire upon the conversion of Series C Convertible preferred
stock and 650,160 shares of common stock that Sandler Capital Partners IV,
FTE, L.P. will acquire upon the conversion of Series C Convertible
preferred stock. Ms. Stone is a Managing Director of Sandler Capital
Management, a general partnership, which is the general partner of Sandler
Capital Partners IV, L.P and Sandler Capital Partners IV, FTE, L.P. Ms.
Stone shares voting and investment power with respect to the shares held of
record by Sandler Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Sandler Capital Partners
IV, FTE, L.P. with several other managing directors. Ms. Stone disclaims
beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of her pecuniary
interest therein. The address for Ms. Stone, Sandler Capital Partners IV,
L.P. and Sandler Capital Partners IV, FTE, L.P. is 767 Fifth Avenue, 45th
Floor, New York, New York 10153.
56
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock,
$0.001 par value, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value.
Common Stock
As of August 2, 1999, there were 10,186,042 shares of common stock
outstanding. Based upon the number of shares outstanding as of that date and
giving effect to the issuance of 6,853,482 shares of common stock upon the
conversion of the Series A Convertible preferred stock and the Series C
Convertible preferred stock upon the completion of this offering, after this
offering, there will be shares of common stock outstanding. Upon
conversion, the shares of Series A and Series C Convertible preferred stock
will cease to be outstanding and will assume the status of authorized but
unissued shares of preferred stock without designation.
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of
common stock held on all matters voted upon by stockholders, including the
election of directors. Subject to the rights of any then-outstanding shares of
preferred stock, the holders of the common stock are entitled to dividends as
may be declared in the discretion of the Board of Directors out of funds
legally available for the payment of dividends. The holders of common stock
are entitled to share ratably in our net assets upon liquidation after we pay
or provide for all liabilities and for any preferential liquidation rights of
any preferred stock then outstanding. The common stockholders have no
preemptive rights to purchase shares of our stock. Shares of common stock are
not subject to any redemption provisions and are not convertible into any of
our other securities. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the
shares of common stock we sell in this offering will be, fully paid and
nonassessable when we receive payment for the shares.
Preferred Stock
As of August 2, 1999, there were 3,866,330 shares of preferred stock
outstanding designated as follows:
. 931,044 shares were designated as Series A Convertible preferred stock;
. 439,589 shares were designated as Series B Redeemable preferred stock;
and
. 2,495,697 shares were designated as Series C Convertible preferred
stock.
A total of 6,133,670 shares of preferred stock are authorized but have not
been designated.
Our Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by our
stockholders, to issue shares of undesignated preferred stock from time to
time in one or more series and to fix the related number of shares and the
designations, voting powers, preferences, optional and other special rights,
and restrictions or qualifications of that preferred stock. The rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions or qualifications of different series
of preferred stock may differ with respect to dividend rates, amounts payable
on liquidation, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption provisions,
sinking fund provisions and other matters. The issuance of preferred stock
could:
. decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to
holders of common stock;
. adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of
holders of common stock; and
. have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in
control.
We have no present plans to issue any shares of undesignated preferred
stock. We intend to redeem the outstanding shares of Series B Redeemable
preferred stock upon the completion of this offering, and upon redemption, the
Series B Redeemable preferred stock will cease to be outstanding and will
assume the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock without
designation.
57
<PAGE>
Delaware Law and Charter and Bylaw Provisions, Anti-Takeover Effects
Upon completion of this offering, Loislaw.com will be subject to the
provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Section
203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a
"business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an
interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a
prescribed manner. A "business combination" includes mergers, asset sales and
other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is generally a person who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the prior three years did own,
15% or more of the corporation's outstanding voting stock.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that directors may be
removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of
Loislaw.com entitled to vote. In addition, under the certificate of
incorporation, any vacancy on the Board of Directors, however occurring,
including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board, may be filled
only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The likely effect
of the limitations on the removal of directors and filling of vacancies is an
increase in the time required for the stockholders to change the composition
of the Board of Directors.
Our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by the
stockholders of Loislaw.com at an annual meeting or special meeting of
stockholders may be taken only if Loislaw.com is given proper advance notice
of the action. The by-laws further provide that special meetings of
stockholders may be called only by the Board of Directors, the chairman of the
Board of Directors, the president of Loislaw.com or the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote. The foregoing
provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholders'
meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of Loislaw.com.
The General Corporation Law of Delaware provides generally that the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is
required to amend a corporation's certificate of incorporation or bylaws,
unless a corporation's certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may
be, requires a greater percentage. The majority stockholder vote would be in
addition to any separate class vote that might be required by the terms of any
series of preferred stock that might be outstanding at the time any amendments
are submitted to stockholders.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Reliance Trust
Company of Atlanta, Georgia.
58
<PAGE>
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common
stock. The market price of our common stock could drop due to sales of a large
number of shares of our common stock or the perception that these large sales
could occur. These factors could also make it more difficult to raise funds
through future offerings of common stock.
After this offering, shares of common stock will be outstanding,
shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full and
shares if, in addition, common stock is issued upon the exercise of
outstanding options and warrants. For more information about our outstanding
common stock, see "Capitalization" on page 20. Of these shares, the shares,
shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full,
sold in this offering will be freely tradeable without restriction under the
Securities Act except for any shares purchased by "affiliates" of Loislaw.com,
as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The remaining shares
( shares if common stock is issued upon the exercise of outstanding
options and warrants) are "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule
144 under the Securities Act. The restricted securities generally may not be
sold unless they are registered under the Securities Act or are sold under an
exemption from registration, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144.
All of our officers, directors, stockholders, including the selling
stockholder, and option holders have entered into lock-up agreements under
which they have agreed not to offer or sell any shares of common stock for a
period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written
consent of Prudential Securities, on behalf of the underwriters. Prudential
Securities may, at any time and without notice, waive any of the terms of these
lock-up agreements specified in the underwriting agreement. Following the lock-
up period, these shares will not be eligible for sale in the public market
without registration under the Securities Act unless the sales meet the
conditions and restrictions of Rule 144 as described below.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, any person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially
owned shares for a period of at least one year (including the holding period of
any prior owner other than an affiliate of Loislaw.com) is entitled to sell,
within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the
greater of the following:
. 1% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock; and
. the average weekly trading volume in the common stock during the four
calendar weeks immediately preceding the date on which the stockholder
files notice of the sale with the SEC.
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to provisions relating to notice,
manner of sale and the availability of current public information about
Loislaw.com. In addition, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who
has not been an affiliate of Loislaw.com at any time during the 90 days
immediately preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares for at
least two years (including the holding period of any prior owner other than an
affiliate of Loislaw.com), would be entitled to sell the shares under Rule
144(k) without regard to the volume limitation and other conditions described
above. The foregoing summary of Rule 144 is not intended to be a complete
description.
Rule 701 provides that shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of
currently outstanding options (or under other rights granted under our stock
option plan) may be resold by persons, other than affiliates, beginning 90 days
after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part, subject only to the manner of sale provisions of Rule 144, and by
affiliates under Rule 144, without compliance with its one-year minimum holding
period requirement, subject to some limitations. As of the date of this
prospectus, the Board of Directors has authorized up to 1,000,000 shares of
common stock for issuance under our employee stock option plan, up to 320,000
shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to our nonemployee directors stock
option plan and up to 300,000 shares of common stock for issuance under our
employee stock purchase plan. At June 30, 1999, 295,030 shares of common stock
were issuable under
59
<PAGE>
outstanding vested options under our stock option plan, 288,092 shares of
common stock were issuable pursuant to outstanding options that are not yet
exercisable, and 416,878 shares of common stock were available for future
grants under our stock option plan.
We intend to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act within 90 days after the date of this prospectus to register all
shares of common stock that are issuable under our stock option plans and our
employee stock purchase plan. The registration statements are expected to
become effective upon filing. Shares covered by the registration statements on
Form S-8 will be eligible for sale in the public markets, subject to the lock-
up period, and for our affiliates, subject to some conditions and restrictions
(other than the holding period) of Rule 144.
After this offering, a majority of the holders of the 1,862,088 shares of
common stock that will have been issued upon conversion of the Series A
Convertible preferred stock and the holders of at least 30% of the 4,991,394
shares of common stock that will have been issued upon conversion of the Series
C Convertible preferred stock may request that we register all or any portion
of their registrable securities. Registrable securities include the following:
. 1,862,088 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A
Convertible preferred stock;
. 4,991,394 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C
Convertible preferred stock;
. 239,121 shares of common stock issuable to Mark Beyland upon the exercise
of vested options;
. 1,056,616 shares of common stock issued to Capital Resource Lenders III,
L.P. after it exercised warrants on May 19, 1999; and
. a total of 32,160 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
warrants assigned to CRP Investment Partners III, L.L.C. and Rowland
Moriarty by Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. on January 1, 1998.
All holders of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A
Convertible preferred stock and the Series C Convertible preferred stock have
the right to request any number of registrations on Form S-3 by us.
Additionally, the holders of approximately 10,144,181 shares of common stock
are entitled to notice if we propose to register any of our securities under
the Securities Act, either for our own account or for the account of other
security holders exercising registration rights and are, subject to
limitations, entitled to include shares of common stock in the registration.
All current stockholders of Loislaw.com are parties to an Amended and
Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated May 25, 1999. This agreement imposes
transfer restrictions on their shares of capital stock of Loislaw.com in the
event that they attempt to sell their stock in a control block sale or a
private sale to a designated competitor. For more information about the Amended
and Restated Stockholders' Agreement, see "Certain Transactions" on page 52.
60
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters named
below, for whom Prudential Securities Incorporated, U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray
Inc. and Dain Rauscher Wessels are acting as representatives. We, and the
selling stockholder, are obligated to sell, and the underwriters are obligated
to purchase, all of the shares offered on the cover page of this prospectus, if
any are purchased. Subject to conditions of the underwriting agreement, each
underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the shares indicated opposite its
name:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number
Underwriters of Shares
------------ ---------
<S> <C>
Prudential Securities Incorporated...................................
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc. .....................................
Dain Rauscher Wessels................................................
----
Total..............................................................
====
</TABLE>
The underwriters may sell more shares than the total number of shares
offered on the cover page of this prospectus and they have, for a period of 30
days from the date of this prospectus, an over-allotment option to purchase up
to additional shares from us. If any additional shares are purchased, the
underwriters will severally purchase the shares in the same proportion as per
the table above.
The representatives of the underwriters have advised us that the shares will
be offered to the public at the offering price indicated on the cover page of
this prospectus. The underwriters may allow to selected dealers a concession
not in excess of $ per share and these dealers may reallow a concession not in
excess of $ per share to other dealers. After the shares are released for
sale to the public, the representatives may change the offering price and the
concessions. The representatives have informed us that the underwriters do not
intend to sell shares to any investor who has granted them discretionary
authority.
We, and the selling stockholder, have agreed to pay to the underwriters the
following fees, assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the
underwriters' over-allotment option to purchase additional shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Fees
-------------------------------------------
Fee Without Exercise of Full Exercise of
Per Share Over-Allotment Option Over-Allotment Option
--------- --------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fees paid by us......... $ $ $
Fees paid by the selling
stockholder............ $ $ $
</TABLE>
In addition, we estimate that we will spend approximately $ in expenses
for this offering, including those of the selling stockholder. We and the
selling stockholder have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to
payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of these
liabilities.
We, our officers and directors, and all stockholders, including the selling
stockholder and option holders, of Loislaw.com have entered into lock-up
agreements under which we and they have agreed not to offer or sell any shares
of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for shares of common stock for a period of 180 days from the date of this
prospectus without the prior written consent of Prudential Securities, on
behalf of the underwriters. Prudential Securities may, at any time and without
notice, waive the terms of these lock-up agreements.
61
<PAGE>
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common stock
of Loislaw.com. The public offering price, negotiated among us, the selling
stockholder and the representatives, is based upon various factors such as the
Loislaw.com's financial and operating history and condition, its prospects, the
prospects for the industry we are in and prevailing market conditions.
Prudential Securities, on behalf of the underwriters, may engage in the
following activities in accordance with applicable securities rules:
. Over-allotments involving sales in excess of the offering size, creating
a short position. Prudential Securities may elect to reduce this short
position by exercising some or all of the over-allotment option.
. Stabilizing and short covering; stabilizing bids to purchase the shares
are permitted if they do not exceed a specified maximum price. After the
distribution of shares has been completed, short covering purchases in
the open market may also reduce the short position. These activities may
cause the price of the shares to be higher than would otherwise exist in
the open market.
. Penalty bids permitting the representatives to reclaim concessions from a
syndicate member for the shares purchased in the stabilizing or short
covering transactions.
These activities, which may be commenced and discontinued at any time, may
be effected on the Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise.
Each underwriter has represented that it has complied and will comply with
all applicable laws and regulations in connection with the offer, sale or
delivery of the shares and related offering materials in the United Kingdom,
including:
. the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995,
. the Financial Services Act of 1986, and
. the Financial Services Act 1986, (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions)
Order 1996 (as amended).
We have asked the underwriters to reserve shares to our active
customers and shares to our officers, directors, employees and other
business affiliates or related third parties for sale at the same offering
price. The number of shares available for sale to the general public in the
offering will be reduced to the extent these persons purchase the reserved
shares.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock to be issued in this offering
will be passed upon for Loislaw.com by Thompson & Knight, P.C., Dallas, Texas.
Various legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for
the underwriters by Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Loislaw.com as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998 have
been included in this prospectus and in the registration statement in reliance
upon the report, which appears elsewhere in this prospectus, of KPMG LLP,
independent certified public accountants, and upon their authority as experts
in accounting and auditing.
62
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Loislaw.com has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1
(including all amendments and exhibits thereto) under the Securities Act with
respect to the common stock in this offering. As permitted by the rules and
regulations of the SEC, this prospectus omits some of the information contained
in the registration statement. For further information with respect to
Loislaw.com and the common stock offered in this offering, you should refer to
the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules. You may obtain
copies of all or any portion of the registration statement at prescribed rates
from the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549, at its regional
offices located at Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10007 and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661,
or by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the Commission
maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy statements and information
statements and other information regarding registrants (including Loislaw.com)
that file electronically with the Commission, which can be accessed at
http://www.sec.gov.
We intend to furnish to our stockholders annual reports containing financial
statements audited by an independent public accounting firm and with quarterly
reports for each of the quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited
financial statements.
63
<PAGE>
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report............................................. F-2
Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and June 30, 1999
(unaudited)............................................................. F-3
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998 and the six months ended June 30, 1998 (unaudited) and 1999
(unaudited)............................................................. F-4
Statements of Redeemable Equity Securities and Stockholders' Equity
(Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and the
six months ended June 30, 1999 (unaudited).............................. F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998 and the six months ended June 30, 1998 (unaudited) and 1999
(unaudited)............................................................. F-7
Notes to Financial Statements............................................ F-8
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Loislaw.com, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Loislaw.com, Inc. as of
December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related statements of operations,
redeemable equity securities and stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Loislaw.com, Inc. as of
December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Little Rock, Arkansas
May 29, 1999, except as
to note 7(c) which is
as of July 30, 1999
KPMG LLP
F-2
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, June 30, 1999
------------------------ June 30, Pro forma
1997 1998 1999 (note 7)
----------- ----------- ----------- -------------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash
equivalents............. $ 3,233,172 99,042 3,274,946 3,274,946
Accounts receivable, net
of allowance for
doubtful accounts of
$375,000 and $124,974 at
December 31, 1997 and
1998, respectively, and
$144,241 at June 30,
1999 (note 5)........... 896,001 1,540,052 1,889,283 1,889,283
Prepaid commissions...... 114,936 311,394 748,193 748,193
Prepaid software
license................. -- 96,958 271,125 271,125
Other current assets..... 19,654 138,811 631,302 631,302
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total current assets..... 4,263,763 2,186,257 6,814,849 6,814,849
Databases, net (notes 3
and 5)................... 6,228,884 8,566,529 13,571,437 13,571,437
Property and equipment,
net (notes 4 and 5)...... 501,218 1,446,459 2,931,468 2,931,468
Deferred loan costs, net
of accumulated
amortization of $48,076
and $728,201 at
December 31, 1997 and
1998, respectively, and
$1,124,482 at June 30,
1999..................... 4,528,723 3,992,278 4,017,634 4,017,634
Other assets.............. 544,081 820,721 652,779 652,779
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total assets............. $16,066,669 17,012,244 27,988,167 27,988,167
=========== =========== =========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Current installments of
long-term debt (note
5)...................... 26,443 954,893 14,557,184 14,557,184
Accounts payable......... 1,906,319 2,559,631 3,676,373 3,676,373
Deferred revenue......... 2,540,459 2,961,067 3,566,185 3,566,185
Accrued expenses......... 304,708 461,549 557,861 557,861
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total current
liabilities............. 4,777,929 6,937,140 22,357,603 22,357,603
Deferred revenue.......... 981,722 967,046 440,037 440,037
Long-term debt, excluding
current installments
(note 5)................. 4,080,941 11,317,631 28,614 28,614
Other noncurrent
liabilities.............. -- 170,373 245,938 245,938
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total liabilities........ 9,840,592 19,392,190 23,072,192 23,072,192
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Redeemable equity
securities (notes 5 and
7):
Series A Convertible
preferred, 931,044
shares.................. 2,492,100 2,605,840 2,772,452 --
Series B 7.735%
preferred, redemption
value of $4,395,890 plus
accrued dividends,
439,589 shares.......... 4,430,358 4,770,380 4,940,157 4,940,157
Series C Convertible
preferred, 2,495,697
shares.................. -- -- 13,875,977 --
Common stock............. -- 1,189,158 3,673,877 --
Common stock warrants.... 4,293,821 3,154,975 61,602 --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total redeemable equity
securities.............. 11,216,279 11,720,353 25,324,065 4,940,157
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Stockholders' equity
(deficit) (notes 5 and
7):
Common stock, $.001 par
value. 50,000,000 shares
authorized; shares
issued--7,180,000 at
December 31, 1997,
7,910,692 at December
31, 1998, 10,196,042 at
June 30, 1999 and
17,049,524 on a pro
forma basis at June 30,
1999.................... 7,180 7,911 10,196 17,049
Additional paid-in
capital................. 449,820 1,638,247 5,752,440 22,455,618
Accumulated deficit...... (5,447,202) (14,541,199) (22,480,749) (22,480,749)
Redeemable common stock,
730,692 shares at
December 31, 1998 and
2,113,232 shares at
June 30, 1999........... -- (1,189,158) (3,673,877) --
Treasury stock, at cost,
10,000 shares in 1998
and 1999................ -- (16,100) (16,100) (16,100)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total stockholders'
equity (deficit)........ (4,990,202) (14,100,299) (20,408,090) (24,182)
Commitments and
contingencies (notes 5, 7
and 8)...................
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity
(deficit)............... $16,066,669 17,012,244 27,988,167 27,988,167
=========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months ended
Years ended December 31, June 30,
----------------------------------- ----------------------
1996 1997 1998 1998 1999
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Web-based products.... $ 28,333 208,357 842,112 272,054 1,171,184
CD-ROM products....... 1,854,605 3,157,056 3,182,067 1,515,506 1,621,188
Other................. -- -- 1,000,000 353,090 --
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues...... 1,882,938 3,365,413 5,024,179 2,140,650 2,792,372
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating expenses:
Database costs........ 1,346,575 1,589,772 4,592,492 1,492,591 2,604,948
Cost of other
revenues............. -- -- 393,357 147,248 --
Selling and
marketing............ 2,152,638 2,363,028 4,606,638 1,902,504 4,320,448
General and
administrative....... 1,524,997 1,535,179 1,977,424 1,023,306 1,708,179
Product development... 101,057 86,465 540,866 368,228 333,075
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total operating
expenses........... 5,125,267 5,574,444 12,110,777 4,933,877 8,966,650
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Loss from
operations......... (3,242,329) (2,209,031) (7,086,598) (2,793,227) (6,174,278)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Other income (expense):
Interest expense,
net.................. (250,964) (454,667) (1,548,931) (643,290) (1,308,678)
Other, net............ 2,644 (6,353) 41,953 1,002 5,485
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(248,320) (461,020) (1,506,978) (642,288) (1,303,193)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net loss............ (3,490,649) (2,670,051) (8,593,576) (3,435,515) (7,477,471)
Accrued preferred stock
dividends and accretion
on redeemable preferred
stock and common stock
warrants............... -- (34,468) (500,421) (210,643) (462,079)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net loss applicable to
common shares.......... $(3,490,649) (2,704,519) (9,093,997) (3,646,158) (7,939,550)
=========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Net loss per share --
basic and diluted...... $ (0.49) (0.38) (1.26) (0.51) (0.94)
=========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Weighted average common
shares outstanding --
basic and diluted...... 7,057,206 7,162,740 7,222,344 7,180,000 8,424,298
=========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Unaudited pro forma
information:
Net loss per share --
basic and diluted.... $ (0.63) (0.50)
========== ==========
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding -- basic
and diluted.......... 14,075,826 15,277,780
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE EQUITY SECURITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(Notes 5 and 7)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redeemable Equity Securities
------------------------------------------------------------------
Series A Series C Common
Convertible Series B Convertible Common stock
preferred preferred preferred stock warrants Total
----------- --------- ----------- --------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at
December 31,
1995............ $ -- -- -- -- -- --
Issuance of
120,000 shares
of common stock
for cash........ -- -- -- -- -- --
Net loss........ -- -- -- -- -- --
--------- --------- --- --------- ---------- ----------
Balances at
December 31,
1996............ -- -- -- -- -- --
Issuance of
60,000 shares of
common stock for
cash............ -- -- -- -- -- --
Issuance of
931,044 shares
of Series A
preferred stock
for cash, net of
issuance costs
of $507,900..... 2,492,100 -- -- -- -- 2,492,100
Conversion of
notes payable
into 439,589
shares of Series
B preferred
stock........... -- 4,395,890 -- -- -- 4,395,890
Issuance of
warrants to
purchase
2,675,278 shares
of redeemable
common stock.... -- -- -- -- 4,293,821 4,293,821
Accrued
dividends on
Series B
preferred
stock........... -- 34,468 -- -- -- 34,468
Net loss........ -- -- -- -- -- --
--------- --------- --- --------- ---------- ----------
Balances at
December 31,
1997............ 2,492,100 4,430,358 -- -- 4,293,821 11,216,279
Accrued
dividends on
Series B
preferred
stock........... -- 340,022 -- -- 340,022
Accretion on
redeemable
equity
securities...... 113,740 -- -- -- 46,659 160,399
Exercise of
warrants for
730,692 shares
of redeemable
common stock.... -- -- -- 1,189,158 (1,185,505) 3,653
Purchase of
treasury stock,
10,000 shares... -- -- -- -- -- --
Net loss........ -- -- -- -- -- --
--------- --------- --- --------- ---------- ----------
Balances at
December 31,
1998............ 2,605,840 4,770,380 -- 1,189,158 3,154,975 11,720,353
<CAPTION>
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained
Additional earnings/ Redeemable
Common paid-in (accumulated Treasury common
stock capital deficit) stock stock Total
------ ---------- ------------- --------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances at
December 31,
1995............ 7,000 -- 747,966 -- -- 754,966
Issuance of
120,000 shares
of common stock
for cash........ 120 299,880 -- -- -- 300,000
Net loss........ -- -- (3,490,649) -- -- (3,490,649)
------ ---------- ------------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balances at
December 31,
1996............ 7,120 299,880 (2,742,683) -- -- (2,435,683)
Issuance of
60,000 shares of
common stock for
cash............ 60 149,940 -- -- -- 150,000
Issuance of
931,044 shares
of Series A
preferred stock
for cash, net of
issuance costs
of $507,900..... -- -- -- -- -- --
Conversion of
notes payable
into 439,589
shares of Series
B preferred
stock........... -- -- -- -- -- --
Issuance of
warrants to
purchase
2,675,278 shares
of redeemable
common stock.... -- -- -- -- -- --
Accrued
dividends on
Series B
preferred
stock........... -- -- (34,468) -- -- (34,468)
Net loss........ -- -- (2,670,051) -- -- (2,670,051)
------ ---------- ------------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balances at
December 31,
1997............ 7,180 449,820 (5,447,202) -- -- (4,990,202)
Accrued
dividends on
Series B
preferred
stock........... -- -- (340,022) -- -- (340,022)
Accretion on
redeemable
equity
securities...... -- -- (160,399) -- -- (160,399)
Exercise of
warrants for
730,692 shares
of redeemable
common stock.... 731 1,188,427 -- -- (1,189,158) --
Purchase of
treasury stock,
10,000 shares... -- -- -- (16,100) -- (16,100)
Net loss........ -- -- (8,593,576) -- -- (8,593,576)
------ ---------- ------------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balances at
December 31,
1998............ 7,911 1,638,247 (14,541,199) (16,100) (1,189,158) (14,100,299)
</TABLE>
(Continued)
F-5
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE EQUITY SECURITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(Notes 5 and 7)--(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Redeemable Equity Securities
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Series A Series C Common
Convertible Series B Convertible Common stock
preferred preferred preferred stock warrants Total
----------- --------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Issuance of
warrants to
purchase 204,182
shares of
redeemable
common stock
(unaudited)..... $ -- -- -- -- 408,364 408,364
Accrued
dividends on
Series B
preferred stock
(unaudited)..... -- 169,777 -- -- -- 169,777
Accretion on
redeemable
equity
securities
(unaudited)..... 166,612 -- -- 80,472 125,690 372,774
Exercise of
warrants for
2,113,232 shares
of redeemable
common stock
(unaudited)..... -- -- -- 3,637,993 (3,627,427) 10,566
Issuance of
2,495,697 shares
of Series C
preferred stock
for cash, net of
issuance costs
of $624,023
(unaudited)..... -- -- 13,875,977 -- -- 13,875,977
Issuance of
172,118 shares
of common stock
for cash, net of
issuance costs
of $21,517
(unaudited)..... -- -- -- -- -- --
Cancellation of
redemption
feature on
730,692 shares
of redeemable
common stock
(unaudited)..... -- -- -- (1,233,746) -- (1,233,746)
Net loss
(unaudited)..... -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balances at June
30, 1999
(unaudited)..... $2,772,452 4,940,157 13,875,977 3,673,877 61,602 25,324,065
========== ========= ========== ========== ========== ==========
<CAPTION>
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained
Additional earnings/ Redeemable
Common paid-in (accumulated Treasury common
stock capital (deficit) stock stock Total
------ ---------- ------------- --------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Issuance of
warrants to
purchase 204,182
shares of
redeemable
common stock
(unaudited)..... -- -- -- -- -- --
Accrued
dividends on
Series B
preferred stock
(unaudited)..... -- -- (169,777) -- -- (169,777)
Accretion on
redeemable
equity
securities
(unaudited)..... -- -- (292,302) -- (80,472) (372,774)
Exercise of
warrants for
2,113,232 shares
of redeemable
common stock
(unaudited)..... 2,113 3,635,880 -- -- (3,637,993) --
Issuance of
2,495,697 shares
of Series C
preferred stock
for cash, net of
issuance costs
of $624,023
(unaudited)..... -- -- -- -- -- --
Issuance of
172,118 shares
of common stock
for cash, net of
issuance costs
of $21,517
(unaudited)..... 172 478,313 -- -- -- 478,485
Cancellation of
redemption
feature on
730,692 shares
of redeemable
common stock
(unaudited)..... -- -- -- -- 1,233,746 1,233,746
Net loss
(unaudited)..... -- -- (7,477,471) -- -- (7,477,471)
------ ---------- ------------- --------- ----------- ------------
Balances at June
30, 1999
(unaudited)..... 10,196 5,752,440 (22,480,749) (16,100) (3,673,877) (20,408,090)
====== ========== ============= ========= =========== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months ended
Years ended December 31, June 30,
----------------------------------- ----------------------
1996 1997 1998 1998 1999
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from
operating activities:
Net loss.............. $(3,490,649) (2,670,051) (8,593,576) (3,435,515) (7,477,471)
Adjustments to
reconcile net loss to
net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities:
Depreciation and
amortization......... 375,207 462,245 1,166,925 557,921 780,315
Loss on disposal of
property and
equipment............ -- -- 3,979 -- --
Change in operating
assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable.. (154,920) (1,025,210) (758,773) (368,645) 40,852
Prepaid expenses and
other current
assets.............. 174,168 (132,655) (412,573) (295,774) (1,103,457)
Accounts payable..... 1,371,768 (175,172) 823,685 261,211 1,192,307
Accrued expenses..... 326,070 (132,129) 156,841 (200,669) 96,312
Deferred revenue..... 1,597,149 1,768,429 405,932 332,176 78,109
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities......... 198,793 (1,904,543) (7,207,560) (3,149,295) (6,393,033)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Cash flows from
investing activities:
Database costs........ (2,592,251) (1,762,453) (2,606,474) (1,232,018) (5,205,627)
Purchase of property
and equipment........ (218,045) (92,528) (1,224,665) (870,359) (1,668,324)
Decrease (increase) in
other assets......... 8,892 (8,827) (161,918) (138,788) (222,141)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash used by
investing
activities......... (2,801,404) (1,863,808) (3,993,057) (2,241,165) (7,096,092)
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Cash flows from
financing activities:
Repayment of capital
lease obligation..... -- (25,183) (15,385) (9,967) (5,910)
Deferred loan costs
(note 5)............. -- (553,614) (143,681) -- (13,273)
Proceeds from sale of
Class A preferred
stock, net of
$237,263 costs of
issuance (note 5).... -- 2,762,737 -- -- --
Proceeds from sale of
Class C preferred
stock, net of
issuance costs of
$624,023 (note 5).... -- -- -- -- 8,893,850
Proceeds from notes
payable.............. 253,705 6,117,446 8,661,077 3,423,077 9,362,500
Repayment of notes
payable.............. (573,905) (2,240,855) (423,077) (423,077) (2,050,623)
Proceeds from related
party borrowing (note
7)................... 2,406,944 688,946 -- -- --
Proceeds from exercise
of warrants (note
5)................... -- -- 3,653 -- --
Proceeds from sale of
common stock......... 300,000 150,000 -- -- 478,485
Repurchase of treasury
stock................ -- -- (16,100) -- --
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash provided by
financing
activities......... 2,386,744 6,899,477 8,066,487 2,990,033 16,665,029
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net increase (decrease)
in cash and cash
equivalents........... (215,867) 3,131,126 (3,134,130) (2,400,427) 3,175,904
Cash and cash
equivalents at
beginning of year..... 317,913 102,046 3,233,172 3,233,172 99,042
----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Cash and cash
equivalents at end of
year.................. $ 102,046 3,233,172 99,042 832,745 3,274,946
=========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Supplemental cash flow
information:
Cash paid for
interest............. $ 104,217 581,154 683,761 226,342 1,176,070
Cash received from
income tax refunds... 134,007 -- -- -- --
Non cash investing and
financing
transactions:
Acquisition of
equipment through
capital lease........ 132,567 -- -- -- --
Accrued Series B
preferred stock
dividends............ -- 34,468 340,022 170,011 169,777
Satisfaction of
capital lease
obligation through
return of equipment.. -- -- 57,475 -- --
Conversion of related
party borrowing to
Series B preferred
stock (note 7)....... -- 4,395,890 -- -- --
Issuance of warrants
(note 5)............. -- 4,293,821 -- -- 408,364
Accretion on
redeemable equity
securities........... -- -- 160,399 40,632 372,774
Cancellation of
redemption feature on
redeemable common
stock (note 5)....... -- -- -- -- 1,233,746
Conversion of
subordinated notes
payable into 857,509
shares of Series C
preferred stock (note
5)................... -- -- -- -- 4,982,127
Exercise of warrants
for satisfaction of
subordinated notes
payable (note 5)..... $ -- -- -- -- 10,566
=========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-7
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
(1) Operations
Loislaw.com, Inc. ("the Company") designs, develops and markets state and
Federal legal research libraries in CD-ROM and web-based formats.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Management Estimates
Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the
reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period to prepare these financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three
months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
(c) Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration
of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable. Concentrations
of credit risk related to subscription receivables are limited as the Company
sells its products direct to numerous users in the states for which the Company
offers law libraries. The amount of loss should customers fail to pay the
receivables is limited to the notional amount of such receivables. At December
31, 1998, the Company's management does not believe any significant
concentration of credit risk exists.
(d) Product Development, Software and Database Costs
Product development expense consists primarily of employee salaries and
benefits, facilities cost allocations and expenses related to the development
of core software supporting the Company's products. Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed, requires capitalization of
certain software development costs subsequent to the establishment of
technological feasibility. Based upon Loislaw.com's product development
process, technological feasibility is established upon completion of a working
model. Costs incurred by Loislaw.com between completion of the working model
and the point at which the product is ready for general release have been
insignificant. As a result, Loislaw.com has expensed software development
costs.
Prepaid software licenses are amortized straight line over the remaining
economic life of the license, or the amortization that would be recorded by
using the ratio of gross revenues derived from the use of the license to total
current and anticipated future gross revenues from the use of the license. The
noncurrent portion of prepaid software licenses is included in other assets and
amounted to approximately $170,000 at December 31, 1998, and approximately
$438,000 at June 30, 1999.
Database costs represent amounts incurred for data acquisition and
conversion costs, editing, coding, and quality control of legal information and
include salaries and benefits and overhead allocations. Costs to develop court
ruling databases are capitalized and amortized to production costs once the
product is released, on a straight-line basis over the expected lives of the
databases, which is estimated at twenty years. Costs to develop statutes and
regulations databases and costs to maintain and enhance databases are expensed
as incurred.
F-8
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
Amortization expense related to capitalized databases totaled approximately
$240,000, $260,000 and $270,000 in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The
Company currently contracts with three companies to perform a significant
amount of the initial data conversion for its databases.
(e) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and
equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of 7 years for office furniture and equipment and 5 years for data
processing equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of
the lease term or 15 years.
(f) Revenue Recognition
Subscription revenue from web-based and CD-ROM products is recognized
ratably over the subscription period (1 to 5 years). Substantially all
subscriptions sold are billed annually, quarterly or monthly. Unearned portions
of subscription revenue are deferred. The noncurrent portions of amounts to be
received under long-term subscription agreements amounted to approximately
$489,000, $603,000 and $213,000, respectively, at December 31, 1997 and 1998
and June 30, 1999 and are included in other assets in the accompanying balance
sheets. Other revenue in 1998 results from producing databases for a third
party and is recognized under the percentage of completion method as production
costs are incurred. Web-based and CD-ROM subscriptions are both sold from the
same databases. Accordingly, there are no separate production costs for web-
based and CD-ROM sales. Costs of revenue related to the customized database was
approximately $147,000 for the first six months of 1998 and approximately
$393,000 for the entire year.
(g) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of
Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles, including database
costs, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the
carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated
by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to
be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the
assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are
reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
The Company believes that no significant impairment of its long-lived assets
and intangibles, including database costs, has occurred.
(h) Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date.
(i) Stock Option Plan
The Company has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and, as permitted under SFAS No. 123,
applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations
in accounting for compensation costs for its stock option plans. Accordingly,
F-9
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
compensation expense is recognized on the date of grant only if the current
market price of the underlying common stock at date of grant exceeds the
exercise price.
(j) Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to
approximately $28,000, $17,000 and $300,000 for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, and are included in selling and marketing
expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.
(k) Financial Instruments
The fair value of the company's accounts receivable and accounts payable
approximate their carrying values due to the relatively short maturities of
these instruments. The fair value of the Company's revolving credit borrowings
and notes payable approximate their carrying value since the interest rate on
these obligations fluctuates with prime rate. The fair value of the
subordinated notes can not be determined without incurring excessive costs due
to the related party nature of such instruments.
(l) Loss Per Share
Loss per share has been computed by dividing the net loss attributable to
common stock by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during
the period as shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months ended
Year ended December 31, June 30,
-------------------------------- --------------------
1996 1997 1998 1998 1999
---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss................ $3,490,649 2,670,051 8,593,576 3,435,515 7,477,471
Accrued dividends on
preferred stock........ -- 34,468 340,022 170,011 169,777
Accretion on redeemable
common stock warrants.. -- -- 46,659 -- 125,690
Accretion on redeemable
preferred stock........ -- -- 113,740 40,632 166,612
---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net loss attributable to
common shareholders.... $3,490,649 2,704,519 9,093,997 3,646,158 7,939,550
========== ========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average common
shares outstanding..... 7,057,206 7,162,740 7,222,344 7,180,000 8,424,298
========== ========= ========= ========= =========
Loss per share.......... $ (0.49) (0.38) (1.26) (0.51) (0.94)
========== ========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
Potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the above calculations
because they were antidilutive in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 128. The number of shares under common stock options
and warrants which were excluded were 210,000, 2,743,278, and 2,086,254,
respectively for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and 2,816,946
and 618,658, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999.
Unaudited pro forma loss per share and weighted average shares outstanding
reflect the conversion of 931,044 shares of Series A Convertible preferred
stock and 2,495,697 shares of Series C Convertible preferred stock into
6,853,482 shares of common stock and the elimination of the redemption feature
on outstanding warrants for 35,536 shares of common stock as if the conversion
and the elimination of the redemption feature
F-10
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
had taken place at the beginning of the respective periods. Pro forma loss per
share has been computed by dividing the pro forma net loss attributable to
common stock by the pro forma weighted average shares of common stock
outstanding during the period as shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended Six months ended
December 31, 1998 June 30, 1999
----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net loss............................. $8,593,576 7,477,471
Accrued dividends on preferred
stock............................... 340,022 169,777
---------- ----------
Pro forma net loss attributable to
common shareholders................. $8,933,598 7,647,248
========== ==========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding......................... 7,222,344 8,424,298
Conversion of Series A and Series C
Convertible preferred stock into
common stock........................ 6,853,482 6,853,482
---------- ----------
Pro forma weighted average common
shares outstanding.................. 14,075,826 15,277,780
========== ==========
Pro forma loss per share............. $ (0.63) (0.50)
========== ==========
</TABLE>
(3) Database Costs
Database costs consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-------------------- June 30,
1997 1998 1999
---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Database costs............................... $6,696,994 9,303,468 14,509,095
Less accumulated amortization................ 468,110 736,939 937,658
---------- --------- ----------
$6,228,884 8,566,529 13,571,437
========== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
(4) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
-------------------- June 30,
1997 1998 1999
---------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Office furniture and equipment.............. $ 241,952 246,172 686,927
Data processing equipment................... 906,243 1,916,936 3,107,174
Leasehold improvements...................... 18,073 149,611 186,942
---------- --------- ---------
1,166,268 2,312,719 3,981,043
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization............................... 665,050 866,260 1,049,575
---------- --------- ---------
$ 501,218 1,446,459 2,931,468
========== ========= =========
</TABLE>
F-11
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
(5) Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------- June 30,
1997 1998 1999
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12.5% Senior Subordinated Notes........... $4,000,000 8,000,000 9,989,434
Notes payable............................. -- 2,907,000 4,567,750
8.25% revolving line of credit, due June
2000..................................... -- 1,331,000 --
Capital lease obligation.................. 107,384 34,524 28,614
---------- ---------- ----------
Total long-term debt.................... 4,107,384 12,272,524 14,585,798
Less current installments................. 26,443 954,893 14,557,184
---------- ---------- ----------
$4,080,941 11,317,631 28,614
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
Interest expense on related party borrowings was $204,344 in 1996 and
$271,823 in 1997 (none in 1998).
On November 24, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement ("CRL
Agreement") with Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. ("CRL") under which CRL
agreed to purchase from the Company up to $10,000,000 of 12.5% Senior
Subordinated Notes and a Warrant ("Notes") and $3,000,000 of Series A
Convertible preferred stock ("Series A Preferred"). See note 7. At closing,
CRL purchased $4,000,000 of the Notes and all of the Series A Preferred
(931,044 shares). In accordance with the CRL Agreement, CRL purchased an
additional $4,000,000 of the Notes during 1998 and purchased the remaining
$2,000,000 of the Notes during January and February 1999. Interest on the
Notes is payable quarterly beginning December 31, 1997 and principal is due
November 30, 2003.
The Warrant entitles CRL to purchase 1,944,586 shares of common stock of
the Company at $.005 per share at any time prior to September 30, 2004. The
value assigned to the warrant was $3,121,060 which has been reflected as
deferred loan costs. Such deferred loan costs are being amortized over the
term of the notes using the interest method. On January 1, 1998 CRL assigned
32,160 of its warrants and a proportionate share of its other obligations and
rights under the CRL Agreement to CRP Investment Partners III, L.P. ("CRP")
and Rowland Moriarty ("Moriarty").
The Company paid $650,000 in cash and issued a warrant to purchase 730,692
shares of the Company's common stock at $.005 per share, at any time prior to
September 30, 2004, to a third party for its assistance in obtaining the CRL
Agreement. The value assigned to the warrant was $1,172,761 which has been
allocated to deferred loan costs and cost of issuance of the Series A
Preferred in the amounts of $902,124 and $270,637, respectively. Deferred loan
costs are being amortized into expense over the life of the Notes using the
interest method. During 1998, this warrant was exercised with the net proceeds
reflected as an increase in redeemable common stock in the accompanying
financial statements.
The proceeds from the CRL Agreement were used to repay indebtedness of
$2,240,855, to pay the $650,000 private placement fee referred to above and
other closing costs of $141,418 (of which amount $237,263 has been charged to
cost of issuance of the Series A Preferred) and to provide working capital for
the Company.
F-12
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
In connection with the CRL Agreement, a shareholders' agreement was entered
into whereby the preferred shareholders and warrant holders were given put
options which entitle such holders to put their preferred stock, warrants or
any common shares obtained upon exercise of warrants or conversion of preferred
shares to the Company between September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2005.
Accordingly, all such preferred shares, warrants and common shares obtained
upon exercise of warrants have been classified as redeemable equity securities
in the accompanying balance sheets. The puts entitle such holders to have their
underlying shares redeemed at the fair market value of the common stock as of
the redemption date. The difference between the carrying value of such shares
and the estimated fair market value of common stock is being accreted through a
charge to retained earnings and, with respect to the preferred shares and
warrants, is presented as an increase in loss attributable to common
shareholders.
In 1998, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Fleet National
Bank ("Fleet") whereby Fleet agreed to advance up to a maximum of $12,000,000
to the Company. Borrowings under this agreement are evidenced by three separate
notes including a working capital revolving line of credit ("Revolving
Credit"), a converting equipment line of credit ("Equipment LOC"), and a
converting SBLC line of credit ("SBLC LOC").
In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit note,
the Company may borrow up to the lesser of $2,500,000 or the borrowing base of
eligible receivables as defined by the Fleet agreement ($1,336,240 at December
31, 1998). Advances under the Revolving Credit note at December 31, 1998,
amount to $1,331,000, bear interest, payable monthly, at Fleet's prime rate
plus 1/2% (8.25% at December 31, 1998), and are due June 30, 2000. In addition,
the Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of $6,250.
Under the Equipment LOC note, the Company may borrow up to $2,500,000 for
the purchase of qualified equipment, as defined by the Fleet agreement.
Advances under the Equipment LOC note amounted to $407,000 at December 31, 1998
($1,286,500 at June 30, 1999) and bear interest, payable monthly, at Fleet's
prime rate plus 1 1/2% (9.25% at December 31, 1998). Aggregate advances under
the Equipment LOC note at June 30, 1999 and June 30, 2000 shall automatically
convert to term note A and term note B, respectively. Advances under term note
A and term note B shall be repaid by the Company in thirty-six equal monthly
installments, plus interest, beginning July 1999 and July 2000, respectively.
Pursuant to the provisions of the SBLC LOC note, the Company may borrow up
to $4,000,000 from Fleet through June 30, 2000, to finance development of its
law library databases. Additionally, the Company may request and Fleet shall
arrange to issue standby letters of credit, provided, however, that aggregate
advances and outstanding letters of credit under the SBLC LOC note shall not
exceed $7,000,000. Aggregate advances under the SBLC LOC note (excluding the
letters of credit) amounted to $2,500,000 at December 31, 1998 ($3,281,250 at
June 30, 1999). Such advances bear interest, payable monthly, at Fleet's prime
rate plus 1 1/2% (9.25% at December 31, 1998). Borrowings under the SBLC LOC
note are due in thirty-two monthly installments of $109,375, plus interest,
commencing May 1999. At December 31, 1998, letters of credit amounting to
approximately $2,100,000 are outstanding under the SBLC LOC note securing the
Company's performance under its data compilation contract with its foreign
supplier.
Obligations under the CRL Agreement are subordinate to the Fleet borrowings.
In addition, CRL, CRP and Moriarty have guaranteed 45% of any borrowings
outstanding under the SBLC LOC. In exchange for this guaranty, the Company
issued warrants in February 1999 to the guarantors. The warrants entitle the
holders to purchase 204,182 shares of common stock of the Company and have the
same terms as the original warrants issued in November 1997 and, accordingly,
have been classified as redeemable equity securities in the
F-13
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
accompanying balance sheets. The value assigned to the warrants ($408,364) has
been recorded as deferred loan costs and is being amortized into expense over
the remaining term of the related Fleet debt. On May 19, 1999 CRL exercised all
of the warrants it held (2,113,232 shares) in exchange for satisfaction of
$10,566 of subordinated notes payable. After exercise of these warrants, all
remaining warrants (35,536 shares) are held by CRP and Moriarty.
The per share fair value of common stock warrants issued during 1997 and
1999 was $1.60 and $2.00, respectively, on the date of issuance and was
determined using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following
assumptions: no expected dividend yield; risk-free interest rate of 4.5% in
1997 and 1999; and an expected life of 7.0 years and 5.5 years, respectively in
1997 and 1999.
Prior to and in anticipation of the financing transaction discussed in the
following paragraph, CRL advanced to the Company $5,000,000 in exchange for
12.5% Senior Subordinated Convertible Promissory Notes. These notes are
subordinated to the Fleet borrowings and were issued as follows: March 10,
1999, $2,000,000; April 13, 1999, $2,000,000; and May 7, 1999, $1,000,000.
On May 25, 1999, the Company entered into an agreement ("Dublind Agreement")
with CRL, Dublind Partners, Inc. ("Dublind") Mark Beyland ("Beyland"), the
president of the Company, and other purchasers whereby the Company issued
172,118 shares of common stock to Dublind for $500,002 in cash and 2,495,697
shares of Series C Convertible preferred stock ("Series C Preferred") to CRL,
Beyland and the other purchasers for $14,500,000 of which 857,509 shares were
issued in exchange for the $4,982,127 of senior subordinated convertible notes
plus accrued interest thereon held by CRL and the remaining shares were issued
to Beyland (129,088 shares) and the other purchasers (1,509,100 shares) for
cash. In connection with the agreement, the Company paid Dublind a brokers' fee
of $475,000 and paid other costs in connection with the financing amounting to
$170,626. These costs of issuance have been allocated between common stock and
the Series C Preferred in the amounts of $21,517 and $624,023, respectively.
The net proceeds from the Dublind Agreement are being used for database
development costs and other general corporate purposes.
In connection with the Dublind Agreement, a new shareholders' agreement was
entered into whereby all remaining warrants and the shares obtained by CRL upon
exercise of warrants would have the same redemption feature as the Series A and
Series C shares, which entitles these shareholders to have the underlying
shares redeemed at the fair value of the common stock at the redemption date.
The common shares issued to Dublind and the 730,692 shares previously obtained
from exercising warrants in 1998 are no longer subject to such redemption
agreements. Accordingly, such shares have been reclassified into common stock
and additional paid-in capital as of May 25, 1999.
The CRL Agreement and the Fleet agreement contain certain covenants
requiring the Company to maintain certain financial ratios including minimum
profitability, minimum tangible capital base, as defined, debt service
coverage, and liquidity. At December 31, 1998, the Company was not in
compliance with certain of these covenants. On May 25, 1999, CRL and Fleet
waived compliance with these covenants. However, at June 30, 1999, the Company
was not in compliance with one of the financial ratio covenants of the Fleet
agreement. The Company has obtained a waiver of the noncompliance until March
31, 2000. Based upon current operations, however, the Company again expects to
be in violation of this same covenant at March 31, 2000, the next measurement
date for the covenant. Should the Company be in violation of its Fleet
covenants, CRL could also accelerate the due date on its subordinated notes. On
June 18, 1999, the Company filed a registration statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission to sell shares of common stock in an initial public
offering. If the public offering is completed prior to March 31, 2000, the
Company's management expects to be in compliance with this covenant as well as
all other covenants. If the Company is unable to
F-14
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
complete its public offering, and should Fleet require repayment of the
borrowings prior to their scheduled maturity, the Company will be required to
obtain alternate sources of financing to repay such obligations. Since Fleet
has waived violations through December 31, 1999, the Company has classified its
debt according to its scheduled maturities at December 31, 1998. Since there
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully complete its
public offering or obtain alternate sources of financing, the Company has
classified all of the Fleet and CRL debt as current at June 30, 1999.
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the five years ending
December 31, 2003 are as follows: 1999, $954,893; 2000, $2,792,227; 2001,
$457,571; 2002, $67,833; and 2003, $8,000,000.
(6) Income Taxes
There was no income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997
or 1998. The actual income tax benefit differs from the expected tax benefit
(computed by applying the U.S. Federal corporate tax rate of 34% to loss before
income taxes) as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
----------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Computed expected tax benefit........... $(1,186,821) (907,817) (2,921,816)
Increase (reduction) in income taxes
resulting from:
State income taxes, net of Federal
income tax benefit and change in
valuation allowance applicable to
state taxes of $226,322 in 1996;
$172,283 in 1997; and $555,356 in
1998................................. (149,373) (113,707) (336,535)
Change in valuation allowance due to
operating losses not utilized........ 1,333,213 1,014,879 3,271,474
Other, net............................ 2,981 6,645 16,877
----------- --------- ----------
$ -- -- --
=========== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 1998 and
1997 are presented below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards................ $ 3,029,026 7,109,861
Accrued revenues and expenses reported on cash
basis for tax purposes......................... 1,800,632 1,898,815
Valuation allowance............................. (2,417,790) (5,689,264)
----------- ----------
Total deferred tax assets..................... 2,411,868 3,319,412
----------- ----------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Capitalized database production costs expensed
as incurred for tax purposes................... (2,385,040) (3,280,124)
Other, net...................................... (26,828) (39,288)
----------- ----------
Total deferred tax liabilities................ (2,411,868) (3,319,412)
----------- ----------
Net deferred tax liability.................... $ -- --
=========== ==========
</TABLE>
F-15
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
The valuation allowance at January 1, 1997 was $1,402,911. In assessing the
realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more
likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the
generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary
differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of
deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning
strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the levels of historical
taxable losses and uncertainty regarding the generation of taxable income in
future years, management has established a valuation allowance equal to net
deferred tax assets at December 31, 1997 and 1998. At December 31, 1998, the
Company has Federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$17,300,000 which begin to expire in 2010 and state net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $19,000,000 which begin to expire in 2000.
(7) Stockholders' Equity
(a) Capital Stock
The Company has authorized 60,000,000 shares of stock consisting of
50,000,000 shares of $.001 par value common stock and 10,000,000 shares of
$.001 par value preferred stock.
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate the relative rights and
preferences of the preferred stock when and if issued. Such rights and
preferences could include liquidation preferences, redemption rights, voting
rights and dividends and the shares could be issued in multiple series with
different rights and preferences. During 1997, the Board of Directors
designated and issued 931,044 shares of Series A Preferred and during May 1999
designated and issued 2,495,697 shares of Series C Preferred. Simultaneous with
the closing of the CRL Agreement discussed in note 5, the Company designated
and issued 439,589 shares of Series B Preferred to a related party in exchange
for the note payable to the related party. The Series B Preferred pays annual
dividends at the rate of $.7735 per share which accrue from day to day
beginning on November 24, 1997. On December 31, 2005 the Company shall redeem
all outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock for $10 per share plus
unpaid dividends. As of June 30, 1999, there are 6,133,670 shares of
undesignated and unissued preferred stock.
The Series A Preferred shares, which have an initial liquidation value of
$3,000,000, and the Series C Preferred shares, which have an initial
liquidation value of $15,000,002, are convertible, at the option of the holder,
into two shares of common stock and are entitled to receive non-cumulative
dividends ratably and on a parity with such dividends as may be paid on the
common stock as if such Series A Preferred and Series C Preferred shares had
been converted into common stock. The Series A Preferred and Series C Preferred
are redeemable at the option of the holder, beginning May 25, 2004, and will
automatically convert to common stock upon an initial public offering of the
Company's common stock.
The unaudited pro forma balance sheet at June 30, 1999 is based upon the
historical unaudited balance sheet and gives effect to the conversion of the
Series A Preferred and Series C Preferred shares into shares of common stock
and the elimination of the redemption feature on 2,113,232 shares of common
stock and outstanding warrants for the purchase of 35,536 shares of common
stock as if the conversion and the elimination of the redemption feature had
occurred on June 30, 1999.
As discussed in note 5, all of the common and preferred shareholders as well
as all of the warrant and common stock option holders have entered into a
shareholders' agreement which provides for the naming of directors by certain
shareholder groups and restricts the sale of stock by parties to the agreement.
F-16
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
(b) Stock Option Plan
In June, 1996 the Board of Directors and shareholders adopted the 1996 Stock
Option Plan ("Plan") which provides for the granting of options to purchase up
to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Incentive stock options may
be granted to employees of the Company at an exercise price per share of not
less than the fair value per common share at the date of the grant.
Nonqualified stock options may be granted to employees, officers or directors
of, or consultants or advisers to, the Company at an exercise price per share
as determined by the Board of Directors. The options expire on dates as
determined by the Board of Directors, not to exceed 10 years from the date of
grant. Twenty-five percent of these options vest twelve months after the grant
date, and the remaining shares vest ratably over the forty-eight months
thereafter. At December 31, 1998, the weighted-average remaining contractual
life of outstanding options was 3.53 years.
The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during
1996, 1997 and 1998 was 0.42, $0.55 and $0.18, respectively, on the date of
grant using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-
average assumptions: no expected dividend yield; risk-free interest rate of
4.5% in 1996, 1997 and 1998; and an expected life of 5 years.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its Plan and,
accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock options in
the financial statements. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on
the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the
Company's pro forma net loss would not have been significantly different than
the loss reported in the statement of operations for 1997 or 1998.
Stock option activity during the periods indicated is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number Weighted- Number
of average of shares
shares exercise price exercisable
-------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995............ -- -- --
Granted............................... 210,000 $ 2.50
--------
Balance at December 31, 1996............ 210,000 2.50 --
Granted............................... 12,000 2.50
Forfeited............................. (154,000) (2.50)
--------
Balance at December 31, 1997............ 68,000 2.50 14,000
Granted............................... 73,668 2.50
--------
Balance at December 31, 1998............ 141,668 2.50 29,562
======== ====== ======
</TABLE>
Under the terms of an employment agreement dated April 22, 1999 with
Beyland, the Company is required to grant options equal to 2.5% of its fully
diluted equity after giving effect to the financing transaction completed on
May 25, 1999 (see note 5) and accordingly granted on option to Beyland on May
25, 1999 for 441,454 shares at an option price of $2.91 per share. The options
will vest over a five year period with 50% vesting at the date of grant and the
remaining options vesting in equal monthly amounts over the remaining four
years.
(c) Subsequent Event
The Company was originally incorporated in 1987 in Arkansas as Law Office
Information Systems, Inc. On June 18, 1999 the Company was reincorporated in
Delaware as Loislaw.com, Inc.
F-17
<PAGE>
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Information as of June 30, 1999 and with respect to the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 is unaudited)
On July 22, 1999, the Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split,
effected in the form of a stock dividend. All share and per share data in the
financial statements have been restated to give effect to the stock split.
(8) Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Leases
The Company leases parking and office space under an operating lease with a
related party that expires in December, 2003. The lease is renewable for two
additional successive periods of five years each. Rent expense was
approximately, $50,000 in both 1996 and 1997, and approximately $66,000 in
1998. Effective May 5, 1999 the lease was amended to provide for annual rentals
of approximately $170,000 as a result of the expansion of space under lease.
(b) Retirement Plan
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted a 401(k) plan which covers
substantially all employees. Under the terms of the Plan, employees may
contribute up to 15% of their annual compensation, subject to Internal Revenue
Service limitations. The Company, at its discretion, may make matching
contributions of employee deferrals.
(c) Other
The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising
from the normal conduct of business. Based on the present knowledge of the
facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes
the resolution of these claims and pending litigation will not have a material
adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of
the Company.
F-18
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until , all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or
not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus.
This is in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when
acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or
subscriptions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Loislaw.com Logo]
Prudential Securities
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray
Dain Rauscher Wessels
a division of Dain Rauscher Incorporated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Part II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following is an itemized statement of the estimated amounts of all
expenses payable by Loislaw.com in connection with the registration of the
common stock offered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC Registration Fee.............................................. $ 20,850
NASD Filing Fee................................................... $ 8,000
Nasdaq National Market application and listing fees............... $ 95,000*
Accountants' fees and expenses.................................... $200,000*
Legal fees and expenses........................................... $250,000*
Printing and engraving expenses................................... $245,000*
Transfer agent's and registrar's fees............................. $ 8,000*
Blue sky fees and expenses........................................ $ 15,000*
Miscellaneous..................................................... $ 8,150*
--------
Total........................................................... $850,000
========
</TABLE>
- --------
* Estimate.
ITEM 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Section 145") permits
indemnification of directors, officers, agents and controlling persons of a
corporation under certain conditions and subject to certain limitations.
Article VI of our certificate of incorporation (Exhibit 3.1 hereto) and Article
VI of our bylaws (Exhibit 3.2 hereto) provide for the indemnification of its
directors, officers and other authorized representatives to the maximum extent
permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 145 empowers a
corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason
of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or agent of the corporation
or another enterprise if serving at the request of the corporation. Depending
on the character of the proceeding, a corporation may indemnify against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding if the person indemnified acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to, the best interests of
the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action
by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification may be made with
respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the
court of chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall
determine that despite the adjudication of liability such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem
proper. Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer
of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
Our bylaws permit us to purchase insurance on behalf of any such person
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not we would have
the power to indemnify him against such liability under the applicable
provisions of our bylaws. We currently carry directors and officers liability
insurance with policy limits of $ .
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors
and executive officers that provide for indemnification and expense advances in
addition to those provided for in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws.
II-1
<PAGE>
Reference is made to Section 8 of the underwriting agreement filed as
Exhibit 1.1 hereto, indemnifying the officers and directors of Loislaw.com
against certain liabilities.
ITEM 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Issuance of Capital Stock.
In the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement, we
have issued and sold the following securities that were not registered under
the Securities Act:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title and Amount of Name or Class of
Date of Sale Securities Sold Purchaser of Securities Consideration
------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
July 11, 1996........... 120,000 shares of common Johnnie L. Hernreich and $300,000
stock Larry Murray
April 23, 1997.......... 60,000 shares of common Johnnie L. Hernreich and $150,000
stock Larry Murray
November 20, 1997....... 439,589 shares of Series Melissa Parker Conversion of
B Redeemable preferred $4,395,890 in
outstanding debt
November 24, 1997....... Warrant for the right to Dublind Investments, LLC Financial investment
purchase 730,692 shares services
of common stock
November 24, 1997....... 931,044 shares of Series Capital Resource $2,998,934.12
A Convertible preferred Lenders III, L.P.
November 24, 1997....... Warrant for the right to Capital Resource (1)
purchase of 1,944,586 Lenders III, L.P.
shares of common stock
December 9, 1998........ 730,692 shares of common Dublind Investments, LLC $3,653.46
stock upon exercise of
warrant
February 9, 1999........ Warrant for the right to Capital Resource (2)
purchase of 200,806 Lenders III, L.P.
shares of common stock
February 9, 1999........ Warrant for the right to CRP Investment (2)
purchase of 236 shares Partners, LLC
of common stock
February 9, 1999........ Warrant for the right to Rowland T. Moriarity (2)
purchase of 3,140 shares
of common stock
March 10, 1999.......... Convertible Note Capital Resource $2,000,000 principal
Lenders III, L.P. amount of note
April 13, 1999.......... Convertible Note Capital Resource $2,000,000 principal
Lenders III, L.P. amount of note
May 7, 1999............. Convertible Note Capital Resource $1,000,000 principal
Lenders III, L.P. amount of note
May 19, 1999............ 2,113,232 shares of Capital Resource $10,566.16
common stock upon Lenders III, L.P.
exercise of warrant
May 25, 1999............ 857,509 shares of Series Capital Resource Conversion of notes
C Convertible preferred Lenders III, L.P. totaling $4,982,127
in principal amount
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title and Amount of Name or Class of
Date of Sale Securities Sold Purchaser of Securities Consideration
------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
May 25, 1999............ 172,118 shares of common Dublind Partners, Inc. $500,002.79
stock
May 25, 1999............ 390,340 shares of Series Exeter Capital $2,267,875.40
C Convertible preferred Partners IV, L.P.
May 25, 1999............ 793,680 shares of Series Sandler Capital $4,611,280.80
C Convertible preferred Partners IV, L.P.
May 25, 1999............ 325,080 shares of Series Sandler Capital $1,888,714.80
C Convertible preferred Partners IV, FTE, L.P.
May 25, 1999............ 129,088 shares of Series Mark O. Beyland $750,001.28
C Convertible preferred
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Loislaw.com issued a warrant to purchase 1,944,586 shares of its common
stock to Capital Resource Lenders III at a purchase price of $.005 per
share in connection with Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P.'s purchase of
certain 12.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 under a Senior
Subordinated Note and Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 24, 1997
between Loislaw.com and Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P., as amended.
(2) Loislaw.com issued warrants to purchase 200,806, 236 and 3,140 shares of
common stock to Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P., CRP Investment Partners
LLC and Rowland T. Moriarity, respectively, at a purchase price of $.005
per share in connection with the execution of Amendment No. 4 to the Senior
Subordinated Note and Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of November
24, 1997 between Loislaw.com and Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P., as
amended.
No underwriters were involved in the foregoing sales of securities. Except
for the sales made on May 19 and May 25, 1999, such sales were made in reliance
upon an exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act set
forth in Section 4(2) thereof relative to sales by an issuer not involving any
public offering or the rules and regulations thereunder. The sales made on May
19 and May 25, 1999 were made in reliance upon the exemption from the
registration process provided by Rule 506 of the Securities Act. All of the
foregoing securities are deemed restricted securities for purposes of the
Securities Act.
Grants of Stock Options and Warrants.
From November 1996 to May 1999, we granted incentive stock options to
purchase an aggregate of 583,122 shares of common stock to employees and
officers of Loislaw.com under the 1996 Stock Option Plan at exercise prices
ranging from $2.50 to $2.91. In addition, in July 1999 our Compensation
Committee approved the grant of incentive stock options to purchase an
aggregate of 186,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the
initial public offering price to employees and officers of Loislaw.com that
will be effective on the date on which the initial public offering price for
Loislaw.com's common stock is determined. These options vest over a period of
time following their respective dates of grant. These issuances were exempt
from registration under Section 4(2) of, and Rule 701 promulgated under, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In addition, on November 24, 1997 and on February 9, 1999, Loislaw.com
granted warrants to investors to purchase an aggregate of 2,879,460 shares of
common stock of Loislaw.com at an exercise price of $.005 per share. These
issuances were exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of, and Rule 506
promulgated under, the Securities Act. On May 19, 1999, one investor exercised
its warrants and purchased a total of 2,113,232 shares of common stock of
Loislaw.com.
II-3
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
------- -----------
<C> <S>
****1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement
*2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 16, 1999
*2.2 Certificate and Articles of Merger of Law Office Information
Systems, Inc. (an Arkansas Corporation) with and into Loislaw.com,
Inc. (a Delaware Corporation).
*3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Loislaw.com, as filed with the
Secretary of State of Delaware on June 16, 1999.
*3.2 Bylaws of Loislaw.com
**3.3 Certificate of Designation as filed with the State of Delaware
***4.1 Specimen Certificate for shares of common stock
*4.2 Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of May 25,
1999 by and among Loislaw.com and certain stockholders
*4.3 Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May
25, 1999 by and among Loislaw.com and certain stockholders
****5.1 Opinion of Thompson & Knight, P.C.
*10.1 1996 Stock Option Plan
***10.2 Employment Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Kyle D. Parker
***10.3 Employment Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Mark O. Beyland
*10.4 Reimbursement Agreement by and among Kyle D. Parker, as Trustee for
the Parker Trust, Melissa Ann Parker and Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. dated as of November 24, 1997, as amended on June 17,
1999.
*10.5 Employment Agreement, effective as of July 2, 1996, by and between
Loislaw.com and W. Clark Wigley
*10.6 Corporate License and Services Agreement, effective as of February
18, 1998, by and between Loislaw.com and Verity, Inc., as amended
*10.7 Credit Agreement between Loislaw.com and Fleet National Bank, N.A.,
dated August 20, 1998
*10.8 First Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and between Loislaw.com and
Fleet National Bank, N.A., dated December 31, 1998
*10.9 Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement, by and between
Loislaw.com and Fleet National Bank, N.A., dated April 30, 1999
*10.10 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and between Loislaw.com and
Fleet National Bank, N.A., dated May 25, 1999
***10.11 Form of Indemnity Agreement with a schedule of pending director and
officer signatories.
*10.12 Lease Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and the Parker Law Office
dated May 5, 1999.
+**10.13 Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Pacific Data Conversion
Corporation, dated December 29, 1998.
+**10.14 Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Infocon, dated July 1, 1998
+**10.15 Master Services Agreement by and among Loislaw.com, Digital
Publishing International Ltd. and Innodata Corporation, dated June
10, 1998
****10.16 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
***10.17 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors
*10.18 Senior Subordinated Note and Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as
of November 24, 1997, by and between Loislaw.com and Capital
Resource Lenders III, L.P., as amended.
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
------- -----------
<C> <S>
***10.19 Amendment No. 4 to Subordinated Note and Securities Purchase
Agreement and Amendment Agreement by and among Loislaw.com, Capital
Resource Lenders III, L.P., CRP Investment Partners III, L.L.C.,
Rowland Moriarty and certain stockholders, dated as of January 29,
1999.
***10.20 Form of Loislaw.com, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan Option Agreement by
and between Loislaw.com and Michael E. Romanies.
***10.21 Form of Law Office Information Systems, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan
Option Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Mark O. Beyland.
*10.22 Form of Customer Subscription Agreement.
***10.23 Consent of Veronis Suhler & Associates, dated as of July 6, 1999.
***10.24 Consent of Simba Information, Inc., dated as of July 7, 1999.
*21.0 Subsidiaries of Loislaw.com
***23.1 Consent of Thompson & Knight, P.C. (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5 hereto)
***23.2 Consent of KPMG LLP
*24.1 Power of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration
Statement as initially filed)
***27.1 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
- --------
*Previously filed on June 18, 1999.
** Previously filed on July 2, 1999.
***Filed herewith.
****To be filed by amendment.
+Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of
these agreements.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
Schedules not listed above have been omitted because they are not required,
are not applicable, or the information is included in the Financial Statements
or Notes thereto.
II-5
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
Loislaw.com, Inc. has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Van Buren, State of Arkansas, on August 2, 1999.
Loislaw.com, Inc.
/s/ Kyle D. Parker
By: _________________________________
Kyle D. Parker
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following
persons on August 2, 1999 in the capacities indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title
--------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Kyle D. Parker Chairman of the Board and
______________________________________ Chief Executive Officer
Kyle D. Parker (principal executive
officer)
/s/ Mark O. Beyland President, Chief Financial
______________________________________ Officer and Director
Mark O. Beyland
/s/ Pamela G. Rogers Controller and chief
______________________________________ accounting officer
Pamela G. Rogers
Robert C. Ammerman* Director
______________________________________
Robert C. Ammerman
Randy Laney* Director
______________________________________
D. Randy Laney
Hannah C. Stone* Director
______________________________________
Hannah C. Stone
*BY: /s/ Kyle D. Parker
______________________________________
Kyle D. Parker
Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
Balance at charged to Bad debts Bad Balance
beginning costs and written debts at end
of year expenses off recovered of year
---------- ---------- --------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1996:
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................... $ -- 525,000 -- -- 525,000
======== ======= ======== ====== =======
1997:
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................... $525,000 94,381 (244,381) -- 375,000
======== ======= ======== ====== =======
1998:
Allowance for doubtful
accounts................... $375,000 -- (279,244) 29,218 124,974
======== ======= ======== ====== =======
</TABLE>
S-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number
-------
<C> <S>
****1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement
*2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 16, 1999
*2.2 Certificate and Articles of Merger of Law Office Information
Systems, Inc. (an Arkansas Corporation) with and into Loislaw.com,
Inc. (a Delaware Corporation).
*3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Loislaw.com, as filed with the
Secretary of State of Delaware on June 16, 1999.
*3.2 Bylaws of Loislaw.com
**3.3 Certificate of Designation as filed with the State of Delaware
***4.1 Specimen Certificate for shares of common stock
*4.2 Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of May 25,
1999 by and among Loislaw.com and certain stockholders
*4.3 Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May
25, 1999 by and among Loislaw.com and certain stockholders
****5.1 Opinion of Thompson & Knight, P.C.
*10.1 1996 Stock Option Plan
***10.2 Employment Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Kyle D. Parker
***10.3 Employment Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Mark O. Beyland
*10.4 Reimbursement Agreement by and among Kyle D. Parker, as Trustee for
the Parker Trust, Melissa Ann Parker and Capital Resource Lenders
III, L.P. dated as of November 24, 1997, as amended on June 17,
1999.
*10.5 Employment Agreement, effective as of July 2, 1996, by and between
Loislaw.com and W. Clark Wigley
*10.6 Corporate License and Services Agreement, effective as of February
18, 1998, by and between Loislaw.com and Verity, Inc., as amended
*10.7 Credit Agreement between Loislaw.com and Fleet National Bank, N.A.,
dated August 20, 1998
*10.8 First Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and between Loislaw.com and
Fleet National Bank, N.A., dated December 31, 1998
*10.9 Second Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement, by and between
Loislaw.com and Fleet National Bank, N.A., dated April 30, 1999
*10.10 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and between Loislaw.com and
Fleet National Bank, N.A., dated May 25, 1999
***10.11 Form of Indemnity Agreement with a schedule of pending director and
officer signatories.
*10.12 Lease Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and the Parker Law Office
dated May 5, 1999.
+**10.13 Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Pacific Data Conversion
Corporation, dated December 29, 1998.
+**10.14 Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Infocon, dated July 1, 1998
+**10.15 Master Services Agreement by and among Loislaw.com, Digital
Publishing International Ltd. and Innodata Corporation, dated June
10, 1998
****10.16 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
***10.17 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors
*10.18 Senior Subordinated Note and Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as
of November 24, 1997, by and between Loislaw.com and Capital
Resource Lenders III, L.P., as amended.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number
-------
<C> <S>
***10.19 Amendment No. 4 to Subordinated Note and Securities Purchase
Agreement and Amendment Agreement by and among Loislaw.com, Capital
Resource Lenders III, L.P., CRP Investment Partners III, L.L.C.,
Rowland Moriarty and certain stockholders, dated as of January 29,
1999.
***10.20 Form of Loislaw.com, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan Option Agreement by
and between Loislaw.com and Michael E. Romanies.
***10.21 Form of Law Office Information Systems, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan
Option Agreement by and between Loislaw.com and Mark O. Beyland.
*10.22 Form of Customer Subscription Agreement.
***10.23 Consent of Veronis Suhler & Associates, dated as of July 6, 1999.
***10.24 Consent of Simba Information, Inc., dated as of July 7, 1999.
*21.0 Subsidiaries of Loislaw.com
***23.1 Consent of Thompson & Knight, P.C. (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5 hereto)
***23.2 Consent of KPMG LLP
*24.1 Power of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration
Statement as initially filed)
***27.1 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
- --------
* Previously filed on June 18, 1999.
** Previously filed on July 2, 1999
*** Filed herewith
**** To be filed by amendment.
+ Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions
of these agreements.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.1
================================================================================
NUMBER SHARES
C-
[PICTURE OF LOISLAW.COM LOGO APPEARS HERE]
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
INCORPORATED UNDER THE CUSIP 541431 10 2
LAWS OF THE STATE SEE REVERSE FOR
OF DELAWARE CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
THIS CERTIFIES THAT
is the Record Holder of
FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.001 PER
SHARE, OF
Loislaw.com, Inc.
transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person
or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly
endorsed. This Certificate is not valid until countersigned and registered by
the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of said Corporation
and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
Dated:
[SEAL OF LOISLAW.COM APPEARS HERE]
/s/ Douglas W. Parker, Sr. /s/ Mark O. Beyland
SECRETARY PRESIDENT
COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
RELIANCE TRUST COMPANY,
(ATLANTA, GA)
TRANSFER AGENT
AND REGISTRAR
By
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
================================================================================
<PAGE>
Loislaw.com, Inc.
THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO
REQUESTS THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE PARTICIPATING,
OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND
THE QUALIFIACTIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR
RIGHTS. SUCH REQUEST MUST BE MADE TO THE CORPORATION'S SECRETARY AT THE
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION.
Keep this Certificate in a safe place. If it is lost, stolen or destroyed,
the Corporation will require a bond of indemnity as a condition to the issuance
of a replacement certificate.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ................ Custodian ....................
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of under Uniform Gifts to Minors
survivorship and not as tenants Act.......................................
in common (State)
UNIF TRF MIN ACT - ................ Custodian (until age)..........)
(Cust)
.................... under Uniform Transfers
(Minor)
to Minors Act..............................
(State)
</TABLE>
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHERS
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________ Shares
of the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint _____________________________________________
Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named
Corporation, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated _____________________________
X ____________________________________
X ____________________________________
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT
MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME(S) AS
WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE
CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR
WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR
ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
Signature(s) Guaranteed:
By________________________________________________________________________
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT
TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of June 17, 1999, between
Loislaw.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Kyle D. Parker,
an individual residing in Van Buren, Arkansas ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is presently employed by the Company, and is willing to
commit himself to continue to serve the Company on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company agrees to continue to employ Executive, and
----------
Executive agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, for the period set
forth in Paragraph 2, in the position and with the duties and responsibilities
set forth in Paragraph 3, and upon the other terms and conditions herein
provided.
2. Term. The employment of Executive by the Company as provided in
----
Paragraph 1 shall be for a period commencing on the date of this Agreement
through and ending on June 17, 2002, unless sooner terminated as herein provided
(the "Employment Term").
3. Position and Duties.
-------------------
(a) During the Employment Term, Executive shall serve as Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In such capacities, Executive,
subject to the ultimate control and direction of the Board of Directors of the
Company, shall have and exercise (i) direct charge of and general supervision
over the business and affairs of the Company and (ii) the duties and functions
normally incident to the offices of chairman of the board and chief executive
officer of a company similar to the Company. In addition, Executive shall have
such other duties, functions, responsibilities, and authority as are from time
to time delegated to Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company,
provided that such duties, functions, responsibilities, and authority are
reasonable and customary for a person serving in the aforesaid functions of an
enterprise comparable to the Company. Executive shall report and be accountable
to the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) During the Employment Term, Executive shall devote his full time,
skill, and attention and his best efforts to the business and affairs of the
Company to the extent necessary to discharge fully, faithfully and efficiently
the duties and responsibilities delegated and assigned to Executive herein or
pursuant hereto, except for usual, ordinary, and customary periods of vacation
and absence due to illness or other disability.
<PAGE>
(c) In connection with Executive's employment by the Company under this
Agreement, Executive shall be based at the principal executive offices of the
Company in Van Buren, Arkansas, except for such reasonable travel as the
performance of Executive's duties in the business of the Company may require.
(d) All services that Executive may render to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates in any capacity during the Employment Term shall be
deemed to be services required by this Agreement and consideration for the
compensation provided for herein.
4. Compensation and Related Matters.
--------------------------------
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay to
-----------
Executive for his services hereunder a base salary ("Base Salary") at the rate
of Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000.00) per year, payable in
installments in accordance with the general payroll practices of the Company, or
as otherwise mutually agreed upon. Executive's Base Salary shall be subject to
such adjustments as may be determined from time to time by the compensation
committee of the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion, but
in no event shall the Company pay Executive a Base Salary at a rate less than
that set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.
(b) Executive Bonus and Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive
----------------------------
may be entitled, in the sole discretion of the compensation committee of the
Board of Directors, to annual cash bonuses in amounts not to exceed 50% of his
then-current Base Salary for any calendar year. Further, Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all additional employee benefit plans (including,
stock option plans and long-term incentive plans), programs and arrangements
that are generally made available by the Company to its senior executives.
(c) Medical and Dental Coverage. During the Employment Term, the
---------------------------
Company shall provide, at its cost, full medical and dental coverage to
Executive under the Company's group insurance plans as in effect from time to
time.
(d) Expenses. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to
--------
receive prompt reimbursement on a timely basis (according to the then-current
practices of the Company) for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in
performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder upon the presentation by
Executive of an itemized monthly accounting of such expenditures, including
receipts where required by Company policy or federal income tax regulations.
(e) Vacations. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled
---------
to four (4) weeks of paid vacation each year. Executive shall also be entitled
to all paid holidays given by the Company to its senior executives. Executive
agrees to utilize his vacation at such time or times as are (i) consistent with
the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder and (ii)
mutually convenient for the Company and Executive.
-2-
<PAGE>
5. Termination of Employment.
-------------------------
(a) Death. Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate
-----
automatically upon his death.
(b) Disability. If the Disability (as defined below) of Executive occurs
----------
during the Employment Term, the Company may notify Executive of the Company's
intention to terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Disability. In such
event, Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate effective on the 15th
day following the date such notice of termination is received by Executive (the
"Disability Effective Date"). For purposes of this Agreement, the "Disability"
of Executive shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as the Board of
Directors of the Company determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i)
that despite any reasonable accommodation required by law, Executive is unable
to perform the essential functions of his position hereunder as a result of his
physical or mental incapacity and (ii) that such inability has existed or is
likely to exist for a period of three months or more.
(c) Termination by Company.
----------------------
(i) For Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment
---------
hereunder for Cause (as defined below) (a "For Cause Termination"). For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean any of the following: (A)
any misrepresentation of a material fact to, or concealment of a material
fact from, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company; (B)
Executive's failure to follow a lawful written directive of the Board of
Directors; (C) Executive's willful violation of any material rule,
regulation or policy that may be established from time to time in the
Company's business; (D) Executive's unlawful possession, use or sale of
narcotics or other controlled substances, or performing job duties while
such controlled substances are present in Executive's body; (E) Executive
operating a vehicle in the course of his employment under the influence of
alcohol (meaning a blood alcohol level which would establish a felony or
misdemeanor under the applicable state law, or a conviction of or plea of
guilty or no contest to such a felony or misdemeanor); (F) any act or
omission of Executive in the scope of his employment (i) that results in
the assessment of a criminal penalty against Executive or the Company, or
(ii) that in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors would result
in a material violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law or
regulation; or (G) Executive's conviction of or a plea of guilty or no
contest to any crime involving an act of moral turpitude. Whether any
termination of Executive's employment hereunder constitutes a For Cause
Termination in accordance with the foregoing shall be determined in the
reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors.
(ii) Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's
-------------
employment hereunder without Cause for any or no reason. For purposes of
this Agreement, a "Without Cause Termination" shall mean a termination by
the Company of Executive's employment hereunder other than pursuant to (x)
a For Cause Termination, or (y) Disability.
-3-
<PAGE>
(d) Constructive Termination. Executive may terminate his employment
------------------------
hereunder if a Constructive Termination occurs. A "Constructive Termination" of
Executive's employment with the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if the
Company:
(i) demotes Executive to a lesser position, either in title or
responsibility, than the highest position held by him with the Company at
any time during his employment with the Company; or
(ii) decreases Executive's compensation below the highest level in
effect at any time during his employment with the Company or reduces
Executive's benefits and perquisites below the highest levels in effect at
any time during his employment with the Company (other than as a result of
any amendment or termination of any employee or group or other executive
benefit plan, which amendment or termination is applicable to all
executives of the Company).
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive's employment
----------------------
hereunder by the Company or by Executive (other than a termination pursuant to
Paragraph 5(a)) shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination (as defined
below) to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" shall mean a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) in the case of a
termination for Disability or a For Cause Termination or a Constructive
Termination, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision
so indicated, and (iii) specifies the Employment Termination Date (as defined in
Paragraph 5(f) below). The failure by the Company to set forth in the Notice of
Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of
Disability or Cause shall not waive any right of the Company hereunder or
preclude the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Company's rights hereunder.
(f) Employment Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement,
---------------------------
"Employment Termination Date" shall mean the effective date of termination of
Executive's employment hereunder, which date shall be (i) if Executive's
employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if
Executive's employment is terminated because of his Disability, the Disability
Effective Date, (iii) if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
pursuant to a For Cause Termination or a Without Cause Termination, the date
specified in the Notice of Termination, which date shall in no event be earlier
than the date such notice is given, and (iv) if Executive's employment is
terminated by Executive pursuant to a Constructive Termination, the date on
which the Notice of Termination is given.
(g) Resignation. In the event of termination of Executive's employment
-----------
hereunder (for any reason other than the death of Executive), Executive agrees
that if at such time he is a member of the Board of Directors or officer of the
Company or a director or officer of any of its subsidiaries, he will promptly
deliver to the Company his written resignation from all such positions, such
resignation to be effective as of the Employment Termination Date.
-4-
<PAGE>
6. Company Obligations Upon Termination of Employment.
--------------------------------------------------
(a) Death. If Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by reason
-----
of Executive's death, the Company shall pay to Executive's estate a sum equal to
12 month's Base Salary at Executive's last current rate. Any such amounts
payable under this Paragraph 6(a) shall be paid in equal monthly installments
for a period of one year, such payments to begin as of the Employment
Termination Date. In addition, if Executive's employment hereunder is terminated
by reason of Executive's death, the Company shall continue to provide medical
insurance at the level provided at the Employment Termination Date for
Executive's spouse for a period of five years after the Employment Termination
Date and for each of his children for a period beginning on the Employment
Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) five years after the
Employment Termination Date and (ii) the date on which such child ceases to be a
"dependent" of Executive's spouse within the meaning of Section 152 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); provided, that the
Company shall be required to provide medical insurance to Executive's spouse and
his children only for so long as, and to the extent that, the Company provides
medical insurance for its full-time employees; and, provided, further, that this
Paragraph 6(a) shall not prohibit the Company from modifying or canceling its
existing health insurance program.
(b) Disability. If Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by
----------
reason of Executive's Disability, the Company shall pay to Executive a sum equal
to 12 month's Base Salary at Executive's last current rate. Any such amounts
payable under this Paragraph 6(b) shall be paid in equal monthly installments
for a period of one year, such payments to begin as of the Employment
Termination Date. In addition, if Executive's employment hereunder is
terminated by reason of Executive's Disability that, in the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors, is a "permanent and total disability" as defined in the
Company's long-term disability insurance plan, or if the Company does not
maintain such a plan containing a definition of that term, as defined in Section
22(e)(3) of the Code, then the Company shall continue to provide medical
insurance at the level provided at the Employment Termination Date for Executive
and his spouse for a period of five years after the Employment Termination Date
and for each of his children for a period beginning on the Employment
Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) five years after the
Employment Termination Date and (ii) the date on which such child ceases to be
a dependent of Executive or Executive's spouse within the meaning of Section 152
of the Code; provided, that the Company shall be required to provide medical
insurance to Executive, his spouse and his children only for so long as, and to
the extent that, the Company provides medical insurance for its full-time
employees; and provided further, that this Paragraph 6(b) shall not prohibit the
Company from modifying or canceling its existing health insurance program.
(c) For Cause Termination. If Executive's employment hereunder is
---------------------
terminated pursuant to a For Cause Termination, the Company shall pay to
Executive, in a lump sum in cash within 15 days after the Employment Termination
Date, Executive's Base Salary through the Employment Termination Date, to the
extent not theretofore paid, and, thereafter, the Company shall have no further
obligations to Executive under this Agreement.
-5-
<PAGE>
(d) Without Cause Termination. If Executive's employment hereunder is
-------------------------
terminated by the Company by reason of a Without Cause Termination, the Company
shall pay to Executive a sum equal to 12 month's Base Salary at Executive's last
current rate. Any such amounts payable under this Paragraph 6(d) shall be paid
in equal monthly installments for a period of one year, such payments to begin
as of the Employment Termination Date.
(e) Constructive Termination. If Executive's employment hereunder is
------------------------
terminated by Executive by reason of a Constructive Termination, the Company
shall pay to Executive a sum equal to 12 month's Base Salary at Executive's last
current rate. Any such amounts payable under this Paragraph 6(e) shall be paid
in equal monthly installments for a period of one year, such payments to begin
as of the Employment Termination Date.
(f) Sole Remedy. The right to receive the payments and insurance, as
-----------
applicable, provided for under this Paragraph 6 shall be Executive's sole and
exclusive remedy for the termination of his employment hereunder and shall be in
lieu of any claim that he might otherwise have against the Company arising from
such termination.
(g) Coordination of Payments. The payments required by subparagraphs (d)
------------------------
and (e) of this Paragraph 6 are subject to the provisions of Paragraph 7(b)
dealing with the coordination of payments in the event of a Change of Control.
7. Termination in Connection with Change of Control.
------------------------------------------------
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Termination Event (as defined in Paragraph
8(a)), the Company shall:
(i) pay Executive an amount equal to Executive's Base Annual
Compensation (as defined in Paragraph 8(c)) multiplied by a factor of two,
payable as a lump sum cash payment within ten days following the date of
the termination constituting such Termination Event (the "Termination
Date");
(ii) provide Executive with life, disability and medical insurance
at the level provided at either the date of the occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined in Paragraph 8(b)) or the Termination Date, as
Executive shall in his sole discretion elect by providing written notice to
the Company, for 12 months following the Termination Date or such shorter
period until Executive shall obtain substantially equivalent insurance
coverage from a subsequent employer, if any, in the same manner as if
Executive's employment had not been terminated until the end of such
period. Executive shall immediately notify the Company upon obtaining any
insurance from a subsequent employer and shall provide all information
required by the Company regarding such insurance to enable the Company to
make a determination of whether such insurance is substantially equivalent;
and
(iii) pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by
Executive in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by
this Agreement including
-6-
<PAGE>
without limitation all such costs incurred in contesting or disputing any
determination made by the Company under this Agreement or in connection
with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent attributable to the
application of Section 4999 of the Code to any payment hereunder.
Reimbursements of such costs shall be made by the Company within 15 days
after Executive's presentation to the Company of any statements of such
costs and thereafter shall bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum or,
if different, the maximum rate allowed by law until paid by the Company,
and all accrued and unpaid interest shall bear interest at the same rate,
all of which interest shall be compounded daily.
(b) Coordination With Paragraph 6. If, in connection with the
-----------------------------
termination of Executive's employment hereunder, Executive is entitled to
receive payments pursuant to this Paragraph 7 and Executive would also be
entitled to receive termination payments under Paragraph 6 in accordance with
the terms thereof, Paragraph 7 shall take precedence and Executive shall not be
entitled to receive any payments under Paragraph 6.
8. Definitions.
-----------
(a) A "Termination Event" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) at any time within six months after a Change of Control,
Executive or the Company terminates Executive's employment for any reason,
or for no reason; or
(ii) at any time within 12 months after a Change of Control, the
Company or any successor thereto terminates Executive's employment for any
reason other than for (A) Cause, (B) Disability or (C) death.
For purposes of this Paragraph 8(a), Executive's employment shall be deemed to
have been terminated upon the actual termination of his employment or upon the
occurrence of a Constructive Termination.
(b) A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") of the Company cease for any reason to
constitute at least 51% of the Board, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for
purposes of this Agreement, considered as though such person were a member
of the Incumbent Board;
(ii) the Company shall consummate a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the
stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own outstanding
voting securities representing more than 50% of the
-7-
<PAGE>
combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors ("Voting Securities") of the reorganized, merged or consolidated
company;
(iii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve a sale of all
or substantially all of the stock or assets of the Company; or
(iv) any "person," as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (other
than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any entity organized, appointed or
established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of such a plan),
together with all "affiliates" and "associates" (as such terms are defined
in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such person (as well as any
"Person" or "group" as those terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act), shall become the "beneficial owner" or "beneficial
owners" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing in the
aggregate 40% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common
stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") or the
Voting Securities of the Company, in either such case other than solely as
a result of acquisitions of such securities directly from the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a "Change in Control" of the Company
shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of subparagraph (iv) of
this Paragraph 8(b) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by
the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock or
other Voting Securities of the Company outstanding, increases (i) the
proportionate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by any
person to 40% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding or
(ii) the proportionate voting power represented by the Voting Securities of
the Company beneficially owned by any person to 40% or more of the combined
voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however,
that if any person referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence shall
thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Common
Stock or other Voting Securities of the Company (other than a result of a
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction), then a Change in
Control of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of
subparagraph (iv) of this Paragraph 8(b).
(c) "Base Annual Compensation" shall, as determined on the Termination
Date, be equal to the greater of (i) Executive's Base Salary on the date of the
earliest Change of Control to occur during the 18-month period prior to the
Termination Date plus any bonuses or special incentive payments received in the
12 months prior to such Change of Control or (ii) Executive's Base Salary on the
Termination Date plus any bonuses or special incentive payments received in the
12 months prior to the Termination Date.
9. Adjustments. Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary
-----------
notwithstanding, if, in the Company's determination, the total sum of (i) the
payments and benefits to be paid or provided to (or with respect to) Executive
under this Agreement which are considered to be
-8-
<PAGE>
"parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii)
any other payments and benefits which are considered to be "parachute payments,"
as so defined, to be paid or provided to (or with respect to) Executive by the
Company or a member of the Company's affiliated group (within the meaning of
Section 280G(d)(5) of the Code) (the "Total Amount") exceeds the amount
Executive can receive without having to pay excise tax with respect to all or
any portion of such payments or benefits under Section 4999 of the Code (the
"Reduced Amount"), then the amount payable to Executive pursuant to Paragraphs
7(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement shall be reduced to the greater of zero or
the highest amount which will not result in Executive having to pay excise tax
with respect to any payments and benefits under Section 4999 of the Code;
provided, however, that in the event that the Reduced Amount minus any and all
applicable federal, state and local taxes (including but not limited to income
and employment taxes imposed by the Code) is less than the Total Amount minus
any and all applicable federal, state and local taxes (including but not limited
to income and employment taxes imposed by the Code and excise taxes applicable
to such payments under Section 4999 of the Code), then the reduction of the
amount payable to Executive under Paragraphs 7(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement
provided for in the preceding provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall not be made.
10. Compliance With Other Agreements. Executive represents and warrants
--------------------------------
to the Company that the execution, delivery and performance by Executive of this
Agreement do not and will not conflict with or result in a violation of any
provision of, or constitute a default under, any contract, agreement, instrument
or obligation to which Executive is a party or by which he is bound.
11. Noncompetition and Related Matters. Without the prior written
----------------------------------
consent of the Company, Executive will not, directly or indirectly:
(a) persuade or attempt to persuade any customer, client, business
partner, licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier or distributor of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) to cease doing business with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) to reduce the amount of business it
does with the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(b) persuade or attempt to persuade any potential customer, client,
supplier, business partner, licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier
or distributor to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has made a
presentation, or with which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has been
having discussions, (i) not to do business with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or (ii) to engage, with any other person or business, in a
Competitive Activity;
(c) solicit for himself or any person or business other than the Company
or any of its subsidiaries the business of any person which is a customer,
client, business partners, licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier or
distributor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or was a customer,
client, business partner, licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier or
distributor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within two years prior to
the Termination Date or the Employment Termination Date, as applicable;
-9-
<PAGE>
(d) persuade or attempt to persuade any employee of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, or any individual who was its employee during the six
months prior to the Termination Date, (i) to leave the employ of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) to become employed by any person or business
engaged in a Competitive Activity;
(e) anywhere in the world where the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is conducting any business, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate,
control, be employed by or participate in the ownership, management, operation
or control of, or be connected in any manner with any person or business engaged
in a Competitive Activity; provided, however, that ownership of securities of a
company whose securities are registered under the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, not in excess of 1% of any class of such
securities shall by itself not be considered a violation of this Paragraph 11.
For purposes of this Paragraph 11, a person or business shall be deemed to
be engaged in a "Competitive Activity" if such person or business (a) is engaged
in the production, sale or marketing of electronic legal information, whether
such information is distributed via the Internet, via direct modem connection,
on CD-ROMs or by some other electronic means, or (b) is one of the businesses
listed on Exhibit A attached hereto. For this purpose "legal information" means
---------
all types of law-related information sold by the Company during the term of this
Agreement, including without limitation primary law such as court decisions,
statutes and regulations, and secondary source materials such as treatises,
commentaries, outlines, annotations, private letter rulings and the like.
The provisions of this Paragraph 11 shall be in effect during the
Employment Term and (if the Employment Termination Date occurs prior to the
expiration of the Employment Term) shall continue in effect for a period of 12
months following the Employment Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for
Disability or by reason of a Without Cause Termination or is terminated by
Executive by reason of a Constructive Termination, Executive shall be bound by
the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 11 after the Employment Termination
Date (i) if and only for so long (but not to exceed 12 months) as the Company
complies with its obligations under Paragraphs 6(b), (d) or (e), as applicable,
or (ii) if and only if the Company has made the payments to Executive required
under Paragraph 7(a)(i), if applicable, provided that Executive shall cease
being bound by such restrictions if the Company fails to satisfy its obligations
under Paragraph 7(a)(ii) or (iii).
12. Confidentiality. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the
---------------
Company's trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information, as
they may exist from time to time, are valuable, special, and unique assets of
the Company's business, access to and knowledge of which are essential to the
performance of Executive's duties hereunder. Executive confirms that all such
trade secrets and other information constitute the exclusive property of the
Company. During the Employment Term and thereafter without limitation of time,
Executive shall hold in strict confidence and shall not, directly or indirectly,
disclose or reveal to any person, or use for his own benefit or for the benefit
of anyone else, any trade secrets, confidential dealings, or other confidential
or proprietary information of any kind, nature or description (whether or not
acquired, learned, obtained or developed by Executive alone or in conjunction
with others during the Employment Term)
-10-
<PAGE>
belonging to or concerning the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
their customers or clients or others with whom they now or hereafter have a
business relationship, except (i) with the prior written consent of the Company
duly authorized by its Board of Directors, (ii) in the course of the proper
performance of Executive's duties hereunder, (iii) for information (x) that
becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of unauthorized
disclosure by Executive or his affiliates or (y) that becomes available to
Executive subsequent to the termination of his employment hereunder and on a
nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company or its subsidiaries
who is not bound by a duty of confidentiality, or other contractual, legal or
fiduciary obligation, to the Company or such customers, clients or others having
a business relationship, or (iv) as required by applicable law or legal process.
The provisions of this Paragraph 12 shall continue in effect notwithstanding
termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any reason.
13. Business Records. Given the competitive environment in which the
----------------
Company does business and the fiduciary relationship that Executive will have
with the Company hereunder, Executive agrees to promptly deliver to the Company,
upon termination of his employment hereunder, or at any other time when the
Company so requests, all memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals and other
documents (and all copies thereof and therefrom) in any way relating to the
business or affairs of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
clients, whether made or compiled by Executive or furnished to him by the
Company or any of its employees, customers, clients, consultants or agents,
which Executive may then possess or have under his control. Executive confirms
that all such memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals and other documents
(and all copies thereof and therefrom) constitute the exclusive property of the
Company. The obligation of confidentiality set forth in Paragraph 12 shall
continue notwithstanding Executive's delivery of any such documents to the
Company. The provisions of this Paragraph 13 shall continue in effect
notwithstanding termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any reason.
14. Intellectual Property.
---------------------
(a) Disclosure. Executive shall promptly disclose to the Company all
----------
ideas, inventions, discoveries, processes, designs, methods, substances,
articles, computer programs and improvements, whether or not patentable or
copyrightable (all of the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called
"Intellectual Property"), which Executive conceives, invents, discovers, creates
or develops, alone or with others, during the Employment Term, if such
conception, invention, discovery, creation or development (i) occurs in the
course of Executive's employment with the Company, or (ii) occurs with the use
of the Company's or any of its subsidiaries' time, materials or facilities, or
(iii) in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, relates or
pertains in any way to the Company's or any of its subsidiaries' purposes,
activities or affairs.
(b) Assignment. Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the
----------
Company, its successors, assigns or designees, any and all of Executive's right,
title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property that Executive is
obligated to disclose to the Company pursuant to Paragraph 14(a).
-11-
<PAGE>
(c) Assistance. Executive shall assist the Company in the preparation of
----------
and shall execute and deliver all disclosures, applications for patents or
reissue of patents, rights of priority, assignments and other documents, give
all testimony, and in general do all lawful things reasonably requested by the
Company to obtain, maintain and enforce United States and foreign patents and to
obtain, maintain and enforce on behalf of the Company or its designee legal
title and all rights in and to all Intellectual Property referred to in the
preceding provisions of this Paragraph 14.
(d) Records. Executive shall prepare and maintain adequate and current
-------
written records of all Intellectual Property within the scope of Paragraphs
14(a) through 14(c) in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, memoranda or
reports, all of which shall be promptly submitted by Executive to the Company
and shall be owned exclusively by the Company.
(e) Consideration and Expenses. Executive shall perform his obligations
--------------------------
under this Paragraph 14 at the Company's expense, but without any additional
compensation other than that which Executive receives by reason of his
employment with the Company or pursuant to any separate agreement between the
Company and Executive or any separate policy of the Company that may be in
effect from time to time during the Employment Term.
(f) Power of Attorney. If the Company or its designee is unable for any
-----------------
reason whatsoever to obtain Executive's signature to any documents that the
Company is entitled to require him to sign pursuant to this Paragraph 14,
Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company as his agent
and attorney-in-fact to act for and on behalf of him and in his stead to
execute, deliver and file all such documents (including, without limitation, all
applications for United States and foreign patents or for the reissue of such
patents) and to do all other lawful acts that the Company is entitled to require
Executive to do pursuant to this Paragraph 14.
(g) Survival. The provisions of this Paragraph 14 shall continue in
--------
effect notwithstanding termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any
reason.
15. Assistance in Litigation. During the Employment Term and for a
------------------------
period of three years thereafter, Executive shall, upon reasonable notice,
furnish such information and proper assistance to the Company as may reasonably
be required by the Company in connection with any litigation in which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party. The
Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by Executive in rendering such assistance. The provisions of this
Paragraph 16 shall continue in effect notwithstanding termination of Executive's
employment hereunder for any reason.
16. Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any payments to be
-----------------
made to Executive hereunder such amounts (including social security
contributions and federal income taxes) as shall be required by federal, state
and local withholding tax laws.
17. No Effect on Other Contractual Rights. The provisions of this
-------------------------------------
Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts
otherwise payable to Executive, or in any way diminish Executive's rights as an
employee of the Company, whether existing now or
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<PAGE>
hereafter, under any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement or other
contract or agreement of the Company providing benefits to Executive.
18. Arbitration. The Company and Executive agree to submit to final and
-----------
binding arbitration any and all disputes, claims (whether in tort, in contract,
statutory or otherwise) and/or disagreements concerning the interpretation or
application of this Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall any dispute, claim or disagreement arising under
Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 14 be submitted to arbitration pursuant to this
Paragraph 18 or otherwise. Any dispute, claim and/or disagreement subject to
arbitration pursuant to the terms of this Paragraph 18 shall be resolved by
arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association or any successor organization (the "Association") then
in effect. Arbitration under this provision must be initiated within 30 days of
the action, inaction or occurrence about which the party initiating the
arbitration is complaining. Within ten days of the initiation of an arbitration
hereunder, each party will designate an arbitrator pursuant to Rule 14 of the
Association's Rules, and within 10 days thereafter the appointed arbitrators
will appoint a neutral arbitrator from the panel in the manner prescribed in
Rule 13 of the Association's Rules; provided, however, that if the Company and
Executive mutually agree, the arbitration may be conducted by a single
arbitrator selected by agreement of the Company and Executive. Executive and
the Company agree that the decision of the arbitrators selected hereunder will
be final and binding on both parties. This arbitration provision is expressly
made pursuant to and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.
Sections 1-14. The parties hereto agree that pursuant to Section 9 of such Act
a judgment of any state court located in Crawford County, Arkansas, shall be
entered upon the award made pursuant to the arbitration.
19. Injunctive Relief. In recognition of the fact that a breach by
-----------------
Executive of any of the provisions of Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 14 will cause
irreparable damage to the Company for which monetary damages alone will not
constitute an adequate remedy, the Company shall be entitled as a matter of
right (without being required to prove damages or furnish any bond or other
security) to obtain a restraining order, an injunction, an order of specific
performance or other equitable or extraordinary relief from any court of
competent jurisdiction restraining any further violation of such provisions by
Executive or requiring him to perform his obligations hereunder. Such right to
equitable or extraordinary relief shall not be exclusive but shall be in
addition to all other rights and remedies to which the Company may be entitled
at law or in equity, including without limitation the right to recover monetary
damages for the breach by Executive of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
20. Survival. Neither the expiration of the term of Executive's
--------
employment hereunder nor any other termination of this Agreement shall impair
the rights or obligations of either party hereto which shall have accrued
hereunder prior to such expiration or termination. The provisions of Paragraphs
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19 and the rights and obligations of the parties
thereunder, shall survive the expiration or termination of the term of
Executive's employment hereunder; provided, however, that the provisions of
Paragraph 11 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement only
if the Employment Termination Date occurs before the expiration of the
Employment Term and only to the extent specified in Paragraph 11.
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<PAGE>
21. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
-------
required or permitted to be given or made hereunder by either party hereto shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made (i) when
delivered personally, or (ii) when deposited in the United States mail, first
class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
to the party for which intended at the following addresses (or at such other
addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, except that
notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt):
If to the Company, at:
Loislaw.com, Inc.
105 North 28th Street
Van Buren, AR 72956
Attn: President
with a copy to:
Kenn W. Webb, Esq.
Thompson & Knight, P.C.
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 3300
Dallas, Texas 75201
If to Executive:
Kyle D. Parker
1530 S. 37th Street
Fort Smith, AR 72903
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
----------------
between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the
parties with respect to such subject matter. Without limiting the foregoing,
upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement dated as
of November 24, 1997 by and between Law Office Information Systems, Inc. (the
Company's predecessor) and Executive shall terminate and be of no further force
or effect.
23. Binding Effect; Assignment; No Third Party Benefit. This Agreement
--------------------------------------------------
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided,
however, that Executive shall not assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement or
any of his rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of
the Company (except that any rights that Executive may have hereunder at the
time of his death may be transferred by will or pursuant to the laws of descent
and distribution). Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
or shall confer upon any person other than the parties hereto, and their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted
-14-
<PAGE>
assigns, any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement.
The Company may: (i) as long as it remains obligated with respect to this
Agreement, cause its obligations hereunder to be performed by a subsidiary or
subsidiaries for which Executive performs services, in whole or in part; (ii)
assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any
corporation with or into which it may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which
it may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if said corporation
shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume to the reasonable
satisfaction of Executive all liabilities of the Company hereunder as fully as
if it had been originally named the Company herein; but may not otherwise assign
this Agreement or its rights hereunder. Subject to the foregoing, this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company's
successors and assigns.
24. Nonalienation of Benefits. Executive shall not have any right to
-------------------------
pledge, hypothecate, anticipate or in any way create a lien upon any payments or
other benefits provided under this Agreement; and no benefits payable hereunder
shall be assignable in anticipation of payment either by voluntary or
involuntary acts, or by operation of law, except by will or pursuant to the laws
of descent and distribution.
25. Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified or amended in any
---------
respect except by an instrument in writing signed by both of the parties hereto.
26. Waiver. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any
------
time by the party hereto that is entitled to have the benefit thereof, but such
waiver shall only be effective if evidenced by a writing signed by such party,
and a waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or
any other type of breach on a future occasion. No failure or delay by a party
hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.
27. Authority. No person, other than pursuant to a resolution duly
---------
adopted by the members of the Board of Directors of the Company, shall have
authority on behalf of the Company to agree to modify, amend or waive any
provision of this Agreement or take any action in reference hereto.
28. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
------------
unenforceable, (a) this Agreement shall be considered divisible, (b) such
provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent it is deemed unenforceable,
and (c) in all other respects this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect; provided, however, that if any such provision may be made enforceable by
limitation thereof, then such provision shall be deemed to be so limited and
shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
29. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
-------------
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
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<PAGE>
ARKANSAS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
30. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto
------------
in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but
all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
31. Interest on Late Payments. The Company's obligation to pay Executive
-------------------------
any amounts under this Agreement, if not paid by the time specified for payment
herein, shall bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum or, if different, the
maximum rate allowed by law until paid by the Company, and all accrued and
unpaid interest shall bear interest at the same rate, all of which interest
shall be compounded daily.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on
its behalf by its duly authorized officer, and Executive has executed this
Agreement, as of the date first set forth above.
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
By: /s/ Mark O. Beyland
----------------------------
Mark O. Beyland
President and Chief
Financial Officer
/s/ Kyle D. Parker
----------------------------
Kyle D. Parker
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
---------
The Thomson Corporation and its legal publishing companies (including West
Group/West Publishing/Westlaw)
Reed Elsevier and its legal publishing companies (including LEXIS-NEXIS, Matthew
Bender and Shepard's)
Wolters Kluwer and its legal publishing companies (including CCH Inc.)
Anderson Publishing
Danby Publishing
law.com
Findlaw.com
VersusLaw
Nolo Press
BNA
American Lawyer Media
Wasserstein Pirella
Public Records Corporation
CDB Infotek
LRP Publications
Quicklaw
Barclays Law Publishers
United Communications
Congressional Quarterly Inc.
Washington Post
New York Law Publishing
Legi-Tech
-17-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of June 17, 1999, between
Loislaw.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Mark Beyland, an
individual residing in Van Buren, Arkansas ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is presently employed by the Company, and is willing to
commit himself to continue to serve the Company on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Company agrees to continue to employ Executive, and
----------
Executive agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, for the period set
forth in Paragraph 2, in the position and with the duties and responsibilities
set forth in Paragraph 3, and upon the other terms and conditions herein
provided.
2. Term. The employment of Executive by the Company as provided in
----
Paragraph 1 shall be for a period commencing on the date of this Agreement
through and ending on June 17, 2002, unless sooner terminated as herein provided
(the "Employment Term").
3. Position and Duties.
-------------------
(a) During the Employment Term, Executive shall serve as President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In such capacities, Executive, subject
to the ultimate control and direction of the Board of Directors of the Company,
shall have and exercise (i) direct charge of and general supervision over the
business and affairs of the Company and (ii) the duties and functions normally
incident to the office of chief financial officer of a company similar to the
Company. In addition, Executive shall have such other duties, functions,
responsibilities, and authority as are from time to time delegated to Executive
by the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that such duties, functions,
responsibilities, and authority are reasonable and customary for a person
serving in the aforesaid functions of an enterprise comparable to the Company.
Executive shall report and be accountable to the Board of Directors and the
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(b) During the Employment Term, Executive shall devote his full time,
skill, and attention and his best efforts to the business and affairs of the
Company to the extent necessary to discharge fully, faithfully and efficiently
the duties and responsibilities delegated and assigned to Executive herein or
pursuant hereto, except for usual, ordinary, and customary periods of vacation
and absence due to illness or other disability.
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<PAGE>
(c) In connection with Executive's employment by the Company under this
Agreement, Executive shall be based at the principal executive offices of the
Company in Van Buren, Arkansas, except for such reasonable travel as the
performance of Executive's duties in the business of the Company may require.
(d) All services that Executive may render to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates in any capacity during the Employment Term shall be
deemed to be services required by this Agreement and consideration for the
compensation provided for herein.
4. Compensation and Related Matters.
--------------------------------
(a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay to
-----------
Executive for his services hereunder a base salary ("Base Salary") at the rate
of One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($175,000.00) per year, payable in
installments in accordance with the general payroll practices of the Company, or
as otherwise mutually agreed upon. Executive's Base Salary shall be subject to
such adjustments as may be determined from time to time by the compensation
committee of the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion, but
in no event shall the Company pay Executive a Base Salary at a rate less than
that set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.
(b) Executive Bonus and Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive
----------------------------
may be entitled, in the sole discretion of the compensation committee of the
Board of Directors, to annual cash bonuses in amounts not to exceed 50% of his
then-current Base Salary for any calendar year; provided, however, that
Executive's bonus for the year ended December 31, 1999 shall not be less than
$37,500. Further, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all additional
employee benefit plans (including, stock option plans and long-term incentive
plans), programs and arrangements that are generally made available by the
Company to its senior executives.
(c) Medical and Dental Coverage. During the Employment Term, the Company
---------------------------
shall provide, at its cost, full medical and dental coverage to Executive under
the Company's group insurance plans as in effect from time to time.
(d) Expenses. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to
--------
receive prompt reimbursement on a timely basis (according to the then-current
practices of the Company) for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in
performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder upon the presentation by
Executive of an itemized monthly accounting of such expenditures, including
receipts where required by Company policy or federal income tax regulations.
(e) Vacations. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to
---------
four (4) weeks of paid vacation each year. Executive shall also be entitled to
all paid holidays given by the Company to its senior executives. Executive
agrees to utilize his vacation at such time or times as
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<PAGE>
are (i) consistent with the proper performance of his duties and
responsibilities hereunder and (ii) mutually convenient for the Company and
Executive.
5. Termination of Employment.
-------------------------
(a) Death. Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate automatically
-----
upon his death.
(b) Disability. If the Disability (as defined below) of Executive occurs
----------
during the Employment Term, the Company may notify Executive of the Company's
intention to terminate Executive's employment hereunder for Disability. In such
event, Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate effective on the 15th
day following the date such notice of termination is received by Executive (the
"Disability Effective Date"). For purposes of this Agreement, the "Disability"
of Executive shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as the Board of
Directors of the Company determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i)
that despite any reasonable accommodation required by law, Executive is unable
to perform the essential functions of his position hereunder as a result of his
physical or mental incapacity and (ii) that such inability has existed or is
likely to exist for a period of three months or more.
(c) Termination by Company.
----------------------
(i) For Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment
---------
hereunder for Cause (as defined below) (a "For Cause Termination"). For
purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean any of the following: (A)
any misrepresentation of a material fact to, or concealment of a material
fact from, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company; (B)
Executive's failure to follow a lawful written directive of the Board of
Directors; (C) Executive's willful violation of any material rule,
regulation or policy that may be established from time to time in the
Company's business; (D) Executive's unlawful possession, use or sale of
narcotics or other controlled substances, or performing job duties while
such controlled substances are present in Executive's body; (E) Executive
operating a vehicle in the course of his employment under the influence of
alcohol (meaning a blood alcohol level which would establish a felony or
misdemeanor under the applicable state law, or a conviction of or plea of
guilty or no contest to such a felony or misdemeanor); (F) any act or
omission of Executive in the scope of his employment (i) that results in
the assessment of a criminal penalty against Executive or the Company, or
(ii) that in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors would
result in a material violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law
or regulation; or (G) Executive's conviction of or a plea of guilty or no
contest to any crime involving an act of moral turpitude. Whether any
termination of Executive's employment hereunder constitutes a For Cause
Termination in accordance with the foregoing shall be determined in the
reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors.
(ii) Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive's employment
-------------
hereunder without Cause for any or no reason. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Without
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<PAGE>
Cause Termination" shall mean a termination by the Company of Executive's
employment hereunder other than pursuant to (x) a For Cause Termination,
or (y) Disability.
(d) Constructive Termination. Executive may terminate his employment
------------------------
hereunder if a Constructive Termination occurs. A "Constructive Termination" of
Executive's employment with the Company shall be deemed to have occurred if the
Company:
(i) demotes Executive to a lesser position, either in title or
responsibility, than the highest position held by him with the Company at
any time during his employment with the Company; or
(ii) decreases Executive's compensation below the highest level in
effect at any time during his employment with the Company or reduces
Executive's benefits and perquisites below the highest levels in effect at
any time during his employment with the Company (other than as a result of
any amendment or termination of any employee or group or other executive
benefit plan, which amendment or termination is applicable to all
executives of the Company).
Any termination of Executive's duties and responsibilities as Chief Financial
Officer of the Company shall not constitute a Constructive Termination under
subparagraph (i) of this paragraph 5(d).
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive's employment
----------------------
hereunder by the Company or by Executive (other than a termination pursuant to
Paragraph 5(a)) shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination (as defined
below) to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" shall mean a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) in the case of a
termination for Disability or a For Cause Termination or a Constructive
Termination, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision
so indicated, and (iii) specifies the Employment Termination Date (as defined in
Paragraph 5(f) below). The failure by the Company to set forth in the Notice of
Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of
Disability or Cause shall not waive any right of the Company hereunder or
preclude the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Company's rights hereunder.
(f) Employment Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement,
---------------------------
"Employment Termination Date" shall mean the effective date of termination of
Executive's employment hereunder, which date shall be (i) if Executive's
employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if
Executive's employment is terminated because of his Disability, the Disability
Effective Date, (iii) if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
pursuant to a For Cause Termination or a Without Cause Termination, the date
specified in the Notice of Termination, which date shall in no event be earlier
than the date such notice is given, and (iv) if Executive's
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<PAGE>
employment is terminated by Executive pursuant to a Constructive Termination,
the date on which the Notice of Termination is given.
(g) Resignation. In the event of termination of Executive's employment
-----------
hereunder (for any reason other than the death of Executive), Executive agrees
that if at such time he is a member of the Board of Directors or officer of the
Company or a director or officer of any of its subsidiaries, he will promptly
deliver to the Company his written resignation from all such positions, such
resignation to be effective as of the Employment Termination Date.
6. Company Obligations Upon Termination of Employment.
--------------------------------------------------
(a) Death. If Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by reason of
-----
Executive's death, the Company shall pay to Executive's estate a sum equal to 12
month's Base Salary at Executive's last current rate. Any such amounts payable
under this Paragraph 6(a) shall be paid in equal monthly installments for a
period of one year, such payments to begin as of the Employment Termination
Date. In addition, if Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by reason
of Executive's death, the Company shall continue to provide medical insurance at
the level provided at the Employment Termination Date for Executive's spouse for
a period of five years after the Employment Termination Date and for each of his
children for a period beginning on the Employment Termination Date and ending on
the earlier of (i) five years after the Employment Termination Date and (ii)
the date on which such child ceases to be a "dependent" of Executive's spouse
within the meaning of Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"); provided, that the Company shall be required to provide
medical insurance to Executive's spouse and his children only for so long as,
and to the extent that, the Company provides medical insurance for its full-time
employees; and, provided, further, that this Paragraph 6(a) shall not prohibit
the Company from modifying or canceling its existing health insurance program.
(b) Disability. If Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by
----------
reason of Executive's Disability, the Company shall pay to Executive a sum equal
to 12 month's Base Salary at Executive's last current rate. Any such amounts
payable under this Paragraph 6(b) shall be paid in equal monthly installments
for a period of one year, such payments to begin as of the Employment
Termination Date. In addition, if Executive's employment hereunder is
terminated by reason of Executive's Disability that, in the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors, is a "permanent and total disability" as defined in the
Company's long-term disability insurance plan, or if the Company does not
maintain such a plan containing a definition of that term, as defined in Section
22(e)(3) of the Code, then the Company shall continue to provide medical
insurance at the level provided at the Employment Termination Date for Executive
and his spouse for a period of five years after the Employment Termination Date
and for each of his children for a period beginning on the Employment
Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) five years after the
Employment Termination Date and (ii) the date on which such child ceases to be
a dependent of Executive or Executive's spouse within the meaning of Section 152
of the Code; provided, that the Company shall be required to provide medical
insurance to Executive, his spouse and his children only for so long as, and to
the extent that, the Company provides medical insurance for its full-time
employees; and
-5-
<PAGE>
provided further, that this Paragraph 6(b) shall not prohibit the Company from
modifying or canceling its existing health insurance program.
(c) For Cause Termination. If Executive's employment hereunder is
---------------------
terminated pursuant to a For Cause Termination, the Company shall pay to
Executive, in a lump sum in cash within 15 days after the Employment Termination
Date, Executive's Base Salary through the Employment Termination Date, to the
extent not theretofore paid, and, thereafter, the Company shall have no further
obligations to Executive under this Agreement.
(d) Without Cause Termination. If Executive's employment hereunder is
-------------------------
terminated by the Company by reason of a Without Cause Termination, the Company
shall pay to Executive a sum equal to 12 month's Base Salary at Executive's last
current rate. Any such amounts payable under this Paragraph 6(d) shall be paid
in equal monthly installments for a period of one year, such payments to begin
as of the Employment Termination Date.
(e) Constructive Termination. If Executive's employment hereunder is
------------------------
terminated by Executive by reason of a Constructive Termination, the Company
shall pay to Executive a sum equal to 12 month's Base Salary at Executive's last
current rate. Any such amounts payable under this Paragraph 6(e) shall be paid
in equal monthly installments for a period of one year, such payments to begin
as of the Employment Termination Date.
(f) Sole Remedy. The right to receive the payments and insurance, as
-----------
applicable, provided for under this Paragraph 6 shall be Executive's sole and
exclusive remedy for the termination of his employment hereunder and shall be in
lieu of any claim that he might otherwise have against the Company arising from
such termination.
(g) Coordination of Payments. The payments required by subparagraphs (d)
------------------------
and (e) of this Paragraph 6 are subject to the provisions of Paragraph 7(b)
dealing with the coordination of payments in the event of a Change of Control.
7. Termination in Connection with Change of Control.
------------------------------------------------
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Termination Event (as defined in Paragraph
8(a)), the Company shall:
(i) pay Executive an amount equal to Executive's Base Annual
Compensation (as defined in Paragraph 8(c)) multiplied by a factor of two,
payable as a lump sum cash payment within ten days following the date of
the termination constituting such Termination Event (the "Termination
Date");
(ii) provide Executive with life, disability and medical insurance at
the level provided at either the date of the occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined in Paragraph 8(b)) or the Termination Date, as
Executive shall in his sole discretion elect by providing
-6-
<PAGE>
written notice to the Company, for 12 months following the Termination Date
or such shorter period until Executive shall obtain substantially
equivalent insurance coverage from a subsequent employer, if any, in the
same manner as if Executive's employment had not been terminated until the
end of such period. Executive shall immediately notify the Company upon
obtaining any insurance from a subsequent employer and shall provide all
information required by the Company regarding such insurance to enable the
Company to make a determination of whether such insurance is substantially
equivalent; and
(iii) pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by
Executive in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by
this Agreement including without limitation all such costs incurred in
contesting or disputing any determination made by the Company under this
Agreement or in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent
attributable to the application of Section 4999 of the Code to any payment
hereunder. Reimbursements of such costs shall be made by the Company within
15 days after Executive's presentation to the Company of any statements of
such costs and thereafter shall bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum
or, if different, the maximum rate allowed by law until paid by the
Company, and all accrued and unpaid interest shall bear interest at the
same rate, all of which interest shall be compounded daily.
(b) Coordination With Paragraph 6. If, in connection with the termination
-----------------------------
of Executive's employment hereunder, Executive is entitled to receive payments
pursuant to this Paragraph 7 and Executive would also be entitled to receive
termination payments under Paragraph 6 in accordance with the terms thereof,
Paragraph 7 shall take precedence and Executive shall not be entitled to receive
any payments under Paragraph 6.
8. Definitions.
-----------
(a) A "Termination Event" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) at any time within six months after a Change of Control, Executive
or the Company terminates Executive's employment for any reason, or for no
reason; or
(ii) at any time within 12 months after a Change of Control, the
Company or any successor thereto terminates Executive's employment for any
reason other than for (A) Cause, (B) Disability or (C) death.
For purposes of this Paragraph 8(a), Executive's employment shall be deemed to
have been terminated upon the actual termination of his employment or upon the
occurrence of a Constructive Termination.
(b) A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
-7-
<PAGE>
(i) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of
Directors (the "Incumbent Board") of the Company cease for any reason to
constitute at least 51% of the Board, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least
a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be,
for purposes of this Agreement, considered as though such person were a
member of the Incumbent Board;
(ii) the Company shall consummate a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, in each case, with respect to which persons who were the
stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own outstanding
voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined voting power
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors ("Voting
Securities") of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company;
(iii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve a sale of all or
substantially all of the stock or assets of the Company; or
(iv) any "person," as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (other
than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any employee benefit plan of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any entity organized, appointed
or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of such a plan),
together with all "affiliates" and "associates" (as such terms are defined
in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) of such person (as well as any
"Person" or "group" as those terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act), shall become the "beneficial owner" or "beneficial
owners" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing in the
aggregate 40% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common
stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") or the
Voting Securities of the Company, in either such case other than solely as
a result of acquisitions of such securities directly from the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a "Change in Control" of the Company
shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of subparagraph (iv) of
this Paragraph 8(b) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by
the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock or
other Voting Securities of the Company outstanding, increases (i) the
proportionate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by any
person to 40% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding or
(ii) the proportionate voting power represented by the Voting Securities of
the Company beneficially owned by any person to 40% or more of the combined
voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however,
that if any person referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence shall
thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Common
Stock or other Voting Securities of the Company (other than a result of a
stock split, stock
-8-
<PAGE>
dividend or similar transaction), then a Change in Control of the Company
shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of subparagraph (iv) of this
Paragraph 8(b).
(c) "Base Annual Compensation" shall, as determined on the Termination
Date, be equal to the greater of (i) Executive's Base Salary on the date of the
earliest Change of Control to occur during the 18-month period prior to the
Termination Date plus any bonuses or special incentive payments received in the
12 months prior to such Change of Control or (ii) Executive's Base Salary on the
Termination Date plus any bonuses or special incentive payments received in the
12 months prior to the Termination Date.
9. Adjustments. Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary
-----------
notwithstanding, if, in the Company's determination, the total sum of (i) the
payments and benefits to be paid or provided to (or with respect to) Executive
under this Agreement which are considered to be "parachute payments" within the
meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) any other payments and benefits
which are considered to be "parachute payments," as so defined, to be paid or
provided to (or with respect to) Executive by the Company or a member of the
Company's affiliated group (within the meaning of Section 280G(d)(5) of the
Code) (the "Total Amount") exceeds the amount Executive can receive without
having to pay excise tax with respect to all or any portion of such payments or
benefits under Section 4999 of the Code (the "Reduced Amount"), then the amount
payable to Executive pursuant to Paragraphs 7(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement
shall be reduced to the greater of zero or the highest amount which will not
result in Executive having to pay excise tax with respect to any payments and
benefits under Section 4999 of the Code; provided, however, that in the event
that the Reduced Amount minus any and all applicable federal, state and local
taxes (including but not limited to income and employment taxes imposed by the
Code) is less than the Total Amount minus any and all applicable federal, state
and local taxes (including but not limited to income and employment taxes
imposed by the Code and excise taxes applicable to such payments under Section
4999 of the Code), then the reduction of the amount payable to Executive under
Paragraphs 7(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement provided for in the preceding
provisions of this Paragraph 9 shall not be made.
10. Compliance With Other Agreements. Executive represents and warrants
--------------------------------
to the Company that the execution, delivery and performance by Executive of this
Agreement do not and will not conflict with or result in a violation of any
provision of, or constitute a default under, any contract, agreement, instrument
or obligation to which Executive is a party or by which he is bound.
11. Noncompetition and Related Matters. Without the prior written consent
----------------------------------
of the Company, Executive will not, directly or indirectly:
(a) persuade or attempt to persuade any customer, client, business partner,
licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier or distributor of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries (i) to cease doing business with the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, or (ii) to reduce the amount of business it does with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries;
-9-
<PAGE>
(b) persuade or attempt to persuade any potential customer, client,
supplier, business partner, licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier
or distributor to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has made a
presentation, or with which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has been
having discussions, (i) not to do business with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or (ii) to engage, with any other person or business, in a
Competitive Activity;
(c) solicit for himself or any person or business other than the Company
or any of its subsidiaries the business of any person which is a customer,
client, business partners, licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier or
distributor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or was a customer,
client, business partner, licensor, licensee, sales representative, supplier or
distributor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within two years prior to
the Termination Date or the Employment Termination Date, as applicable;
(d) persuade or attempt to persuade any employee of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, or any individual who was its employee during the six months
prior to the Termination Date, (i) to leave the employ of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, or (ii) to become employed by any person or business engaged
in a Competitive Activity;
(e) anywhere in the world where the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
conducting any business, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control,
be employed by or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control
of, or be connected in any manner with any person or business engaged in a
Competitive Activity; provided, however, that ownership of securities of a
company whose securities are registered under the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, not in excess of 1% of any class of such
securities shall by itself not be considered a violation of this Paragraph 11.
For purposes of this Paragraph 11, a person or business shall be deemed to
be engaged in a "Competitive Activity" if such person or business (a) is engaged
in the production, sale or marketing of electronic legal information, whether
such information is distributed via the Internet, via direct modem connection,
on CD-ROMs or by some other electronic means, or (b) is one of the businesses
listed on Exhibit A attached hereto. For this purpose "legal information" means
---------
all types of law-related information sold by the Company during the term of this
Agreement, including without limitation primary law such as court decisions,
statutes and regulations, and secondary source materials such as treatises,
commentaries, outlines, annotations, private letter rulings and the like.
The provisions of this Paragraph 11 shall be in effect during the
Employment Term and (if the Employment Termination Date occurs prior to the
expiration of the Employment Term) shall continue in effect for a period of 12
months following the Employment Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for
Disability or by reason of a Without Cause Termination or is terminated by
Executive by reason of a Constructive Termination, Executive shall be bound by
the restrictions set forth in this Paragraph 11 after the Employment Termination
Date (i) if and only for so long (but not to exceed 12 months) as the Company
complies with its obligations under Paragraphs 6(b), (d) or (e), as
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<PAGE>
applicable, or (ii) if and only if the Company has made the payments to
Executive required under Paragraph 7(a)(i), if applicable, provided that
Executive shall cease being bound by such restrictions if the Company fails to
satisfy its obligations under Paragraph 7(a)(ii) or (iii).
12. Confidentiality. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the
---------------
Company's trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information, as
they may exist from time to time, are valuable, special, and unique assets of
the Company's business, access to and knowledge of which are essential to the
performance of Executive's duties hereunder. Executive confirms that all such
trade secrets and other information constitute the exclusive property of the
Company. During the Employment Term and thereafter without limitation of time,
Executive shall hold in strict confidence and shall not, directly or indirectly,
disclose or reveal to any person, or use for his own benefit or for the benefit
of anyone else, any trade secrets, confidential dealings, or other confidential
or proprietary information of any kind, nature or description (whether or not
acquired, learned, obtained or developed by Executive alone or in conjunction
with others during the Employment Term) belonging to or concerning the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or any of their customers or clients or others with
whom they now or hereafter have a business relationship, except (i) with the
prior written consent of the Company duly authorized by its Board of Directors,
(ii) in the course of the proper performance of Executive's duties hereunder,
(iii) for information (x) that becomes generally available to the public other
than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by Executive or his affiliates or
(y) that becomes available to Executive subsequent to the termination of his
employment hereunder and on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the
Company or its subsidiaries who is not bound by a duty of confidentiality, or
other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation, to the Company or such
customers, clients or others having a business relationship, or (iv) as required
by applicable law or legal process. The provisions of this Paragraph 12 shall
continue in effect notwithstanding termination of Executive's employment
hereunder for any reason.
13. Business Records. Given the competitive environment in which the
----------------
Company does business and the fiduciary relationship that Executive will have
with the Company hereunder, Executive agrees to promptly deliver to the Company,
upon termination of his employment hereunder, or at any other time when the
Company so requests, all memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals and other
documents (and all copies thereof and therefrom) in any way relating to the
business or affairs of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
clients, whether made or compiled by Executive or furnished to him by the
Company or any of its employees, customers, clients, consultants or agents,
which Executive may then possess or have under his control. Executive confirms
that all such memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals and other documents
(and all copies thereof and therefrom) constitute the exclusive property of the
Company. The obligation of confidentiality set forth in Paragraph 12 shall
continue notwithstanding Executive's delivery of any such documents to the
Company. The provisions of this Paragraph 13 shall continue in effect
notwithstanding termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any reason.
-11-
<PAGE>
14. Intellectual Property.
---------------------
(a) Disclosure. Executive shall promptly disclose to the Company all
----------
ideas, inventions, discoveries, processes, designs, methods, substances,
articles, computer programs and improvements, whether or not patentable or
copyrightable (all of the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called
"Intellectual Property"), which Executive conceives, invents, discovers, creates
or develops, alone or with others, during the Employment Term, if such
conception, invention, discovery, creation or development (i) occurs in the
course of Executive's employment with the Company, or (ii) occurs with the use
of the Company's or any of its subsidiaries' time, materials or facilities, or
(iii) in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, relates or
pertains in any way to the Company's or any of its subsidiaries' purposes,
activities or affairs.
(b) Assignment. Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the
----------
Company, its successors, assigns or designees, any and all of Executive's right,
title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property that Executive is
obligated to disclose to the Company pursuant to Paragraph 14(a).
(c) Assistance. Executive shall assist the Company in the preparation of
----------
and shall execute and deliver all disclosures, applications for patents or
reissue of patents, rights of priority, assignments and other documents, give
all testimony, and in general do all lawful things reasonably requested by the
Company to obtain, maintain and enforce United States and foreign patents and to
obtain, maintain and enforce on behalf of the Company or its designee legal
title and all rights in and to all Intellectual Property referred to in the
preceding provisions of this Paragraph 14.
(d) Records. Executive shall prepare and maintain adequate and current
-------
written records of all Intellectual Property within the scope of Paragraphs
14(a) through 14(c) in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, memoranda or
reports, all of which shall be promptly submitted by Executive to the Company
and shall be owned exclusively by the Company.
(e) Consideration and Expenses. Executive shall perform his obligations
--------------------------
under this Paragraph 14 at the Company's expense, but without any additional
compensation other than that which Executive receives by reason of his
employment with the Company or pursuant to any separate agreement between the
Company and Executive or any separate policy of the Company that may be in
effect from time to time during the Employment Term.
(f) Power of Attorney. If the Company or its designee is unable for any
-----------------
reason whatsoever to obtain Executive's signature to any documents that the
Company is entitled to require him to sign pursuant to this Paragraph 14,
Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company as his agent
and attorney-in-fact to act for and on behalf of him and in his stead to
execute, deliver and file all such documents (including, without limitation, all
applications for United States and foreign patents or for the reissue of such
patents) and to do all other lawful acts that the Company is entitled to require
Executive to do pursuant to this Paragraph 14.
-12-
<PAGE>
(g) Survival. The provisions of this Paragraph 14 shall continue in
--------
effect notwithstanding termination of Executive's employment hereunder for any
reason.
15. Assistance in Litigation. During the Employment Term and for a period
------------------------
of three years thereafter, Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish such
information and proper assistance to the Company as may reasonably be required
by the Company in connection with any litigation in which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party. The Company shall
reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
Executive in rendering such assistance. The provisions of this Paragraph 16
shall continue in effect notwithstanding termination of Executive's employment
hereunder for any reason.
16. Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any payments to be
-----------------
made to Executive hereunder such amounts (including social security
contributions and federal income taxes) as shall be required by federal, state
and local withholding tax laws.
17. No Effect on Other Contractual Rights. The provisions of this
-------------------------------------
Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts
otherwise payable to Executive, or in any way diminish Executive's rights as an
employee of the Company, whether existing now or hereafter, under any employee
benefit plan, program or arrangement or other contract or agreement of the
Company providing benefits to Executive.
18. Arbitration. The Company and Executive agree to submit to final and
-----------
binding arbitration any and all disputes, claims (whether in tort, in contract,
statutory or otherwise) and/or disagreements concerning the interpretation or
application of this Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall any dispute, claim or disagreement arising under
Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 14 be submitted to arbitration pursuant to this
Paragraph 18 or otherwise. Any dispute, claim and/or disagreement subject to
arbitration pursuant to the terms of this Paragraph 18 shall be resolved by
arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association or any successor organization (the "Association") then
in effect. Arbitration under this provision must be initiated within 30 days of
the action, inaction or occurrence about which the party initiating the
arbitration is complaining. Within ten days of the initiation of an arbitration
hereunder, each party will designate an arbitrator pursuant to Rule 14 of the
Association's Rules, and within 10 days thereafter the appointed arbitrators
will appoint a neutral arbitrator from the panel in the manner prescribed in
Rule 13 of the Association's Rules; provided, however, that if the Company and
Executive mutually agree, the arbitration may be conducted by a single
arbitrator selected by agreement of the Company and Executive. Executive and
the Company agree that the decision of the arbitrators selected hereunder will
be final and binding on both parties. This arbitration provision is expressly
made pursuant to and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.
Sections 1-14. The parties hereto agree that pursuant to Section 9 of such Act
a judgment of any state court located in Crawford County, Arkansas, shall be
entered upon the award made pursuant to the arbitration.
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<PAGE>
19. Injunctive Relief. In recognition of the fact that a breach by
-----------------
Executive of any of the provisions of Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 14 will cause
irreparable damage to the Company for which monetary damages alone will not
constitute an adequate remedy, the Company shall be entitled as a matter of
right (without being required to prove damages or furnish any bond or other
security) to obtain a restraining order, an injunction, an order of specific
performance or other equitable or extraordinary relief from any court of
competent jurisdiction restraining any further violation of such provisions by
Executive or requiring him to perform his obligations hereunder. Such right to
equitable or extraordinary relief shall not be exclusive but shall be in
addition to all other rights and remedies to which the Company may be entitled
at law or in equity, including without limitation the right to recover monetary
damages for the breach by Executive of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
20. Survival. Neither the expiration of the term of Executive's
--------
employment hereunder nor any other termination of this Agreement shall impair
the rights or obligations of either party hereto which shall have accrued
hereunder prior to such expiration or termination. The provisions of Paragraphs
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19 and the rights and obligations of the parties
thereunder, shall survive the expiration or termination of the term of
Executive's employment hereunder; provided, however, that the provisions of
Paragraph 11 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement only
if the Employment Termination Date occurs before the expiration of the
Employment Term and only to the extent specified in Paragraph 11.
21. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
-------
required or permitted to be given or made hereunder by either party hereto shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made (i) when
delivered personally, or (ii) when deposited in the United States mail, first
class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
to the party for which intended at the following addresses (or at such other
addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice, except that
notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt):
If to the Company, at:
Loislaw.com, Inc.
105 North 28th Street
Van Buren, AR 72956
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
with a copy to:
Kenn W. Webb, Esq.
Thompson & Knight, P.C.
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 3300
Dallas, Texas 75201
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<PAGE>
If to Executive:
Mark Beyland
105 North 28th Street
Van Buren, AR 72956
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
----------------
between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the
parties with respect to such subject matter.
23. Binding Effect; Assignment; No Third Party Benefit. This Agreement
--------------------------------------------------
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided,
however, that Executive shall not assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement or
any of his rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of
the Company (except that any rights that Executive may have hereunder at the
time of his death may be transferred by will or pursuant to the laws of descent
and distribution). Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to
or shall confer upon any person other than the parties hereto, and their
respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns, any
rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.
The Company may: (i) as long as it remains obligated with respect to this
Agreement, cause its obligations hereunder to be performed by a subsidiary or
subsidiaries for which Executive performs services, in whole or in part; (ii)
assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any
corporation with or into which it may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which
it may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if said corporation
shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume to the reasonable
satisfaction of Executive all liabilities of the Company hereunder as fully as
if it had been originally named the Company herein; but may not otherwise assign
this Agreement or its rights hereunder. Subject to the foregoing, this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company's
successors and assigns.
24. Nonalienation of Benefits. Executive shall not have any right to
-------------------------
pledge, hypothecate, anticipate or in any way create a lien upon any payments or
other benefits provided under this Agreement; and no benefits payable hereunder
shall be assignable in anticipation of payment either by voluntary or
involuntary acts, or by operation of law, except by will or pursuant to the laws
of descent and distribution.
25. Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified or amended in any
---------
respect except by an instrument in writing signed by both of the parties hereto.
26. Waiver. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any
------
time by the party hereto that is entitled to have the benefit thereof, but such
waiver shall only be effective if evidenced by a writing signed by such party,
and a waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to
-15-
<PAGE>
be a waiver of the same or any other type of breach on a future occasion. No
failure or delay by a party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder
shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise
thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right or power.
27. Authority. No person, other than pursuant to a resolution duly
---------
adopted by the members of the Board of Directors of the Company, shall have
authority on behalf of the Company to agree to modify, amend or waive any
provision of this Agreement or take any action in reference hereto.
28. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
------------
unenforceable, (a) this Agreement shall be considered divisible, (b) such
provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent it is deemed unenforceable,
and (c) in all other respects this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect; provided, however, that if any such provision may be made enforceable by
limitation thereof, then such provision shall be deemed to be so limited and
shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
29. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
-------------
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
30. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
------------
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all
of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
31. Interest on Late Payments. The Company's obligation to pay Executive
-------------------------
any amounts under this Agreement, if not paid by the time specified for payment
herein, shall bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum or, if different, the
maximum rate allowed by law until paid by the Company, and all accrued and
unpaid interest shall bear interest at the same rate, all of which interest
shall be compounded daily.
-16-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on
its behalf by its duly authorized officer, and Executive has executed this
Agreement, as of the date first set forth above.
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
By: /s/Kyle D. Parker
----------------------------------------------
Name: Kyle D. Parker
Title: Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/Mark O. Beyland
-----------------------------------------------
Mark O. Beyland
-17-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
---------
The Thomson Corporation and its legal publishing companies (including West
Group/West Publishing/Westlaw)
Reed Elsevier and its legal publishing companies (including LEXIS-NEXIS, Matthew
Bender and Shepard's)
Wolters Kluwer and its legal publishing companies (including CCH Inc.)
Anderson Publishing
Danby Publishing
law.com
Findlaw.com
VersusLaw
Nolo Press
BNA
American Lawyer Media
Wasserstein Pirella
Public Records Corporation
CDB Infotek
LRP Publications
Quicklaw
Barclays Law Publishers
United Communications
Congressional Quarterly Inc.
Washington Post
New York Law Publishing
Legi-Tech
-18-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.11
The following people and the persons who may hereafter be elected as directors
and officers will execute Indemnity Agreements in substantially the same form as
the Form of Indemnity Agreement filed herewith:
1. Kyle D. Parker;
2. Mark O. Beyland;
3. W. Clark Wigley;
4. Reves W. Dillon, Jr.;
5. Jay Scott Thompson;
6. Pamela G. Rogers;
7. Douglas W. Parker, Sr.;
8. Robert C. Ammerman;
9. D. Randy Laney;
10. Hannah C. Stone; and
11. Michael E. Romanies.
<PAGE>
FORM OF INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
---------------------------
This Agreement made and entered into as of this _____ day of June, by and
between Loislaw.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
__________________ ("Indemnitee"), who is currently serving the Company in the
capacity of a director and/or officer thereof;
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize that the interpretation of
ambiguous statutes, regulations and court opinions and of the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, and the vagaries of public policy, are
too uncertain to provide the directors and officers of the Company with adequate
or reliable advance knowledge or guidance with respect to the legal risks and
potential liabilities to which they become personally exposed as a result of
performing their duties in good faith for the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Indemnitee are aware that highly experienced
and capable persons are often reluctant to serve as directors or officers of a
corporation unless they are protected to the fullest extent permitted by law by
comprehensive insurance or indemnification, especially since the legal risks and
potential liabilities, and the very threat thereof, associated with lawsuits
filed against the officers and directors of a corporation, and the resultant
substantial time, expense, harassment, ridicule, abuse and anxiety spent and
endured in defending against such lawsuits, whether or not meritorious, bear no
reasonable or logical relationship to the amount of compensation received by the
directors or officers from the corporation; and
WHEREAS, Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, which sets forth certain provisions relating to the mandatory and
permissive indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, officers and
directors (among others) of a Delaware corporation by such corporation, is
specifically not exclusive of other rights to which those indemnified thereunder
may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, and, thus, does not by itself limit the
extent to which the Company may indemnify persons serving as its officers and
directors (among others); and
WHEREAS, after due consideration and investigation of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and the various other options available to the
Company and the Indemnitee in lieu thereof, the board of directors of the
Company has determined that the following Agreement is not only reasonable and
prudent but necessary to promote and ensure the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to have Indemnitee serve or continue to serve
as an officer and/or director of the Company, free from undue concern for
unpredictable, inappropriate or unreasonable legal risks and personal
liabilities by reason of his acting in good faith in the performance of his duty
to the Company; and Indemnitee desires to serve, or to continue to serve
2
<PAGE>
(provided that he is furnished the indemnity provided for hereinafter), in
either or both of such capacities;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee,
intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Agreement to Serve. Indemnitee agrees to serve or continue to serve
as director and/or officer of the Company, at the will of the Company or under
separate contract, if such exists, for so long as he is duly elected or
appointed and qualified in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws of the
Company or until such time as he tenders his resignation in writing.
2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(a) The term "Proceeding" shall mean any action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any
appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding, and any inquiry or
investigation that could lead to such an action, suit or proceeding, except
one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
(b) The term "Expenses" includes, without limitation, all reasonable
attorneys' fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts,
witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding
costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other
disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection
with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend,
investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.
(c) References to "other enterprise" shall include employee benefit
plans; references to "fines" shall include any (i) excise taxes assessed
with respect to any employee benefit plan and (ii) penalties; references to
"serving at the request of the Company" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties
on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with
respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and
a person who acts in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believes to
be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee
benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the
best interests of the Company" as referred to in this Agreement.
3. Indemnity in Third Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify
Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is
a party to or is threatened to be made a party to or otherwise involved in any
threatened, pending or completed Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in
the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of the
fact that Indemnitee is or was a director and/or officer of the Company, or is
or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with
such
3
<PAGE>
Proceeding, provided it is determined pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement or
by the court having jurisdiction in the matter, that Indemnitee acted in good
faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had
no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that
Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect
to any criminal Proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
unlawful.
4. Indemnity in Proceedings By or In the Right of the Company. The
Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 4 if Indemnitee is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to or
otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by or in
the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the
fact that Indemnitee is or was a director and/or officer of the Company, or is
or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee
in connection with the defense, settlement or other disposition of such
Proceeding, but only if he acted in good faith and in a manner that he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company, except that no indemnification shall be made under this Section 4 in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the
Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such Expenses as the Delaware Court of
Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
5. Indemnification for Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that Indemnitee
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding
referred to in Sections 3 and/or 4 of this Agreement, or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice,
Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.
6. Advances of Expenses. The Expenses incurred by Indemnitee pursuant to
Sections 3 and/or 4 of this Agreement in connection with any Proceeding shall,
at the written request of the Indemnitee, be paid by the Company in advance of
the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt by the Company of an
undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee ("Indemnitee's Undertaking") to repay
such amount to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is
not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The request for advancement of
Expenses by Indemnitee and the undertaking to repay of Indemnitee, which need
not be secured, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this
---------
Agreement.
4
<PAGE>
7. Right of Indemnitee to Indemnification or Advancement of Expenses Upon
Application; Procedure Upon Application.
(a) If required by the terms of this Agreement, indemnification under
Sections 3 and/or 4 of this Agreement shall be made no later than 45 days
after receipt by the Company of the written request of Indemnitee. A
determination shall be made within said 45-day period by (i) a majority
vote of the directors of the Company who are not parties to the involved
Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) independent legal
counsel in a written opinion (which counsel shall be appointed if there are
no such directors or if such directors so direct), as to whether the
Indemnitee has met the applicable standards for indemnification set forth
in Section 3 or 4, as the case may be.
(b) Any advancement of Expenses under Section 6 of this Agreement
shall be made no later than 10 days after receipt by the Company of
Indemnitee's Undertaking.
(c) In any action to establish or enforce the right of indemnification
or to receive advancement of Expenses as provided in this Agreement, the
burden of proving that indemnification or advancement of Expenses is not
appropriate shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Company
(including its board of directors or independent legal counsel) to have
made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that
indemnification or advancement of Expenses is proper in the circumstances
because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an
actual determination by the Company (including its board of directors or
independent legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable
standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a
presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
The Company shall also indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred
by Indemnitee in connection with successfully establishing or enforcing his
right of indemnification or to receive advancement of Expenses, in whole or
in part, under this Agreement.
8. Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses Under this Agreement Not
Exclusive. The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses
as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of the Company, any other agreement, any vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding such office.
9. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
provision of this Agreement to indemnification or to receive advancement by the
Company for a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in the investigation,
defense, appeal, settlement or other disposition of any Proceeding but not,
however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify
Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.
5
<PAGE>
10. Rights Continued. The rights of indemnification and to receive
advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall continue as to
Indemnitee even though Indemnitee may have ceased to be a director or officer of
the Company and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees.
11. No Construction as an Employment Agreement or Any Other Commitment.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any
right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, if
Indemnitee currently serves as an officer of the Company, or to be renominated
as a director of the Company, if Indemnitee currently serves as a director of
the Company.
12. Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains an insurance
policy or policies providing directors' and officers' liability insurance,
Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or
their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director or
officer of the Company under such policy or policies.
13. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under
this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable under this
Agreement if, and to the extent that, Indemnitee has otherwise actually received
such payment under any contract, agreement or insurance policy, the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, or otherwise.
14. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all the rights of
recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do
everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including without
limitation the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the
Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
15. Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement,
the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, to
indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to any Proceeding, or
any claim therein, (i) brought or made by Indemnitee against the Company, or
(ii) in which final judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of
profits made from the purchase and sale or the sale and purchase by Indemnitee
of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of any
federal, state or local statute.
16. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to
be given or made to the Company or Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement shall
be given or made in writing by depositing the same in the United States mail,
with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the person to whom such notice or
communication is directed at the address of such person on the records of the
Company, and such notice or communication shall be deemed given or made at the
time when the same shall be so deposited in the United States mail. Any such
notice or communication to the Company shall be addressed to the Secretary of
the Company.
6
<PAGE>
17. Contractual Rights. The right to be indemnified or to receive
advancement of Expenses under this Agreement (i) is a contract right based upon
good and valuable consideration, pursuant to which Indemnitee may sue, (ii) is
and is intended to be retroactive and shall be available as to events occurring
prior to the date of this Agreement and (iii) shall continue after any
rescission or restrictive modification of this Agreement as to events occurring
prior thereto.
18. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall
be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby; and, to the fullest extent possible,
the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed so as to give effect to the
intent manifested by the provisions held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
19. Successors; Binding Agreement. The Company shall require any
successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise), by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Indemnitee, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if
no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall
mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business
and/or assets as aforesaid that executes and delivers the agreement provided for
in this Section 19 or that otherwise becomes bound by the terms and provisions
of this Agreement by operation of law.
20. Counterparts, Modification, Headings, Gender.
(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument, and either party hereto may
execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.
(b) No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or
discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in
writing and signed by Indemnitee and an appropriate officer of the Company.
No waiver by any party at any time of any breach by any other party of, or
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be
performed by any other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or at any prior or
subsequent time.
(c) Section headings are not to be considered part of this Agreement,
are solely for convenience of reference, and shall not affect the meaning
or interpretation of this Agreement or any provision set forth herein.
(d) Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be
construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall
be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context
otherwise requires.
21. Assignability. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party
without the consent of the other.
7
<PAGE>
22. Exclusive Jurisdiction; Governing Law. The Company and Indemnitee
agree that all disputes in any way relating to or arising under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, any action for advancement of Expenses or
indemnification, shall be litigated, if at all, exclusively in the Delaware
Court of Chancery, and, if necessary, the corresponding appellate courts. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed
in such state without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws. The
Company and Indemnitee expressly submit themselves to the personal jurisdiction
of the State of Delaware.
23. Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall terminate upon the mutual agreement of the
parties that this Agreement shall terminate or upon the death of
Indemnitee or the resignation, retirement, removal or replacement of
Indemnitee from all of his positions as a director and/or officer of the
Company.
(b) The termination of this Agreement shall not terminate:
(i) the Company's liability for claims or actions against
Indemnitee arising out of or related to acts, omissions, occurrences,
facts or circumstances occurring or alleged to have occurred prior to
such termination; or
(ii) the applicability of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement to such claims or actions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Indemnitee have executed this Agreement
as of the date and year first above written.
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
-----------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------
INDEMNITEE
---------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------
8
<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.17
1999 NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
OF
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
Section 1. Purpose. It is the purpose of the Plan to promote the
-------
interests of Loislaw.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and its
stockholders by attracting and retaining qualified Nonemployee Directors by
giving them the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and
an increased personal interest in its continued success and progress. The
Options granted under the Plan shall not be qualified as "incentive stock
options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").
Section 2. Definitions. As used herein the following terms have the
-----------
following meanings:
(a) "Affiliate" means any parent or subsidiary corporation of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended; provided, however, that an entity shall not be deemed
a parent of the Company unless such entity owns at least 50% of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company.
(b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "Committee" means the Nonemployee Directors Stock Option
Committee described in Section 4 hereof.
(d) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of the Company.
(e) "Fair Market Value" means, unless the Committee determines
otherwise in good faith, the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the
last market trading day preceding the date in question as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market or any national stock exchange or other stock market
on which the Common Stock is then traded, or if the Common Stock is not
listed or admitted to trading on the Nasdaq National Market or any national
stock exchange but is quoted as an over-the-counter security on Nasdaq or
any similar system then in use, "Fair Market Value" shall mean the average
of the closing high bid and low asked quotations on such system for the
Common Stock on the last market trading day preceding the date in question.
(f) "Nonemployee Director" means an individual who (i) is now, or
hereafter becomes, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, and
(ii) is neither an employee nor an officer of the Company or of an
Affiliate of the Company. For purposes
1
<PAGE>
of this Plan, "employee" shall mean an individual whose wages are subject
to the withholding of federal income tax under Section 3401 of the Code,
and "officer" shall mean an individual elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors or chosen in such other manner as may be prescribed in the Bylaws
of the Company or an Affiliate to serve as such.
(g) "Option" means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock
granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
(h) "Optionee" means a Nonemployee Director who has been granted an
Option under the Plan.
(i) "Plan" means this 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for
Nonemployee Directors of Loislaw.com, Inc.
Section 3. Number of Shares. Options may be granted by the Company from
----------------
time to time under the Plan to purchase an aggregate of 320,000 shares of
Common Stock. If an Option expires or terminates for any reason without having
been exercised in full, the unpurchased shares subject to such expired or
terminated Option shall again be available for purposes of the Plan. The shares
may be authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Common Stock.
Section 4. Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by
--------------------------
a Nonemployee Directors Stock Option Committee which shall consist of two or
more members of the Board, a majority of which shall not be Nonemployee
Directors. Each member of the Committee shall be appointed by and shall serve
at the pleasure of the Board. The Board shall have the sole continuing
authority to appoint members of the Committee both in substitution for members
previously appointed and to fill vacancies however caused. The following
provisions shall apply to the administration of the Plan:
(a) The Committee shall designate one of its members as Chairman and
shall hold meetings at such times and places as it may determine. Each
member of the Committee shall be notified in writing of the time and place
of any meeting of the Committee at least two days prior to such meeting,
provided that such notice may be waived by a Committee member. A majority
of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and any action
taken by a majority of the members of the Committee present at any duly
called meeting at which a quorum is present (as well as any action
unanimously approved in writing) shall constitute action by the Committee.
(b) The Committee may appoint a Secretary (who need not be a member
of the Committee) who shall keep minutes of its meetings. The Committee may
make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may
determine.
(c) The Committee shall have full authority subject to the express
provisions of the Plan to interpret the Plan and any Option granted
hereunder, to provide, modify and
2
<PAGE>
rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the terms
and provisions of each Option and the form of each option agreement
evidencing an Option granted under the Plan and to make all other
determinations and perform such actions as the Committee deems necessary or
advisable to administer the Plan. In addition, the Committee shall have
full authority, subject to the express provisions of the Plan, to determine
the Nonemployee Directors to whom Options shall be granted, the time or
date of grant of each such Option, the number of shares subject thereto,
and the price at which such shares may be purchased, and the nature and
extent of restrictions, if any, on such shares. In making such
determinations, the Committee may take into account such facts as the
Committee in its discretion shall deem appropriate to carry out the
purposes of the Plan.
(d) No member of the Committee or the Board shall be liable for any
action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan
or any Option granted hereunder.
Section 5. Grant of Options. At any time and from time to time during the
----------------
term of the Plan and subject to the express provisions hereof, Options may be
granted by the Committee to any Nonemployee Director for such number of shares
of Common Stock as the Committee in its discretion shall deem to be in the best
interest of the Company and which will serve to further the purposes of the
Plan.
Section 6. Option Price and Payment. The purchase price per share of
------------------------
Common Stock under each Option shall be determined by the Committee in its
discretion, but in no event shall such price be less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted. Upon
exercise of an Option, the purchase price shall be paid in full in cash or by
such of the following methods as the Committee may specify at the time of grant
and as shall be included in the option agreement: (i) by personal check of the
Optionee; (ii) by the delivery of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate
Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price
of the shares as to which the Option is being exercised; (iii) by means of a
broker-assisted exercise whereby the Optionee delivers to the Company, together
with a properly executed exercise notice, such other documentation as the
Committee and the broker assisting in the transaction shall require to effect an
exercise of the Option, a sale of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon
exercise and the delivery to the Company of the proceeds of such sale in full
payment of the exercise price; or (iv) any combination of the foregoing methods
of payment. The proceeds of a sale of Common Stock upon exercise of an Option
shall constitute general funds of the Company. Upon exercise of an Option, the
Optionee will be required to pay to the Company the amount of federal, state or
local taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld in connection with such
exercise.
Section 7. Option Period and Terms of Exercise of Options. Each Option
----------------------------------------------
granted under the Plan shall vest and become exercisable on such date or dates
(each, a "Vesting Date") as the Committee shall determine. Except as otherwise
provided herein, each Option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable during
such period commencing on the Vesting Date(s) of such Option as the Committee
shall determine; provided, however, that the otherwise unexpired portion of any
3
<PAGE>
Option shall expire and become null and void upon the expiration of five years
from the date such Option was granted. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the otherwise unexpired portion of any Option granted hereunder
shall expire and become null and void immediately upon an Optionee's termination
of service as a director of the Company by reason of such Optionee's fraud,
dishonesty or performance of other acts detrimental to the Company or an
Affiliate (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion). The unvested
portion of any Option shall expire and become null and void upon the termination
of the Optionee's service as a director of the Company for any reason (including
without limitation a failure by the Board of Directors to nominate, or by the
stockholders to re-elect, the Optionee as a director). Under the provisions of
any option agreement evidencing an Option, the Committee may limit the number of
shares purchasable thereunder in any period or periods of time during which the
Option is exercisable and may impose such other terms and conditions upon the
exercise of an Option as are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;
provided, however, that the Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the
exercise date of any such Option consistent with the terms of the Plan.
Section 8. Limited Transferability of Options. An Option granted under
----------------------------------
the Plan shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or by a person or entity to
which the Optionee is permitted to transfer the Option in accordance with this
Section 8. An Option granted under the Plan shall be transferrable by the
Optionee only as follows:
(a) By will or the laws of descent and distribution upon the death
of the Optionee;
(b) By gift or a domestic relations order to a "family member" of
the Optionee, as such term is defined in the instructions to Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including without limitation trusts
in which family members of the Optionee have more than 50% of the
beneficial interest, foundations in which such family members control the
management of assets, and any other entity in which such family members or
the Optionee own more than 50% of the voting interests; or
(c) To an entity in which more than 50% of the voting interests are
owned by the Optionee or the Optionee's family members in exchange for an
interest or interests in that entity.
As a condition to any such transfer, each permitted transferee shall execute an
agreement satisfactory to the Company agreeing to be bound by the terms and
provisions of this Plan and the Optionee's original option agreement relating to
the Option.
Section 9. Agreement to Continue in Service. Each Optionee shall agree to
--------------------------------
remain in the service of the Company, at the pleasure of the Company's
stockholders, for a continuous period of at least four years after the date of
the grant to such Optionee of any Option, at the retainer rate and fee schedule,
if any, then in effect or at such changed rate or schedule as the Company from
time to time may establish.
4
<PAGE>
Section 10. Adjustments Upon Changes in Common Stock. In the event the
----------------------------------------
Company shall effect a split of the Common Stock or dividend payable in Common
Stock, or in the event the outstanding Common Stock shall be combined into a
smaller number of shares, the maximum number of shares as to which Options may
be granted under the Plan shall be decreased or increased proportionately. In
the event that before delivery by the Company of all of the shares of Common
Stock for which any Option has been granted under the Plan, the Company shall
have effected such a split, dividend or combination, the shares still subject to
such Option shall be increased or decreased proportionately and the purchase
price per share shall be decreased or increased proportionately so that the
aggregate purchase price for all of the shares then subject to such Option shall
remain the same as immediately prior to such split, dividend or combination.
In the event of a reclassification of Common Stock not covered by the
foregoing, or in the event of a liquidation or reorganization (including a
merger, consolidation, spinoff or sale of assets) of the Company, including a
transaction in which the Company is not the survivor, the Board shall make such
adjustments, if any, as it may deem appropriate in the number, purchase price
and kind of shares covered by the unexercised portions of Options theretofore
granted under the Plan. The provisions of this Section shall only be applicable
if, and only to the extent that, the application thereof does not conflict with
any valid governmental statute, regulation or rule.
Section 11. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. Subject to the right
-------------------------------------
of the Board to terminate the Plan prior thereto, the Plan shall terminate at
the expiration of ten years from July 22, 1999, the date of adoption of the Plan
by the Board. No Options may be granted after termination of the Plan. The
Board may alter or amend the Plan in any respect, except that no termination or
amendment of the Plan shall adversely affect the rights of an Optionee under a
previously granted Option, except with the consent of such Optionee.
Section 12. Modification of Options. Subject to the terms and conditions
-----------------------
of and within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or
renew outstanding Options granted under the Plan, or accept the surrender of
Options outstanding hereunder (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and
authorize the granting of new Options in substitution therefor. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the
Optionee, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Option theretofore
granted to such Optionee.
Section 13. Requirements of Law. The granting of Options and the issuance
-------------------
of Common Stock upon the exercise of an Option shall be subject to all
applicable laws, rules and regulations and to such approval by governmental
agencies as may be required.
Section 14. Investment Letter. If the Company so elects, the Company's
-----------------
obligation to deliver Common Stock with respect to an Option shall be
conditioned upon its receipt from the Optionee to whom such Common Stock is to
be delivered of an executed investment letter containing such representations
and agreements as the Committee may determine to be necessary or advisable in
order to enable the Company to issue and deliver such Common Stock to such
5
<PAGE>
Optionee in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and other applicable
federal, state or local securities laws or regulations.
Section 15. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective as of
--------------------------
the date of its adoption by the Board.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Plan has been executed at Van Buren, Arkansas on,
and is effective as of, this 22nd day of July, 1999.
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
By: /s/ Kyle D. Parker
------------------
Kyle D. Parker, Chairman
of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
6
<PAGE>
- 1 -
EXHIBIT 10.19
AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO SENIOR SUBORDINATED
NOTE AND SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
AND
AMENDMENT AGREEMENT
This Amendment No. 4 to Senior Subordinated Note and Securities Purchase
Agreement and Amendment Agreement (this "Agreement") dated as of January 29,
1999 by and among Law Office Information Systems, Inc., an Arkansas corporation
(the "Company"), Capital Resource Lenders III, L.P. ("CRL III"), CRP Investment
Partners III, L.L.C. ("CRP Investment"), Rowland Moriarty ("Moriarty" and
together with CRL III and CRP Investment, the "Purchasers"), and, for purposes
of Section 2 hereof only, the parties listed under the heading "Securityholders"
on the signature pages hereto, amends (i) that certain Senior Subordinated Note
and Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of November 24, 1997 by and between
the Company and CRL III, as amended by that certain Amendment dated as of June
29, 1998, that certain Amendment No. 2 dated as of August 20, 1998 and that
certain Amendment No. 3 dated as of November 30, 1998 by and among the Company
and the Purchasers (as so amended, the "Purchase Agreement"), (ii) that certain
Stockholders' Agreement dated as of November 24, 1997 by and among the Company
and certain of the Company's securityholders named therein (the "Stockholders'
Agreement), and (iii) that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of
November 24, 1997 by and among the Company, CRL III and Dublind Investments LLC
(the "Registration Rights Agreement").
WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof and pursuant to the Purchase Agreement
and that certain Assignment, Assumption and Consent dated as of January 1, 1998
by and among the Company and the Purchasers, the Company has issued and sold to
the Purchasers (i) 12.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2004 (the "Notes") of the
Company in the aggregate principal amount of $8,000,000, (ii) an aggregate of
931,044 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per
share, of the Company, and (iii) Common Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase up
to an aggregate of 972,293 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of
the Company;
WHEREAS, CRL III executed a Limited Guaranty dated as of August 20, 1998,
as amended (the "CRL III Guaranty") in favor of Fleet National Bank, a national
banking association (the "Bank"), pursuant to which CRL III agreed to guarantee
certain obligations of the Company under that certain Credit Agreement dated as
of August 20, 1998 between the Company and the Bank;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.02(c) of the Purchase Agreement, the
Purchasers remain obligated to purchase up to an additional $2,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of Notes (the "Remaining Notes") less the Maximum Cumulative
----
Liability (as such term is defined in the CRL III Guaranty) at a Takedown
Closing scheduled to occur on May 31, 1999;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Purchasers desire to amend the Purchase
Agreement, the Stockholders' Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement as
hereinafter set forth so
<PAGE>
- 2 -
that (i) the Purchasers remain obligated to purchase from the Company the
Remaining Notes without reducing such aggregate principal amount by the Maximum
Cumulative Liability, (ii) the purchase and sale of the Remaining Notes shall
occur prior to May 31, 1999 at two separate Takedown Closings such that an
aggregate of $500,000 of the Remaining Notes be purchased and sold on the date
hereof and an aggregate of $1,500,000 of the Remaining Notes be purchased and
sold on February 9, 1999 (the "Final Takedown Closing"), (iii) at the Final
Takedown Closing the Company shall issue to the Purchasers additional Common
Stock Purchase Warrants of the Company (the "Final Takedown Closing Warrants")
for the purchase of an aggregate of 102,091 shares of Common Stock (the "Final
Takedown Closing Warrant Shares"), (iv) all references to the term "Warrants" in
the Stockholders' Agreement shall be deemed to include the Final Takedown
Closing Warrants, and (v) all references to the terms "Warrant" and "Warrant
Shares" in the Registration Rights shall be deemed to include the Final Takedown
Closing Warrants and the Final Takedown Closing Warrant Shares, respectively.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements herein
contained, and intending to be bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
1. Amendment of Purchase Agreement.
-------------------------------
1.01. Section 1.01 of the Purchase Agreement shall be amended to delete in
its entirety the definitions of "Fourth Takedown Notice" and by adding the
following definitions:
"Final Takedown Closing" shall have the meaning assigned to that
----------------------
term in Section 2.02(c).
"Final Takedown Closing Date" shall have the meaning assigned to
---------------------------
that term in Section 2.02(c).
"Final Takedown Closing Warrants" shall have the meaning assigned to
-------------------------------
that term in Section 3.02(b).
"Final Takedown Closing Warrant Shares" shall have the meaning
-------------------------------------
assigned to that term in Section 3.02(b).
"Final Takedown Principal" shall have the meaning assigned to that
------------------------
term in Section 2.02(c).
"Initial Closing Warrants" shall have the meaning assigned to that
------------------------
term in Section 3.02(a).
1.02. Section 2.02(c) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:
(c)(i) The purchase and sale of up to an additional $500,000
aggregate
<PAGE>
- 3 -
principal amount of Notes (the "Second Takedown Principal") shall take
place at a closing (the "Second Takedown Closing") to be held at the
offices of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, High Street Tower, 125 High
Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 10:00 a.m. local time on November 30,
1998 (the "Second Takedown Closing Date"). At the Second Takedown Closing,
the Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser shall
have the obligation to purchase a single Note, dated the Second Takedown
Closing Date, in the principal amount equal to such Purchaser's Pro Rata
Share (as such term is defined in the Assignment Agreement) of the Second
Takedown Principal, against receipt of funds by wire transfer to an account
or accounts designated by the Company prior to such Second Takedown Closing
in the amount of such Purchaser's Pro Rata Share of the Second Takedown
Principal, in payment of the purchase price for such Note, provided,
--------
however, that Rowland Moriarty's obligation to pay the full purchase price
-------
for the Note issued to him at such Second Takedown Closing shall be offset
against certain amounts owed to him by the Company for certain consulting
services rendered to the Company;
(ii) The purchase and sale of up to an additional $500,000
aggregate principal amount of Notes (the "Third Takedown Principal") shall
take place at a closing (the "Third Takedown Closing") to be held at the
offices of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, High Street Tower, 125 High
Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 10:00 a.m. local time on December 15,
1998 (the "Third Takedown Closing Date"). At the Third Takedown Closing,
the Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser shall
have the obligation to purchase a single Note, dated the Third Takedown
Closing Date, in the principal amount equal to such Purchaser's Pro Rata
Share (as such term is defined in the Assignment Agreement) of the Third
Takedown Principal, against receipt of funds by wire transfer to an account
or accounts designated by the Company prior to such Third Takedown Closing
in the amount of such Purchaser's Pro Rata Share of the Third Takedown
Principal, in payment of the purchase price for such Note, provided,
--------
however, that Rowland Moriarty's obligation to pay the full purchase price
-------
for the Note issued to him at such Third Takedown Closing shall be offset
against certain amounts owed to him by the Company for certain consulting
services rendered to the Company;
(iii) The purchase and sale of up to an additional $500,000
aggregate principal amount of Notes (the "Fourth Takedown Principal") shall
take place at a closing (the "Fourth Takedown Closing") to be held at the
offices of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, High Street Tower, 125 High
Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 10:00 a.m. local time on January 29, 1999
(the "Fourth Takedown Closing Date"). At the Fourth Takedown Closing, the
Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser shall have
the obligation to purchase a single Note, dated the Fourth Takedown Closing
Date, in the principal amount equal to such Purchaser's Pro Rata Share (as
such term is defined in the Assignment Agreement) of the Fourth Takedown
Principal, against receipt of funds by wire transfer to an account or
accounts designated by the Company prior to such Fourth Takedown Closing in
the amount of such Purchaser's Pro Rata Share of the Fourth Takedown
Principal, in payment of the purchase price for such Note,
<PAGE>
- 4 -
provided, however, that Rowland Moriarty's obligation to pay the full
-------- -------
purchase price for the Note issued to him at such Fourth Takedown Closing
shall be offset against certain amounts owed to him by the Company for
certain consulting services rendered to the Company; and
(iv) The purchase and sale of up to an additional $1,500,000
aggregate principal amount of Notes (the "Final Takedown Principal") shall
take place at a closing (the "Final Takedown Closing") to be held at the
offices of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, High Street Tower, 125 High
Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 10:00 a.m. local time on February 9, 1999
(the "Final Takedown Closing Date"). At the Final Takedown Closing, (A) the
Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser shall have
the obligation to purchase a single Note, dated the Final Takedown Closing
Date, in the principal amount equal to such Purchaser's Pro Rata Share (as
such term is defined in the Assignment Agreement) of the Final Takedown
Principal, and the Company will issue to each Purchaser Final Takedown
Closing Warrants (as provided in Section 3.02(b)), against receipt of funds
by wire transfer to an account or accounts designated by the Company prior
to such Final Takedown Closing in the amount of such Purchaser's Pro Rata
Share of the Final Takedown Principal, in payment of the purchase price for
such Note and such Final Takedown Warrants, provided, however, that
-------- -------
Rowland Moriarty's obligation to pay the full purchase price for the Note
issued to him at such Final Takedown Closing shall be offset against
certain amounts owed to Rowland Moriarty by the Company for certain
consulting services rendered to the Company. The First Takedown Closing,
the Second Takedown Closing, the Third Takedown Closing, the Fourth
Takedown Closing and the Final Takedown Closing are sometimes herein
referred to individually as a "Takedown Closing" and collectively as the
"Takedown Closings").
1.03. Section 3.01 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended to read in
its entirety as follows:
3.01. The Equity Securities. The Company has authorized the
---------------------
issuance and sale to the Purchasers of (i) an aggregate of 931,044 shares
(the "Preferred Shares") of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock where
the rights, designations and preferences and other terms and conditions
relating to the Series A Preferred Stock shall be as set forth on Exhibit
-------
3.01A attached hereto and (ii) the Company's Common Stock Purchase Warrants
-----
for the purchase (subject to adjustment as provided therein) of an
aggregate of 1,074,384 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Common
Stock Purchase Warrants shall be substantially in the form set forth as
Exhibit 3.01B attached hereto and are herein referred to individually as a
-------------
"Warrant" and collectively as the "Warrants", which terms shall also
include any warrants delivered in exchange or replacement therefor. The
Warrants shall be exercisable at a purchase price, subject to adjustment,
of $0.01 per Warrant Share. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Preferred Shares are referred to herein as the "Preferred
Conversion Shares." The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
the Warrants are referred to herein as the "Warrant Shares."
<PAGE>
- 5 -
1.03. Section 3.02 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended to read in
its entirety as follows:
3.02. Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares and Warrants. The
--------------------------------------------------
Company agrees to issue and sell to the Purchasers and, subject to and in
reliance upon the representations, warranties, terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Purchasers agree to purchase the Preferred Shares and the
Warrants, as follows:
(a) At the Initial Closing, the Company shall issue and
sell to CRL III the Preferred Shares and Warrants (the "Initial Closing
Warrants") to acquire 972,293 Warrant Shares.
(b) At the Final Takedown Closing, the Company will issue
to the Purchasers Warrants (the "Final Takedown Closing Warrants") to
acquire 102,091 Warrant Shares (the "Final Takedown Closing Warrant
Shares"), such that the Company will issue to each Purchaser that number of
Warrants equal such Purchaser's Pro Rata Share (as such term is defined in
the Assignment Agreement) of the Final Takedown Closing Warrants.
2. Amendments to Stockholders' Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement.
2.01. Amendment to Stockholders' Agreement. The parties hereby agree that
------------------------------------
all references to the term "Warrants" in the Stockholders' Agreement shall be
deemed to refer to and include the Final Takedown Closing Warrants.
2.02. Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement. The parties hereby
------------------------------------------
agree that all references to the terms "Warrants" and "Warrant Shares" in the
Registration Rights Agreement shall be deemed to refer to and include the Final
Takedown Closing Warrants and the Final Takedown Closing Warrant Shares,
respectively.
3. Miscellaneous.
3.01. Effect. Except as amended hereby, the Purchase Agreement, the
------
Stockholders' Agreement, the Registration Right shall remain in full force and
effect.
3.02. No Waiver. This Agreement is effective only in the specific
---------
instances and for the specific purposes for which it is executed and shall not
be considered a waiver or agreement to amend as to any provision of the Purchase
Agreement (as amended), the Stockholders' Agreement (as amended) and the
Registration Rights Agreement (as amended) in the future.
3.03. Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used but not specifically
-------------
defined herein shall have the same meanings given such terms in the Purchase
Agreement unless the context clearly indicates or dictates a contrary meaning.
<PAGE>
- 6 -
3.04. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
-------
provided for in this Agreement shall be delivered in compliance with Section
9.03 of the Purchase Agreement.
3.05. Costs, Expenses, Taxes. The Company agrees to pay on demand all
----------------------
costs and expenses of the Purchasers in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and other instruments and documents to
be delivered hereunder, including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses
of Messrs. Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, special counsel for the Purchasers.
3.06. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
-------------
and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
3.07. Seal. This Agreement is executed as an instrument under seal.
----
3.08. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
------------
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument, and each of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing
any of such counterparts.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
- 7 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement or have
caused it to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written.
COMPANY:
LAW OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
By: /S/ KYLE D. PARKER
--------------------------------------------
Name: Kyle D. Parker
Title: CEO
PURCHASERS:
CAPITAL RESOURCE LENDERS III, L.P.
By: Capital Resource Partners III, L.L.C.
Its General Partner
By: /S/ ROBERT AMMERMAN
--------------------------------------------
Managing Member
CRP INVESTMENT PARTNERS III, L.L.C.
By: /S/ ROBERT AMMERMAN
--------------------------------------------
/s/ ROWLAND MORIARTY
-----------------------------------------------
Rowland Moriarty
<PAGE>
- 8 -
SECURITYHOLDERS:
(With respect to Section 2 only)
DUBLIND INVESTMENTS LLC
By:
--------------------------------------------
KYLE D. PARKER, TRUSTEE, FOR
THE PARKER TRUST
By: /s/ KYLE D. PARKER
--------------------------------------------
Kyle D. Parker, Trustee
/s/ KYLE D. PARKER
-----------------------------------------------
Kyle D. Parker
/s/ DOUGLAS W. PARKER, SR.
-----------------------------------------------
Douglas W. Parker, Sr.
-----------------------------------------------
Melissa Ann Parker
/s/ DAVID JAMELL
-----------------------------------------------
David Jamell
-----------------------------------------------
Joseph Mullen
-----------------------------------------------
Johnnie L. Hernreich
<PAGE>
- 9 -
-----------------------------------------------
W. Clark Wigley
-----------------------------------------------
Reves W. Dillon
/s/ J. SCOTT THOMPSON
-----------------------------------------------
J. Scott Thompson
/s/ PAUL E. DICKSON
-----------------------------------------------
Paul E. Dickson
/s/ CHARLES GRIGGS
-----------------------------------------------
Charles Griggs
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.20
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
OPTION AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Option. Loislaw.com, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby grants to
---------------
the Optionee (the "Optionee") named in the Notice of Grant, an option (the
"Option") to purchase the total number of shares of Common Stock (the "Shares")
set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in
the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject to the terms, definitions and
provisions of the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company,
which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the
terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option
Agreement.
If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO"),
this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in
Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be Incentive
Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section
422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").
2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
------------------
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with
the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan as follows:
(a) Right to Exercise.
-----------------
(i) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
(ii) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Sections
6, 7 and 8 below, subject to the limitation contained in subsection
2(i)(c).
(iii) In no event may this Option be exercised after the date of
expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of
Grant.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written
------------------
notice (in the form attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the election
to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option
is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the
holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as
may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered
in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The
written notice shall be accomplished by payment of the Exercise Price.
This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of
such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.
-1-
<PAGE>
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law
and the requirements of any stock exchange or national market systems upon which
the Common Stock is then listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax
purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date
on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
3. Optionee's Representations. In the event the Shares purchasable
--------------------------
pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option is exercised,
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment
Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
4. Lock-Up Period. Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the
--------------
Company or any representative of the underwriters, (the "Managing Underwriter")
in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the
Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer
any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such
longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and
agreed to in writing by the Company) (the "Market Standoff Period") following
the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the
Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the
first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the
Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to
the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The
Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject
to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period.
5. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
-----------------
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
(a) cash; or
(b) check; or
(c) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company
option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the
date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option
is being exercised; or
(d) to the extent authorized by the Company, delivery of a properly
executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the
Administrator and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an
exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan
proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price.
-2-
<PAGE>
6. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the
------------------------
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the
Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the
Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the
Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation
7. Termination of Relationship. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
---------------------------
Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates, Optionee may, to the extent
otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"),
exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of
Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at
the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
8. Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
----------------------
above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant as a result of his or her Disability, Optionee may, but
only within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination (and in no
event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Notice of Grant) exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to
exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee is not
entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does
not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.
9. Death of Optionee. In the event of termination of Optionee's
-----------------
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of the death of
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at
the date of death.
10. Change of Control:
-----------------
(a) In the event that a "Change of Control" (as defined below) occurs,
the Option shall immediately become fully vested.
(b) A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") of the Company cease for any
reason to constitute at least 51% of the Board, provided that any
person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
-3-
<PAGE>
comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this
Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the
Incumbent Board;
(ii) the Company shall consummate a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, in each case, with respect to which persons who were
the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately
thereafter, own outstanding voting securities representing more than
50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors ("Voting Securities") of the reorganized, merged
or consolidated company;
(iii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve a sale of all
or substantially all of the stock or assets of the Company; or
(iv) any "person," as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")
(other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any employee
benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any entity
organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to
the terms of such a plan), together with all "affiliates" and
"associates" (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
Exchange Act) of such person (as well as any "Person" or "group" as
those terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act),
shall become the "beneficial owner" or "beneficial owners" (as defined
in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing in the aggregate
40% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock, par
value $.001 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") or the Voting
Securities of the Company, in either such case other than solely as a
result of acquisitions of such securities directly from the Company.
11. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
-----------------------------
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of
this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs
successors and assigns of the Optionee.
12. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
--------------
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out
in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options
and Options granted to more than ten percent (10%) shareholders shall apply to
this Option.
13. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
----------------
of this Option of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of this
Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE,
AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT
A TAX ADVISOR BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
-4-
<PAGE>
(a) Exercise of an ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there
------------------
will be no regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the
Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares
on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an
adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes and may
subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of
exercise.
(b) Exercise of an NSO. There may be a regular federal income tax
------------------
liability upon the exercise of an NSO. The Optionee will be treated as
having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates)
equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the
date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an Employee, the
Company will be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation or
collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an
amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of
exercise.
(c) Disposition of Shares. In the case of an NSO, if Shares
---------------------
transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year, any gain
realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital
gain for federal income tax purposes. In the case of an ISO, if Shares
transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year after
exercise and at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized
on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term capital gain
for federal income tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO are
disposed of within such one-year period or within two years after the Date
of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as
compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the
difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (1) the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price of the
Shares.
(d) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Option
-------------------------------------------------
granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date
one year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify
the Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee
may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation
income recognized by the Optionee.
Loislaw.com, Inc.
By:
-------------------------------
-5-
<PAGE>
OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL
OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR
ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT
CAUSE.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he
is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this
Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof Optionee has reviewed
the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the
advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all
provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon
any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to
notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Dated:
-------------------------- ---------------------------------
Optionee
Residence Address:
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
-----------------
The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the terms
and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In consideration of the
Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set forth
in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be
similarly bound. The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as
attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.
---------------------------------
Spouse of Optionee
-6-
<PAGE>
LAW OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
NOTICE OF GRANT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Notice of Grant.
Michael E. Romanies
105 North 28/th/ Street
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement,
as follows:
Grant Number 18
Date of Grant August __, 1999
Vesting Commencement Date August __, 1999
Exercise Price per Share $_____
Total Number of Shares Granted 100,000
Total Exercise Price $____________
Type of Option: X Incentive Stock Option
----------
Nonstatutory Stock Option
----------
Term/Expiration Date: August __, 2009
Vesting Schedule:
- ----------------
This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule:
Twenty percent (20%) of the Shares subject to this Option shall vest upon
the Vesting Commencement Date, and one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the Shares
subject to the Option shall vest each month thereafter.
Termination Period:
------------------
This Option may be exercised for three (3) months after termination of
employment or consulting relationship, or such longer period as may be
applicable upon death or Disability of Optionee as provided in the Plan, but in
no event later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.
-7-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.21
LAW OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
OPTION AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Option. Law Office Information Systems, Inc. (the
---------------
"Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee (the "Optionee") named in the Notice
of Grant, an option (the "Option") to purchase the total number of shares of
Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise
price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject
to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the
same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO"),
this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in
Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be Incentive
Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section
422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").
2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
------------------
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with
the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan as follows:
(a) Right to Exercise.
-----------------
(i) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
(ii) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Sections
6, 7 and 8 below, subject to the limitation contained in subsection
2(i)(c).
(iii) In no event may this Option be exercised after the date of
expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of
Grant.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written
------------------
notice (in the form attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the election
to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option
is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the
holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as
may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered
in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The
written notice shall be accomplished by payment of the Exercise Price.
This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of
such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.
-1-
<PAGE>
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law
and the requirements of any stock exchange or national market systems upon which
the Common Stock is then listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax
purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date
on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
3. Optionee's Representations. In the event the Shares purchasable
--------------------------
pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option is exercised,
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment
Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
4. Lock-Up Period. Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the
--------------
Company or any representative of the underwriters, (the "Managing Underwriter")
in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the
Company under the Securities Act, Optionee shall not sell or otherwise transfer
any Shares or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such
longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter and
agreed to in writing by the Company) (the "Market Standoff Period") following
the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the
Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the
first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the
Securities Act that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to
the public in an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act. The
Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject
to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period.
5. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
-----------------
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:
(a) cash; or
(b) check; or
(c) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company
option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the
date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option
is being exercised; or
(d) to the extent authorized by the Company, delivery of a properly
executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as the
Administrator and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an
exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan
proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price.
-2-
<PAGE>
6. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the
------------------------
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the
Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the
Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the
Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation
7. Termination of Relationship. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
---------------------------
Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates, Optionee may, to the extent
otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"),
exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of
Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at
the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
8. Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
----------------------
above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant as a result of his or her Disability, Optionee may, but
only within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination (and in no
event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Notice of Grant) exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to
exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee is not
entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does
not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.
9. Death of Optionee. In the event of termination of Optionee's
-----------------
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of the death of
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at
the date of death.
10. Change of Control:
-----------------
(a) In the event that a "Change of Control" (as defined below) occurs,
the Option shall immediately become fully vested.
(b) A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") of the Company cease for any
reason to constitute at least 51% of the Board, provided that any
person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
-3-
<PAGE>
comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this
Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the
Incumbent Board;
(ii) the Company shall consummate a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, in each case, with respect to which persons who were
the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately
thereafter, own outstanding voting securities representing more than
50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors ("Voting Securities") of the reorganized, merged
or consolidated company;
(iii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve a sale of all
or substantially all of the stock or assets of the Company; or
(iv) any "person," as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")
(other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any employee
benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any entity
organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to
the terms of such a plan), together with all "affiliates" and
"associates" (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
Exchange Act) of such person (as well as any "Person" or "group" as
those terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act),
shall become the "beneficial owner" or "beneficial owners" (as defined
in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing in the aggregate
40% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock, par
value $.001 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") or the Voting
Securities of the Company, in either such case other than solely as a
result of acquisitions of such securities directly from the Company.
11. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
-----------------------------
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of
this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs
successors and assigns of the Optionee.
12. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
--------------
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out
in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options
and Options granted to more than ten percent (10%) shareholders shall apply to
this Option.
13. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
----------------
of this Option of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of this
Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE,
AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT
A TAX ADVISOR BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
-4-
<PAGE>
(a) Exercise of an ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there
------------------
will be no regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of the
Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares
on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an
adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes and may
subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of
exercise.
(b) Exercise of an NSO. There may be a regular federal income tax
------------------
liability upon the exercise of an NSO. The Optionee will be treated as
having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates)
equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the
date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an Employee, the
Company will be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation or
collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an
amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of
exercise.
(c) Disposition of Shares. In the case of an NSO, if Shares
---------------------
transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year, any gain
realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital
gain for federal income tax purposes. In the case of an ISO, if Shares
transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at least one year after
exercise and at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized
on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term capital gain
for federal income tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO are
disposed of within such one-year period or within two years after the Date
of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as
compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the
difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (1) the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price of the
Shares.
(d) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Option
-------------------------------------------------
granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date
one year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify
the Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee
may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation
income recognized by the Optionee.
Law Office Information Systems, Inc.
By:
--------------------------------
-5-
<PAGE>
OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL
OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR
ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT
CAUSE.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he
is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this
Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof Optionee has reviewed
the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the
advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all
provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon
any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to
notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.
Dated:
------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Optionee
Residence Address:
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
-----------------
The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the terms
and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In consideration of the
Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set forth
in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be
similarly bound. The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as
attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spouse of Optionee
-6-
<PAGE>
LAW OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
NOTICE OF GRANT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Notice of Grant.
Mark O. Beyland
105 North 28/th/ Street
Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement,
as follows:
Grant Number 17
Date of Grant May 25, 1999
Vesting Commencement Date May 25, 1999
Exercise Price per Share $5.81
Total Number of Shares Granted 220,727
Total Exercise Price $1,282,423.80
Type of Option: X Incentive Stock Option
-----
Nonstatutory Stock Option
-----
Term/Expiration Date: May 25, 2009
Vesting Schedule:
- ----------------
This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule:
Fifty percent (50%) of the Shares subject to this Option shall vest upon
the Vesting Commencement Date, and one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the Shares
subject to the Option shall vest each month thereafter.
Termination Period:
------------------
This Option may be exercised for three (3) months after termination of
employment or consulting relationship, or such longer period as may be
applicable upon death or Disability of Optionee as provided in the Plan, but in
no event later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.
-7-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.23
[LOISLAW.COM, INC. LETTERHEAD]
July 1, 1999
Michelle Kaspar
Veronis, Suhler & Associates, Inc.
350 Park Avenue
20th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Dear Michelle:
As we discussed, this letter is to receive permission from Veronis Suhler &
Associates to use selected information published in your 1998 Communications
Industry Forecast. The information we would like to use is from the "Number of
Practicing Professionals" table on page 348 of the 1998 report. Under the
"lawyer" column you show 980,000 lawyers for 1998, and project growth to
1,065,000 lawyers by 2002.
LOIS proposed to use this information in our S-1. I have attached copies of
page 29 "Business" from that S-1. The last paragraph on this page contains the
lawyers counts shown in the VSA table.
Sincerely,
/s/ Clark Wigley
Clark Wigley
VP of Business Development
Permission to Cite
Loislaw.com, Inc. is hereby granted permission to cite the information discussed
in the letter.
Signed:
/s/ Leo Kivisarv Date: 7/6/99
- ---------------- ------
Name: Leo Kivisarv, Ph.D.
Title: Director of Research
<PAGE>
Exhibit 10.24
[THOMPSON & KNIGHT LETTERHEAD]
July 6, 1999
VIA FACSIMILE AT 203-358-5825
Mr. Harry Baisden
Simba Information Inc.
11 River Bend Drive South
Stamford, CT 06907-0234
Re: Loislaw.com, Inc.
Dear Mr. Baisden:
As legal counsel to Loislaw.com, Inc., formerly known as Law Office
Information Systems, Inc. (the "Company"), I am writing to request, on behalf of
the Company, your permission to reference Simba Information, Inc. as the source
of the following information in the Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement:
According to a report by Simba Information Inc. entitled Web/Online
Services 1998-2002: Market Analysis & Forecast, the market for web-based
and other on-line legal, tax and public record information was $1.7 billion
in 1998 and is projected to grow to $2.7 billion in 2002.
Please sign below to evidence your consent to the Company's use of this
statement and return it in the undersigned. Please do not hesitate to call me
at 214-969-1326 if you have any questions regarding this request.
Respectfully,
/s/ Kirsten E. Richesson
Kirsten E. Richesson
CONSENT AND AGREED:
This 6 day of July, 1999.
SIMBA INFORMATION, INC.
By: /s/ Harry Baisden
-----------------
Name: Harry Baisden
Title: Editorial Director
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.2
Independent Auditors' Report on Financial Statement Schedule and Consent
The audits referred to in our report dated May 29, 1999, except as to note
7(c) which is as of July 22, 1999, included the related financial statement
schedule for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1998, included in the registration statement. This financial statement schedule
is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits. In
our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to
the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.
We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
Little Rock, Arkansas
July 30, 1999
KPMG LLP
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,1998 AND THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 OF
LOISLAW.COM, INC.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 99,042 3,274,946
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 2,153,633 2,246,770
<ALLOWANCES> 124,974 144,241
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,186,257 6,814,849
<PP&E> 2,312,719 3,981,043
<DEPRECIATION> 866,260 1,049,575
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 17,012,244 27,988,167
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,937,140 22,357,603
<BONDS> 12,262,524 14,585,798
4,770,380 4,940,157
2,605,840 16,648,429
<COMMON> 1,642,658 5,762,636
<OTHER-SE> (15,742,957) (26,170,726)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 17,012,244 27,988,167
<SALES> 5,024,179 2,792,372
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,024,179 2,792,372
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 5,920,088 2,604,948
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,399,817 6,361,702
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,548,931 1,308,678
<INCOME-PRETAX> (8,593,576) (7,477,471)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,593,576) (7,477,471)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (8,593,576) (7,477,471)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.63) (0.50)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.63) (0.50)
</TABLE>