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Registration No. 333-_____________
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
__________________________________
HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 59-3547281
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
622 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Hudson Highland Group, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
__________________________________
Latham Williams Copy to:
Vice President, Legal Affairs and Administration,
Corporate Secretary Benjamin F. Garmer, III
Hudson Highland Group, Inc. Foley & Lardner
225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 2100 777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60606 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
(312) 795-4216 (414) 271-2400
(Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
_________________________________
HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
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1. General.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Hudson Highland Group, Inc. Long Term
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to establish a flexible vehicle through which
Hudson Highland Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), can offer
equity-based compensation incentives to eligible recipients with a view toward
promoting the long-term financial success of the Company and enhancing
stockholder value.
(b) Types of Awards. Awards under the Plan may be in the form of any
one or more of the following: (i) stock options, including options intended to
qualify as "incentive stock options" ("ISOs") within the meaning of Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and options which do not
qualify as ISOs ("NQSOs"), described in Section 5; (ii) stock appreciation
rights ("SARs") described in Section 6; (iii) awards of restricted stock
described in Section 7; (iv) performance-based awards described in Section 8;
and (v) such other types of equity-based awards described in Section 9 as the
Committee (as defined below) deems advisable.
(c) Stock Covered by Awards. Awards made under the Plan will be made
in the form of or with reference to shares of the Company's common stock, $.001
par value ("Common Stock"). Shares of Common Stock available for issuance under
the Plan may be either authorized and unissued or held by the Company in its
treasury. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be delivered under the Plan.
(d) Documentation of Awards. Each award made under the Plan will be
evidenced by a written agreement or other written instrument the terms of which
will be established by the Committee. To the extent not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan, the written agreement or other instrument evidencing an
award will govern the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to the
award.
2. Administration.
(a) Committee. The Plan will be administered by the Compensation
Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") or such other
committee or subcommittee thereof appointed by the Board from time to time (the
"Committee"); provided, however, that the Board will serve as the Committee with
respect to awards made to members of the Board who are not employees of the
Company or its affiliates. Unless the Board determines otherwise, each member of
the Committee will be a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3
issued under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") and an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C)(i) of
the Code and the applicable Treasury regulations thereunder. If for any reason
any member of the Committee does not qualify as a "non-employee director" or as
an "outside director," such non-qualification will not affect the validity of
the awards, interpretations or other actions of the Committee.
(b) Authority of Committee. Subject to the limitations of the Plan,
the Committee, acting in its sole and absolute discretion, will have full power
and authority to: (i) select the persons to whom awards will be made under the
Plan; (ii) make awards to such persons and prescribe the terms and conditions of
such awards (including, without limitation, nonsolicitation, confidentiality and
mandatory dispute resolution conditions); (iii) interpret and apply the
provisions of the Plan and of any agreement or other document evidencing an
award made under the Plan; (iv) carry out any responsibility or duty
specifically reserved to the Committee under the Plan; and (v) make any and all
determinations and interpretations and take such other actions as may be
necessary or desirable in order to carry out the provisions, intent and purposes
of the Plan. A majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a
quorum. The Committee may act by the vote of a majority of its members present
at a meeting at which there is a quorum or by unanimous written consent. The
decision of the Committee as to any disputed question, including questions of
construction, interpretation and administration, will be final and conclusive on
all persons.
(c) Indemnification. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each
member of the Committee and any employee or director of the Company or an
affiliate to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or
interpretation of the Plan is delegated from and against any loss, cost,
liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of
the Board), damage and expense (including legal and other expenses incident
thereto) arising out of or incurred in connection with the Plan, unless and
except to the extent attributable to such person's fraud or wilful misconduct.
3. Participation. Awards may be granted under the Plan to any member of the
Board (whether or not an employee of the Company or an affiliate), to any
officer or other employee of the Company or an affiliate and to any consultant
or other independent contractor who performs or will perform services for the
Company or an affiliate. In selecting participants and determining the nature
and terms of awards made under the Plan, the Committee may give consideration to
the functions and responsibilities of a potential recipient, his or her previous
and/or expected contributions to the business of the Company or its affiliates
and such other factors as the Committee deems relevant under the circumstances.
4. Limitations on Awards under the Plan.
(a) Aggregate Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 13 below, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be
issued under the Plan is 1,000,000, provided, however, that the aggregate
maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan
pursuant to Sections 7, 8 and 9 below is 333,333. In determining the number of
shares that remain issuable under the Plan at any time after the date the Plan
is adopted, the following shares will be deemed not to have been issued (and
will be deemed to remain available for issuance) under the Plan: (i) shares
remaining under an award that terminates or is canceled without having been
exercised or earned in full; (ii) shares subject to an award where cash is
delivered to the holder of the award in lieu of such shares; (iii) shares of
restricted stock that are forfeited in accordance with the terms of the
applicable award; and (iv) shares that are withheld in order to pay the purchase
price of an award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations associated with
an award.
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(b) Individual Award Limitations. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 13 below, (i) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which
stock options or SARs may be granted under the Plan to any person in any
calendar year shall be 250,000, and (ii) the aggregate maximum number of shares
of Common Stock subject to awards, other than options or SARs, that may be
granted under the Plan to any person in any calendar year shall be 250,000.
Subject to these limitations, each person eligible to participate in the Plan
will be eligible in any year to receive awards covering up to the full number of
shares of Common Stock then available for awards under the Plan. No more than
$1,000,000 may be paid to any individual with respect to any single
performance-based award covered by Section 8 which is settled in cash. In
applying this limitation, multiple performance-based awards to the same
individual will be subject to a single $1,000,000 limit if they are either (i)
determined by reference to performance periods of one year or less ending with
or within the same fiscal year of the Company, or (ii) determined by reference
to one or more multi-year performance periods ending in the same fiscal year of
the Company (in each instance, determined without regard to any amounts paid as
a result of the acceleration of the ending date of a performance period or of
the vesting of such an award arising in connection with the individual's
termination of employment or other service or a Change in Control (as defined
below)).
5. Stock Options.
(a) ISOs and NQSOs. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee
may grant ISOs and NQSOs to eligible personnel to purchase shares of Common
Stock upon such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate,
provided that the Committee may only grant ISOs to employees of the Company and
its "subsidiary corporations" within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code.
(b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock
covered by an option granted pursuant to this Section 5 will be determined by
the Committee when the option is granted. The exercise price per share of Common
Stock covered by an option must be at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as
defined below) per share of Common Stock on the date the option is granted (or,
in the case of an ISO granted to an optionee who, at the time the option is
granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its "subsidiary corporations"
within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code, 110% of the Fair Market Value per
share of Common Stock on the date the option is granted).
(c) Option Period. Except as otherwise provided herein, if not
previously exercised or terminated, all such options will expire ten years after
the date the option is granted (or, in the case of an ISO granted to a ten
percent stockholder described in Section 424 of the Code, five years).
(d) Vesting Conditions. The Committee may establish such vesting and
other restrictions on the exercise of an option and/or upon the disposition of
the stock acquired upon the exercise of an option as it deems appropriate.
Unless the Committee prescribes otherwise, during an optionee's employment or
service with the Company or an affiliate, each option granted pursuant to this
Section 5 will be subject to a four-year vesting schedule pursuant to which,
unless sooner terminated or accelerated, the option will become vested as to 25%
of the
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shares originally covered thereby at the end of each of the first four years
following the date of grant.
(e) Exercise of Options. An option may be exercised by transmitting to
the Company (i) a notice specifying the number of shares to be purchased and
(ii) payment of the exercise price. The Committee may establish such rules and
procedures as it deems appropriate for the exercise of options under the Plan,
including, without limitation, procedures for telephonic exercise. The exercise
price of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an option
granted under the Plan may be paid in cash, certified or bank check and/or such
other form of payment as may be approved by the Committee from time to time and
permitted under applicable law, including, without limitation, shares of Common
Stock which, if acquired from the Company, have been owned by the holder (free
and clear of any liens or encumbrances) for at least six (6) months or pursuant
to a "cashless exercise" procedure approved by the Committee and permitted by
law.
(f) Rights as a Stockholder. No shares of Common Stock will be issued
in respect of the exercise of an option granted under the Plan until full
payment therefor has been made. The holder of an option will have no rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an option until the date a
stock certificate for such shares is issued to him or her. Except as otherwise
provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividend distributions or
other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock
certificate is issued.
(g) Limitation on Repricing of Options. Unless and to the extent
otherwise approved by the Company's stockholders, under no circumstances may the
Board or the Committee authorize a Repricing (as defined below) of any
outstanding options. For these purposes, a "Repricing" means any of the
following (or any other action that has the same effect as any of the
following): (i) amending the terms of an option to lower its exercise price,
(ii) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted
accounting principles, or (iii) canceling an option at a time when its exercise
price is equal to or greater than the fair market value of the underlying Common
Stock, in exchange for another option, restricted stock, or other equity award,
unless the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with a merger,
acquisition, spin-off or other similar corporate transaction.
(h) Other Provisions. The Committee may impose such other conditions
with respect to the exercise of options, including, without limitation, any
conditions relating to the application of federal or state securities laws or
exchange or listing requirements, as it may deem necessary or advisable.
6. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) General. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee may award
SARs to eligible personnel upon such terms and conditions as it deems
appropriate. A SAR is an award entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive
an amount, in cash or shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, determined with reference to
the appreciation, if any, in the Fair Market Value of Common Stock during the
period beginning on the date the SAR is granted and ending on the date the SAR
is exercised.
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(b) Types of SARs. SARs may be awarded under the Plan in conjunction
with a stock option award ("tandem SARs") or independent of any stock option
award ("stand-alone SARs"). Tandem SARs awarded in conjunction with a NQSO may
be awarded either at or after the time the NQSO is granted. Tandem SARs awarded
in conjunction with an ISO may only be awarded at the time the ISO is granted.
(c) Exercisability of SARs. Except as otherwise provided herein, a
tandem SAR will be exercisable only at the same time and to the same extent and
subject to the same conditions as the related option is exercisable. The
exercise of a tandem SAR will cancel the related option to the extent of the
shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is exercised, and vice
versa. Tandem SARs may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock to which it relates exceeds the option exercise price. The
Committee may impose such additional service or performance-based vesting
conditions upon the exercise of a SAR (tandem or stand-alone) as it deems
appropriate.
(d) Exercise of SARs. A SAR may be exercised by giving written notice
to the Company identifying the SAR that is being exercised, specifying the
number of shares covered by the exercise and containing such other information
or statements as the Committee may require. The Committee may establish such
rules and procedures as it deems appropriate for the exercise of SARs under the
Plan, including, without limitation, procedures for telephonic exercise. Upon
the exercise of a SAR, the holder will be entitled to receive an amount (in cash
and/or shares of Common Stock as determined by the Committee) equal to the
product of (i) the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is being
exercised and (ii) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of
Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised (or such other exercise price as
may be specified in the award) and the exercise price per share of the SAR.
(e) Deferral of Payment. The Committee may at any time and from time
to time provide for the deferral of delivery of any shares and/or cash for which
an SAR may be exercisable until such date or dates and upon such other terms and
conditions as the Committee may determine.
7. Restricted Stock.
(a) General. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee may award
shares of Common Stock to eligible personnel upon such terms and subject to such
forfeiture and other conditions as the Committee deems appropriate.
(b) Stock Certificates for Restricted Stock. Unless the Committee
elects to use a different method (such as, for example, the issuance and
delivery of stock certificates) shares of restricted stock will be evidenced by
book entries on the Company's stock transfer records pending the expiration of
restrictions thereon. If a stock certificate for restricted stock is issued in
the name of the grantee, it will bear an appropriate legend to reflect the
nature of the restrictions applicable to the shares represented by the
certificate, and the Committee may require that such stock certificates be held
in custody by the Company until the restrictions on such shares have lapsed. The
Committee may establish such other conditions as it deems appropriate in
connection with the issuance of stock certificates for shares of restricted
stock,
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including, without limitation, a requirement that the grantee deliver a duly
signed stock power, endorsed in blank, for the shares covered by the award.
(c) Purchase Price. The purchase price payable for shares of
restricted stock awarded under the Plan will be determined by the Committee. To
the extent permitted by applicable law, the purchase price may be as low as zero
and, to the extent required by the applicable law, the purchase price will be no
less than the par value of the shares covered by the award.
(d) Restrictions and Vesting. The Committee will establish such
conditions as it deems appropriate on the grant or vesting of restricted stock
awarded under the Plan. Such conditions may be based upon continued service, the
attainment of performance goals (which, in the case of grants of restricted
stock intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception under
Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, satisfy the requirements of Section 8) and/or
such other relevant factors or criteria designated by the Committee. The holder
of restricted stock will not be permitted to transfer shares of restricted stock
awarded under the Plan before the time the applicable vesting conditions are
satisfied.
(e) Rights as a Stockholder. Except as provided herein and as
otherwise determined by the Committee, the recipient of a restricted stock award
shall have with respect to his or her restricted stock all of the rights of a
holder of shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, the right to
receive any dividends, the right to vote such shares and, subject to
satisfaction of the applicable vesting conditions, the right to tender such
shares. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine at the time of
grant that the payment of dividends will be deferred until, and conditioned
upon, the satisfaction of the applicable vesting conditions.
(f) Lapse of Restrictions. If and when the vesting conditions are
satisfied with respect to a restricted stock award, a certificate for the shares
covered by the award, to the extent vested, will be delivered to the grantee.
All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery
except as otherwise required by applicable law.
8. Performance-Based Awards.
(a) General. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee may
condition the exercise, vesting or settlement of an award made under the Plan on
the achievement of specified performance goals. The provisions of this Section
will apply in the case of a performance-based award that is intended to generate
"qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code.
(b) Objective Performance Goals. A performance goal established in
connection with an award covered by this Section must be (1) objective, so that
a third party having knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether the
goal is met, (2) prescribed in writing by the Committee before the beginning of
the applicable performance period or at such later date (when fulfillment is
substantially uncertain) as may be permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code,
and (3) expressed in the following manner with respect to any one or more of the
following business criteria:
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(i) attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified percentage
increase in, revenues, income before income taxes and extraordinary items
(determined in accordance with standards established by Opinion No. 30 of
the Accounting Principles Board), net income, earnings before income tax,
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization or a
combination of any or all of the foregoing;
(ii) attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase
in, after-tax or pre-tax profits;
(iii) attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase
in, operational cash flow;
(iv) achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other
specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in, all
or a portion of, the Company's bank debt or other long-term or short-term
public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the
Company, which may be calculated net of such cash balances and/or other
offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee;
(v) attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings per
share or earnings per share from continuing operations;
(vi) attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase
in return on capital employed or return on invested capital;
(vii) attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase
in, after-tax return on stockholders' equity;
(viii) attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase
in, economic value added targets based on a cash flow return on investment
formula;
(ix) attainment of certain target levels in the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock; and
(x) growth in the value of an investment in the Company's Common Stock
assuming the reinvestment of dividends.
If and to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, such
performance goals may be determined without regard to (or adjusted for) changes
in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation,
dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar types of events or
circumstances occurring during the applicable performance period. The Committee
may not delegate any responsibility with respect to the establishment or
determination of performance goals to which awards covered by this Section are
subject.
(c) Calculation of Performance-Based Award. At the expiration of the
applicable performance period, the Committee will determine the extent to which
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the performance goals established pursuant to this Section are achieved and the
percentage of each performance-based award that has been earned. The Committee
may reduce the amount that would otherwise be payable pursuant to an award
covered by this Section, but may not exercise its discretion to increase such
amount.
9. Other Equity-Based Awards. Subject to the provisions hereof, the
Committee may grant other types of equity-based awards, including, without
limitation, the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares of Common Stock
and/or the grant of phantom stock awards, stock bonus awards, restricted stock
unit awards and dividend equivalent awards, in such amounts and subject to such
terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Awards pursuant to this
Section 9 may entail the transfer of actual shares of Common Stock to Plan
participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of
shares of Common Stock and may include, without limitation, awards designed to
comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws or jurisdictions
other than the United States.
10. Fair Market Value of Common Stock. For all purposes of the Plan, the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on any date will be equal to the
closing price per share as published by the principal national securities
exchange (including, but not limited to, Nasdaq) on which shares of the Common
Stock are traded on such date or, if there is no sale of Common Stock on such
date, the average of the bid and asked prices on such exchange at the close of
trading on such date, or if shares of the Common Stock are not listed on a
national securities exchange on such date, the closing price or, if none, the
average of the bid and asked prices in the over the counter market at the close
of trading on such date, of if the Common Stock is not traded on a national
securities exchange or the over the counter market, the value of a share of the
Common Stock on such date as determined in good faith by the Committee.
11. Non-Transferability of Awards. No stock option, SAR, performance-based
award or other equity-based award under the Plan shall be transferable by the
recipient other than upon the recipient's death to a beneficiary designated by
the recipient in a manner acceptable to the Committee, or, if no designated
beneficiary shall survive the recipient, pursuant to the recipient's will or by
the laws of descent and distribution. All stock options and SARs shall be
exercisable during the recipient's lifetime only by the recipient. Tandem SARs
shall be transferable, to the extent permitted above, only with the underlying
stock option. Shares of restricted stock may not be transferred prior to the
date on which shares are issued or, if later, the date on which such shares have
vested and are free of any applicable restriction imposed hereunder. Except as
otherwise specifically provided by law or the provisions hereof, no award
received under the Plan may be transferred in any manner, and any attempt to
transfer any such award shall be void, and no such award shall in any manner be
liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts
of any person who shall be entitled to such award, nor shall it be subject to
attachment or legal process for or against such person. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Committee may determine at the time of grant or thereafter that a
NQSO is transferable in whole or part to such persons, under such circumstances,
and subject to such conditions as the Committee may prescribe.
12. Effect of Termination of Employment or Service. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the participant are
thereby reduced, thereafter, and subject to earlier termination in accordance
with the provisions hereof, the following rules apply
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with regard to vesting and exercise of awards held by a participant at the time
of his or her termination of employment or other service with the Company and
its affiliates.
(a) Rules Applicable to Stock Options and SARs.
(i) Termination by Reason of Death. If a participant's employment or
service terminates by reason of his or her death, then any stock option or SAR
held by the deceased participant will thereupon become fully exercisable and may
be exercised by the deceased participant's beneficiary at any time within one
year from the date of death, but in no event after expiration of the stated term
thereof, and shall thereupon terminate.
(ii) Termination by Reason of Disability. If a participant's
employment or service terminates by reason of his or her disability (as defined
below), then (1) any stock option or SAR held by the participant, to the extent
exercisable on the termination date, may be exercised by the participant at any
time within one year from the termination date, but in no event after expiration
of the stated term thereof, and shall thereupon terminate, provided that, if the
participant dies during such one-year period, then the deceased participant's
beneficiary may exercise the option or SAR, to the extent exercisable by the
deceased participant immediately prior to his or her death, for a period of one
year following the date of death, but in no event after expiration of the stated
term, and (2) any stock option or SAR held by the participant, to the extent not
exercisable on the termination date, shall immediately terminate. For the
purposes hereof, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of
grant, the term "disability" means the inability of a participant to perform the
customary duties of his or her employment or other service for the Company or an
affiliate by reason of a physical or mental incapacity or illness which is
expected to result in death or be of indefinite duration.
(iii) Termination for Cause. If a participant's employment or service
is terminated by the Company or its affiliates for Cause (or at a time when
grounds for a termination for Cause exist), then, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein, any stock option or SAR held by the optionee,
whether or not otherwise exercisable on the termination date, shall immediately
terminate and cease to be exercisable. A termination for "Cause" means (1) in
the case where there is no employment, consulting or similar service agreement
between the participant and the Company Group or where such an agreement exists
but does not define "cause" (or words of like import), a termination classified
by the Company or its affiliates, in their sole discretion, as a termination due
to the participant's dishonesty, fraud, insubordination, willful misconduct,
refusal to perform services or materially unsatisfactory performance of duties,
or (2) in the case where there is an employment, consulting or similar service
agreement between the participant and the Company or its affiliates that defines
"cause" (or words of like import), a termination that is or would be deemed for
"cause" (or words of like import) as classified by the Company or its
affiliates, in their sole discretion, under such agreement.
(iv) Other Termination. If a participant's employment or service
terminates for any reason other than described in Section 12(a)(i), 12(a)(ii) or
12(a)(iii) above, then (1) any stock option or SAR held by the participant, to
the extent exercisable on the termination date, may be exercised by the
participant at any time within a period of six months from the termination date,
but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term thereof, and
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shall thereupon terminate, and (2) any stock option or SAR held by the
participant, to the extent not exercisable on the termination date, shall
immediately terminate.
(b) Rules Applicable to Restricted Stock. Upon the termination of a
participant's employment or service for any reason (including death and
disability) or no reason, restricted stock which has not yet become fully vested
will, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, automatically be forfeited
by the participant (or the participant's successors) and any certificate
therefor or book entry with respect thereto or other evidence thereof will be
canceled.
(c) Rules Applicable to Performance-Based Awards. Upon termination of
a participant's employment or service for any reason (including death and
disability) or no reason, then the participant's outstanding performance-based
awards will, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, thereupon expire and
the participant (or his or her beneficiary, as the case may be) will not be
entitled to receive any amount in respect of the performance period or cycle
within which the participant's employment or service is terminated.
(d) Rules Applicable to Other Equity-Based Awards. Rules similar to
those set forth in subsection (b) (relating to restricted stock awards) will
apply in connection with the termination of employment or service of a
participant who holds any other form of equity-based award granted under the
plan that has not yet vested and/or is contingent upon future performance of
services.
13. Capital Changes; Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. The aggregate number
and class of shares for which may be issued under the Plan, the maximum number
of shares covered by awards that may be granted to any individual in any
calendar year, the number and class of shares covered by each outstanding award
and, if applicable, the exercise price per share shall all be adjusted
proportionately or as otherwise appropriate to reflect any increase or decrease
in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a split-up or
consolidation of shares or any like capital adjustment, or the payment of any
stock dividend, and/or to reflect a change in the character or class of shares
covered by the Plan arising from a readjustment or recapitalization of the
Company's capital stock.
(b) Change in Control. If, in connection with a Change in Control (as
defined below), the stockholders of the Company receive capital stock of another
corporation ("Exchange Stock") in exchange for their shares of Common Stock
(whether or not such Exchange Stock is the sole consideration), and if the Board
so directs, then all outstanding options and/or SARs will be converted into
options to purchase, or SARs covering, shares of Exchange Stock. The number of
shares and exercise price under the converted options and SARs will be
determined by adjusting the number of shares and exercise price for the options
and SARs granted hereunder on the same basis as the determination of the number
of shares of Exchange Stock the holders of Common Stock will receive in
connection with the Change in Control and, unless the Board determines
otherwise, the vesting conditions with respect to the converted options and SARs
will be substantially the same as the vesting conditions set forth in the
original option or SAR agreement. If the Board does not direct the conversion of
outstanding options or SARs in connection with a Change in Control, then all
participants will be permitted
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to exercise their outstanding options and SARs in whole or in part (whether or
not otherwise vested or exercisable) prior to the Change in Control, and any
outstanding options and SARs which are not exercised before the Change in
Control will thereupon terminate.
(c) Definition of Change in Control. For purposes hereof, the term
"Change in Control" shall be deemed to occur if: (i) there shall be consummated
(A) any consolidation, merger or reorganization involving the Company, unless
such consolidation, merger or reorganization is a "Non-Control Transaction" (as
defined below) or (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one
transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all,
of the assets of the Company; (ii) the stockholders of the Company shall approve
any plan or proposal for liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iii) any
person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), shall become the
beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding voting securities other than pursuant to a plan or
arrangement entered into by such person and the Company; or (iv) during any
period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority
thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds
of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the
period or who were so approved. A "Non-Control Transaction" shall mean a
consolidation, merger or reorganization of the Company where (1) the
stockholders of the Company immediately before such consolidation, merger or
reorganization own, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined
voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting
from such consolidation, merger or reorganization (the "Surviving Corporation");
(2) the individuals who were members of the Board immediately prior to the
execution of the agreement providing for such consolidation, merger or
reorganization constitute at least 50% of the members of the board of directors
of the Surviving Corporation, or a corporation directly or indirectly
beneficially owning a majority of the voting securities of the Surviving
Corporation; and (3) no person (other than (a) the Company, (b) any subsidiary
of the Company, (c) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part
thereof) maintained by the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary,
or (d) any person who, immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or
reorganization, beneficially owned more than 50% of the combined voting power of
the Company's then outstanding voting securities) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Surviving
Corporation's then outstanding voting securities.
(d) Fractional Shares. In the event of any adjustment in the number of
shares covered by any option or SAR pursuant to the provisions hereof, any
fractional shares resulting from such adjustment will be disregarded, and each
such option or SAR will cover only the number of full shares resulting from the
adjustment.
(e) Determination of Board to be Final. All adjustments under this
Section shall be made by the Board, and its determination as to what adjustments
shall be made, and the extent thereof, shall be final, binding and conclusive.
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14. Amendment and Termination. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan,
provided, however, that no such action may affect adversely the accrued rights
of the holder of any outstanding award without the consent of the holder. Except
as otherwise provided in Section 13, any amendment which would increase the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan (on
an aggregate or individual basis) or the aggregate maximum number of shares
which may be issued pursuant to Sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Plan or modify the
class of recipients eligible to receive awards under the Plan shall be subject
to the approval of the Company's stockholders. The Committee may amend the terms
of any agreement or certificate made or issued hereunder at any time and from
time to time provided, however, that any amendment which would adversely affect
the accrued rights of the holder may not be made without his or her consent.
15. Tax Withholding. As a condition to the exercise of any award or the
delivery of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any award or the lapse of
restrictions on any award, or in connection with any other event that gives rise
to a federal or other governmental tax withholding obligation on the part of the
Company or its affiliates relating to an award, (a) the Company or its
affiliates may deduct or withhold (or cause to be deducted or withheld) from any
payment or distribution to an award recipient whether or not pursuant to the
Plan, or (b) the Company or its affiliates shall be entitled to require that the
recipient remit cash to the Company or its affiliates (through payroll deduction
or otherwise), in each case in an amount sufficient to satisfy such withholding
obligation. If the event giving rise to the withholding obligation involves a
transfer of shares of Common Stock, then, at the sole discretion of the
Committee, the recipient may satisfy the withholding obligation described under
this Section 15 by electing to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock
(which withholding shall be at a rate not in excess of the statutory minimum
rate) or by tendering previously-owned shares of Common Stock, in each case,
having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of tax to be withheld (or by any
other mechanism as may be required or appropriate to conform with local tax and
other rules).
16. Compliance with Law. Shares of Common Stock shall not be issued
pursuant to the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant
thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without
limitation, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the requirements of any
stock exchange or market upon which the Common Stock may then be listed, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect
to such compliance. All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under
the Plan shall be subject to such stock-transfer orders and other restrictions
as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange or
market upon which the Common Stock may then be listed, and any applicable
federal or state securities law. The Committee may cause a legend or legends to
be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such
restrictions.
17. No Rights Conferred. Nothing contained herein will be deemed to give
any individual any right to receive an award under the Plan or to be retained in
the employ or other service of the Company or any affiliate of the Company.
18. Governing Law. The Plan and each award agreement shall be governed by
the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its principles of conflicts
of law.
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19. Decisions and Determinations of Committee to be Final. Any decision or
determination made by the Board pursuant to the provisions hereof and, except to
the extent rights or powers under the Plan are reserved specifically to the
discretion of the Board, all decisions and determinations of the Committee are
final and binding.
20. Term of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective upon its adoption by the
Board, subject to the approval of the stockholders of the Company within one
year from the date of adoption by the Board. The Plan will terminate on the
tenth anniversary of the date of its adoption by the Board, unless sooner
terminated by the Board. The rights of any person with respect to an award made
under the Plan that is outstanding at the time of the termination of the Plan
shall not be affected solely by reason of the termination of the Plan and shall
continue in accordance with the terms of the award (as then in effect or
thereafter amended) and the Plan.
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[GRAPHIC OMITTED][FOLEY & LARDNER LOGO]
FOLEY & LARDNER
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 3800
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-5306
414.271.2400 TEL
414.297.4900 FAX
www.foleylardner.com
April 1, 2003
CLIENT/MATTER NUMBER
025294-0101
Highland Hudson Group, Inc.
622 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Hudson Highland Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in conjunction with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to 1,000,000 shares of the
Company's common stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock"), which may be
issued pursuant to the Hudson Highland Group, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").
As such counsel, we have examined: (i) the Plan; (ii) the Registration
Statement; (iii) the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws,
as amended to date; (iv) resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors
relating to the Plan and the issuance of securities thereunder; and (v) such
other documents and records as we have deemed necessary to enable us to render
this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation validly existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware.
2. The shares of Common Stock, when issued by the Company pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Plan and as contemplated by the Registration
Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and no personal
liability will attach to the ownership thereof.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are "experts" within
the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or within the category of
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Foley & Lardner
FOLEY & LARDNER
BRUSSELS DETROIT MILWAUKEE SAN DIEGO TAMPA
CHICAGO JACKSONVILLE ORLANDO SAN DIEGO/DEL MAR WASHINGTON, D.C.
DENVER LOS ANGELES SACRAMENTO SAN FRANCISCO WEST PALM BEACH
MADISON TALLAHASSEE
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Hudson Highland Group, Inc.
New York, New York
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 12, 2003, relating to the
Financial Statements of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, appearing in Hudson Highland Group, Inc.'s
Form 10 filed March 14, 2003.
/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
New York, New York
March 31, 2003