UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 20, 2020

 

 

Gladstone Commercial Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   001-33097   02-0681276

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100, McLean, Virginia 22102

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(703) 287-5800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share   GOOD   Nasdaq Global Select Market
7.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share   GOODM   Nasdaq Global Select Market
6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share   GOODN   Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Introductory Note.

All statements contained herein, other than historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements may relate to, among other things, the future performance of the Company (as defined below), the anticipated use of proceeds and the closing of any transaction. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “future,” “intend,” “expect,” “if” or the negative of such terms or comparable terminology. Factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, among others, those factors listed under the caption “Risk Factors” of the Company’s prospectus supplement for the offering described herein, dated February 20, 2020, and the accompanying base prospectus, dated February 11, 2020, that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 29, 2020. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this report, except as required by law.

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Dealer Manager Agreement

On February 20, 2020, Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), entered into a dealer manager agreement (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”), with Gladstone Securities, LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company and affiliate of the Company (the “Dealer Manager”), whereby the Dealer Manager will serve as the Company’s exclusive dealer manager in connection with the Company’s offering (the “Offering”) of up to (i) 20,000,000 shares of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), on a “reasonable best efforts” basis (the “Primary Offering”), and (ii) 6,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to the Company’s distribution reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”) to those holders of the Series F Preferred Stock who participate in such DRIP. The Series F Preferred Stock is registered with the SEC pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-236143), as the same may be amended and/or supplemented (the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be offered and sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated February 20, 2020, and a base prospectus dated February 11, 2020 relating to the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”).

Under the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Dealer Manager will provide certain sales, promotional and marketing services to the Company in connection with the Offering, and the Company will pay the Dealer Manager (i) selling commissions of 6.0% of the gross proceeds from sales of Series F Preferred Stock in the Primary Offering (the “Selling Commissions”), and (ii) a dealer manager fee of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from sales of Series F Preferred Stock in the Primary Offering (the “Dealer Manager Fee”). No Selling Commissions or Dealer Manager Fee shall be paid with respect to Shares sold pursuant to the DRIP. The Dealer Manager may, in its sole discretion, reallow a portion of the Dealer Manager Fee to participating broker-dealers in support of the Offering.

The terms of the Dealer Manager Agreement were approved by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), including all of its independent directors.

Pursuant to the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify the Dealer Manager and participating broker-dealers, and the Dealer Manager has agreed to indemnify the Company, against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including but not limited to those arising out of (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in the prospectus, (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Registration Statement (including the prospectus as a part thereof) or any post-effective amendment thereto a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the prospectus or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material act required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

The foregoing description of the Dealer Manager Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of Dealer Manager Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

Amendment to Operating Partnership Agreement

On February 20, 2020, Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership controlled by the Company through its ownership of GCLP Business Trust II, the general partner of the Operating Partnership, adopted the Second Amendment to its Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, including Exhibit SFP thereto (collectively, the “Amendment”), as amended from time to time, establishing the rights, privileges and preferences of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units, a newly-designated class of limited partnership interests (the “Series F Preferred Units”). The Amendment provides for the Operating Partnership’s establishment and issuance of an equal number of Series F Preferred Units as are issued shares of Series F Preferred Stock by the Company in connection with the Offering upon the Company’s contribution to the Operating Partnership of the net proceeds of the Offering. Generally, the Series F Preferred Units provided for under the Amendment have preferences, distribution rights and other provisions substantially equivalent to those of the Series F Preferred Stock.

The foregoing description of the Amendment is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.


Escrow Agreement

On February 20, 2020, the Company entered into an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) with UMB Bank, National Association, a national banking association (the “Escrow Agent”), pursuant to which the Company will deposit subscription payments from the Offering made through Direct Registration System settlement (as described in the Prospectus) in an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) held by the Escrow Agent, in trust for the subscriber’s benefit, pending release to the Company pursuant to the Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent does not have a material relationship with the Company.

The Escrow Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by the Company, and customary conditions to the release of proceeds from the Escrow Account, indemnification obligations of the Company, other obligations of the parties and termination provisions.

The foregoing description of the Escrow Agreement is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Escrow Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The authorization and issuance of the Series F Preferred Stock, pursuant to the Articles Supplementary relating to the Series F Preferred Stock (the “Articles Supplementary”) materially impacts the rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”): (i) the Articles Supplementary prohibit the Company from issuing dividends or making distributions to the holders of its Common Stock while any shares of Series F Preferred Stock are outstanding, unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock are paid in their entirety; (ii) if dividends on any Series F Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for 18 or more consecutive months, then holders of the Series F Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock (as defined in the Articles Supplementary) upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to vote separately as a class for the election of a total of two additional directors to serve on the Board until such dividend arrearage is eliminated; and (iii) the shares of Series F Preferred Stock have a liquidation preference equal to $25.00 (the “Liquidation Preference”), plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends in the event of an acquisition, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On February 20, 2020, the Company filed with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation Articles Supplementary (i) setting forth the rights, preferences and terms of the Series F Preferred Stock and (ii) reclassifying and designating 26,000,000 shares of the Company’s authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock as shares of Series F Preferred Stock. The reclassification decreased the number of shares classified as Common Stock from 86,290,000 shares immediately prior to the reclassification to 60,290,000 shares immediately after the reclassification. The following is a summary of the material terms of the Articles Supplementary:

Dividends

Investors will be entitled to receive preferential cumulative cash dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock at a rate of 6.00% per annum of the Liquidation Preference (equivalent to $1.50 per annum per share). Beginning on the date of issuance, dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will be payable monthly in arrears. Dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will be cumulative from the end of the most recent dividend period for which dividends have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the date of issuance and shall be payable monthly in arrears on or about the fifth day of each month for dividends accrued the previous month, or such other date as designated by the Board.

Redemption at Option of the Company

The Company may not redeem the Series F Preferred Stock prior to the later of (i) the first anniversary of the Termination Date (as defined in the Articles Supplementary) and (ii) June 1, 2024 (except in limited circumstances relating to the Company’s continuing qualification as a real estate investment trust). On and after the later of (x) the first anniversary of the Termination Date and (y) June 1, 2024, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series F Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, by payment of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends up to but excluding the date of redemption.

Redemption at Option of Stockholders

Commencing on the date of original issuance (or, if after the date of original issuance the Board suspends the optional redemption right of the holders of Series F Preferred Stock, on the date the Board reinstates such right) and terminating on the earlier to occur of (i) the date upon which the Board, by resolution, suspends or terminates the optional redemption right of the holders of Series F Preferred Stock, and (ii) the date on which shares of Series F Preferred Stock are listed on a national securities exchange, holders of Series F Preferred Stock may, at their option, require the Company to redeem, on the tenth calendar day following delivery of a Stockholder Redemption Notice (as defined in the Articles Supplementary), or, if such tenth calendar day is not a business day, on the next succeeding business day, any or all of their shares of Series F Preferred Stock at a redemption price per share of Series F Preferred Stock equal to $22.50 in cash.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs, holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will have the right to receive the Liquidation Preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends up to but excluding the date of payment, but without interest, before any payment is made to the holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of capital stock ranking junior to the Series F Preferred Stock.


Voting Rights

Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if dividends on any shares of Series F Preferred Stock are in arrears for 18 or more consecutive months, then holders of the Series F Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class) will have the right to elect two additional directors to serve on the Board until such dividend arrearage is eliminated. Further, the designations, rights, preferences, privileges or limitations with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock may not be changed in a manner that would be materially adverse to the rights of holders of the Series F Preferred Stock without the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock then outstanding.

The foregoing description of the Articles Supplementary is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Articles Supplementary, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 20, 2020, the Company issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing the Offering of the Series F Preferred Stock. A copy of the Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, the information in this Item 7.01 disclosure, including Exhibit 99.1 and information set forth therein, is deemed to have been furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.
  

Description

  1.1    Dealer Manager Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2020, by and between Gladstone Commercial Corporation and Gladstone Securities, LLC.
  3.1    Articles Supplementary for 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
  4.1    Form of Certificate for 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.
  5.1    Opinion of Venable LLP.
  8.1    Tax Opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
10.1    Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, including Exhibit SFP thereto.
10.2    Escrow Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2020, by and between Gladstone Commercial Corporation and UMB Bank, National Association.
23.1    Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2    Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (included in Exhibit 8.1).
99.1    Press Release, dated February 20, 2020.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    Gladstone Commercial Corporation
                        (Registrant)
February 20, 2020     By:   /s/ Michael Sodo
      Michael Sodo
      Chief Financial Officer
EX-1.1

Exhibit 1.1

 

DEALER MANAGER

AGREEMENT

20,000,000 Shares of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — Primary Offering — $25.00 6,000,000 Shares of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — Dividend Reinvestment Plan — $22.75

February 20, 2020

Gladstone Securities, LLC

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attn: John Kent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), is offering an aggregate of 26,000,000 shares of its 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), for sale to the public (the “Offering”), of which 20,000,000 Shares are intended to be offered pursuant to the primary offering and 6,000,000 Shares are intended to be offered pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”) to those holders of Shares who elect to participate in such DRIP. The Company reserves the right to reallocate the Shares being offered between the primary offering and the DRIP. Except as described in the Prospectus (as defined below) or in Section 5 hereof, the Shares are to be sold pursuant to the primary offering at a price of $25.00 per Share, and pursuant to the DRIP for a cash price of $22.75 per Share.

The redemption price per Share will be equal to $22.50 in cash, other than in connection with a redemption in connection with the death of an investor who held Shares. The maximum dollar amount that the Company will make available each calendar year to redeem shares of Series F Preferred Stock will not be subject to an annual limit; provided, that its obligation to redeem shares of Series F Preferred Stock is limited to the extent that the Board of Directors determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the Company does not have sufficient funds available to fund any such redemption or the Company is restricted by applicable law from making such redemption; and is also limited to the extent the Board of Directors suspends or terminates the optional redemption right at any time or for any reason, including after delivery of notice by a stockholder to cause the Company to redeem the Shares.

The Company hereby appoints Gladstone Securities, LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company (the “Dealer Manager”), as its agent and principal distributor during the Offering Period (as defined below) for the purpose of selling for cash, on a “reasonable best efforts” basis, the Shares through such wholesalers and securities dealers that the Dealer Manager may retain (individually, a “Dealer” and collectively, the “Dealers”), all of whom shall be members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), pursuant to a Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A (the “Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement”). The Dealer Manager may also sell Shares for cash directly to its own clients and customers subject to the terms and conditions stated in the Prospectus. The Dealer Manager hereby accepts such agency and distributorship and agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to sell the Shares on said terms and conditions.

The minimum initial purchase by any one person shall be $5,000, or 200 Shares, except as otherwise indicated in the Prospectus or determined by the Company in its sole discretion in consultation with the Dealer Manager. The Company shall have the right to approve any material modifications or addenda to the form of the Participating Dealer Agreement. Terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as in the Prospectus.

The term “Offering Period” shall mean that period during which Shares may be offered for sale, commencing on the date the Prospectus Supplement (as defined below) was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), during which period offers and sales of the Shares shall occur continuously unless and until the Offering is terminated, except that the Dealer Manager and the Dealers shall immediately suspend or terminate the offering of the Shares upon request of the Company at any time and shall resume offering the Shares upon subsequent request of the Company. The Offering Period for the primary offering shall in all events terminate on the earlier of June 1, 2025 (unless earlier terminated or extended by the board of directors of the Company) or the date on which all 20,000,000 shares offered in the primary offering are sold. The Offering Period for the DRIP may extend beyond the termination date of the primary offering and will terminate on the earlier of the issuance of all 6,000,000 Shares under the DRIP and the listing of the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) or another national securities exchange. Upon termination of the Offering Period, the Dealer Manager’s agency and this Agreement shall terminate without obligation on the part of the Dealer Manager or the Company except as set forth in this Agreement.

 

1


The Company has prepared and filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-217042) that contains a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”). Such registration statement registers the issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Securities Act”). Such registration statement, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B or Rule 430C under the Securities Act, including all financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act as from time to time amended or supplemented, is herein referred to as the “Registration Statement,” and the prospectus constituting a part of such registration statement, together with any prospectus supplement filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act relating to the Shares (as amended and supplemented, the “Prospectus Supplement”), including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, in each case, as from time to time amended or supplemented, is referred to herein as the “Prospectus,” except that if any revised prospectus is provided to the Dealer Manager by the Company for use in connection with the Offering of the Shares that is not required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, the term “Prospectus” shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the Dealer Manager for such use. The Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective is herein called the “Original Registration Statement.”

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include, without limitation, the filing of any documents under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Exchange Act”) which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date.

In connection therewith, the Company hereby agrees with the Dealer Manager, as follows:

1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

As an inducement to the Dealer Manager to enter into this Agreement, the Company represents and warrants to the Dealer Manager that:

1.1 The Original Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act. The Company has complied to the SEC’s satisfaction with all requests of the SEC for additional or supplemental information, if any. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the SEC.

1.2 The Prospectus, when filed, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed by electronic transmission pursuant to Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”) (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the Dealer Manager for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective and at all subsequent times, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. On the date of the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as applicable, the Prospectus did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Dealer Manager or any of the Dealers, either furnished by a Dealer in writing to the Dealer Manager or the Company, or furnished by the Dealer Manager in writing to the Company specifically for inclusion therein.

1.3 The Company has been duly organized and validly exists as a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland and has the power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus. The Company is in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, with full power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus. The Company has qualified to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the ownership or leasing of its properties or the nature or conduct of its business, as described in the Prospectus, requires such qualification, except where the failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, results of operations or cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

1.4 The Company intends to use the funds received from the sale of the Shares as set forth in the Prospectus.

 

2


1.5 As of the date hereof, no filing with, or consent, approval, authorization, license, registration, qualification, order or decree of any court, governmental authority or agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement or in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares, except such as may be required under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, Nasdaq, the rules of FINRA or applicable state securities laws or where the failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization, license, registration, qualification, order or decree of any court, governmental authority or agency would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

1.6 There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company at law or in equity or before or by any federal or state commission, regulatory body or administrative agency or other governmental body, domestic or foreign, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

1.7 The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and compliance with the terms of this Agreement by the Company will not conflict with or constitute a default under any charter, bylaw, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, rule, regulation, writ, injunction or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company, except (a) to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity and/or contribution provisions contained in Section 6 of this Agreement may be limited under applicable securities laws; and (b) for such conflicts or defaults that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

1.8 The Company has full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby, except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity and/or contribution provisions contained in Section 6 of this Agreement may be limited under applicable securities laws.

1.9 The Shares, when subscribed for, paid for and issued, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; no holder thereof will be subject to personal liability for the obligations of the Company solely by reason of being such a holder; such Shares are not subject to the preemptive rights of any stockholder of the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of such Shares shall have been validly and sufficiently taken.

2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE DEALER MANAGER.

As an inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement, the Dealer Manager represents and warrants to the Company that:

2.1 The Dealer Manager is, and during the term of this Agreement will be, a member of FINRA in good standing and a broker-dealer registered as such under the Exchange Act and under the securities laws of the states in which the Shares are to be offered and sold. The Dealer Manager and its employees and representatives possess all required licenses and registrations to act under this Agreement. The Dealer Manager will comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other federal securities laws, state securities laws and the rules of FINRA, specifically including, but not in any way limited to, the Conduct Rules. Each Dealer and each salesperson acting on behalf of the Dealer Manager or a Dealer will be registered with FINRA and duly licensed by each state regulatory authority in each jurisdiction in which it, he or she will offer and sell Shares.

2.2 The Dealer Manager was duly organized and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Connecticut, and has full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Dealer Manager has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement.

2.3 This Agreement is a valid and binding agreement of the Dealer Manager, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity and contribution provisions contained in Section 6 of this Agreement may be limited under applicable securities laws.

2.4 The Dealer Manager represents and warrants to the Company that the information under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus and all other information furnished to the Company by the Dealer Manager in writing expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any Prospectus Supplement, or the Prospectus, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

2.5 The Dealer Manager has reasonable grounds to believe, based on information made available to it by the Company, that the Prospectus discloses all material facts adequately and accurately and provides an adequate basis for evaluating an investment in the Shares.

2.6 No consent, approval, authorization or other order of any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution or delivery by the Dealer Manager of this Agreement, except such as may be required under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws.

 

3


2.7 There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Dealer Manager, threatened against the Dealer Manager at law or in equity or before or by any federal or state commission, regulatory body or administrative agency or other governmental body, domestic or foreign, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Dealer Manager or the ability of the Dealer Manager to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to participate in the Offering as contemplated by the Prospectus.

2.8 The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and compliance with the terms of this Agreement by the Dealer Manager will not conflict with or constitute a default under its organizational documents, operating agreement or other similar agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, rule, regulation, writ, injunction or decree of any government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Dealer Manager, except to the extent that the enforceability of the indemnity and/or contribution provisions contained in Section 6 of this Agreement may be limited under applicable securities laws.

2.9 The Dealer Manager represents to the Company that it has established and implemented anti-money laundering compliance programs in accordance with applicable law, including applicable FINRA Conduct Rules, Exchange Act Regulations and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”), specifically including, but not limited to, Section 352 of the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (the “Money Laundering Abatement Act,” and together with the USA Patriot Act, the “AML Rules”) reasonably expected to detect and cause the reporting of suspicious transactions in connection with the offering and sale of the Units. The Dealer Manager further represents that it is currently in compliance with all AML Rules and will require each Dealer to comply with all AML Rules, specifically including, but not limited to, the Customer Identification Program requirements under Section 326 of the Money Laundering Abatement Act, and the Dealer Manager hereby covenants to remain in compliance with such requirements, and to require each Dealer to remain in compliance with such requirements, and shall, upon request by the Company, provide a certification to the Company that, as of the date of such certification (i) each of the Dealer Manager’s and each Dealer’s AML Program is consistent with the AML Rules and (ii) each of the Dealer Manager and each Dealer is currently in compliance with all AML Rules, specifically including, but not limited to, the Customer Identification Program requirements under Section 326 of the Money Laundering Abatement Act.

2.10 The Dealer Manager represents that it has (a) abided by and complied with (i) the privacy standards and requirements of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLB Act”); (ii) the privacy standards and requirements of any other applicable federal or state law; and (iii) its own internal privacy policies and procedures, each as may be amended from time to time; (b) refrained from the use or disclosure of nonpublic personal information (as defined under the GLB Act) of all customers who have opted out of such disclosures except as necessary to service the customers or as otherwise necessary or required by applicable law; and (c) determined which customers have opted out of the disclosure of nonpublic personal information by periodically reviewing and, if necessary, retrieving an aggregated list of such customers from the Dealers (the “List”) to identify customers that have exercised their opt-out rights. In the event either party uses or discloses nonpublic personal information of any customer for purposes other than servicing the customer, or as otherwise required by applicable law, that party will consult the List to determine whether the affected customer has exercised his or her opt-out rights. Each party understands that it is prohibited from using or disclosing any nonpublic personal information of any customer that is identified on the List as having opted out of such disclosures.

3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

The Company covenants and agrees with the Dealer Manager that:

3.1 It will deliver to the Dealer Manager such numbers of copies of the Registration Statement, including all amendments and exhibits thereto, and the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as the Dealer Manager may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement and the federal and state securities laws. It will similarly furnish to the Dealer Manager and others designated by the Dealer Manager as many copies as the Dealer Manager may reasonably request in connection with the offering of the Shares of any other printed sales literature or other materials; provided that the use of said sales literature and other materials have been first approved for use by the Company and all appropriate regulatory agencies. It also will furnish to the Dealer Manager and its designees copies of any material deemed necessary by the Dealer Manager and commercially reasonable for the Company to furnish, for due diligence purposes in connection with the Offering.

3.2 It will comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the rules and regulations of the SEC and by all applicable state securities laws and regulations to permit the continuance of offers and sales of the Shares in accordance with the provisions hereof and as set forth in the Prospectus, and will amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the Prospectus comply with the requirements of federal and other state securities laws and regulations, as may be necessary for the Offering.

3.3 It will: (a) file every amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that may be required by the SEC and (b) if at any time the SEC shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any state securities administration shall issue any order or take other action to suspend or enjoin the sale of the Shares, it will promptly notify the Dealer Manager and will use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order or to prevent such other action at the earliest possible time.

 

4


3.4 If at any time during the Offering Period any event occurs as a result of which, in the opinion of either the Company or the Dealer Manager, the Prospectus or any supplement then in effect would include an untrue statement of a material fact or, in view of the circumstances under which they were made, omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Dealer Manager thereof (unless the information shall have been received from the Dealer Manager) and will effect the preparation of a supplement or amendment to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission.

3.5 The Company will be responsible for all expenses incident to the performance of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, including: (a) the preparation, filing and printing of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (b) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Dealer Manager of this Agreement, the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, sale, issuance and delivery of the Shares, (c) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s legal counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisers, (d) the filing fees and expenses related to the review of the terms and fairness of the Offering by FINRA, if applicable, (e) the fees and expenses related to the qualification of the Shares under the securities laws, including the fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with the preparation of any “blue sky” survey and any supplement thereto, if any, (f) the printing and delivery to the Dealer Manager of copies of the Prospectus, (g) the fees and expenses of any registrar, transfer agent or paying agent in connection with the Shares, (h) the preparation, issuance and delivery of certificates, if any, for the Shares, including any stock or other transfer taxes or duties payable upon the sale of the Shares, and (i) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with presentations with the prior approval of the Company, and travel and lodging expenses of the representatives of the Company and any such consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not directly pay, or reimburse the Dealer Manager for, the costs and expenses described in this Section 3.5 if the payment or reimbursement of such expenses would cause the aggregate of the Company’s “organization and offering expenses” as defined by FINRA Rule 2310 (including the Company expenses paid or reimbursed pursuant to this Section 3.5 and all items of underwriting compensation including Dealer Manager expenses described in Section 5.1) to exceed 15.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Shares.

4. COVENANTS OF THE DEALER MANAGER.

The Dealer Manager covenants and agrees with the Company that:

4.1 In connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, the Dealer Manager will comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal regulations applicable to the Offering, the sale of Shares or its activities and by all applicable state securities laws and regulations and the rules of FINRA, as from time to time in effect, and by this Agreement, including the obligation to deliver a copy of the Prospectus as required by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. The Dealer Manager will not make any sales of the Shares in any jurisdiction unless and until it has been advised that the Shares are either registered in accordance with, or exempt from, the securities and other laws applicable thereto. The Dealer Manager shall, and each Dealer shall agree to, solicit purchases of the Shares only in the jurisdictions in which the Dealer Manager and such Dealer are legally qualified to so act and in which solicitations can be made.

4.2 The Dealer Manager will make no representations concerning the Offering except as set forth in the Prospectus.

4.3 The Dealer Manager will provide the Company with such information relating to the offer and sale of the Shares by it as may be requested to enable the Company to prepare such reports of sale as may be required to be filed under applicable federal or state securities laws.

4.4 All engagements of the Dealers will be evidenced by a Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement, except when the Dealer Manager obtains the prior written consent of the Company. When Dealers are used in this Offering, the Dealer Manager will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Dealers to comply with all their respective obligations pursuant to the Participating Broker-Dealer Agreement.

4.5 The Dealer Manager will comply in all material respects with the subscription procedures and “Plan of Distribution” set forth in the Prospectus. Subscriptions using DRS Settlement will be submitted by the Dealer Manager and each Dealer to the Company only on the subscription agreement. The Dealer Manager understands and acknowledges, and each Dealer shall acknowledge if using DRS Settlement, that such subscription agreement must be executed and initialed by the subscriber as provided for by such subscription agreement.

 

5


4.6 The Company may also provide the Dealer Manager with certain supplemental sales material to be used by the Dealer Manager and the Dealers in connection with the solicitation of purchasers of the Shares. In the event the Dealer Manager elects to use such supplemental sales material, the Dealer Manager agrees that such material shall not be used in connection with the solicitation of purchasers of the Shares unless accompanied or preceded by the Prospectus, as then currently in effect, and as it may be amended or supplemented in the future. The Dealer Manager agrees that it will not use any sales materials in conjunction with the offer and sale of the Shares other than those either provided to the Dealer Manager by the Company or approved by the Company for use in the Offering. The use of any other sales material is expressly prohibited.

4.7 The Dealer Manager is, and during the term of this Agreement will be, (a) duly registered as a broker-dealer pursuant to the provisions of the Exchange Act, (b) prior to selling in any state or jurisdiction, a broker or dealer duly registered as such if the Dealer Manager’s activities in such state or jurisdiction require such registration or licensing, (c) a member of FINRA in good standing, and (d) otherwise duly registered or qualified as required by any applicable law in any and all other states where solicitation of offers to purchase the Shares are made by the Dealer Manager. The Dealer Manager agrees to notify the Company immediately in writing if it ceases to be a member in good standing with FINRA or it is notified by FINRA that it is being investigated for any impropriety, it is subject to a FINRA suspension, (iii) any state investigates it for any impropriety, or (iv) its registration as a broker-dealer under the Exchange Act is terminated or suspended.

5. COMPENSATION OF DEALER MANAGER AND COMPANY EXPENSES.

5.1 Except as otherwise provided in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the Prospectus, as compensation for the services rendered by the Dealer Manager, the Company agrees that it will pay to the Dealer Manager sales commissions in the amount of 6.0% of the $25.00 per share cash price for Shares sold in the primary offering, plus a dealer manager fee in the amount of 3.0% of the $25.00 per share cash price for Shares sold in the primary offering, and the Company will pay reduced selling commissions or may eliminate commissions on certain sales of Shares, including the reduction or elimination of selling commissions in accordance with, and on the terms set forth in, the Prospectus. No selling commissions or dealer manager fee shall be paid with respect to Shares sold pursuant to the Company’s DRIP.

5.2 The Company will not be liable or responsible to any Dealer for direct payment of commissions to any Dealer, it being the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Dealer Manager for payment of commissions to Dealers. Notwithstanding the above, at the discretion of the Company, the Company may act as agent of the Dealer Manager by making direct payment of commissions to Dealers on behalf of the Dealer Manager without incurring any liability.

5.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event the Offering terminates prior to completion, the Company will not pay any compensation to the Dealer Manager or any Dealer in connection with the Offering, except for shares actually sold and issued to investors; provided, however, that the Company may reimburse the Dealer Manager and/or a Dealer for of out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually incurred by the Dealer Manager and/or a Dealer in accordance with this Agreement.

5.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the Company pays any commission to the Dealer Manager for sale by a Dealer of one or more Shares and the subscription is rescinded as to one or more of the Shares covered by such subscription, the Company shall decrease the next payment of commissions or other compensation otherwise payable to the Dealer Manager by the Company under this Agreement by an amount equal to the commission rate established in Section 5.1 of this Agreement, multiplied by the number of Shares as to which the subscription is rescinded. In the event that no payment of commissions or other compensation is due to the Dealer Manager after such withdrawal occurs, the Dealer Manager shall pay the amount specified in the preceding sentence to the Company within ten (10) days following receipt of notice by the Dealer Manager from the Company stating the amount owed as a result of rescinded subscriptions.

5.5 In no event shall the total aggregate underwriting compensation payable to the Dealer Manager and any Dealers participating in the Offering, including, but not limited to, selling commissions and the dealer manager fees exceed 10.0% of the gross proceeds from the Offering in the aggregate. In connection with the amount offered by the Company pursuant to the Prospectus and FINRA’s 10.0% underwriting compensation limitation under FINRA Rule 2310 (“FINRA’s 10% cap”), the Dealer Manager shall advance all the fixed expenses (including, but not limited to, the Dealer Manager’s legal expenses associated with filing the Offering with FINRA if required) that are required to be included within FINRA’s 10% cap to ensure that the aggregate underwriting compensation paid in connection with the Offering does not exceed FINRA’s 10% cap. The Dealer Manager shall repay to the Company any excess amounts received over FINRA’s 10% cap if the Offering is terminated by the Company pursuant to the Prospectus and before reaching the maximum amount of Shares offered by the Company pursuant to the Prospectus.

5.6 The parties hereto acknowledge that the Dealer Manager shall be responsible for (a) all due diligence expenses incurred by the Dealer Manager or any Dealer and (b) all expenses incurred by the Dealer Manager in contracting with a third party to provide clearing services in connection with DTC Settlements (as defined below), and that such expenses shall not be reimbursed by the Company.

 

6


5.7 The parties hereto acknowledge that prior to the effective date of this Agreement, the Company may have paid to the Dealer Manager advances of monies against out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually anticipated to be incurred by the Dealer Manager in connection with the Offering. Such advances, if any, shall be credited against the amount of the Dealer Manager Fee payable pursuant to Section 5.1 that is retained by the Dealer Manager and not re-allowed until the full amount of such advances is offset. Such advances are not intended to be in addition to the compensation set forth Section 5.1, and any and all monies advanced that are not utilized for out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually incurred by the Dealer Manager in connection with the Offering shall be reimbursed by the Dealer Manager to the Company.

6. INDEMNIFICATION.

6.1 The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Dealers and the Dealer Manager, their officers, directors and managers, and each person, if any, who controls such Dealer or the Dealer Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (the “Indemnified Persons”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (the “Losses”), joint or several, to which such Indemnified Persons may become subject, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in the Prospectus, or (b) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus as a part thereof) or any post-effective amendment thereto a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material act required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company will reimburse the Indemnified Person, as appropriate, for any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending such Loss. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1, the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Loss or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished (x) to the Company by the Dealer Manager or (y) to the Company or the Dealer Manager by or on behalf of any Dealer specifically for use in the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, and, further, the Company will not be liable in any such case if it is determined that such Dealer or the Dealer Manager was at fault in connection with the Loss, expense or action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not indemnify or hold harmless an Indemnified Person for any Losses or expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (a) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the particular Indemnified Person, (b) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the particular Indemnified Person and (c) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular Indemnified Person and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which securities of the Company were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws.

6.2 The Dealer Manager will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers and directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any Losses to which any of the aforesaid parties may become subject, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in the Prospectus or (b) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus as a part thereof) or any post-effective amendment thereto a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in the case of clauses (a)-(c) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Dealer Manager specifically for use with reference to the Dealer Manager in the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such post-effective amendments thereof or any such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or (d) any use of sales literature not authorized or approved by the Company or any use of “broker-dealer use only” materials with potential investors or unauthorized verbal representations concerning the Shares by the Dealer Manager, or (e) any untrue statement made by the Dealer Manager or its representatives or agents or omission to state a fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, or (f) any failure to comply with applicable laws governing money laundry abatement and anti-terrorist financing efforts, including applicable FINRA Rules, SEC rules and the USA Patriot Act. The Dealer Manager will reimburse the aforesaid parties in connection with investigation or defending such Loss or action. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Dealer Manager may otherwise have.

 

7


6.3 Each Dealer severally will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Dealer Manager and each of their officers, directors, and managers, and each person, if any, who controls the Company and the Dealer Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (each, a “Dealer Indemnified Person”), from and against any Losses to which the Dealer Indemnified Person may become subject, insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in the Prospectus, or (b) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus as a part thereof) or any post-effective amendment thereto a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in the case of clauses (a)-(c) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company or the Dealer Manager by or on behalf of such Dealer specifically for use with reference to such Dealer in the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such post-effective amendments thereof or the Prospectus or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or (d) any use of sales literature not authorized or approved by the Company or any use of “broker-dealer use only” materials with potential investors or unauthorized verbal representations concerning the Shares by such Dealer or Dealer’s representatives or agents, or (e) any untrue statement made by such Dealer or its representatives or agents or omission to state a fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, or (f) any failure to comply with Section IX or Section XII of the Participating Dealer Agreement or any other material violation of the Participating Dealer Agreement, or (g) any failure to comply with applicable laws governing money laundry abatement and anti-terrorist financing efforts, including applicable FINRA Rules, SEC Rules and the USA Patriot Act. Each such Dealer will reimburse the Dealer Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or action. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such Dealer may otherwise have.

6.4 Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify in writing the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof and the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will relieve it from any liability under this Section 6 as to the particular item for which indemnification is then being sought, but not from any other liability which it may have to any indemnified party. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to participate in the defense thereof, with separate counsel. Such participation shall not relieve such indemnifying party of the obligation to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable legal and other expenses (subject to Section 6.5) incurred by such indemnified party in defending itself, except for such expenses incurred after the indemnifying party has deposited funds sufficient to effect the settlement, with prejudice, of the claim in respect of which indemnity is sought. Any such indemnifying party shall not be liable to any such indemnified party on account of any settlement of any claim or action effected without the consent of such indemnifying party.

6.5 The indemnifying party shall pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses of the indemnified party in the defense of such claims or actions; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be obliged to pay legal expenses and fees to more than one law firm in connection with the defense of similar claims arising out of the same alleged acts or omissions giving rise to such claims notwithstanding that such actions or claims are alleged or brought by one or more parties against more than one indemnified party. If such claims or actions are alleged or brought against more than one indemnified party, then the indemnifying party shall only be obliged to reimburse the expenses and fees of the one law firm that has been selected by a majority of the indemnified parties against which such action is finally brought; and in the event a majority of such indemnified parties is unable to agree on which law firm for which expenses or fees will be reimbursable by the indemnifying party, then payment shall be made to the first law firm of record representing an indemnified party against the action or claim. Such law firm shall be paid only to the extent of services performed by such law firm and no reimbursement shall be payable to such law firm on account of legal services performed by another law firm.

7. SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS.

7.1 The respective agreements, representations and warranties of the Company and the Dealer Manager set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Dealer Manager or any Dealer or any person controlling the Dealer Manager or any Dealer or by or on behalf of the Company or any person controlling the Company, and (b) the acceptance of any payment for the Shares.

7.2 The obligations of the Company to pay the Dealer Manager pursuant to Section 5.1 of this Agreement, and the provisions of Section 5.3, Section 5.4, Sections 6 through 8 and Sections 11 and 15 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

8


8. APPLICABLE LAW AND VENUE.

This Agreement and its validity, interpretation and construction shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland; provided; however, that causes of action for violations of federal or state securities laws shall not be governed by this Section. The Company, the Dealer Manager and each Dealer hereby agree that venue for any action brought in connection with this Agreement shall lie exclusively in Fairfax County, Virginia.

9. COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart, when executed and delivered, shall be an original contract, but all counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement.

10. SUCCESSORS AND AMENDMENT.

10.1 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Dealer Manager and the Company and their respective successors. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give to any other person any right, remedy or claim, except as otherwise specifically provided herein.

10.2 This Agreement may be amended by the mutual written agreement of the Dealer Manager and the Company.

11. TERM.

11.1 This Agreement may be terminated by either party on sixty (60) days’ written notice, with or without cause.

11.2 In any case, this Agreement shall terminate at the close of business on the effective date that the Offering is terminated. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Dealer Manager all commissions to which the Dealer Manager is or becomes entitled under Section 5 at such time as such commissions become payable.

11.3 In addition, the Dealer Manager, upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, shall (a) promptly deposit any and all funds in its possession which were received from investors for the sale of Shares into such account as the Company may designate; and (b) promptly deliver to the Company all records and documents in its possession which relate to the Offering which are not designated as dealer copies. The Dealer Manager, at its sole expense, may make and retain copies of all such records and documents, but shall keep all such information confidential.

11.4 The Dealer Manager shall use its best efforts to cooperate with the Company to accomplish any orderly transfer of management of the Offering to a party designated by the Company.

12. CONFIRMATIONS.

The Company hereby agrees to prepare and send confirmations to all purchasers of Shares whose subscriptions for the purchase of Shares are accepted by the Company.

13. SUITABILITY OF INVESTORS; COMPLIANCE WITH PRIVACY AND ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATIONS.

13.1 The Dealer Manager will offer Shares, and in its agreements with Dealers will require that the Dealers offer Shares, only to persons who meet the financial qualifications set forth in the Prospectus, if any, or in any suitability letter or memorandum sent to it by the Company and will only make offers to persons in the states in which it is advised in writing that the Shares are qualified for sale or that such qualification is not required. In offering Shares, the Dealer Manager will comply, and in its agreements with Dealers, the Dealer Manager will require that the Dealers comply, with the provisions of all applicable rules and regulations relating to suitability of investors, if any.

13.2 The Company, the Dealer Manager and each Dealer shall: (a) abide by and comply with (i) the privacy standards and requirements of the GLB Act; (ii) the privacy standards and requirements of any other applicable federal or state law, and (iii) its own internal privacy policies and procedures, each as may be amended from time to time; and (b) refrain from the use or disclosure of nonpublic personal information (as defined under the GLB Act) of all customers.

13.3 The Company, the Dealer Manager and each Dealer agree to comply with the USA Patriot Act and any applicable U.S. Department of Treasury regulations issued thereunder that require reasonable efforts to verify the identity of new customers, maintain customer records, and check the names of new customers against the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. In addition, the Company, the Dealer Manager, and each Dealer agree to comply with all Executive Orders and federal regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control. Further, the Dealer Manager agrees, upon receipt of an “information request” issued under Section 314(a) of the USA Patriot Act, to provide the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network with information regarding: (i) the identity of a specified individual or organization; (ii) account number; (iii)

 

9


all identifying information provided by the account holder; and (iv) the date and type of transaction. The Dealer Manager from time to time will monitor account activity to identify patterns of unusual size or volume, geographic factors, and any other potential signals of suspicious activity, including possible money laundering or terrorist financing. The Company reserves the right to reject account applications from new customers who fail to provide necessary account information or who intentionally provide misleading information.

14. SUBMISSION OF ORDERS.

14.1 The Dealer Manager may authorize certain Dealers that have “net capital,” as defined in the applicable federal securities regulations, of $250,000 or more, to instruct their customers to make their checks for Shares subscribed for payable directly to the Dealer. In such case, the Dealer will collect the proceeds of the subscribers’ checks and issue a check made payable to the order of the Company, as described above, for the aggregate amount of the subscription proceeds or wire such funds to the Company. The Dealer Manager and any Dealer receiving a check that does not conform to the foregoing instructions shall promptly return such check directly to such subscriber. Checks received by the Dealer Manager or Dealer that conform to the foregoing instructions shall be transmitted for deposit pursuant to one of the methods described in this Section 14 and in accordance with the requirements set forth in Rule 15c2-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

14.2 It is understood and agreed that the Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to refuse to sell any of the Shares to any person.

14.3 In connection with DRS Settlement (as defined below), those persons who purchase Shares will be instructed by the Dealer Manager or the Dealer to make their checks payable to “UMB Bank, National Association, as escrow agent for Gladstone Commercial Corporation” (the “Escrow Agent”). Each person desiring to purchase Shares through the Dealer Manager, or any other Dealer participating in the Offering, will be required to complete and execute the subscription documents described in the Prospectus, if any. In connection with DRS Settlement, when a Dealer’s internal supervisory procedures are conducted at the site at which the subscription agreement and check were initially received by such Dealer from the subscriber, the Dealer shall transmit the subscription agreement and check to the Escrow Agent by the end of the next business day following receipt of the check and subscription agreement. When, pursuant to a Dealer’s internal supervisory procedures, such Dealer’s final internal supervisory procedures are conducted at a different location (the “Final Review Office”), such Dealer shall transmit the check and subscription agreement to the Final Review Office by the end of the next business day following such Dealer’s receipt of the subscription agreement and check. The Final Review Office will, by the end of the next business day following its receipt of the subscription agreement and check, forward both the subscription agreement and check to the Escrow Agent. If any subscription agreement solicited by a Dealer participating in this Offering is rejected by the Dealer Manager or the Company, then the subscription agreement and check will be returned to the rejected subscriber within thirty (30) days from the date of rejection.

14.4 The Company will sell the Shares using two closing services provided by the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The first service is DTC closing (“DTC Settlement”), and the second service is Direct Registration Service (“DRS Settlement”). A sale of Shares shall be deemed by the Company to be completed if and only if (i) the Company has received payment of the full purchase price of purchased Shares, from an investor who satisfies the minimum purchase requirements set forth in the Prospectus as determined by the Dealer Manager or other Dealer participating in this Offering, as applicable, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Company has accepted such subscription, and, if using DRS Settlement, a properly completed and executed subscription agreement, and (iii) such investor has been admitted as a stockholder of the Company. In addition, no sale of Shares shall be completed until after the date on which the subscriber receives a copy of the Prospectus. The Dealer Manager hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, may accept or reject any subscription, in whole or in part, for any reason whatsoever or no reason, and no dealer manager fee in the amount of up to 3.0% (as described in Section 5.1) will be paid to the Dealer Manager with respect to that portion of any subscription which is rejected.

15. NOTICE.

Any notice in this Agreement permitted to be given, made or accepted by either party to the other, must be in writing and may be given or served by (i) overnight courier, (ii) depositing the same in the United States mail, postpaid, certified, return receipt requested, (iii) electronic delivery or (iv) facsimile transfer. Notice deposited in the United States mail shall be deemed given when mailed. Notice given in any other manner shall be effective when received at the address of the addressee. For purposes hereof the addresses of the parties, until changed as hereafter provided, shall be as follows:

 

To Company:

  

Gladstone Commercial Corporation

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attention: David Gladstone, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and

President Attention: Mike Sodo, Chief Financial Officer

Fax: (703) 287-5801

 

10


To Dealer Manager:

  

Gladstone Securities, LLC

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100

Attention: John Kent

Fax: (703) 287-5803

With a copy to:

  

The Gladstone Companies

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100

McLean, Virginia 22102

Attention: Michael B. LiCalsi, General Counsel and Secretary

Fax: (703) 287-5899

16. SEVERABILITY.

In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement invalid, such invalidity shall have no effect on the other provisions hereof, which shall remain valid and binding and in full force and effect, and to that end the provisions of this Agreement shall be considered severable.

17. NO WAIVER.

Failure by either party to promptly insist upon strict compliance with any of the obligations of the other party under this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of the right to enforce strict compliance with respect to any obligation hereunder.

18. ASSIGNMENT.

This Agreement may not be assigned by either party, except with the prior written consent of the other party. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior written and oral statements or agreements with respect to such subject matter.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

11


If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement between us as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ David Gladstone

Name: David Gladstone
Title: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Accepted and agreed as of the date first above written.

 

GLADSTONE SECURITIES, LLC

/s/ John Kent

Name: John Kent
Title: Managing Principal

Signature Page to Dealer Manager Agreement


Exhibit A

 

PARTICIPATING DEALER AGREEMENT

20,000,000 Shares of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — Primary Offering — $25.00 6,000,000 Shares of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock — Dividend Reinvestment Plan — $22.75

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Gladstone Securities, LLC, as the dealer manager (“Dealer Manager”) for Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), invites you (the “Dealer”) to participate in the distribution of shares of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Shares”), of the Company subject to the following terms:

I. Dealer Manager Agreement

The Dealer Manager and the Company have entered into that certain Dealer Manager Agreement, dated February 20, 2020 (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. By your acceptance of this Participating Dealer Agreement, you will become one of the Dealers referred to in such Dealer Manager Agreement between the Company and the Dealer Manager and will be entitled and subject to the indemnification provisions contained in such Dealer Manager Agreement, including specifically the provisions of Section 6.3 of such Dealer Manager Agreement wherein each Dealer severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Dealer Manager and each officer, director, member and manager thereof, and each person, if any, who controls the Company and the Dealer Manager for the matters set forth in Section 6.3 of the Dealer Manager Agreement. Such indemnification obligations shall survive the termination of this Participating Dealer Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically stated herein, all terms used in this Participating Dealer Agreement have the meanings provided in the Dealer Manager Agreement. The Shares are offered solely through broker-dealers which are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

Dealer hereby agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to sell the Shares for cash on the terms and conditions stated in the Prospectus. Nothing in this Participating Dealer Agreement shall be deemed or construed to make Dealer an employee, agent, representative or partner of the Dealer Manager or of the Company, and Dealer is not authorized to act for the Dealer Manager or the Company or to make any representations on their behalf except as set forth in the Prospectus and such other printed information furnished to Dealer by the Dealer Manager, and authorized by the Company in writing, to supplement the Prospectus (“Supplemental Information”).

II. Submission of Orders

Dealer hereby agrees to solicit, as an independent contractor and not as the agent of the Dealer Manager or of the Company (or their affiliates), persons acceptable to the Company to purchase the Shares pursuant to the subscription agreement in the form attached to the Prospectus and in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus. Dealer hereby agrees to diligently make inquiries as required by this Agreement, as set forth in the Prospectus, and as required by all applicable laws of all prospective investors in order to ascertain whether a purchase of the Shares is suitable for each such investor.

If persons purchase Shares via check and subscription agreement, they will be instructed by the Dealer to make their checks payable to “UMB Bank, National Association, as escrow agent for Gladstone Commercial Corporation.” Any Dealer receiving a check not conforming to the foregoing instructions shall return such check directly to such subscriber. Checks received by the Dealer which conform to the foregoing instructions shall be transmitted for deposit pursuant to one of the methods:

1. Where, pursuant to the Dealer’s internal supervisory procedures, internal supervisory review is conducted at the same location at which subscription documents and checks are received from subscribers, checks will be transmitted by the end of the next business day following receipt by the Dealer for deposit directly with the Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus.

2. Where, pursuant to the Dealer’s internal supervisory procedures, final and internal supervisory review is conducted at a different location, checks will be transmitted by the end of the next business day following receipt by the Dealer to the office of the Dealer conducting such final internal supervisory review (the “Final Review Office”). The Final Review Office will in turn transmit, by the end of the next business day following receipt by the Final Review Office, such checks to the Company for deposit with the Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus.

 

A-1


III. Pricing

Except as described in the Prospectus, 20,000,000 Shares are intended to be offered to the public at the offering price of $25.00 per Share, payable in cash pursuant to the primary offering and (ii) 6,000,000 Shares are intended to be offered pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”) to those holders of Shares who elect to participate in such DRIP at $22.75 per Share. Except as otherwise indicated in the Prospectus, determined by the Company in its sole discretion, or in any letter or memorandum sent to the Dealer by the Company or Dealer Manager, a minimum initial purchase of $5,000, or 200 Shares, is required. The Shares are nonassessable.

IV. Covenants of Dealer

Dealer represents and warrants to the Company and the Dealer Manager and agrees that:

Prior to participating in the Offering, Dealer will have reasonable grounds to believe, based on information made available to Dealer by the Dealer Manager and/or the Company through the Prospectus, that all material facts are adequately and accurately disclosed in the Prospectus and provide a basis for evaluating an investment in the Company and the Shares.

Dealer agrees not to rely upon the efforts of the Dealer Manager, which is affiliated with the Company, in determining whether the Company has adequately and accurately disclosed all material facts upon which to provide a basis for evaluating the Company to the extent required by federal or state laws or FINRA. Dealer further agrees to conduct its own investigation to make that determination independent of the efforts of the Dealer Manager.

Dealer agrees to retain in its records and make available to the Dealer Manager and to the Company for a period of at least six (6) years following the termination of the Offering, information establishing that each investor who purchases the Shares solicited by Dealer is suitable for such investment.

Dealer agrees that, prior to accepting a subscription for the Shares, it will inform the prospective investor of all pertinent facts relating to the illiquidity and lack of marketability of the Shares, as appropriate, during the term of the investment.

Dealer hereby undertakes and agrees to comply with all obligations applicable to Dealer under all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those set forth by FINRA. In soliciting persons to acquire the Shares, Dealer further agrees to comply with any applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other applicable federal securities laws, applicable state securities laws, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the rules of FINRA and, in particular, Dealer agrees that it will not give any information or make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectus and in any supplemental sales literature furnished to Dealer by the Dealer Manager for use in making such solicitations.

Dealer shall deliver to each prospective investor, prior to any submission by such prospective investor, a written offer to buy any Shares, a copy of the Prospectus, and shall keep record of to whom, by what manner and on what date it delivered each such copy.

Dealer will not deliver to any offeree any written documents pertaining to the Company or the Shares, other than the Prospectus, and any other materials specifically designated for distribution to prospective investors that are supplied to Dealer by the Company or its affiliates. Without intending to limit the generality of the foregoing, Dealer shall not deliver to any prospective investor any material pertaining to the Company or any of its affiliates that has been furnished as “broker/dealer information only.”

In its solicitation of offers for the Shares, Dealer will comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, as well as the published rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules and regulations of all state securities authorities, as applicable, to the best of its knowledge, after due inquiry and investigation and to the extent within its direct control.

Dealer is (and will continue to be) a member in good standing with FINRA, will abide by the rules and regulations of FINRA, is in full compliance with all applicable requirements under the Exchange Act, and is registered as a broker-dealer in all of the jurisdictions in which Dealer solicits offers to purchase the Shares.

V. Dealers’ Commissions

Except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus and this Section V, the Dealer’s sales commission applicable to the Shares sold by Dealer which it is authorized to sell hereunder is 6.0% of the gross proceeds of Shares sold by it and accepted and confirmed by the Company, which commission will be payable by the Dealer Manager. For these purposes, shares shall be deemed to be “sold” if and only if a transaction has closed with a subscriber for Shares pursuant to all applicable Offering and subscription documents, the Company has accepted the subscription agreement of such subscriber, and such Shares have been fully paid for and the Company has thereafter distributed the commission to the Dealer Manager in connection with such transaction. The Dealer affirms that the Dealer Manager’s liability for commissions payable is limited solely to the proceeds of commissions receivable from the Company, and the Dealer hereby waives any and all rights to receive payment of commissions due until such time as the Dealer Manager is in receipt of the commission from the Company.

 

A-2


As set forth in the Prospectus, to the extent the Dealer determines to reduce its sales commission below 6.0%, the public offering price per share will be decreased by an amount equal to such reduction. Examples of such reductions are reflected in the table below:

 

Dealer Sales Commission   

Public Offering

Price Per Share

 

6.0%

   $ 25.00  

5.5%

   $ 24.88  

5.0%

   $ 24.75  

4.5%

   $ 24.63  

4.0%

   $ 24.50  

3.5%

   $ 24.38  

3.0%

   $ 24.25  

2.5%

   $ 24.13  

2.0%

   $ 24.00  

1.5%

   $ 23.88  

1.0%

   $ 23.75  

0.5%

   $ 23.63  

0.0%

   $ 23.50  

Except as otherwise provided herein, all expenses incurred by Dealer in the performance of Dealer’s obligations hereunder, including, but not limited to, expenses related to the Offering and any attorneys’ fees, shall be at Dealer’s sole cost and expense, and the foregoing shall apply notwithstanding the fact that the Offering is not consummated for any reason.

In addition, as set forth in the Prospectus, the Dealer Manager may, in its sole discretion, reallow a portion of its dealer manager fee to Dealers participating in the Offering of Shares as marketing fees, reimbursement of costs and expenses of attending educational conferences or to defray other distribution-related expenses.

The parties hereby agree that the foregoing commission is not in excess of the usual and customary distributors’ or sellers’ commission received in the sale of securities similar to the Shares, that Dealer’s interest in the Offering is limited to such commission from the Dealer Manager and Dealer’s indemnity referred to in Section 6 of the Dealer Manager Agreement, and that the Company is not liable or responsible for the direct payment of such commission to the Dealer. In addition, as set forth in the Prospectus, the Dealer Manager may reimburse Dealer for reasonable bona fide accountable due diligence expenses incurred by such Dealer. The Dealer Manager shall have the right to require the Dealer to provide a detailed and itemized invoice as a condition to the reimbursement of any such due diligence expenses. Reimbursement requests for accountable bona fide due diligence expenses must be made by Dealer within six months of the date of sale of Shares or such requests will not be honored by the Dealer Manager.

VI. Applicability of Indemnification

Each of the Dealer and Dealer Manager hereby acknowledges and agrees that it will be subject to the obligations set forth in, and entitled to the benefits of all the provisions of, the Dealer Manager Agreement, including but not limited to, the representations and warranties and the indemnification obligations contained in such Dealer Manager Agreement, including specifically the provisions of Section 6.3 of the Dealer Manager Agreement. Such indemnification obligations shall survive the termination of this Participating Dealer Agreement and the Dealer Manager Agreement.

VII. Payment

Payments of selling commissions will be made by the Dealer Manager to Dealer within 14 days of the receipt by the Dealer Manager of the gross commission payments from the Company. Dealer acknowledges that if the Company pays selling commissions to the Dealer Manager, the Company is relieved of any obligation for selling commissions to Dealer. The Company may rely on and use the preceding acknowledgment as a defense against any claim by Dealer for selling commissions the Company pays to Dealer Manager but that Dealer Manager fails to remit to Dealer.

VIII. Right to Reject Orders or Cancel Sales

All orders, whether initial or additional, are subject to acceptance by and shall only become effective upon confirmation by the Company, which reserves the right to reject any order. Orders not accompanied by a subscription agreement signature page and the required check in payment for the Shares may be rejected. Issuance of the Shares will be made only after actual receipt of payment. If any check is not paid upon presentment, or if the Company is not in actual receipt of clearinghouse funds or cash, certified or cashier’s

 

A-3


check or the equivalent in payment for the Shares within 30 days of sale, the Company reserves the right to cancel the sale without notice. In the event an order is rejected, canceled or rescinded for any reason, Dealer agrees to return to the Dealer Manager any commission theretofore paid with respect to such order and, failing to do so, the Dealer Manager shall have the right to offset amounts owed against future commissions due and otherwise payable to Dealer.

IX. Prospectus and Supplemental Information

Dealer is not authorized or permitted to give, and will not give, any information or make any representation concerning the Shares except as set forth in the Prospectus and any Supplemental Information. The Dealer Manager will supply Dealer with reasonable quantities of the Prospectus, as well as any Supplemental Information, for delivery to investors, and Dealer will deliver a copy of the Prospectus as required by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Dealer agrees that it will not send or give any Supplemental Information to an investor unless it has previously sent or given a Prospectus to that investor or has simultaneously sent or given a Prospectus with such Supplemental Information. Dealer agrees that it will not show or give to any investor or prospective investor or reproduce any material or writing that is supplied to it by the Dealer Manager and marked “dealer only” or otherwise bearing a legend denoting that it is not to be used in connection with the sale of Shares to members of the public. Dealer agrees that it will not use in connection with the offer or sale of Shares any material or writing that relates to another company supplied to it by the Company or the Dealer Manager bearing a legend that states that such material may not be used in connection with the offer or sale of any securities of the Company. Dealer further agrees that it will not use in connection with the offer or sale of Shares any materials or writings that have not been previously approved by the Dealer Manager and the Company in writing. Each Dealer agrees that it will mail or otherwise deliver all Prospectuses required for compliance with the provisions of Rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange Act. Regardless of the termination of this Agreement, Dealer will deliver a Prospectus in transactions in the Shares for a period of 90 days from the effective date of the Registration Statement or such longer period as may be required under the federal securities laws.

X. License and Association Membership

Dealer’s acceptance of this Participating Dealer Agreement constitutes a representation to the Company and the Dealer Manager that Dealer is a properly registered broker-dealer under the Exchange Act, is duly licensed as a broker-dealer and authorized to sell Shares under federal and state securities laws and regulations and in all states where it offers or sells Shares, and that it is a member in good standing of FINRA. Dealer agrees to notify the Dealer Manager immediately in writing and this Participating Dealer Agreement shall automatically terminate if Dealer ceases to be a member in good standing of FINRA, is subject to a FINRA suspension, or its registration as a broker-dealer under the Exchange Act is terminated or suspended. Dealer hereby agrees to abide by all applicable FINRA Rules.

XI. Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Programs

Dealer’s acceptance of this Agreement constitutes a representation to the Company and the Dealer Manager that Dealer has established and implemented anti-money laundering compliance programs in accordance with applicable law, including but not limited to applicable FINRA Conduct Rules, Exchange Act Regulations and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”), specifically including, but not limited to, Section 352 of the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (the “Money Laundering Abatement Act,” and together with the USA Patriot Act, and applicable FINRA Conduct Rules and Exchange Act Regulations, the “AML Rules”) reasonably expected to detect and cause the reporting of suspicious transactions in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares (the “AML Program”). Dealer further represents and warrants that it is currently in compliance with the AML Rules, specifically including, but not limited to, the Customer Identification Program requirements under Section 326 of the Money Laundering Abatement Act, and the Dealer hereby covenants to remain in compliance with such requirements. Dealer shall, at least annually and upon any other request of Dealer Manager or the Company, provide a certification to Dealer Manager and/or the Company that, as of the date of such certification (i) the Dealer’s AML Program is consistent with the AML Rules and (ii) the Dealer is currently in compliance with all AML Rules, specifically including, but not limited to, the Customer Identification Program requirements under Section 326 of the Money Laundering Abatement Act. Further, Dealer agrees, upon receipt of an “information request” issued under Section 314 (a) of the USA Patriot Act to provide the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network with information regarding: (i) the identity of a specified individual or organization; (ii) account number, (iii) all identifying information provided by the account holder; and (iv) the date and type of transaction. The Dealer from time to time will monitor account activity to identify patterns of unusual size or volume, geographic factors, and any other potential signals of suspicious activity, including possible money laundering or terrorist financing.

Dealer agrees and acknowledges that each investor who purchases Shares solicited by Dealer is a customer of Dealer, and not Dealer Manager, with respect to such transaction, and that it shall be Dealer’s responsibility to perform all reviews required pursuant to the AML Rules. The Company reserves the right to reject any subscriptions from new customers who fail to provide necessary information or who intentionally provide misleading information.

 

A-4


XII. Limitation of Offer and Suitability

Dealer will offer Shares only to persons who meet any applicable suitable requirements and will only make offers to persons in the states in which it is advised in writing that the Shares are qualified for sale or that such qualification is not required. In offering Shares, Dealer will comply with the provisions of the rules and requirements of FINRA, as well as all other applicable rules and regulations relating to suitability of investors, and the suitability standards set forth in the Prospectus.

Prior to the sale of the Shares, each Dealer shall inform each prospective purchaser of Shares of pertinent facts relating to the Shares including specifically the lack of liquidity and lack of marketability of the Shares during the term of the investment.

XIII. Due Diligence and Adequate Disclosure

Dealer understands that the Company, Dealer Manager or third party due diligence providers may from time to time furnish Dealer with certain information which is non-public, confidential or proprietary in nature (the “Due Diligence Information”) in connection with its due diligence obligations under FINRA rules and the federal securities laws. Dealer agrees that the Due Diligence Information will be kept confidential and shall not, without our prior written consent, be disclosed by Dealer, or by Dealer’s affiliates, agents, representatives or employees, in any manner whatsoever, in whole or in part, and shall not be used by Dealer, its agents, representatives or employees, other than in connection with Dealer’s due diligence evaluation of the Offering. Dealer agrees to reveal the Due Diligence Information only to its affiliates, agents, representatives and employees who need to know the Due Diligence Information for the purpose of the due diligence evaluation. Further, Dealer and its affiliates, agents, representatives and employees will not disclose to any person the fact that the Due Diligence Information has been made available to it.

The term Due Diligence Information shall not include information which (i) is already in Dealer’s possession or in the possession of Dealer’s parent company or affiliates, provided that such information is not known by Dealer to be subject to another confidentiality agreement with or other obligation of secrecy to the Company or another party; (ii) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by Dealer, its affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives in violation of this agreement; (iii) becomes available to Dealer or its affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company or its advisors, provided that such source is not known by Dealer or its affiliates to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with or other obligation of secrecy to the Company or another party; or (iv) is independently developed by Dealer or by its affiliates without use of the Due Diligence Information.

Dealer agrees that its obligation of non-disclosure, non-use and confidentiality of the Due Diligence Information as set forth herein shall terminate two (2) years after the date on which the Due Diligence Information is received by Dealer.

XIV. Compliance with Record Keeping Requirements

Dealer agrees to comply with the record keeping requirements of the Exchange Act, including but not limited to, Rules 17a-3 and 17a-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Dealer further agrees to keep such records with respect to each customer who purchases Shares, his suitability and the amount of Shares sold and to retain such records for such period of time as may be required by the SEC, any state securities commission, FINRA or the Company.

XV. Customer Complaints

Each party hereby agrees to promptly provide to the other party copies of any written or otherwise documented complaints from customers of Dealer received by such party relating in any way to the Offering (including, but not limited to, the manner in which the Shares are offered by the Dealer Manager or Dealer), the Shares or the Company.

XVI. Termination and Amendments

Dealer will immediately suspend or terminate its offer and sale of Shares upon the request of the Company or the Dealer Manager at any time and will resume its offer and sale of Shares hereunder upon subsequent request of the Company or the Dealer Manager. Any party may terminate this Participating Dealer Agreement by written notice. Such termination shall be effective 48 hours after the mailing of such notice. This Participating Dealer Agreement and the exhibits hereto are the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, if any, between the parties hereto.

This Participating Dealer Agreement may be amended at any time by the Dealer Manager by written notice to the Dealer, and any such amendment shall be deemed accepted and agreed to by Dealer upon placing an order for sale of Shares after he has received such notice.

 

A-5


XVII. Privacy Laws

The Dealer Manager and Dealer (each referred to individually in this section as “party”) agree as follows:

1. Each party agrees to abide by and comply with (i) the privacy standards and requirements of the Gramm-Leach- Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLB Act”), (ii) the privacy standards and requirements of any other applicable Federal or state law, and (iii) its own internal privacy policies and procedures, each as may be amended from time to time.

2. Dealer agrees to provide privacy policy notices required under the GLB Act resulting from purchases of Shares made by its customers pursuant to this Participating Dealer Agreement.

3. Each party agrees to refrain from the use or disclosure of nonpublic personal information (as defined under the GLB Act) of all customers who have opted out of such disclosures except as necessary to service the customers or as otherwise necessary or required by applicable law.

XVIII. Notice

Any notice in this Participating Dealer Agreement permitted to be given, made or accepted by either party to the other, must be in writing and may be given or served by (1) overnight courier, (2) depositing the same in the United States mail, postpaid, certified, return receipt requested, or (3) facsimile transfer. Notice deposited in the United States mail shall be deemed given when mailed. Notice given in any other manner shall be effective when received at the address of the addressee. For purposes hereof the addresses of the parties, until changed as hereafter provided, shall be as follows:

 

            To Dealer Manager:    Gladstone Securities, LLC
      1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100
      McLean, Virginia 22102
      Attention: John Kent
      Fax: (703) 287-5803
   To Dealer:    Address Specified By Dealer on Dealer Signature Page

XIX. Attorney’s Fees, Applicable Law and Venue

In any action to enforce the provisions of this Participating Dealer Agreement or to secure damages for its breach, the prevailing party shall recover its costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. This Participating Dealer Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of Virginia and shall take effect when signed by Dealer and countersigned by the Dealer Manager. Dealer and Dealer Manager hereby acknowledge and agree that venue for any action brought hereunder shall lie exclusively in McLean, Virginia.

XX. Severability

In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Participating Dealer Agreement invalid, such invalidity shall have no effect on the other provisions hereof, which shall remain valid and binding and in full force and effect, and to that end the provisions of this Participating Dealer Agreement shall be considered severable.

XXI. No Waiver

Failure by either party to promptly insist upon strict compliance with any of the obligations of the other party under this Participating Dealer Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of the right to enforce strict compliance with respect to any obligation hereunder.

XXII. Assignment

This Participating Dealer Agreement may not be assigned by either party, except with the prior written consent of the other party. This Participating Dealer Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

XXIII. Authorization

Each party represents to the other that all requisite proceedings have been undertaken to authorize it to enter into and perform under this Participating Dealer Agreement as contemplated herein, and that the individual who has signed this Participating Dealer Agreement below on its behalf is a duly elected officer that has been empowered to act for and on behalf of such party with respect to the execution of this Participating Dealer Agreement.

 

A-6


[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

A-7


We have read the foregoing Agreement and we hereby accept and agree to the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

THE DEALER MANAGER:
Gladstone Securities, LLC
By:    
Name:   John Kent
Title:   Managing Principal

 

A-8


Participating Dealer Agreement Signature Page

We have read the foregoing Participating Dealer Agreement and the form Dealer Manager Agreement included as an exhibit thereto, and we hereby accept and agree to the terms and conditions therein set forth. We hereby represent that we will comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Securities Act Rules and Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations. We represent and warrant that we are duly registered as a broker-dealer under the provisions of the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Rules and Regulations or we are exempt from such registration. We hereby agree to advise you of any changes to the information listed on this signature page during the term of this Participating Dealer Agreement. We hereby represent that we will comply with the Rules of FINRA, all rules and regulations promulgated by FINRA and all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

1. Person to receive notice pursuant to Section XVIII.

 

Name:     
Company:     
Address:     
City, State and Zip Code:     

Telephone No.: (    )                  Fax No.: (    )                 

E-Mail:                 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY THE DEALER:

 

Name of Participating Dealer

 

  

Federal Identification Number

  

By:

      

Date:                     

 

Signature

 

  
 

Printed Name

 

  
  Title   

Kindly have checks representing selling commissions forwarded as follows (if different from above):

 

Name of Firm:

           

Address:

           
 

Street

 

       
 

City

 

 

State

 

 

Zip Code

 

 

Telephone No.

 

       
Attention:  

Fax No.

 

       

 

A-9

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

6.00% SERIES F CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

FIRST: Under a power contained in Section 2 of Article SEVENTH of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) or a duly authorized committee thereof, by resolutions duly adopted, reclassified 26,000,000 authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Corporation as shares of a new series of preferred stock, designated as “6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock” with the following preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption.

1. Designation and Number. A new series of preferred stock, designated the 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), is hereby established. The number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall be 26,000,000.

2. Rank. The Series F Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, will rank (i) senior to the Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) and to all other equity securities issued by the Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank junior to the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; (ii) on a parity with the 7.00% Series D Cumulative Term Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and the 6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation and all other equity securities issued by the Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (the “Parity Preferred Stock”); and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Corporation the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and to all existing and future indebtedness of the Corporation. The term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

3. Dividends.

(a) Holders of shares of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) and declared by the Corporation, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, preferential cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 6.00% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.50 per share). Dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock shall be cumulative from (but excluding) the last day of the most recent


dividend period for which dividends have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the date of issuance and shall be payable monthly in arrears on or about the 5th day of each month for dividends accrued the previous month, or such other date as designated by the Board of Directors (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”). Any dividend payable on the Series F Preferred Stock for any dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be such date designated by the Board of Directors that is prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date (each, a “Dividend Record Date”).

(b) No dividends on shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall be authorized by the Board of Directors or declared by the Corporation or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will accumulate whether or not the Corporation has earnings, whether or not restrictions exist in respect thereof, whether there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized and declared. Accumulated but unpaid dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will not bear interest and holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any distributions in excess of full cumulative distributions described above. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon the Series F Preferred Stock and the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon the Series F Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series F Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series F Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such Parity Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other.

(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no dividends (other than a dividend in shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock ranking junior to the Series F Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment nor shall any other distribution be declared and made upon the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor shall any shares of Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the

 

2


Series F Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation or repurchase or redemption for the purpose of preserving the Corporation’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”)). Holders of shares of the Series F Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock as provided above. Any dividend payment made on shares of the Series F Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable.

(e) If, for any taxable year, the Corporation elects to designate as a “capital gain dividend” (as defined in Section 857 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), any portion (the “Capital Gains Amount”) of the dividends paid or made available for the year to holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation, the portion of the Capital Gains Amount that shall be allocable to holders of the Series F Preferred Stock shall be the amount that the total dividends (as determined for federal income tax purposes) paid or made available to the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock for the year bears to the aggregate amount of dividends (as determined for federal income tax purposes) paid or made available to the holders of all classes or series of stock of the Corporation for such year.

4. Liquidation Preference. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to its stockholders a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to but excluding the date of payment, but without interest, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks junior to the Series F Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights. If the assets of the Corporation legally available for distribution to stockholders are insufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference on the Series F Preferred Stock and the liquidation preference on the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock, all assets distributed to the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock and any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall be distributed pro rata so that the amount of assets distributed per share of Series F Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that the liquidation preference per share on the Series F Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Preferred Stock bear to each other. Written notice of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of the Series F Preferred Stock at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the stock transfer records of the Corporation. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled, the holders of Series F Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation, conversion or merger of the Corporation with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Corporation, a statutory share exchange by the Corporation or a sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property or business shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation) by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of stock of the Corporation

 

3


or otherwise is permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of the Series F Preferred Stock whose preferential rights upon dissolution are superior to those receiving the distribution.

5. Redemption at Option of the Corporation. The Series F Preferred Stock shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation as provided below:

(a) Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

Electronic Means” means electronic mail transmission, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic means of communication providing evidence of transmission (but excluding online communications systems covered by a separate agreement) acceptable to the sending party and the receiving party, in any case if operative as between any two parties, or, if not operative, by telephone (promptly confirmed by any other method set forth in this definition).

Primary Offering” means the registered public offering of shares of Series F Preferred Stock (other than shares of Series F Preferred Stock offered pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan) on a “reasonable best efforts” basis pursuant to a prospectus (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).

Redemption and Paying Agent” means Computershare Inc. and its successors or any other redemption and paying agent appointed by the Corporation with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock.

Termination Date” means the earlier of (i) June 1, 2025 (unless the Primary Offering is earlier terminated or is extended by the Board of Directors) or (ii) the date on which all 20,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock offered in the Primary Offering are sold.

(b) Optional Redemption.

(i) The Series F Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to the later of (1) the first anniversary of the Termination Date and (2) June 1, 2024. However, in order to ensure that the Corporation will continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT, the Series F Preferred Stock will be subject to the transfer and ownership restrictions in the Charter. If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) by lot or by any other equitable method that the Corporation determines will not violate the Limit set forth in Article EIGHTH of the Charter. If redemption is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock, other than a holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock that has received an exemption from the Limit, would have actual ownership or constructive ownership of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation in excess of the Limit, because such holder’s shares of Series F Preferred Stock were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part, then, except as otherwise provided in the Charter, the Corporation shall redeem the requisite number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock of such holder such that no holder shall own shares of capital stock of the Corporation in excess of the Limit subsequent to such redemption. Subject to the provisions of

 

4


Section 5(b)(ii), on any Business Day (as defined below) beginning on the later of (1) the first anniversary of the Termination Date and (2) June 1, 2024 (any such Business Day referred to in this sentence, a “Redemption Date”), the Corporation may redeem in whole or from time to time in part, out of funds legally available therefor, the Series F Preferred Stock, at a redemption price per share of Series F Preferred Stock (the “Redemption Price”) equal to (x) the liquidation preference per share of Series F Preferred Stock plus (y) an amount equal to all unpaid dividends on such share of Series F Preferred Stock accumulated to (but excluding) the Redemption Date (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest thereon). The term “Business Day” shall mean any calendar day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.

(ii) If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5(b)(i), the shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected either (A) pro rata, (B) by lot or (C) in such other manner as the Board of Directors may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof and applicable law, the Board of Directors will have the full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Series F Preferred Stock will be redeemed pursuant to this Section 5(b) from time to time.

(c) Procedures for Redemption.

(i) If the Corporation shall determine to redeem, in whole or in part, shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5(b), the Corporation shall deliver a notice of redemption (the “Notice of Redemption”), by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means to holders thereof, or request the Redemption and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Corporation, to promptly do so by overnight delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid or by Electronic Means. A Notice of Redemption shall be provided not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date. Each such Notice of Redemption shall state: (A) the Redemption Date; (B) the number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (C) the CUSIP number for the Series F Preferred Stock; (D) the Redemption Price on a per share basis; (E) if applicable, the place or places where the certificate(s) for such shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors requires and the Notice of Redemption states) are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (F) that dividends on the shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accumulate after such Redemption Date; and (G) the provisions hereof under which such redemption is made. If fewer than all shares of Series F Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption delivered to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed from such holder or the method of determining such number. The Corporation may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant hereto that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent and that the Corporation shall not be required to effect such redemption unless each such condition has been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or delivery thereof shall affect the validity of redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.

 

5


(ii) On or after the Redemption Date, each holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock in certificated form (if any) that are subject to redemption shall surrender the certificate(s) representing such shares of Series F Preferred Stock to the Corporation at the place designated in the Notice of Redemption and shall then be entitled to receive the Redemption Price for such shares of Series F Preferred Stock, without interest, and in the case of a redemption of fewer than all the shares of Series F Preferred Stock represented by such certificate(s), a new certificate representing the shares of Series F Preferred Stock that were not redeemed. If a Notice of Redemption has been given and the funds necessary for redemption of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock that are subject to redemption have been deposited with the Redemption and Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of such shares of Series F Preferred Stock, then, from and after the Redemption Date, dividends shall cease to accumulate on such shares of Series F Preferred Stock, such shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall terminate, except the right to receive the Redemption Price therefor.

(iii) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5, except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation shall not redeem any shares of Series F Preferred Stock or purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of Series F Preferred Stock (except by exchange for other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series F Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends on all outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock and the shares of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock for all applicable past dividend periods (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation) shall have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase of outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to the Charter in order to ensure that the Corporation will continue to meet the requirements for qualification as a REIT or the purchase or acquisition of outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Parity Preferred Stock for which all accumulated and unpaid dividends have not been paid. So long as no dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock are in arrears, the Corporation shall be entitled at any time and from time to time to repurchase shares of Series F Preferred Stock in open-market transactions duly authorized by the Board of Directors and effected in compliance with applicable laws.

(iv) If a Redemption Date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock that are redeemed on such Redemption Date shall be entitled to the dividends, if any, accruing after the end of the dividend period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates up to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

6. Voting Rights.

(a) Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth below.

 

6


(b) Whenever dividends on any shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall be in arrears for 18 or more consecutive months (a “Preferred Dividend Default”), the holders of such shares of Series F Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to vote separately as a class for the election of a total of two additional directors of the Corporation (the “Preferred Stock Directors”) at a special meeting called upon the written request of the holders of record of at least 20% of the Series F Preferred Stock or the holders of record of at least 20% of any class or series of Parity Preferred Stock so in arrears (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders) or at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting until all dividends accumulated on such shares of Series F Preferred Stock for the past dividend periods and the dividend for the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment.

(c) A quorum for any meeting called to elect Preferred Stock Directors shall exist if at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock and shares of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable are represented in person or by proxy at such meeting. The Preferred Stock Directors shall be elected upon the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Series F Preferred Stock and shares of such Parity Preferred Stock present and voting in person or by proxy at a duly called and held meeting at which a quorum is present voting separately as a class. If and when all accumulated dividends and the dividend for the then-current dividend period on the Series F Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full or declared and set apart for payment in full, the holders thereof shall be divested of the right to elect the Preferred Stock Directors (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Dividend Default) and, if all accumulated dividends and the dividend for the then-current dividend period have been paid in full or declared and set apart for payment in full on all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the term of office of each Preferred Stock Director so elected shall terminate. Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time with or without cause by, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock when they have the voting rights described above (voting separately as a class with all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable). So long as a Preferred Dividend Default shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Stock Director may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Stock Director remaining in office or, if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock when they have the voting rights described above (voting separately as a class with all classes or series of Parity Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable). The Preferred Stock Directors shall be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.

(d) So long as any shares of Series F Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Corporation will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (voting separately as a class), amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter (including the terms of the Series F Preferred Stock), whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise (each an “Event”), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series F Preferred Stock; provided, however, that with respect to the occurrence of any Event set forth above, so long as the Series F Preferred Stock (or

 

7


securities issued by a surviving entity in substitution for the Series F Preferred Stock) remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of such an Event, the Corporation may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of the Series F Preferred Stock; and provided, further, that (i) any increase in the number of authorized shares of Series F Preferred Stock, (ii) any increase in the number of authorized shares of preferred stock of the Corporation or the creation or issuance of any other class or series of preferred stock or (iii) any increase in the number of authorized shares of any other class or series of preferred stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

(e) The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

7. Redemption at Option of Stockholders.

(a) Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 7(c) below:

(i) Commencing on the date of original issuance (or, if after the date of original issuance the Board of Directors suspends the optional redemption right of the holders of Series F Preferred Stock described in this Section 7, on the date the Board of Directors reinstates such right) and terminating on the earlier to occur of (A) the date upon which the Board of Directors, by resolution, suspends or terminates the optional redemption right of the holders of Series F Preferred Stock described in this Section 7 and (B) the date on which shares of Series F Preferred Stock are listed on a national securities exchange, holders of Series F Preferred Stock may, at their option, require the Corporation to redeem, on the tenth calendar day following delivery of a Stockholder Redemption Notice (as defined below) or, if such tenth calendar day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each such date, a “Stockholder Redemption Date”), any or all of their shares of Series F Preferred Stock at a redemption price per share of Series F Preferred Stock equal to $22.50 in cash.

(ii) From the date of original issuance until the listing of the Series F Preferred Stock on a national securities exchange, the estate of a natural person who held shares of Series F Preferred Stock upon his or her death (each, an “Estate”) may, at its option, require the Corporation to redeem, on the tenth calendar day following delivery of a Death Redemption Notice (as defined below) or, if such tenth calendar day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each such date, a “Death Redemption Date”), any or all of such shares of Series F Preferred Stock at a redemption price per share of Series F Preferred Stock equal to $25.00 in cash.

(b) Upon the redemption of shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 7(a) above, the holder thereof shall also be entitled to receive an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but excluding, the Stockholder Redemption Date or Death Redemption Date, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Stockholder

 

8


Redemption Date or Death Redemption Date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock that are redeemed on such Stockholder Redemption Date or Death Redemption Date shall be entitled to the dividends, if any, accruing after the end of the dividend period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates up to, but excluding, the Stockholder Redemption Date or Death Redemption Date, as the case may be. Upon the redemption of any shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 7(a) above, dividends shall cease to accumulate on such shares of Series F Preferred Stock, such shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall terminate.

(c) In order to require the Corporation to redeem shares of Series F Preferred Stock on a Stockholder Redemption Date pursuant to Section 7(a)(i) above, the holder of such shares must deliver a notice of redemption, by overnight delivery or by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Corporation at its principal executive offices (each such notice, a “Stockholder Redemption Notice”). In order to require the Corporation to redeem shares of Series F Preferred Stock on a Death Redemption Date pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) above, an Estate must deliver a notice of redemption, by overnight delivery or by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Corporation at its principal executive offices (each such notice, a “Death Redemption Notice”). Each Stockholder Redemption Notice or Death Redemption Notice so delivered to the Corporation shall be an original, notarized copy and shall state: (i) the name and address of the stockholder whose shares of Series F Preferred Stock are to be redeemed; (ii) the number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the name of the broker dealer who holds the shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed, the stockholder’s account number with such broker dealer and such broker dealer’s participant number for the Depository Trust Corporation; and (iv) in the case of a Death Redemption Notice, a certified copy of the death certificate (and such other evidence that is satisfactory to the Corporation in its sole discretion) for the natural person who previously held the shares to be redeemed. The obligation of the Corporation to redeem shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 7(a) above shall be limited to the extent the Board of Directors determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the Corporation does not have sufficient funds available to fund any such redemption or the Corporation is restricted by applicable law from making such redemption. If, as a result of either of the foregoing limitations, fewer than all shares of Series F Preferred Stock for which a Stockholder Redemption Notice or Death Redemption Notice was delivered to the Corporation are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed shall be pro rata based on the number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock for which each holder or Estate submitted a Stockholder Redemption Notice or Death Redemption Notice. The obligation of the Corporation to redeem shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 7(a)(i) above shall be further limited to the extent the Board of Directors suspends or terminates the optional redemption right of the holders of Series F Preferred Stock described in this Section 7 after delivery of a Stockholder Redemption Notice but prior to the corresponding Stockholder Redemption Date.

(d) The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the optional redemption right of the holders of Series F Preferred Stock described in this Section 7 at any time in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

9


8. No Sinking Fund. The Series F Preferred Stock will not be subject to any sinking fund.

9. No Preemptive Rights. No holder of the Series F Preferred Stock shall, as such holder, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell.

10. Status of Redeemed or Repurchased Series F Preferred Stock. Shares of Series F Preferred Stock that at any time have been redeemed or purchased by the Corporation shall, after such redemption or purchase, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock.

11. Notice. All notices or communications hereunder, unless otherwise specified herein, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, by telecopier, by Electronic Means or by overnight mail or delivery or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notices delivered pursuant to this Section 11 shall be deemed given on the date received or, if mailed by first class mail, on the date five calendar days after which such notice is mailed.

SECOND: The Series F Preferred Stock has been reclassified and designated by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the Charter.

THIRD: These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of Directors in the manner and by the vote required by law.

FOURTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this 20th day of February, 2020.

 

ATTEST:     GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION

/s/ Michael LiCalsi

    By:  

/s/ David Gladstone

Name: Michael LiCalsi     Name:   David Gladstone
Title: Secretary     Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Articles Supplementary

EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

 

ZQ|CERT#|COY|CLS|RGSTRY|ACCT#|TRANSTYPE|RUN#|TRANS# PREFERRED STOCK PAR VALUE $.001 PREFERRED STOCK Certificate Number ZQ00000000 GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND Shares * * 000000 ****************** * * * 000000 ***************** **** 000000 **************** ***** 000000 *************** ****** 000000 ************** THIS CERTIFIES THAT ** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. MR. Alexander David SAMPLE Sample **** Mr. Alexander David &Sample MRS. **** Mr. Alexander SAMPLE David Sample **** Mr. Alexander & David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander MR. David Sample SAMPLE **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** &Mr. Alexander MRS. David Sample SAMPLE **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Sample **** Mr. Sample SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS CUSIP XXXXXXXXXXX is the owner of **000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****00 ***ZERO-HUNDRED THOUSAND 0000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000 **Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000 ZERO HUNDRED AND ZERO*****Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000**S THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN CITIES DESIGNATED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT, AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.computershare.com FULLY PAID AND NONASSESSABLE SHARES OF 6.00% SERIES F CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER-SHARE, OF GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized Attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Corporation has caused this Certificate to be endorsed by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers and to be sealed with the facsimile seal of the Corporation. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer DATED DD-MMM-YYYY COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY N.A. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR, By AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE Secretary PO BOX 43004, Providence, RI 02940-3004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 CUSIP/IDENTIFIER XXXXXX XX X Holder ID XXXXXXXXXX Insurance Value 00.1,000,000 Number of Shares 123456 DTC 12345678901234512345678 Certificate Numbers Num/No Denom. Total. 1234567890/1234567890 111 1234567890/1234567890 222 1234567890/1234567890 333 1234567890/1234567890 444 1234567890/1234567890 555 1234567890/1234567890 666 Total Transaction 7


IMPORTANT NOTICE . GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH TO ANY STOCKHOLDER, ON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE, A FULL STATEMENT OF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SECTION 2-211(B) OF THE CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND WITH RESPECT TO THE DESIGNATIONS AND ANY PREFERENCES, CONVERSION AND OTHER RIGHTS, VOTING POWERS, RESTRICTIONS, LIMITATIONS AS TO DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF REDEMPTION OF THE STOCK OF EACH CLASS WHICH THE CORPORATION HAS AUTHORITY TO ISSUE AND, IF THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE ANY PREFERRED OR SPECIAL CLASS IN SERIES, (I) THE DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATIVE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES BETWEEN THE SHARES OF EACH SERIES TO THE EXTENT SET, AND (II) THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO SET SUCH RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF SUBSEQUENT SERIES. THE FOREGOING SUMMARY DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE AND IS SUBJECT TO AND QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE CHARTER OF THE CORPORATION (THE “CHARTER”), A COPY OF WHICH WILL BE SENT WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS. SUCH REQUEST MUST BE MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE. THE CHARTER OF THE CORPORATION CONTAINS CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE. THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE A FULL STATEMENT REGARDING SUCH RESTRICTIONS WITHOUT CHARGE AND UPON REQUEST. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - Custodian (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (State) JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship UNIF TRF MIN ACT - Custodian (until age ) and not as tenants in common (Cust) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (Minor) (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE For value received,____________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shares of the capital 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: 20__________________ Signature:____________________________________________________________ Signature:____________________________________________________________ Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatever. Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15. The IRS requires that the named transfer agent (we) report the cost basis of certain shares or units acquired after January 1, 2011. If your shares or units are covered by the legislation, and you requested to sell or transfer the shares or units using a specific cost basis calculation method, then we have processed as you requested. If you did not specify a cost basis calculation method, then we have defaulted to the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Please consult your tax advisor if you need additional information about cost basis. If you do not keep in contact with the issuer or do not have any activity in your account for the time period specified by state law, your property may become subject to state unclaimed property laws and transferred to the appropriate state.

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

[LETTERHEAD OF VENABLE LLP]

February 20, 2020

Gladstone Commercial Corporation

Suite 100

1521 Westbranch Drive

McLean, Virginia 22102

 

  Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-236143)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as Maryland counsel to Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of (a) 20,000,000 shares (the “Offering Shares”) of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series F Preferred Stock”), of the Company, to be issued in a public offering (the “Offering”) pursuant to the Prospectus Supplement (as defined below) and the Dealer Manager Agreement (as defined below), and (b) 6,000,000 shares (the “DRIP Shares” and, together with the Offering Shares, the “Shares”) of Series F Preferred Stock, to be issued pursuant to the Prospectus Supplement and the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”), each covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

1. The Registration Statement;

2. The Prospectus, dated February 11, 2020, as supplemented by a Prospectus Supplement, dated February 20, 2020 (the “Prospectus Supplement”), filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the 1933 Act;

3. The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

4. The Bylaws of the Company, as amended, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

5. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;


Gladstone Commercial Corporation

February 20, 2020

Page 2

 

6. Resolutions (the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), relating to, among other matters, (a) the sale and issuance of the Shares, (b) the adoption of the Plan and (c) the authorization of the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Dealer Manager Agreement, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

7. The Dealer Manager Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2020 (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”), by and among the Company, Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, and Gladstone Securities LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

8. The Plan, as described under the heading “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the Prospectus Supplement;

9. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

10. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or any other person, is legally competent to do so.

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or


Gladstone Commercial Corporation

February 20, 2020

Page 3

 

on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5. Upon issuance of any of the Shares, the total number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

6. The Shares will not be issued in violation of any restriction or limitation contained in Article EIGHTH of the Charter.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

2. The issuance of the Offering Shares has been duly authorized and, when and to the extent issued against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus Supplement, the Resolutions and the Dealer Manager Agreement, the Offering Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. The issuance of the DRIP Shares has been duly authorized and, when and to the extent issued against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus Supplement, the Resolutions and the Plan, the DRIP Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.


Gladstone Commercial Corporation

February 20, 2020

Page 4

 

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the Offering (the “Current Report”), which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report and the said incorporation by reference and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable LLP
EX-8.1

Exhibit 8.1

 

150 Third Avenue South, Suite 2800

Nashville, TN 37201

(615) 742-6200

February 20, 2020

Gladstone Commercial Corporation

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100

McLean, Virginia 22102

 

  Re:

Gladstone Commercial Corporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as tax counsel to Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Gladstone”), and Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), in connection with the issuance and sale of shares of Gladstone’s 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 20, 2020 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), as part of a registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-236143 (the “Registration Statement”), which contains the base prospectus (the “Prospectus”). You have requested our opinion regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documentation and information provided by Gladstone as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, Gladstone has provided us with, and we are relying upon, a certificate containing certain factual representations and covenants of duly authorized officers of Gladstone (the “Officers’ Certificate”) relating to, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of Gladstone, the Operating Partnership and the entities in which either holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest (Gladstone, the Operating Partnership and such entities, collectively, the “Company”).

For purposes of this opinion, we have not independently verified the facts, statements, representations and covenants set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or in any other document. In particular, we note that the Company has engaged in, and may engage in, transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice, and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware. Consequently, we have relied on Gladstone’s representations that the facts, statements, representations and covenants presented in the Officers’ Certificate and other documents, or otherwise furnished to us, accurately and completely describe all material facts relevant to our opinion. We have assumed that all such facts, statements, representations and covenants are true without regard to any qualification as to knowledge, belief or intent. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such facts, statements, representations and covenants. We are not aware of any facts inconsistent with such facts, statements, representations and covenants. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts, statements, representations and covenants referred to, set forth, or assumed herein or in the Officers’ Certificate may affect our conclusions set forth herein.

In our review of certain documents in connection with our opinion expressed below, we have assumed (a) the genuineness of all signatures on documents that we have examined, (b) the authority and capacity of the individual or individuals executing such documents and (c) that each of the documents (i) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, (ii) is authentic, if an original, or is accurate, if a copy, and (iii) has not been amended subsequent to our review. Where documents have been provided to us in draft form, we have assumed that the final executed versions of such documents will not differ materially from such drafts.

Our opinion also is based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (a) the entities comprising the Company have been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which they were formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (b) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Maryland or of any other jurisdiction under the laws of which any of the entities comprising the Company have been formed and (c) each of the written agreements to which the Company is a party will be implemented, performed, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.


Gladstone Commercial Corporation

Page 2

 

In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), administrative rulings and other interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), all as they exist at the date hereof. It should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof to any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best judgment as to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position if asserted by the IRS.

We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal laws of the United States of America to the extent specifically referred to herein. In addition, we express no opinion on any issue relating to Gladstone, other than as expressly stated below.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the other qualifications, assumptions, representations and limitations included herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. Gladstone has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) pursuant to Sections 856 through 860 of the Code for its taxable years ended December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2019, and Gladstone’s organization and current and proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT for its taxable year ending December 31, 2020 and in the future.

2. The statements contained in the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” and in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Additional Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” insofar as such statements constitute matters of law, summaries of legal matters, or legal conclusions, fairly present and summarize, in all material respects, the matters referred to therein.

Gladstone’s continued qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, its distribution levels, the diversity of its stock ownership and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code and the Regulations, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of Gladstone’s operations for the current taxable year or any future taxable years will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue. We will not review on a continuing basis the Company’s compliance with the documents or assumptions set forth above, or the representations set forth in the Officers’ Certificate. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations for the current taxable year or any future taxable years will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

The foregoing opinion is based on current provisions of the Code and the Regulations, published administrative interpretations thereof, and published court decisions. The IRS has not issued Regulations or administrative interpretations with respect to various provisions of the Code relating to REIT qualification and taxation. No assurance can be given that the law will not change in a way that will prevent Gladstone from qualifying as a REIT.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax matters addressed herein, and no other opinion is rendered with respect to other federal tax matters or to any issues arising under the tax laws of any other country, or any state or locality. This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any opinion expressed herein after the date of this letter. This opinion letter has been prepared in connection with the filing of the Prospectus Supplement and may not be relied upon by any other person or used for any other purpose without our express prior written consent, provided that this opinion may be relied upon by persons entitled to rely on it pursuant to applicable provisions of federal securities laws.


Gladstone Commercial Corporation

Page 3

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to Bass, Berry & Sims PLC under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required by the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the SEC.

 

Sincerely,
/s/ Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

SECOND AMENDMENT

TO

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

This SECOND AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED  AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (this “Amendment”) is entered into and effective as of this 20th day of February, 2020. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of July 11, 2018, as amended by the First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated as of December 2, 2019 (collectively, the “Partnership Agreement”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”), was formed as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, pursuant to a Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware effective as of May 28, 2003; and

WHEREAS, GCLP Business Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust (the “General Partner”), is the sole general partner of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Parent”), is the sole member of the General Partner;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4.03 of the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner is permitted to cause the Partnership to issue additional Partnership Units, for any Partnership purpose, at any time or from time to time, to the Partners (including the Parent) or to other Persons, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner and such additional Partnership Units may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, powers and duties as shall be determined by the General Partner and set forth in a written document thereafter attached to and made an exhibit to the Partnership Agreement (a “Partnership Unit Designation”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15.15 of the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership Agreement may be amended by the General Partner without the consent of the Limited Partners to set forth the designations, preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the holders of any additional Partnership Units and to issue additional Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 4.03;

WHEREAS, the General Partner desires to establish a new series of Preferred Units, which shall be referred to as “Series F Preferred Units”, and to amend the Partnership Agreement, pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Partnership Agreement, for the purpose of setting forth the rights and preferences of the Series F Preferred Units.

NOW, THEREFORE, the General Partner has set forth in this Amendment and in the related Partnership Unit Designation to be attached to and made Exhibit SFP to the Partnership Agreement the preferences and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to payments, qualifications and terms and conditions of conversion and redemption of the Series F Preferred Units.


1. Terms of Series F Preferred Units.

(a) In making distributions pursuant to Article V of the Partnership Agreement and allocations pursuant to Article VI of the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner shall take into account the provisions of Exhibit SFP.

2. Distributions on Winding Up. Article XIII of the Partnership Agreement shall be amended by deleting the existing Section 13.02(a)(iv) and adding the following new Section 13.02(a)(iv):

“Fourth, to the holders of Series D Preferred Units, Series E Preferred Units and Series F Preferred Units, in accordance with the terms of Exhibit SDP, Exhibit SEP and Exhibit SFP.”

3. Exhibits. The Partnership Agreement is hereby supplemented by adding after Exhibit SEP to the Partnership Agreement the following new Exhibit SFP to the Partnership Agreement:


EXHIBIT SFP

PARTNERSHIP UNIT DESIGNATION

DESIGNATION OF

6.00% SERIES F CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS

Reference is made to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, as amended (the “Partnership Agreement”), of Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), of which this Partnership Unit Designation shall become a part.

Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Partnership Agreement. Section references are (unless otherwise specified) references to sections in this Partnership Unit Designation.

The General Partner has set forth in this Partnership Unit Designation the following description of the preferences and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of a class and series of Partnership Interests to be represented by Partnership Units which are designated as the “6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units”:

1. Designation and Number. A series of Partnership Units in the Partnership, designated as the “6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units” (the “Series F Preferred Units”), is hereby established. The number of Series F Preferred Units shall be 26,000,000.

2. Rank. Series F Preferred Units will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation of the Partnership, rank (a) senior to the OP Units, and to all other classes and series of Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation of the Partnership; (b) on a parity with the Series D Preferred Units and Series E Preferred Units, and any other Preferred Parity Units with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation of the Partnership; (c) junior to all classes and series of Units issued by the Partnership, the terms of which specifically provide that such Units rank senior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation of the Partnership; and (d) junior to all existing and future indebtedness of the Partnership.

3. Voting. Holders of Series F Preferred Units shall not have any voting rights, except with respect to those matters required by law.

4. Nonliquidating Distributions. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5 and 6 of this Partnership Unit Designation:

(a) Holders of Series F Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, when and as authorized by the General Partner and declared by the Partnership out of funds of the Partnership legally available for payment, preferential cumulative cash distributions at the rate of 6.00% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series F Preferred Unit (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $1.50 per Series F Preferred Unit). Distributions on the Series F Preferred Units shall be cumulative from (but excluding) the last day of the Parent’s most recent dividend period for which dividends have been paid by the Parent or, if no dividends have been paid by the Parent, from the date of issuance and shall be payable monthly in arrears on or about the 5th day of each month for dividends accrued the previous month, or such other date as designated by the General Partner. Any distribution payable on the Series F Preferred Units for any distribution period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Distributions will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the records of the Partnership at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be such date designated by the General Partner that is prior to the applicable distribution payment date.


(b) No distribution on Series F Preferred Units shall be authorized by the General Partner or declared or paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the General Partner, the Parent or the Partnership, including any agreement relating to the indebtedness of any of them, prohibits such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such declaration or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions on Series F Preferred Units will accrue whether or not the Partnership has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such distributions, whether or not such distributions are declared and whether or not such distributions are prohibited by agreement. Except as set forth in the next sentence, no distributions will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on Preferred Parity Units, OP Units or other Partnership Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation of the Partnership, for any period unless full cumulative distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment on Series F Preferred Units for all past distribution periods and the then current distribution period. When distributions are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon Series F Preferred Units and other Preferred Parity Units, all distributions declared upon Series F Preferred Units and other Preferred Parity Units shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of distributions declared per Series F Preferred Unit and other Preferred Parity Unit shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated distributions per Series F Preferred Unit and other Preferred Parity Unit (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid distributions for prior distribution periods with respect to any Preferred Parity Units that are not entitled to cumulative distributions) bear to each other.

(d) Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full cumulative distributions on Series F Preferred Units have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past distribution periods and the then current distribution period, no distributions (other than in OP Units or other Partnership Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation of the Partnership) shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment upon any Preferred Parity Units, OP Units or other Partnership Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation of the Partnership, nor shall any Preferred Parity Units, OP Units or other Partnership Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation of the Partnership be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such Preferred Parity Units, OP Units or other Partnership Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation of the Partnership) by the Partnership (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for OP Units or other Partnership Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation of the Partnership, (ii) in connection with the redemption, purchase or acquisition of equity securities under incentive, benefit or share purchase plans of the Parent for officers, directors or employees or others performing or providing similar services, or (iii) by other redemption, purchase or acquisition of such equity securities by the Parent for the purpose of preserving the Parent’s ability to qualify to be taxed as a REIT). Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the Parent from acquiring OP Units pursuant to Section 8.06(b) of the Partnership Agreement.

(e) Holders of Series F Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distribution in excess of full cumulative distributions on Series F Preferred Units as provided above. Any distribution made on Series F Preferred Units shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such shares which remains payable. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any distribution payment or payments on Series F Preferred Units which may be in arrears.


(f) In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), redemption or other acquisition of the Partnership Units or otherwise is permitted under Delaware law, no effect shall be given to the amounts that would be needed, if the Partnership were to be liquidated at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon distribution of holders of Partnership Units whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

(g) This Section 4 is intended to provide the Holder of a Series F Preferred Unit with the same entitlement to periodic distributions per Series F Preferred Unit as a holder of a share of 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Parent (“Series F Preferred Stock”) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

5. Liquidation Preference.

(a) Upon any liquidation of the Partnership, the holders of Series F Preferred Units are entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Partnership legally available for distribution to its Partners a liquidation preference equal to the sum of (i) $25.00 per Series F Preferred Unit, and (ii) an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions up to and including the date of the redemption, in cash or property at its fair market value as determined by the General Partner before any distribution of assets is made with respect to OP Units or other Partnership Units ranking junior to Series F Preferred Units with respect to distribution rights or rights upon liquidation of the Partnership.

(b) If upon any liquidation of the Partnership, the assets of the Partnership, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of Series F Preferred Units shall be insufficient to pay in full the preferential amount and liquidating payments on any other class or series of Preferred Parity Units, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among the holders of Series F Preferred Units and any such other Preferred Parity Units ratably in the same proportion as the respective amounts that would be payable on such Series F Preferred Units and any such other Preferred Parity Units if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.

(c) Written notice of any such liquidation of the Partnership, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each holder of Series F Preferred Units at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the records of the Partnership.

(d) Upon the liquidation of the Partnership, after payment shall have been made in full in respect of the Series F Preferred Units, the holders of Series F Preferred Units shall not be entitled to receive any further amounts in respect of Series F Preferred Units.

(e) None of a consolidation or merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, a merger of another entity with or into the Partnership, a sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the Partnership’s property shall be considered a liquidation of the affairs of the Partnership for purposes of this Section 5.

6. Redemption. In the event that shares of Series F Preferred Stock are redeemed for cash in accordance with the governing documents of the Parent, then, concurrently therewith, an equivalent number of Series F Preferred Units held by the Parent shall be automatically redeemed for the same amount of cash paid with respect to the redeemed shares of Series F Preferred Stock. Any such redemption of Series F Preferred Units will be effective at the same time as the redemption of the corresponding shares of Series F Preferred Stock.


7. No Conversion. Series F Preferred Units are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property.

8. No Maturity or Sinking Fund. The Series F Preferred Units have no maturity date. No sinking fund has been established for the retirement or redemption of Series F Preferred Units.

[Signature Page Follows.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, GCLP Business Trust, as the sole general partner of the Partnership, has executed this Amendment as of the date first written above, and the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended by giving effect to the terms set forth herein as of such date.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
GCLP Business Trust II
By:   /s/ David J. Gladstone
Name:   David J. Gladstone
Title:   Trustee
By:   /s/ Robert Cutlip
Name:   Robert Cutlip
Title:   Trustee
By:   /s/ Michael Sodo
Name:   Michael Sodo
Title:   Trustee

Signature Page to Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of

Gladstone Commercial Limited Partnership

EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

SUBSCRIPTION ESCROW AGREEMENT

THIS SUBSCRIPTION ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of February 20, 2020 (this “Agreement”), is entered into between Gladstone Commercial Corporation (the “Company”) and UMB Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Company intends to raise cash funds from Investors (as defined below) pursuant to a public offering (the “Offering”) of up to 26,000,000 shares of our Series F Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, having a purchase price of $25.00 per share (for an aggregate offering amount of $650,000,000) (the “Securities”), pursuant to the registration statement on Form S-3 of the Company (No. 333-236143) (as amended, the “Offering Document”);

WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent is willing to accept appointment as escrow agent only for the express duties set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Proceeds to be Escrowed. Subject to the Escrow Agent’s prior receipt of all required documentation necessary to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act, the Company shall establish an escrow account with the Escrow Agent to be invested in accordance with Section 7 entitled “ESCROW ACCOUNT FOR THE BENEFIT OF INVESTORS OF SHARES OF GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORP.” (including such abbreviations as are required for the Escrow Agent’s systems) (the “Escrow Account”). All checks, wire transfers and other funds received from subscribers of Securities via “Direct Registration Settlement” (as described in the Offering Document) (“Investors”) in payment for the Securities (“Investor Funds”) will be delivered to the Escrow Agent within one business day following the day upon which such Investor Funds are received by the Company or its agents, and shall, upon receipt by the Escrow Agent, be retained in escrow by the Escrow Agent. During the term of this Agreement, the Company or its agents shall cause all checks received by and made payable to it for payment for the Securities to be endorsed in favor of the Escrow Agent and delivered to the Escrow Agent for deposit in the Escrow Account.

The initial escrow period shall commence upon the effectiveness of this Agreement and shall continue until the Termination Date (as defined in Section 4). The Escrow Account shall not be an interest-bearing account.

The Escrow Agent shall have no duty to make any disbursement, investment or other use of Investor Funds until and unless it has good and collected funds. If any checks deposited in the Escrow Account are returned or prove uncollectible after the funds represented thereby have been released by the Escrow Agent, then the Company shall promptly reimburse the Escrow Agent for any and all costs incurred for such, upon request, and the Escrow Agent shall deliver the returned checks to the Company. The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty or responsibility to enforce collection of any check delivered to it hereunder.


2. Investors. Investors will be instructed by the dealer manager for the Offering, Gladstone Securities, LLC (the “Dealer Manager”) or any soliciting dealers retained by the Dealer Manager (the “Soliciting Dealers”) to remit the purchase price in the form of checks (“instruments of payment”) payable to the order of, or funds wired in favor of, “UMB BANK, N.A., ESCROW AGENT FOR GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORP.” Any checks made payable to a party other than the Escrow Agent shall be sent to the Company or returned to the Soliciting Dealer that submitted the check.

If any subscription agreement for the purchase of Securities solicited by a Soliciting Dealer is rejected by the Company, then the subscription agreement and check for the purchase of Securities will be returned to the rejected subscriber within ten business days from the date of rejection. The Company shall provide any necessary documentation to the Escrow Agent as the Escrow Agent may request, upon which it may rely, to enable the Escrow Agent to return amounts to rejected subscribers.

All Investor Funds deposited in the Escrow Account shall not be subject to any liens or charges by the Company or the Escrow Agent, or judgments or creditors’ claims against the Company, until and unless released to the Company as hereinafter provided. The Company understands and agrees that the Company shall not be entitled to any Investor Funds on deposit in the Escrow Account and no such funds shall become the property of the Company, or any other entity except as released to the Company pursuant to Section 3. The Escrow Agent will not use the information provided to it by the Company for any purpose other than to fulfill its obligations as Escrow Agent hereunder. The Escrow Agent will treat all Investor information as confidential; provided the Escrow Agent may disclose Investor information to the extent required to a supervisory or governmental authority or a self-regulatory organization in the course of any examination, inquiry, or audit of the Escrow Agent or any of its representatives or businesses or as otherwise required by law; provided further, the Escrow Agent shall, to the extent permitted by law, promptly notify the Company of the existence, terms and circumstances surrounding such disclosure request, so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, at its sole expense.

3. Disbursement of Funds. The Escrow Agent, upon receipt of Escrow Release Notice, attached hereto as Exhibit C, shall periodically transfer any portion of the Investor Funds to the Company or such other parties as set forth in the applicable Escrow Release Notice. The Escrow Agent shall effect such transfer by the close of business on the date the Escrow Agent receives the applicable Escrow Release Notice; provided, however, if the Escrow Agent receives the applicable Escrow Release Notice after 2pm Central Time, then the Escrow Agent shall effect such transfer by the close of business on the next succeeding business day. If the Escrow Agent has not previously received an Escrow Release Notice by the Termination Date, the Escrow Agent shall return any Investor Funds held to the Investors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except for a return of Investor Funds to the applicable Investor, the Escrow Agent shall not transfer Investor Funds to any party until after it has received an executed and valid IRS Form W-9, or valid substitute thereto, from such party.

 

2


4. Term of Escrow. The “Termination Date” shall be the earliest of: (a) all funds held in the Escrow Account are distributed to the Company or to Investors pursuant to Section 3 and the Company has informed the Escrow Agent in writing to close the Escrow Account; (b) the date the Escrow Agent receives written notice from the Company that it is abandoning the sale of the Securities; and (c) the date the Escrow Agent receives written notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal or state regulatory authority that a stop or similar order has been issued with respect to the Offering Document and has remained in effect for at least 20 days. After the Termination Date, the Company and its agents shall not deposit, and the Escrow Agent shall not accept, any additional amounts representing payments by prospective Investors.

5. Duty and Liability of the Escrow Agent. The sole duty of the Escrow Agent shall be to receive Investor Funds and subscription agreements and hold them subject to release, in accordance herewith, and the Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to determine whether the Company, the Dealer Manager or any Soliciting Dealer is complying with requirements of this Agreement, the Offering or applicable securities or other laws in tendering the Investor Funds to the Escrow Agent. No other agreement entered into between the parties, or any of them, shall be considered as adopted or binding, in whole or in part, upon the Escrow Agent notwithstanding that any such other agreement may be referred to herein or deposited with the Escrow Agent or the Escrow Agent may have knowledge thereof, including specifically but without limitation the Offering Document or any other document related to the Offering (including the subscription agreement and exhibits thereto), and the Escrow Agent’s rights and responsibilities shall be governed solely by this Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for or be required to enforce any of the terms or conditions of the Offering Document or any other document related to the Offering (including the subscription agreement and exhibits thereto) or other agreement between the Company and any other party. The Escrow Agent may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected in acting upon any statement, certificate, notice, request, consent, order or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty or liability to verify any such statement, certificate, notice, request, consent, order or other document, and its sole responsibility shall be to act only as expressly set forth in this Agreement. Concurrent with the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Escrow Agent an authorized signers form in the form of Exhibit A or Exhibit A-1 to this Agreement, as applicable. The Escrow Agent shall be under no obligation to institute or defend any action, suit or proceeding in connection with this Agreement unless first indemnified to its satisfaction. The Escrow Agent may consult counsel of its own choice with respect to any question arising under this Agreement and the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted in good faith upon advice of such counsel. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct was the primary cause of loss. The Escrow Agent is acting solely as escrow agent hereunder and owes no duties, covenants or obligations, fiduciary or otherwise, to any other person by reason of this Agreement, except as otherwise stated herein, and no implied duties, covenants or obligations, fiduciary or otherwise, shall be read into this Agreement against the Escrow Agent. If any disagreement between any of the parties to this Agreement, or between any of them and any other person, including any Investor, resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection with the matters covered by this Agreement, or if the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to what action it should take hereunder, the Escrow Agent may, at its option, refuse to comply with any claims or demands on it, or refuse to take any other action hereunder, so long as such disagreement continues or such doubt exists, and in any such event, the Escrow Agent shall not be or become liable in any way or to any person for its failure or refusal to act, and the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to

 

3


continue so to refrain from acting until (a) the rights of all interested parties shall have been fully and finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (b) all differences shall have been adjudged and all doubt resolved by agreement among all of the interested persons, and the Escrow Agent shall have been notified thereof in writing signed by all such persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Escrow Agent may in its discretion obey the order, judgment, decree or levy of any court, whether with or without jurisdiction and the Escrow Agent is hereby authorized in its sole discretion to comply with and obey any such orders, judgments, decrees or levies. If any controversy should arise with respect to this Agreement the Escrow Agent shall have the right, at its option, to institute an interpleader action in any court of competent jurisdiction to determine the rights of the parties. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ESCROW AGENT BE LIABLE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF THE ESCROW AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES OR DAMAGES AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION. The parties hereto agree that the Escrow Agent has no role in the preparation of the Offering Document (including the subscription agreement and other exhibits thereto) and makes no representations or warranties with respect to the information contained therein or omitted therefrom. The Escrow Agent shall have no obligation, duty or liability with respect to compliance with any federal or state securities, disclosure or tax laws concerning the Offering Document or any other document related to the Offering (including the subscription agreement and other exhibits thereto) or the issuance, offering or sale of the Securities. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty or obligation to monitor the application and use of the Investor Funds once transferred to the Company, that being the sole obligation and responsibility of the Company.

6. Escrow Agent’s Fee. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to compensation for its services as stated in the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B, which compensation shall be paid by the Company. The fee agreed upon for the services rendered hereunder is intended as full compensation for the Escrow Agent’s services as contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that if (a) the conditions for the disbursement of funds under this Agreement are not fulfilled, (b) the Escrow Agent renders any material service not contemplated in this Agreement, (c) there is any assignment of interest in the subject matter of this Agreement, (d) there is any material modification hereof, (e) any material controversy arises hereunder, or (f) the Escrow Agent is made a party to any litigation pertaining to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, then the Escrow Agent shall be reasonably compensated for such extraordinary services and reimbursed for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, occasioned by any delay, controversy, litigation or event, and the same shall be recoverable from the Company. The Company’s obligations under this Section 6 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent and the assignment or termination of this Agreement.

7. Investment of Investor Funds. Investor Funds shall be deposited in the Escrow Account in accordance with Section 1 and held un-invested in the Escrow Account, which shall be non-interest bearing.

8. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given, (b) on the day of transmission if sent by facsimile/email transmission bearing an authorized signature to the

 

4


facsimile number/email address given below, and written confirmation of receipt is obtained promptly after completion of transmission, (c) on the day after delivery to Federal Express or similar overnight courier or the Express Mail service maintained by the United States Postal Service, or (d) on the fifth day after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given, by first class mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid, and properly addressed, return receipt requested, to the party as follows:

If to the Company:

Mike Sodo

Chief Financial Officer

Gladstone Commercial Corporation

1521 Westbranch Drive

McLean, VA 22102

If to Escrow Agent:

UMB Bank, National Association

1010 Grand Blvd. 4th Floor

Mail Stop: 1020409

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

Attention: Lara Stevens, Corporate Trust & Escrow Services Dept.

Telephone: (816) 860-3017

Fax: (816) 860-3029

Email: lara.stevens@umb.com

Any party may change its address for purposes of this Section by giving the other party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

9. Indemnification of Escrow Agent. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Escrow Agent from and against, any and all losses, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses, which the Escrow Agent may suffer or incur by reason of any action, claim or proceeding brought against the Escrow Agent arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement or any transaction to which this Agreement relates unless such loss, liability, cost, damage or expense is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been primarily caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. The terms of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

10. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no party hereto shall assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto and any such attempted assignment without such prior written consent shall be void and of no force and effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto. Any corporation or association into which the Escrow Agent may be converted or merged, or with which it may be consolidated, or to which it may sell or transfer all or substantially all of its corporate trust business and assets as a whole or substantially as a whole, or any corporation or

 

5


association resulting from any such conversion, sale, merger, consolidation or transfer to which the Escrow Agent is a party, shall be and become the successor Escrow Agent under this Agreement and shall have and succeed to the rights, powers, duties, immunities and privileges as its predecessor, without the execution or filing of any instrument or paper or the performance of any further act.

11. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed, performed, and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

12. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is declared by any court or other judicial or administrative body to be null, void, or unenforceable, said provision shall survive to the extent it is not so declared, and all of the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

13. Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties, or conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. Any waiver by any party of any condition, or of the breach of any provision, term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall not be deemed to be nor construed as further or continuing waiver of any such condition, or of the breach of any other provision, term, covenant, representation, or warranty of this Agreement. The Company agrees that any requested waiver, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be consistent with the terms of the Offering.

14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the escrow contemplated hereby and supersedes and replaces all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, with regard to such escrow.

15. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile transmission) with counterpart signature pages or in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute the same instrument. Copies, telecopies, facsimiles, electronic files and other reproductions of original executed documents shall be deemed to be authentic and valid counterparts of such original documents for all purposes, including the filing of any claim, action or suit in the appropriate court of law. The parties hereto agree that the transactions described herein may be conducted and related documents may be stored by electronic means.

17. Resignation. The Escrow Agent may resign upon 30 days’ advance written notice to the parties hereto. If a successor escrow agent is not appointed by the Company within the 30-day period following such notice, the Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction to name a successor escrow agent, or may interplead the Investor Funds with such court, whereupon the Escrow Agent’s duties hereunder shall terminate.

 

6


18. References to Escrow Agent. Other than the Offering Document, any of the other documents related to the Offering (including the subscription agreement and exhibits thereto) and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto, no printed or other matter in any language (including, without limitation, notices, reports and promotional material) which mentions the Escrow Agent’s name or the rights, powers, or duties of the Escrow Agent shall be issued by the Company or the Dealer Manager, or on the Company’s or the Dealer Manager’s behalf, unless the Escrow Agent shall first have given its specific written consent thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment or supplement to the Offering Document or any other document related to the Offering (including the subscription agreement and exhibits thereto) that revises, alters, modifies, changes or adds to the description of the Escrow Agent or its rights, powers or duties hereunder shall not be issued by the Company or the Dealer Manager, or on the Company’s or the Dealer Manager’s behalf, unless the Escrow Agent has first given specific written consent thereto.

19. Patriot Act and Bank Secrecy Act Compliance. The Company and the Dealer Manager shall provide to the Escrow Agent upon the execution of this Agreement any documentation requested and any information reasonably requested by the Escrow Agent to comply with the USA Patriot Act of 2001, as amended from time to time or the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended from time to time.

[Signature page follows.]

 

7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed the date and year first set forth above.

 

COMPANY
By:   /s/ David J. Gladstone
  Name: David J. Gladstone
  Title:   Chairman, CEO and President

 

UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Escrow Agent

By:   /s/ Lara L. Stevens
  Name: Lara L. Stevens
  Title:   Vice President

Signature Page to Subscription Escrow Agreement


Exhibit A

CERTIFICATE AS TO AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES

The specimen signatures shown below are the specimen signatures of the individuals who have been designated as Authorized Representatives of Gladstone Commercial Corporation and are authorized to initiate and approve transactions of all types for the above-mentioned account.

 

Name/Title   

Specimen Signature

David Gladstone, Chairman, CEO and President     
   Signature
Mike Sodo, CFO and Assistant Treasurer     
   Signature
Michael LiCalsi, General Counsel     
   Signature

 

9


Exhibit B

ESCROW FEES AND EXPENSES

 

Acceptance Fee

  

Review/draft escrow agreement, establish account

   $ 3,000  

Annual Fee

   $ 3,000  

Transactional Fees, if applicable

  

Outgoing Wire Transfer

   $ 35 each  

Overnight Delivery/Mailings

   $ 16.50 each  

IRS Tax Reporting

   $ 10 per 1099  

Subscription Document Processing

   $ 25 each  

Acceptance and first year Annual Fee will be due and payable prior to execution of the Escrow Agreement.

The Annual Fee will be billed annually in advance and Transactional Fees will be billed quarterly in arrears and at termination and due prior to final disbursement of escrow funds.

Fees specified are for the regular, routine services contemplated by the Escrow Agreement, and any additional or extraordinary services, including, but not limited to disbursements involving a dispute or arbitration, or administration while a dispute, controversy or adverse claim is in existence, will be charged based upon time required at the then standard hourly rate.

All expenses related to the administration of the Escrow Agreement such as, but not limited to, travel, postage, shipping, courier, telephone, facsimile, supplies, legal fees, accounting fees, etc., will be reimbursable.

 

10


Exhibit C

FORM OF ESCROW RELEASE NOTICE

Date:

UMB Bank, National Association

1010 Grand Blvd. 4th Floor

Mail Stop: 1020409

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In accordance with the terms of Section 3 of the Subscription Escrow Agreement dated as of ___________, 20__ (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Escrow Agreement”), among Gladstone Commercial Corporation (the “Company”) and UMB Bank, National Association (the “Escrow Agent”), the Company hereby notifies the Escrow Agent that the ________ closing will be held on ___________ for gross proceeds of $_________.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE FUNDS BY WIRE TRANSFER (or as indicated) AS FOLLOWS (wire instructions attached):

 

$
$
Very truly yours,
GLADSTONE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION as the Company
By:        
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

11

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

Gladstone Commercial Corporation Files for Public Offering of

6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

 

MCLEAN, Va., February 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gladstone Commercial Corporation (Nasdaq: GOOD) (the “Company”) today announced that it has filed a new prospectus supplement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for a continuous public offering of up to 20,000,000 shares (the “Offering”) of its newly-designated 6.00% Series F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) at an offering price of $25.00 per share (the “Primary Offering”), and up to 6,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan at a price of $22.75 per share to those stockholders who participate in such dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP Offering”). The Company expects up to $500.0 million in gross proceeds from the Primary Offering and up to $136.5 million from the DRIP Offering and an aggregate of approximately $591.5 million in net proceeds, after payment of dealer manager fees and selling commissions and estimated expenses of the offering payable by the Company, assuming all shares of the Series F Preferred Stock are sold in the Primary Offering and the DRIP Offering. Gladstone Securities, LLC, an affiliate of the Company, will serve as the Company’s exclusive dealer manager in connection with the Offering. The Series F Preferred Stock is being offered by Gladstone Securities on a “reasonable best efforts” basis.

The Company expects that the offering of Series F Preferred Stock will terminate on the date that is the earlier of (1) June 1, 2025 (unless earlier terminated or extended by our Board of Directors) and (2) the date on which all 20,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock offered in the primary offering are sold. The offering period for the dividend reinvestment plan will terminate on the earlier of (1) the issuance of all 6,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock under the dividend reinvestment plan and (2) the listing of the Series F Preferred Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) or another national securities exchange. There is currently no public market for shares of Series F Preferred Stock. The Company intends to apply to list the Series F Preferred Stock on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange within one calendar year of the Termination Date, however, there can be no assurance that a listing will be achieved in such timeframe, or at all.

The offering is currently being conducted as a public offering under the Company’s effective shelf registration statement, filed with the SEC (File No. 333-236143), which became effective on February 11, 2020. To obtain a copy of the final prospectus supplement and the related base prospectus for this offering, please contact: Gladstone Securities, LLC, 1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100 McLean, Virginia, Attn: John Kent.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About Gladstone Commercial Corporation:

Gladstone Commercial is a real estate investment trust focused on acquiring, owning and operating net leased industrial and office properties across the United States. As of December 31, 2019, Gladstone Commercial’s real estate portfolio consisted of 118 properties located in 28 states, totaling approximately 14.2 million square feet. For additional information please visit www.gladstonecommercial.com


All statements contained in this press release, other than historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers should not rely upon forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, funds from operations or prospects to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties are disclosed under the caption “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the preliminary prospectus supplement and the final prospectus supplement (when available). The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.