UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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): December 5, 2013
Lehigh Gas Partners LP
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
| Delaware | 001-35711 | 45-4165414 | ||
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
702 West Hamilton Street, Suite 203
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(610) 625-8000
(Registrants’ telephone number, including area code)
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)) |
| Item 1.01 | Entry into Material Definitive Agreement. |
On December 5, 2013, Lehigh Gas Partners LP (the “Partnership”) and Lehigh Gas GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”), entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (the “Underwriters”). The Underwriting Agreement relates to an offering (the “Offering”) of 3,100,000 of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Common Units”) at a price to the public of $26.90 per Common Unit. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Partnership also granted the Underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to 465,000 additional Common Units to cover over-allotments, if any, on the same terms. On December 9, 2013, the Underwriters notified the Partnership of their exercise in full of their option to purchase additional Common Units. The Partnership expects the transaction to close on December 10, 2013.
Affiliates of certain of the Underwriters are lenders under the Partnership’s credit facility and will receive their pro rata portion of the net proceeds from the Offering through the repayment of borrowings extended under the Partnership’s credit facility.
The Common Units to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (File No. 333-192035), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2013.
The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements of the Partnership and the General Partner and customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of the Partnership, the General Partner and the Underwriters, including for liabilities under the Securities Act, other obligations of the parties, and termination provisions. The foregoing description of the Underwriting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On December 5, 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the General Partner approved a grant of Common Units to be issued on December 10, 2013 (the “Grant Date”) under the Lehigh Gas Partners LP 2012 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) to Joseph V. Topper, Jr., the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner. The grant of Common Units was made to Mr. Topper, at his election, in lieu of $176,000 of compensation due to Mr. Topper as consideration for his services to the Partnership as Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner. The grant consists of 6,304 Common Units, which is the number of Common Units that have a fair market equal to the $176,000 based on an average closing price of $27.92 for the Common Units on the dates on which Mr. Topper would normally have received the compensation for his services. The Common Units granted to Mr. Topper are fully vested as of the Grant Date and are not subject to any transfer restrictions or risks of forfeiture.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. |
Document | |
| 1.1 | Underwriting Agreement dated December 5, 2013 among Lehigh Gas Partners LP, Lehigh Gas GP LLC and Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I thereto. | |
| 5.1 | Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding the legality of the common units. | |
| 8.1 | Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding tax matters. | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). | |
| 23.2 | Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 8.1). | |
2
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 thereunto duly authorized.
| LEHIGH GAS PARTNERS LP | ||
| By: |
Lehigh Gas GP LLC, | |
| Its General Partner | ||
| By: |
/s/ Frank Macerato | |
| Name: |
Frank Macerato | |
| Title: |
General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer | |
Dated: December 10, 2013
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit No. |
Document | |
| 1.1 | Underwriting Agreement dated December 5, 2013 among Lehigh Gas Partners LP, Lehigh Gas GP LLC and Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I thereto. | |
| 5.1 | Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding the legality of the common units. | |
| 8.1 | Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding tax matters. | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). | |
| 23.2 | Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 8.1). | |
Exhibit 1.1
Execution Version
3,100,000 Common Units
LEHIGH GAS PARTNERS LP
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
December 5, 2013
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Barclays Capital Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC,
As Representatives of the Several Underwriters
listed on Schedule I hereto
c/o Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Lehigh Gas Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell to the several Underwriters (the “Underwriters”) named in Schedule I attached to this agreement (this “Agreement”), an aggregate of 3,100,000 common units, representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”). The aggregate of 3,100,000 Common Units to be purchased from the Partnership are called the “Firm Units.” In addition, the Partnership also proposes to grant to the Underwriters, upon the terms and conditions stated herein, an option to purchase up to an additional 465,000 Common Units (the “Additional Units”) to cover over-allotments by the Underwriters, if any. The Firm Units and the Additional Units are collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “Units.” Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as the representatives of the several Underwriters and in such capacity is referred to in this Agreement as the “Representatives.”
References herein to:
| (i) | “General Partner” mean Lehigh Gas GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the general partner of the Partnership. |
| (ii) | “LGC” mean Lehigh Gas Corporation, a Delaware corporation. |
| (iii) | “LG LLC” mean Lehigh Gas Wholesale LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership. |
| (iv) | “LGP Realty” mean LGP Realty Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership and in which the Partnership and LGP Realty GP own a 99.9% limited partner interest and a 0.1% general partner interest, respectively. |
| (v) | “LGP Realty GP” mean LGP Realty Holdings GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership. |
| (vi) | “LGW” mean Lehigh Gas Wholesale Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership. |
| (vii) | “Partnership Parties” mean the General Partner and the Partnership. |
| (viii) | “Partnership Entities” mean the Partnership Parties and the Subsidiaries. |
| (ix) | “Predecessor” mean the portion of the business of LGC and its subsidiaries and affiliates that were contributed to the Partnership in connection with its initial public offering on October 30, 2012. |
| (x) | “Subsidiaries” mean LG LLC, LGW, LGP Realty GP and LGP Realty. |
| (xi) | “Organizational Agreements” mean the limited liability company agreements or limited partnership agreements of the Subsidiaries, as applicable. |
| (xii) | “Operative Agreements” mean the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of October 30, 2012 (the “Partnership Agreement”) and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner dated as of December 2, 2011 (the “General Partner Agreement”). |
| (xiii) | “Organizational Documents” mean the Operative Agreements or the Organizational Agreements, as applicable, of any Partnership Entity, and the certificates of limited partnership, formation or incorporation, bylaws and other organizational documents, as applicable, of any Partnership Entities. |
| (xiv) | “Credit Agreement” mean the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 30, 2012, by and among the Partnership, Keybank National Association, RBS Citizens, N.A., Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, Sovereign Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and the other lenders party thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated January 23, 2013, Amendment No. 2 thereto dated May 13, 2013 and Amendment No. 3 thereto dated December 5, 2013. |
This is to confirm the agreement among the Partnership Parties and the several Underwriters, on whose behalf the Representatives are acting, concerning the several purchases of the Units from the Partnership by the Underwriters.
1. Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement (as defined herein) (a) has been prepared by the Partnership in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) thereunder; (b) has been filed with the Commission under the Act; and (c) has been declared effective under the Act. Copies of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto have been delivered by the Partnership to the Underwriters. As used in this Agreement:
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(i) “Time of Sale” means 8:35 a.m., New York City time, on December 5, 2013;
(ii) “Base Prospectus” means the base prospectus contained in the Registration Statement at the Time of Sale;
(iii) “Effective Date” means the date and time as of which the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto, was or is declared effective by the Commission;
(iv) “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means each “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) or “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations) prepared by or on behalf of the Partnership or used or referred to by the Partnership in connection with the offering of the Units;
(v) “Preliminary Prospectus” means any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus which is used in connection with the offering and sale of the Units prior to the filing of the Prospectus, together with the Base Prospectus;
(vi) “Time of Sale Information” means, as of the Time of Sale, the Preliminary Prospectus, together with the information set forth on Schedule II hereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified on Schedule III hereto, other than a road show that is an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus but is not required to be filed under Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations;
(vii) “Prospectus” means the final prospectus supplement relating to the Units, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations after the Time of Sale, together with the Base Prospectus; and
(viii) “Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-192035), as amended as of the Effective Date, including any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus and all exhibits to such registration statement and any base prospectus and any prospectus supplement relating to the Units that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, as amended at the Time of Sale, and as thereafter amended by any post-effective amendment thereto that becomes effective prior to the Closing Date (as defined herein). Any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include any abbreviated registration statement to register additional Common Units under Rule 462(b) of the Rules and Regulations.
Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act, as of the date of the Registration Statement, such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and
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any reference to any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after such date under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that, upon filing, are incorporated by reference therein, as required by paragraph (b) of Item 12 of Form S-3. As used herein, the term “Incorporated Documents” means the documents that at the time of filing are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.
2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase.
(a) The Partnership hereby agrees to issue and sell the Firm Units to the Underwriters and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Partnership Parties herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Partnership at a purchase price of $25.79 per Common Unit (the “purchase price per Unit”), the number of Firm Units set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.
(b) The Partnership hereby also agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Partnership Parties herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters shall have the right for 30 days from the date of the Prospectus, to purchase from the Partnership up to 465,000 Additional Units at the purchase price per Unit for the Firm Units. The Additional Units may be purchased solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the Firm Units. If any Additional Units are to be purchased, each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of Additional Units (subject to such adjustments as the Representatives may determine to avoid fractional units) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Units to be purchased by the Underwriters as the number of Firm Units set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto bears to the total number of Firm Units. The option to purchase Additional Units may be exercised in whole or in part at any time or from time to time within 30 days after the date of the Prospectus.
3. Terms of Public Offering. The Partnership Parties have been advised that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Units as soon after this Agreement has become effective as in their judgment is advisable and initially to offer the Units upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
4. Delivery of the Units and Payment Therefor.
(a) Delivery to the Underwriters of the Firm Units and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 666 Fifth Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on December 10, 2013, or such other place, time and date (the “Closing Date”) as shall be determined by agreement between the Representatives and the Partnership.
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(b) Delivery to the Underwriters of and payment for any Additional Units to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be made at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 666 Fifth Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date or dates (each an “Additional Closing Date”) (which may be the same as the Closing Date, but shall in no event be earlier than the Closing Date nor earlier than three nor later than ten business days after the giving of the notice from the Representatives hereinafter referred to) as shall be specified in a written notice, from the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters to the Partnership Parties, of the Underwriters’ determination to purchase a number, specified in such notice, of Additional Units. Such notice may be given at any time within 30 days after the date of the Prospectus and must set forth (i) the aggregate number of Additional Units as to which the Underwriters are exercising the option and (ii) the names and denominations in which the certificates for which the Additional Units are to be registered. The place of closing for the Additional Units and any Additional Closing Date may be varied by written agreement between the Representatives and the Partnership.
(c) Delivery of the Firm Units and of any Additional Units to be purchased hereunder shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company against payment by the Representatives to the Partnership of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts specified in writing, not later than the close of business on the business day next preceding the Closing Date or an Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, by the Partnership Parties.
(d) It is understood that the Representatives have been authorized, for their own account and the accounts of the several Underwriters, to accept delivery of and receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price per Unit for the Firm Units and the Additional Units, if any, that the Underwriters have agreed to purchase. Raymond James and Associates, Inc., individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may, but shall not be obligated to, make payment for any Units to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds shall not have been received by the Representatives by the Closing Date or an Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for the account of such Underwriter, but any such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from any of its obligations under this Agreement.
5. Covenants and Agreements of the Partnership Parties.
The Partnership Parties jointly and severally, covenant and agree with each of the several Underwriters as follows:
(a) Preparation of Prospectus and Registration Statement. The Partnership Parties will use their best efforts to prepare the Prospectus and cause such Prospectus to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations not later than the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Partnership Parties will advise the Representatives promptly and, if requested by the Representatives, will confirm such advice in writing: (i) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or for additional information; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of the suspension of qualification of the Units for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purposes; and (iii) within the period of time referred to in Section 5(g) below, of any change in the condition (financial or other), business, prospects, properties, net
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worth or results of operations of the Partnership Parties, taken as a whole, or of the happening of any event that comes to the attention of the Partnership Parties, that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any additions thereto or changes therein in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading in any material respect, or of the necessity to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act or any other applicable law. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Partnership Parties will use their best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time. The Partnership will provide the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus, in such number as the Underwriters may reasonably request.
(b) Copies of Registration Statement. The Partnership will furnish to the Underwriters, without charge, such number of conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission and of each amendment thereto and corresponding to the version filed in the Commission’s electronic data gathering, analysis and retrieval system (“EDGAR”) version, including financial statements and all exhibits to the Registration Statement as the Underwriters or the Underwriters’ counsel may reasonably request.
(c) Post-Effective Amendments. The Partnership will promptly file with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that may, in the judgment of the Partnership Parties or the Representatives, be required by the Act or requested by the Commission.
(d) Filing of Amendment or Supplement. The Partnership will not file any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus of which the Underwriters have not previously been advised or to which the Underwriters have reasonably objected in writing after being so advised, unless the Partnership has determined based on the advice of counsel that such amendment, supplement or other filing is required by law.
(e) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Partnership Parties will not make any offer relating to the Common Units that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior consent of the Representatives. The Partnership will retain in accordance with the Act all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses not required to be filed pursuant to the Act; and if at any time after the date hereof any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Partnership will notify the Representatives and, upon the Representatives’ request, will file such document (if required to be filed pursuant to the Act) and will prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as they may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission or effect such compliance.
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(f) Copies of Preliminary Prospectus to Underwriters. Prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Partnership has delivered or will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, in such quantities as the Underwriters have reasonably requested or may hereafter reasonably request, copies of each form of the Preliminary Prospectus. Consistent with the provisions of Section 5(g) hereof, the Partnership consents to the use, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and with the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the jurisdictions in which the Units are offered by the several Underwriters and by dealers, prior to the date of the Prospectus, of each Preliminary Prospectus so furnished by the Partnership.
(g) Copies of Prospectus to Underwriters. As soon after the Time of Sale as is practicable and thereafter from time to time for such period as in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered in connection with sales by any Underwriter or a dealer (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), the Partnership will deliver to each Underwriter and each dealer, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus as they may reasonably request. The Partnership consents to the use of the Prospectus in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the securities or Blue Sky laws of the jurisdictions in which the Units are offered by the several Underwriters and by all dealers to whom Units may be sold, both in connection with the offering and sale of the Units and for such period of time thereafter as the Prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered in connection with sales by any Underwriter or dealer. If at any time prior to the completion of the distribution of the Units pursuant to the offering contemplated by the Registration Statement, any event shall occur that in the judgment of the Partnership or in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriters and the Partnership is required to be set forth in the Prospectus or should be set forth therein in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary to supplement or amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act or any other applicable law, the Partnership will prepare and, subject to Section 5(e) hereof, file with the Commission, an appropriate supplement or amendment thereto, and will furnish to each Underwriter who has previously requested Prospectuses, without charge, a reasonable number of copies thereof.
(h) Blue Sky Laws. The Partnership Parties will cooperate with the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the registration or qualification of the Units for offering and sale by the several Underwriters and by dealers under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters may reasonably designate and will file such consents to service of process or other documents as may be reasonably necessary in order to effect and maintain such registration or qualification for so long as required to complete the distribution of the Units; provided that in no event shall the Partnership be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Units, as contemplated by this Agreement and the Prospectus, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject. In the event that the qualification of the Units in any jurisdiction is suspended, the Partnership Parties shall so advise the Underwriters promptly in writing.
(i) Reports to Unitholders. The Partnership will make generally available to its unitholders and to the Underwriters as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event not later than sixteen months after the Time of Sale Information, a consolidated earnings statement (in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations), which need not be audited, and shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.
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(j) Termination Expenses. If this Agreement shall terminate or shall be terminated after execution pursuant to any provision hereof (except pursuant to a termination under Section 11 or Section 12 hereof) or if this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters because of any inability, failure or refusal on the part of the Partnership Parties to perform in all material respects any agreement herein or to comply in all material respects with any of the terms or provisions hereof or to fulfill in all material respects any of the conditions of this Agreement, the Partnership agrees to reimburse the Representatives and the other Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including travel expenses and reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters, but excluding wages and salaries paid by the Representatives or the other Underwriters) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection herewith.
(k) Application of Proceeds. The Partnership will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Units to be sold by it hereunder in accordance in all material respects with the statements under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.
(l) Lock-Up Period. For a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 90th day after the date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”), the Partnership Parties will not, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any Common Units or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Units (other than (A) the offering and sale of the Units pursuant to the Registration Statement, (B) purchases of Common Units in open market transactions following the completion of the offering and sale of the Units pursuant to the Registration Statement and (C) transfers of Common Units or options or other rights to acquire Common Units to participants in and by or pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified option plans or other employee arrangements or director compensation plans as in effect on the date hereof and as described in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus), or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any Common Units or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Units (other than transfers of Common Units or options or other rights to acquire Common Units to participants in and by or pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified option plans or other employee arrangements or director compensation plans as in effect on the date hereof and as described in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus), (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction (other than a transaction involving an option or other derivative security permitted by clause (1)) that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of Common Units, whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Units or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments, with respect to the registration of any Common Units or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Common Units or any other securities of the Partnership (other than any registration statement on Form S-8, the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement filed in accordance with Section 5(c) of this Agreement) or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in each case without the prior written consent of the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters. The
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Partnership will cause the parties set forth on Schedule IV hereto to furnish to the Representatives, prior to the Closing Date, a letter or letters, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Lock-Up Agreements”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Partnership issues an earnings release or announces material news or the occurrence of a material event relating to the Partnership or (2) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Partnership announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then the restrictions imposed in this Section 5(l) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of issuance of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or the occurrence of the material event, unless the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, waive such extension in writing.
(m) Interim Financial Statements. Prior to the Closing Date or each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, the Partnership will furnish to the Underwriters, as promptly as possible, copies of any unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Partnership for any completed fiscal quarter subsequent to the periods covered by the financial statements appearing in the Prospectus.
(n) Exchange Act Reports. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Partnership will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act.
(o) Undertakings. The Partnership will comply with all provisions of any undertakings contained in the Registration Statement.
(p) Stabilization. None of the Partnership Entities will, at any time, directly or indirectly, take any action designed, or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which will constitute, stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Units to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Units.
(q) NYSE. The Partnership will timely file with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) all documents and notices required by the NYSE to maintain the listing of the Units on the NYSE.
(r) No Distribution of Other Offering Materials. None of the Partnership Entities shall distribute and, prior to the later to occur of the Closing Date or any Additional Closing Date, if applicable, and completion of the distribution of the Units, none will distribute, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Units other than the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Representatives have consented in accordance with this Agreement.
6. Representations and Warranties of the Partnership Parties.
The Partnership Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter on the date hereof, and shall be deemed to represent and warrant to each Underwriter on the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date, if applicable, that:
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(a) Registration. The Partnership satisfies, and at the time of the initial filing and effectiveness of the Registration Statement satisfied, all of the requirements of the Act for use of Form S-3 for the offering of Units contemplated hereby. The offering and sale of the Units have been duly registered under the Act pursuant to the Registration Statement, and the Registration Statement has been filed with, and been declared effective by, the Commission. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purchase has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened by the Commission. No order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened by the Commission.
(b) Partnership Not an “Ineligible Issuer.” The Partnership was not at the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement and at the earliest time thereafter that the Partnership or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Rules and Regulations) of the Units, is not on the date hereof and will not be on the Closing Date or any Additional Closing Date, if applicable, an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations).
(c) Form of Documents. The Registration Statement conformed in all material respects on the Effective Date and will conform in all material respects on each of the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date, if applicable, and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed after the date hereof will conform in all material respects when filed, to the applicable requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations. The Preliminary Prospectus conformed, in all material respects, and the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects, to the applicable requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations when filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations and on the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date, if applicable. The Incorporated Documents heretofore filed, when they were filed (or, if any amendment with respect to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed), conformed in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and any further Incorporated Documents so filed will, when they are filed, conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(d) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in Registration Statement. The Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Date, contain an 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; provided, that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership Parties through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.
(e) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in the Incorporated Documents. No Incorporated Document when it was filed (or, if an amendment with respect to any such document was filed, when such amendment was filed), contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and no such further Incorporated Document, when it is filed, will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.
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(f) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in Prospectus. The Prospectus will not, as of its date or on the Closing Date or any Additional Closing Date, if applicable, contain an 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership Parties through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.
(g) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in Time of Sale Information. The Time of Sale Information did not, as of the Time of Sale, contain an 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Time of Sale Information in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership Parties through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.
(h) No Material Misstatements or Omissions in Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including, without limitation, any road show that is a free writing prospectus under Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations), when considered together with the Time of Sale Information at the Time of Sale, did not contain an 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Time of Sale Information in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership Parties through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.
(i) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses Conform to the Requirements of the Act. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conformed or will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations on the date of first use, and the Partnership has complied with all prospectus delivery and any filing requirements applicable to such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to the Rules and Regulations. The Partnership has not made any offer relating to the Units that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives. The Partnership has retained in accordance with the Rules and Regulations all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations. The Partnership has taken all actions necessary so that any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations) in connection with the offering of the Units will not be required to be filed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations.
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(j) Ownership of the General Partner. LGC owns, and at the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, will own, 100% of the limited liability company interests in the General Partner; such limited liability company interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the General Partner Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the General Partner Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “Delaware LLC Act”); and LGC owns its limited liability company interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, charges or claims (“Liens”), except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and Prospectus.
(k) Power and Authority to Act as the General Partner. The General Partner has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to act as the general partner of the Partnership in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(l) Ownership of the General Partner Interest in the Partnership. The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership and owns a non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership (the “GP Interest”); such GP Interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and the General Partner owns such GP Interest free and clear of all Liens.
(m) Ownership of the Incentive Distribution Rights. Joseph V. Topper, Jr. Trust owns 85% of the Incentive Distribution Rights (as such term is defined in the Partnership Agreement) and to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, John B. Reilly Trust owns 15% of the Incentive Distribution Rights; the Incentive Distribution Rights and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware LP Act”).
(n) No Other Subsidiaries of the General Partner. Other than with respect to the other Partnership Entities or any subsidiaries which would not be deemed to be a “significant subsidiary” of the General Partner (as such term is defined in Section 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X of the Act), the General Partner does not own, and at the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, will not own, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.
(o) No Other Subsidiaries of the Partnership. Other than with respect to the other Partnership Entities or any subsidiaries which would not be deemed to be a “significant subsidiary” of the Partnership (as such term is defined in Section 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X of the Act), the Partnership does not own, and at the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, will not own, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.
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(p) Capitalization of the Partnership. As of the date hereof, the Partnership had outstanding an aggregate of 7,526,044 Common Units, 7,525,000 Subordinated Units, the GP Interest and the Incentive Distribution Rights. Such Common Units and Subordinated Units and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).
(q) Duly Authorized and Validly Issued Units. At the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, the Firm Units and/or the Additional Units, as the case may be, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, will be duly authorized in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered to the Underwriters against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).
(r) No Preemptive Rights, Options or Registration Rights. Except as described in the Registration Statement (including the Credit Agreement), the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no (i) preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, Common Units or other equity securities of any Partnership Entity or (ii) outstanding options or warrants to purchase any Common Units or other equity interests in any Partnership Entity. Neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor the offering or sale of the Units as contemplated by this Agreement gives rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any Common Units or other securities of any Partnership Entity, except such rights as have been waived or satisfied.
(s) Conformity of Units to Description. The Units, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement and this Agreement against payment therefor as provided therein and herein, will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(t) Formation and Qualification of the Partnership Entities. Each of the Partnership Entities has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of formation, with all limited partnership, limited liability company or corporate power and authority, as applicable, necessary to own, operate or lease its properties and to conduct its business, in each case, as described in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; and each of the Partnership Entities is duly registered or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of properties or the conduct of its business requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure to so register or qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), business, prospects, properties, net worth or results of operations of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”).
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(u) Ownership of the Subsidiaries. (i) The Partnership is the sole member of LG LLC and owns 100% of the limited liability company interests in LG LLC, (ii) the Partnership is the sole shareholder of LGW and owns 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LGW, (iii) the Partnership is the sole member of LGP Realty GP and (iv) the Partnership and LGP Realty GP own a 99.9% limited partner interest and a 0.1% general partner interest, respectively, in LGP Realty. Such equity interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the applicable Organizational Documents and are fully paid (to the extent required under such Organizational Document) and nonassessable (except, in the case of subsections (i) and (iii) above, as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and such equity interests are owned free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens pursuant to the Credit Agreement or those set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
(v) Authority. Each of the Partnership Parties has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its respective obligations hereunder. The Partnership has the requisite power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Units, in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. At the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, all partnership and limited liability company action, as the case may be, required to be taken by the Partnership Parties or any of their respective stockholders, members or partners for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Units, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been validly taken.
(w) Authorization, Execution and Delivery of this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Partnership Parties.
(x) Authorization, Execution and Enforceability of Certain Agreements. The Partnership Agreement and the General Partner Agreement have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and are valid and legally binding agreements of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with their respective terms; provided, that, with respect to each such agreement, the enforceability thereof may be limited by (x) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (y) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
(y) No Legal Proceedings or Contracts to be Described or Filed. There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened, against any of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries or to which any of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries or any of their properties are subject, that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus that are not described as required by the Act or the Rules and Regulations. There are no agreements, contracts, indentures, leases or other instruments that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that are not described, filed or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus as required by the Act or the Rules and Regulations.
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(z) Litigation. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and Prospectus, there is (i) no action, suit, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any court or governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened, against or involving the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries, and (ii) no injunction, restraining order or order of any nature issued by a federal or state court or foreign court of competent jurisdiction to which any of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries is or may be subject that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), would reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate prevent or adversely affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(aa) No Defaults. None of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its Organizational Documents, (ii) is in violation of any law, statute, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation applicable to it or of any decree of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over it, or (iii) is in breach, default (nor has an event occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) or violation in the performance of any obligation, agreement or condition contained in any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or in any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, which breach, default or violation, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii), would, if continued, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of any of the Partnership Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, or materially impair the ability of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to conduct their businesses in all material respects as currently conducted and as contemplated in the Registration Statement.
(bb) No Consents. No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is required in connection with (i) the offering, issuance, and sale by the Partnership of the Units as described in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (ii) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by the Partnership Parties, or (iii) the consummation by the Partnership Parties of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (A) such as have been, or prior to the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, will be, obtained, (B) such as may be required under the Act or the Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution by the Underwriters of the Units in the manner contemplated herein and in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, and (C) such of which the failure to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of any of the Partnership Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or materially impair the ability of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to conduct their businesses in all material respects as currently conducted and as contemplated in the Registration Statement.
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(cc) No Conflicts. None of the (i) offering, issuance and sale of the Units by the Partnership and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described in “Use of Proceeds” in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (ii) execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Partnership Parties, or (iii) consummation by the Partnership Parties of the transactions contemplated hereby (A) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a violation of the Organizational Documents of any of the Partnership Entities, (B) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound, (C) violates or will violate any statute, law or regulation or any order, judgment, decree or injunction of any court or governmental agency or body directed to any of the Partnership Entities or any of their properties in a proceeding to which any of them is a party or their property is subject, or (D) results or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of any of the Partnership Entities, which conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults or Liens, in the case of clauses (B), (C) or (D), would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of any of the Partnership Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(dd) Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Each of Grant Thornton LLP and Carr, Riggs and Ingram, LLC, the certified public accountants who have certified the financial statements (including the related notes thereto and supporting schedules) included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, are independent public accountants as required by the Exchange Act, the Act, the Rules and Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
(ee) Rights of Way. Each of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries has such consents, easements, rights-of-way or licenses (collectively, “rights-of-way”) as are necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the Registration Statement, Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, except for such rights-of-way the failure of which to have obtained, would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect upon the ability of the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole, to conduct their businesses in all material respects as currently conducted and as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; and each Partnership Entity has fulfilled and performed all its material obligations with respect to such rights-of-way then required to be fulfilled or performed and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such rights-of-way, except for such failure to perform, revocations, terminations and impairments that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon the ability of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to conduct their businesses in all material respects as currently conducted and as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, subject in each case to such qualification as may be set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
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(ff) Statistical and Market-Related Data. The statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Partnership Parties believe to be reliable and accurate in all material respects.
(gg) Financial Statements. The audited and unaudited combined financial statements, together with related schedules and notes, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i) comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements under the Act and the Exchange Act (except that certain supporting schedules are omitted in accordance with Commission regulations), (ii) present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the entities purported to be shown thereby at the respective dates or for the periods indicated and (iii) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout the periods involved, except as disclosed therein. The other financial data included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Partnership and its subsidiaries or of the Predecessor and presents fairly, in all material respects, the information purported to be shown thereby. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.
(hh) Pro Forma Financial Statements. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus include assumptions that provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions and events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions, and the pro forma adjustments reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the audited and unaudited combined financial statement amounts in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X under the Act.
(ii) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Partnership, and to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, the directors and officers of the General Partner, in their respective capacities as such, are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes Oxley Act”), the rules and regulations promulgated therewith and the rules of the NYSE that are effective and applicable to the Partnership, including all certifications of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer required to be made under the Sarbanes Oxley Act.
(jj) Conduct of Business. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, none of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries have, since the date of the last audited balance sheet included in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i) incurred any liabilities or obligations, indirect, direct
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or contingent, that are material to the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole, other than liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) entered into any transaction that is not in the ordinary course of business that is material to the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) issued or granted any securities or paid or declared any dividends or other distributions with respect to any class of its securities.
(kk) No Material Adverse Change. (i) None of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, have sustained since the date of the latest audited balance sheet included in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, investigation, order or decree and (ii) since such date there has not been any change in the capitalization or material increase in long-term debt of the Partnership Entities, or any adverse change in or affecting the condition (financial or other), business, prospects, properties or results of operations of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case except as set forth or contemplated in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ll) NYSE Listing. The Common Units are registered under the Exchange Act and are listed on the NYSE, and neither the General Partner nor the Partnership has taken any action designed to terminate the registration of the Common Units under the Exchange Act or delist the Common Units from the NYSE, nor has the Partnership received any notification that the Commission or the NYSE is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.
(mm) Stabilization. The Partnership Parties have not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action that constituted, or any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in or constitute under the Exchange Act, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Partnership to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.
(nn) Tax Returns. The Partnership Entities have filed (or have obtained extensions with respect to) all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof (other than certain state or local tax returns, as to which the failure to file, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect), which returns are complete and correct in all material respects, and have timely paid all taxes shown to be due pursuant to such returns, other than those (i) that are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or (ii) which, if not paid, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(oo) Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there is no relationship, direct or indirect, that exists between any of the Partnership Entities on the one hand, and the directors, officers, unitholders, customers or suppliers of any of the Partnership Entities on the other hand that is required by the Act or the Rules and Regulations to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus that is not so disclosed.
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(pp) Investment Company. None of the Partnership Entities are, and after giving effect to the offering and the sale of the Units and the application of the proceeds thereof, none of the Partnership Entities will be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled by” an investment company, each within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(qq) Title to Properties. Each of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has good and indefeasible title to all real property and good title to all personal property described or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus as being owned by it, free and clear of all Liens except (i) such as are described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or (ii) such as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided, however, that all real property and buildings held under lease by the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries are, directly or indirectly, held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as do not materially interfere with the use of the properties taken as a whole as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. None of the real property interests of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries are subject to termination or material modification, or the exercise of any rights-of-first-refusal, preferential purchase rights, options or other similar rights of any Person to purchase or acquire any such interests, in whole or in part, as a result of the consummation of the transactions described in this Agreement except such rights for which the failure to obtain waivers would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to conduct their businesses in all material respects as currently conducted and as contemplated in the Registration Statement.
(rr) Permits. Each of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries has all permits, licenses, patents, franchises, certificates of need and other approvals or authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities (“Governmental Permits”) as are necessary under applicable law to own their properties and conduct their businesses in the manner described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus except for any Governmental Permits that, if not obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; each of the Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all of its obligations then required to be fulfilled or performed with respect to such Governmental Permits, and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Governmental Permits, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus except as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or for any of the foregoing that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ss) Disclosure Controls. The Partnership maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act), that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act; such disclosure controls and procedures (i) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in reports that it submits or files or will submit or file under the Exchange Act is made known to management, including the General Partner’s principal executive officer and principal financial
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officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared and (ii) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they are established to the extent required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act.
(tt) Books and Records. Each Partnership Entity (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and (ii) maintains systems of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for its assets; (C) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(uu) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. None of the Partnership Entities, nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, any director, officer, employee, agent, or other representative of the Partnership Entities, has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or (iv) made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment in connection with the business of the Partnership Entities or any of their subsidiaries, and the Partnership Entities, their respective subsidiaries and LGC have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintain and will continue to maintain policies designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
(vv) Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. The Partnership Entities maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and has been designed by the General Partner’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i) the Partnership has not become aware of any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of its internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect its ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting or any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting, and (ii) there has been no change in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting.
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(ww) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, each of Partnership Entities and their respective subsidiaries (i) is, and at all times prior hereto within the applicable statute of limitations has been, in compliance with all laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, orders, judgments, decrees, permits or other legal requirements of any governmental authority, including without limitation any international, national, state, provincial, regional, or local authority, relating to the protection of human health or safety, the environment, or natural resources, or the generation, use, storage, management, treatment, transportation, disposal, presence, release or threatened release of, or exposure to, any material, substance or waste defined or regulated in relevant form, quantity or concentration as Hazardous Materials (as defined below) (“Environmental Laws”) applicable to such entity, which compliance includes, without limitation, obtaining, maintaining and complying with all permits and authorizations and approvals required by Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, (ii) has received all permits required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, (iii) is in material compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permits and (iv) has not received notice of any actual or alleged violation of Environmental Law and does not have any potential liability in connection with the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to obtain or maintain required permits, failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, any notice of alleged violation or any liability in connection with such releases would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (x) there are no proceedings that are pending, or known by the Partnership Parties to be contemplated, against any of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries under Environmental Laws in which a governmental authority is also a party, other than such proceedings regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, (y) none of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries owns or operates any real property contaminated with any Hazardous Material, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Partnership Parties are not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim, and (z) none of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries anticipates material capital expenditures relating to Environmental Laws other than those incurred in the ordinary course of business. The term “Hazardous Material” means (A) any “hazardous substance” as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, (B) any “hazardous waste” as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, (C) any petroleum or petroleum constituents or by-product, (D) any polychlorinated biphenyl, (E) any asbestos and asbestos containing materials, and (F) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material, waste or substance regulated under or within the meaning of any other Environmental Law.
(xx) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Partnership Entities are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Partnership Entities conduct business, the
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rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any of the Partnership Entities with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened.
(yy) OFAC. (i) None of the Partnership Entities or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, any director or officer of any of the Partnership Entities, is an individual or entity (“Person”) that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is (A) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) nor (B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC (including, without limitation, Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria) and (ii) the Partnership Entities will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person (A) to fund any activities or business of any Person currently the subject of sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC or (B) in any other manner that would reasonably be expected to result in a violation of sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC by any Person.
(zz) Intellectual Property. Each of the Partnership Entities is the record holder of or possesses adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, know-how, software, systems and technology (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of its business and has no reason to believe that the conduct of its business will conflict with, and none of the Partnership Entities has received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of others, except as such conflict which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(aaa) FINRA Affiliation. To the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, no officer or director of the Partnership Parties has a direct or indirect affiliation or association with any member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
(bbb) Insurance. The Partnership Entities maintain or are entitled to the benefits of insurance covering their properties, operations, personnel and businesses against losses and risks that is reasonably adequate to protect them and their businesses in a manner consistent with other businesses similarly situated. All such insurance is outstanding and duly in force on the date hereof and will be outstanding and duly in force on the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable.
(ccc) ERISA. The Partnership Entities and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Partnership, its subsidiaries or their “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA and all other applicable state and federal laws. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Partnership or any subsidiary thereof, any member
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of any group or organization described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), of which the Partnership or such subsidiary is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA, but excluding any event for which the 30-day notice period is waived) has occurred that has not been timely reported or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee pension benefit plan” established or maintained by the Partnership, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No “employee pension benefit plan” that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and that is established or maintained by the Partnership, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee pension benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined in ERISA). Neither the Partnership, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability that will, in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect either: (i) under Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee pension benefit plan” or (ii) under Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each “employee pension benefit plan” established or maintained by the Partnership, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by the IRS to be so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification.
(ddd) Forward Looking Statements. Each of the statements made by the Partnership in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, and the Prospectus (and any supplements thereto) within the coverage of Rule 175(b) under the Act was made or will be made with a reasonable basis and in good faith.
(eee) Ownership of Tenants (including LGO Holdings). The Partnership is treated as owning, after applying the “constructive ownership” rules of Section 318 of the Code (as modified by Sections 856(d)(5) and 7704(d)(3)(B) of the Code), an interest in Lehigh Gas—Ohio Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LGO Holdings”), the sole member of Lehigh Gas—Ohio, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LGO”), constituting not more than five percent (5%) of the assets and net profits of LGO Holdings. The governing documents of the Partnership and LGO Holdings contain transfer restrictions that prevent the Partnership from being treated as owning, including by reason of such “constructive ownership,” rules (A) in the case of LGO Holdings, more than a five percent (5%) interest in the assets or net profits of LGO Holdings and (B) (i) in the case of a tenant that is a corporation, stock of such tenant possessing ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or ten percent (10%) or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such tenant, and (ii) in the case of a tenant that is not a corporation (other than LGO), an interest of ten percent (10%) or more in such tenant’s assets or net profits. The Partnership has received an opinion of counsel that, subject to certain customary exceptions, such transfer restrictions are enforceable under Delaware law (although a court could determine that these restrictions are inapplicable or unenforceable).
7. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement becomes effective or is terminated, the Partnership Parties agree to pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Partnership’s counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Units under the Act and (except as provided in this Section 7) all other expenses in connection with the preparation,
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printing and filing of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof and of any Preliminary Prospectus to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the printing and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, the Blue Sky memoranda, this Agreement and all amendments or supplements to any of them as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Units; (iii) consistent with the provisions of Section 5(h), all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Units for offering and sale under state securities laws or Blue Sky laws, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith; (iv) the filing fees and reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the counsel for the Underwriters incurred incident to securing any required review by the FINRA of the fairness of the terms of the sale of the Units; (v) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Units on the NYSE; (vi) the cost of preparing unit certificates; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent or registrar; (viii) the cost of the tax stamps, if any, in connection with the issuance and delivery of the Units to the respective Underwriters; (ix) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Item 13 of the Registration Statement; and (x) the transportation, lodging, graphics and other expenses incidental to the Partnership’s preparation for and participation in the “roadshow” for the offering contemplated hereby. Except as provided in Section 7(iii), Section 7(iv), Section 8, Section 2(d) and Section 5(k) hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel, transfer taxes on any resale of the Units by any Underwriter, any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make and the transportation and other expenses incurred by the Underwriters on their own behalf in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Units.
8. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) Subject to the limitations in this Section 8, the Partnership Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and any “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) of such Underwriter who has, or who is alleged to have participated in the distribution of the Units or are involved in effecting the distribution of the Units (such affiliates being referred to herein as “Participating Affiliates”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable costs of investigation and attorneys’ fees and expenses (collectively, “Damages”) arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Preliminary Prospectus, in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except to the extent that any such Damages arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that has been made therein or omitted therefrom in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to the Partnership Parties by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives, expressly for use in connection therewith. This indemnification shall be in addition to any liability that the Partnership Parties may otherwise have.
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(b) If any action or claim shall be brought against any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Partnership Parties, such Underwriter or such controlling person or such Participating Affiliate shall promptly notify in writing the party(s) against whom indemnification is being sought (the “indemnifying party” or “indemnifying parties”), but failure to so notify the indemnifying party or any delay in providing such notice shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder except to the extent of any actual prejudice incurred (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) as a result of such failure or delay. Such indemnifying party(s) shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably acceptable to such Underwriter or such controlling person and the payment of all reasonable fees of and expenses incurred by such counsel. Such Underwriter or any such controlling person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such controlling person, unless (i) the indemnifying party(s) has (have) agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the indemnifying party(s) has (have) failed to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the Underwriter or such controlling person or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such Underwriter or such controlling person and the indemnifying party(s), and such Underwriter or such controlling person shall have been advised by its counsel in a written opinion, a copy of which is provided by the indemnifying party(s), that one or more legal defenses may be available to the Underwriter that are inconsistent with any legal defenses asserted by the Partnership Parties, or that representation of such indemnified party and any indemnifying party(s) by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (whether or not such representation by the same counsel has been proposed) due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in which case the indemnifying party(s) shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such Underwriter or such controlling person (but the Partnership Parties shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for the Underwriters and such controlling persons)). The indemnifying party(s) shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its (their several) written consent, but if settled with such written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold harmless any Underwriter and any such controlling person from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment, but in the case of a judgment only to the extent stated in Section 8(a).
(c) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership Parties, their directors, their officers who sign the Registration Statement and any person who controls the Partnership Parties or any of them within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, to the same extent as the foregoing several indemnity from the Partnership Parties to each Underwriter, but only with respect to information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto. If any action or claim shall be brought or asserted against the Partnership Parties, any of their directors,
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any of their officers or any such controlling person based on the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or any Preliminary Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter pursuant to this paragraph (c), such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Partnership Parties by paragraph (b) above (except that if the Partnership Parties shall have assumed the defense thereof such Underwriter shall not be required to do so, but may employ separate counsel therein and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at such Underwriter’s expense), and the Partnership Parties, their directors, any such officers and any such controlling persons, shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriters by paragraph (b) above.
(d) In any event, no indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any proceeding or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties or any person who controls the indemnified parties is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in Sections 8(a) or 8(c) is unavailable or insufficient for any reason whatsoever to an indemnified party in respect of any Damages referred to herein, then an indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Damages (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Partnership Parties on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, from the offering and sale of the Units or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Partnership Parties on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Damages as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Partnership Parties on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Partnership Parties and their affiliates bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus; provided that, in the event that the Underwriters shall have purchased any Additional Units hereunder, any determination of the relative benefits received by the Partnership Parties and their affiliates or the Underwriters from the offering of the Units shall include the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Partnership Parties and their affiliates and the underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, from the sale of such Additional Units, in each case computed on the basis of the respective amounts set forth in the notes to the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Partnership Parties on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Partnership Parties and their affiliates on the one hand, or by the Underwriters on the other hand and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
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(f) The Partnership Parties and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 was determined by a pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (e) above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Damages referred to in paragraph (e) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount of the underwriting commissions received by such underwriter in connection with the Units underwritten by it and distributed to the public. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the respective numbers of Firm Units set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto (or such numbers of Firm Units increased as set forth in Section 11 hereof) and not joint.
(g) Any Damages for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Section 8 shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party as Damages are incurred after receipt of reasonably itemized invoices therefor. The indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 8 and the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties set forth in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, the Partnership Parties, their directors or officers or any person controlling the Partnership Parties, (ii) acceptance of any Units and payment therefor hereunder and (iii) any termination of this Agreement. A successor to any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, or to the Partnership Parties, their directors or officers or any person controlling or affiliated with the Partnership Parties, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Section 8.
9. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Firm Units hereunder are subject to the following conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Rules and Regulations within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the Rules and Regulations; all material required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Rules and Regulations shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 433 under the Rules and Regulations; if the Partnership has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Rules and Regulations, such Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement.
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(b) The Underwriters shall be reasonably satisfied that since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and Prospectus, (i) there shall not have been any change in the capitalization or any material change in the long-term debt of the Partnership Parties, or any adverse change in or affecting the condition (financial or other), business, prospects, properties or results of operations of the Partnership Parties, taken as a whole, in each case, except as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus, or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) none of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, investigation, order or decree.
(c) No Underwriter shall have discovered and disclosed to the Partnership Parties on or prior to the Closing Date or any Additional Closing Date, if applicable, that the Prospectus contains or incorporates by reference an untrue statement of a fact which, in the opinion of counsel to the Underwriters and counsel to the Partnership Parties, is material or omits to state a fact which, in the opinion of such counsels, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, to make the statements therein not misleading.
(d) All partnership, limited liability company or corporate proceedings, as applicable, and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Partnership shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, an opinion of each of the General Counsel of the General Partner and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the Partnership Parties, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibits B-1 and B-2, respectively, hereto.
(f) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, an opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP, as counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Units, the Registration Statement and other related matters as the Underwriters may reasonably request, and the Partnership Parties and their counsel shall have furnished to counsel for the Underwriters such documents as they may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(g) The Underwriters shall have received (i) letters addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof and the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, from the firms of Grant Thornton LLP and Carr, Riggs and Ingram, LLC, independent certified public accountants, and (ii) a certificate addressed to the Underwriters as of such dates from the Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner, in each case substantially in the forms heretofore approved by the Underwriters.
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(h) (i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, shall be threatened or contemplated by the Commission at or prior to the Closing Date or any Additional Closing Date, if applicable; (ii) any request for additional information on the part of the staff of the Commission shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the staff of the Commission; and (iii) after the date hereof, no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall have been filed unless a copy thereof was first submitted to the Representatives and the Representatives did not object thereto in good faith.
(i) The Underwriters shall have received certificates of officers of the General Partner satisfactory to the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date and each Additional Closing Date, if applicable, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have examined the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as well as each electronic road show used in connection with the offering of the Units, and this Agreement and that: (i) the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects (except for such representations and warranties qualified by materiality, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, if applicable, with the same effect as if made on Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, if applicable, and the Partnership Parties have complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions, in each case, in all material respects, on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, (ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Partnership’s knowledge, threatened; (iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there has been no Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, and (iv) the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, the Prospectus, as of its date and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, if applicable, or the Time of Sale Information, as of the Time of Sale, did not and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and did not and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (except in the case of the Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
(j) The Partnership Parties shall have furnished or caused to have been furnished to the Underwriters such further certificates and documents as the Underwriters shall have reasonably requested, including a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner regarding Express Lane, Inc. substantially in the form heretofore approved by the Underwriters.
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(k) At or prior to the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received the Lock-Up Agreements from each of the parties listed on Schedule IV hereto substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
All such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents will be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters.
The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Units hereunder are subject to the satisfaction on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as applicable, of the conditions set forth in this Section 9, except that, if the date Additional Units are purchased is other than the Closing Date, the certificates, opinions and letters referred to in this Section 9 shall be dated as of the Additional Closing Date and the opinions or letters called for by paragraphs (e) and (f) shall be revised to reflect the sale of Additional Units.
If any of the conditions hereinabove provided for in this Section 9 shall not have been satisfied when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated by the Underwriters by notifying the Partnership Parties of such termination in writing or by telegram at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as applicable, but the Underwriters shall be entitled to waive any of such conditions.
10. Effective Date of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by each of the parties hereto.
11. Defaulting Underwriters. If any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Units that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate number of Firm Units that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Firm Units, each non-defaulting Underwriter shall be obligated, severally, in the proportion in which the number of Firm Units set forth opposite its name in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate number of Firm Units set forth opposite the names of all non-defaulting Underwriters or in such other proportion as the Underwriters may specify in the Agreement Among Underwriters of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., to purchase the Firm Units that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed, but failed or refused to purchase. If any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Units and the aggregate number of Firm Units with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Units and arrangements satisfactory to the Underwriters and the Partnership Parties for the purchase of such Firm Units are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Partnership Parties. In any such case that does not result in termination of this Agreement, either the Underwriters or the Partnership Parties shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven (7) days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters from liability in respect of any such default of any such Underwriter or Underwriters under this Agreement. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement includes, for all purposes of this Agreement, any party not listed in Schedule I hereto who, with the Representatives’ approval and the approval of the Partnership, purchases Units that a defaulting Underwriter is obligated, but fails or refuses, to purchase.
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12. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the Representatives’ absolute discretion, without liability on the part of any Underwriter to the Partnership Parties by notice to the Partnership Parties, if prior to the Closing Date or an Additional Closing Date (if different from the Closing Date and then only as to the Additional Units), as the case may be, (i) trading in the Common Units shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE, (ii) trading in securities generally on the NYSE or The Nasdaq Stock Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum prices shall have been generally established on such exchange, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by either federal or New York State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other international or domestic calamity, crisis or change in political, financial or economic conditions the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in the Representatives’ judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to market or deliver the Units as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto). Notice of such termination shall be promptly given to the Partnership Parties and their counsel by telegraph, telecopy or telephone and shall be subsequently confirmed by letter.
13. Information Furnished by the Underwriters. The Partnership Parties acknowledge that (i) the list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of Units, (ii) the first, second and fourth sentences of the fourth paragraph, (iii) each paragraph under the sub-caption “Stabilization,” (iv) the paragraph under the sub-caption “Relationships,” (v) the first paragraph under the sub-caption “Electronic Prospectus,” and (vi) the paragraph under the sub-caption “FINRA Rules,” each under the caption “Underwriting” in the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus, constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters through the Representatives or on the Representatives’ behalf as such information is referred to in Sections 6(d), 6(f), 6(g), 6(h) and 8 hereof.
14. Miscellaneous. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5 and Section 12 hereof, notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered
| (a) | to the Partnership Parties |
Lehigh Gas GP LLC
702 W. Hamilton St.
Suite 203
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101
Attention: Frank Macerato
Tel: (610) 625-8000
Fax: (610) 465-9747
with a copy to
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Brenda K. Lenahan
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, New York 10103
Tel: (212) 237-0000
Fax: (212) 237-0100
| (b) | to the Underwriters |
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
Attention: John Critchlow
Tel: (800) 248-8863
Fax: (727) 567-8247
Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk
with a copy to
Legal Department
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
375 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10152
Attention: Equity Syndicate Department
with a copy to
Legal Department
with a copy to
David C. Buck
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
Tel: (713) 220-4301
Fax: (713) 238-7126
This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of the several Underwriters, the Partnership Parties and their directors and officers and other controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. Neither the term “successor” nor the term “successors and assigns” as used in this Agreement shall include a purchaser from any Underwriter of any of the Units in his status as such purchaser.
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15. No Fiduciary Duty. Notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by any of the Underwriters, the Partnership Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) nothing herein shall create a fiduciary or agency relationship between the Partnership Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand; (ii) the Underwriters have been retained solely to act as underwriters and are not acting as advisors, expert or otherwise, to the Partnership Parties in connection with this offering, the sale of the Units or any other services the Underwriters may be deemed to be providing hereunder, including, without limitation, with respect to the public offering price of the Units; (iii) the relationship between the Partnership Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, is entirely and solely commercial, and the price of the Units was established by the Partnership Parties and the Underwriters based on discussions and arms’ length negotiations and the Partnership Parties understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) any duties and obligations that the Underwriters may have to the Partnership Parties shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; and (v) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Partnership Parties acknowledge that the Underwriters may have financial interests in the success of this offering that are not limited to the difference between the price to the public and the purchase price paid to the Partnership by the Underwriters for the Units and that such interests may differ from the interests of the Partnership Parties. The Partnership Parties hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Partnership Parties may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agree that the Underwriters shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Partnership Parties in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Partnership Parties or any of their respective members, managers, employees or creditors.
16. Research Analyst Independence. The Partnership Parties acknowledge that (a) the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies and (b) the Underwriters’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Partnership, the value of the Common Units and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Partnership Parties hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that they may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by the Underwriters’ independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Partnership by any Underwriter’s investment banking division. The Partnership Parties acknowledge that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such, from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the entities that are the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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17. Applicable Law; Counterparts. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
18. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Partnership Parties and the Underwriters each hereby irrevocably waive any right they may have to a trial by jury in respect to any claim based upon or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
19. USA PATRIOT Act. In accordance with the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Partnership Parties, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.
20. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Underwriters, the Partnership Parties and their successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Partnership Parties’ and any of the Underwriters’ respective businesses and/or assets. No purchaser of any of the Units from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.
21. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Underwriters, the Partnership Parties and their respective successors. This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons, except as provided in Section 8 with respect to affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons of the Partnership Parties and the Underwriters. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 21, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.
22. Survival. The respective indemnities, representations, warranties and agreements of the Partnership Parties and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Units. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Partnership Parties and the several Underwriters.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| LEHIGH GAS PARTNERS LP | ||
| By: | Lehigh Gas GP LLC, its General Partner | |
| By: | /s/ Joseph V. Topper, Jr. | |
| Name: Joseph V. Topper, Jr. Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| LEHIGH GAS GP LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Joseph V. Topper, Jr. | |
| Name: Joseph V. Topper, Jr. | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| CONFIRMED as of the date first above mentioned, on behalf of the Representatives and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto. | ||
| RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Mark Huhndorff | |
| Name: Mark Huhndorff Title: Managing Director | ||
| BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Victoria Hale | |
| Name: Victoria Hale Title: Vice President | ||
| MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Ryan D. Robinson | |
| Name: Ryan D. Robinson Title: Vice President | ||
| WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ David Herman | |
| Name: David Herman Title: Director | ||
SCHEDULE I
UNDERWRITERS
| Name |
Firm Units | |||
| Raymond James & Associates, Inc. |
678,125 | |||
| Barclays Capital Inc. |
678,125 | |||
| Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC |
678,125 | |||
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
678,125 | |||
| Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated |
271,250 | |||
| Janney Montgomery Scott LLC |
116,250 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total: |
3,100,000 | |||
|
|
|
|||
SCHEDULE I
TO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE II
TIME OF SALE INFORMATION
Number of Firm Units: 3,100,000
Public Offering Price: $26.90
SCHEDULE II
TO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE III
ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS
None.
SCHEDULE III
TO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE IV
SIGNATORIES TO LOCK-UP LETTERS
Joseph V. Topper, Jr.
Mark L. Miller
David Hrinak
Frank M. Macerato
David A. Sheaffer
Warren S. Kimber, Jr.
John F. Malloy
James H. Miller
John B. Reilly, III
Maura Topper
Robert L. Wiss
Melinda B. German
Tracy Derstine
SCHEDULE IV
TO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT A
, 2013
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Barclays Capital Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC,
As Representatives of the Several Underwriters
c/o Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
| Re: | Lehigh Gas Partners LP (the “Partnership”) — |
Restriction on Common Unit Sales
Dear Madams and Sirs:
The undersigned understands that you and certain other firms (the “Underwriters”) propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) providing for the purchase by the Underwriters of common units (the “Common Units”) representing limited partner interests in Lehigh Gas Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and that the Underwriters propose to reoffer the Common Units to the public (the “Offering”).
In consideration of the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by the Underwriters, and for other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees that without the prior written consent of the Representatives, the undersigned will not (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of (collectively, a “Disposition”) any Common Units, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or any rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, any Common Units held by the undersigned or acquired by the undersigned after the date hereof, or that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (collectively, the “Lock-Up Securities”), for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the Partnership’s Prospectus first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) promulgated under the Act, inclusive (the “Lock-Up Period”), or (ii) exercise or seek to exercise or effectuate in any manner any rights of any nature that the undersigned has or may have hereafter to require the Partnership to register under the Act the undersigned’s sale, transfer or other disposition of any of the Lock-Up Securities or other securities of the Partnership held by the undersigned, or to otherwise participate as a selling securityholder in any manner in any registration effected by the Partnership under the Act, including under the Registration Statement, during the Lock-Up Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Partnership issues a release concerning earnings or material news or a material event relating to the Partnership occurs, or (y) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Partnership announces it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed in this letter agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period
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beginning on the issuance of the release concerning earnings or material news or the occurrence of the material event. The foregoing restrictions are expressly agreed to preclude the undersigned from engaging in any hedging, collar (whether or not for any consideration) or other transaction that is designed to or reasonably expected to lead or result in a Disposition of Lock-Up Securities during the Lock-Up Period, even if such Lock-Up Securities would be disposed of by someone other than such holder. Such prohibited hedging or other transactions would include any short sale or any purchase, sale or grant of any right (including any put or call option or reversal or cancellation thereof) with respect to any Lock-Up Securities or with respect to any security (other than a broad-based market basket or index) that includes, relates to or derives any significant part of its value from Lock-Up Securities.
Notwithstanding the agreement not to make any Disposition during the Lock-Up Period, you have agreed that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to the following:
1. the offer and sale of the Common Units being offered pursuant to the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, including, without limitation, any Common Units issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriters’ option to purchase additional Common Units as contemplated in such Prospectus (the “Offering”); provided, however, that this exception is not intended to apply to any Disposition of Common Units acquired by the undersigned in the Offering that is not otherwise permitted by the terms of this letter agreement;
2. any exercise of options or other equity-based awards pursuant to the Partnership’s or its subsidiaries’ equity plans as in effect on the date hereof and described in the Registration Statement, or the surrender of Lock-Up Securities to cover the exercise price and/or applicable taxes relating to the exercise of an option or delivery of other equity-based awards permitted by this clause 2; or
3. any transfer (i) to an affiliate or (ii) as a bona fide gift (provided that in the case of any such transfer (A) the transferee or donee shall execute and deliver a lock-up letter agreement substantially in the form of this lock-up letter agreement and (B) no filing on Form 4 under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Common Units, shall be required or voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period).
It is understood that, if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Units, then the undersigned shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this letter agreement.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the Partnership and its transfer agent and registrar are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of Lock-Up Securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this letter. This letter shall be binding on the undersigned and the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns of the undersigned. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Underwriting Agreement.
[signature page follows]
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Lock-Up Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
| Very truly yours, |
|
|
| Name: |
3
EXHIBIT B-1
Form of Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1. The Partnership has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, with all requisite limited partnership power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in all material respects. The Partnership is duly registered or qualified as a foreign limited partnership for the transaction of business under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth on a schedule to this opinion.
2. The General Partner has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited liability company under the Delaware LLC Act, with all requisite limited liability company power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in all material respects. The General Partner is duly registered or qualified as a foreign limited liability company for the transaction of business under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth on a schedule to this opinion.
3. The General Partner has all the necessary limited liability company power and authority to serve as general partner of the Partnership in all material respects.
4. The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership with a non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership; such general partner interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner owns such general partner interest free and clear of all Liens (a) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the General Partner as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (b) otherwise known to us, without independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act.
5. The Units to be issued and sold to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized by the Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Section 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).
6. The Partnership Agreement and the General Partner Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the General Partner and Lehigh Gas Corporation, as the case maybe, and each is a valid and legally binding agreement of the General Partner and Lehigh Gas Corporation, as the case maybe, enforceable against each such party thereto, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms; provided, that, with respect to each such agreement, the enforceability thereof (a) may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or remedies generally, public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties, and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and (b) is subject to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
1
7. Each of the Partnership Parties has all requisite limited partnership or limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations hereunder. The Partnership has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Units in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus. All limited partnership and limited liability company action, as the case may be, required to be taken by any of the Partnership Parties or any of their respective partners or members for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Units, the execution and delivery of the Agreement by each of the Partnership Parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby has been validly taken.
8. The Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Partnership Parties.
9. None of (a) the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units or the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Units as described under “Use of Proceeds” the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement by the Partnership Parties, or (c) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of the Organizational Documents of the Partnership or the General Partner, (ii) constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) or results or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Partnership Entities pursuant to, any agreement listed on a schedule to this opinion, (iii) violates or will violate the Delaware LLC Act, the Delaware LP Act, the laws of the State of New York or federal law, which breaches, violations, defaults, or Liens, in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii) would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, it being understood that we do not express an opinion in clause (iii) of this paragraph 9 with respect to any securities or other anti-fraud law.
10. The opinion letter of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. that is filed as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement is confirmed, and the Underwriters may rely upon such opinion letter as if it were addressed to them.
11. No permit, consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing of or with any federal or Delaware court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Partnership Entities or any of their respective properties is required in connection with the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units, the execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement by the Partnership Parties or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement except (a) such as may be required under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction, the rules of the NYSE or the by-laws and rules of the FINRA, as to which we do not express any opinion, (b) such as have been obtained or made and (c) such that the failure to obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
12. The Registration Statement was declared effective under the Securities Act as of the date and time specified in such opinion; to our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or threatened by the Commission; and any required filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act has been made in the manner and within the time period required by such Rule.
2
13. The Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except for the financial statements and the related notes and schedules thereto and the auditor’s report thereon and the other financial and accounting and related statistical data included in or excluded from the Registration Statement, as to which we do not express any opinion) appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act.
14. The Partnership is not, and after the sale of the Units to be sold by the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
15. The statements in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the captions “How We Make Distributions to Our Partners,” “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties,” “Description of the Common Units,” “The Partnership Agreement” and “Investment by Employee Benefit Plans”, insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of provisions of federal or New York statutes, rules or regulations, the Delaware LP Act or the Delaware LLC Act or of any specific agreement, constitute accurate summaries thereof in all material respects.
In addition, we have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Partnership Entities and the independent public accountants of the Partnership and the Underwriters’ representatives, at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed, and although we have not independently verified, are not passing on, and are not assuming any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (except to the extent specified in paragraphs 10 and 15 of the foregoing opinion), on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to our attention that lead us to believe that:
(a) the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(b) the Time of Sale Information, as of the Time of Sale, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted 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; or
(c) the Prospectus, as of its date and as of the applicable Closing Date, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits 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,
it being understood that, in each case, we do not express any statement or belief with respect to the financial statements and the related notes and schedules thereto and the auditor’s report thereon and the other financial and accounting data included or incorporated by reference in or omitted from the Registration Statement or exhibits thereto, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.
3
In rendering our opinion, (a) we have relied in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers and employees of the Partnership Entities, to the extent we have deemed appropriate, and upon information obtained from public officials, (b) we have assumed, that the signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine, (c) with respect to the opinions expressed as to the due qualification or registration as a foreign limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, of the Partnership Entities, our opinions are based upon certificates of foreign qualification or registration provided by the Secretary of State, or other appropriate state authority, of the states listed on an annex to be attached to our opinion (each of which shall be dated as of a recent date and shall be provided to counsel to the Underwriters), and (d) we express no opinion with respect to (i) any permits to own or operate any real or personal property or (ii) state or local taxes or tax statutes to which any of the limited partners of the Partnership or any of the Partnership Entities may be subject.
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EXHIBIT B-2
Form of Opinion of General Counsel
1. LG LLC has been duly formed as a limited liability company under the Delaware LLC Act, with all necessary limited liability company power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in all material respects. LG LLC is duly registered or qualified as a foreign limited liability company for the transaction of business under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth on a schedule to this opinion.
2. LGW has been duly formed as a corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law, with all necessary corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in all material respects. LGW is duly registered or qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth on a schedule to this opinion.
3. LGP Realty has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, with all requisite limited partnership power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in all material respects. LGP Realty is duly registered or qualified as a foreign limited partnership for the transaction of business under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth on a schedule to this opinion.
4. LGP Realty GP has been duly formed as a limited liability company under the Delaware LLC Act, with all necessary limited liability company power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in all material respects. LGP Realty GP is duly registered or qualified as a foreign limited liability company for the transaction of business under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth on a schedule to this opinion.
5. LGC owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in the General Partner. Such interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the General Partner Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required under the General Partner Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act), and LGC owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens (a) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming LGC as debtor is on file as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or (b) otherwise known to us.
6. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or as provided in the Operative Agreements, the Credit Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October 30, 2012 by and among the Partnership, Joseph V. Topper, Jr., John B. Reilly, III, LGC, Kimber Petroleum Corporation and Kwik Pik — Ohio Holdings, LLC, (a) there are no options, warrants, preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any interest in any of the Partnership Entities pursuant to their Organizational Documents or any agreement listed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or by which any of them may be bound; and (b) to our knowledge, neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor the offering or sale of the Units as contemplated by this Agreement gives rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any Common Units or other securities of the Partnership, except such rights as have been waived or satisfied.
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7. The Partnership owns 100% of the limited liability company interests in LG LLC; such limited liability company interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with LG LLC’s Organizational Documents, and are fully paid (to the extent required under LG LLC’s limited liability company agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and the Partnership owns such limited liability company interests free and clear of all Liens (a) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Partnership as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (b) otherwise known to us, other than those set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
8. The Partnership owns 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LGW; such shares of common stock have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with LGW’s Organizational Documents, and are fully paid (to the extent required under the bylaws and other organizational documents of LGW) and nonassessable, and the Partnership owns such common stock free and clear of all Liens (a) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Partnership as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (b) otherwise known to us, other than those set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus or created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
9. The Partnership owns a 99.9% limited partner interest in LGP Realty; such limited partner interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the LGP Realty Partnership Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required under the LGP Realty Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by the matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and such interests are owned free and clear of all Liens (a) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Partnership as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (b) otherwise known to us, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act.
10. LGP Realty GP owns a 0.1% general partner interest in and is the sole general partner of LGP Realty; such general partner interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the LGP Realty Partnership Agreement; and LGP Realty GP owns such general partner interest free and clear of all Liens (a) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming LGP Realty GP as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (b) otherwise known to us, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act.
11. To our knowledge, there is no legal or governmental proceeding pending or threatened to which any of the Partnership Entities or their respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their respective properties is subject that is required by the Securities Act to be disclosed in the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus and is not so disclosed.
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12. To our knowledge, there are no agreements, contracts or other documents to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or is bound that are required by the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required.
13. None of (a) the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units or the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Units as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement by the Partnership Parties, or (c) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of the Organizational Documents (other than the Organizational Documents of the Partnership or the General Partner) or (ii) constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) or results or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Partnership Entities pursuant to, any agreement listed on a schedule to this opinion or which breaches, violations, defaults, or liens charges or encumbrances, in the case of clauses (ii) would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Exhibit 5.1
December 10, 2013
Lehigh Gas Partners LP
702 Hamilton Street, Suite 203
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Lehigh Gas Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), in connection with the proposed offer and sale by the Partnership of up to 3,565,000 common units (including an option to purchase up to 465,000 additional common units) representing limited partner interests of the Partnership (the “Offered Units”) pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated December 5, 2013 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among the Partnership, Lehigh Gas GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership and a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”), and Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (the “Underwriters”).
We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (Registration No. 333-192035), filed by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which was declared effective by the Commission on December 4, 2013 (the “Registration Statement”) and included a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”) and a prospectus supplement, dated December 5, 2013 (the “Prospectus Supplement”). The Base Prospectus, together with the Prospectus Supplement, is referred to herein as the “Prospectus.”
In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the Prospectus, (iii) the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership, (iv) the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of October 30, 2012 (the “Partnership Agreement”), (v) resolutions of the board of directors of the General Partner and the pricing committee of the board of directors of the General Partner, (vi) the Underwriting Agreement and (vii) such other certificates, statutes, including the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware LP Act”), and other instruments and documents as we considered appropriate for purposes of the opinions hereafter expressed. In addition, we reviewed such questions of law as we considered appropriate.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Offered Units, when issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will
| Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law Abu Dhabi Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London Moscow New York Palo Alto Riyadh San Francisco Shanghai Tokyo Washington |
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Lehigh Gas Partners LP December 10, 2013 Page 2 |
be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required by the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable, except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act and as described in the Prospectus.
The opinions expressed herein are qualified in the following respects:
| a. | We have assumed that (1) each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each such document that is an original is authentic, each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original and all signatures on each such document are genuine and (2) each certificate from governmental officials reviewed by us is accurate, complete and authentic, and all official public records are accurate and complete. |
| b. | The opinions expressed herein are limited exclusively to the federal laws of the United States of America and the Delaware LP Act (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting such laws), and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction, domestic or foreign. |
| c. | We have assumed that the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Underwriters and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Underwriters, and the Underwriters have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform their obligations under the Underwriting Agreement. |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion of counsel as Exhibit 5.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Partnership dated on or about the date hereof, to the incorporation by reference of this opinion of counsel into the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. |
Exhibit 8.1
December 10, 2013
Lehigh Gas Partners LP
702 West Hamilton Street, Suite 203
Allentown, PA 18101
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Lehigh Gas Partners LP (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the offer and sale by the Partnership of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. We have also participated in the preparation of a Prospectus Supplement dated on or about the date hereof (the “Prospectus Supplement”) and the Prospectus dated December 4, 2013 (the “Prospectus”) forming part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended (the “Registration Statement”).
This opinion is based on various facts and assumptions, and is conditioned upon certain representations made by the Partnership as to factual matters through a certificate of an officer of the Partnership (the “Officer’s Certificate”). In addition, this opinion is based upon the factual representations of the Partnership concerning its business, properties and governing documents as set forth in the Registration Statement.
In our capacity as counsel to the Partnership, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and other instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures thereon, the legal capacity of natural persons executing such documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. For the purpose of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the above-referenced documents or in the Officer’s Certificate. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed the truth and accuracy of all representations and statements made to us which are qualified as to knowledge or belief, without regard to such qualification.
We hereby confirm that all statements of legal conclusions contained in the discussion in the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,” as updated by the discussion in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Material Tax Consequences,” constitute the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to the matters set forth therein as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, subject to the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations set forth therein. This opinion is based on various statutory provisions, regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof by the
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666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor New York, NY 10103-0040 Tel 212.237.0000 Fax 212.237.0100 www.velaw.com |
December 10, 2013
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Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Also, any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the representations described above, including in the Registration Statement and the Officer’s Certificate, may affect the conclusions stated herein.
No opinion is expressed as to any matter not discussed in the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” or in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Material Tax Consequences.” We are opining herein only as to the federal income tax matters described above, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability to, or the effect on, any transaction of other federal laws, foreign laws, the laws of any state or any other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state.
This opinion is rendered to you as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and we undertake no obligation to update this opinion subsequent to the date hereof. This opinion is furnished to you, and is for your use in connection with the transactions set forth in the Registration Statement. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose without our prior written consent. However, this opinion may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely on it pursuant to applicable provisions of federal securities law, including persons purchasing common units pursuant to the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion of counsel as Exhibit 8.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Partnership dated on or about the date hereof, to the incorporation by reference of this opinion of counsel into the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. |