Introduction to the Law of Corporations: Cases and Materials

Fall 2024

  • Brian JM Quinn (Boston College Law School)

This open-source casebook is the tenth edition of a casebook using the H2O/OpenCasebook platform of the Library Innovation Lab of the Harvard Library and the Berkman Center. This casebook and the H2O/OpenCasebook platform are part of an effort by educators to make high quality course materials and casebooks available to students at reasonable prices. Because this casebook is subject to a Creative Commons license and can be printed via Amazon/Kindle Direct Publishing, it is available to students at a very modest cost. Alternatively, students can access and read the cases and materials online via the H2O platform at opencasebook.org at no cost. 

Although this course is called an Introduction to the Law of Corporations, it is better understood as a more general business organizations course. This casebook is intended to be used as the main casebook for this course. However, your learning during this semester-long course will not be limited to the corporate law. We will start the class with an online course covering the basic concepts of Agency. Agency is the single most important building block required to understand the corporate law. Agency is also an essential building block to understand the laws governing other forms of business organization. 

During the course of this semester, you will also be introduced to other forms of business organization, including Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Nonprofit Corporations, and Public Benefit Corporations. Most of your introduction to these other forms will come through a series of online courses covering the basic concepts and rules for each of the forms. You should plan to complete all of these courses, including the accompanying quizzes in Canvas, by the dates set forth in the syllabus. While you are working on these online courses, in class we will focus on the corporate form, the Delaware corporate code, and the Delaware common law of corporations.

Because the corporate law is so much more extensive than the laws of other business forms, like for example the law governing LLCs, courts often lean heavily on the corporate law and apply it by analogy to other forms when they are in search of persuasive authority. By becoming expert in the corporate law, you will find it easy to translate that knowledge and apply it other business organizations. 

Much of the work of the corporate lawyer starts with the code. As such, we will start with an in depth examination of the corporate code.  Although we could study the Model Code or the Massachusetts code, for most corporate lawyers, the Delaware corporate law will be central to their practice. Sixty percent of all publicly traded corporations are Delaware corporations. With respect to private corporations, they are typically incorporated in the state in which they are physically located, or they are incorporated in Delaware.

Beyond the code, Delaware has a very deep corporate common law. It is in the corporate common law that the courts have developed the law of corporate fiduciary duties. It is through fiduciary duties that the corporate law attempts to regulate the relationship between stockholders and the corporation, between managers and the corporation, as well as the relationships of controlling stockholders and minority stockholders. Delaware's treatment of the corporate common law is so extensive that it is not at all uncommon at all for the courts of other states to refer to, or cite Delaware corporate law cases, when deciding questions involving their own corporate law. The Delaware corporate law is the closest we have to a lingua franca in the US for corporate law.

The fiduciary duties of corporate directors are tested most often in the context of corporate takeovers. The corporate takeover materials in this casebook attempt to highlight the most important issues in takeover situations as well as the court's doctrinal efforts to mitigate the transaction costs that arise in these situations.

8 Appendix: Corporate Documents 8 Appendix: Corporate Documents

8.1 Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Meta Platforms, Inc. 8.1 Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Meta Platforms, Inc.

Below you will find the current Certificate of Incorporation of Meta Platforms. Meta, as you will likely know, used to be known as Facebook, Inc. The current certificate was amended in October 2021 to change the name of the corporation from Facebook to Meta Platforms. In all other respects, the certificate is the same as the previous certificate for Facebook.

Facebook, Inc.

AMENDED & RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Facebook, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby certifies as follows.

  1. The name of the corporation is Facebook, Inc. The date of filing its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State was July 29, 2004, under the name TheFacebook, Inc.
  2. The Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein by this reference, and which restates, integrates and further amends provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation as heretofore amended and/or restated, has been duly adopted by the corporation’s Board of Directors and by the stockholders in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
  3. The Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
  4. The text of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as Exhibit A hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this corporation has caused this Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its duly authorized officer and the foregoing facts stated herein are true and correct.

 

 

                       
       
   

FACEBOOK, INC.
       

Date:

October 28, 2021

By:

/s/ Mark Zuckerberg
     

Name: Mark Zuckerberg
     

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

META PLATFORMS, INC.

AMENDED & RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the corporation is Meta Platforms, Inc.

ARTICLE II: AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS

The address of the corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, New Castle County, 19808. The name of the registered agent of the corporation at that address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE

The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“General Corporation Law”).

ARTICLE IV: AUTHORIZED STOCK

  1. Total Authorized.

The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the corporation has authority to issue is 9,241,000,000 shares, consisting of: 5,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.000006 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), 4,141,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.000006 par value per share (“Class B Common Stock” and together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”) and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.000006 par value per share. The number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of capital stock representing a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law.

  1. Designation of Additional Shares

2.1. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, by resolution or resolutions, to provide for the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and, by filing a certificate of designation pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (“Certificate of Designation”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designation, powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of such class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may also be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock or any series thereof, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Certificate of Designation designating a series of Preferred Stock.

2.2. Except as otherwise expressly provided in any Certificate of Designation designating any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE IV, any new series of Preferred Stock may be designated, fixed and determined as provided herein by the Board of Directors without approval of the holders of Common Stock or the holders of Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, and any such new series may have powers, preferences and rights, including, without limitation, voting powers, dividend rights, liquidation rights, redemption rights and conversion rights, senior to, junior to or pari passu with the rights of the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, or any future class or series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock.

  1. Rights of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

3.1. Equal Status. Except as otherwise provided in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall have the same rights and powers, rank equally (including as to dividends and distributions, and upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation), share ratably and be identical in all respects and as to all matters.

3.2. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or as provided by law, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall (a) at all times vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote or for the consent (if action by written consent of the stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the stockholders of the corporation, (b) be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the corporation and (c) be entitled to vote upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by applicable law. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by applicable law, each holder of Class A Common Stock shall have the right to one (1) vote per share of Class A Common Stock held of record by such holder and each holder of Class B Common Stock shall have the right to ten (10) votes per share of Class B Common Stock held of record by such holder.

3.3. Dividend and Distribution Rights. Shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividends or distributions as may be declared and paid from time to time by the Board of Directors out of any assets of the corporation legally available therefor; provided, however, that in the event a dividend is paid in the form of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (or rights to acquire such shares), then holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive shares of Class A Common Stock (or rights to acquire such shares, as the case may be) and holders of Class B Common Stock shall receive shares of Class B Common Stock (or rights to acquire such shares, as the case may be), with holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock receiving, on a per share basis, an identical number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may pay or make a disparate dividend or distribution per share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (whether in the amount of such dividend or distribution payable per share, the form in which such dividend or distribution is payable, the timing of the payment, or otherwise) if such disparate dividend or distribution is approved in advance by the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

3.4. Subdivisions Combinations or Reclassifications. Shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock may not be subdivided, combined or reclassified unless the shares of the other class are concurrently therewith proportionately subdivided, combined or reclassified in a manner that maintains the same proportionate equity ownership between the holders of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification; provided, however, that shares of one such class may be subdivided, combined or reclassified in a different or disproportionate manner if such subdivision, combination or reclassification is approved in advance by the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

3.5. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Subject to the preferential or other rights of any holders of Preferred Stock then outstanding, upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will be entitled to receive ratably all assets of the corporation available for distribution to its stockholders unless disparate or different treatment of the shares of each such class with respect to distributions upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up is approved in advance by the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

3.6. Merger or Consolidation. In the case of any distribution or payment in respect of the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock upon the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other entity, or in the case of any other transaction having an effect on stockholders substantially similar to that resulting from a consolidation or merger, such distribution or payment shall be made ratably on a per share basis among the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as a single class; provided, however, that shares of one such class may receive different or disproportionate distributions or payments in connection with such merger, consolidation or other transaction if (i) the only difference in the per share distribution to the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is that any securities distributed to the holder of a share Class B Common Stock have ten times the voting power of any securities distributed to the holder of a share of Class A Common Stock, or (ii) such merger, consolidation or other transaction is approved by the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

3.7. Change of Control Class B Vote. Until the first date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than thirty-five percent (35%) of the total voting power of the then outstanding shares of the corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the corporation shall not consummate a Change in Control Transaction (as defined in Section 4 of this ARTICLE IV) without first obtaining the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws.

3.8. Conversion of Class B Common Stock.

(a) Voluntary Conversion. Each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder thereof at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Before any holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to voluntarily convert any shares of such Class B Common Stock, such holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor (if any), duly endorsed, at the principal corporate office of the corporation or of any transfer agent for the Class B Common Stock, and shall give written notice to the corporation at its principal corporate office, of the election to convert the same and shall state therein the name or names (i) in which the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock into which the shares of Class B Common Stock are so converted are to be issued if such shares are certificated or (ii) in which such shares are to be registered in book entry if such shares are uncertificated. The corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Class B Common Stock, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid (if such shares are certificated) or, if such shares are uncertificated, register such shares in book-entry form. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted following or contemporaneously with the written notice of such holder’s election to convert required by this Section 3.8(a), and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock as of such date. Each share of Class B Common Stock that is converted pursuant to this Section 3.8(a) shall be retired by the corporation and shall not be available for reissuance.

(b) Automatic Conversion. (i) Each share of Class B Common Stock shall be automatically, without further action by the holder thereof, converted into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock, upon the occurrence of a Transfer (as defined in Section 4 of this ARTICLE IV), other than a Permitted Transfer (as defined in Section 4 of this ARTICLE IV), of such share of Class B Common Stock and (ii) all shares of Class B Common Stock shall be automatically, without further action by any holder thereof, converted into an identical number of shares of Class A Common Stock at such date and time, or the occurrence of an event, specified by the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class (the occurrence of an event described in clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 3.8(b), a “Conversion Event”). Each outstanding stock certificate that, immediately prior to a Conversion Event, represented one or more shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such Conversion Event shall, upon such Conversion Event, be deemed to represent an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, without the need for surrender or exchange thereof. The corporation shall, upon the request of any holder whose shares of Class B Common Stock have been converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of a Conversion Event and upon surrender by such holder to the corporation of the outstanding certificate(s) formerly representing such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock (if any), issue and deliver to such holder certificate(s) representing the shares of Class A Common Stock into which such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock were converted as a result of such Conversion Event (if such shares are certificated) or, if such shares are uncertificated, register such shares in book-entry form. Each share of Class B Common Stock that is converted pursuant to this Section 3.8(b) of ARTICLE IV shall thereupon be retired by the corporation and shall not be available for reissuance.

(c) The corporation may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures, not in violation of applicable law or the other provisions of this Restated Certificate, relating to the conversion of the Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock, as it may deem necessary or advisable in connection therewith. If the corporation has reason to believe that a Transfer giving rise to a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock has occurred but has not theretofore been reflected on the books of the corporation, the corporation may request that the holder of such shares furnish affidavits or other evidence to the corporation as the corporation deems necessary to determine whether a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock has occurred, and if such holder does not within ten (10) days after the date of such request furnish sufficient evidence to the corporation (in the manner provided in the request) to enable the corporation to determine that no such conversion has occurred, any such shares of Class B Common Stock, to the extent not previously converted, shall be automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and the same shall thereupon be registered on the books and records of the corporation. In connection with any action of stockholders taken at a meeting or by written consent (if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation), the stock ledger of the corporation shall be presumptive evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders or in connection with any such written consent and the class or classes or series of shares held by each such stockholder and the number of shares of each class or classes or series held by such stockholder.

3.9. Reservation of Stock. The corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock.

3.10. Protective Provision. The corporation shall not, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, amend, alter, repeal or waive Sections 3 or 4 of this Article IV (or adopt any provision inconsistent therewith), without first obtaining the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws.

  1. Definitions. For purposes of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation:

4.1. “Change in Control Transaction” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) the sale, lease, exchange, encumbrance or other disposition (other than licenses that do not constitute an effective disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and the grant of security interests in the ordinary course of business) by the corporation of all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets; or

(b) the merger or consolidation of the corporation with or into any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the Class B Common Stock of the corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its sole parent entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the corporation or such surviving entity or its sole parent entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

4.2. “Charitable Trust” means a trust that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor provision thereto) (whether a determination letter with respect to such exemption is issued before, at or after the Covered Security Date), and further includes any successor entity that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) (or any successor provision thereto) upon a conversion of, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of, a Charitable Trust to such successor entity (whether a determination letter with respect to such successor’s exemption is issued before, at or after the conversion date).

4.3. “Covered Security Date” means May 14, 2012.

4.4. “Family Member” shall mean with respect to any natural person who is a Qualified Stockholder, the spouse, parents, grandparents, lineal descendants, siblings and lineal descendants of siblings of such Qualified Stockholder. Lineal descendants shall include adopted persons, but only so long as they are adopted during minority.

4.5. “Qualified Stockholder” shall mean (a) the registered holder of a share of Class B Common Stock as of the Covered Security Date; (b) the initial registered holder of any shares of Class B Common Stock that are originally issued by the corporation after the Covered Security Date pursuant to the exercise or conversion of options or warrants or settlement of restricted stock units (RSUs) that, in each case, are outstanding as of the Covered Security Date; (c) each natural person who Transferred shares of or equity awards for Class B Common Stock (including any option or warrant exercisable or convertible into or any RSU that can be settled in shares of Class B Common Stock) to a Permitted Entity that is or becomes a Qualified Stockholder pursuant to subclauses (a) or (b) of this Section 4.5; and (d) a Permitted Transferee.

4.6. “Parent” of an entity shall mean any entity that directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting power of the voting securities of such entity.

4.7. “Permitted Entity” shall mean with respect to a Qualified Stockholder (a) a Permitted Trust solely for the benefit of (i) such Qualified Stockholder, (ii) one or more Family Members of such Qualified Stockholder, (iii) any other Permitted Entity of such Qualified Stockholder and/or (iv) any entity that is described in Sections 501(c)(3), 170(b)(1)(A), 170(c), 2055(a) or 2522(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor provision thereto), (b) any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other entity exclusively owned by (i) such Qualified Stockholder, (ii) one or more Family Members of such Qualified Stockholder and/or (iii) any other Permitted Entity of such Qualified Stockholder, (c) any Charitable Trust created by a Qualified Stockholder, which Charitable Trust was (x) validly created and (y) a registered holder of shares of capital stock of the corporation, in each case prior to the Covered Security Date (whether or not it continuously holds such shares of capital stock or any other shares of capital stock of the corporation at all times before or after the Covered Security Date), (d) the personal representative of the estate of a Qualified Stockholder upon the death of such Qualified Stockholder solely to the extent the executor is acting in the capacity as personal representative of such estate, (e) a revocable living trust, which revocable living trust is itself both a Permitted Trust and a Qualified Stockholder, during the lifetime of the natural person grantor of such trust, or (f) a revocable living trust, which revocable living trust is itself both a Permitted Trust and a Qualified Stockholder, following the death of the natural person grantor of such trust, solely to the extent that such shares are held in such trust pending distribution to the beneficiaries designated in such trust. Except as explicitly provided for herein, a Permitted Entity of a Qualified Stockholder shall not cease to be a Permitted Entity of that Qualified Stockholder solely by reason of the death of that Qualified Stockholder.

4.8. “Permitted Transfer” shall mean, and be restricted to, any Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock:

(a) by a Qualified Stockholder (or the estate of a deceased Qualified Stockholder) to (i) one or more Family Members of such Qualified Stockholder, or (ii) any Permitted Entity of such Qualified Stockholder; or (iii) to such Qualified Stockholder’s revocable living trust, which revocable living trust is itself both a Permitted Trust and a Qualified Stockholder;

(b) by a Permitted Entity of a Qualified Stockholder to (i) such Qualified Stockholder or one or more Family Members of such Qualified Stockholder, or (ii) any other Permitted Entity of such Qualified Stockholder; or

(c) by a Qualified Stockholder that is a natural person or revocable living trust to an entity that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor provision thereto) (a “501(c)(3) Organization”) or an entity that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) and described in Section 509(a)(3) of United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor provision thereto) (a “Supporting Organization”), as well as any Transfer by a 501(c)(3) Organization to a Supporting Organization of which such 501(c)(3) Organization (x) is a supported organization (within the meaning of Section 509(f)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor provision thereto)), and (y) has the power to appoint a majority of the board of directors, provided that such 501(c)(3) Organization or such Supporting Organization irrevocably elects, no later than the time such share of Class B Common Stock is Transferred to it, that such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically be converted into Class A Common Stock upon the death of such Qualified Stockholder or the natural person grantor of such Qualified Stockholder.

4.9. “Permitted Transferee” shall mean a transferee of shares of Class B Common Stock received in a Transfer that constitutes a Permitted Transfer.

4.10. “Permitted Trust” shall mean a bona fide trust where each trustee is (a) a Qualified Stockholder, (b) a Family Member of a Qualified Stockholder, (c) a professional in the business of providing trustee services, including private professional fiduciaries, trust companies and bank trust departments, or (d) solely in the case of any such trust established by a natural person grantor prior to the Covered Security Date, any other bona fide trustee.

4.11. “Transfer” of a share of Class B Common Stock shall mean, directly or indirectly, any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise), including, without limitation, a transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock to a broker or other nominee (regardless of whether there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership), or the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control (as defined below) over such share by proxy or otherwise. A “Transfer” shall also be deemed to have occurred with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock beneficially held by (i) an entity that is a Permitted Entity, if there occurs any act or circumstance that causes such entity to no longer be a Permitted Entity or (ii) an entity that is a Qualified Stockholder, if there occurs a Transfer on a cumulative basis, from and after the Covered Security Date, of a majority of the voting power of the voting securities of such entity or any direct or indirect Parent of such entity, other than a Transfer to parties that are, as of the Covered Security Date, holders of voting securities of any such entity or Parent of such entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be considered a “Transfer” within the meaning of this ARTICLE IV:

(a) the granting of a revocable proxy to officers or directors of the corporation at the request of the Board of Directors in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or in connection with any action by written consent of the stockholders solicited by the Board of Directors (if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation);

(b) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with stockholders who are holders of Class B Common Stock, which voting trust, agreement or arrangement (i) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary of the corporation, (ii) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by the holder of the shares subject thereto at any time and (iii) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to the holder of the shares subject thereto other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner;

(c) the pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock by a stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction for so long as such stockholder continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such shares or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer” unless such foreclosure or similar action qualifies as a “Permitted Transfer” at such time; or

(d) any change in the trustees or the person(s) and/or entity(ies) having or exercising Voting Control over shares of Class B Common Stock (i) of a Charitable Trust that qualifies as a Permitted Entity pursuant to ARTICLE IV, Section 4.7 above, or (ii) of a Permitted Entity provided that following such change such Permitted Entity continues to be a Permitted Entity pursuant to ARTICLE IV, Section 4.7 above.

4.12. “Voting Control” shall mean, with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock, the power (whether exclusive or shared) to vote or direct the voting of such share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

4.13. “Voting Threshold Date” shall mean 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the first day falling on or after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than a majority of the total voting power of the then outstanding shares of the corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board of Directors of the corporation shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the Whole Board. For purposes of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the term “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. Prior to the Voting Threshold Date, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by applicable law or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock issued pursuant to a Certificate of Designation), such adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. From and after the Voting Threshold Date, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by applicable law or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock issued pursuant to a Certificate of Designation), such adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE VI: MATTERS RELATING TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. Director Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the corporation.
  2. Number of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board.
  3. Classified Board. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, immediately following the Voting Threshold Date, the directors shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively (the “Classified Board”). The Board of Directors may assign members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to the Classified Board becoming effective to the several classes of the Classified Board, which assignments shall become effective at the same time the Classified Board becomes effective. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors, with the number of directors in each class to be divided as nearly equal as reasonably possible. The initial term of office of the Class I directors shall expire at the corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the date on which the Classified Board becomes effective, the initial term of office of the Class II directors shall expire at the corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the date on which the Classified Board becomes effective, and the initial term of office of the Class III directors shall expire at the corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the date on which the Classified Board becomes effective. At each annual meeting of stockholders following the date on which the Classified Board becomes effective, directors elected to succeed those directors of the class whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.
  4. Term and Removal.

(a) Each director shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the corporation given in writing or by any electronic transmission permitted in the corporation’s Bylaws or in accordance with applicable law. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4 of this ARTICLE VI to the contrary, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to directors elected thereby, from and after the effectiveness of the Classified Board, no director may be removed except for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation then entitled to vote at an election of directors voting together as a single class.

(c) For so long as the Federal Trade Commission’s Order Modifying Prior Decision and Order in Docket No. C-4365, dated as of April 27, 2020 (the “Order”), remains in effect, (i) no director serving on the Independent Privacy Committee, as that term is defined in the Order (any such director, a “Privacy Committee Delegate”), shall be removed solely for reasons related to actions taken in good faith in furtherance of such Privacy Committee Delegate’s duties as a member of the Independent Privacy Committee as set forth in the Order (a “Privacy Reason”), except by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, and (ii) no Privacy Committee Delegate shall be removed for reasons other than a Privacy Reason with the intent to circumvent the requirements of clause (i) above, except by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

  1. Board Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, from and after the effectiveness of the Classified Board, any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors for any cause, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, shall (unless (a) the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancy or newly created directorship shall be filled by the stockholders or (b) otherwise required by applicable law) be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which the director has been elected expires or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
  2. Vote by Ballot. Election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

ARTICLE VII: DIRECTOR LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

  1. Limitation of Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no director of the corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, if the General Corporation Law is hereafter amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of a director, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law, as so amended.
  2. Indemnification. The corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate is or was a director or officer of the corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of the corporation or any predecessor to the corporation.

 

  1. Change in Rights. Neither any amendment nor repeal of this ARTICLE VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this ARTICLE VII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VII in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article VII, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

ARTICLE VIII: MATTERS RELATING TO STOCKHOLDERS

  1. No Action by Written Consent of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to actions by the holders of shares of such series, from and after the Voting Threshold Date, (a) no action shall be taken by the stockholders of the corporation except at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and (b) no action shall be taken by the stockholders of the corporation by written consent.
  2. Special Meeting of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to actions by the holders of shares of such series, special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, the Chief Executive Officer, President or the Chairperson of the Board, and may not be called by any other person or persons. Business transacted at special meetings of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.
  3. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors of the corporation and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of stockholders of the corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the corporation.
  4. Business Combinations. The corporation elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law.

ARTICLE IX: CHOICE OF FORUM

Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law or the corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or (5) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE IX.

 

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENT OF RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of applicable law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of this corporation required by applicable law or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, from and after the Voting Threshold Date, any amendment to or repeal of this ARTICLE X or ARTICLE V, ARTICLE VI, ARTICLE VII, ARTICLE VIII or ARTICLE IX of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (or the adoption of any provision inconsistent therewith) shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

* * * * * * * * * * *

8.2 Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation of United Continental Holdings 8.2 Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation of United Continental Holdings

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

The present name of the corporation is United Continental Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”). The Corporation was incorporated under the name “UAL, Inc.” by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 30, 1968. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (this “Restated Certificate”), which restates and integrates and also further amends the provisions of the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended, integrated and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE FIRST. The name of the Corporation is UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.

ARTICLE SECOND. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE THIRD. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “GCL”).

ARTICLE FOURTH. The total number of shares of capital stock of all classes of which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,250,000,002, divided into four classes, as follows: 250,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value (hereinafter referred to as “Serial Preferred Stock”), one (1) share of Class Pilot MEC Junior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock”), one (1) share of Class IAM Junior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class IAM Preferred Stock” and, together with the Serial Preferred Stock and the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”), and 1,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”).

PART I

Serial Preferred Stock

The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is expressly authorized, without any vote or other action by the stockholders and subject to limitations prescribed by law, to adopt, from time to time, a resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of Serial Preferred Stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares in each such series and to fix the designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of each such series. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each such series shall include a determination of the following (which may vary as between the different series of Serial Preferred Stock):

(a) The number of shares constituting the series and the distinctive designation of the series;

(b) The dividend rate on the shares of the series, the conditions and dates upon which dividends thereon shall be payable, the extent, if any, to which dividends thereon shall be cumulative, and the relative rights of preference, if any, of payment of dividends thereon;

(c) Whether or not the shares of the series are redeemable and, if redeemable, the time or times during which they shall be redeemable and the amount per share payable on redemption thereof, which amount may, but need not, vary according to the time and circumstances of such redemption;

(d) The amount payable in respect of the shares of the series, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, which amount may, but need not, vary according to the time or circumstances of such action, and the relative rights of preference, if any, of payment of such amount;

(e) Any requirement as to a sinking fund for the shares of the series, or any requirement as to the redemption, purchase or other retirement by the Corporation of the shares of the series;

(f) The right, if any, to exchange or convert shares of the series into other securities or property, and the rate or basis, time, manner and condition of exchange or conversion;

(g) The voting rights, if any, to which the holders of shares of the series shall be entitled in addition to the voting rights provided by law; and

(h) Any other term, condition or provision with respect to the series not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article Fourth, Part I or any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant thereto.

PART II

Class Pilot MEC Junior Preferred Stock

Unless otherwise indicated, any reference in this Article Fourth, Part II to “Section,” “subsection,” “paragraph,” “subparagraph,” or “clause” shall refer to a Section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause in this Article Fourth, Part II.

Section 1. Issuance; Restrictions on Transfer. The share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be issued only to, and shall be held only by, (i) the United Airlines Pilots Master Executive Council (the “MEC”) of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (“ALPA”) pursuant to ALPA’s authority as the collective bargaining representative for the crafts or class of pilots employed by United Air Lines, Inc. (“United OpCo”) or (ii) a duly authorized agent acting for the benefit of the MEC. Any purported sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition (a “transfer”) of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock to any person, other than a successor to the MEC by merger or reorganization of ALPA (in any such case, an “ALPA Successor”), or a duly authorized agent acting for the benefit of ALPA or an ALPA Successor, shall be null and void and of no force and effect. Upon any purported transfer of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock by the holder thereof other than as expressly permitted above, and without any further action by the Corporation, such holder or any other person or entity, such share shall, to the extent of funds legally available therefor and subject to the other provisions of this Restated Certificate, be automatically redeemed by the Corporation in accordance with Subsection 9.2 hereof, and thereupon such share shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and neither such holder nor any purported transferee thereof shall have in respect thereof any of the voting powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock hereunder, but rather such holder thereafter shall only be entitled to receive the amount payable upon redemption in accordance with Section 9. The certificate representing the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be legended to reflect the restrictions on transfer and automatic redemption provided for herein.

 

Section 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Article Fourth, Part II, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

2.1 “Affiliate” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

2.2 “Board of Directors” shall mean the board of directors of the Corporation or any committee thereof authorized by such board of directors to perform any of its responsibilities with respect to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock.

2.3 “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.

2.4 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor act thereto.

2.5 “set apart for payment” shall be deemed to include, without any action other than the following, the recording by the Corporation in its accounting ledgers of any accounting or bookkeeping entry which indicates, pursuant to a declaration of dividends or other distribution by the Board of Directors, the allocation of funds to be so paid on any series or class of capital stock of the Corporation; provided, however, that if any funds for any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with or junior to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are placed in a separate account of the Corporation or delivered to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent, then “set apart for payment” with respect to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall mean, with respect to such distributions, placing such funds in a separate account or delivering such funds to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent.

2.6 “Transfer Agent” means the Corporation or such agent or agents of the Corporation as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors as the transfer agent for the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock.

 

Section 3. Dividends. The holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as such shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions (except as provided in Section 4).

 

Section 4. Payments upon Liquidation.

4.1 In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, before any payment or distribution of the assets of the Corporation (whether capital or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for payment to the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks junior to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive $0.01 for the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock (the “MEC Liquidation Preference”), but such holder shall not be entitled to any further payment. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the assets of the Corporation, or proceeds thereof, distributable to the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay in full the MEC Liquidation Preference and the liquidation preference on all other shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks on a parity with the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock and any such other parity stock ratably in accordance with the respective amounts that would be payable on such share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock and any such other parity stock if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. For the purposes of this Section 4, (i) a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into one or more corporations, or (ii) a sale, lease, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of the Corporation.

4.2 Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series or class of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment shall have been made to the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock, as and to the fullest extent provided in this Section 4, any series or class of stock of the Corporation that ranks junior to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

 

Section 5. Shares to be Retired. The share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock which shall have been issued and reacquired in any manner (other than redemption pursuant to Section 9.1) by the Corporation shall be retired and restored to the status of an authorized but unissued share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock and, in the event of the redemption of such share pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, shall not be reissued.

 

Section 6. Ranking.

6.1 Any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if the holders of such class or series shall be entitled to the receipt of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holder of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether or not the liquidation prices per share thereof be different from those of the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock, if the holders of such class or series and the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the receipt of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences, without preference or priority one over the other; and

(c) junior to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock, as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if the holder of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the receipt of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such class or series.

6.2 The Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be deemed to rank on a parity with the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Common Stock shall each be deemed to rank junior to the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc.

7.1 In case the Corporation enters into any consolidation, merger, share exchange or similar transaction, however named, involving the Corporation or its subsidiary, United OpCo (or any successor to all or substantially all the assets or business of United OpCo), pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are to be exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into securities of any successor or resulting or other company (including the Corporation), or cash or other property (each of the foregoing transactions is referred to herein as a “Merger Transaction”), proper provision shall be made so that, upon consummation of such transaction, the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be converted, reclassified or changed into or exchanged for preferred stock of such successor or resulting or other company having, in respect of such company, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including the rights provided by this Section 7), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, that the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock had, in respect of the Corporation, immediately prior to such transaction; specifically including, without limitation, the right, until the ALPA Termination Date (as defined in Section 8.1 below), to elect one member of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such company.

7.2 In case the Corporation shall enter into any agreement providing for any Merger Transaction, then the Corporation shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall not consummate any such Merger Transaction unless all of the terms of this Section 7 and Section 8 have been complied with.

 

Section 8. Voting. The holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

8.1 Until such time (the “ALPA Termination Date”) as (i) there are no longer any persons represented by ALPA (or any ALPA Successor) employed by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or (ii) the collective bargaining agreement between the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and ALPA has been amended by the parties thereto so that such agreement no longer provides that ALPA has the right to appoint a director of the Corporation, the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall have the right (a) voting as a separate class, to (1) elect one director to the Board of Directors at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term of office to expire at the succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, (2) remove such director with or without cause and (3) fill any vacancies in such directorship resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause, and (b) voting together as a single class with the holders of Common Stock and the holders of such other classes or series of stock that vote together with the Common Stock as a single class, to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock of the Corporation (other than the election of Directors), except as otherwise required by law.

8.2 The affirmative vote of the holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be necessary for authorizing, effecting or validating the amendment, alteration or repeal (including any amendment, alteration or repeal by operation of merger or consolidation) of any of the provisions of this Restated Certificate or of any certificate amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto (including any Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights or any similar document relating to any series of Serial Preferred Stock) which would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock.

8.3 For purposes of the foregoing provisions of Sections 8.1 and 8.2, the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall have one (1) vote.

 

Section 9. Redemption.

9.1 The share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall, to the extent of funds legally available therefor and subject to the other provisions of this Restated Certificate, be automatically redeemed on the ALPA Termination Date, at a price of $0.01 per share, as provided herein below. As promptly as reasonably possible following the occurrence of the ALPA Termination Date, the Corporation shall give notice thereof and of the redemption under this Section 9 to the record holder of the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock. From and after the redemption provided for in this Section 9.1, all rights of the holder of the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as such, except the right to receive the redemption price of such share upon the surrender of the certificate formerly representing the same, shall cease and terminate and such share shall not thereafter be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

9.2 The share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall, to the extent of funds legally available therefor and subject to the other provisions of this Restated Certificate, be automatically redeemed upon any purported transfer thereof other than as expressly permitted under Section 1.2. The redemption price to be paid in connection with any redemption shall be $0.01 per share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock. Upon any such redemption, all rights of the holder of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as such, except the right to receive the redemption price of such share upon the surrender of the certificate formerly representing the same, shall cease and terminate and such share shall not thereafter be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

9.3 The holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock so redeemed pursuant to Section 9.1 or 9.2 shall present and surrender the certificate formerly representing such share to the Corporation and thereupon the redemption price of such share shall be paid to or on the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate as the owner thereof and the surrendered certificate shall be cancelled.

 

Section 10. Record Holders. The Corporation and the Transfer Agent (if other than the Corporation) may deem and treat the record holder of the share of Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and, except as otherwise provided by law, neither the Corporation nor the Transfer Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

PART III

Class IAM Junior Preferred Stock

Unless otherwise indicated, any reference in this Article Fourth, Part III to “Section,” “subsection,” “paragraph,” “subparagraph,” or “clause” shall refer to a Section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause in this Article Fourth, Part III.

 

Section 1. Issuance; Restrictions on Transfer. The share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be issued only to, and shall be held only by, (i) the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (the “IAM”) pursuant to the IAM’s authority as the collective bargaining representative for certain crafts or classes of public contact employees, ramp and stores employees, food service and security officer employees, Mileage Plus public contact employees, fleet technical instructors and related and maintenance instructor employees employed by United OpCo or (ii) a duly authorized agent acting for the benefit of the IAM. Any purported sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition (hereinafter a “transfer”) of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock to any person, other than a successor to the IAM by merger or reorganization of the IAM (in any such case, an “IAM Successor”), or a duly authorized agent acting for the benefit of the IAM or an IAM Successor, shall be null and void and of no force and effect. Upon any purported transfer of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock by the holder thereof other than as expressly permitted above, and without any further action by the Corporation, such holder or any other person or entity, such share shall, to the extent of funds legally available therefor and subject to the other provisions of this Restated Certificate, be automatically redeemed by the Corporation in accordance with Subsection 9.2 hereof, and thereupon such share shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and neither such holder nor any purported transferee thereof shall have in respect thereof any of the voting powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or special rights ascribed to the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock hereunder, but rather such holder thereafter shall only be entitled to receive the amount payable upon redemption in accordance with Section 9. The certificate representing the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be legended to reflect the restrictions on transfer and automatic redemption provided for herein.

 

Section 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Article Fourth, Part III, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

2.1 “Affiliate” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

2.2 “Board of Directors” shall mean the board of directors of the Corporation or any committee thereof authorized by such board of directors to perform any of its responsibilities with respect to the Class IAM Preferred Stock.

2.3 “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.

2.4 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor act thereto.

2.5 “set apart for payment” shall be deemed to include, without any action other than the following, the recording by the Corporation in its accounting ledgers of any accounting or bookkeeping entry which indicates, pursuant to a declaration of dividends or other distribution by the Board of Directors, the allocation of funds to be so paid on any series or class of capital stock of the Corporation; provided, however, that if any funds for any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with or junior to the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are placed in a separate account of the Corporation or delivered to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent, then “set apart for payment” with respect to the Class IAM Preferred Stock shall mean, with respect to such distributions, placing such funds in a separate account or delivering such funds to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent.

2.6 “Transfer Agent” means the Corporation or such agent or agents of the Corporation as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors as the transfer agent for the Class IAM Preferred Stock.

 

Section 3. Dividends. The holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock as such shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions (except as provided in Section 4).

 

Section 4. Payments upon Liquidation.

4.1 In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, before any payment or distribution of the assets of the Corporation (whether capital or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for payment to the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks junior to the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive $0.01 for the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock (the “IAM Liquidation Preference”), but such holder shall not be entitled to any

further payment. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the assets of the Corporation, or proceeds thereof, distributable to the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay in full the IAM Liquidation Preference and the liquidation preference on all other shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation that ranks on a parity with the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock and any such other parity stock ratably in accordance with the respective amounts that would be payable on such share of Class IAM Preferred Stock and any such other parity stock if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. For the purposes of this Section 4, (i) a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into one or more corporations, or (ii) a sale, lease, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of the Corporation.

4.2 Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series or class of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment shall have been made to the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock, as and to the fullest extent provided in this Section 4, any series or class of stock of the Corporation that ranks junior to the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid or distributed, and the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

 

Section 5. Shares to be Retired. The share of Class IAM Preferred Stock which shall have been issued and reacquired in any manner (other than redemption pursuant to Section 9.1) by the Corporation shall be retired and restored to the status of an authorized but unissued share of Class IAM Preferred Stock and, in the event of the redemption of such share pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof, shall not be reissued.

 

Section 6. Ranking.

6.1 Any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to rank:

(a) prior to the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if the holders of such class or series shall be entitled to the receipt of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holder of Class IAM Preferred Stock;

(b) on a parity with the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether or not the liquidation prices per share thereof be different from those of the Class IAM Preferred Stock, if the holders of such class or series and the Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the receipt of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences, without preference or priority one over the other; and (c) junior to the Class IAM Preferred Stock, as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if the holder of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the receipt of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such class or series.

6.2 The Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock shall be deemed to rank on a parity with the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Common Stock shall be deemed to rank junior to the Class IAM Preferred Stock as to amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

 

Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc.

7.1 In case the Corporation enters into any consolidation, merger, share exchange or similar transaction, however named, involving the Corporation or its subsidiary, United OpCo (or any successor to all or substantially all the assets or business of United OpCo), pursuant to which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are to be exchanged for or changed, reclassified or converted into securities of any successor or resulting or other company (including the Corporation), or cash or other property (each of the foregoing transactions is referred to herein as a “Merger Transaction”), proper provision shall be made so that, upon consummation of such transaction, the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall be converted, reclassified or changed into or exchanged for preferred stock of such successor or resulting or other company having, in respect of such company, the same powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including the rights provided by this Section 7), and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, that the Class IAM Preferred Stock had, in respect of the Corporation, immediately prior to such transaction; specifically including, without limitation, the right, until the IAM Termination Date (as defined in Section 8.1 below), to elect one member of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such company.

7.2 In case the Corporation shall enter into any agreement providing for any Merger Transaction, then the Corporation shall as soon as practicable thereafter (and in any event at least fifteen (15) Business Days before consummation of such transaction) give notice of such agreement and the material terms thereof to the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall not consummate any such Merger Transaction unless all of the terms of this Section 7 and Section 8 have been complied with.

 

Section 8. Voting. The holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

8.1 Until such time (the “IAM Termination Date”) as (i) there are no longer any persons represented by the IAM (or any IAM Successor) employed by the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or (ii) the letter agreement between the Corporation and the IAM, dated as of May 1, 2003, no longer provides that the IAM has the right to appoint a director of the Corporation, the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall have the right (a) voting as a separate class, to (1) elect one director to the Board of Directors at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term of office to expire at the succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, (2) remove such director with or without cause and (3) fill any vacancies in such directorship resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause, and (b) voting together as a single class with the holders of Common Stock and the holders of such other classes or series of stock that vote together with the Common Stock as a single class, to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock of the Corporation (other than the election of Directors), except as otherwise required by law.

8.2 The affirmative vote of the holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be necessary for authorizing, effecting or validating the amendment, alteration or repeal (including any amendment, alteration or repeal by operation of merger or consolidation) of any of the provisions of this Restated Certificate or of any certificate amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto (including any Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights or any similar document relating to any series of Serial Preferred Stock) which would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Class IAM Preferred Stock.

8.3 For purposes of the foregoing provisions of Sections 8.1 and 8.2, the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall have one (1) vote.

 

Section 9. Redemption.

9.1 The share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall, to the extent of funds legally available therefor and subject to the other provisions of this Restated Certificate, be automatically redeemed on the IAM Termination Date, at a price of $0.01 per share, as provided herein below. As promptly as reasonably possible following the occurrence of the IAM Termination Date, the Corporation shall give notice thereof and of the redemption under this Section 9 to the record holder of the Class IAM Preferred Stock. From and after the redemption provided for in this Section 9.1, all rights of the holder of the Class IAM Preferred Stock as such, except the right to receive the redemption price of such share upon the surrender of the certificate formerly representing the same, shall cease and terminate and such share shall not thereafter be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

9.2 The share of Class IAM Preferred Stock shall, to the extent of funds legally available therefor and subject to the other provisions of this Restated Certificate, be automatically redeemed upon any purported transfer thereof other than as expressly permitted under Section 1.2. The redemption price to be paid in connection with any redemption shall be $0.01 per share of Class IAM Preferred Stock. Upon any such redemption, all rights of the holder of Class IAM Preferred Stock as such, except the right to receive the redemption price of such share upon the surrender of the certificate formerly representing the same, shall cease and terminate and such share shall not thereafter be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

9.3 The holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock so redeemed pursuant to Sections 9.1 or 9.2 shall present and surrender the certificate formerly representing such share to the Corporation and thereupon the redemption price of such share shall be paid to or on the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate as the owner thereof and the surrendered certificate shall be cancelled.

 

Section 10. Record Holders. The Corporation and the Transfer Agent (if other than the Corporation) may deem and treat the record holder of the share of Class IAM Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and, except as otherwise provided by law, neither the Corporation nor the Transfer Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

PART IV

Common Stock

Unless otherwise indicated, any reference in this Article Fourth, Part IV to “Section,” “subsection,” “paragraph,” “subparagraph,” or “clause” shall refer to a Section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause in this Article Fourth, Part IV.

 

Section 1. Dividends. Subject to any rights to receive dividends to which the holders of the shares of any other class or series of stock may be entitled, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends, if and when declared payable from time to time by the Board of Directors, from any funds legally available therefor.

 

Section 2. Liquidation. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after there shall have been paid to the holders of shares of any other class or series of stock ranking prior to the Common Stock in respect thereof the full amounts to which they shall be entitled, and subject to any rights of the holders of any other class or series of stock to participate therein, the holders of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, pro rata, any remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders. Subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors may distribute in kind to the holders of the shares of Common Stock such remaining assets of the Corporation, or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such remaining assets to any other corporation, trust or other entity and receive payment therefor in cash, stock or obligations of such other corporation, trust or entity or any combination thereof, and may sell all or any part of the consideration so received, and may distribute the consideration so received or any balance thereof in kind to holders of the shares of Common Stock. The voluntary sale, conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all the property or assets of the Corporation (unless in connection therewith the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation is specifically approved), or the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or any purchase or redemption of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the corporation for the purpose of this Section 2.

 

Section 3. Voting. Except as provided by law or this Restated Certificate, each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Corporation shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.

 

PART V

Section 1. No Preemptive Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein, no holder of stock of the Corporation of any class shall have any preemptive, preferential or other right to purchase or subscribe for any shares of stock, whether now or hereafter authorized, of the Corporation of any class, or any obligations convertible into, or any options or warrants to purchase, any shares of stock, whether now or hereafter authorized, of the Corporation of any class, other than such, if any, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and at such price as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix; and any shares of stock or any obligations, options or warrants which the Board of Directors may determine to offer for subscription to holders of any shares of stock of the Corporation may, as the Board of Directors shall determine, be offered to holders of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or classes or series, and if offered to holders of shares of stock of more than one class or series, in such proportions as between such classes and series as the Board of Directors may determine.

 

Section 2. Non-Citizen Voting Limitation. All (x) capital stock of, or other equity interests in, the Corporation, (y) securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock, voting securities or other equity interests in the Corporation, and (z) options, warrants or other rights to acquire the securities described in clauses (x) and (y), whether fixed or contingent, matured or unmatured, contractual, legal, equitable or otherwise (collectively, “Equity Securities”) shall be subject to the following limitations:

(a) Non-Citizen Voting Limitation. In no event shall the total number of shares of Equity Securities held by all persons who fail to qualify as a “citizen of the United States,” as the term is used in Section 40102(a)(15) of Title 49 of the United States Code, in any similar legislation of the United States enacted in substitution or replacement therefor, and as interpreted by the Department of Transportation, be entitled to be more than 24.9% (or such other maximum percentage as such Section or substitute or replacement legislation shall hereafter provide) of the aggregate votes of all outstanding Equity Securities of the Corporation (the “Cap Amount”).

(b) Allocation of Cap Amounts. The restrictions imposed by the Cap Amount shall be applied pro rata among the holders of Equity Securities who fail to qualify as “citizens of the United States” based on the number of votes the underlying securities are entitled to.

(c) Each certificate or other representative document for Equity Securities (including each such certificate or representative document for Equity Securities issued upon any permitted transfer of Equity Securities) shall contain a legend in substantially the following form:

“The [type of Equity Securities] represented by this [certificate/representative document] are subject to voting restrictions with respect to [shares/warrants, etc.] held by persons or entities that fail to qualify as “citizens of the United States” as the term is defined used in Section 40102(a)(15) of Title 49 of the United States Code. Such voting restrictions are contained in the Restated Certificate of United Airlines Holdings, Inc., as the same may be amended or restated from time to time. A complete and correct copy of the Restated Certificate shall be furnished free of charge to the holder of such shares of [type of Equity Securities] upon written request to the Secretary of United Airlines Holdings, Inc.”

 

Section 3. Restrictions on Issuance of Securities. (a) The Corporation shall not issue nonvoting equity securities to the extent prohibited by Section 1123(a)(6) of the United States Bankruptcy Code for so long as such Section is in effect and applicable to the Corporation.

(b) Except as required by law or as approved by the stockholders, the Corporation shall not issue Serial Preferred Stock pursuant to Article Fourth, Part I with voting rights (unless such Serial Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock, in which case such Serial Preferred Stock may vote with the Common Stock on an as-converted basis).

 

Section 4. Stockholder Action. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

Section 5. 5% Ownership Limit.

5.1 For purposes of Sections 5, 6 and 7, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated (and any references to any portions of Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T shall include any successor provisions):

“5% Transaction” means any Transfer of Corporation Securities described in clause (y) or (z) of paragraph 5.2, subject to the provision of such paragraph 5.2.

An “Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person, that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; and, for the purposes of this definition only, “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management, policies or activities of a Person whether through the ownership of securities, by contract or agency or otherwise.

“Associate” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

A Person will be deemed the “Beneficial Owner” of, and will be deemed to “Beneficially Own,” and will be deemed to have “Beneficial Ownership” of:

(a) any securities that such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is deemed to “Beneficially Own” within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, and any securities deposited into a trust established by or on behalf of the Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates, the sole beneficiaries of which are the shareholders of the Person;

(b) any securities (the “Underlying Securities”) that such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or oral), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise (it being understood that such Person will also be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for the Underlying Securities); and

(c) any securities Beneficially Owned by persons that are part of a “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b) under the Exchange Act) with such Person. For purposes of calculating the percentage of Voting Securities that are Beneficially Owned by any Person, such calculation will be made based on the aggregate number of issued and outstanding securities at the time of such calculation, but will not include in the denominator any such securities issuable upon any options, warrants or other securities that are exercisable for such securities.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Corporation Securities” means (i) shares of Common Stock, (ii) shares of Preferred Stock (other than preferred stock described in Section 1504(a)(4) of the Code), (iii) warrants, rights, or options (including options within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T(h)(4)(v)) to purchase stock of the Corporation, and (iv) any other interest that would be treated as “stock” of the Corporation pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T(f)(18).

“Effective Date” means February 1, 2006.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor act thereto.

“Five-Percent Shareholder” means a Person or group of Persons that is identified as a “5-percent shareholder” of the Corporation pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T(g).

“Percentage Stock Ownership” means the percentage Stock Ownership interest as determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T(g), (h), (j) and (k).

“Person” means any individual, firm, corporation or other legal entity, and includes any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

“Prohibited Transfer” means any purported Transfer of Corporation Securities to the extent that such Transfer is prohibited and/or void under this Section 5.

“Tax Benefit” means the net operating loss carryovers, capital loss carryovers, general business credit carryovers, alternative minimum tax credit carryovers and foreign tax credit carryovers, as well as any loss or deduction attributable to a “net unrealized built-in loss” within the meaning of Section 382, of the Corporation or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof.

“Transfer” means, with respect to any person other than the Corporation, any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance, pledge or other disposition, other than a sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance, pledge or other disposition to a wholly owned subsidiary of the transferor, or, if the transferor is wholly owned by a Person, to a wholly owned subsidiary of such Person. A Transfer also shall include the creation or grant of an option (including an option within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T(h)(4)(v)).

“Voting Securities” means all securities that by their terms are entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Corporation (without giving effect to any contractual limitations on voting).

5.2 Any attempted Transfer of Corporation Securities prior to the earliest of (A) February 1, 2014, or such later date as may be approved by the Board of Directors, (B) the repeal, amendment or modification of Section 382 of the Code (and any comparable successor provision) (“Section 382”) in such a way as to render the restrictions imposed by Section 382 no longer applicable to the Corporation, (C) the beginning of a taxable year of the Corporation (or any successor thereof) in which no Tax Benefits are available, and (D) the date on which the limitation amount imposed by Section 382 in the event of an ownership change of the Corporation, as defined in Section 382, would not be materially less than the net operating loss carryforward or net unrealized built-in loss of the Corporation (the “Restriction Release Date”), or any attempted Transfer of Corporation Securities pursuant to an agreement entered into prior to the Restriction Release Date, shall be prohibited and void ab initio so far as it purports to transfer ownership or rights in respect of such stock to the Purported Transferee (y) if the transferor is a Five-Percent Shareholder or (z) to the extent that, as a result of such Transfer (or any series of Transfers of which such Transfer is a part), either (1) any Person or group of Persons shall become a Five-Percent Shareholder other than by reason of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(j)(3) or any successor to such regulation or (2) the Percentage Stock Ownership interest in the Corporation of any Five-Percent Shareholder shall be increased; provided, that this paragraph 5.2 shall not apply to, nor shall any other provision in this Restated Certificate prohibit, restrict or limit in any way, (i) the issuance of Corporation Securities by the Corporation in accordance with the Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of the Corporation dated January 20, 2006 (the “Chapter 11 Plan”) or (ii) the issuance of Corporation Securities by the Corporation pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger among UAL Corporation, Continental Airlines, Inc. and JT Merger Sub Inc. dated as of May 2, 2010, but not any subsequent transfer of such Corporation Securities.

5.3 The restrictions set forth in paragraph 5.2 shall not apply to an attempted Transfer that is a 5% Transaction if the transferor or the transferee obtains the prior written approval of the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof.

As a condition to granting its approval pursuant to this paragraph 5.3, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require (at the expense of the transferor and/or transferee) an opinion of counsel selected by the Board of Directors that the Transfer shall not result in the application of any Section 382 limitation on the use of the Tax Benefits. The Board of Directors may exercise the authority granted by this Section 5 through duly authorized officers or agents of the Corporation.

5.4 Each certificate representing shares of Corporation Securities issued prior to the Restriction Release Date shall contain the legend set forth on Exhibit A hereto, evidencing the restrictions set forth in this Section 5 and Sections 6 and 7.

 

Section 6. Treatment of Excess Securities.

6.1 No employee or agent of the Corporation shall record any Prohibited Transfer, and the purported transferee of such a Prohibited Transfer (the “Purported Transferee”) shall not be recognized as a stockholder of the Corporation for any purpose whatsoever in respect of the Corporation Securities which are the subject of the Prohibited Transfer (the “Excess Securities”). Until the Excess Securities are acquired by another Person in a Transfer that is not a Prohibited Transfer, the Purported Transferee shall not be entitled with respect to such Excess Securities to any rights of stockholders of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Excess Securities and to receive dividends or distributions, whether liquidating or otherwise, in respect thereof, if any; provided, however, that the Transferor of such Excess Securities shall not be required to disgorge, and shall be permitted to retain for its own account, any proceeds of such Transfer, and shall have no further rights, responsibilities, obligations or liabilities with respect to such Excess Securities, if such Transfer was a Prohibited Transfer pursuant to Section 5.2(z). Once the Excess Securities have been acquired in a Transfer that is not a Prohibited Transfer, the Corporation Securities shall cease to be Excess Securities. For this purpose, any transfer of Excess Securities not in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6 shall also be a Prohibited Transfer.

6.2 If the Board of Directors determines that a Transfer of Corporation Securities constitutes a Prohibited Transfer then, upon written demand by the Corporation, the Purported Transferee shall transfer or cause to be transferred any certificate or other evidence of ownership of the Excess Securities within the Purported Transferee’s possession or control, together with any dividends or other distributions that were received by the Purported Transferee from the Corporation with respect to the Excess Securities (“Prohibited Distributions”), to an agent designated by the Board of Directors (the “Agent”). The Agent shall thereupon sell to a buyer or buyers, which may include the Corporation, the Excess Securities transferred to it in one or more arm’s-length transactions (over the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange on which the Corporation Securities may be traded, if possible, or otherwise privately); provided, however, that the Agent shall effect such sale or sales in an orderly fashion and shall not be required to effect any such sale within any specific time frame if, in the Agent’s discretion, such sale or sales would disrupt the market for the Corporation Securities or otherwise would adversely affect the value of the Corporation Securities. If the Purported Transferee has resold the Excess Securities before receiving the Corporation’s demand to surrender Excess Securities to the Agent, the Purported Transferee shall be deemed to have sold the Excess Securities for the Agent, and shall be required to transfer to the Agent any Prohibited Distributions and proceeds of such sale, except to the extent that the Corporation grants written permission to the Purported Transferee to retain a portion of such sales proceeds not exceeding the amount that the Purported Transferee would have received from the Agent pursuant to Section 6.3 if the Agent rather than the Purported Transferee had resold the Excess Securities.

6.3 The Agent shall apply any proceeds of a sale by it of Excess Securities and, if the Purported Transferee had previously resold the Excess Securities, any amounts received by it from a Purported Transferee as follows: (x) first, such amounts shall be paid to the Agent to the extent necessary to cover its costs and expenses incurred in connection with its duties hereunder; (y) second, any remaining amounts shall be paid to the Purported Transferee, up to the amount paid by the Purported Transferee for the Excess Securities (or the fair market value, (1) calculated on the basis of the closing market price for the Corporation Securities on the day before the Prohibited Transfer, (2) if the Corporation Securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any stock exchange but are traded in the over-the-counter market, calculated based upon the difference between the highest bid and lowest asked prices, as such prices are reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers through its NASDAQ system or any successor system on the day before the Prohibited Transfer or, if none, on the last preceding day for which such quotations exist, or (3) if the Corporation Securities are neither listed nor admitted to trading on any stock exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, then as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, of the Excess Securities at the time of the Prohibited Transfer to the Purported Transferee by gift, inheritance, or similar Transfer), which amount (or fair market value) shall be determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors; and (z) third, any remaining amounts, subject to the limitations imposed by the following proviso, shall be paid to one or more organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code (or any comparable successor provision) (“Section 501(c)(3)”) selected by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that if the Excess Securities (including any Excess Securities arising from a previous Prohibited Transfer not sold by the Agent in a prior sale or sales), represent a 5% or greater Percentage Stock Ownership in any class of Corporation Securities, then any such remaining amounts to the extent attributable to the disposition of the portion of such Excess Securities exceeding a 4.99% Percentage Stock Ownership interest in such class shall be paid to two or more organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) selected by the Board of Directors. The recourse of any Purported Transferee in respect of any Prohibited Transfer shall be limited to the amount payable to the Purported Transferee pursuant to clause (y) of the preceding sentence. In no event shall the proceeds of any sale of Excess Securities pursuant to this Section 6 inure to the benefit of the Corporation.

6.4 If the Purported Transferee fails to surrender the Excess Securities or the proceeds of a sale thereof to the Agent within thirty days from the date on which the Corporation makes a written demand pursuant to Section 6.2, then the Corporation shall use its best efforts to enforce the provisions hereof, including the institution of legal proceedings to compel the surrender.

6.5 The Corporation shall make the written demand described in Section 6.2 within thirty days of the date on which the Board of Directors determines that the attempted Transfer would result in Excess Securities; provided, however, that if the Corporation makes such demand at a later date, the provisions of Sections 5 and 6 shall apply nonetheless.

 

Section 7. Board Authority.

The Board of Directors shall have the power to determine all matters necessary for assessing compliance with Sections 5 and 6, including, without limitation, (A) the identification of Five-Percent Shareholders, (B) whether a Transfer is a 5% Transaction or a Prohibited Transfer, (C) the Percentage Stock Ownership in the Corporation of any Five-Percent Shareholder, (D) whether an instrument constitutes a Corporation Security, (E) the amount (or fair market value) due to a Purported Transferee pursuant to clause (y) of Section 6.3, and (F) any other matters which the Board of Directors determines to be relevant; and the good faith determination of the Board of Directors on such matters shall be conclusive and binding for all the purposes of Sections 5 and 6.

 

ARTICLE FIFTH.

Unless otherwise indicated, any reference in this Article Fifth to “Section,” “subsection,” “paragraph,” “subparagraph,” or “clause” shall refer to a Section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause in this Article Fifth.

Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Restated Certificate, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1.1 “Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

1.2 “Director” means a director of the Corporation.

1.3 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor act thereto.

1.4 “GCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.

1.5 “Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization, or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

1.6 “Restated Bylaws” means the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended from time to time.

1.7 “Stockholders” means the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

Section 2. Directors.

2.1 General Powers. Except as otherwise provided in this Restated Certificate, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this Restated Certificate, the Restated Bylaws or applicable law, as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation. In addition to the powers conferred expressly by this Restated Certificate and the Restated Bylaws, the Board of Directors may exercise all powers and perform all acts that are not required, by this Restated Certificate, the Restated Bylaws or applicable law, to be exercised or performed by the Stockholders.

2.2 Number. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth hereof relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock to elect Directors and take certain actions with respect to such elected Directors, the number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors (but shall not be fewer than five).

2.3 Term of Office. Except as otherwise provided in this Restated Certificate, each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, subject to such Director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

2.4 Resignation of Directors. Any Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation.

2.5 Voting by Directors. Subject to any greater or additional vote of the Board or of any class of Directors required by law, by this Restated Certificate or the Restated Bylaws, an act of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the Directors present at a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present. Each Director shall have one vote.

 

Section 3. Special Voting Provisions.

3.1 Election of Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Restated Certificate, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class, to elect one or more Directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate or the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors establishing such series of Preferred Stock. During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock (other than the Class Pilot MEC Preferred Stock and the Class IAM Preferred Stock) have the right to elect additional Directors as provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth hereof, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of Directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by such specified number of Directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional Directors so provided for or fixed by or pursuant to said provisions, and (ii) each such additional Director shall serve until such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions establishing a series of Preferred Stock, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having a right to elect additional Directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such series of Preferred Stock, the terms of office of all such additional Directors elected by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, or selected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional Directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total authorized number of Directors of the Corporation shall be reduced accordingly.

3.2 Amendment to the Restated Bylaws. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the Restated Bylaws, and to adopt new bylaws; provided, however, that (i) prior to the Chairman Succession Date (as defined in the Restated Bylaws), the Board of Directors shall not be permitted to alter, amend or repeal Section 5.5(c), Section 5.14, the last sentence of Section 5.6 or the proviso to Section 8.1 and (ii) no bylaws hereafter adopted shall invalidate any prior act of the Board of Directors that would have been valid if such bylaws had not been adopted.

 

ARTICLE SIXTH.

(a) A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

(b) Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or employee shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the GCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in paragraph (c) hereof, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify a director or officer for costs and expenses relating to proceedings (or any part thereof) instituted against the Corporation by such director or officer (other than proceedings pursuant to which such director or officer is seeking to enforce such director’s or officer’s indemnification rights hereunder). The right to indemnification conferred in this Article Sixth with respect to directors and officers shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the GCL requires, the payment of such expense incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article Sixth or otherwise. The Corporation may provide indemnification to employees (other than officers) and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers to the extent (i) permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware as from time to time in effect, and (ii) authorized in the sole discretion any of the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel of the Corporation; provided, however, that any such indemnification shall not constitute a contract right for any such employee or agent.

(c) If a claim under paragraph (b) of this Article Sixth is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the GCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the GCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(d) The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article Sixth shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Restated Certificate, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

(e) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the GCL.

 

ARTICLE SEVENTH.

Except as expressly provided in this Restated Certificate, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of Delaware and this Restated Certificate, and all rights and powers conferred herein upon stockholders and directors are granted subject to this reservation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this 27th day of June, 2019.

 

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.
   
 

By:

  

/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft
 

Name:

  

Jennifer L. Kraft
 

Title:

  

Vice President and Secretary