acquisition will be included in determining service for such purposes.
3.Non-Transferability and Other Restrictions.
3.1 Non-Transferability. The award, as well as the RSRs (and related Dividend Equivalents) subject to the award, are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge. The foregoing transfer restrictions shall not apply to transfers to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may honor any transfer required pursuant to the terms of a court order in a divorce or similar domestic relations matter to the extent that such transfer does not adversely affect the Company’s ability to register the offer and sale of the underlying shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement and such transfer is otherwise in compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory and listing requirements.
3.2 Forfeiture or Recoupment of Awards. If, prior to payment or issuance of shares with respect to the award, Grantee’s employment is terminated for Cause (or Grantee has engaged in misconduct that could have resulted in Grantee’s termination of employment for Cause if Grantee had remained an employee), the Company may reduce or eliminate any payments or issuances of shares with respect to the award. You agree to be bound by and fully comply with the Company’s Policy regarding the Recoupment of Certain Incentive Compensation Payments filed as Exhibit 97 to the Company’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and as in effect from time to time (“Recoupment Policy.”). Any payments or issuances of shares with respect to the award are subject to recoupment pursuant to the Recoupment Policy , as well as any recoupment or similar provisions of applicable law, and the Grantee shall promptly make any reimbursement requested by the Board or Committee pursuant to such policy or applicable law with respect to the award. The Grantee agrees, by accepting the award, that the Company and its affiliates may deduct from any amounts it may owe the Grantee from time to time (such as wages or other compensation) to the extent of any amounts the Grantee is required to reimburse the Company pursuant to such policy or applicable law with respect to the award.
4.Post-Employment Conduct.
4.1 Executive Leadership Team Contribution. You acknowledge and agree that as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (“ELT”), you are involved in managing the global operations of the Company, incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Virginia. You are involved in the most sensitive and proprietary matters affecting the Company, its subsidiaries, predecessors, and/or affiliates (collectively, “Northrop Grumman”), including from a technical, strategic and financial perspective, and are widely exposed to confidential, sensitive and proprietary information concerning Northrop Grumman’s global operations, at the headquarters and each of the operating sectors, including in the areas of autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, sensors, electronics, and logistics and modernization. Your job responsibilities require that you have a primary office location in Virginia and/or you
spend substantial time at the corporate headquarters in Virginia, among other things, attending ELT and other leadership meetings, and managing operations and employees in Virginia. You occupy one of the most senior executive positions in the Company and have far-reaching access to highly confidential, valuable and sensitive information, customer, vendor and employee relationships, intellectual property, strategic and tactical plans, and financial information and plans. The Company has a legitimate business interest in restricting your ability to compete in the specific manner set forth below. The Company has provided you this grant, subject to this Agreement and as consideration for the restrictive covenants set forth in this Section 4; provided that the provisions of Sections 4.2 and 4.3 in this Agreement and prior grant agreements shall not apply where not permitted by applicable law.
4.2 Non-Competition. For a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the termination of Grantee’s employment for any reason (other than a Reduction-in-Force as determined at the Company’s sole discretion) (“Termination”), you will not, directly or indirectly, oversee, control, participate in, or support the design, operation, research, manufacture, marketing, sale, or distribution of “Competitive Products and Services”. For the purpose of this section, “Competitive Products and Services” shall mean products or services that compete for resources with, or are an alternative or potential alternative to, the products sold or services provided by Northrop Grumman, including without limitation products and services in the areas of autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, sensors, electronics, and logistics and modernization.
4.3Non-Solicitation of Customers. For a period of eighteen (18) months from your Termination, you shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit any customer, supplier, or teammate of Northrop Grumman with whom you engaged, or about whom you received confidential, sensitive, or proprietary information, in the course of your employment with Northrop Grumman, for purposes of providing products or services in competition with Northrop Grumman. In the case of a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, department or other governmental authority, the customer is determined by reference to the specific program offices or activities for which Northrop Grumman provides goods or services.
4.4Non-Solicitation of Employees. For a period of twenty-four (24) months from your Termination, you shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or offer to hire, any person who was, within a period of six months prior to your Termination, employed by Northrop Grumman, with whom you worked or about whom you received information in the course of your employment with Northrop Grumman.
4.5 Non-Disparagement. You will not issue or communicate any statement, whether verbal or written, or take any other action that disparages or may be interpreted to disparage the Company, its products, services, officers, directors, or employees; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any truthful statements made in connection with a legal process, including