assignment of right clause

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Assignments: The Basic Law

The assignment of a right or obligation is a common contractual event under the law and the right to assign (or prohibition against assignments) is found in the majority of agreements, leases and business structural documents created in the United States.

As with many terms commonly used, people are familiar with the term but often are not aware or fully aware of what the terms entail. The concept of assignment of rights and obligations is one of those simple concepts with wide ranging ramifications in the contractual and business context and the law imposes severe restrictions on the validity and effect of assignment in many instances. Clear contractual provisions concerning assignments and rights should be in every document and structure created and this article will outline why such drafting is essential for the creation of appropriate and effective contracts and structures.

The reader should first read the article on Limited Liability Entities in the United States and Contracts since the information in those articles will be assumed in this article.

Basic Definitions and Concepts:

An assignment is the transfer of rights held by one party called the “assignor” to another party called the “assignee.” The legal nature of the assignment and the contractual terms of the agreement between the parties determines some additional rights and liabilities that accompany the assignment. The assignment of rights under a contract usually completely transfers the rights to the assignee to receive the benefits accruing under the contract. Ordinarily, the term assignment is limited to the transfer of rights that are intangible, like contractual rights and rights connected with property. Merchants Service Co. v. Small Claims Court , 35 Cal. 2d 109, 113-114 (Cal. 1950).

An assignment will generally be permitted under the law unless there is an express prohibition against assignment in the underlying contract or lease. Where assignments are permitted, the assignor need not consult the other party to the contract but may merely assign the rights at that time. However, an assignment cannot have any adverse effect on the duties of the other party to the contract, nor can it diminish the chance of the other party receiving complete performance. The assignor normally remains liable unless there is an agreement to the contrary by the other party to the contract.

The effect of a valid assignment is to remove privity between the assignor and the obligor and create privity between the obligor and the assignee. Privity is usually defined as a direct and immediate contractual relationship. See Merchants case above.

Further, for the assignment to be effective in most jurisdictions, it must occur in the present. One does not normally assign a future right; the assignment vests immediate rights and obligations.

No specific language is required to create an assignment so long as the assignor makes clear his/her intent to assign identified contractual rights to the assignee. Since expensive litigation can erupt from ambiguous or vague language, obtaining the correct verbiage is vital. An agreement must manifest the intent to transfer rights and can either be oral or in writing and the rights assigned must be certain.

Note that an assignment of an interest is the transfer of some identifiable property, claim, or right from the assignor to the assignee. The assignment operates to transfer to the assignee all of the rights, title, or interest of the assignor in the thing assigned. A transfer of all rights, title, and interests conveys everything that the assignor owned in the thing assigned and the assignee stands in the shoes of the assignor. Knott v. McDonald’s Corp ., 985 F. Supp. 1222 (N.D. Cal. 1997)

The parties must intend to effectuate an assignment at the time of the transfer, although no particular language or procedure is necessary. As long ago as the case of National Reserve Co. v. Metropolitan Trust Co ., 17 Cal. 2d 827 (Cal. 1941), the court held that in determining what rights or interests pass under an assignment, the intention of the parties as manifested in the instrument is controlling.

The intent of the parties to an assignment is a question of fact to be derived not only from the instrument executed by the parties but also from the surrounding circumstances. When there is no writing to evidence the intention to transfer some identifiable property, claim, or right, it is necessary to scrutinize the surrounding circumstances and parties’ acts to ascertain their intentions. Strosberg v. Brauvin Realty Servs., 295 Ill. App. 3d 17 (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. 1998)

The general rule applicable to assignments of choses in action is that an assignment, unless there is a contract to the contrary, carries with it all securities held by the assignor as collateral to the claim and all rights incidental thereto and vests in the assignee the equitable title to such collateral securities and incidental rights. An unqualified assignment of a contract or chose in action, however, with no indication of the intent of the parties, vests in the assignee the assigned contract or chose and all rights and remedies incidental thereto.

More examples: In Strosberg v. Brauvin Realty Servs ., 295 Ill. App. 3d 17 (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. 1998), the court held that the assignee of a party to a subordination agreement is entitled to the benefits and is subject to the burdens of the agreement. In Florida E. C. R. Co. v. Eno , 99 Fla. 887 (Fla. 1930), the court held that the mere assignment of all sums due in and of itself creates no different or other liability of the owner to the assignee than that which existed from the owner to the assignor.

And note that even though an assignment vests in the assignee all rights, remedies, and contingent benefits which are incidental to the thing assigned, those which are personal to the assignor and for his sole benefit are not assigned. Rasp v. Hidden Valley Lake, Inc ., 519 N.E.2d 153, 158 (Ind. Ct. App. 1988). Thus, if the underlying agreement provides that a service can only be provided to X, X cannot assign that right to Y.

Novation Compared to Assignment:

Although the difference between a novation and an assignment may appear narrow, it is an essential one. “Novation is a act whereby one party transfers all its obligations and benefits under a contract to a third party.” In a novation, a third party successfully substitutes the original party as a party to the contract. “When a contract is novated, the other contracting party must be left in the same position he was in prior to the novation being made.”

A sublease is the transfer when a tenant retains some right of reentry onto the leased premises. However, if the tenant transfers the entire leasehold estate, retaining no right of reentry or other reversionary interest, then the transfer is an assignment. The assignor is normally also removed from liability to the landlord only if the landlord consents or allowed that right in the lease. In a sublease, the original tenant is not released from the obligations of the original lease.

Equitable Assignments:

An equitable assignment is one in which one has a future interest and is not valid at law but valid in a court of equity. In National Bank of Republic v. United Sec. Life Ins. & Trust Co. , 17 App. D.C. 112 (D.C. Cir. 1900), the court held that to constitute an equitable assignment of a chose in action, the following has to occur generally: anything said written or done, in pursuance of an agreement and for valuable consideration, or in consideration of an antecedent debt, to place a chose in action or fund out of the control of the owner, and appropriate it to or in favor of another person, amounts to an equitable assignment. Thus, an agreement, between a debtor and a creditor, that the debt shall be paid out of a specific fund going to the debtor may operate as an equitable assignment.

In Egyptian Navigation Co. v. Baker Invs. Corp. , 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30804 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 14, 2008), the court stated that an equitable assignment occurs under English law when an assignor, with an intent to transfer his/her right to a chose in action, informs the assignee about the right so transferred.

An executory agreement or a declaration of trust are also equitable assignments if unenforceable as assignments by a court of law but enforceable by a court of equity exercising sound discretion according to the circumstances of the case. Since California combines courts of equity and courts of law, the same court would hear arguments as to whether an equitable assignment had occurred. Quite often, such relief is granted to avoid fraud or unjust enrichment.

Note that obtaining an assignment through fraudulent means invalidates the assignment. Fraud destroys the validity of everything into which it enters. It vitiates the most solemn contracts, documents, and even judgments. Walker v. Rich , 79 Cal. App. 139 (Cal. App. 1926). If an assignment is made with the fraudulent intent to delay, hinder, and defraud creditors, then it is void as fraudulent in fact. See our article on Transfers to Defraud Creditors .

But note that the motives that prompted an assignor to make the transfer will be considered as immaterial and will constitute no defense to an action by the assignee, if an assignment is considered as valid in all other respects.

Enforceability of Assignments:

Whether a right under a contract is capable of being transferred is determined by the law of the place where the contract was entered into. The validity and effect of an assignment is determined by the law of the place of assignment. The validity of an assignment of a contractual right is governed by the law of the state with the most significant relationship to the assignment and the parties.

In some jurisdictions, the traditional conflict of laws rules governing assignments has been rejected and the law of the place having the most significant contacts with the assignment applies. In Downs v. American Mut. Liability Ins. Co ., 14 N.Y.2d 266 (N.Y. 1964), a wife and her husband separated and the wife obtained a judgment of separation from the husband in New York. The judgment required the husband to pay a certain yearly sum to the wife. The husband assigned 50 percent of his future salary, wages, and earnings to the wife. The agreement authorized the employer to make such payments to the wife.

After the husband moved from New York, the wife learned that he was employed by an employer in Massachusetts. She sent the proper notice and demanded payment under the agreement. The employer refused and the wife brought an action for enforcement. The court observed that Massachusetts did not prohibit assignment of the husband’s wages. Moreover, Massachusetts law was not controlling because New York had the most significant relationship with the assignment. Therefore, the court ruled in favor of the wife.

Therefore, the validity of an assignment is determined by looking to the law of the forum with the most significant relationship to the assignment itself. To determine the applicable law of assignments, the court must look to the law of the state which is most significantly related to the principal issue before it.

Assignment of Contractual Rights:

Generally, the law allows the assignment of a contractual right unless the substitution of rights would materially change the duty of the obligor, materially increase the burden or risk imposed on the obligor by the contract, materially impair the chance of obtaining return performance, or materially reduce the value of the performance to the obligor. Restat 2d of Contracts, § 317(2)(a). This presumes that the underlying agreement is silent on the right to assign.

If the contract specifically precludes assignment, the contractual right is not assignable. Whether a contract is assignable is a matter of contractual intent and one must look to the language used by the parties to discern that intent.

In the absence of an express provision to the contrary, the rights and duties under a bilateral executory contract that does not involve personal skill, trust, or confidence may be assigned without the consent of the other party. But note that an assignment is invalid if it would materially alter the other party’s duties and responsibilities. Once an assignment is effective, the assignee stands in the shoes of the assignor and assumes all of assignor’s rights. Hence, after a valid assignment, the assignor’s right to performance is extinguished, transferred to assignee, and the assignee possesses the same rights, benefits, and remedies assignor once possessed. Robert Lamb Hart Planners & Architects v. Evergreen, Ltd. , 787 F. Supp. 753 (S.D. Ohio 1992).

On the other hand, an assignee’s right against the obligor is subject to “all of the limitations of the assignor’s right, all defenses thereto, and all set-offs and counterclaims which would have been available against the assignor had there been no assignment, provided that these defenses and set-offs are based on facts existing at the time of the assignment.” See Robert Lamb , case, above.

The power of the contract to restrict assignment is broad. Usually, contractual provisions that restrict assignment of the contract without the consent of the obligor are valid and enforceable, even when there is statutory authorization for the assignment. The restriction of the power to assign is often ineffective unless the restriction is expressly and precisely stated. Anti-assignment clauses are effective only if they contain clear, unambiguous language of prohibition. Anti-assignment clauses protect only the obligor and do not affect the transaction between the assignee and assignor.

Usually, a prohibition against the assignment of a contract does not prevent an assignment of the right to receive payments due, unless circumstances indicate the contrary. Moreover, the contracting parties cannot, by a mere non-assignment provision, prevent the effectual alienation of the right to money which becomes due under the contract.

A contract provision prohibiting or restricting an assignment may be waived, or a party may so act as to be estopped from objecting to the assignment, such as by effectively ratifying the assignment. The power to void an assignment made in violation of an anti-assignment clause may be waived either before or after the assignment. See our article on Contracts.

Noncompete Clauses and Assignments:

Of critical import to most buyers of businesses is the ability to ensure that key employees of the business being purchased cannot start a competing company. Some states strictly limit such clauses, some do allow them. California does restrict noncompete clauses, only allowing them under certain circumstances. A common question in those states that do allow them is whether such rights can be assigned to a new party, such as the buyer of the buyer.

A covenant not to compete, also called a non-competitive clause, is a formal agreement prohibiting one party from performing similar work or business within a designated area for a specified amount of time. This type of clause is generally included in contracts between employer and employee and contracts between buyer and seller of a business.

Many workers sign a covenant not to compete as part of the paperwork required for employment. It may be a separate document similar to a non-disclosure agreement, or buried within a number of other clauses in a contract. A covenant not to compete is generally legal and enforceable, although there are some exceptions and restrictions.

Whenever a company recruits skilled employees, it invests a significant amount of time and training. For example, it often takes years before a research chemist or a design engineer develops a workable knowledge of a company’s product line, including trade secrets and highly sensitive information. Once an employee gains this knowledge and experience, however, all sorts of things can happen. The employee could work for the company until retirement, accept a better offer from a competing company or start up his or her own business.

A covenant not to compete may cover a number of potential issues between employers and former employees. Many companies spend years developing a local base of customers or clients. It is important that this customer base not fall into the hands of local competitors. When an employee signs a covenant not to compete, he or she usually agrees not to use insider knowledge of the company’s customer base to disadvantage the company. The covenant not to compete often defines a broad geographical area considered off-limits to former employees, possibly tens or hundreds of miles.

Another area of concern covered by a covenant not to compete is a potential ‘brain drain’. Some high-level former employees may seek to recruit others from the same company to create new competition. Retention of employees, especially those with unique skills or proprietary knowledge, is vital for most companies, so a covenant not to compete may spell out definite restrictions on the hiring or recruiting of employees.

A covenant not to compete may also define a specific amount of time before a former employee can seek employment in a similar field. Many companies offer a substantial severance package to make sure former employees are financially solvent until the terms of the covenant not to compete have been met.

Because the use of a covenant not to compete can be controversial, a handful of states, including California, have largely banned this type of contractual language. The legal enforcement of these agreements falls on individual states, and many have sided with the employee during arbitration or litigation. A covenant not to compete must be reasonable and specific, with defined time periods and coverage areas. If the agreement gives the company too much power over former employees or is ambiguous, state courts may declare it to be overbroad and therefore unenforceable. In such case, the employee would be free to pursue any employment opportunity, including working for a direct competitor or starting up a new company of his or her own.

It has been held that an employee’s covenant not to compete is assignable where one business is transferred to another, that a merger does not constitute an assignment of a covenant not to compete, and that a covenant not to compete is enforceable by a successor to the employer where the assignment does not create an added burden of employment or other disadvantage to the employee. However, in some states such as Hawaii, it has also been held that a covenant not to compete is not assignable and under various statutes for various reasons that such covenants are not enforceable against an employee by a successor to the employer. Hawaii v. Gannett Pac. Corp. , 99 F. Supp. 2d 1241 (D. Haw. 1999)

It is vital to obtain the relevant law of the applicable state before drafting or attempting to enforce assignment rights in this particular area.

Conclusion:

In the current business world of fast changing structures, agreements, employees and projects, the ability to assign rights and obligations is essential to allow flexibility and adjustment to new situations. Conversely, the ability to hold a contracting party into the deal may be essential for the future of a party. Thus, the law of assignments and the restriction on same is a critical aspect of every agreement and every structure. This basic provision is often glanced at by the contracting parties, or scribbled into the deal at the last minute but can easily become the most vital part of the transaction.

As an example, one client of ours came into the office outraged that his co venturer on a sizable exporting agreement, who had excellent connections in Brazil, had elected to pursue another venture instead and assigned the agreement to a party unknown to our client and without the business contacts our client considered vital. When we examined the handwritten agreement our client had drafted in a restaurant in Sao Paolo, we discovered there was no restriction on assignment whatsoever…our client had not even considered that right when drafting the agreement after a full day of work.

One choses who one does business with carefully…to ensure that one’s choice remains the party on the other side of the contract, one must master the ability to negotiate proper assignment provisions.

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14.1 Assignment of Contract Rights

Learning objectives.

• Understand what an assignment is and how it is made.
• Recognize the effect of the assignment.
• Know when assignments are not allowed.
• Understand the concept of assignor’s warranties.

The Concept of a Contract Assignment

Contracts create rights and duties. By an assignment The passing or delivering by one person to another of the right to a contract benefit. , an obligee One to whom an obligation is owed. (one who has the right to receive a contract benefit) transfers a right to receive a contract benefit owed by the obligor One who owes an obligation. (the one who has a duty to perform) to a third person ( assignee One to whom the right to receive benefit of a contract is passed or delivered. ); the obligee then becomes an assignor One who agrees to allow another to receive the benefit of a contract. (one who makes an assignment).

The Restatement (Second) of Contracts defines an assignment of a right as “a manifestation of the assignor’s intention to transfer it by virtue of which the assignor’s right to performance by the obligor is extinguished in whole or in part and the assignee acquires the right to such performance.” Restatement (Second) of Contracts, Section 317(1). The one who makes the assignment is both an obligee and a transferor. The assignee acquires the right to receive the contractual obligations of the promisor, who is referred to as the obligor (see Figure 14.1 "Assignment of Rights" ). The assignor may assign any right unless (1) doing so would materially change the obligation of the obligor, materially burden him, increase his risk, or otherwise diminish the value to him of the original contract; (2) statute or public policy forbids the assignment; or (3) the contract itself precludes assignment. The common law of contracts and Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) govern assignments. Assignments are an important part of business financing, such as factoring. A factor A person who pays money to receive another’s executory contractual benefits. is one who purchases the right to receive income from another.

Figure 14.1 Assignment of Rights

Method of Assignment

Manifesting assent.

To effect an assignment, the assignor must make known his intention to transfer the rights to the third person. The assignor’s intention must be that the assignment is effective without need of any further action or any further manifestation of intention to make the assignment. In other words, the assignor must intend and understand himself to be making the assignment then and there; he is not promising to make the assignment sometime in the future.

Under the UCC, any assignments of rights in excess of $5,000 must be in writing, but otherwise, assignments can be oral and consideration is not required: the assignor could assign the right to the assignee for nothing (not likely in commercial transactions, of course). Mrs. Franklin has the right to receive $750 a month from the sale of a house she formerly owned; she assigns the right to receive the money to her son Jason, as a gift. The assignment is good, though such a gratuitous assignment is usually revocable, which is not the case where consideration has been paid for an assignment.

Acceptance and Revocation

For the assignment to become effective, the assignee must manifest his acceptance under most circumstances. This is done automatically when, as is usually the case, the assignee has given consideration for the assignment (i.e., there is a contract between the assignor and the assignee in which the assignment is the assignor’s consideration), and then the assignment is not revocable without the assignee’s consent. Problems of acceptance normally arise only when the assignor intends the assignment as a gift. Then, for the assignment to be irrevocable, either the assignee must manifest his acceptance or the assignor must notify the assignee in writing of the assignment.

Notice to the obligor is not required, but an obligor who renders performance to the assignor without notice of the assignment (that performance of the contract is to be rendered now to the assignee) is discharged. Obviously, the assignor cannot then keep the consideration he has received; he owes it to the assignee. But if notice is given to the obligor and she performs to the assignor anyway, the assignee can recover from either the obligor or the assignee, so the obligor could have to perform twice, as in Exercise 2 at the chapter’s end, Aldana v. Colonial Palms Plaza . Of course, an obligor who receives notice of the assignment from the assignee will want to be sure the assignment has really occurred. After all, anybody could waltz up to the obligor and say, “I’m the assignee of your contract with the bank. From now on, pay me the $500 a month, not the bank.” The obligor is entitled to verification of the assignment.

Effect of Assignment

General rule.

An assignment of rights effectively makes the assignee stand in the shoes of An assignee takes no greater rights than his assignor had. the assignor. He gains all the rights against the obligor that the assignor had, but no more. An obligor who could avoid the assignor’s attempt to enforce the rights could avoid a similar attempt by the assignee. Likewise, under UCC Section 9-318(1), the assignee of an account is subject to all terms of the contract between the debtor and the creditor-assignor. Suppose Dealer sells a car to Buyer on a contract where Buyer is to pay $300 per month and the car is warranted for 50,000 miles. If the car goes on the fritz before then and Dealer won’t fix it, Buyer could fix it for, say, $250 and deduct that $250 from the amount owed Dealer on the next installment (called a setoff). Now, if Dealer assigns the contract to Assignee, Assignee stands in Dealer’s shoes, and Buyer could likewise deduct the $250 from payment to Assignee.

The “shoe rule” does not apply to two types of assignments. First, it is inapplicable to the sale of a negotiable instrument to a holder in due course (covered in detail Chapter 23 "Negotiation of Commercial Paper" ). Second, the rule may be waived: under the UCC and at common law, the obligor may agree in the original contract not to raise defenses against the assignee that could have been raised against the assignor. Uniform Commercial Code, Section 9-206. While a waiver of defenses Surrender by a party of legal rights otherwise available to him or her. makes the assignment more marketable from the assignee’s point of view, it is a situation fraught with peril to an obligor, who may sign a contract without understanding the full import of the waiver. Under the waiver rule, for example, a farmer who buys a tractor on credit and discovers later that it does not work would still be required to pay a credit company that purchased the contract; his defense that the merchandise was shoddy would be unavailing (he would, as used to be said, be “having to pay on a dead horse”).

For that reason, there are various rules that limit both the holder in due course and the waiver rule. Certain defenses, the so-called real defenses (infancy, duress, and fraud in the execution, among others), may always be asserted. Also, the waiver clause in the contract must have been presented in good faith, and if the assignee has actual notice of a defense that the buyer or lessee could raise, then the waiver is ineffective. Moreover, in consumer transactions, the UCC’s rule is subject to state laws that protect consumers (people buying things used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes), and many states, by statute or court decision, have made waivers of defenses ineffective in such consumer transactions A contract for household or domestic purposes, not commercial purposes. . Federal Trade Commission regulations also affect the ability of many sellers to pass on rights to assignees free of defenses that buyers could raise against them. Because of these various limitations on the holder in due course and on waivers, the “shoe rule” will not govern in consumer transactions and, if there are real defenses or the assignee does not act in good faith, in business transactions as well.

When Assignments Are Not Allowed

The general rule—as previously noted—is that most contract rights are assignable. But there are exceptions. Five of them are noted here.

Material Change in Duties of the Obligor

When an assignment has the effect of materially changing the duties that the obligor must perform, it is ineffective. Changing the party to whom the obligor must make a payment is not a material change of duty that will defeat an assignment, since that, of course, is the purpose behind most assignments. Nor will a minor change in the duties the obligor must perform defeat the assignment.

Several residents in the town of Centerville sign up on an annual basis with the Centerville Times to receive their morning paper. A customer who is moving out of town may assign his right to receive the paper to someone else within the delivery route. As long as the assignee pays for the paper, the assignment is effective; the only relationship the obligor has to the assignee is a routine delivery in exchange for payment. Obligors can consent in the original contract, however, to a subsequent assignment of duties. Here is a clause from the World Team Tennis League contract: “It is mutually agreed that the Club shall have the right to sell, assign, trade and transfer this contract to another Club in the League, and the Player agrees to accept and be bound by such sale, exchange, assignment or transfer and to faithfully perform and carry out his or her obligations under this contract as if it had been entered into by the Player and such other Club.” Consent is not necessary when the contract does not involve a personal relationship.

Assignment of Personal Rights

When it matters to the obligor who receives the benefit of his duty to perform under the contract, then the receipt of the benefit is a personal right The right or duty of a particular person to perform or receive contract duties or benefits; cannot be assigned. that cannot be assigned. For example, a student seeking to earn pocket money during the school year signs up to do research work for a professor she admires and with whom she is friendly. The professor assigns the contract to one of his colleagues with whom the student does not get along. The assignment is ineffective because it matters to the student (the obligor) who the person of the assignee is. An insurance company provides auto insurance covering Mohammed Kareem, a sixty-five-year-old man who drives very carefully. Kareem cannot assign the contract to his seventeen-year-old grandson because it matters to the insurance company who the person of its insured is. Tenants usually cannot assign (sublet) their tenancies without the landlord’s permission because it matters to the landlord who the person of their tenant is. Section 14.4.1 "Nonassignable Rights" , Nassau Hotel Co. v. Barnett & Barse Corp. , is an example of the nonassignability of a personal right.

Assignment Forbidden by Statute or Public Policy

Various federal and state laws prohibit or regulate some contract assignment. The assignment of future wages is regulated by state and federal law to protect people from improvidently denying themselves future income because of immediate present financial difficulties. And even in the absence of statute, public policy might prohibit some assignments.

Contracts That Prohibit Assignment

Assignability of contract rights is useful, and prohibitions against it are not generally favored. Many contracts contain general language that prohibits assignment of rights or of “the contract.” Both the Restatement and UCC Section 2-210(3) declare that in the absence of any contrary circumstances, a provision in the agreement that prohibits assigning “the contract” bars “only the delegation to the assignee of the assignor’s performance.” Restatement (Second) of Contracts, Section 322. In other words, unless the contract specifically prohibits assignment of any of its terms, a party is free to assign anything except his or her own duties.

Even if a contractual provision explicitly prohibits it, a right to damages for breach of the whole contract is assignable under UCC Section 2-210(2) in contracts for goods. Likewise, UCC Section 9-318(4) invalidates any contract provision that prohibits assigning sums already due or to become due. Indeed, in some states, at common law, a clause specifically prohibiting assignment will fail. For example, the buyer and the seller agree to the sale of land and to a provision barring assignment of the rights under the contract. The buyer pays the full price, but the seller refuses to convey. The buyer then assigns to her friend the right to obtain title to the land from the seller. The latter’s objection that the contract precludes such an assignment will fall on deaf ears in some states; the assignment is effective, and the friend may sue for the title.

Future Contracts

The law distinguishes between assigning future rights under an existing contract and assigning rights that will arise from a future contract. Rights contingent on a future event can be assigned in exactly the same manner as existing rights, as long as the contingent rights are already incorporated in a contract. Ben has a long-standing deal with his neighbor, Mrs. Robinson, to keep the latter’s walk clear of snow at twenty dollars a snowfall. Ben is saving his money for a new printer, but when he is eighty dollars shy of the purchase price, he becomes impatient and cajoles a friend into loaning him the balance. In return, Ben assigns his friend the earnings from the next four snowfalls. The assignment is effective. However, a right that will arise from a future contract cannot be the subject of a present assignment.

Partial Assignments

An assignor may assign part of a contractual right, but only if the obligor can perform that part of his contractual obligation separately from the remainder of his obligation. Assignment of part of a payment due is always enforceable. However, if the obligor objects, neither the assignor nor the assignee may sue him unless both are party to the suit. Mrs. Robinson owes Ben one hundred dollars. Ben assigns fifty dollars of that sum to his friend. Mrs. Robinson is perplexed by this assignment and refuses to pay until the situation is explained to her satisfaction. The friend brings suit against Mrs. Robinson. The court cannot hear the case unless Ben is also a party to the suit. This ensures all parties to the dispute are present at once and avoids multiple lawsuits.

Successive Assignments

It may happen that an assignor assigns the same interest twice (see Figure 14.2 "Successive Assignments" ). With certain exceptions, the first assignee takes precedence over any subsequent assignee. One obvious exception is when the first assignment is ineffective or revocable. A subsequent assignment has the effect of revoking a prior assignment that is ineffective or revocable. Another exception: if in good faith the subsequent assignee gives consideration for the assignment and has no knowledge of the prior assignment, he takes precedence whenever he obtains payment from, performance from, or a judgment against the obligor, or whenever he receives some tangible evidence from the assignor that the right has been assigned (e.g., a bank deposit book or an insurance policy).

Some states follow the different English rule: the first assignee to give notice to the obligor has priority, regardless of the order in which the assignments were made. Furthermore, if the assignment falls within the filing requirements of UCC Article 9 (see Chapter 28 "Secured Transactions and Suretyship" ), the first assignee to file will prevail.

Figure 14.2 Successive Assignments

Assignor’s Warranties

An assignor has legal responsibilities in making assignments. He cannot blithely assign the same interests pell-mell and escape liability. Unless the contract explicitly states to the contrary, a person who assigns a right for value makes certain assignor’s warranties Promises, express or implied, made by an assignor to the assignee about the merits of the assignment. to the assignee: that he will not upset the assignment, that he has the right to make it, and that there are no defenses that will defeat it. However, the assignor does not guarantee payment; assignment does not by itself amount to a warranty that the obligor is solvent or will perform as agreed in the original contract. Mrs. Robinson owes Ben fifty dollars. Ben assigns this sum to his friend. Before the friend collects, Ben releases Mrs. Robinson from her obligation. The friend may sue Ben for the fifty dollars. Or again, if Ben represents to his friend that Mrs. Robinson owes him (Ben) fifty dollars and assigns his friend that amount, but in fact Mrs. Robinson does not owe Ben that much, then Ben has breached his assignor’s warranty. The assignor’s warranties may be express or implied.

Key Takeaway

Generally, it is OK for an obligee to assign the right to receive contractual performance from the obligor to a third party. The effect of the assignment is to make the assignee stand in the shoes of the assignor, taking all the latter’s rights and all the defenses against nonperformance that the obligor might raise against the assignor. But the obligor may agree in advance to waive defenses against the assignee, unless such waiver is prohibited by law.

There are some exceptions to the rule that contract rights are assignable. Some, such as personal rights, are not circumstances where the obligor’s duties would materially change, cases where assignability is forbidden by statute or public policy, or, with some limits, cases where the contract itself prohibits assignment. Partial assignments and successive assignments can happen, and rules govern the resolution of problems arising from them.

When the assignor makes the assignment, that person makes certain warranties, express or implied, to the assignee, basically to the effect that the assignment is good and the assignor knows of no reason why the assignee will not get performance from the obligor.

• If Able makes a valid assignment to Baker of his contract to receive monthly rental payments from Tenant, how is Baker’s right different from what Able’s was?
• Able made a valid assignment to Baker of his contract to receive monthly purchase payments from Carr, who bought an automobile from Able. The car had a 180-day warranty, but the car malfunctioned within that time. Able had quit the auto business entirely. May Carr withhold payments from Baker to offset the cost of needed repairs?
• Assume in the case in Exercise 2 that Baker knew Able was selling defective cars just before his (Able’s) withdrawal from the auto business. How, if at all, does that change Baker’s rights?
• Why are leases generally not assignable? Why are insurance contracts not assignable?

Assignment of Contract

Jump to section, what is an assignment of contract.

An assignment of contract is a legal term that describes the process that occurs when the original party (assignor) transfers their rights and obligations under their contract to a third party (assignee). When an assignment of contract happens, the original party is relieved of their contractual duties, and their role is replaced by the approved incoming party.

How Does Assignment of Contract Work?

An assignment of contract is simpler than you might think.

The process starts with an existing contract party who wishes to transfer their contractual obligations to a new party.

When this occurs, the existing contract party must first confirm that an assignment of contract is permissible under the legally binding agreement . Some contracts prohibit assignments of contract altogether, and some require the other parties of the agreement to agree to the transfer. However, the general rule is that contracts are freely assignable unless there is an explicit provision that says otherwise.

In other cases, some contracts allow an assignment of contract without any formal notification to other contract parties. If this is the case, once the existing contract party decides to reassign his duties, he must create a “Letter of Assignment ” to notify any other contract signers of the change.

The Letter of Assignment must include details about who is to take over the contractual obligations of the exiting party and when the transfer will take place. If the assignment is valid, the assignor is not required to obtain the consent or signature of the other parties to the original contract for the valid assignment to take place.

Check out this article to learn more about how assigning a contract works.

Contract Assignment Examples

Contract assignments are great tools for contract parties to use when they wish to transfer their commitments to a third party. Here are some examples of contract assignments to help you better understand them:

Anna signs a contract with a local trash company that entitles her to have her trash picked up twice a week. A year later, the trash company transferred her contract to a new trash service provider. This contract assignment effectively makes Anna’s contract now with the new service provider.

Hasina enters a contract with a national phone company for cell phone service. The company goes into bankruptcy and needs to close its doors but decides to transfer all current contracts to another provider who agrees to honor the same rates and level of service. The contract assignment is completed, and Hasina now has a contract with the new phone company as a result.

Here is an article where you can find out more about contract assignments.

Assignment of Contract in Real Estate

Assignment of contract is also used in real estate to make money without going the well-known routes of buying and flipping houses. When real estate LLC investors use an assignment of contract, they can make money off properties without ever actually buying them by instead opting to transfer real estate contracts .

This process is called real estate wholesaling.

Real Estate Wholesaling

Real estate wholesaling consists of locating deals on houses that you don’t plan to buy but instead plan to enter a contract to reassign the house to another buyer and pocket the profit.

The process is simple: real estate wholesalers negotiate purchase contracts with sellers. Then, they present these contracts to buyers who pay them an assignment fee for transferring the contract.

This process works because a real estate purchase agreement does not come with the obligation to buy a property. Instead, it sets forth certain purchasing parameters that must be fulfilled by the buyer of the property. In a nutshell, whoever signs the purchase contract has the right to buy the property, but those rights can usually be transferred by means of an assignment of contract.

This means that as long as the buyer who’s involved in the assignment of contract agrees with the purchasing terms, they can legally take over the contract.

But how do real estate wholesalers find these properties?

It is easier than you might think. Here are a few examples of ways that wholesalers find cheap houses to turn a profit on:

• Direct mailers
• Place newspaper ads
• Make posts in online forums
• Social media posts

The key to finding the perfect home for an assignment of contract is to locate sellers that are looking to get rid of their properties quickly. This might be a family who is looking to relocate for a job opportunity or someone who needs to make repairs on a home but can’t afford it. Either way, the quicker the wholesaler can close the deal, the better.

Once a property is located, wholesalers immediately go to work getting the details ironed out about how the sale will work. Transparency is key when it comes to wholesaling. This means that when a wholesaler intends to use an assignment of contract to transfer the rights to another person, they are always upfront about during the preliminary phases of the sale.

In addition to this practice just being good business, it makes sure the process goes as smoothly as possible later down the line. Wholesalers are clear in their intent and make sure buyers know that the contract could be transferred to another buyer before the closing date arrives.

After their offer is accepted and warranties are determined, wholesalers move to complete a title search . Title searches ensure that sellers have the right to enter into a purchase agreement on the property. They do this by searching for any outstanding tax payments, liens , or other roadblocks that could prevent the sale from going through.

Wholesalers also often work with experienced real estate lawyers who ensure that all of the legal paperwork is forthcoming and will stand up in court. Lawyers can also assist in the contract negotiation process if needed but often don’t come in until the final stages.

If the title search comes back clear and the real estate lawyer gives the green light, the wholesaler will immediately move to locate an entity to transfer the rights to buy.

One of the most attractive advantages of real estate wholesaling is that very little money is needed to get started. The process of finding a seller, negotiating a price, and performing a title search is an extremely cheap process that almost anyone can do.

On the other hand, it is not always a positive experience. It can be hard for wholesalers to find sellers who will agree to sell their homes for less than the market value. Even when they do, there is always a chance that the transferred buyer will back out of the sale, which leaves wholesalers obligated to either purchase the property themselves or scramble to find a new person to complete an assignment of contract with.

Learn more about assignment of contract in real estate by checking out this article .

Who Handles Assignment of Contract?

The best person to handle an assignment of contract is an attorney. Since these are detailed legal documents that deal with thousands of dollars, it is never a bad idea to have a professional on your side. If you need help with an assignment of contract or signing a business contract , post a project on ContractsCounsel. There, you can connect with attorneys who know everything there is to know about assignment of contract amendment and can walk you through the whole process.

ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.

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Contract Assignments

(This may not be the same place you live)

  What is a Contract Assignment?

In a contract assignment, one of the two parties to a contract may transfer their right to the other’s performance to a third party. This is known as “contract assignment.” Generally, all rights under a contract may be assigned. A provision in the contract that states the contract may not be assigned usually refers to the delegation of the assignor’s (person who assigns) duties under that contract, not their rights under the contract. 

In modern law, the phrase “assignment of contract” usually means assignment of both rights and duties under a contract.

Who are the Various Parties Involved in a Contract Assignment?

How is a contract assignment created, when is a contract assignment prohibited, which parties are liable to each other in a contract assignment, are there issues with multiple assignments, should i hire a lawyer for contract assignments.

In a contract, there are two parties to the agreement, X and Y. The parties may agree to let X assign X’s rights to a third party . Once the third party enters the picture, each party has a special name. For instance, suppose X, a seller of bookmarks, contracts with Y, a purchaser of bookmarks. Y desires to have Y’s right to X’s performance (the sale of bookmarks on a monthly basis) to another person. 

This third person, Z, is called the assignee. X is called the obligor , and Y is called the assignor , since Y has assigned its right to X’s performance . X, the obligor, is obligated to continue to perform its duties under the agreement.

There are no “magic words” needed to create an assignment. The law simply requires that the would-be assignor have an intent to immediately and completely transfer their rights in the agreement. In addition, writing is typically not required to create an assignment. As long as X and Y both adequately understand what right is being assigned, an assignment is created. 

Words that indicate a transfer is to take place suffice, such as “I intend to transfer my rights under this agreement,” or, “I intend to give my rights to Z,” or “I intend to confer an assignment on Z.” In addition,consideration,which is a bargained-for exchange required for a contract to be valid, is not required for assignment.

In certain instances, an assignment of contract rights can be prohibited. If the contract contains a clause prohibiting assignment of “the contract,” without specifying more, the law construes this language as barring only delegation of the assignor’s duties, not their rights. If the assignment language states “assignment of contractual rights are prohibited,” the obligor may sue for damages if the assignor attempts to assign the agreement. If the contract language states that attempts to assign “will be void,” the parties can bar assignment.of rights.

Under modern contract law, the phrase “I assign the contract” is usually interpreted to mean that one is assigning rights and duties. What is an assignment of duties? An assignment of duties occurs where Y, called the obligor or delegator, promises to perform for X, the obligee. Y then delegates their duty to perform to Z, the delegate. Under the law, most duties can be delegated. 

There are exceptions to this rule. Delegation can be prohibited when:

• The duties to be performed involve personal judgment and special skill (e.g., a portrait, creation of a custom-made dress). 
• “Personal judgment” is the exercise of some kind of superior judgment when it comes to determining how, when, or where to do something. Examples of individuals who exercise personal judgment include talent scouts and financial advisors.  Special skill is the unique ability to create a good or perform a service. A delegator can be prohibited from delegating duties when it is that specific delegator’s services are sought. For example, if the services of a specific famous chef are sought, and the original agreement was entered into on the understanding that the chef was hired for their specific talent, the delegator may not delegate the services;
• The assignment fundamentally changes risks or responsibilities under the agreement;
• The assignment is over future rights associated with a future contract that does not currently exist;
• Delegation would increase the obligation of the obligee. For example, if a shoe manufacturer contracts to deliver soles to a store in the same town as the shoe factory, the other party cannot assign the delivery to a different store in another state. Doing so would impose a greater obligation on the obligee than was originally contemplated;
• The obligee had placed special trust in the delegator. For example, assume that you have hired a patent attorney, based on that attorney’s significant skill and expertise, to obtain a valuable patent. You have placed special trust in this person, hiring them instead of other patent attorneys, because of their unique expertise. In such a situation, the attorney may not delegate his duties to another attorney (delegate), since the attorney was hired because of one person’s special capabilities;
• The delegation is of a promise to repay a debt; or
• The contract itself restricts or prohibits delegation. If the contract states, “any attempt to delegate duties under this contract is void,” a delegation will not be permitted.

In a contract involving assignment of rights, the assignee may sue the obligor. This is because the assignee, once the assignee has been assigned rights, is entitled to performance under the contract. If the obligor had a defense that existed in the original contract between obligor and assignor, the obligor may assert that defense against the assignee. Examples of such defenses include the original contract was not valid because of lack of consideration, or because there was never a valid offer or acceptance).

An assignee may also sue an assignor. Generally, if an assignment is made for consideration,it is irrevocable. Assignments not made for consideration, but under which an obligor has already performed, are also irrevocable. If an assignor attempts to revoke an irrevocable assignment,the assignee may sue for “wrongful revocation.” 

In circumstances involving delegation of duties,an obligee must accept performance from the delegate of all duties that may be delegated. The delegator remains liable on the agreement. Therefore, the obligee may sue the delegator for nonperformance by the delegate. The obligee may sue the delegate for nonperformance, but can only require the delegate to perform if there has been an assumption by the delegate. An assumption by the delegate is a promise that the delegate will perform the delegated duty, which promise is supported by consideration. 

Assignments that are not supported by consideration are revocable. If an initial assignment is revocable, a subsequent assignment can revoke it. If a first assignment is irrevocable, because consideration was present,the first assignment will usually prevail over a subsequent assignment. This means the person who can claim the assignment was first made to them will prevail over someone who claims a subsequent assignment. 

If, however, the second person paid value for the assignment, and entered into the assignment without knowing of the first assignment, the “subsequent”assignee is entitled to proceeds the first judgment against the obligor (the original party who still must perform), in the event such a judgment is issued,

If you have an issue with assignment of rights or duties under a contract, you should contact a contract lawyer  for advice. An experienced business lawyer near you can review the facts of your case, advise you of your rights, and represent you in court proceedings.

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Assignment of Rights and Obligations Under a Contract: Everything You Need to Know

An assignment of rights and obligations under a contract occurs when a party assigns their contractual rights to a third party. 3 min read updated on October 29, 2020

An assignment of rights and obligations under a contract occurs when a party assigns their contractual rights to a third party. The benefit that the issuing party would have received from the contract is now assigned to the third party. The party appointing their rights is referred to as the assignor, while the party obtaining the rights is the assignee.

What Is an Assignment of Contract?

In an assignment contract, the assignor prefers that the assignee reverses roles and assumes the contractual rights and obligations as stated in the contract. Before this can occur, all parties to the original contract must be notified.

Contracts create duties and rights. An obligor is the party who is legally or contractually obliged to provide a benefit or payment to another, while an obligation is owed to the obligee. The obligee transfers a right to obtain a benefit owed by the obligor to a third party. At this point, the obligee becomes an assignor. An assignor is the party that actually creates an assignment. 

The party that creates an assignment is both the obligee and a transferor. The assignee receives the right to acquire the obligations of the promisor/obligor. The assignor can assign any right to the obligor unless:

• Doing so will materially alter the obligation
• It's materially burdening
• It decreases the value of the original contract
• It increases their risk
• Public policy or a statute makes it illegal
• The contract prevents assignment

Assignments are important in business financing, especially in factoring . A factor is someone who purchases a right to receive a benefit from someone else.

How Assignments Work

The specific language used in the contract will determine how the assignment plays out. For example, one contract may prohibit assignment, while another contract may require that all parties involved agree to it before proceeding. Remember, an assignment of contract does not necessarily alleviate an assignor from all liability. Many contracts include an assurance clause guaranteeing performance. In other words, the initial parties to the contract guarantee the assignee will achieve the desired goal.

When Assignments Will Not Be Enforced

The following situations indicate when an assignment of a contract is not enforced:

• The contract specifically prohibits assignment
• The assignment drastically changes the expected outcome
• The assignment is against public policy or illegal
• The contract contains a no-assignment clause
• The assignment is for a future right that only would be attainable in a contract in the future
• The contract hasn't been finalized or written yet

Delegation vs. Assignment

Occasionally, one party in a contract will desire to pass on or delegate their responsibility to a third party without creating an assignment contract. Some duties are so specific in nature they cannot be delegated. Adding a clause in the contract to prevent a party from delegating their responsibilities and duties is highly recommended.

Characteristics of Assignments

An assignment involves the transfer by an assignor of some or all of its rights to receive performance under the contract to an assignee. The assignee then receives all the benefits of the assigned rights. The assignment doesn't eliminate or reduce the assignor's performance commitments to the nonassigning party.

Three Steps to Follow if You Want to Assign a Contract

There are three main steps to take if you're looking to assign a contract:

• Make sure the current contract does not contain an anti-assignment clause
• Officially execute the assignment by transferring the parties' obligations and rights
• Notify the obligor of the changes made

Once the obligor is notified, the assignor will effectively be relieved of liability.

Anti-Assignment Clauses

If you'd prefer not to allow the party you're doing business with to assign a contract, you may be able to prevent this from occurring by clearly stating anti-assignment clauses in the original contract. The three most common anti-assignment clauses are:

• Consent required for assignment
• Consent not needed for new owners or affiliates
• Consent not unreasonably withheld

Based on these three clauses, no party in the contract is allowed to delegate or assign any obligations or rights without prior written consent from the other parties. Any delegation or assignment in violation of this passage shall be deemed void. It is not possible to write an anti-assignment clause that goes against an assignment that is issued or ordered by a court.

If you need help with an assignment of rights and obligations under a contract, you can  post your job  on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

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Content Approved by UpCounsel

• Assignment Contract Law
• Legal Assignment
• Assignment Law
• Assignment of Rights Example
• What Is the Definition of Assigns
• Partial Assignment of Contract
• Assignment Of Contracts
• Consent to Assignment
• Delegation vs Assignment
• Assignment of Contract Rights

Assignment clause samples

Assignment . Assignor assigns to Assignee all of Assignor’s right, title, and interest in and to the Purchase Agreement, as amended.

03/25/2020 (Lodging Fund REIT III, Inc.)

to the contrary (a) Manager shall not be obligated to return or refund to Lender any Management Fee or other fee, commission or other amount already received by Manager prior to the occurrence of the Event of Default, and to which Manager was entitled under this Assignment and (b) in the event Operating Lessee loses possession of the Property in connection with exercise by Lender of its rights or remedies pursuant to this Assignment , the Note, the Security Instrument, the Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents, Manager shall be entitled to collect any Management Fee or other fee, commission or other amount accrued but unpaid prior to the occurrence of the Event of Default, and to which Manager was entitled under this Assignment .Nothing in this Assignment shall prohibit Manager from terminating the Management Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof for failure to receive the management fee due thereunder.

Duplicate Originals, Counterparts.This Assignment may be executed in any number of duplicate originals and each duplicate original shall be deemed to be an original.This Assignment may be executed in several counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be deemed an original instrument and all of which together shall constitute a single Assignment .The failure of any party hereto to execute this Assignment , or any counterpart hereof, shall not relieve the other signatories from their obligations hereunder.

Section 6.6 Parties Bound; Assignment . This Guarantyshall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs and legal representatives. Lender shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights under this Guaranty in connection with any assignment of the Loan and the Loan Documents. Any assignee or transferee of Lender shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded to Lender under this Guaranty. No Guarantor shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this Guaranty without the prior written consent of Lender, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void.

(a)the failure of Lender to comply with any request of Borrower or any other party to take any action to enforce any of the provisions hereof or of the Loan Agreement, the Note or the other Loan Documents, (b) the release, regardless of consideration, of the whole or any part of the Property, or (c) any agreement or stipulation by Lender extending the time of payment or otherwise modifying or supplementing the terms of this Assignment , the Loan Agreement, the Note or the other Loan Documents. Lender may resort for the payment and performance of the Obligations to any other security held by Lender in such order and manner as Lender, in its sole discretion, may elect. Lender may take any action to recover the Obligations, or any portion thereof, or to enforce any covenant hereof without prejudice to the right of Lender thereafter to enforce its rights under this Assignment . The rights of Lender under this Assignment shall be separate, distinct and cumulative and none shall be given effect to the exclusion of the others. No act of Lender shall be construed as an election to proceed under any one provision herein to the exclusion of any other provision.

Section 5.6 Terminationof Assignment . Upon paymentand performanceinfull of the Obligations, this Assignment shall become and be void and of no effect.

7.02 Assignment by Operator. Operator, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to assign this Agreement to any Affiliate of Operator or to any successor or assignee of Operator resulting from any merger, consolidation or reorganization, or to another corporation which shall acquire all or substantially all of the business and assets of Operator. Operator will give prompt notice to Owner of any such assignment . Operator may, with the consent of Owner not to be unreasonable delayed or withheld, assign this Agreement to any non- Affiliate. Except in the case of an assignment to an Affiliate of Operator, Operator shall be released of all of its covenants and liabilities hereunder, other than liabilities that have accrued prior to the date of the delivery of notice to Owner.

The names of all Grantors (sometimes "Grantor") can be found on page 1 of this Assignment . The names of all Grantees (sometimes "Lender") can be found on page 1 of this Assignment . The property address can be found on page 1 of this Assignment . The legal description can be found on page 1 of this Assignment .The parcel identification number can be found on page 1 of this Assignment .

BORROWER'S WAIVERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Lender need not tell Borrower about any action or inaction Lender takes in connection with this Assignment . Borrower assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed about the Property.Borrower waives any defenses that may arise because of any action or inaction of Lender, including without limitation any failure of Lender to realize upon the Property, or any delay by Lender in realizing upon the Property. Borrower agrees to remain liable under the Note with Lender no matter what action Lender takes or fails to take under this Assignment .

PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE. Except as otherwise provided in this Assignment or any Related Documents, Grantor shall pay to Lender all amounts secured by this Assignment as they become due, and shall strictly perform all of Grantor's obligations under this Assignment . Unless and until Lender exercises its right to collect the Rents as provided below and so long as there is no default under this Assignment , Grantor may remain in possession and control of and operate and manage the Property and collect the Rents, provided that the granting of the right to collect the Rents shall not constitute Lender's consent to the use of cash collateral in a bankruptcy proceeding.

No Prior Assignment . Grantor has not previously assigned or conveyed the Rents to any other person by any instrument now in force.

Amendments. This Assignment , together with any RelatedDocuments, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the matters set forth in this Assignment . No alteration of or amendment to this Assignment shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by the party or parties sought to be charged or bound by the alteration or amendment.

Joint and Several Liability. All obligations of Borrower and Grantor under this Assignment shall be joint and several, and all references to Grantor shall mean each and every Grantor, andall references to Borrower shall mean each and every Borrower. This means that each Grantor signing below is responsible for all obligations in this Assignment .Where any one or more of the parties is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity, it is not necessary for Lender to inquire into the powers of any of the officers, directors, partners, members, or other agents acting or purporting to act on the entity's behalf, and any obligations made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed under this Assignment .

No Waiver by Lender. Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this Assignment unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender. No delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender of a provision of this Assignment shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of Lender's right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or any other provision of this Assignment . No prior waiver by Lender, nor any course of dealing between Lender and Grantor, shall constitute a waiver of any of Lender's rights or of any of Grantor's obligations as to any future transactions. Whenever the consent of Lender is required under this Assignment , the granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not constitute continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is required and in all cases such consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of Lender.

Notices. Any notice required to be given under this Assignment shall be given in writing, and shall be effective when actually delivered, when actually received by telefacsimile (unless otherwise required by law), when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight courier, or, if mailed, when deposited in the United States mail, as first class, certified or registered mail postage prepaid, directed to the addresses shown near the beginning of this Assignment . Any party may change its address for notices under this Assignment by giving formal written notice to the other parties, specifying that the purpose of the notice is to change the party's address. For notice purposes, Grantor agrees to keep Lender informed at all times of Grantor's current address. Unless otherwise provided or required by law, if there is more than one Grantor, any notice given by Lender to any Grantor is deemed to be notice given to all Grantors.

Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Assignment to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable as to any circumstance, that finding shall not make the offending provision illegal, invalid, or unenforceable as to any other circumstance. If feasible, the offending provision shall be considered modified so that it becomes legal, valid and enforceable. If the offending provision cannot be so modified, it shall be considered deleted from this Assignment . Unless otherwise required by law, the illegality, invalidity, or unenforceability of any provision of this Assignment shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Assignment .

Assignment . The word " Assignment " means this ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS, as this ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS may be amended or modified from time to time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to this ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS from time to time.

Indebtedness. The word "Indebtedness" means all principal, interest and late fees, and other amounts, costs and expenses payable under the Note or Related Documents, together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, consolidations of and substitutions for the Note or Related Documents and any amounts expended or advanced by Lender to discharge Grantor's obligations or expenses incurred by Lender to enforce Grantor's obligations under this Assignment , together with interest on such amounts as provided in this Assignment . Specifically,without limitation, Indebtedness includes the future advances set forth in the Future Advances provision of this Assignment , together with all interest thereon.

SECTION 14.7. Assignment . This Agreement may not be assigned by Buyer without the prior written consent of Seller, other than to Affiliates of Buyer. Buyer may designate an Affiliate to which the Agreement will be assigned at the Closing, provided that Buyer provides Seller with a draft assignment for this Agreement at least five (5) days prior to Closing and provided that Buyer will continue to remain liable under this Agreement notwithstanding any such designation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, including, without limitation, Section 9.1(a), in the event Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement, Buyer shall be solely responsible for any additional transfer taxes assessed as a result thereof, and shall pay such additional taxes at settlement and recording of the Deed. Seller shall have no liability for any realty transfer taxes, interest and penalties assessed based on any consideration greater than the Purchase Price set forth herein, and Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold Seller harmless from any costs, liability or expense incurred by Seller in connection with an assignment of this Agreement by Buyer, including, without limitation, any transfer taxes and legal fees incurred by Seller in connection therewith.

Rights of Lender.Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Lender may, at any time without notice (except if required by any Applicable Law), either in person, by agent or by a court-appointed receiver (with such receiver to have all powers and duties set forth for receivers in this Deed of Trust and as prescribed by Applicable Law), regardless of the adequacy of Lender’s security, and at Lender’s sole election (without any obligation to do so), to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, enter upon and take possession and control of the Trust Estate to perform all acts necessary and appropriate to operate and maintain the Trust Estate, including to execute, cancel or modify the Leases, make repairs to the Trust Estate, execute or terminate contracts providing for the management or maintenance of the Trust Estate, all on such terms as are deemed best to protect the security of this assignment .Lender or the receiver, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, shall have access to the books and records used in the operation and maintenance of the Trust Estate and shall be liable to account only for those Rents actually received.Lender shall not be liable to Trustor, anyone claiming under or through Trustor or anyone having an interest in the Trust Estate by reason of anything done or left undone by Lender hereunder, except to the extent of Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.Any entering upon and taking possession and control of the Trust Estate by Lender or the receiver and any application of Rents as provided herein shall not cure or waive any Default or invalidate any other right or remedy of Lender.

Section 15.1. Assignment by Owner.Owner shall not assign or transfer or permit the assignment or transfer of this Agreement or any of Owner's rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Manager, on the conditions that (i)Owner may assign this Agreement without Manager's consent to any Affiliate of Owner or to any successor or assign that may result from the merger, consolidation or reorganization of Owner or its Affiliate provided that any such assignee shall assume and agree in writing to be bound by all of the terms and subject to all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (ii)Owner shall not be released from its obligations hereunder without Manager's prior written consent which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.Owner shall deliver to Manager a copy of any instrument of assignment .No assignment by Owner shall be binding on Manager until written notice thereof is furnished Manager, together with a copy of the applicable assignment and assumption document and evidence of such assignee's compliance with the insurance obligation of Owner imposed by this Agreement.

16. Assignment . This Agreement may be assigned by the Advisor to an Affiliate with the approval of the Board. The Advisor may assign any rights to receive fees or other payments under this Agreement without obtaining the approval of the Board. This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Company without the consent of the Advisor, except in the case of an assignment by the Company to a corporation or other organization which is a successor to all of the assets, rights and obligations of the Company, in which case such successor organization shall be bound hereunder and by the terms of said assignment in the same manner as the Company are bound by this Agreement.

08/08/2019 (Lodging Fund REIT III, Inc.)

The names of all Grantors (sometimes “Grantor”) can be found on page1 of this Assignment . The names of all Grantees (sometimes “Lender”) can be found on page1 of this Assignment . The property address can be found on page1 of this Assignment . The legal description can be found on page1 of this Assignment . The parcel identification number can be found on page1 of this Assignment .

5. Assignment . Original Borrower hereby grants, transfers, sets over and assigns to the Assumptor, all of Original Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the Assumed Loan Documents, and Noteholder hereby consents to such assignment ; provided that such consent shall not be deemed to release Original Borrower from any of its obligations except as expressly provided in this Assumption Agreement.

1. Assignment . Subject to the partial assignment and assumption of section 9.3(b)and 18.10 Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption of Ninth Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement (“9thAmendment”), Assignor assigns to Assignee all of Assignor’s remaining right, title, and interest in and to the Asset Purchase Agreement, as amended. For the avoidance of doubt, as of the Effective Date of this Assignment , section 9.3(b)and 18.10 of the Asset Purchase Agreement shall be the obligation of LODGING FUND REIT III OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership as assigned by Assignor and assumed by LODGING FUND REIT III OP, LP pursuant to the 9thAmendment.

p. Assignment . Purchaser may assign its interest under this Agreement at any time upon notice to Seller; provided, however, that no such assignment shall release Purchaser from any of its duties or obligations hereunder except as otherwise approved in writing by Seller.

1. Assignment . Assignor assigns to Assignee all of Assignor’s right, title, and interest in and to the Hotel Purchase and Sale Agreement, as amended.

Apollonia’s principal asset at this time is the right to receive payments under the Assignment . There is the possibility that a buyer exists that would pay to acquire the right to receive those payments. Given the uncertainty that currently exists, it would be difficult to establish an appropriate price for such rights independently from a sale of St. Renatus.

02/12/2019 (ST RENATUS LLC)

As more fully explained in Note 5, St. Renatus, LLC was assigned the patent for a needle-free system that delivers dental anesthesia as a nasal spray by Apollonia, LLC, an unrelated company at the time of assignment . Subsequently, Apollonia, LLC became a company with common members but separate control, and it is now considered a related party ("Related Company") under generally accepted accounting principles, the determination of which is not related to determining common ownership as defined by the IRS.

(g) Assignment . Neither party may assign this Third Assignment Agreement, or any right or obligation hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other; provided, however, that either party may assign this Third Assignment Agreement to any of its Affiliates, or, subject to Section 3(c) regarding the assumption of payment obligations hereunder, to a purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets to which this Third Assignment Agreement relates (including an acquisition by merger or the purchase of equity interests in a party), in each case with prior written notice to the other party. This Third Assignment Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Assignment . Clay hereby transfers, grants, conveys, assigns, and relinquishes exclusively to Gill all of Clay's right, title, and interest in and to the Patents, the inventions claimed therein, and all accrued causes of action for damages for infringement thereof (the “ Assignment ”).

The Assignor waives any right it may have of first requiring the Security Agent to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Assignor under this Assignment . This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of this Assignment to the contrary.

09/27/2019 (Brooge Holdings Ltd)

1. Assignment . Subject to Bluerock (as defined in the Operating Agreement of Assignee) funding its share of the earnest money and loan assumption costs as provided in Section 5.8 of the Operating Agreement of Assignee, Assignor hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to Assignee all of its right, title and interest in, to and under (i) the Agreement; (ii) the earnest money previously deposited by Assignor; and (iii) to the extent assignable and without any representation or warranty whatsoever, including, but not limited to any representation or warranty as to the accuracy, contents or completeness thereof, all property condition and inspection reports relating to the Property and received by Assignor in connection with the investigation and acquisition of the Property pursuant to the Agreement and either prepared by third parties or provided by the Seller and all representations and warranties made to Assignor in connection therewith (collectively, together with the Agreement and the earnest money, the “Transferred Assets”). For purposes of clarification, the parties agree that Transferred Assets shall not include any proprietary or confidential information, internal analyses, attorney work product or attorney-client privileged documents.

08/09/2017 (Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc.)

Borrower hereby transfers, assigns and sets over to Lender, its successors and assigns, all right, title and interest of Borrower in and to the Management Agreement. Manager hereby consents to the foregoing assignment . The foregoing assignment is being made by Borrower to Lender as collateral security for the full payment and performance by Borrower of all of its obligations under the Loan Documents. Although it is the intention of the parties that the assignment hereunder is a present assignment , until the occurrence of any default or failure to perform or observe any obligation, condition, covenant, term, agreement or provision required to be performed or observed by Borrower or any other party under any of the Loan Documents beyond any applicable grace or cure period provided for therein (an “Event of Default”), Borrower may exercise all rights as owner of the Mortgaged Property under the Management Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this Assignment . The foregoing assignment shall remain in effect as long as the Mortgage Loan, or any part thereof, remains unpaid, but shall automatically terminate upon the release of the Security Instrument as a lien on the Mortgaged Property.

Borrower, Manager and Lender shall not refuse or reject delivery of any notice given in accordance with this Assignment . Each party is required to acknowledge, in writing, the receipt of any notice upon request by the other party.

Any controversy arising under or in relation to this Assignment shall be litigated exclusively in the Property Jurisdiction without regard to conflicts of laws principles. The state and federal courts and authorities with jurisdiction in the Property Jurisdiction shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all controversies which shall arise under or in relation to this Assignment . Borrower irrevocably consents to service, jurisdiction and venue of such courts for any such litigation and waives any other venue to which it might be entitled by virtue of domicile, habitual residence or otherwise.

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Assignment shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Assignment , all of which shall remain in full force and effect. This Assignment contains the complete and entire agreement among the parties as to the matters covered, rights granted and the obligations assumed in this Assignment . This Assignment may not be amended or modified except by written agreement signed by the parties hereto.

(b)Any reference in this Assignment to an “Exhibit” or “Schedule” or a “Section” or an “Article” shall, unless otherwise explicitly provided, be construed as referring, respectively, to an exhibit or schedule attached to this Assignment or to a Section or Article of this Assignment . All exhibits and schedules attached to or referred to in this Assignment , if any, are incorporated by reference into this Assignment .

18. Assignment . Assignee shall not have the right to assign this Assignment Agreement or any interest therein without Assignor’s prior written consent, which consent may be given or withheld in Assignor’s sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that Assignee shall be permitted, without obtaining Assignor’s consent, to assign this Assignment Agreement to an entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Assignee or any other entity affiliated with Assignee. For purposes of this Agreement, an affiliate of Assignee shall include (a)any entity that is owned, controlled by or is under common control with Assignee (an “Assignee Control Entity”), (b)any entity in which one or more Assignee Controlled Entities directly or indirectly is the general partner (or similar managing partner, member or manager) or owns more than 50% of the economic interests of such entity, or (c)any entity (or subsidiary thereof) that is advised by an affiliate of BCIIV Advisors LLC. Assignee shall in no event be released from any of its obligations or liabilities hereunder as a result of any such assignment .

04/18/2018 (BLACK CREEK INDUSTRIAL REIT IV Inc.)

(b) Bill of Sale and General Assignment . Seller shall deliver two duly executed originals of a bill of sale and general assignment (and other instruments of conveyance, including, by way of example only, articles of transfer, as may be required to convey personal property), in the form attached hereto as ExhibitB (the “Bill of Sale”), conveying good and marketable title to such Personal Property, Permits, Plans and Records and Intangible Property to Buyer, free and clear of all Liens caused by Seller or based on the acts or agreements of Seller but subject to the Permitted Exceptions or those expressly permitted by this Agreement.

(b) Bill of Sale and General Assignment . Buyer shall deliver two duly executed counterparts of the Bill of Sale.

15.16 Assignment . Buyer may assign all or any portion of this Agreement or its rights hereunder, or delegate all or any portion of its duties or obligations to an affiliate without Seller’s written consent, provided that Buyer gives Seller notice of the assignment or delegation and that such assignment or delegation does not relieve Buyer of its obligations hereunder. Seller shall not assign this Agreement or any rights hereunder, or delegate any of its obligations, without the prior written approval of Buyer. Subject to the provisions of this section, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns. Except as specifically set forth or referred to herein, nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any person or entity, other than the parties hereto and their successors or permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement. For purposes of this Section15.16, an affiliate of Buyer shall include (a)any entity that is owned, controlled by or is under common control with Buyer (a “Buyer Control Entity”), and (b)any entity in which one or more Buyer Controlled Entities directly or indirectly is the general partner (or similar managing partner, member or manager) or owns more than 50% of the economic interests of such entity, or (c)any entity (or subsidiary thereof) that is advised by an affiliate of Black Creek Industrial Acquisitions, LLC.

6.04 No Assignment . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Deed of Trust shall not constitute an assignment of the Ground Lease within the meaning of any provision thereof prohibiting its assignment and Beneficiary shall have no liability or obligation thereunder by reason of its acceptance of this Deed of Trust. Beneficiary shall be liable for the obligations of the lessee arising out of the Ground Lease for only that period of time for which Beneficiary is in possession of the Leased Premises or has acquired, by foreclosure or otherwise, and is holding all of Trustor’s right, title and interest therein.

07/30/2019 (Desert Hawk Gold Corp.)

13.15 Assignment . Desert Hawk may not assign, sublease or otherwise transfer its interest in this Agreement without Clifton’s prior written consent (as to that portion of the Leased Premises owned by Clifton) and Woodman’s prior written consent (as to that portion of the Leased Premises owned by Woodman) in each instance, which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld. This paragraph shall not prevent Desert Hawk from, without Lessors’ consent, mortgaging or otherwise pledging this Agreement for financing purposes in accordance with Section 4.3(g) to the Leasehold Mortgagee. The Leasehold Mortgagee (and anyone whose title derives directly or indirectly from the Leasehold Mortgagee, including a purchaser at any foreclosure sale held under a leasehold mortgage) may, without Lessors’ consent, hold a foreclosure sale, take title to Desert Hawk’s interest under this Agreement, and transfer or assign Desert Hawk’s interest under this Agreement to an entity that has the financial capacity to perform Desert Hawk’s obligations under this Agreement, either in its own name or through a nominee; provided, however, that any transfer or assignment of this Agreement by any party that is not the Leasehold Mortgagee or an affiliate of the Leasehold Mortgagee shall be subject to the first sentence of this Section 13.15. No assignment , sublease or transfer shall be effective against Lessors until Lessors receive written notice of the transfer in accordance with Section 13.1.

2.1Representations and Warranties of Tate: 2.1.1Authorization. This Assignment and all other agreements contemplated by this Assignment , when executed and delivered by the parties thereto, shall constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations of Tate, enforceable against Tate in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or judicial limits on equitable remedies. 2.1.2No Adverse Consequences. The execution, delivery and performance of this Assignment by Tate will not: i) result in the creation of imposition of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance on the Assets; ii) violate any law, judgment, order, injunction, decree, rule, regulation or ruling of any governmental authority applicable to Tate; or iii) conflict with, constitute grounds for termination or acceleration of, result in the breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, result in the loss of any benefit to Tate under, or constitute a default under (whether by virtue of the application of a “change of control” provision or otherwise) any agreement, instrument, license or permit to which either Tate is a party or by which Tate is bound. 2.1.3Clear Title. Tate represents and warrants that Tate has good and marketable title to all of the Assets, in each case free and clear of all options, warrants, mortgages, liens, security interests, pledges, charges or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever other than as disclosed in this Assignment . 2.1.4Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders, investigations, or claims pending or, to Tate’s knowledge, threatened against the Assets, at law or in equity. 2.1.5Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. None of the representations and warranties of Tate contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit any material fact concerning the statements contained in this Agreement not misleading.

02/16/2017 (American Gas & Technology LP)

4.1Waiver. The failure of either party to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition in this Assignment may be waived in writing by the party entitled to the performance of such obligation, covenant or agreement or by the party who has the benefit of such condition, but such waiver or failure to insist on strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure. 4.2Amendment. This Assignment may not be amended unless consented to in writing by the parties hereto. 4.3 Assignment . This Assignment may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. 4.4Notice. Any notice or communication required or permitted to be given under this Assignment shall be given in writing and shall be considered to have been given if delivered by hand, transmitted by facsimile transmission or mailed by prepaid registered post in the United States, to the last known address of the other party. Either party may designate in writing at any time the latest address to which notice may be given to that party. 4.5Currency. Any references to currency in this Assignment or any attachment thereof are to be un U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated. 4.6Time of the Essence. Time shall be of the essence of this Assignment . 4.7Invalidity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Assignment shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision and any such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed to be severable. 4.8Entire Agreement. The provisions of this Assignment constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all previous communications, representations and agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Assignment . 4.9Inurement. This Assignment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and, except as otherwise provided or as would be inconsistent with the provisions of this Assignment , their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

4.10Independent Legal Advice. Each of the parties to this Assignment confirms and acknowledges that it has been provided with an opportunity to seek independent legal advice with respect to its rights, entitlements, liabilities and obligations hereunder and understands that it has been recommended that such advice be sought prior to entering into this Assignment . 4.11Counterparts. This Assignment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. In the event that this Assignment is signed by one party and faxed or emailed to another, the parties agree that a faxed or emailed signature shall be binding upon the parties as though the signature was an original. IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Assignment has been executed by the parties, and is effective as of the Effective Date.

a.His assignor has stated such intention in the instrument of assignment ; b.The assignee has executed an instrument reasonably satisfactory to the General Partner accepting and adopting the terms and provisions of this Agreement; and c.The assignor or assignee has paid any reasonable expense in connection with the admission of the assignee as a Partner. d.The General Partner affirms in writing the substitution. 11.4. a.Transferor - Transferee Allocations. As between a Partner and his transferee, profits and losses for any month shall be apportioned to the person who is the holder of the Limited Partnership Interest transferred on the last day of such month, without regard to the results of the Partnership's operations during the period before and after such transfer. b.Distributions and Allocations Subsequent to Transfer. A transferee of, or substitute Partner for, a Partner's Limited Partnership Interest shall be entitled to receive distributions from the Partnership with respect to such Limited Partnership Interest only after the effective date of such assignment . 11.5. Limited Partnership Interest Transferred to the General Partners. If any General Partner should acquire an Interest as a Limited Partner, including but not limited to an acquisition by purchase pursuant to Section 7.13 hereof, such General Partner shall, with respect to such Interest, enjoy all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and duties of a Limited Partner to the extent of such Interest.

This global assignment is subject to the business requirements of LS&Co. and your performance during the period of the assignment . Throughout the entire period of this assignment , you agree that you will not engage, directly or indirectly, either on your own or through the agency of another person, firm or corporation, in any other employment, profession, occupation, service or business whatsoever. Violation of this provision may result in the termination of your employment.

12/06/2018 (LEVI STRAUSS & CO)

• Tax Preparation Services provided through a designated vendor during your assignment and the year following the end of your assignment . Currently, Ernst& Young provides tax services to LS&Co.’s global assignees.

• Tax Equalization is provided to ensure that you realize neither a significant tax detriment nor a benefit as a result of the assignment . LS&Co. has contracted with Ernst& Young to prepare your home and host country tax returns, to administer the tax equalization program, and to provide tax orientation to you before your departure on assignment .

• Income you receive during your global assignment is taxable under the laws of your host county and the US. In order to avoid a double taxation burden, LS&Co. pays the taxes assessed on host country income. In addition, LS&Co. pays the tax assessed on certain allowances you receive while in your host country which represents payments you would not receive but for your global assignment . You remain fully responsible for the tax liability for all taxable income earned in a given year that represents your base salary, any incentive payments, tax on personal investments, and any other income not specifically related to your global assignment . This tax liability is referred to as Stay at Home Tax.

The Company, through Ernst& Young (“EY”), provides and directly pays for tax consultation and tax preparation services while you are on assignment . The consultation includes a required pre- assignment tax consultation to review the tax implications of your international assignment and the Company’s Tax Equalization Policy. The tax consultation can take place in your current country or in your host country as soon as practical upon arrival.

11.3Sharing of Profits on Subletting and Assignment . If Lessee sublets any portion of the Premises or assigns this lease (except as permitted in either case by paragraph 11.2), Lessor and Lessee shall share the net profits, if any, calculated as follows. “Net profits” on subleases shall be deter-mined annually on an aggregate basis for all subleases of the Premises (except those permitted by paragraph 11.2) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Net profits on an assignment (except as permitted by paragraph 11.2) shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Lessee shall pay Lessor 25% of the net profits so determined (i)on subletting, either monthly or annually at the option of Lessee, and (ii)on an assignment , as received by Lessee. If Lessee pays such share monthly, the amount thereof shall be subject to annual adjustment. Nothing herein contained shall abrogate the requirement of Lessor’s consent to an assignment of this lease or any interest therein or subletting of the whole or any part of the Premises as set forth in paragraph 11.1.

10.3 Governance Meetings. Supplier shall implement a governance structure and governance procedures as specified in Exhibit 5. Supplier shall attend governance meetings as specified in Exhibit 5. LS&Co. may replace or reassign its governance committee members upon notice to Supplier. Supplier shall not replace or reassign its governance committee members unless LS&Co. consents to such replacement or re assignment . Before assigning an individual to a governance committee, Supplier shall notify LS&Co. of the proposed assignment , introduce the individual to appropriate LS&Co. personnel, provide LS&Co. with any information regarding the individual that may be reasonably requested by LS&Co., and obtain LS&Co.’s approval for such assignment .

pursuant to a Change in Control of LS&Co., a reorganization of LS&Co., or a transfer or sale of any business unit, line of business, product line, or substantial portion of its assets, without such consent. Upon LS&Co.’s assignment of this Agreement, LS&Co. shall be released from any obligation or liability under this Agreement. The consent of a Party to any assignment of this Agreement shall not constitute such Party’s consent to further assignment . This Agreement shall be binding on the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any assignment in contravention of this Section29.1 shall be void.

• LS&Co. reserves the right to interview/screen tech leads in each discipline prior to assignment . It is expected that tech leads will then sign off on remaining/additional resources to ensure they meet expected standards.

Following the completion of the Split-Off, Splitco will be entitled to vote the Expedia Common Shares subject to the Diller Proxy (representing 52.4% of the outstanding voting power of the Expedia Common Shares) as a result of the assignment of the Diller Proxy to Splitco until the Proxy Arrangement Termination Date pursuant to the Diller Assignment . Following the assignment of the Diller Proxy to Splitco, based on publicly available information, other than the Expedia Common Shares that are subject to the terms of the Diller Proxy and the Diller Assignment of which Diller and Splitco will continue to share beneficial ownership, Diller is expected to beneficially own approximately 5,777,586 shares of EXPE (based upon Expedia's Annual Report on Form10-K/A (Amendment No.1) for the fiscal year ended December31, 2015, filed with the SEC on April29, 2016), representing approximately 2.2% of the outstanding voting power of the Expedia Common Shares. Following the completion of the Split-Off, the voting of the Expedia Common Shares beneficially owned by Diller which Diller will be entitled to vote will be subject to certain terms contained in the Stockholders Agreement Amendment and the voting of the Expedia Common Shares beneficially owned by Splitco which Splitco will be entitled to vote, and as to which Splitco and Diller will continue to share beneficial ownership, will be subject to certain terms contained in Splitco's restated charter, its bylaws, the Stockholders Agreement Amendment, the Diller Assignment and the Transaction Agreement. The below table sets forth a summary of the voting arrangements following the completion of the Split-Off until the Proxy Arrangement Termination Date with respect to the Expedia Common Shares of which Diller and Splitco will share beneficial ownership. The Expedia Common Shares subject to the terms of the Diller Proxy and the Diller Assignment are referred to in the chart as Splitco's Expedia Common Shares and the remaining Expedia Common Shares of which Diller and Splitco share beneficial ownership are referred to in the chart as Diller's Expedia Common Shares.

09/23/2016 (Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc.)

7.5 Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except with respect to a merger of a party, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties; provided, however, that LIC and Splitco may assign their respective rights, interests, duties, liabilities and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective wholly-owned Subsidiaries, but such assignment shall not relieve LIC or Splitco, as the assignor, of its obligations hereunder.

8.8 Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except with respect to a merger of a party, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that each of Distributing and Splitco may assign its respective rights, interests, duties, liabilities and obligations under this Agreement to any other member of their Group, but such assignment shall not relieve Distributing or Splitco, as the assignor, of its liabilities or obligations hereunder.

12. Liberty Consent. To the extent this Agreement or the Diller Assignment constitutes a prohibited assignment of the Liberty Proxy pursuant to Section3.3(d)of the Stockholders Agreement, Liberty hereby consents to the assignment of the Liberty Proxy upon the execution of and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Diller Assignment . For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing consent does not affect any other provision of the Stockholders Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect.

6.7Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity not a Party to this Agreement. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any Party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Party and any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void; provided that prior to the Closing, the Purchaser may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to its Affiliates without the prior written consent of the Seller.

10/28/2020 (China Biologic Products Holdings, Inc.)

2. Assignment . Subject to and with effect from the SPA Closing, the Assignor hereby absolutely and irrevocably assigns all the rights, obligations and covenants of the Assignor with respect to and in connection with the Sale Shares under the IRA (as amended by this Assignment ) to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby accepts the foregoing assignment and fully assumes the rights, obligations and covenants of the Assignor with respect to and in connection with the Sale Shares under the IRA (as amended by this Assignment ). The assignment of the IRA pursuant to the foregoing sentence of this Section 2 is referred to as the “IRA Assignment .” The Company hereby consents to the IRA Assignment pursuant to Section 8.5 (Successors and Assigns) of the IRA.

7.Binding Effect; Assignment . This Assignment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Assignment shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity not a party to this Assignment . No assignment of this Assignment or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party (which consent, in each case, shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void.

(b)Acknowledgment of the PWM IRA Assignment . The Parties acknowledge and agree that with effect from the effective date of the latest PWM IRA Assignment (the “Effective Time”), the PWM IRA shall be of no further force and effect with respect to PWM, and PWM shall have no further liability or obligation with respect thereto or any of the transactions contemplated thereby.

8.Amendment; Assignment . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each of the Parties. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Party. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

11.6 Binding Effect and Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, any rights, benefits or obligations hereunder, except as set forth in ARTICLE IX and Section11.1. No Party hereto may assign, transfer, dispose of or otherwise alienate this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) except that each of the Company and the Remora Holdings may transfer their respective rights and obligations hereunder to any Affiliate. Any attempted assignment , transfer, disposition or alienation in violation of this Agreement shall be null, void and ineffective.

08/30/2018 (Remora Royalties, Inc.)

(a) The division of this Assignment into articles, sections and other portions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation hereof. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to an “Article” or “Section” followed by a number or a letter refer to the specified Article or Section of this Assignment . Unless otherwise indicated, all references to an “Exhibit” followed by a number or a letter refer to the specified Exhibit to this Assignment . The terms “this Assignment ,” “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and similar expressions refer to this Assignment , including the exhibits and schedules hereto, and not to any particular Article, Section or other portion hereof. The words “shall” and “will” are used interchangeably throughout this Assignment and shall accordingly be given the same meaning, regardless of which word is used.

(c) The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Assignment . No provision of this Assignment will be interpreted in favor of, or against, any of the Parties by reason of the extent to which any such Party or its counsel participated in the drafting thereof or by reason of the extent to which any such provision is inconsistent with any prior draft of this Assignment , and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Party hereto. This Assignment will not be interpreted or construed to require any person to take any action, or fail to take any action, if to do so would violate any applicable Law.

SECTION 5.03 Assignment . This Assignment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on the Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

10. Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. In addition, and regardless of whether any express assignment shall have been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the parties hereto other than the Company shall also be for the benefit of and enforceable by any subsequent holder of any Registrable Securities, subject to the provisions respecting the minimum numbers or percentages of Registrable Securities required in order to be entitled to certain rights, or take certain actions, contained herein.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption, and the assignee(s) and/or assignor(s) party thereto shall deliver a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, in each case to Administrative Agent; provided that Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment . The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

Congratulations on your assignment . Global Mobility is an important part of Teva’s growth, globalization,and talent initiatives. We believe that international assignment s help Teva achieve worldwide business targets while simultaneously developing employee’s capabilities and international business experience. We hope that you will benefit both personally and professionally from your experience. This letter summarizes the general terms and conditions of your assignment with Teva.

02/12/2018 (TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD)

* Your actual effective date of assignment will be determined following receipt of your authorization to work and reside in the Host country. This letter does not create a contract of employment, but simply seeks to confirm the conditions which pertain to your temporary international assignment . Should the nature of your position change or if this assignment extends beyond its initial duration the terms may be subject to change at that time. Teva reserves the right to modify the global assignment policies and procedures at any time in whole or in part, with or without notice.

Teva does not compensate for the loss of spousal/partner income as a result of the assignment , but rather recognizes that the financial impact exists. To ease the transition, Teva reimburses for job placement and related services if your spouse accompanies you full time on assignment . The maximum reimbursement is equivalent to 2000 USD. Reimbursement must be claimed within 12 months of the effective date of your assignment and Teva is responsible for any applicable taxes. Reimbursement will be processed by Teva’s dedicated relocation provider.

You will be provided one home leave every 12 months on assignment between your home country and your host country for you and your spouse. Teva covers round trip airfare, based on economy fare booked at least 30 days in advance and via the most direct route. Any ground transportation and/or lodging costs are your responsibility. You must use your vacation time for your home leave visits. To allow for unmarried dependent children enrolled in university outside the host location to visit you in the host location, the Company reimburses one round trip, economy airfare per child per the full duration of the assignment . Travel must be booked at least 30 days in advance via the most direct route.

In the event Teva, in its sole discretion, ends your international assignment before its scheduled end date, Teva will provide return trip airfare for you and your spouse back to the point of origin, and will ship household goods back to the point of origin or to some other mutually agreed upon location. Unless otherwise agreed to by regional management and Human Resources, the return must be completed within 60 days after the effective date of the termination of the international assignment . By failing to relocate within 60 days, you forfeit Teva’s offer to pay for repatriation transportation costs.

17. Assignment . This Agreement may be assigned, without the consent of the Executive, by Teva USA to any person, partnership, corporation or other entity that has purchased all or substantially all the assets of Teva USA; provided, that such assignee assumes any and all of the obligations of the Company hereunder. The Company shall cause any person, firm or corporation acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of Teva USA to execute a written instrument agreeing to assume any and all of the obligations of the Company hereunder as a condition to acquiring such assets.

19. No Assignment . The Parties agree that they have not, and will not, sell, transfer or assign, or purport to sell, transfer or assign, any Claim or interest in any claim that is the subject of the releases in this Agreement.

(d)Dispute Resolution. Except with respect to claims for breach of the obligations under Section 2 of this Agreement, for which the Company may seek enforcement in any court having competent jurisdiction at its election, any dispute arising between the Company and Employee with respect to the validity, performance or interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted to and determined in binding arbitration in Hartford, Connecticut, for resolution in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, modified to provide that the decision of the arbitrator shall be binding on the parties; shall be furnished in writing, separately and specifically stating the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which the decision is based; shall be kept confidential by the arbitrator and the parties; and shall be rendered within sixty (60) days following the arbitrator being impaneled. Costs and expenses of the arbitration shall be borne by the Company regardless of the outcome. The arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. (e) Assignment . Without the prior written consent of Employee, this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Employee’s heirs and legal representatives. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

02/07/2020 (Otis Worldwide Corp)

The terms and conditions of your employment, other than as set out in this letter, remain unchanged throughout the temporary assignment . During your temporary assignment your employment will remain with Huntsman P&A Americas LLC (The Home Company) and shall continue to be governed by Texas and U.S. law. This letter sets out the details of your temporary assignment to Huntsman P&A UK Ltd (The Host Company) which continues until you are no longer employed with The Home Company or this temporary assignment ends.

07/14/2017 (Venator Materials PLC)

Although you will be working with The Host Company, your contract of employment with The Home Company will continue in existence during your assignment , except as herein provided. In particular, the provision regarding termination of employment will remain in full force and operation throughout the period of your assignment . However, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the terms of Huntsman Corporation’s Executive Severance Plan (as attached) will apply to any termination of your employment. The following terms shall be in operation throughout the duration of your assignment .

As an equity participant, the taxation basis for your equity may change as a result of your assignment . Please consult with your Stock Partner for further information.

The Company-designated accounting firm will prepare your Home Country income tax return(s)for the duration of this assignment , and any subsequent years that are impacted by this assignment . Citizens or permanent residents must file a tax return each year, even when living abroad.

At the end of your assignment , the Company will assist with transferring your personal effects back to a location of your choice in your Home Country or on to a consecutive international assignment . The same limitations apply for repatriation of your HHG.

(f) Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of BBH; provided, however, that BBH may assign or transfer its duties or interests hereunder to any of its affiliates at the sole discretion of BBH and may otherwise assign, on a “shared basis”, its rights under Section4 to any affiliated private equity fund to the extent necessary to maintain venture capital operating company status. Subject to the foregoing, the provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Subject to the next sentence, no person or party other than the parties hereto and their respective successors or permitted assigns is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement. The parties acknowledge and agree that BBH and its affiliates and their respective partners (both general and limited), members (both managing and otherwise), officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives as well as any assignees pursuant to this Section7(f) are intended to be third-party beneficiaries under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 hereof, as applicable.

01/15/2021 (Bumble Inc.)

(h) Assignment . This Agreement, and all of Executive’s rights and duties hereunder, shall not be assignable or delegable by Executive. Any purported assignment or delegation by Executive in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void ab initio and of no force and effect. This Agreement shall be assigned by the Company to a person or entity which is a successor in interest (“Successor”) to all or substantially all of the then-business operations of the Company; provided, that such Successor undertakes to be bound by the terms hereunder. Upon such assignment , the rights and obligations of the Company hereunder shall become the rights and obligations of such Successor.

SECTION1. Assignment . Assignor hereby sells, assigns, transfers, conveys, and delivers to Assignee all of Assignor’s worldwide right, title, and interest in, to, and under the trademark MAKE THE FIRST MOVE, the Application, any other worldwide registrations and applications for such trademark, and the goodwill of the business embodied therein and symbolized thereto, and all common-law rights related thereto (collectively, the “Mark”), free and clear of any liens or encumbrances of any kind, together with the right to bring an action or proceeding at law or in equity for any infringement, dilution or violation of the foregoing prior to the Effective Date, and the right to retain all monies, proceeds and damages therefrom.

SECTION3. Further Assurances. Each Party will, upon the other Party’s reasonable request, without further consideration but at the requesting Party’s expense, provide or execute all other documents and take all further actions as may be necessary to effectuate the purpose of this Assignment . Without limiting the foregoing, at Assignee’s request and expense, Assignor shall execute a short-form assignment to record the assignment herein at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

5. Assignment . Neither Maker nor Holders may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Note except with the prior written consent of the other. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 5, this Note is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs, legal representatives, and permitted assigns.

05/01/2019 (Golden Developing Solutions, Inc.)

1. Assignment . In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Seller does hereby sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver unto Purchaser, its successors and assigns, all of the Assets, as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation, all of the assets set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto, free and clear of any and all options, liens, security interests, encumbrances, mortgages, deeds of trust, liabilities, financing statements, pledges, charges, conditions, equitable claims, covenants, title defects, restrictions or claims of any kind, nature or description whatsoever (collectively, “Liens”), to have and to hold said Assets unto Purchaser, its successors and assigns, to and for its and/or their use forever.

6.Independent Covenants. This Assignment is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement. Nothing contained in this Assignment shall be deemed to diminish any of the obligations, agreements, covenants, representations or warranties of the parties contained in the Purchase Agreement. 7.Counterparts. This Assignment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which when affixed together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Manual signatures exchanged electronically by facsimile or email shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. 8.Recitals. The recitals above are incorporated by reference into this Assignment . 9.Amendment and Governing Law. This Assignment shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the state of Colorado (without regards to the conflict of law principles thereof). No change in or amendment to this Assignment shall be valid unless set forth in a writing signed by both parties to this Assignment . THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT (A) COLORADO HAS PASSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND ENACTED CERTAIN LEGISLATION TO GOVERN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY AND (B) THE POSSESSION, SALE, MANUFACTURE, AND CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS IS ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW. THE PARTIES WAIVE ANY DEFENSES BASED UPON INVALIDITY OF CONTRACTS FOR PUBLIC POLICY REASONS AND/OR THE SUBSTANCE OF THE CONTRACT VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW.

1. Assignment and Assumption. Seller hereby assigns the Material Contracts to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby assumes and agrees to perform or otherwise carry out all of Seller’s obligations with respect to the Material Contracts. Seller agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Purchaser from any liability accruing from such Material Contracts before the date of this Assignment and Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller from any liability accruing from such Material Contracts following the date of this Assignment . Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser shall not assume, or become liable to pay, perform or discharge any liability for any Material Contract (unless Purchaser affirmatively elects otherwise in writing): (i) where Seller is in default prior to the date of this Assignment ; (ii) where the consent or approval of any person is required for Seller to assign or Purchaser to assume such Material Contract and such consent or approval is not obtained or waived in writing by Purchaser before the date of this Assignment ; or (iii) where any notice to any person is required for Seller to assign or Purchaser to assume such Material Contract and such notice is not provided to such person or waived in writing by Purchaser before the date hereof.

9. Amendment and Governing Law. This Assignment shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the state of Colorado (without regards to the conflict of law principles thereof). No change in or amendment to this Assignment shall be valid unless set forth in a writing signed by both parties to this Assignment . THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT (A) COLORADO HAS PASSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND ENACTED CERTAIN LEGISLATION TO GOVERN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY AND (B) THE POSSESSION, SALE, MANUFACTURE, AND CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS IS ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW. THE PARTIES WAIVE ANY DEFENSES BASED UPON INVALIDITY OF CONTRACTS FOR PUBLIC POLICY REASONS AND/OR THE SUBSTANCE OF THE CONTRACT VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW.

9 If to the Company: If to Executive: Tyler Bartholomew (c) Assignment . This Agreement will be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors, personal representatives, heirs and assigns. Neither Party may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement except with the prior written consent of other Party.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment . The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

05/02/2018 (AMERICAN TOWER CORP /MA/)

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c)of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 10.2, 10.3 and 10.5 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment . Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d)of this Section.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 22.3, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including any collateral security, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of ARTICLE 17 and ARTICLE 21, and shall continue to be liable for any breach of this Agreement by such Lender, with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment . Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 22.4. Any payment by an assignee to an assigning Lender in connection with an assignment or transfer shall not be or be deemed to be a repayment by the Borrower or a new Loan to the Borrower.

02/26/2021 (GFL Environmental Inc.)

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, which shall include, inter alia, a representation by the assignee that it is an Eligible Assignee, any tax forms required by Section 3.01 (unless such assignee is already a Lender), together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive or reduce such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment . The Eligible Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire. All assignment s shall be by novation.

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§ 2-210. Delegation of Performance; Assignment of Rights.

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(1) A party may perform his duty through a delegate unless otherwise agreed or unless the other party has a substantial interest in having his original promisor perform or control the acts required by the contract . No delegation of performance relieves the party delegating of any duty to perform or any liability for breach.

(2) Unless otherwise agreed all rights of either seller or buyer can be assigned except where the assignment would materially change the duty of the other party, or increase materially the burden or risk imposed on him by his contract , or impair materially his chance of obtaining return performance. A right to damages for breach of the whole contract or a right arising out of the assignor's due performance of his entire obligation can be assigned despite agreement otherwise.

(3)Unless the circumstances indicate the contrary a prohibition of assignment of "the contract" is to be construed as barring only the delegation to the assignee of the assignor's performance.

(4) An assignment of "the contract" or of "all my rights under the contract" or an assignment in similar general terms is an assignment of rights and unless the language or the circumstances (as in an assignment for security) indicate the contrary, it is a delegation of performance of the duties of the assignor and its acceptance by the assignee constitutes a promise by him to perform those duties. This promise is enforceable by either the assignor or the other party to the original contract .

(5) The other party may treat any assignment which delegates performance as creating reasonable grounds for insecurity and may without prejudice to his rights against the assignor demand assurances from the assignee (Section 2-609 ).

• Practical Law

Assessing Assignability: Transferring Contractual Rights or Obligations

Practical law legal update 5-546-6326  (approx. 7 pages).

• An intended transfer is of the type that is prohibited by law or public policy (see Practice Note, Assignability of Commercial Contracts: Statutory and Public Policy Exceptions ).
• The parties expressly agree to restrict transferability (see Practice Note, Assignability of Commercial Contracts: Contractual Anti-assignment and Anti-delegation Clauses ).
• Breaching the contract.
• Making an ineffective and invalid transfer.

Distinguishing Between Assignment and Delegation

• The assignment of rights to receive performance.
• The delegation of duties to perform.

Characteristics of Assignments

• The right to receive performance from the assignor.
• Its remedies against the assignor for any failure to perform.

Characteristics of Delegation

The general rule governing assignment and delegation.

• Most assignments of contractual rights.
• Many delegations of contractual performance.
• Assignments and delegations that violate public policy or law.
• Assignments of rights or delegations of performance that are personal in nature.
• Contracts with anti-assignment or anti-delegation clauses.

Contracts That Present the Greatest Challenges

• Personal services contracts (see Personal Services Contracts ).
• Non-exclusive intellectual property licenses (see Intellectual Property Licenses ).
• Contracts with anti-assignment and anti-delegation clauses (see Contracts With Anti-assignment and Anti-delegation Contract Clauses ).

Personal Services Contracts

Intellectual property licenses, contracts with anti-assignment and anti-delegation clauses, is a change of control an assignment.

• Contains an anti-assignment and anti-delegation clause expressly restricting a change of control.
• States that a change in management or equity ownership of the contracting party is deemed to be an assignment.

When Does an Involuntary Transfer Trigger a Restricted Transfer?

• A contractual anti-assignment and anti delegation clause applies to a specific type or transfer.
• The transfer is permissible, with or without a contractual anti-assignment and anti-delegation provision.

Drafting and Negotiating Anti-assignment and Anti-delegation Clauses

• Directly addressing assignment of rights and delegation of performance.
• Clarifying the universe of restricted transfers.
• Designating the non-transferring party's consent rights.
• Specifying any exceptions to non-transferability.
• Requiring notification of a permitted transfer.
• Including a declaration that impermissible transfers are void.
• Adding a novation to the anti-assignment and anti-delegation provision.
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Assignment provisions in contracts

Author’s note, Nov. 22, 2014: For a much-improved update of this page, see the Common Draft general provisions article .

(For more real-world stories like the ones below, see my PDF e-book, Signing a Business Contract? A Quick Checklist for Greater Peace of Mind , a compendium of tips and true stories to help you steer clear of various possible minefields. Learn more …. )

Table of Contents

Legal background: Contracts generally are freely assignable

When a party to a contract “ assigns ” the contract to someone else, it means that party, known as the assignor , has transferred its rights under the contract to someone else, known as the assignee , and also has delegated its obligations to the assignee.

Under U.S. law, most contract rights are freely assignable , and most contract duties are freely delegable, absent some special character of the duty, unless the agreement says otherwise. In some situations, however, the parties will not want their opposite numbers to be able to assign the agreement freely; contracts often include language to this effect.

Intellectual-property licenses are an exception to the general rule of assignability. Under U.S. law, an IP licensee may not assign its license rights, nor delegate its license obligations, without the licensor’s consent, even when the license agreement is silent. See, for example, In re XMH Corp. , 647 F.3d 690 (7th Cir. 2011) (Posner, J; trademark licenses); Cincom Sys., Inc. v. Novelis Corp. , 581 F.3d 431 (6th Cir. 2009) (copyright licenses); Rhone-Poulenc Agro, S.A. v. DeKalb Genetics Corp. , 284 F.3d 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (patent licenses). For additional information, see this article by John Paul, Brian Kacedon, and Douglas W. Meier of the Finnegan Henderson firm.

Assignment consent requirements

Model language

[Party name] may not assign this Agreement to any other person without the express prior written consent of the other party or its successor in interest, as applicable, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement. A putative assignment made without such required consent will have no effect.

Optional: Nor may [Party name] assign any right or interest arising out of this Agreement, in whole or in part, without such consent.

Alternative: For the avoidance of doubt, consent is not required for an assignment (absolute, collateral, or other) or pledge of, nor for any grant of a security interest in, a right to payment under this Agreement.

Optional: An assignment of this Agreement by operation of law, as a result of a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or other transaction or series of transactions, requires consent to the same extent as would an assignment to the same assignee outside of such a transaction or series of transactions.

• An assignment-consent requirement like this can give the non-assigning party a chokehold on a future merger or corporate reorganization by the assigning party — see the case illustrations below.

• A party being asked to agree to an assignment-consent requirement should consider trying to negotiate one of the carve-out provisions below, for example, when the assignment is connection with a sale of substantially all the assets of the assignor’s business {Link} .

Case illustrations

The dubai port deal (ny times story and story ).

In 2006, a Dubai company that operated several U.S. ports agreed to sell those operations. (The agreement came about because of publicity and political pressure about the alleged national-security implications of having Middle-Eastern companies in charge of U.S. port operations.)

A complication arose in the case of the Port of Newark: The Dubai company’s lease agreement gave the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey the right to consent to any assignment of the agreement — and that agency initially demanded $84 million for its consent.

After harsh criticism from political leaders, the Port Authority backed down a bit: it gave consent in return for “only” a $10 million consent fee, plus $40 million investment commitment by the buyer.

Cincom Sys., Inc. v. Novelis Corp., No. 07-4142 (6th Cir. Sept. 25, 2009) (affirming summary judgment)

A customer of a software vendor did an internal reorganization. As a result, the vendor’s software ended up being used by a sister company of the original customer. The vendor demanded that the sister company buy a new license. The sister company refused.

The vendor sued, successfully, for copyright infringement, and received the price of a new license, more than $450,000 as its damages. The case is discussed in more detail in this blog posting.

The vendor’s behavior strikes me as extremely shortsighted, for a couple of reasons: First, I wouldn’t bet much on the likelihood the customer would ever buy anything again from that vendor. Second, I would bet that the word got around about what the vendor did, and that this didn’t do the vendor’s reputation any good.

Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC v. Roche Diagnostics GmbH, No. 5589-VCP (Del. Ch. Apr. 8, 2011) (denying motion to dismiss).

The Delaware Chancery Court refused to rule out the possibility that a reverse triangular merger could act as an assignment of a contract, which under the contract terms would have required consent. See also the discussion of this opinion by Katherine Jones of the Sheppard Mullin law firm.

Assignment with transfer of business assets

Consent is not required for an assignment of this Agreement in connection with a sale or other disposition of substantially all the assets of the assigning party’s business.

Optional: Alternatively, the sale or other disposition may be of substantially all the assets of the assigning party’s business to which this Agreement specifically relates.

Optional: The assignee must not be a competitor of the non-assigning party.

• A prospective assigning party might argue that it needed to keep control of its own strategic destiny, for example by preserving its freedom to sell off a product line or division (or even the whole company) in an asset sale.

• A non-assigning party might argue that it could not permit the assignment of the agreement to one of its competitors, and that the only way to ensure this was to retain a veto over any assignment.

• Another approach might be to give the non-assigning party, instead of a veto over asset-disposition assignments, the right to terminate the contract for convenience . (Of course, the implications of termination would have to be carefully thought through.)

Assignment to affiliate

[Either party] may assign this Agreement without consent to its affiliate.

Optional: The assigning party must unconditionally guarantee the assignee’s performance.

Optional: The affiliate must not be a competitor of the non-assigning party.

Optional: The affiliate must be a majority-ownership affiliate of the assigning party.

• A prospective assigning party might argue for the right to assign to an affiliate to preserve its freedom to move assets around within its “corporate family” without having to seek approval.

• The other party might reasonably object that there is no way to know in advance whether an affiliate-assignee would be in a position to fulfill the assigning party’s obligations under the contract, nor whether it would have reachable assets in case of a breach.

Editorial comment: Before approving a blanket affiliate-assignment authorization, a party should consider whether it knew enough about the other party’s existing- or future affiliates to be comfortable with where the agreement might end up.

Consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed

Consent to an assignment of this Agreement requiring it may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Optional: For the avoidance of doubt, any damages suffered by a party seeking a required consent to assignment of this Agreement, resulting from an unreasonable withholding or delay of such consent, are to be treated as direct damages.

Optional: For the avoidance of doubt, any damages suffered by a party seeking a required consent to assignment of this Agreement, resulting from an unreasonable withholding or delay of such consent, are not subject to any exclusion of remedies or other limitation of liability in this Agreement.

• Even if this provision were absent, applicable law might impose a reasonableness requirement; see the discussion of the Shoney case in the commentary to the Consent at discretion provision.

• A reasonableness requirement might not be of much practical value, whether contractual or implied by law. Such a requirement could not guarantee that the non-assigning party would give its consent when the assigning party wants it. And by the time a court could resolve the matter, the assigning party’s deal could have been blown.

• Still, an unreasonable-withholding provision should make the non-assigning party think twice about dragging its feet too much, becuase of the prospect of being held liable for damages for a busted transaction. Cf. Pennzoil vs. Texaco and its $10.5 billion damage award for tortious interference with an M&A deal.

• Including an unreasonable-delay provision might conflict with the Materiality of assignment breach provision, for reasons discussed there in the summary of the Hess Energy case.

Consent at discretion

A party having the right to grant or withhold consent to an assignment of this Agreement may do so in its sole and unfettered discretion.

• If a party might want the absolute right to withhold consent to an assignment in its sole discretion, it would be a good idea to try to include that in the contract language. Otherwise, there’s a risk that court might impose a commercial-reasonableness test under applicable law (see the next bullet). On the other hand, asking for such language but not getting it could be fatal to the party’s case that it was implicitly entitled to withhold consent in its discretion.

• If a commercial- or residential lease agreement requires the landlord’s consent before the tentant can assign the lease, state law might impose a reasonableness requirement. I haven’t researched this, but ran across an unpublished California opinion and an old law review article, each collecting cases. See Nevada Atlantic Corp. v. Wrec Lido Venture, LLC, No. G039825 (Cal. App. Dec. 8, 2008) (unpublished; reversing judgment that sole-discretion withholding of consent was unreasonable); Paul J. Weddle, Pacific First Bank v. New Morgan Park Corporation: Reasonable Withholding of Consent to Commercial Lease Assignments , 31 Willamette L. Rev. 713 (1995) (first page available for free at HeinOnline ).

Shoney’s LLC v. MAC East, LLC, No. 1071465 (Ala. Jul. 31, 2009)

In 2009, the Alabama Supreme Court rejected a claim that Shoney’s restaurant chain breached a contract when it demanded a $70,000 to $90,000 payment as the price of its consent to a proposed sublease. The supreme court noted that the contract specifically gave Shoney’s the right, in its sole discretion , to consent to any proposed assignment or sublease.

Significantly, prior case law from Alabama was to the effect that a refusal to consent would indeed be judged by a commercial-reasonableness standard. But, the supreme court said, “[w]here the parties to a contract use language that is inconsistent with a commercial-reasonableness standard, the terms of such contract will not be altered by an implied covenant of good faith. Therefore, an unqualified express standard such as ‘sole discretion’ is also to be construed as written.” Shoney’s LLC v. MAC East, LLC , No. 1071465 (Ala. Jul. 31, 2009) (on certification by Eleventh Circuit), cited by MAC East, LLC v. Shoney’s [LLC] , No. 07-11534 (11th Cir. Aug. 11, 2009), reversing No. 2:05-cv-1038-MEF (WO) (M.D. Ala. Jan. 8, 2007) (granting partial summary judgment that Shoney’s had breached the contract).

Termination by non-assigning party

A non-assigning party may terminate this Agreement, in its business discretion , by giving notice to that effect no later than 60 days after receiving notice, from either the assigning party or the assignee, that an assignment of the Agreement has become effective.

Consider an agreement in which a vendor is to provide ongoing services to a customer. A powerful customer might demand the right to consent to the vendor’s assignment of the agreement, even in strategic transactions. The vendor, on the other hand, might refuse to give any customer that kind of control of its strategic options.

A workable compromise might be to allow the customer to terminate the agreement during a stated window of time after the assignment if it is not happy with the new vendor.

Assignment – other provisions

Optional: Delegation: For the avoidance of doubt, an assignment of this Agreement operates as a transfer of the assigning party’s rights and a delegation of its duties under this Agreement.

Optional: Promise to perform: For the avoidance of doubt, an assignee’s acceptance of an assignment of this Agreement constitutes the assignee’s promise to perform the assigning party’s duties under the Agreement. That promise is enforceable by either the assigning party or by the non-assigning party.

Optional: Written assumption by assignee: IF: The non-assigning party so requests of an assignee of this Agreement; THEN: The assignee will seasonably provide the non-assigning party with a written assumption of the assignor’s obligations, duly executed by or on behalf of the assignee; ELSE: The assignment will be of no effect.

Optional: No release: For the avoidance of doubt, an assignment of this Agreement does not release the assigning party from its responsibility for performance of its duties under the Agreement unless the non-assigning party so agrees in writing.

Optional: Confidentiality: A non-assigning party will preserve in confidence any non-public information about an actual- or proposed assignment of this Agreement that may be disclosed to that party by a party participating in, or seeking consent for, the assignment.

The Delegation provision might not be necessary in a contract for the sale of goods governed by the Uniform Commercial Code, because a similar provision is found in UCC 2-210

The Confidentiality provision would be useful if a party to the agreement anticipated that it might be engaging in any kind of merger or other strategic transaction.

Materiality of assignment breach

IF: A party breaches any requirement of this Agreement that the party obtain another party’s consent to assign this Agreement; THEN: Such breach is to be treated as a material breach of this Agreement.

A chief significance of this kind of provision is that failure to obtain consent to assignment, if it were a material breach, would give the non-assigning party the right to terminate the Agreement.

If an assignment-consent provision requires that consent not be unreasonably withheld , then failure to obtain consent to a reasonable assignment would not be a material breach, according to the court in Hess Energy Inc. v. Lightning Oil Co. , No. 01-1582 (4th Cir. Jan. 18, 2002) (reversing summary judgment). In that case, the agreement was a natural-gas supply contract. The customer was acquired by a larger company, after which the larger company took over some of the contract administration responsibilities such as payment of the vendor’s invoices. The vendor, seeking to sell its gas to someone else at a higher price, sent a notice of termination, on grounds that the customer had “assigned” the agreement to its new parent company, in violation of the contract’s assignment-consent provision. The appeals court held that, even if the customer had indeed assigned the contract (a point on which it expressed considerable doubt) without consent, the resulting breach of the agreement was not material, and therefore the vendor did not have the right to terminate the contract.

See also (list is generated automatically) :

• Notebook update: Reverse triangular merger might be an assignment of a contract, requiring consent Just updated the Notebook with a citation to a case in which the Delaware Chancery Court refused to rule out the possibility that a reverse...
• Assignment-consent requirements can cause serious problems in future M&A transactions A lot of contracts provide that Party A must obtain the prior written consent of Party B if it wishes to assign the agreement to a...
• SCOTX rejects implied obligation not to unreasonably withhold consent to assignment of contract In a recent Texas case, two sophisticated parties in the oil and gas busi­ness — let’s call them Alpha and Bravo — were negotiating a contract....
• Ken Adams and the marketplace of ideas I (used to) comment occasionally at Ken Adams’s blog. Recent examples: Here, here, here, here, and here. Ken and I disagree on a number of issues; some...

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