FORM S-3
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
HFF, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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6500
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51-0610340 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
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(Primary Standard Industrial
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(I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization)
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Classification Code Number)
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Identification No.) |
One Oxford Centre
301 Grant Street, Suite 600
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
(412) 281-8714
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
John H. Pelusi, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
HFF, Inc.
One Oxford Centre
301 Grant Street, Suite 600
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 281-8714
(Name, address including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
James A. Lebovitz, Esq.
Marc P. Lindsay, Esq.
Dechert LLP
Cira Centre
2929 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2808
(215) 994-4000
Approximate date of commencement of the proposed sale of the securities to the public: From time
to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous
basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in
connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective
amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule
462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o |
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Smaller reporting company o |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed |
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Proposed |
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Maximum |
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Maximum |
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Title of Each Class of |
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Amount to |
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Offering |
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Aggregate |
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Amount of |
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Securities to Be Registered |
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Be Registered(1) |
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Price Per Unit(2) |
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Offering Price(2) |
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Registration Fee |
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Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share |
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20,355,000 |
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$2.95 |
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$60,047,250 |
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$3,350 |
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(1) |
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This Registration Statement registers 20,355,000 shares of Class A
common stock of HFF, Inc. issuable upon exchange by HFF Holdings LLC
of an equivalent number of partnership units of each of Holliday
Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. and HFF Securities L.P., which shares of Class A
stock will subsequently be distributed from time to time after this
registration statement becomes effective by HFF Holdings LLC to its
members upon redemption of an equivalent number of limited liability
company units of HFF Holdings LLC as contemplated by the
reorganization transactions effected in connection with our initial
public offering of our Class A common stock in February 2007. This
Registration Statement also relates to such additional shares of
Class A common stock of HFF, Inc. as may be issued with respect to
such shares of Class A common stock by way of a stock dividend, stock
split or similar transaction. |
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act based upon the
average of the high and low per share prices of Class A common stock
of HFF, Inc. as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 15, 2009. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these
securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is
effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject
to Completion, dated May 19, 2009
Prospectus
20,355,000 Shares
Class A Common Stock
HFF, Inc. may issue and, through HFF Holdings LLC (HFF Holdings), distribute from time to
time up to 20,355,000 shares of Class A common stock to holders of limited liability company units
in HFF Holdings, who are entitled to direct HFF Holdings to exchange two partnership units, one in
each of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. and HFF Securities L.P. (collectively, the Operating
Partnerships), for a share of Class A common stock, and subsequently redeem one limited liability
company unit in HFF Holdings for such share of Class A common stock (such right, the Exchange
Right). We are a public holding company, organized under the laws of Delaware, holding partnership
units in the Operating Partnerships and all of the outstanding shares of Holliday GP Corp., the
sole general partner of each of the Operating Partnerships. The Exchange Right was granted as part
of the reorganization transactions that took place in February 2007 in connection with the initial
public offering of our Class A common stock.
We are registering the issuance of our Class A common stock to permit holders of limited
liability company units in HFF Holdings who redeem their limited liability company units to sell
without restriction in the open market or otherwise any of our shares of Class A common stock that
they receive upon exercise of the Exchange Right. However, the registration of our Class A common
stock does not necessarily mean that any holders will redeem their limited liability company units
in HFF Holdings, which redemptions are subject to certain contractual restrictions which are
discussed in Exercise of the Exchange Right.
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of any of our shares of Class A common
stock upon an exercise of the Exchange Right, but we will acquire the partnership units in the
Operating Partnerships exchanged for shares of our Class A common stock that we issue to HFF
Holdings. HFF Holdings will in turn not receive any cash proceeds from the transactions described
in this prospectus but will acquire the limited liability company units in itself that are redeemed
for such shares of Class A common stock that it may distribute to a redeeming holder.
Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HF. The
last reported sale price of the Class A common stock on May 18,
2009 was $3.20 per share.
Investing in our Class A common stock involves significant risks. See Risk Factors beginning
on page 2.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state other regulatory body approved or
disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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EX-5.1 |
EX-23.1 |
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information or to make any representations
about anything not contained in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. We are offering
to sell, and seeking offers to buy, only our shares of Class A common stock covered by this
prospectus, and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The
information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is current only as of its
date, regardless of the time and delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the shares.
You should read carefully the entire prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by
reference in the prospectus, before making an investment decision.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THE ISSUER
In connection with our initial public offering of our Class A common stock in February 2007,
we effected a reorganization of our business, which had previously been conducted through HFF
Holdings LLC (HFF Holdings) and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Holliday
Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. and HFF Securities L.P. (together, the Operating Partnerships) and Holliday
GP Corp. (Holliday GP). In the reorganization, HFF, Inc., a newly-formed Delaware corporation,
purchased from HFF Holdings all of the shares of Holliday GP, which is the sole general partner of
each of the Operating Partnerships, and approximately 45% of the partnership units in each of the
Operating Partnerships (including partnership units in the Operating Partnerships held by Holliday
GP) in exchange for the net proceeds from the initial public offering and one share of Class B
common stock of HFF, Inc. Following this reorganization and as of the closing of the initial public
offering on February 5, 2007, HFF, Inc. is a holding company holding partnership units in the
Operating Partnerships and all of the outstanding shares of Holliday GP. HFF Holdings and HFF,
Inc., through their wholly-owned subsidiaries, are the only limited partners of the Operating
Partnerships. We refer to these transactions collectively in this prospectus as the Reorganization
Transactions. Unless we state otherwise, the information in this prospectus gives effect to these
Reorganization Transactions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to (1) HFF Holdings refer solely to HFF
Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that was previously the holding company for our
consolidated subsidiaries, and not to any of its subsidiaries, (2) HFF LP refer to Holliday
Fenoglio Fowler, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, (3) HFF Securities refer to HFF Securities
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and registered broker-dealer, (4) Holliday GP refer to
Holliday GP Corp., a Delaware corporation and the general partner of HFF LP and HFF Securities, (5)
HoldCo LLC refer to HFF Partnership Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of HFF, Inc., and (6) Holdings Sub refer to HFF LP Acquisition LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of HFF Holdings. Our business
operations are conducted by HFF LP and HFF Securities which are sometimes referred to in this
prospectus as the Operating Partnerships.
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Also, except where specifically noted, references in this prospectus to the Company, we or
us mean HFF, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries after giving effect
to the Reorganization Transactions.
References to the initial public offering refer to our initial public offering in February
2007 of 16,445,000 shares of our Class A common stock, including shares issued to the underwriters
of the initial public offering pursuant to their election to exercise in full their overallotment
option.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or the Commission, using a shelf registration process. Under the shelf
registration process, we may offer from time to time up to an aggregate of 20,355,000 shares of
Class A common stock.
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HFF, INC.
We are one of the leading providers of commercial real estate and capital markets services to
the U.S. commercial real estate industry based on transaction volume and are one of the largest
full-service commercial real estate financial intermediaries in the country. As of April 30, 2009,
we operate out of 17 offices nationwide with approximately 164 transaction professionals and 223
support associates. In 2008, we advised on approximately $19.2 billion of completed commercial real
estate transactions, a 56.0% decrease compared to the approximately $43.5 billion of completed
transactions we advised on in 2007.
Our fully-integrated national capital markets platform, coupled with our knowledge of the
commercial real estate markets, allows us to effectively act as a one-stop shop for our clients,
providing a broad array of capital markets services including:
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Debt placement; |
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Investment sales; |
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Structured finance; |
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Private equity, investment banking and advisory services; |
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Loan sales; and |
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Commercial loan servicing. |
HFF, Inc. is a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices located at 301 Grant
Street, One Oxford Centre, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, telephone number (412)
281-8714.
1
RISK FACTORS
The redemption of your limited liability company units in HFF Holdings for shares of our
Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully each of the
risks described below and all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus before making a decision to redeem your partnership units in the Operating
Partnerships for shares of our Class A common stock. In addition, there may be risks of which we
are currently unaware, or that we currently regard as immaterial based on the information available
to us, that later prove to be material. These risks may adversely affect our business, financial
condition and operating results. As a result, the trading price of our Class A common stock could
decline and you could lose some or all of your investment.
Summary of Risks Related to Our Business
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General economic conditions and commercial real estate market conditions, both
globally and domestically, have had and may in the future have a negative impact on our
business. |
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Our business has been, is currently being, and may continue to be, adversely
affected by recent restrictions in the availability of debt and/or equity capital as
well as the lack of adequate credit and the risk of continued deterioration of the debt
and/or credit markets and commercial real estate markets. |
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If we are unable to retain and attract qualified and experienced transaction
professionals and associates, our growth may be limited and our business and operating
results could suffer. |
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The deteriorating business of certain of our clients could adversely affect our
results of operation and financial condition. |
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Additional indebtedness or an inability to draw on our existing revolving credit
facility or otherwise obtain indebtedness may make us more vulnerable to economic
downturns and limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures. |
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The current global credit and financial crisis could affect the ability or
willingness of the financial institutions with whom we currently do business to provide
funding under our current financing arrangements. |
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Our business could be hurt if we are unable to retain our business philosophy and
partnership culture as a result of becoming a public company, and efforts to retain our
philosophy and culture could adversely affect our ability to maintain and grow our
business. |
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We have numerous significant competitors and potential future competitors, some of
which may have greater resources than we do, and we may not be able to continue to
compete effectively. |
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In the event that we experience significant growth in the future, such growth may be
difficult to sustain and may place significant demands on our administrative,
operational and financial resources. |
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If we acquire companies or significant groups of personnel in the future, we may
experience high transaction and integration costs, the integration process may be
disruptive to our business and the acquired businesses and/or personnel may not perform
as we expect. |
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A failure to appropriately deal with actual or perceived conflicts of interest could
adversely affect our businesses. |
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A majority of our revenue is derived from capital markets services transaction fees,
which are not long-term contracted sources of revenue, are subject to external economic
conditions and intense |
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competition, and declines in those engagements could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations. |
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Significant fluctuations in our revenues and net income may make it difficult for us
to achieve steady earnings growth on a quarterly or an annual basis, which may make the
comparison between periods difficult and may cause the price of our Class A common
stock to decline. |
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Our results of operation vary significantly among quarters during each calendar
year, which makes comparisons of our quarterly results difficult. |
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Our existing goodwill and other intangible assets could become impaired, which may
require us to take significant non-cash charges. |
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Our existing deferred tax assets may not be realizable, which may require us to take
significant non-cash charges. |
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Employee misconduct, which is difficult to detect and deter, could harm us by
impairing our ability to attract and retain clients and subjecting us to significant
legal liability and reputational harm. |
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Compliance failures and changes in regulation could result in an increase in our
compliance costs or subject us to sanctions or litigation. |
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We could be adversely affected if the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 is not
renewed beyond 2014, or is adversely amended, or if insurance for other natural or
manmade disasters is interrupted or constrained. |
Summary of Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure
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Our only material asset is our units in the Operating Partnerships, and we are
accordingly dependent upon distributions from the Operating Partnerships to pay our
expenses, taxes and dividends (if and when declared by our board of directors). |
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We will be required to pay HFF Holdings for most of the benefits relating to any
additional tax depreciation or amortization deductions we may claim as a result of the
tax basis step-up we receive, subsequent sales of our common stock and related
transactions with HFF Holdings. |
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If HFF, Inc. was deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940 as a result of its ownership of the Operating Partnerships, applicable
restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated
and could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
Summary of Risks Related to Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock
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Control by HFF Holdings of the voting power in HFF, Inc. may give rise to conflicts
of interests and may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate
decisions. |
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Our Class A common stock may cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange,
which would have an adverse impact on the liquidity and market price of our Class A
common stock. |
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If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able
to accurately report financial results or prevent fraud. |
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If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if
they downgrade our company or our sector, the price of our Class A common stock could
decline. |
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Our share price may decline due to the large number of shares eligible for future
sale and for exchange. |
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The market price of our Class A common stock may continue to be volatile, which
could cause the value of your investment to decline or subject us to litigation. |
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Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could delay or
prevent a change in control. |
For a more detailed discussion of these risk factors, see the information under Item 1ARisk
Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as such
information may be amended or supplemented in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or
Annual Reports on Form 10-K.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with
respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these
forward-looking statements by the use of words such as outlook, believes, expects,
potential, continues, may, will, should, seeks, approximately, predicts, intends,
plans, estimates, anticipates or the negative version of these words or other comparable
words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly,
there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ
materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe these factors include, but are not
limited to, those described under the caption Risk Factors. These factors should not be construed
as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are
included in this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of any shares of our Class A common
stock pursuant to this prospectus, but we will acquire the partnership units in the Operating
Partnerships exchanged for the shares of our Class A common stock that we may issue to, through
Holdings Sub, HFF Holdings. HFF Holdings will in turn not receive any cash proceeds from the
transactions described in this prospectus but will acquire the limited liability company units in
itself that are redeemed for such shares of Class A common stock that it may distribute to a
redeeming holder. A holder of HFF Holdings units exercising its Exchange Right also has the right to direct HFF
Holdings to sell such shares of Class A common stock for cash on behalf of the holder exercising its Exchange Right. The
proceeds of this sale will be immediately distributed by HFF Holdings to such holder.
EXERCISE OF THE EXCHANGE RIGHT
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, holders of limited liability company units
in HFF Holdings received through their ownership of such units, among other things, the Exchange
Right. The Exchange Right entitles such holders of limited liability company units in HFF Holdings
to direct HFF Holdings to, through its wholly owned subsidiary Holdings Sub, exchange, at permitted
times, two partnership units, one in each Operating Partnership, for a share of Class A common
stock, and subsequently redeem one limited liability company unit in HFF Holdings held by such
holder for such share of Class A common stock.
Pursuant to contractual provisions and subject to certain exceptions, holders of limited
liability company units in HFF Holdings were restricted from exercising the Exchange Right for two
years after the initial public offering. After this two year period, such holders gained the right
to exchange 25% of their limited liability company units, with an additional 25% becoming available
for exchange each year thereafter. However, these contractual provisions may be waived, amended or
terminated by the members of HFF Holdings following consultation with our board of directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no holders of limited liability company units in HFF Holdings will
be entitled to redeem such limited liability company units for shares of Class A common stock or
otherwise exercise the Exchange Right if such actions would be prohibited under applicable federal
or state securities laws or regulations.
In order to exercise its Exchange Right, a holder of limited liability company units in HFF
Holdings must deliver written notice to HFF Holdings that it desires to exercise the Exchange
Right. The notice exercising such Exchange Right must be given on or before the fifth day of the
month in which such exercise is desired to occur. The notice must also specify whether the Class A common stock received
in exchange for the units in HFF Holdings should be immediately sold by HFF Holdings upon receipt, with the proceeds
of such sale being immediately distributed to the holder exercising its
Exchange Right, or be immediately distributed upon receipt by HFF Holdings to such holder.
Subject to certain exceptions, upon receipt of
such notice, HFF Holdings will cause Holdings Sub to provide written notice to HFF, Inc. that
Holdings Sub desires to exchange a stated number of partnership units in each of the Operating
Partnerships into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock. This written notice must be
accompanied by instruments of transfer to HFF, Inc., in form satisfactory to HFF, Inc. and its
transfer agent, duly executed by Holdings Sub or its duly authorized attorney, and transfer tax
stamps or funds therefor, if required. Delivery of the written notice and instruments of transfer
must be made during normal business hours to the principal executive offices of HFF, Inc. or its
transfer agent. Immediately upon receipt (through Holdings Sub) of the requested shares of Class A
common stock, HFF Holdings will distribute such shares to the holder exercising the Exchange Right.
6
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary describes certain United States federal income tax consequences of the
redemption of limited liability company units in HFF Holdings LLC for shares of HFF, Inc. Class A
common stock and the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of such shares as of the
date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with limited liability company units held
as capital assets held by United States Holders.
As used herein, the term United States Holder means a holder of a limited liability company
unit that is for United States federal income tax purposes:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United
States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal
income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court
within the United States and one or more United States persons
have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable
United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a
United States person. |
A Non-U.S. Holder is an owner (other than a partnership or other entity treated as a
partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) that is not a United States Holder.
This summary does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax
consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the United States
federal income tax laws, including if you are:
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a dealer in securities or currencies; |
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a financial institution; |
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a regulated investment company; |
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a real estate investment trust; |
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an insurance company; |
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a tax-exempt organization; |
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a person holding limited liability company units in HFF Holdings
as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a
constructive sale or a straddle; |
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a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities; |
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a person liable for alternative minimum tax; |
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a person who owns 10% or more of our voting stock; |
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a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes; |
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a person that received its partnership units as compensation; or |
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a person whose functional currency is not the United States dollar. |
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The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date
hereof, and such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified so as to result in United States
federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.
If a partnership holds the limited liability company units, the tax treatment of a partner
will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you
are a partner of a partnership or member of a limited liability company holding the limited
liability company units, you should consult your tax advisors.
This summary does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal income
tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances and does not address the effects
of any state, local or non-United States tax laws. If you are considering the redemption of your
limited liability company units for shares of Class A common stock, you should consult your own tax
advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to you in light of your
particular situation as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing
jurisdiction.
Taxation of the Redemption
United States Holders
Your redemption of limited liability company units in HFF Holdings for Class A common stock
will be preceded by the exchange of a portion of HFF Holdings interests (held by its wholly owned
subsidiary Holdings Sub) in HFF LP and HFF Securities for Class A common stock. For United States
federal income tax purposes, both such redemption and exchange will be taxable events. HFF Holdings
will recognize gain (or loss) to the extent that the fair market value of the shares of Class A
common stock (plus the reduction of a portion of HFF Holdings share of any liabilities of those
partnerships) exceeds (or is less than) HFF Holdings adjusted basis in the exchanged partnership
units of HFF LP and HFF Securities. HFF Holdings intends to specially allocate that gain (or loss)
to you, up to the difference between the fair market value of your HFF Holdings limited liability
company units and the adjusted basis of those units. Any such gain will be taxed as capital gain
except to the extent that the amount received attributable to HFF Holdings share of unrealized
receivables of HFF LP and HFF Securities exceeds HFF Holdings basis attributable to those assets,
which amount will be taxed as ordinary income. Unrealized receivables include, to the extent not
previously included in the partnerships income, any rights to payments for services rendered or to
be rendered. Unrealized receivables also include amounts that would be subject to recapture as
ordinary income (for example, recapture of depreciation and amortization expense) if the Operating
Partnerships had sold their assets at their fair market value at the time of the exchange. Any loss
resulting from the exchange will be taxed as capital loss, except for any loss attributable to HFF
Holdings share of the partnerships unrealized receivables, which will be treated as ordinary
loss.
You then will recognize gain to the extent that the fair market value of the shares of Class A
common stock (plus the reduction of a portion of your share of any liabilities of HFF Holdings)
exceeds the adjusted basis of your limited liability company units of HFF Holdings. Any such gain
will be taxed as capital gain except to the extent that the amount received attributable to your
share of unrealized receivables of HFF Holdings exceeds your basis attributable to those assets,
which amount will be taxed as ordinary income. No loss will be allowed unless you terminate your
entire interest in HFF Holdings and the value of the shares you receive is less than your basis in
HFF Holdings. Any loss resulting from that exchange will be taxed as capital loss. Capital gain of
individuals derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are generally taxed
at reduced rates for gains recognized before January 1, 2011. The deductibility of capital losses
is subject to limitations.
Your basis in the limited liability company units of HFF Holdings received in exchange for a
contribution of property or cash was equal to the basis in the property you contributed to HFF
Holdings or the amount of cash contributed. Such initial basis is generally increased by your share
of HFF Holdings taxable income (including the gain specially allocated to you as a result of the
exchange of units of HFF LP and HFF Securities for Class A common stock) and increases in your
share of HFF Holdings liabilities. Your initial basis generally is decreased,
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but not below zero, by your share of HFF Holdings distributions, including pursuant to the
redemption, decreases in your share of HFF Holdings liabilities and your share of HFF Holdings
losses and nondeductible expenditures.
Non-U.S. Holders
Because HFF Holdings is engaged in a U.S. trade or business, a portion of any gain recognized
by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale or exchange of its units could be treated for U.S. federal income
tax purposes as effectively connected with such trade or business and hence such Non-U.S. Holder
could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the exchange as follows:
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An individual Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on the net
gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business from such
sale under regular graduated United States federal income tax
rates. |
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A Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation will be subject to
tax on its net gain that is effectively connected with a U.S.
trade or business in the same manner as if it were a United States
person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject
to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively
connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be
specified by an applicable income tax treaty. |
Taxation of Ownership of Class A Common Stock
United States Holders
Dividends
The gross amount of distributions on the Class A common stock will be taxable as dividends to
the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United
States federal income tax principles. Such income will be includable in your gross income as
ordinary income on the day actually or constructively received by you. Subject to certain
limitations, the dividends will be eligible for the dividends received deduction if the recipient
is a C corporation. In addition, subject to certain limitations, dividends received prior to
January 1, 2011 by individuals will be eligible for reduced rates of taxation.
To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings
and profits for a taxable year, as determined under United States federal income tax principles,
the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the
adjusted basis of the shares of Class A common stock (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or
decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by you on a subsequent disposition of the Class A
common stock), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain recognized
on a sale or exchange.
Taxation of Capital Gains
For United States federal income tax purposes, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any
sale or exchange of a share of Class A common stock in an amount equal to the difference between
the amount realized for the Class A common stock and your tax basis in such shares. Such gain or
loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of individuals derived with respect to
capital assets held for more than one year are generally taxed at reduced rates for gains
recognized before January 1, 2011. You will be treated as acquiring the Class A common stock on the
day of the redemption and will not be able to include the period during which you held the redeemed
HFF Holdings LLC units in determining the period for which you held the Class A common stock. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends
Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of our Class A common stock generally will be subject to
withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be
specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if
required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent
establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and
disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal
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income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a United
States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a
foreign corporation may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such
lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A Non-U.S. Holder of our Class A common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable
treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to
complete Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty
of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible
for treaty benefits or (b) if our Class A common stock is held through certain foreign
intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable United States
Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain Non-U.S.
Holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.
A Non-U.S. Holder of our Class A common stock eligible for a reduced rate of United States
withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld
by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.
Gain on Disposition of Class A Common Stock
Any gain realized on the disposition of our Class A common stock generally will not be subject
to United States federal income tax unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the
Non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an
applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States
permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder); |
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the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that
disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or |
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we are or have been a United States real property holding
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes. |
An individual Non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be
subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated United States federal
income tax rates. An individual Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point immediately
above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by
United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the
United States. If a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation falls under the first bullet
point immediately above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were
a United States person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to the branch
profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as
may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
We believe we are not and do not anticipate becoming a United States real property holding
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
Information reporting and backup withholding
United States Holders
In general, information reporting will apply to dividends in respect of our shares of Class A
common stock and the proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our partnership units and
shares of Class A common stock that are paid to you within the United States (and in certain cases,
outside the United States), unless you are an exempt recipient such as a corporation. A backup
withholding tax may apply to such payments if you fail to provide a taxpayer identification number
or certification of other exempt status or fail to report in full dividend and interest income.
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Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a
credit against your United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is
furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Non-U.S. Holders
We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount
of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of
whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and
withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S.
Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
A Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder
unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder (and the payor
does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as
defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to
the proceeds of a sale of our partnership units and Class A common stock within the United States
or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial
owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have
actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined
under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit
against a Non-U.S. Holders United States federal income tax liability provided the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock is a summary and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated
bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Commission on December 22, 2006, and by applicable law.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 175,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value
$0.01 per share, 1 share of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 25,000,000 shares
of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Unless our board of directors determines otherwise,
we will issue all shares of our capital stock in uncertificated form.
Common Stock
Class A common stock
Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by
our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any statutory or
contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any restrictions on the payment of
dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding preferred stock.
Upon our dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets,
after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of
preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our Class A common stock
will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution.
Holders of our Class A common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or
conversion rights.
Subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Operating Partnerships partnership
agreements and certain other contractual provisions and exceptions, HFF Holdings may exchange
partnership units in the Operating Partnerships (other than those held by us) for shares of our
Class A common stock on the basis of two partnership units (one of each Operating Partnership) for
one share of Class A common stock, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock
splits, stock dividends and reclassifications.
Class B common stock
Holders of our Class B common stock (other than HFF, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries) are
entitled to a number of votes that is equal to the total number of shares of Class A common stock
for which the partnership units that HFF Holdings holds in the Operating Partnerships are
exchangeable.
Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class
on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except with respect to the
amendment of certain provisions of the certificate of incorporation or as otherwise required by
applicable law.
Holders of our Class B common stock do not have any right to receive dividends or to receive a
distribution upon a liquidation or winding up of HFF, Inc.
Preferred Stock
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to
establish one or more series of preferred stock (including convertible preferred stock). Unless
required by law or by any stock exchange, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be
available for issuance without further action by you. Our board of directors is able to determine,
with respect to any series of preferred stock, the terms and rights of that series, including:
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the designation of the series; |
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the number of shares of the series, which our board may, except where otherwise provided in the
preferred stock designation, increase or decrease, but not below the number of shares then
outstanding; |
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whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or non-cumulative and the dividend rate of the series; |
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the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable; |
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the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series; |
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the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the
series; |
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the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of our company; |
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whether the shares of the series will be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or
any other security, of our Company or any other entity, and, if so, the specification of the other
class or series or other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any rate
adjustments, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible and all other terms and
conditions upon which the conversion may be made; |
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restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and |
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the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series. |
We could issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series,
impede or discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of you
might believe to be in your best interests or in which you might receive a premium for your Class A
common stock over the market price of the Class A common stock.
Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock
Delaware law does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares.
However, the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, which would apply so long as the
Class A common stock remains listed on the New York Stock Exchange, require stockholder approval of
certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then
outstanding number of shares of Class A common stock. These additional shares may be used for a
variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to
facilitate acquisitions.
One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock
may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management,
which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our
company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the
continuity of our management and possibly deprive the stockholders of opportunities to sell their
shares of common stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law
We are subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Subject to certain
exceptions, Section 203 prevents a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business
combination with any interested stockholder for three years following the date that the person
became an interested stockholder, unless the interested stockholder attained such status with the
approval of our board of directors or held 85% of our voting stock at the time of the consummation
of the transaction in which such person attained the status of an interested stockholder or
unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A business combination
includes, among other things, a merger, consolidation, stock sale or any sale of more than 10% of
our assets involving us and the interested stockholder, or any other transaction resulting in a
financial benefit to the
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interested stockholder. In general, an interested stockholder is any entity or person
(other than the corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the
corporation) that beneficially owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or any entity or
person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any such entity or person.
Under certain circumstances, Section 203 makes it more difficult for a person who would be an
interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a
three-year period. The provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring
our company to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval
requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approves either the business combination or
the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These
provisions also may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may
otherwise deem to be in their interests.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws
Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and
restated bylaws could have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to enhance the
likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our corporate policies formulated by
our board of directors. In addition, these provisions are intended to ensure that our board of
directors will have sufficient time to act in what our board of directors believes to be in the
best interests of us and our stockholders. These provisions are designed to reduce our
vulnerability to an unsolicited proposal for our takeover that does not contemplate the acquisition
of all of our outstanding shares or an unsolicited proposal for the restructuring or sale of all or
part of us. The provisions are also intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in
proxy fights. However, these provisions could delay or frustrate the removal of incumbent directors
or the assumption of control of us by the holder of a large block of common stock, and could also
discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest, even if such event
would be favorable to the interest of our stockholders.
Classified Board of Directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and
amended and restated bylaws provide for our board of directors to be divided into three classes,
with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of
our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective
three-year terms.
The classified board provision helps to assure the continuity and stability of our board of
directors and our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. The
classified board provision could have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an
unsolicited tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us without the approval of
our board of directors. In addition, the classified board provision could delay stockholders who do
not like the policies of our board of directors from electing a majority of our board of directors
for two years. Since our board of directors has the power to retain and discharge our officers,
these provisions could also make it more difficult for our stockholders or a third party to effect
a change in our management without the consent of the board of directors.
Written Consent of Stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and
amended and restated bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our
stockholders must be taken at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by written consent
except as specifically provided therein with respect to the Class B common stock. Elimination of
actions by written consent of stockholders may lengthen the amount of time required to take
stockholder actions because actions by written consent are not subject to the minimum notice
requirement of a stockholders meeting. The elimination of actions by written consent of the
stockholders may deter hostile takeover attempts. Without the availability of actions by written
consent of the stockholders, a holder controlling a majority of our capital stock would not be able
to amend our amended and restated bylaws without holding a stockholders meeting. To hold such a
meeting, the holder would have to obtain the consent of a majority of the board of directors, the
chairman of the board or the chief executive officer to call a stockholders meeting and satisfy
the applicable notice provisions set forth in our amended and restated bylaws.
Amendment of the Bylaws. Under Delaware law, the power to adopt, amend or repeal a
corporations bylaws is conferred upon the stockholders. A corporation may, however, in its
certificate of incorporation also confer upon the board of directors the power to adopt, amend or
repeal its bylaws. Our amended and restated
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certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws grant our board the power to
alter, amend and repeal our bylaws, or adopt new bylaws, on the affirmative vote of a majority of
the directors then in office. Our stockholders may alter, amend or repeal our bylaws, or adopt new
bylaws, but only at a regular or special meeting of stockholders by an affirmative vote of not less
than 66 2/3% in voting power of all outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote
generally at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. The provisions of our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation that could have anti-takeover effects as described above are subject
to amendment, alteration, repeal, or rescission require approval by (i) our board of directors and
(ii) the affirmative vote of not less than 66 2/3% in voting power of all outstanding shares of our
capital stock entitled to vote generally at an election of directors, voting together as a single
class, depending on the subject provision. This requirement makes it more difficult for
stockholders to make changes to the provisions in our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation which could have anti-takeover effects by allowing the holders of a minority of the
voting securities to prevent the holders of a majority of voting securities from amending these
provisions.
Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws preclude our stockholders
from calling special meetings of stockholders or requiring the board of directors or any officer to
call such a meeting or from proposing business at such a meeting. Our amended and restated bylaws
provide that only a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of the board or the chief
executive officer can call a special meeting of stockholders. Because our stockholders do not have
the right to call a special meeting, a stockholder cannot force stockholder consideration of a
proposal over the opposition of the board of directors by calling a special meeting of stockholders
prior to the time a majority of the board of directors, the chairman of the board or the chief
executive officer believes the matter should be considered or until the next annual meeting
provided that the requestor met the notice requirements. The restriction on the ability of
stockholders to call a special meeting means that a proposal to replace board members also can be
delayed until the next annual meeting.
Other Limitations on Stockholder Actions. Advance notice is required for stockholders to
nominate directors or to submit proposals for consideration at meetings of stockholders. This
provision may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the
proper notice is not provided and may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting
a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirers own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to
obtain control of our company. In addition, the ability of our stockholders to remove directors
without cause is precluded.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock is American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company.
Listing
Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HF.
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COMPARISON OF OWNERSHIP OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY UNITS IN HFF HOLDINGS, PARTNERSHIP UNITS IN
THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIPS AND CLASS A COMMON STOCK
The information below highlights a number of the significant differences between the rights
and privileges associated with ownership of each of the limited liability company units in HFF
Holdings, the partnership units in the Operating Partnerships and HFF, Inc. Class A common stock.
This discussion is intended to assist holders of the limited liability company units in
understanding how their investment will change if their limited liability company units are
redeemed for shares of Class A common stock subsequent to the exchange by HFF Holdings (through
Holdings Sub) of partnership units in the Operating Partnerships for shares of Class A common
stock. The following information is summary in nature and is not intended to describe all the
differences between the limited liability company units, partnership units and the Class A common
stock. The following information is qualified in its entirety by reference to HFF, Inc.s amended
and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which are filed as
exhibits to our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on December 22, 2006,
the amended and restated partnership agreements of each of the Operating Partnerships, which are
filed as exhibits to our registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission on January 8,
2007, the second amended and restated limited liability company agreement of HFF Holdings, which is
available to each member of HFF Holdings upon written request to HFF Holdings LLC, One Oxford
Centre, 301 Grant Street, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Attn: Managing Member, and by applicable
law.
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HFF, Inc. |
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Form of Organization, Purpose and Assets
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HFF, Inc. (for
purposes of this
section, the
Corporation) is a
Delaware corporation
governed by the
General Corporation
Law of the State of
Delaware (the
DGCL). The
Corporation was
founded for the
purpose of conducting
any business that may
be lawfully conducted
by a corporation. The
Corporations
material assets
consist of its equity
interests in the
Operating
Partnerships and
Holliday GP. Through
its ownership of
Holliday GP, the sole
general partner of
the Operating
Partnerships, the
Corporation operates
and controls all of
the business and
affairs of the
Operating
Partnerships and,
through the Operating
Partnerships,
conducts our
business.
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HFF LP is a Texas limited
partnership governed by the
Texas Revised Limited
Partnership Act (the
TRLPA). HFF LP was formed
for the purpose of, and the
nature of the business of
HFF LP is, engaging in any
lawful act or activity for
which limited partnerships
may be formed under the
TRLPA.
HFF Securities is a
Delaware limited
partnership governed by the
Delaware Revised Uniform
Limited Partnership Act
(the DRULPA). HFF
Securities was formed for
the purpose of, and the
nature of the business of
HFF LP is, acting as a
registered broker-dealer in
connection with its
efforts, on behalf of its
clients, to (a) raise
equity capital for
discretionary, commingled
real estate funds marketed
to institutional investors,
(b) raise equity capital
for real estate projects,
(c) raise equity capital
from institutional
investors to fund future
real estate acquisitions,
recapitalizations,
developments, debt
investments and other real
estate-related strategies,
and (d) execute private
placements of securities in
real estate companies. In
addition, HFF Securities
provides advisory
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HFF Holdings is a Delaware
limited liability company
governed by the Delaware Limited
Liability Company Act (the
Delaware LLC Act). The business
of HFF Holdings is to (a) hold
the membership interest in and
act as the sole member of
Holdings Sub, (b) hold and
acquire shares of Class A common
stock and Class B common stock of
the Corporation and act as a
shareholder of the Corporation,
and (c) engage in any business
incidental to the foregoing or
any business of any subsidiary of
HFF Holdings. HFF Holdings
material assets consist of,
through its sole ownership of
Holdings Sub, partnership units
in the Operating Partnerships and
one share of Class B common stock
of the Corporation. |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
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services
on various project or
entity-level strategic
assignments such as mergers
and acquisitions, sales and
divestitures,
recapitalizations and
restructurings,
privatizations, management
buyouts, and arranging
joint ventures for specific
real estate strategies, and
is entitled to engage in
any and all purposes and
activities that are
ancillary thereto as
permitted under the DRULPA. |
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Management and Control
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Our board of
directors manages the
Corporations
business and affairs.
Accordingly, except
for their vote in the
election of directors
and their vote in
specified major
transactions, the
Class A common
stockholders, as
such, do not directly
have any control over
the Corporations
business and affairs.
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Holliday GP, as general
partner, manages and
controls the business and
affairs of each Operating
Partnership. The shares of
Holliday GP are
wholly-owned by HoldCo LLC,
a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Corporation.
In exercising such control,
Holliday GP acts at the
direction of the manager of
HoldCo LLC, who is
appointed by the board of
directors of the
Corporation. The manager
consults with and considers
the non-binding
recommendations of the
operating committee of
HoldCo LLC, which is
appointed by certain senior
officers of the Operating
Partnerships (and is
comprised of 10 employees
of the Operating
Partnerships (or either of
them)). Additionally, a
managing member and
operating committee has
been established in HFF LP.
In performing its duties as
general partner of HFF LP,
Holliday GP consults with
and considers the
non-binding recommendations
of HFF LPs managing member
and operating committee.
Additionally, such senior
officers, managing member
and operating committee
participate in the
preparation of the annual
budget for submission to
Holliday GP as a
non-binding recommendation.
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Management of HFF Holdings
business and day to day affairs
is vested solely in the managing
member of HFF Holdings. In
exercising such control, the
managing member also consults
with and considers the
recommendations of the operating
committee of HFF Holdings, which
consists of two non-voting
committee members and eight
members (including the managing
member) of HFF Holdings. Approval
of the operating committee is
required for certain matters,
including the annual operating
budget of HFF Holdings.
Certain additional actions
require the vote of a majority or
super-majority of the percentage
interests in HFF Holdings as
described in - Voting Rights
below. |
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Holliday GP also delegates
certain control over the
Operating Partnerships to
certain officers of each
Operating Partnership. |
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17
HFF, Inc.
The total number of
shares of all classes
of capital stock that
the Corporation is
authorized to issue
is 200,000,001,
consisting of (i)
175,000,000 shares of
Class A common stock,
par value $0.01 per
share, (ii) 1 share
of Class B common
stock, par value
$0.01 per share, and
(iii) 25,000,000
shares of preferred
stock, par value
$0.01 per share. The
number of authorized
shares of any class
may be increased or
decreased (but not
below the number of
shares thereof then
outstanding) by the
affirmative vote of
the holders of a
majority in voting
power of the stock of
the Corporation
entitled to vote
thereon, and no vote
of the holders of any
class voting
separately as a class
shall be required
therefor.
As of May 11, 2009,
there were
approximately (i)
16.5 million shares
of Class A common
stock outstanding (or
approximately 36.9
million shares if all
outstanding
partnership units in
the Operating
Partnerships not held
directly or
indirectly by the
Corporation are
exchanged for shares
of Class A common
stock on the basis of
two partnership
units, one in each
Operating
Partnership, for a
share of Class A
common stock), (ii) 1
share of Class B
common stock
outstanding, and
(iii) no shares of
preferred stock
outstanding.
Operating Partnerships
Authorized Capital
Each partner in the
Operating Partnerships
holds units representing
interests in the Operating
Partnerships, and the
percentage interest of each
partner is determined based
on the ratio of the number
of units held by such
partner to the number of
outstanding units in the
partnership. The units and
associated percentage
interests in each of the
Operating Partnerships held
by the partners at May 11,
2009 is as follows:
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Name |
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Interest |
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Units |
|
Percentage |
Holliday GP |
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368,000 |
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1.0 |
% |
HoldCo LLC |
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16,077,000 |
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43.7 |
% |
Holdings Sub |
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20,355,000 |
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55.3 |
% |
In the event a share of
Class A common stock is
redeemed, repurchased,
acquired, cancelled or
terminated by HFF, Inc.,
one unit of each of the
Operating Partnerships
registered in the name of
HoldCo LLC (or in the event
HoldCo LLC no longer holds
units, Holliday GP) will
automatically be cancelled
for no consideration.
Similarly, in the event
HFF, Inc. issues a share of
Class A common stock (other
than in connection with the
initial public offering),
the net proceeds received
by HFF, Inc. with respect
to such share will be
concurrently transferred to
HoldCo LLC for transfer to
HFF LP and HFF Securities
in such manner as Holliday
GP shall determine, each of
which will in return issue
to HoldCo LLC one unit in
such Operating Partnership.
In the event any member of
HFF Holdings forfeits a
membership interest in HFF
Holdings in accordance with
the HFF Holdings operating
agreement (i.e., as the
result of being removed for
cause under the HFF
Holdings operating
agreement or competing or
soliciting in violation of
the HFF Holdings
HFF Holdings
Each member of HFF Holdings holds
units representing interests in
HFF Holdings, and the percentage
interests of each member are
determined based on the ratio of
the number of units held by such
member to the number of units
held by all members of HFF
Holdings.
As of May 11, 2009, there were
approximately 20,355,000 units of
HFF Holdings outstanding.
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
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operating
agreement), the partnership
agreement of each Operating
Partnership provides that
Holdings Sub will
simultaneously forfeit a
portion of the units it
then holds in each
Operating Partnership
(equal to such forfeiting
members indirect ownership
interest in such Operating
Partnership). |
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Voting Rights
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Holders of our Class
A common stock are
entitled to one vote
for each share held
of record on all
matters submitted to
a vote of
stockholders. Holders
of our Class B common
stock (other than the
Corporation or any of
its subsidiaries) are
entitled to a number
of votes that is
equal to the total
number of shares of
Class A common stock
for which the
partnership units
that HFF Holdings
holds in the
Operating
Partnerships are
exchangeable.
However, Class A
common stockholders
and Class B common
stockholders are not
entitled to vote on
any amendment to the
Corporations amended
and restated
certificate of
incorporation that
relates solely to the
terms of one or more
outstanding series of
preferred stock if
the holders of such
affected series are
entitled to vote
thereon.
Holders of our Class
A common stock and
Class B common stock
vote together as a
single class on all
matters presented to
our stockholders for
their vote or
approval, except with
respect to the
amendment of certain
provisions of the
certificate of
incorporation or as
otherwise required by
applicable law.
Pursuant to the
Corporations amended
and restated bylaws
and the DGCL, the
holders of a majority
in voting power of
the stock issued and
outstanding and
entitled to vote at a
meeting of the
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The management and control
of the business and affairs
of the Operating
Partnerships are
exclusively vested in
Holliday GP, as general
partner of each Operating
Partnership.
The sole rights granted to
voting right holders, which
consist of any employee of
the Operating Partnerships
with a title of Senior
Managing Director or
Executive Managing
Director, of the Operating
Partnerships are to (i)
elect the managing member
and operating committee of
each such Operating
Partnership and (ii)
participate in the process
of preparing the proposed
annual operating budget. No
holder of partnership units
in a particular Operating
Partnership, in its
capacity as such,
participates in or has any
control over the business
of such Operating
Partnership. Except as
expressly provided in the
partnership agreement of
each Operating Partnership,
including with respect to
dissolution and certain
amendments to the
partnership agreement of
each Operating Partnership,
the partnership units do
not confer any rights upon
holders of such units to
participate in the conduct,
control or management of
the business of such
Operating Partnership.
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Members of HFF Holdings are
entitled to voting power equal to
the percentage obtained by
dividing the units held by such
member by the units held by all
members.
Certain actions do require the
vote of a specified majority
percentage of the interests in
HFF Holdings. A majority of the
percentage interests in HFF
Holdings constitutes a quorum at
any meeting of the members of HFF
Holdings. In addition, a majority
of the percentage interests in
HFF Holdings constitutes the act
of the members, unless a greater
number is required under the
limited liability company
agreement of HFF Holdings or
applicable law. In particular,
the consent of the holders of 65%
of the percentage interests in
HFF Holdings is required for
certain matters, including:
(i) the election of the managing
member and the members of the
operating committee;
(ii) approval of the annual
operating budget;
(iii) admission of additional
members or removal of members for
cause;
(iv) transfer or assignment of
any interests in HFF Holdings;
(v) purchase of units being
redeemed by a member pursuant to
an exercise of the |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
Corporations
stockholders
constitutes a quorum
of stockholders at
such meeting. When a
quorum is present at
any meeting, the vote
of the holders of a
majority of the votes
cast shall decide any
question brought
before such meeting,
unless otherwise
provided in the
Corporations amended
and restated
certificate of
incorporation or
bylaws or the DGCL.
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Exchange Right;
(vi) certain matters relating to
the incurrence of indebtedness,
capital calls and contributions
and setting of compensation
payable to any member;
(vii) certain tax matters;
(viii) a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets
or the equity interests of HFF
Holdings or Holdings Sub;
(ix) dissolution of HFF Holdings;
(x) amendment of the limited
liability company agreement of
HFF Holdings; and
(xi) the approval or disapproval
of any matter submitted to the
stockholders of the Corporation. |
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Dividend and Distribution Rights
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Holders of the
Corporations Class A
common stock are
entitled to receive
dividends when and if
declared by the
Corporations board
of directors out of
assets that are
legally available
therefor, subject to
any restrictions on
the payment of
dividends imposed by
the terms of any
outstanding preferred
stock and applicable
law.
Holders of Class B
common stock are not
entitled to dividend
rights.
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Holliday GP has the right
to determine when
distributions are made to
the partners of HFF LP and
the amount of any such
distribution. All
distributions are made to
the partners pro rata in
accordance with their
respective percentage
ownership interests in the
applicable Operating
Partnership.
The holders of partnership
units in the Operating
Partnerships incur U.S.
federal, state and local
income taxes on their
proportionate share of any
net taxable income of the
applicable Operating
Partnership. Net profits
and net losses of the
Operating Partnerships will
generally be allocated to
the partners pro rata in
accordance with their
respective percentage
interests. The partners of
each Operating Partnership
are also entitled to cash
distributions if Holliday
GP determines that the
taxable income of the
applicable Operating
Partnership will give rise to
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Subject to certain limitations,
holders of limited liability
company units in HFF Holdings are
entitled to certain cash
distributions at such time as the
operating committee determines,
distributions related to payments
under the tax receivable
agreement between HFF Holdings
and the Corporation as soon as
feasible following receipt by HFF
Holdings and the Corporation and
tax distributions paid by the
Operating Partnerships to its
partners as soon as feasible
following receipt by HFF
Holdings. Such distributions are
paid in accordance with each
holders percentage interests. |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
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taxable income for its
partners (or their
constituent members). |
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Liquidity
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With the exception of
Class A common stock
held by our
affiliates, the Class
A common stock is
freely transferable.
Class A common stock
is not convertible or
exchangeable into any
other class of
security issued by us
or the Operating
Partnerships.
The Class A common
stock is listed on
the New York Stock
Exchange.
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The partnership agreement
of each Operating
Partnership requires that
each limited partner obtain
Holliday GPs consent to
any sale, assignment,
pledge, transfer,
distribution or other
disposition of any
partnership unit in such
Operating Partnership.
Holliday GP may grant or
withhold such consent in
its sole discretion,
provided that the
partnership agreement
permits certain transfers
including (a) transfers
contemplated under and in
accordance with the
Exchange Right, (b)
transfers by the members in
HFF Holdings of their
interests (i) by devise or
descent or by operation of
law upon the death or
disability of a member of
HFF Holdings and (ii) to
(x) immediate family
members or trusts
established for the benefit
of such family members for
estate planning purposes,
(y) a charity for
gratuitous purposes, or (z)
as otherwise expressly
permitted under the HFF
Holdings operating
agreement, and (c)
transfers of shares of
Class A common stock and
Class B common stock of the
Corporation.
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The limited liability company
agreement of HFF Holdings
requires that no member has the
right to sell, transfer, assign
or hypothecate any interests in
HFF Holdings without the consent
of the holders of 65% of the
percentage interests in HFF
Holdings. In addition, unless the
transferees admission as a
member is approved by the holders
of 65% of the percentage
interests in HFF Holdings and
such transferee has executed an
operating agreement with one of
the Operating Partnerships, such
transferee will be an interest
holder only and not a member of
HFF Holdings, and, as such, would
not be entitled to certain rights
including, among other things,
the Exchange Right, the right to
receive certain cash
distributions and the right to
receive distributions related to
payments under the tax receivable
agreement. |
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Fiduciary Duties of Directors/General Partner/Members
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Under Delaware law,
the directors of the
Corporation owe the
Corporation and its
stockholders
fiduciary duties,
including the duties
of care and loyalty,
and are required to
act in good faith in
discharging their
duties.
Under the
Corporations amended
and restated
certificate of
incorporation, to the
extent permissible
under the DGCL, no
member of the board
of directors is
personally liable to
the Corporation or
its stockholders for
monetary damages for
any breach of
fiduciary duty as a
director.
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Pursuant to the partnership
agreement of each of the
Operating Partnerships, the
general partner and limited
partners of each Operating
Partnership expressly waive
any and all fiduciary
duties that, absent such
waiver, may be implied by
law.
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Each member of HFF Holdings is
obligated to devote his full
business time, energy and best
efforts to the business and
affairs of HFF Holdings and its
subsidiaries and a reasonable
portion of his non-business time
to the members duties and
responsibilities and other
aspects of HFF Holdings and its
subsidiaries business as
reasonably requested by HFF
Holdings. A member may not
engage, directly or indirectly,
in any other activity that
interferes with the performance
of the members duties, or is
contrary to the interest of HFF
Holdings and its subsidiaries.
Duties of a member, in its capacity as |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
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such, are expressly
limited in the limited liability
company agreement to those set
forth in the limited liability
company agreement, and no member
is obligated or liable to HFF
Holdings or to any other member
as a fiduciary or in any other
capacity not specifically
authorized in the limited
liability company agreement. |
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Indemnification |
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To the fullest extent
permitted by law, the
Corporation will
indemnify any current
or former director or
officer in any suit
(whether brought on
behalf of the
Corporation or
otherwise) brought by
reason of such
persons service to
the Corporation
against all loss and
liability suffered
and expenses
(including attorneys
fees), judgments,
fines and amounts
paid in settlement
reasonably incurred
in connection with
such a suit.
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To the fullest extent
permitted by law, each
Operating Partnership will
indemnify any current or
former director or officer
in any suit (whether
brought on behalf of such
Operating Partnership or
otherwise) brought by
reason of such persons
service to such Operating
Partnership against all
loss and liability suffered
and expenses (including
attorneys fees),
judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement
reasonably incurred in
connection with such a
suit.
Holliday GP, as general
partner, is liable for all
debts and obligations that
cannot be satisfied out of
the applicable Operating
Partnerships assets.
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Except in connection with claims
relating to the removal of a
member or for claims resulting
from fraud, bad faith, criminal
conduct or gross negligence, HFF
Holdings will indemnify its
members and their respective
officers, directors, employees,
affiliates, associates and agents
to the fullest extent permitted
by law and shall hold them
harmless from and with respect to
all (i) fees, costs and expenses
including, without limitation,
attorneys fees incurred in
connection with any claim, action
or demand against such person
that relate to HFF Holdings, its
assets, business or affairs; and
(ii) any resulting losses or
damages from any such claim,
action or demand, including
amounts paid in settlement or
compromise of the claim, action
or demand. |
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Number of Directors; Election of Directors; Filling of Vacancies; Removal of Directors/General Partner/Managing Member and Members of the Operating Committee |
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The number of
directors shall be
fixed from time to
time by resolution
adopted by
affirmative vote of a
majority of the board
of directors. The
Corporations board
of directors is
divided into three
classes, with
staggered three-year
terms. Only one class
of directors is
elected at each
annual meeting of the
Corporations
stockholders, with
the other classes
continuing for the
remainder of their
respective three-year
terms.
The directors are
elected by a vote of
a plurality of those
holders of Class A
common stock and
Class B common stock
and others entitled
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The appointment of an
additional or substitute
general partner requires
the written consent of all
of the limited partners of
the applicable Operating
Partnership, provided that
such consent is deemed
given (and each limited
partner is obligated to
give such consent) upon the
approval of those limited
partners holding more than
50% of the partnership
units (including those held
by the general partner).
No general partner may
withdraw or be removed from
the partnership unless an
additional general partner
has previously been
admitted.
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The managing member serves for a
term of two years, after which
the managing member may stand for
election for successive terms by
a vote of the holders of 65% of
the percentage interests in HFF
Holdings. The managing member may
be removed by a vote of the
holders of 75% or more of the
percentage interests in HFF
Holdings.
Each person on the operating
committee serves for a term of
two years, at which time each
such person may stand for
re-election by a vote of the
holders of 65% of the percentage
interests in HFF Holdings. Any
member of the operating committee is |
22
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
to
vote that are
present (in person or
by proxy) at a
meeting in which such
votes are cast.
Additionally, if a
series of preferred
stock is entitled to
vote separately to
elect its own
director(s), then the
holders of such a
series will have the
right to such
election. Any
director elected to
the board by
preferred
stockholders will
serve in addition to
the number of
directors required by
a resolution of the
board of directors.
Any vacancy on the
board of directors
shall be filled only
by a vote of the
majority of the board
of directors then in
office, although less
than a quorum, or by
a sole remaining
director.
A director must
vacate office when he
or she resigns, or is
not re-elected. Any
director, or the
entire board, may be
removed, with or
without cause, by a
vote of not less than
66 2/3% of the
stockholders entitled
to vote for such
director(s).
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subject to removal prior to
the end of his term by a recall
vote of the holders of 65% of the
percentage interests in HFF
Holdings and, if such removal is
voted, the members shall vote to
replace such operating committee
member by a vote of the holders
of 65% of the percentage
interests in HFF Holdings. |
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Director/General Partner/Managing Member and Operating Committee Nominations by Stockholders/Limited Partners/Members
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The procedures set
forth in the
Corporations amended
and restated bylaws
require a stockholder
to deliver notice to
the Corporations
secretary or
assistant secretary
at the principal
executive offices of
the Corporation not
less than 90 nor more
than 120 days prior
to the first
anniversary of the
preceding years
annual meeting of
stockholders, except
that in the case
where the size of the
board of directors is
increased without
public announcement
at least 80 days
prior to the first
anniversary of the
preceding years
annual meeting, such
notice shall be
considered timely if
made no later than
the close of business
on the tenth day
following the public
announcement of such
by the Corporation
(provided that if no
public announcement
is made at
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As noted above, the
appointment of an
additional or substitute
General Partner requires
the written consent of all
of the limited partners of
the applicable Operating
Partnership, provided that
such consent is deemed
given (and each limited
partner is obligated to
give such consent) upon the
approval of those limited
partners holding more than
50% of the partnership
units (including those held
by the general partner).
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As noted above, the election of
each of the managing member and
each member of the operating
committee requires the consent of
the holders of 65% of the
percentage interests in HFF
Holdings. |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
least 10
days before the
meeting, such notice
is not required).
Such notice must be
in writing and must
include (i) the name
and address of the
nominating
stockholder, as they
appear on the
Corporations books,
(ii) the class and
number of shares of
the Corporations
stock which are owned
beneficially and of
record by the
nominating
stockholder, (iii)
certain
representations, (iv)
the nominees written
consent to being
named in the proxy
statement as a
nominee and to
serving as a director
if elected, and (iv)
any information
regarding the nominee
that is required
under Regulation 14A
of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, to be
included in a proxy
statement relating to
the election of
directors. Finally,
if the stockholder
(or a qualified
representative of the
stockholder) does not
appear at the meeting
at which the voting
takes place with
respect to such
stockholders
nomination, such
nomination shall be
disregarded,
notwithstanding that
proxies in respect of
such vote may have
been received by the
Corporation. |
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Stockholder/Limited Partner/Member Proposals
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Class A common
stockholders and
other stockholders
may make proposals to
be voted on at a
meeting in which such
voting takes place.
Notice of such
proposals must be
made in the same
timely manner as is
required for director
nominations and must
contain the
information set forth
in the amended and
restated by-laws of
the Corporation. The
Commissions rules
set forth standards
as to what
stockholder proposals
are required to be
included in a proxy
statement. In
addition, pursuant to
the Corporations
amended and restated
bylaws, if the
stockholder (or a
qualified
representative of the
stockholder) does not
appear at the meeting
at which the voting
takes
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No limited partner, in its
capacity as such, has any
right to participate in the
conduct, control or
management of the Operating
Partnerships except in the
limited circumstances
described above under
"Voting Rights.
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No member, in its capacity as
such, has any right to
participate in the conduct,
control or management of HFF
Holdings except in the limited
circumstances described above
under - Voting Rights. |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
place with
respect to such
stockholders
proposal, such
proposal shall be
disregarded,
notwithstanding that
proxies in respect of
such vote may have
been received by the
Corporation. |
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Special Meetings Called by Stockholders/Limited Partners/Members
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The Corporations
amended and restated
certificate of
incorporation does
not permit Class A
common stockholders
to call special
meetings of the
stockholders.
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Under the partnership
agreement of each Operating
Partnership limited
partners are not permitted
to call special meetings of
the applicable Operating
Partnership.
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Meetings of the members may be
called by members holding not
less than 35% of the percentage
interests in HFF Holdings. |
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Action Through Writing |
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Any action required
or permitted to be
taken by holders of
Class A common stock
must be effected at a
duly called annual or
special meeting of
holders and may not
be effected by any
consent in writing by
such holders.
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Any action required or
permitted to be taken by
the partners under the
partnership agreement of
each Operating Partnership
shall be taken if all
partners whose consent is
required consent thereto in
writing.
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Any action required or permitted
to be taken at a meeting of the
members may be taken without a
meeting if a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so
taken, is signed by holders
having not less than the minimum
number of votes necessary to
authorize or take such action. |
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Amendments to Governing Instruments
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Pursuant to the DGCL,
the certificate of
incorporation of the
Corporation may only
be amended by the
board of directors
with the approval of
a majority of the
outstanding stock
entitled to vote and
a majority of the
outstanding stock of
any class of stock
affected by the
amendment except
that, pursuant to the
Corporations amended
and restated
certificate of
incorporation, the
affirmative vote of
the holders of at
least 66 2/3% of the
voting power of all
the then outstanding
shares of stock of
the Corporation
entitled to vote
generally in the
election of
directors, voting
together as a single
class, will be
required for the
stockholders to
amend, alter or
repeal certain
provisions of the
certificate of
incorporation
relating to the
Corporations bylaws,
board of directors,
stockholder meetings,
advance notice of new
business and
stockholder
nominations of
director nominees and
amendment of the
certificate of
incorporation. In
addition, the
amendment of certain
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The general partner of each
Operating Partnership may,
at its sole discretion,
amend the partnership
agreement. However, subject
to certain specified
exceptions, no such
amendment may have an
adverse affect in any
material respect on the
rights or preferences of
any class of partnership
units in relation to any
other class of partnership
units without the written
consent of each affected
limited partner.
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The limited liability company
agreement may be amended in
writing by consent of the holders
of 65% of the percentage
interests in HFF Holdings,
provided that, subject to certain
exceptions, a members interest
may not be diluted without his
consent. |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
provisions in the
Corporations
certificate of
incorporation
relating to the
exchange right of the
holder of Class B
common stock may only
be altered, amended
or repealed by the
affirmative vote of
the holders of at
least a majority in
voting power of the
Class B common stock. |
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The affirmative vote
of the holders of at
least 66 2/3% of the
voting power of all
the then outstanding
shares of stock of
the Corporation
entitled to vote
generally in the
election of
directors, voting
together as a single
class, will be
required for the
stockholders to make,
amend, alter, change,
add to or repeal any
provision of the
by-laws. |
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Asset Sales, Mergers and Consolidations
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Pursuant to the DGCL,
the board of
directors may sell,
lease or exchange all
or substantially all
the Corporations
assets when
authorized by a
majority of the
stockholders entitled
to vote on a
resolution granting
such authorization.
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Holliday GP, as general
partner of each Operating
Partnership, has the
authority and sole
discretion to determine if,
when and on what terms any
or all of the Operating
Partnerships assets are
sold.
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A sale of all or substantially
all of the assets or the equity
interests of HFF Holdings or
Holdings Sub requires the consent
of the holders of 65% of the
percentage interests in HFF
Holdings. |
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In addition, the
Corporation may merge
or consolidate with
another entity upon
the board of
directors
recommending such
action and subsequent
approval of a
majority of the
stockholders entitled
to vote on mergers
and consolidations. |
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Access to Books and Records
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Members of the
general public have a
right to inspect our
public documents,
available at the
Commissions offices
and through its
electronic filing
system (EDGAR).
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Under the TRLPA and the
DRULPA, limited partners
are permitted access to
certain financial and tax
information and other
records of HFF LP and HFF
Securities, respectively.
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Under the Delaware LLC Act,
members of HFF Holdings are
permitted access to certain
financial and tax information and
other records of HFF Holdings. |
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Under the DGCL,
stockholders have the
right to access a
list of stockholders
and others entitled
to vote at a meeting.
This list must be
produced by us at
least 10 days in |
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HFF, Inc. |
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Operating Partnerships |
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HFF Holdings |
advance of any
meeting in which
voting is to take
place. The list must
contain the names and
addresses of all
stockholders as well
as the number of
shares each holds.
Stockholders may only
access the list for
purposes of
conducting
stockholder business. |
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Dissolution
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The Corporation has a
perpetual term.
In the event of any
voluntary or
involuntary
liquidation,
dissolution or
winding up of the
affairs of the
Corporation, after
payment or provision
for payment of the
debts and other
liabilities of the
Corporation and of
the preferential and
other amounts, if
any, to which the
holders of preferred
stock are entitled,
the Class A common
stockholders will be
entitled to receive
the remaining assets
of the Corporation
available for
distribution. Such
assets will be paid
on a pro rata basis
in proportion to the
amount of outstanding
shares owned by each
Class A common
stockholder. The
Class B common
stockholders are not
entitled to any
assets of the
Corporation in such
an event.
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Each Operating Partnership
may be dissolved only upon
the occurrence of the
voluntary agreement of all
partners, any act
constituting dissolution
under applicable law or
certain other events
specified in the
partnership agreement. Upon
dissolution, such Operating
Partnership will be
liquidated and the proceeds
from any liquidation will
be applied and distributed
in the following manner:
(a) first, to creditors
(including to the extent permitted by law, creditors
who are partners) in
satisfaction of the
liabilities of such
Operating Partnership, (b)
second, to the setting up
of any reserves which
Holliday GP may determine
to be reasonably necessary
for any contingent
liability of such Operating
Partnership and (c) third,
to the partners in
proportion to their
respective percentage
interests.
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HFF Holdings shall be dissolved
only by consent of the holders of
65% of the percentage interests
in HFF Holdings or upon the sale
of all of the Companys assets.
Upon dissolution, HFF Holdings
will (i) sell or otherwise
liquidate its assets (other than
rights to payments under the tax
receivable agreement), and
establish such reserves as may be
reasonably necessary to provide
for contingent liabilities, (ii)
allocate any profit or loss
resulting from such sales to the
members capital accounts, and
(iii) distribute the remaining
assets in the following order:
(A) to discharge all debts and
liabilities, and (B) to pay (1)
any remaining proceeds (other
than rights to payments under the
tax receivable agreement) to the
members on a proportionate basis
(subject to deductions for any
unpaid capital requirements of a
particular member) and (2) any
payments under the tax receivable
agreement to the members entitled
to the applicable payments.
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27
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This prospectus relates to the issuance from time to time of up to 20,355,000 shares of our
Class A common stock to holders of limited liability company units in HFF Holdings, who are
entitled to, pursuant to the Exchange Right granted to them in the Reorganization Transactions,
direct HFF Holdings to, through its wholly owned subsidiary Holdings Sub, exchange two partnership
units, one in each Operating Partnership, for a share of Class A common stock, and subsequently
redeem one limited liability company unit in HFF Holdings held by such holder for such share of
Class A common stock. The shares of Class A common stock registered under this prospectus will only
be issued to the extent that holders of limited liability company units exercise the Exchange
Right. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of any of our shares of Class A
common stock upon an exchange of partnership units in the Operating Partnerships, but we will
acquire the partnership units in the Operating Partnerships exchanged for shares of our Class A
common stock that we issue to, through Holdings Sub, HFF Holdings. HFF Holdings will in turn not
receive any cash proceeds from the transactions described in this prospectus but will acquire the
limited liability company units in itself that are redeemed for such shares of Class A common stock
that it may distribute to a redeeming holder. A holder of HFF
Holdings units exercising its Exchange Right also has the right to
direct HFF Holdings to sell such shares of Class A common stock for
cash on behalf of the holder exercising its Exchange Right. The
proceeds of this sale will be immediately distributed by HFF Holdings
to such holder.
For further information regarding the mechanics of the exercise of the Exchange Right, see
Exercise of the Exchange Right.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Class A common stock will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of HFF, Inc. appearing in HFF, Inc.s Current Report (Form
8-K) dated May 19, 2009 and the effectiveness of HFF, Inc.s internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2008 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated
herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and we therefore file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission relating to our business, financial results and other matters. The reports, proxy
statements and other information we file may be inspected and copied at prescribed rates at the
Commissions Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain
information on the operation of the Commissions Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy
statements and other information regarding issuers like us that file electronically with the
Commission. The address of the Commissions Internet site is http://www.sec.gov.
This prospectus constitutes part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed under the
Securities Act. As permitted by the Commissions rules, this prospectus omits some of the
information, exhibits and undertakings included in the registration statement. You may read and
copy the information omitted from this prospectus but contained in the registration statement, as
well as the periodic reports and other information we file with the Commission, at the public
reference facility maintained by the Commission in Washington, D.C. referenced above.
Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document
are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or
document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or to a document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference in the registration statement, each such statement being qualified
in all respects by such reference.
28
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The Commissions rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this
prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
another document. Any information referred to in this way is deemed to be part of this prospectus
from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the Commission after the date of
the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement and any
reports filed by us with the Commission after the date of this prospectus and before the date that
the offerings of the shares of common stock by means of this prospectus are terminated will
automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed
with the Commission:
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed on
March 13, 2009 (File 001-33280) (excluding the audited financial statements which are
included pursuant to Item 8. thereof, which audited financial statements have been
restated and which restated audited financial statements are incorporated by reference
into this prospectus); |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 8, 2009 (File No. 001-33280); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 9, 2009, filed on March 10, 2009 (File
No. 001-33280) (excluding the information furnished in Items 2.01 and 9.01 thereto
(including Exhibit 99.1 thereto), which is expressly not to be deemed incorporated by
reference into this prospectus); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 3, 2009, filed on April 3, 2009 (File No. 001-33280); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 27, 2009, filed on April 30, 2009 (File No. 001-33280); |
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Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May
19, 2009, filed on May 19, 2009 (File No. 001-33280); |
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Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 30, 2009 (File No. 001-33280); |
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the description of our Class A common stock contained in the Registration Statement
on Form 8-A, dated January 26, 2007, filed with the Commission under Section 12(b) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
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all documents filed by HFF, Inc. under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of the initial registration
statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement and after the date
of this prospectus and before the termination of the offerings to which this prospectus
relates. |
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents
referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus,
excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into
those documents. You may request copies of those documents from HFF, Inc., One Oxford Centre, 301
Grant Street, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219. You also may contact us at (412) 281-8714
or visit our website at http://www.hfflp.com for copies of those documents. Our website and the
information contained on our website are not a part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on
any such information in making your decision whether to purchase the shares offered hereby.
29
OUR MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
Our goal is to always put the clients interest ahead of the Firm and every individual within
the Firm.
We will endeavor to strategically grow to achieve our objective of becoming the best and most
dominant one-stop commercial real estate and capital markets intermediary offering the following:
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Investment Banking and Advisory Services; |
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Investment Sales Services; |
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Loan Sales and Distressed Asset Sales; |
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Entity and Project Level Equity Services and Placements as well as
all forms of Structured Finance Solutions; |
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All forms of Debt Solutions and Services; and |
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Commercial Loan Servicing (Primary and Sub-servicing). |
Our goal is to hire and retain associates who have the highest ethical standards and the best
reputations in the industry to preserve our culture of integrity, trust and respect and to promote
and encourage teamwork to ensure our clients have the best team on the field for each
transaction. Simply stated, without the best people, we cannot be the best Firm.
To ensure we achieve our goals and aspirations and provide outstanding results for our
shareholders, we must maintain a flexible compensation and ownership package to appropriately
recognize and reward our existing and future associates who profoundly contribute to our success
through their value-added performance. The ability to reward extraordinary performance is
essential in providing superior results for our clients while appropriately aligning our interests
with our shareholders.
30
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by us in connection with the
issuance and distribution of the Class A common stock being registered hereby. All amounts except
the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee are estimated.
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Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
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$ |
3,350 |
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Accounting Fees and Expenses |
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22,400 |
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Legal Fees and Expenses |
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35,000 |
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Miscellaneous |
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4,000 |
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Total |
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$ |
64,750 |
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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL) grants each
corporation organized thereunder the power to indemnify any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of a corporation or enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of being or having been in any such capacity,
if he acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action, or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that with respect to an action brought
by or in the right of the corporation such indemnification is limited to expenses (including
attorneys fees). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we must
indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL enables a corporation, in its certificate of incorporation or an
amendment thereto, to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or
its stockholders for monetary damages for violations of the directors fiduciary duty, except (i)
for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for
unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any
transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation provides for such limitations on liability for our directors.
We currently maintain liability insurance for our directors and officers. Such insurance is
available to our directors and officers in accordance with its terms.
Item 16. Exhibits
The Exhibit Index filed herewith and appearing immediately before the exhibits hereto is
incorporated by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
II-1
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that: paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of
this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3
and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement,
or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part
of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus
was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of
providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the
earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the
date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the
prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any
person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new
effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the
registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a
time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any
statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of
the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such
effective date.
II-2
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the
securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities
of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the
underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are
offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the
undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or
sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant
relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on
behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities
provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the
undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the registrants annual
report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to
section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pittsburgh, State of Pennsylvania, on
May 19, 2009.
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HFF, INC. |
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By:
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/s/ John H. Pelusi, Jr.
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Name:
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John H. Pelusi, Jr. |
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer |
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned directors and officers of the
Registrant, a Delaware corporation, which is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549 under the provisions of the Securities
Act of 1933 hereby constitute and appoint John H. Pelusi, Jr. and Gregory R. Conley, and each of
them (with full power to act alone), the individuals true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the person and in his or her name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such registration statement and any or all
amendments, including post-effective amendments to the registration statement, including a
prospectus or an amended prospectus therein and any registration statement for the same offering
that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and
all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact as agents or any of them, or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities
indicated on May 19,
2009.
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Signature |
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Title |
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/s/ John H. Pelusi, Jr.
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Chief Executive Officer, Director and Executive Managing Director |
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John H. Pelusi, Jr.
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(principal executive officer) |
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/s/ Gregory R. Conley
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Gregory R. Conley
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(principal financial and accounting officer) |
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/s/ John P. Fowler
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Director |
|
|
|
John P. Fowler |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mark D. Gibson
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Mark D. Gibson |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John Z. Kukral
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
John Z. Kukral |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Deborah H. McAneny
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Deborah H. McAneny |
|
|
II-4
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
|
|
/s/ George L. Miles
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
George L. Miles |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Lenore M. Sullivan
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Lenore M. Sullivan |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Joe B. Thornton, Jr.
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Joe B. Thornton, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ McHenry T. Tichenor, Jr.
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
McHenry T. Tichenor, Jr. |
|
|
II-5
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
5.1
|
|
Opinion of Dechert LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP |
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of Dechert LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to the Registration Statement) |
II-6