Item 8.01 Other Events.
On December 18, 2008, Liberty Property Trust (the "Company") and Liberty
Property Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership" and, together with the
Company, the "Transaction Entities") entered into an Equity Distribution
Agreement (the "Equity Distribution Agreement") with Citigroup Global Markets
Inc. (the "Agent") pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell, under its
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-150737), effective May 8, 2008,
up to an aggregate sales price of $150,000,000 of its common shares of
beneficial interest, $0.001 par value ("Common Shares"), through the Agent or to
the Agent as principal. Sales of the common shares made pursuant to the Equity
Distribution Agreement, if any, will be made on the New York Stock Exchange by
means of ordinary brokers' transactions at market prices, in block transactions
or as otherwise agreed by the Company and the Agent. The Equity Distribution
Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Report.
The Company filed a prospectus supplement regarding the offering contemplated
by the Equity Distribution Agreement. The prospectus supplement included the
following disclosure regarding certain developments in the Company's business:
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
As we have previously disclosed in filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, we have been substituted for Republic Property Trust, or Republic,
which we acquired on October 4, 2007, as a party in litigation. The litigation
arises out of a dispute between Republic and certain parties, two of whom,
Richard Kramer and Steven Grigg, were members of Republic's Board of Trustees
and "founders" of Republic. The dispute includes claims arising from the
termination of a development arrangement in West Palm Beach, Florida and an
attempt by Republic to acquire a certain office property from an entity
controlled by the aforementioned related parties pursuant to an option agreement
entered into at the time of Republic's formation. The litigation has been
summarized in previous filings. Material developments in the litigation are
summarized below.
As noted in prior filings, Republic filed a lawsuit against Messrs. Kramer
and Grigg and Republic Properties Corporation in the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia (the "Court"). Republic Properties
Corporation, Messrs. Kramer and Grigg filed motions to dismiss this lawsuit. On
March 31, 2008, the Court granted the motion to dismiss. We filed a motion for
reconsideration of the grant of the motion to dismiss. On August 13, 2008, the
Court denied the motion for reconsideration. We have appealed the Court's
decision.
As noted in prior filings, Republic filed a lawsuit against 25 Massachusetts
Avenue Property LLC, or 25 Mass, which was the owner of Republic Square I, an
office property located in Washington, D.C., in the Court of Chancery in the
State of Delaware. The matter was tried in 2007. On April 7, 2008, the Court of
Chancery issued an opinion concluding that neither party was entitled to relief
and ordering that the lis pendens be lifted. On April 15, 2008, 25 Mass filed a
notice of appeal from dismissal of its counterclaims. The parties have fully
briefed 25 Mass' appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court, to which all appeals are
made. Oral argument in this matter was made before the Delaware Supreme Court on
November 12, 2008. On November 25, 2008, the Delaware Supreme Court remanded the
matter to Court of Chancery in order for the Court of Chancery to consider 25
Mass' claimed breach of the Option Agreement based on (i) liability for breach
of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing; and (ii) liability for
breach of the "further assurances" clause of the option agreement. We believe
the Court of Chancery will clarify its ruling on these matters in our favor, but
there can be no assurance that will be the case.
On December 12, 2008, 25 Mass filed a complaint in the Superior Court for the
District of Columbia, alleging that 25 Mass had entered a purchase and sale
agreement with a third party for the sale of Republic Square I, and that
Republic's lawsuit and its lis pendens, described above, prevented a closing by
which Republic Square I could be sold under the terms of that purchase and sale
agreement. The December 12, 2008 lawsuit alleges that by so doing, Republic
committed tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with
prospective contractual relations, malicious prosecution, abuse of process and a
violation of the D.C. lis pendens statute. The filed complaint seeks "no less
than $85 million" in compensatory damages, and "no less than $85 million" in
punitive damages, and attorneys' fees for an improperly filed lis pendens under
D.C. Code § 42-1207(d). We believe that these claims are without merit and
intend to defend vigorously against this litigation.
RISK FACTORS
Recent developments in the general economy have affected some of our existing
tenants, and could have an adverse impact on our ability to collect rent or
renew leases with these tenants, resulting in a negative effect on our cash flow
from operations and inhibiting growth.
Recent developments in the general economy and the global credit markets have
had a significant adverse effect on many companies in numerous industries,
particularly the financial services and banking industries. We have tenants in
these industries which may be experiencing these adverse effects. For example,
GMAC Mortgage Corporation occupies a 450,000 square foot office facility that we
developed for GMAC Mortgage in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. As disclosed by
GMAC Mortgage, it has been engaged in efforts to potentially ameliorate the
effects of the current economic situation on GMAC Mortgage. Should GMAC
Mortgage, or any of our other tenants that may experience a downturn in its
business that weakens its financial condition, delay lease commencement, fail to
make rental payments when due, become insolvent or declare bankruptcy, the
result could be a termination of the tenant's lease and material losses to us.
Our cash flow from operations and our ability to make expected distributions to
our shareholders and service our indebtedness could, in such a case, be
adversely affected.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.
None.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.
None.
(c) Shell Company Transactions.
None.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Title
1.1 Equity Distribution Agreement, dated December 18, 2008, by and among the
Company, the Operating Partnership and the Agent.
5.1 Opinion of Saul Ewing LLP, dated December 18, 2008.
8.1 Opinion of WolfBlock LLP, dated December 18, 2008.
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