16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

a. Former Employee

The Company is currently in a dispute with a former employee of its predecessor bBooth, Inc. who has interposed a breach of contract claim in which he alleges that in 2015 he was entitled to approximately $300 in unpaid bonus compensation. This former employee filed his complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles on November 20, 2019, styled Meyerson v. Verb Technology Company, Inc., et al. (Case No. 19STCV41816). The Company disputed the former employee’s claims and interposed several affirmative defenses, including that the claims are contradicted by documentary evidence, barred by the applicable statute of limitations, and barred by a written, executed release. On February 9, 2021, the former employee’s counsel filed a motion for summary judgment, or in the alternative, summary adjudication against the Company. On October 13, 2021, the California court issued an order (i) denying the former employee’s motion for summary judgment on his claims against the Company, but (ii) granting the former employee’s motion to dismiss the Company’s affirmative defenses, which ruling the Company contends was in error. Under the rules, the Company is precluded from appealing the dismissal of its affirmative defenses until after a trial. On August 29, 2023 after a bench trial at which the Company was precluded from introducing evidence of its affirmative defenses, the court found in favor of Plaintiff Meyerson; and judgment was entered in Meyerson’s favor in the amount of $584 which included interest. Meyerson’s counsel thereafter submitted an untimely request for attorney’s fees and costs which the Company has opposed. As of this date, that motion has yet to be decided. After the trial, the Company filed a timely appeal from the judgment (Meyerson v. Verb Technology Company, Inc. (2023 2nd Appellate District) Case No.: B334777, seeking among other things, that the trial court’s finding be vacated and that the Company’s affirmative defenses be reinstated. As of this date, the appeal has yet to be heard. The Company has accrued the liability at December 31, 2023 and believe the accrual is adequate pending the outcome of the appeal process.

b. Legal Malpractice Action

The Company was involved in a dispute with Baker Hostetler LLP (“BH”) relating to corporate legal services provided by BH to the Company. The Company filed its complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles on May 17, 2021, styled Verb Technology Company, Inc. v. Baker Hostetler LLP, et al. (Case No. 21STCV18387). The Company’s complaint arises from BH’s alleged legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duties owed to the Company, breach of contract, and violations of California’s Business and Professions Code Section 17200 et seq. The Company was seeking, amongst other things, compensatory damages from BH. On October 5, 2021, BH filed a cross-complaint against the Company alleging, amongst other things, that the Company owes it approximately $915 in legal fees. The Company disputed owing this amount to BH. On March 1, 2023, BH and the Company entered into an out of court settlement and the Company agreed to pay $25 on execution of the settlement agreement and $6.25 per month over a period of 12 months with a total settlement amount of $100. The remaining unpaid settlement amount of $31 was accrued by the Company as of December 31, 2023.

c. Dispute with Warrant Holder

The Company is currently in a dispute with Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC and Iroquois Master Fund, Ltd (collectively, “Iroquois”) relating to a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) entered between the Company, Iroquois and certain other investors. The Company filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of New York for the County of New York on April 6, 2022, styled Verb Technology Company, Inc. v. Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC, et al. (Index No. 651708/2022). The Company’s complaint seeks a judicial declaration of its duties and obligations under the SPA. On May 5, 2022, Iroquois filed counterclaims against the Company for declaratory relief, breach of contract, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing relating to the SPA. Iroquois alleges damages of $1,500. The Company disputes Iroquois’ counterclaims and damages allegations. On September 19, 2023, the Company and Iroquois agreed to a settlement of the matter and an exchange of general releases. Pursuant to the settlement, the Company issued 183,486 shares to Iroquois and certain other investors. The fair market value of the shares issued was based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the settlement, which amounted to $200. In exchange for the shares, 32,140 warrants were cancelled as part of the settlement agreement.

From time to time, the Company is involved in various other legal proceedings, disputes or claims arising from or related to the normal course of its business activities. Although the results of legal proceedings, disputes and other claims cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes it is not currently a party to any other legal proceedings, disputes or claims which, if determined adversely to the Company, would, individually or taken together, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows. However, regardless of the merit of the claims raised or the outcome, legal proceedings may have an adverse impact on the Company as a result of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management time and resources, and other factors.

Board of Directors

The Company has committed an aggregate of $250 in board fees to its three board members over the term of their appointment for services to be rendered. Board fees are accrued and paid monthly. The members will serve on the board until the annual meeting for the year in which their term expires or until their successors has been elected and qualified.

On November 17, 2022, the board of directors approved a cost savings plan to improve the Company’s liquidity and preserve cash for operations. In connection with the cost savings plan, the board agreed to accept a 25% reduction in cash compensation over a four-month period. In consideration of the reduction in cash compensation, the board will be compensated with equity award grants.

Total board fees expensed and paid in 2023 totaled $312.