This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and, to the extent state law may be applicable, the laws of the State of Ohio applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within Ohio without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof. The parties agree that to the full extent permitted by applicable law any controversy or claim of any party hereto arising out of or in any way relating to the Plan or this Agreement, the breach thereof, the Participant’s employment with FHLBC or the termination thereof (including, without limitation, any claims of employment discrimination or retaliation) shall be settled by final and binding arbitration in Cincinnati, Ohio, in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and the applicable Employment rules of the American Arbitration Association, and that judgment upon any award rendered may be entered by the prevailing party in any court having jurisdiction thereof; provided, however, that nothing herein shall preclude FHLBC from seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction in connection with Participant’s breach or threatened breach of any of the Protective Covenants, or to prohibit any court from making preliminary findings of fact in connection with granting or denying such preliminary injunctive relief pending arbitration, and the losing party shall reimburse the prevailing party for attorneys’ or other experts’ fees and disbursements and court costs incurred by the prevailing party in successfully seeking any preliminary equitable relief or judicially enforcing any final arbitration award. Any discovery permitted by the arbitrator shall be limited to forty-five (45) consecutive days, and each party shall be limited to a maximum of three (3) depositions of eight (8) hours duration each, fifteen (15) interrogatories, and fifteen (15) requests for production of documents. The arbitrator shall be a licensed lawyer with at least fifteen (15) years’ experience in employment law, commercial, and/or contract law matters. The arbitrator shall issue a reasoned opinion in support of his award, and shall award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party in the action as the arbitrator shall deem appropriate.