Lessee shall not assign, pledge or encumber this Lease, or sublet the whole or any part of the Premises without the prior written consent of Lessor. This prohibition against assigning or subletting shall be construed to include a prohibition against any assignment or subletting by operation of law. For purposes of this paragraph, a transfer of the ownership interests controlling Lessee shall be deemed an assignment of this Lease. In the event any assignment or subletting of this Lease is made with or without Lessor's consent, Lessee shall nevertheless remain liable for the performance of all of the terms, conditions and covenants of this Lease. Any assignment or subletting without the prior written consent of Lessor shall be void and constitute a breach of the Lease and shall, at the option of the Lessor, terminate the Lease. No consent to any assignment, voluntarily or by operation of law, of this Lease or any subletting of said Premises shall be deemed to be a consent to any subsequent assignment or subletting.