12. Commitments and Contingencies Operating Leases As of February 2, 2019, the Company was obligated under various long-term operating leases, which require minimum annual rent for retail and factory stores, office space and equipment. These operating leases expire on varying dates through 2034. A summary of aggregate minimum rent at February 2, 2019 is as follows: Fiscal year Amount 2019 $ 146,282 2020 $ 132,209 2021 $ 121,330 2022 $ 107,245 2023 $ 78,925 Thereafter $ 313,800 Certain of these leases include renewal options and escalation clauses and provide for contingent rent based upon sales and require the lessee to pay taxes, insurance and other occupancy costs. Rent expense was $184,040 in fiscal 2018, $194,097 in fiscal 2017, and $186,960 in fiscal 2016 (including contingent rent, based on store sales, of $7,546, $4,437, and $3,977, respectively). Employment Agreements The Company is party to employment agreements with certain executives, which provide for compensation and certain other benefits. The agreements also provide for severance payments under certain circumstances. Litigation The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Management does not expect that the results of any of these legal proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on the Companys financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As of February 2, 2019, the Company has recorded a reserve for certain legal contingencies in connection with ongoing claims and litigation. The reserve is not material to its results of operations. In addition, there are certain other claims and legal proceedings pending against the Company for which accruals have not been established. Eaton Vance Management, et al. v. Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, et al., Index No. 654397/2017, (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cty.). On June 22, 2017, Eaton Vance Management and certain affiliated funds as well as Highland Capital Management and certain affiliated funds (collectively, the Plaintiffs), filed a complaint in the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division, against the Company and WSFS, seeking, among other things, declarations that the July 13, 2017 Amendment to the Term Loan Facility was ineffective absent unanimous consent of all lenders under the facility, that certain of the Companys actions with respect to certain of its intellectual property assets were taken in violation of the terms of the Term Loan Facility, and that those actions also constituted fraudulent conveyances. On August 7, 2017, WSFS and the Company filed separate motions to dismiss certain of Plaintiffs claims for failure to state a claim and lack of standing, among other reasons. On September 7, 2017, Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division, against the Company and WSFS. The amended complaint continued to assert claims for breach of the terms of the Term Loan Facility, and for fraudulent conveyance and added an additional claim for fraudulent inducement against the Company. In response to the amended complaint, WSFS and the Company withdrew their prior motions to dismiss and, on October 20, 2017, filed renewed motions seeking dismissal in whole or part. Among other things, the Company sought dismissal of the amended complaint for failure to state a claim, lack of standing, and because its fraud claims are duplicative of Plaintiffs claims under the documents governing the Term Loan Facility. Plaintiffs filed an omnibus brief on December 1, 2017 opposing the motions to dismiss. The Company and WSFS each filed reply briefs on December 22, 2017 reiterating that the majority of Plaintiffs claims should be dismissed as a matter of law. Oral argument on the motions to dismiss occurred on March 8, 2018. On April 25, 2018, the judge issued a Memorandum Decision and Order, which granted the Companys partial motion to dismiss in its entirety and dismissed as a matter of law the majority of Plaintiffs claims with prejudice. Plaintiffs sole remaining claim is for breach of contract based on the theory that the July 13, 2017 Amendment to the Term Loan Facility required unanimous consent of all lenders under the facility. On October 25, 2018, Highland Capital Management and certain affiliated funds were dismissed from the action with prejudice. On November 21, 2018, the remaining Plaintiffs filed a limited appeal of the judges April 25, 2018 Memorandum Decision and Order with the First Department of the New York Appellate Division in an attempt to resuscitate their fraudulent conveyance claim. The Company filed an opposition brief on February 14, 2019 arguing that the trial court properly dismissed the fraudulent conveyance claim. On March 8, 2019, the remaining plaintiffs filed a reply brief in support of their appeal. Oral argument on the appeal is expected to occur on April 2, 2019. Discovery in the action is ongoing. The Company believes that the remaining claim is wholly without merit, and intends to vigorously oppose the claim.