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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>As filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2025</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right; background-color: white"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>FORM&nbsp;S-8</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B><I>UNDER</I></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B><I>THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933</I></B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 24pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>FIRST FOUNDATION INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>(Exact name of registrant
as specified in its charter)</B></P>

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<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
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<TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center; width: 49%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center; width: 49%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>20-8639702</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center; vertical-align: top">(State or other jurisdiction of<BR> incorporation or organization)</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center; vertical-align: top">(I.R.S. Employer<BR> Identification Number)</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center; vertical-align: top"><B>5221 North O&rsquo;Connor Boulevard, Suite&nbsp;1375<BR> Irving, Texas</B></TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>75039</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Zip Code)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>First Foundation Inc.
Amended and Restated 2024 Equity Incentive Plan</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>(Full title of plan)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Erica Dorsett</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Executive Vice President,
General Counsel</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>First Foundation Inc.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>5221 North O&rsquo;Connor Boulevard, Suite&nbsp;1375</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Irving, Texas</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>(469) 638-9636</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white">(Name, address, including
zip code, and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>With copies to:</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Joshua A. Dean,&nbsp;Esq.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Sheppard, Mullin,
Richter&nbsp;&amp; Hampton LLP</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>650 Town Center Drive,
Tenth Floor</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Costa Mesa, California
92626</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>(714) 513-5100</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of &ldquo;large accelerated filer,&rdquo; &ldquo;accelerated filer,&rdquo; &ldquo;smaller reporting company,&rdquo;
and &ldquo;emerging growth company&rdquo; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.</P>

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<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; width: 19%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Large accelerated filer</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 6%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; width: 23%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Accelerated filer</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#120;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Non-accelerated filer</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Smaller reporting company</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Emerging growth company</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;7(a)(2)(B)&nbsp;of the Securities Act.&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&#168;</FONT></FONT></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Explanatory Note</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">First Foundation Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;)
previously filed a Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (Registration&nbsp;No.&nbsp;333-279965) registering the issuance of 1,500,000
shares of the Company&rsquo;s common stock under the First Foundation Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the &ldquo;2024 Plan&rdquo;). On
May&nbsp;29, 2025, the Company&rsquo;s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2024 Plan that, among other things, increased
the number of shares of the Company&rsquo;s common stock that may be issued under the 2024 Plan by 2,500,000 shares.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form&nbsp;S-8&nbsp;under
the&nbsp;Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &ldquo;Securities Act&rdquo;), this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8&nbsp;is being
filed by the Company for the purpose of registering the issuance of an additional 2,500,000 shares of the Company&rsquo;s common stock
under the 2024 Plan. The content contained in the Company&rsquo;s Registration Statement on <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924068699/tm2416337d1_s8.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Form&nbsp;S-8&nbsp;(Registration&nbsp;No.&nbsp;333-279965)</A>
is hereby incorporated by reference pursuant to General Instruction E, except as supplemented by the information set forth below.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Part&nbsp;I</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION&nbsp;10(a)&nbsp;PROSPECTUS</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><B>Item 1. Plan Information.*</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><B>Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee
Plan Annual Information.*</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">* The documents containing
the information specified in Part&nbsp;I will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1)&nbsp;under the Securities
Act.&#8239;In accordance with the rules&nbsp;and regulations of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the &ldquo;Commission&rdquo;) and the instructions to Form&nbsp;S-8, such documents are not being filed with the
Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 under
the Securities Act.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>Part&nbsp;II</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><B>Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">The following documents
filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt">&middot;</FONT></FONT>&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">The
Company&rsquo;s <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155837025003129/ffwm-20241231x10k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2024, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;17, 2025</A>, including the information specifically incorporated by reference in such Annual Report from the Company&rsquo;s <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465925036041/tm252563-3_def14a.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Commission on April&nbsp;17, 2025</A>;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt">&middot;</FONT></FONT>&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">The
Company&rsquo;s <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155837025007151/ffwm-20250331x10q.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2025, filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;9, 2025</A>;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt">&middot;</FONT></FONT>&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">The
Company&rsquo;s Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the Commission on <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465925012975/tm256286d1_8k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">February&nbsp;13, 2025</A>, <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465925054844/tm2516548d1_8k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">May&nbsp;30, 2025</A> and <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465925063654/tm2518826d1_8k.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">June&nbsp;27, 2025</A> (except for any portions of such Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and/or Item 7.01 thereof and any
corresponding exhibits thereto not filed with the Commission); and</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.25in; background-color: white"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt">&middot;</FONT></FONT>&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;&#8239;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">The
description of the Company&rsquo;s common stock contained in the registration statement on <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000119312514204702/d730217d8a12b.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Form&nbsp;8-A, filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;19, 2014</A>, as amended by the registration statement on <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000156459015008950/ffwm-8a_20151029.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Form&nbsp;8-A/A (Amendment No.&nbsp;1), filed with the Commission on October&nbsp;30, 2015</A>, as the description therein has been updated and superseded by the description of the Company&rsquo;s common stock contained in <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000156459020008063/ffwm-ex42_236.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Exhibit&nbsp;4.2</A>
to the Company&rsquo;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2019, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;2,
2020, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">All documents filed by
the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)&nbsp;of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, are incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement and are a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">Any statement contained
in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also
is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><B>Item 6. Indemnification of Officers and
Directors.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">Section&nbsp;145 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law (the &ldquo;DGCL&rdquo;) permits the Company to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents,
or other persons who are or were serving at the Company&rsquo;s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (referred to as an &ldquo;indemnitee&rdquo;), against expenses, including attorneys&rsquo;
fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding brought by third parties. The indemnitee must have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their
conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, an action only by or in the Company&rsquo;s right, indemnification may be made only for
expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only
with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the Company,
unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant
indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability. Section&nbsp;145(g)&nbsp;of
the DGCL also provides that the Company may maintain insurance against liabilities even if the Company would lack the power under the
DGCL to indemnify against those liabilities.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">Article&nbsp;VI of the
Company&rsquo;s Bylaws provides that the Company will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any person who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other (a &ldquo;Proceeding&rdquo;), other than an action by or in the Company&rsquo;s right,
by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, or while such person is or was a director or officer
of the Company, is or was serving at the Company&rsquo;s request as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of
another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, nonprofit entity or other enterprise, including service
with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys&rsquo; fees), damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines,
penalties, ERISA excise taxes, amounts paid or payable in settlement, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes, and all other charges
paid or payable by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and
in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the Company&rsquo;s best interests, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">The Company&rsquo;s Bylaws
further state that this indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified person may be entitled,
and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of that person.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">Article&nbsp;VIII of
the Company&rsquo;s Certificate of Incorporation includes provisions regarding indemnification of directors and officers of the Company
which are similar to those contained in Article&nbsp;VI of the Company&rsquo;s Bylaws.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">The Company has entered
into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and executive officers. Those indemnification agreements require that the
Company, among other things, (i)&nbsp;indemnify its directors and officers against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their
status or service as directors or officers (other than liabilities arising from actions not taken in good faith or in a manner the indemnitee
believed to be opposed to the Company&rsquo;s best interests), (ii)&nbsp;advance the expenses such directors or executive officers may
incur as a result of or in connection with the defense of any proceeding brought against them as to which they could be indemnified, subject
to an undertaking by the indemnified party to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification,
and (iii)&nbsp;obtain officers&rsquo;&nbsp;&amp; directors&rsquo; liability insurance if available on reasonable terms.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">The Company maintains
standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a)&nbsp;to directors and officers of the Company against loss arising
from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and (b)&nbsp;to the Company with respect to payments which may be
made by it to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to the registrant&rsquo;s directors, officers or controlling
persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In addition, indemnification for
violations of state securities laws may be limited by applicable laws.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; background-color: white"><B>Item 8. Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration
Statement:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="font-style: normal; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: normal">
<TD STYLE="font-style: normal; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; width: 6%; font-weight: normal"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">Exhibit</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-style: normal; padding-bottom: 1pt; text-align: center; width: 2%; font-weight: normal"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD STYLE="font-style: normal; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; text-align: center; width: 92%; font-weight: normal"><FONT STYLE="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal">Description</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000156459015008802/ffwm-ex31_6.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">4.1</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000156459015008802/ffwm-ex31_6.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Certificate of Incorporation of First Foundation Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on October&nbsp;29, 2015).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924105619/tm2425485d1_ex3-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">4.2</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924105619/tm2425485d1_ex3-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on October&nbsp;3, 2024).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924078463/tm2419008d1_ex3-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">4.3</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924078463/tm2419008d1_ex3-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Certificate of Designations for Series&nbsp;A Noncumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on July&nbsp;9, 2024).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924078463/tm2419008d1_ex3-2.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">4.4</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924078463/tm2419008d1_ex3-2.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Certificate of Designations for Series&nbsp;B Noncumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on July&nbsp;9, 2024).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924078463/tm2419008d1_ex3-3.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">4.5</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924078463/tm2419008d1_ex3-3.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Certificate of Designations for Series&nbsp;C NVCE Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.3 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on July&nbsp;9, 2024).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924028271/tm247361d1_ex3-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">4.6</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465924028271/tm247361d1_ex3-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed on February&nbsp;27, 2024).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex5-1.htm">5.1</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex5-1.htm">Opinion of Sheppard Mullin Richter&nbsp;&amp; Hampton, LLP.</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465925054844/tm2516548d1_ex10-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">10.1</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000110465925054844/tm2516548d1_ex10-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">First Foundation Inc. Amended and Restated 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to the Company&rsquo;s Form&nbsp;8-K filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;30, 2025).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex23-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">23.1</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex23-1.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Consent of Eide Bailly LLP.</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex23-2.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">23.2</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex23-2.htm" STYLE="-sec-extract: exhibit">Consent of Crowe, LLP.</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex5-1.htm">23.3</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex5-1.htm">Consent of Sheppard Mullin Richter&nbsp;&amp; Hampton, LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="#a_001">24</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="#a_001">Power of Attorney (included in signature page).</A></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex-fillingfees.htm">107</A></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD STYLE="text-align: left; vertical-align: top"><A HREF="tm2519651d1_ex-fillingfees.htm">Calculation of Fee Table</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B><A NAME="a_001"></A>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Irving, Texas, on July 8, 2025.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>FIRST FOUNDATION INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">By</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; vertical-align: top; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ THOMAS C. SHAFER</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Thomas C. Shafer</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; background-color: white"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">The officers and directors
of First Foundation Inc. whose signatures appear below hereby constitute and appoint Thomas C. Shafer and James Britton, and each of them,
their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf
of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents full power and authority to do everything necessary to accomplish the foregoing, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
or she might or could do in person, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each of said attorneys and agents,
or their substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in; background-color: white">Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the
capacities and on the date indicated.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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    <DIV STYLE="break-before: page; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><P STYLE="margin: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse">
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; width: 32%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURE</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center; width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; width: 32%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>TITLE</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center; width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center; width: 32%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>DATE</B></FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ THOMAS C. SHAFER</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Chief Executive Officer and Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Thomas C. Shafer</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ JAMES BRITTON</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">James Britton</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ MAX BRIGGS</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Chairman and Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Max Briggs</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ SIMONE LAGOMARSINO</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Simone Lagomarsino</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ JACOB P. SONENSHINE</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Jacob P. Sonenshine</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ MITCHELL M. ROSENBERG</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Mitchell M. Rosenberg</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ ELIZABETH A. PAGLIARINI</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Elizabeth A. Pagliarini</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ SAM EDELSON</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Sam Edelson</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/HENCHY R. ENDEN</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Henchy R. Enden</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ BENJAMIN MACKOVAK</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Benjamin Mackovak</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="white-space: nowrap; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; white-space: nowrap; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ C. ALLEN PARKER</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD ROWSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">July 8,
    2025</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">C. Allen Parker</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "tm2519651d1_s8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 59098}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "First Foundation Inc.", "cik": "0001413837", "assigned-sic": "6022", "organization-name": "02 Finance", "ein": "000000000", "state-of-incorporation": "CA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-288564", "film-number": "251111369"}, "business-address": {"street1": "18101 VON KARMAN AVE", "street2": "SUITE 700", "city": "IRVINE", "state": "CA", "zip": "92612", "phone": "949-222-2030"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "18101 VON KARMAN AVE", "street2": "SUITE 700", "city": "IRVINE", "state": "CA", "zip": "92612"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "KELLER FINANCIAL GROUP", "date-changed": "20071001"}}
As filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2025
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933
FIRST FOUNDATION INC.
(Exact name of registrant
as specified in its charter)
Delaware
20-8639702
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
5221 North O'Connor Boulevard, Suite 1375
Irving, Texas
75039
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
First Foundation Inc.
Amended and Restated 2024 Equity Incentive Plan
(Full title of plan)
Erica Dorsett
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel
First Foundation Inc.
5221 North O'Connor Boulevard, Suite 1375
Irving, Texas
(469) 638-9636
(Name, address, including
zip code, and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)
With copies to:
Joshua A. Dean, Esq.
Sheppard, Mullin,
Richter & Hampton LLP
650 Town Center Drive,
Tenth Floor
Costa Mesa, California
92626
(714) 513-5100
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company,"
and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
Emerging growth company
¨
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
¨
Explanatory Note
First Foundation Inc. (the "Company")
previously filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-279965) registering the issuance of 1,500,000
shares of the Company's common stock under the First Foundation Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2024 Plan"). On
May 29, 2025, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2024 Plan that, among other things, increased
the number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be issued under the 2024 Plan by 2,500,000 shares.
Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being
filed by the Company for the purpose of registering the issuance of an additional 2,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock
under the 2024 Plan. The content contained in the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-279965)
is hereby incorporated by reference pursuant to General Instruction E, except as supplemented by the information set forth below.
Part I
INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee
Plan Annual Information.*
* The documents containing
the information specified in Part I will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities
Act. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the
Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under
the Securities Act.
Part II
INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents
filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
·
The
Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Commission on March 17, 2025
, including the information specifically incorporated by reference in such Annual Report from the Company's
definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Commission on April 17, 2025
;
·
The
Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed with the Commission on May 9, 2025
;
·
The
Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
February 13, 2025
,
May 30, 2025
and
June 27, 2025
(except for any portions of such Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and/or Item 7.01 thereof and any
corresponding exhibits thereto not filed with the Commission); and
·
The
description of the Company's common stock contained in the registration statement on
Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on May 19, 2014
, as amended by the registration statement on
Form 8-A/A (Amendment No. 1), filed with the Commission on October 30, 2015
, as the description therein has been updated and superseded by the description of the Company's common stock contained in
Exhibit 4.2
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Commission on March 2,
2020, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
-
1
-
All documents filed by
the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, are incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement and are a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
Any statement contained
in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also
is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
-
2
-
Item 6. Indemnification of Officers and
Directors.
Section 145 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") permits the Company to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents,
or other persons who are or were serving at the Company's request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (referred to as an "indemnitee"), against expenses, including attorneys'
fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding brought by third parties. The indemnitee must have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their
conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, an action only by or in the Company's right, indemnification may be made only for
expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only
with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the Company,
unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant
indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability. Section 145(g) of
the DGCL also provides that the Company may maintain insurance against liabilities even if the Company would lack the power under the
DGCL to indemnify against those liabilities.
Article VI of the
Company's Bylaws provides that the Company will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any person who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other (a "Proceeding"), other than an action by or in the Company's right,
by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, or while such person is or was a director or officer
of the Company, is or was serving at the Company's request as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent of
another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, nonprofit entity or other enterprise, including service
with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines,
penalties, ERISA excise taxes, amounts paid or payable in settlement, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes, and all other charges
paid or payable by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and
in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the Company's best interests, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
The Company's Bylaws
further state that this indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified person may be entitled,
and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of that person.
Article VIII of
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation includes provisions regarding indemnification of directors and officers of the Company
which are similar to those contained in Article VI of the Company's Bylaws.
The Company has entered
into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and executive officers. Those indemnification agreements require that the
Company, among other things, (i) indemnify its directors and officers against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their
status or service as directors or officers (other than liabilities arising from actions not taken in good faith or in a manner the indemnitee
believed to be opposed to the Company's best interests), (ii) advance the expenses such directors or executive officers may
incur as a result of or in connection with the defense of any proceeding brought against them as to which they could be indemnified, subject
to an undertaking by the indemnified party to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification,
and (iii) obtain officers' & directors' liability insurance if available on reasonable terms.
The Company maintains
standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a) to directors and officers of the Company against loss arising
from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and (b) to the Company with respect to payments which may be
made by it to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.
-
3
-
Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to the registrant's directors, officers or controlling
persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In addition, indemnification for
violations of state securities laws may be limited by applicable laws.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration
Statement:
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation of First Foundation Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 29, 2015).
4.2
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 3, 2024).
4.3
Certificate of Designations for Series A Noncumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 9, 2024).
4.4
Certificate of Designations for Series B Noncumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 9, 2024).
4.5
Certificate of Designations for Series C NVCE Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 9, 2024).
4.6
Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 27, 2024).
5.1
Opinion of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP.
10.1
First Foundation Inc. Amended and Restated 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 30, 2025).
23.1
Consent of Eide Bailly LLP.
23.2
Consent of Crowe, LLP.
23.3
Consent of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24
Power of Attorney (included in signature page).
107
Calculation of Fee Table
-
4
-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Irving, Texas, on July 8, 2025.
FIRST FOUNDATION INC.
By
/s/ THOMAS C. SHAFER
Thomas C. Shafer
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The officers and directors
of First Foundation Inc. whose signatures appear below hereby constitute and appoint Thomas C. Shafer and James Britton, and each of them,
their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf
of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents full power and authority to do everything necessary to accomplish the foregoing, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
or she might or could do in person, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that each of said attorneys and agents,
or their substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
-
5
-
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ THOMAS C. SHAFER
Chief Executive Officer and Director
July 8,
    2025
Thomas C. Shafer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ JAMES BRITTON
Chief Financial Officer
July 8,
    2025
James Britton
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ MAX BRIGGS
Chairman and Director
July 8,
    2025
Max Briggs
/s/ SIMONE LAGOMARSINO
Director
July 8,
    2025
Simone Lagomarsino
/s/ JACOB P. SONENSHINE
Director
July 8,
    2025
Jacob P. Sonenshine
/s/ MITCHELL M. ROSENBERG
Director
July 8,
    2025
Mitchell M. Rosenberg
/s/ ELIZABETH A. PAGLIARINI
Director
July 8,
    2025
Elizabeth A. Pagliarini
/s/ SAM EDELSON
Director
July 8,
    2025
Sam Edelson
/s/HENCHY R. ENDEN
Director
July 8,
    2025
Henchy R. Enden
/s/ BENJAMIN MACKOVAK
Director
July 8,
    2025
Benjamin Mackovak
/s/ C. ALLEN PARKER
Director
July 8,
    2025
C. Allen Parker
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6
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