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<title>Document</title></head><body><div id="i230efab690cf4839b2bbef92ac189d1b_1"></div><div style="min-height:42.75pt;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div><div style="-sec-extract:summary;text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">UNITED STATES </font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:16pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Washington, D.C. 20549 </font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:20pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Form 8-K </font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:14pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Current Report </font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:14pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)&#58;&#160;&#160;December 30, 2020</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:22pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. </font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Commission File Number&#58;&#160;&#160;000-55605</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:5pt;margin-top:5pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;vertical-align:top;width:91.228%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:57.874%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:1.944%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:36.882%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Maryland</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;&#160;</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">46-4654479</font></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(State or other jurisdiction of</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"> </font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">incorporation)</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;&#160;</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(IRS Employer</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"> </font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Identification No.)</font></div></td></tr></table></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">1520 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(310) 469-6100 </font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">None</font></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions&#58;</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">&#91;&#160;&#160;&#93;&#160;&#160; Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">&#91;&#160;&#160;&#93;&#160;&#160; Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">&#91;&#160;&#160;&#93;&#160;&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">&#91;&#160;&#160;&#93;&#160;&#160; Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div style="margin-top:2pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act&#58;</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:5pt;margin-top:5pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;vertical-align:top;width:87.719%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:37.733%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:15.566%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:43.401%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7.5pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Title of each class</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7.5pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Trading Symbol(s)</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7.5pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Name of each exchange on which registered</font></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline">____________________</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline">_________________</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%;text-decoration:underline">____________________</font></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">None</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">None</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">None</font></td></tr></table></div><div><font><br></font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div style="margin-bottom:9pt;margin-top:3pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Emerging Growth Company </font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Wingdings',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#168;</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;&#160; </font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:144%">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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. </font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Wingdings',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:144%">&#168;</font></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div style="min-height:42.75pt;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">Item 5.02.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Departure of Directors or Certain Officers&#59; Election of Directors&#59; Appointment of Certain Officers&#59; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;text-indent:36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">On December 30, 2020, Howard S. Hirsch, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;), resigned from his positions with the Company, effective January 29, 2021 (the &#8220;Severance Date&#8221;). Immediately following the Severance Date, Mr. Hirsch will join Griffin Capital Company, LLC (&#8220;GCC&#8221;), which provides certain operational and administrative services to the Company pursuant to that certain Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2018 (the &#8220;Services Agreement&#8221;). While employed by GCC, Mr. Hirsch will continue to provide certain consulting and advisory services to the Company pursuant to the Services Agreement.</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;text-indent:36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, dated December 14, 2018, by and between Mr. Hirsch, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the &#8220;Employment Agreement&#8221;), subject to Mr. Hirsch timely executing and not revoking the release in the form attached to the Employment Agreement, the Company will&#58; (i) pay Mr. Hirsch a lump sum severance payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of his base salary plus the average of his annual incentive bonus paid for 2019 and his 2020 target incentive bonus&#59; (ii) pay Mr. Hirsch a pro-rated portion of his annual incentive bonus earned with respect to the 2021 calendar year through January 29, 2021&#59; (iii) pay Mr. Hirsch a lump sum payment equal to 18 months of the employer portion of the cost coverage under the Company&#8217;s group medical plan for Mr. Hirsch and his dependents at the level in effect on the Severance Date&#59; and (iv) pay or reimburse Mr. Hirsch for any accrued or vested benefits or compensation to which he is entitled under equity compensation, retirement, welfare and fringe benefits or other employee benefits or the Company&#8217;s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Hirsch&#8217;s incentive awards will be vested or forfeited in accordance with the terms thereof. Mr. Hirsch will be subject to certain post-termination confidentiality, cooperation and non-disparagement restrictions and obligations. Mr. Hirsch will also receive payment for his base salary through January 29, 2021 and his annual incentive bonus earned with respect to the 2020 calendar year, </font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">to be paid in accordance with the Company&#8217;s policies and regular payroll practices, </font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">as well as payment for any reimbursement due to him for business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out his duties on behalf of the Company on or before the Severance Date. </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt"><font><br></font></div><div style="margin-bottom:11pt"><font><br></font></div><div style="margin-bottom:11pt;padding-left:36pt"><font><br></font></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div style="min-height:42.75pt;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div><div style="text-align:center"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Signature(s) </font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;</font></div><div style="text-indent:24.75pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:5pt;margin-top:5pt;text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;vertical-align:top;width:480.00pt"><tr><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:214.00pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:36.25pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td><td style="width:223.75pt"></td><td style="width:1.0pt"></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.</font></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Date&#58;  January 4, 2021</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">By&#58;</font></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#47;s&#47; Javier F. Bitar</font></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Javier F. Bitar</font></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer</font></td></tr></table></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div></div></body></html>
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Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  December 30, 2020
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number:  000-55605
Maryland
46-4654479
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1520 E. Grand Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(310) 469-6100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[  ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
____________________
_________________
____________________
None
None
None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
¨
Item 5.02.    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On December 30, 2020, Howard S. Hirsch, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc. (the "Company"), resigned from his positions with the Company, effective January 29, 2021 (the "Severance Date"). Immediately following the Severance Date, Mr. Hirsch will join Griffin Capital Company, LLC ("GCC"), which provides certain operational and administrative services to the Company pursuant to that certain Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2018 (the "Services Agreement"). While employed by GCC, Mr. Hirsch will continue to provide certain consulting and advisory services to the Company pursuant to the Services Agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, dated December 14, 2018, by and between Mr. Hirsch, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Employment Agreement"), subject to Mr. Hirsch timely executing and not revoking the release in the form attached to the Employment Agreement, the Company will: (i) pay Mr. Hirsch a lump sum severance payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of his base salary plus the average of his annual incentive bonus paid for 2019 and his 2020 target incentive bonus; (ii) pay Mr. Hirsch a pro-rated portion of his annual incentive bonus earned with respect to the 2021 calendar year through January 29, 2021; (iii) pay Mr. Hirsch a lump sum payment equal to 18 months of the employer portion of the cost coverage under the Company's group medical plan for Mr. Hirsch and his dependents at the level in effect on the Severance Date; and (iv) pay or reimburse Mr. Hirsch for any accrued or vested benefits or compensation to which he is entitled under equity compensation, retirement, welfare and fringe benefits or other employee benefits or the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Hirsch's incentive awards will be vested or forfeited in accordance with the terms thereof. Mr. Hirsch will be subject to certain post-termination confidentiality, cooperation and non-disparagement restrictions and obligations. Mr. Hirsch will also receive payment for his base salary through January 29, 2021 and his annual incentive bonus earned with respect to the 2020 calendar year,
to be paid in accordance with the Company's policies and regular payroll practices,
as well as payment for any reimbursement due to him for business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out his duties on behalf of the Company on or before the Severance Date.
Signature(s)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT, Inc.
Date:  January 4, 2021
By:
/s/ Javier F. Bitar
Javier F. Bitar
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer