Free Verdict Sheet - District Court of Delaware - Delaware


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Date: June 4, 2007
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Case 1:05-cv-00891-SLR

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE : LINDA J. BLOZIS, Plaintiff, vs. MELLON TRUST OF DELAWARE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; MELLON BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; MELLON FINANCIAL CORPORATION, Defendants. : : CIVIL ACTION NO. 05-891 (SLR) : : : : :

DEFENDANTS' AMENDED PROPOSED JURY INTERROGATORIES We, the jury, unanimously find as follows: Single Employer Issue 1. Has Plaintiff proven by the preponderance of the evidence that a functional integration of operations existed between Mellon Trust of Delaware, Mellon Bank, N.A., and Mellon Financial Corporation? ________ YES ________ NO Proceed to question #2.

PRCLIB-445486.1-SWILSON 6/4/07 12:05 PM

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2.

Has Plaintiff proven by the preponderance of the evidence that Mellon Bank, N.A., and Mellon Financial Corporation centrally controlled the labor relations of Mellon Trust of Delaware? ________ YES ________ NO Proceed to question #3.

3.

Has Plaintiff proven by the preponderance of the evidence that common management existed between Mellon Trust of Delaware and/or Mellon Bank, N.A. and Mellon Financial Corporation? ________ YES ________ NO Proceed to question #4.

4.

Has Plaintiff proven by the preponderance of the evidence that a common ownership existed between Mellon Trust of Delaware and Mellon Bank, N.A. and Mellon Financial Corporation? ________ YES ________ NO Proceed to question #5.

5.

Has Plaintiff proven by the preponderance of the evidence that Mellon Bank, N.A. or Mellon Financial Corporation financially controlled Mellon Trust of Delaware? ________ YES ________ NO Proceed to question #6.

6.

Has Plaintiff proven by the preponderance of the evidence, in light your answers above, that a single employer relationship existed between Mellon Trust of Delaware and Mellon Bank, N.A., and Mellon Financial Corporation? ________ YES ________ NO -2-

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If you have found that a single employer exists, please proceed to Jury Verdict Form #1.1 If you have not found that a single employer exists, then you must find for Defendants and go no further.

1

Form #1 is attached.

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JURY VERDICT FORM #1 I. Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

1. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was qualified for the Portfolio Administrator position from which she was terminated? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendants and go no further.

2. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was terminated from her position with Mellon? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendants and go no further.

3. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Laura Shannon, a Portfolio Administrator, was substantially younger than Plaintiff? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

4. Do you find that Mellon has articulated a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for terminating Ms. Blozis? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then go onto question 7.

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5. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Mellon's explanation for terminating her is really a pretext for age discrimination? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

6. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was not terminated because of poor job performance? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

7. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was not terminated for any other legitimate, non-discriminatory reason? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

II.

Title VII Claim (Sex Discrimination)

8. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was qualified for the Portfolio Administrator position from which she was terminated? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

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9. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was terminated from her position with Mellon? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no" then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

10. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that her position was filled by a male Portfolio Administrator, that she was replaced by a male Portfolio Administrator or that a similarly situated male Portfolio Administrator was treated better than she? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

11. Do you find that Mellon has articulated a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for terminating Ms. Blozis? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then go onto question 14.

12. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Mellon's explanation for terminating her is really a pretext for sex discrimination? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

13. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was not terminated because of poor job performance?

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_____ Yes

_____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

14. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was not terminated for any other legitimate, non-discriminatory reason? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

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III.

ADEA Claim: Retaliation

15. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she engaged in an activity protected by the ADEA? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

16. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that there was a causal connection between the alleged protected activity and the termination of her employment? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

17. Do you find that Mellon has articulated a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for terminating Ms. Blozis? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then go onto question 19.

18. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Mellon's explanation of terminating her is really a pretext for retaliation? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for Defendant and go no further.

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19. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she was not terminated because of poor job performance? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

20. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Mellon terminated her because she engaged in protected activity and not because of any other legitimate, non-discriminatory reason? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", then you must consider the following questions. If "no", then you must find for the Defendant and go no further.

IV.

Damages

21. If you find that Plaintiff has proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Defendant terminated her employment because of her age, sex, or in retaliation for complaining about age discrimination has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she is entitled to an award of back pay from Mellon? (You may answer this questions only if you answered "yes" to questions 7, 14 or 20). Note: Plaintiff's back pay award may extend only from July 19, 2004 until the date you provided an answer to this question. _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", how much backpay do you award? $_____________

22. If you find that Plaintiff has proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Defendant terminated her because of her age, sex, or in retaliation for complaining about age discrimination, did Plaintiff satisfy her duty of mitigating her damages by making reasonable efforts to find substantially equivalent employment after July 19, 2004? -9-

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Yes

No

If "yes", go to the next question. If "no", then you may not award Plaintiff any back pay damages and go to question 28. 23. If you find that Plaintiff made reasonable efforts to mitigate her damages, how much has Plaintiff earned since her termination? $ 24. Could Plaintiff have earned more if she had exercised reasonable diligence to find or maintain substantially equivalent employment in order to satisfy her duty to mitigate damages? Yes No

If "yes," go to the next question. If "no," then go to question 26. 25. diligence? $ How much could Plaintiff have earned if she had exercised

26. Taking into account how much Plaintiff did or could have earned since her termination, whichever is greater, to how much back pay is Plaintiff entitled? (a) Amount of gross back pay: (Add Answer from Question 21) $ (b) Amount Plaintiff Earned (answer from Question 23 or Could have Earned (answer from Question 25) whichever is greater. $________________ (c) Total net back pay (a minus b) $

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27. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Mellon's conduct was willful, that is, that Defendant knew or recklessly disregarded whether its conduct was prohibited by the ADEA. _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", how much liquidated damages do you award? $_____________ 28. Only if you find that Plaintiff has proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Defendant terminated her employment because of sex discrimination, has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a substantial basis for an award of emotional distress damage? You are not to consider any award of emotion distress damages for Plaintiff's claims of age discrimination under the ADEA or age retaliation under the ADEA. _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go to the next question. If "no", then you may not award Plaintiff any emotional distress damages and go to question 29. If you find that Plaintiff is entitled to emotional distress damages, how much emotional distress damages is Plaintiff entitled. $_____________ 29. If you find that Plaintiff has proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Defendant terminated her employment because of sex discrimination, has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that Mellon's conduct was wantonly reckless, malicious and willfully disregarded her rights? _____ Yes _____ No

If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must not award Plaintiff any punitive damages and go to question ___.

30. Has Plaintiff proven by a preponderance of the evidence that she is entitled to punitive damages? _____ Yes _____ No -11-

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If "yes", go onto the next question. If "no", then you must not award Plaintiff any punitive damages and go to question 32. 31. If you find that Plaintiff is entitled to punitive damages, how much punitive damages is Plaintiff entitled? $________________ 32. The total amount of damages for Plaintiff are (add amount of net damages award from questions 26(c), 27, 28, 31 above, if any): $________________

[Your deliberations now have ended, have all jurors sign on the last page, and notify the Court Officer.]

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THE FOREGOING IS THE VERDICT OF THE JURY EACH JUROR MUST SIGN BELOW

Foreperson

Juror

Juror

Juror

Juror

Juror

Juror

Juror

Dated:

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REED SMITH LLP /s/ Thad Bracegirdle, Esquire Thad Bracegirdle, Esq. (DE Bar ID No. 3691) 1201 Market Street - Suite 1500 Wilmington, DE 19801 Telephone: (302) 778-7500 Facsimile: (302) 778-7500 E-mail: [email protected] Stephanie Wilson, Esq. Princeton Forrestal Village 136 Main Street, Suite 250 Princeton, NJ 08401-7839 Telephone: (609) 987-0050 Facsimile: (609) 951-0824 E-mail: [email protected] Attorneys for Defendants DATED: June 4, 2007

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