Document:

Exhibit 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

Severance Plan 

(and Summary Plan Description)

This BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. Severance Plan (the “Plan”) sets forth the terms of severance
benefits for certain employees of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) in the event of an
“Involuntary Termination” (as defined in Section 19 below). For purposes of this Plan, “Company”
will include BioMed Realty, L.P., any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company and any
successor to substantially all of the business, shares or assets of the Company.

The Plan is an employee welfare benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). References in the Plan to “You” or “Your” are
references to an employee of the Company.

This document constitutes the official plan document and the required summary plan description
under ERISA.

1. Eligibility and Participation. In order to be eligible for benefits under this Plan, you
must, immediately prior to your date of termination of employment, (i) be a regular full-time or
part-time employee of the Company who is not subject to disciplinary action or on a formal
performance improvement plan and (ii) have been an employee of the Company for at least 90 days.
You will continue to be considered an employee of the Company for purposes of this Plan if
you are on a Company-approved leave of absence immediately prior to the date of your termination of
employment and your regular full-time or regular part-time status for purposes of determining your
severance benefits under this Plan will be determined based on your status immediately prior to the
commencement of such leave. This Plan applies to all exempt and non-exempt, full-time and
part-time employees. This Plan does not apply to independent contractors or consultants to the
Company.

You will not be eligible for benefits under this Plan if:

(a) Your termination does not qualify as an Involuntary Termination.

(b) You voluntarily resign your employment (i) for any reason prior to the occurrence of a
“Change in Control” (as defined in Section 19 below) or more than 12 months following a Change in
Control or (ii) within 12 months following a Change in Control, without “Good Reason” (as defined
in Section 19 below).

(c) You are discharged by the Company for “Cause” (as defined in Section 19 below).

(d) Your employment terminates due to death or disability.

(e) The “Plan Administrator” (as defined in Section 5 below) determines that you have been
offered employment by a “Successor Employer” (as defined in Section 19 below) to commence promptly
following your termination of employment with the Company at a comparable annual base rate of pay
or salary and with a comparable bonus opportunity and
comparable unvested equity awards, provided that (i) the location of the offered position is
not more than 30 miles from your principal work location at the time of your termination of
employment and (ii) the offered position does not represent a material diminution in your duties or
responsibilities as compared to your position immediately prior to your termination of employment,
whether or not you actually become an employee of such Successor Employer.

 

 

 

(f) You are a party to any individual employment agreement or severance agreement approved by
the Board or a committee thereof in effect as of the date of your termination.

2. Severance Benefits. If you are an eligible employee under the Plan and you have an
Involuntary Termination, subject to your compliance with Sections 3 and 4, you will be eligible to
receive the benefits set forth below:

(a) Cash Severance Benefit. You will receive a cash “Severance Benefit” equal to your “Weekly
Base Pay” (as determined below) for the applicable “Severance Period.” The “Severance Period” will
be equal to the number of weeks set forth in clause (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, and will be
determined based on your “Years of Service” with the Company (as determined below) and your
position, in each case determined as of the date of your Involuntary Termination.

(i) In the event your Involuntary Termination occurs prior to the occurrence of a Change in
Control or more than 12 months following a Change of Control, the “Severance Period” will be equal
to the number of weeks set forth in the following table:

	 	 	 
	 	 	Severance Benefit Calculation
	 	 	(# of Weeks of Weekly Base Pay) —
	 	 	Involuntary Termination Prior to a
	 	 	Change in Control or More Than 12
	 	 	Months Following a Change in
	Employee Position	 	Control
	 
	 	 
	Vice President or Above
(including any employee
holding an executive officer
position, as determined by
the Plan Administrator, but
whose title does not include
the term “Vice President”)

	 	26 Weeks plus 2 Weeks Per Year of Service,
up to a maximum of 52 Weeks
	 
	 
	 	 
	Director
(including any employee
holding a position at the
“Director” level, as
determined by the Plan
Administrator, but whose
title does not include the
term “Director”)

	 	13 Weeks plus 2 Weeks Per Year of Service,
up to a maximum of 39 Weeks
	 
	 	 
	All Other Positions

	 	7 Weeks plus 2 Weeks Per Year of Service,
up to a maximum of 33 Weeks

 

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(ii) In the event your Involuntary Termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in
Control, the “Severance Period” will be equal to the number of weeks set forth in the following
table:

	 	 	 
	 	 	Severance Benefit Calculation
	 	 	(# of Weeks of Weekly Base Pay) —
	 	 	Involuntary Termination Within 12
	 	 	Months Following a Change in
	Employee Position	 	Control
	 
	 	 
	Vice President or Above (including
any employee holding an executive
officer position, as determined by
the Plan Administrator, but whose
title does not include the term
“Vice President”)

	 	52 Weeks plus 4 Weeks Per Year of
Service, up to a maximum of 104 Weeks
	 
	 	 
	Director (including any employee holding a
position at the “Director” level,
as determined by the Plan
Administrator, but whose title
does not include the term
“Director”)

	 	26 Weeks plus 4 Weeks Per Year of
Service, up to a maximum of 78 Weeks
	 
	 	 
	All Other Positions

	 	13 Weeks plus 4 Weeks Per Year of Service, up to a
maximum of 65 Weeks

 

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(b) Calculation of Weekly Base Pay. Your “Weekly Base Pay” will be your “Annual Base Pay” (as
determined below) divided by 52.

If you a salaried employee, your “Annual Base Pay” will be your annual base salary rate from
the Company as in effect on the date of your Involuntary Termination.

If you are an hourly employee, your “Annual Base Pay” will be (i) your straight time hourly
wage rate on the date of your Involuntary Termination (determined without regard to overtime) plus
the average of any applicable shift differential over the prior 12 months multiplied by (ii) your
annual scheduled hours determined on the date of Involuntary Termination (determined without regard
to overtime). For purposes of determining the average of any applicable shift differential over
the 12 months prior to your date of Involuntary Termination, such average will be determined by
taking all hours worked during such 12 month period into consideration and attributing a value of
“0” to any hours worked without a shift differential (for example, if you work 2,000 hours during
the 12 month period prior to your date of Involuntary Termination and 1,000 hours of those hours
were without a shift differential and 1,000 hours of those hours were with a $2.00 shift
differential, the applicable average would be $1.00). For purposes of this Plan, Annual Base Pay
will not include any bonus, incentive compensation, benefits or expense reimbursements or equity
awards.

Your “Years of Service” will be determined by calculating the numbers of years between (i) the
date on which your Involuntary Termination occurs and (ii) the date on which you were first
employed by the Company, rounded to the nearest whole number.

(c) Stock Awards.

(i) In the event of your Involuntary Termination prior to a Change in Control or more than 12
months following a Change in Control, such number of your outstanding unvested stock options,
restricted stock and other equity awards granted to you under any of the Company’s equity incentive
plans (or awards substituted therefore covering the securities of a successor company) (“Stock
Awards”) as is equal to (x) the number that would have vested during the Severance Period had you
continued to remain employed by the Company during such period plus (y) if the vesting of a Stock
Award occurs on an annual basis (as opposed to a monthly basis), the number that would have vested
on the first annual vesting date after the end of the Severance Period multiplied by a fraction
equal to (1) the number of days between the last annual vesting date before the end of the
Severance Period and the scheduled end of the Severance Period divided by (2) 365 (rounded to the
nearest whole share or unit), shall become immediately vested and exercisable in full on the date
of your termination.

 

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(ii) On the date of your Involuntary Termination within 12 months following a Change in
Control, 100% of your outstanding Stock Awards shall become immediately vested and exercisable in
full.

(d) No Duplication of Benefits. In the event of your Involuntary Termination, you shall only
be entitled to receive (i) cash Severance Benefits under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(a)(ii) of this Plan
and (ii) the acceleration of your Stock Awards will be governed by Section 2(c)(i) or Section
2(c)(ii), but in no event will you be entitled to benefits under both clauses (i) and (ii) under
Section 2(a) or 2(c).

3. Payment of Severance Benefits.

(a) Release Requirement. As a condition to the payment of any Severance Benefits under
Section 2(a) or the acceleration of any vesting of equity awards pursuant to Section 2(c), you will
be required to execute a waiver and release of claims agreement (the “Release”) in substantially
the form attached hereto as Appendix A. As specified in the applicable Release, you will have a
certain number of calendar days to consider whether to execute such Release, and you may have the
right to revoke such Release within a certain number of days after execution (the “Revocation
Period”). You must execute the Release and not revoke the Release, if applicable, in order to be
entitled to benefits under this Plan. With respect to each participant in the Plan, his or her
“Release Effective Date” will be the day upon which the Revocation Period expires without a
revocation of such Release by the participant. Your Release Effective Date must be within 55 days
following the date of your termination of employment. If your Release Effective Date does not
occur within 55 days of your termination of employment, you will not be entitled to any
payments or benefits under this Plan.

(b) Payment Timing. Subject to the timing provisions of Section 15(a), your Severance Benefit
under Section 2(a) shall be paid in a lump sum payment in cash, and subject to applicable tax
withholding, within 10 days following your Release Effective Date.

4. Continued Obligations to the Company.

(a) You acknowledge that you have executed and are subject to the provisions of all Company
policies regarding confidential information and ethics including, but not limited to any
confidential information or proprietary rights agreement entered into by you in connection with
your employment.

(b) If you breach or threaten to commit a breach of any of the provisions of this Section 4,
the Company shall have the right to cease all payments to you under Section 2(a) and to reverse any
vesting of awards pursuant to Section 2(c), in addition to any other rights and remedies available
to the Company under law or in equity.

5. Plan Administration.

(a) The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and/or its
delegate which will be one or more senior officers of the Company (the “Plan Administrator”). The
Plan Administrator is responsible for the general administration and management of the Plan and
will have all powers and duties necessary to fulfill its
responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the discretion to interpret and apply the
Plan and to determine all questions relating to eligibility for benefits. The Plan will be
interpreted in accordance with its terms and their intended meanings. All actions taken and all
determinations made in good faith by the Plan Administrator or by Plan fiduciaries will be final
and binding on all persons claiming any interest in or under the Plan.

 

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(b) If, due to errors in drafting, any Plan provision does not accurately reflect its intended
meaning, as demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent, or as
determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, the provision will be considered
ambiguous and will be interpreted by the Plan Administrator and all Plan fiduciaries in a fashion
consistent with its intent, as determined in the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator. The
Plan Administrator will amend the Plan retroactively to cure any such ambiguity.

(c) No Plan fiduciary will have the authority to answer questions about any pending or final
business decision of the Company or any affiliate that has not been officially announced, to make
disclosures about such matters, or even to discuss them, and no person will rely on any
unauthorized, unofficial disclosure. Thus, before a decision is officially announced, no fiduciary
is authorized to tell any person, for example, that he or she will or will not be laid off or that
the Company will or will not offer exit incentives in the future. Nothing in this subsection will
preclude any fiduciary from fully participating in the consideration, making, or official
announcement of any business decision.

(d) This Section may not be invoked by any person to require the Plan to be interpreted in a
manner inconsistent with its interpretation by the Plan Administrator or other Plan fiduciaries.

6. Effective Date of Plan; Amendment.

(a) This Plan will be effective as of August 25, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), and shall
continue until the earlier of (i) the date it is terminated by the Compensation Committee of the
Board or (ii) the date on which all benefits payable under the Plan have been paid.

(b) The Compensation Committee of the Board will have the power to amend or terminate this
Plan from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that no such
termination or amendment shall impair your rights to benefits under Section 2(a)(ii) or 2(c)(ii) of
the Plan, as in effect prior to such termination or amendment, unless at least 365 days’ prior
written notice has been provided prior to the effective date of such termination or amendment.

7. Integration With Other Payments. Benefits under this Plan are not intended to duplicate
such benefits as workers’ compensation wage replacement benefits, disability benefits,
pay-in-lieu-of-notice, severance pay, or similar benefits under other benefit plans, severance
programs, employment contracts, or applicable laws, such as the WARN Act. Should such other
benefits be payable, your benefits under this Plan will be reduced accordingly or, alternatively,
benefits previously paid under this Plan will be treated as having been paid to satisfy such other
benefit obligations. In either case, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, will
determine how to apply this provision and may override other provisions in this Plan in doing so.

 

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8. Limitation on Employee Rights. This Plan will not give any employee the right to be
retained in the service of the Company, nor will it interfere with or restrict the right of the
Company to discharge or otherwise terminate the employee for any reason.

9. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Plan will not give any rights or remedies to any person
other than eligible employees and the Company.

10. Successors. This Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors of
the Company.

11. Governing Law and Venue. This Plan is a welfare plan subject to ERISA and it will be
interpreted, administered, and enforced in accordance with that law. To the extent that state law
is applicable, the statutes and common law of the State of California, excluding any that mandate
the use of another jurisdiction’s laws, will apply. Any suit brought hereon shall be brought in
the federal courts sitting in the Southern District of California, and you hereby waive any claim
or defense that such forum is not convenient or proper.

12. Miscellaneous. Where the context so indicates, the singular will include the plural and
vice versa. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for
interpretation or construction of the Plan. Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary,
a reference to a statute or document will be construed as referring to any subsequently enacted,
adopted, or executed counterpart.

13. Notice. For purposes of this Plan, notices and all other communications provided for in
this Plan will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by
United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to
the Company at its primary office location and to an employee at such employee’s last known address
as listed on the Company’s records, provided that all notices to the Company will be directed to
the attention of its Secretary, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address will be effective
only upon receipt.

14. Withholding. The Company will be entitled to withhold from any payments or deemed
payments to you hereunder any amount of withholding required by law.

15. Section 409A of the Code.

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent any Severance Benefits
payable to you pursuant to Section 2(a) are treated as non-qualified deferred compensation subject
to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then (i) no amount
shall be payable pursuant to such section unless your termination of employment constitutes a
“separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(h) and any successor provision thereto) (a “Separation from Service”), and (ii) if you, at
the time of your Separation from Service, are determined by the Company to be a “specified
employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the Company determines that
delayed commencement of any portion of the termination benefits payable to you pursuant to this
Plan is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the
Code (any such delayed

 

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commencement,
a “Payment Delay”), then such portion of your Severance Benefits described in Section 2(a) shall
not be provided to you prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured
from the date of your Separation from Service, (B) the date of your death or (C) such earlier date
as is permitted under Section 409A of the Code. Upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section
409A(a)(2)(B)(i) deferral period, all payments deferred pursuant to a Payment Delay shall be paid
in a lump sum to you within 30 days following such expiration, and any remaining payments due under
this Plan shall be paid as otherwise provided herein. The determination of whether you are a
“specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of your
Separation from Service shall made by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section 409A of
the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including without limitation Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(i) and any successor provision thereto).

(b) Notwithstanding Section 15(a), to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the
Severance Benefits payable to you pursuant to Section 2(a) shall be made in reliance upon Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) (with respect to separation pay plans) or Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) (with respect to short-term deferrals).

(c) To the extent the payments and benefits under this Plan are subject to Section 409A of the
Code, this Plan shall be interpreted, construed and administered in a manner that satisfies the
requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder (and any applicable transition relief under Section 409A of the Code).

16. Funding. No provision of this Plan shall require the Company, for purposes of satisfying
any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity
to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company
maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated
or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights
under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company of its successors.

17. Claims Procedures.

(a) Normally, you do not need to present a formal claim to receive benefits payable under this
Plan.

(b) If any person (the “Claimant”) believes that benefits are being denied improperly, that
the Plan is not being operated properly, that fiduciaries of the Plan have breached their duties,
or that the Claimant’s legal rights are being violated with respect to the Plan, the Claimant must
file a formal claim, in writing, with the Plan Administrator. This requirement applies to all
claims that any Claimant has with respect to the Plan, including claims against fiduciaries and
former fiduciaries, except to the extent the Plan Administrator determines, in its sole discretion,
that it does not have the power to grant all relief reasonably being sought by the Claimant.

 

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(c) A formal claim must be filed within 90 days after the date the Claimant first knew or
should have known of the facts on which the claim is based, unless the Plan
Administrator in writing consents otherwise. The Plan Administrator will provide a Claimant,
on request, with a copy of the claims procedures established under subsection (d).

(d) The Plan Administrator has adopted procedures for considering claims (which are set forth
in Appendix B), which it may amend from time to time, as it sees fit. These procedures will comply
with all applicable legal requirements. These procedures may provide that final and binding
arbitration will be the ultimate means of contesting a denied claim (even if the Plan Administrator
or its delegates have failed to follow the prescribed procedures with respect to the claim). The
right to receive benefits under this Plan is contingent on a Claimant using the prescribed claims
procedures to resolve any claim.

18. Additional Information. As a participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights
and protections under ERISA, as described in Appendix C.

19. Definitions. For purposes of this Plan, the following terms will have the following
meanings:

(a) “Board” means the board of directors of BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

(b) “Cause” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) your failure substantially to
perform your duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from your incapacity
due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered
to you by your supervisor; (ii) your incompetence or consistent unsatisfactory performance of your
duties after a written demand for satisfactory performance is delivered to you by your supervisor;
(iii) your commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of
your duties resulting in economic or financial damage to the Company; (iv) your conviction of, or
entry by you of a guilty or no contest plea to, the commission of a felony or a crime involving
moral turpitude; (v) a willful breach by you of your fiduciary duty to the Company which results in
economic or other damage to the Company; (vi) your negligent or willful commission of any financial
accounting impropriety or violation of applicable law in the performance of your duties to the
Company; or (vii) your willful and material breach of any agreement between you and the Company or
any written Company policies or specific directions of a superior which policies or directives are
neither illegal (or do not involve illegal conduct) nor require you to violate reasonable business
ethical standards. The determination that a termination of employment is for Cause will be made by
the Plan Administrator in its sole and exclusive judgment and discretion.

(c) “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s 2004 Incentive Award
Plan as in effect on the Effective Date.

 

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(d) “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any one of the following: (i) a material diminution
in your authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material diminution in your base
compensation; or (iii) a material change in the geographic location at which you must perform your
duties (which for purposes of the Plan will mean that the Company requests that you relocate your
employment with the Company to another work site that is more than 30 miles from your principal
work location determined at the time you were notified of the proposed relocation; and you do not
accept the proposed relocation, and are discharged from employment
with the Company for that reason (and not by reason of permanent layoff or for Cause)). Good
Reason shall not be deemed to exist unless (A) you give the Company written notice of the Good
Reason event no later than 30 days after the time at which the event or condition purportedly
giving rise to Good Reason first occurs or arises and (B) the Company shall have 30 days from the
date such notice is given to cure such event or condition and, if the Company does so, such event
or condition shall not constitute Good Reason. Your resignation for Good Reason must occur within
three months following the initial existence of the event or condition constituting Good Reason.

(e) “Involuntary Termination” means either (i) the termination of your employment by the
Company without Cause, regardless of the timing of such termination, or (ii) your voluntary
resignation for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control. In no event will your
termination of employment as a result of your death or disability, resignation for other than Good
Reason or discharge for Cause be considered an Involuntary Termination.

(f) “Successor Employer” means (i) any entity that acquires or assumes facilities, operations
or functions formerly carried out by the Company (such as the buyer of a facility or any entity to
which a Company operation or function has been outsourced), (ii) any affiliate of the Company, or
(iii) any entity making the employment offer at the request of the Company (such as a joint venture
of which the Company or an affiliate is a member).

 

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Executed at San Diego, California, effective as of August 25, 2010.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Jonathan P. Klassen
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Jonathan P. Klassen 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Secretary 	 
	 

 

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Appendix A

Form of Release

[The language in this General Release may change based on legal developments and evolving
 best
practices; this form is provided as an example of what will be included in the final
 General
Release document.]

This General Release of Claims (“Release”) is entered into as of this
 _____ 
day of
                    , 20_____, between you and BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) (collectively
referred to herein as the “Parties”), effective [upon] [eight days after] your signature (the
“Effective Date”)[, unless you revoke your acceptance as provided in Paragraph 1(c),
below].1 For purposes of this Release, “Company” will include BioMed Realty, L.P., any
direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company and any successor to substantially all of the
business, shares or assets of the Company.

You have been offered the opportunity to receive the “Severance Benefits” and accelerated
vesting of “Stock Awards,” each as defined in and pursuant to the BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”), to which you would not otherwise be entitled by executing
the general release of claims set forth in this Release.

1. General Release of the Company. You understand that by agreeing to this release you are
agreeing not to sue, or otherwise file any claim against, the Company or any of its employees or
other agents for any reason whatsoever based on anything that has occurred as of the date you sign
this Release.

(a) On behalf of yourself and your heirs and assigns, you hereby release and forever discharge
the “Releasees” hereunder, consisting of the Company, and each of its owners, affiliates,
divisions, predecessors, successors, assigns, agents, directors, officers, partners, employees, and
insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and
from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity,
suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, loss,
cost or expense, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter
called “Claims”), which you now have or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them,
by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof,
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims arising out of, based upon,
or relating to your hire, employment, remuneration or resignation by the Releasees, or any of them,
including any Claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act
of 1866; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act; the Family Medical Leave Act; [the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”)]; the
California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the California Family Rights Act; the California Labor
Code; the California Occupational Safety and Health Act; Section 17200 of the California Business
and Professions Code; Claims under any other local, state or federal law governing employment;
Claims for
breach of contract; Claims arising in tort, including, without limitation, Claims of wrongful
dismissal or discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, fraud, misrepresentation,
defamation, libel, infliction of emotional distress, violation of public policy, and/or breach of
the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and Claims for damages or other remedies of
any sort, including, without limitation, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief
and attorney’s fees.

 

	 	 	 
	1	 	NOTE: Bracketed language throughout will be included
for employees age 40 or older at the time of termination.

 

 

 

(b) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, you do not release the following claims:

(i) Claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant
to the terms of applicable state law;

(ii) Claims for workers’ compensation insurance benefits under the terms of any worker’s
compensation insurance policy or fund of the Company;

(iii) Claims to continued participation in certain of the Company’s group benefit plans
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the federal law known as COBRA;

(iv) Claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of your employment termination
pursuant to the written terms of any Company employee benefit plan, including, without limitation,
your right to “Severance Benefits” and the accelerated vesting of “Stock Awards,” each as defined
in and pursuant to the Severance Plan; and

(v) Claims to indemnity under California Labor Code Section 2802.

(c) [FOR ONE-OFF SEPARATION OF AN EMPLOYEE 40 YEARS OR OLDER ONLY: In accordance with the
Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, you have been advised of the following:

(i) You have the right to consult with an attorney before signing this Release;

(ii) You have been given at least twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release;

(iii) You have seven (7) days after signing this Release to revoke your agreement to it, and
that this Release will not be effective, and you will not receive any of the separation benefits
outlined in the Severance Plan until that revocation period has expired.

If you wish to revoke your acceptance of this Release, you must deliver such notice in
writing, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 7th day following your signature to [NAME OF
RESPONSIBLE PERSON] at [FAX NUMBER] by fax or [EMAIL ADDRESS] by e-mail.]

 

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(d) [FOR TERMINATION OF AN EMPLOYEE 40 YEARS OR OLDER IN A LAYOFF, RESTRUCTURING OR OTHER JOB
ACTION AFFECTING 2 OR MORE PERSONS ONLY: In accordance with the Older Workers Benefit Protection
Act of 1990, you have been advised of the following:

(i) You have the right to consult with an attorney before signing this Release;

(ii) You have been given at least forty-five (45) days to consider this Release;

(iii) You have seven (7) days after signing this Release to revoke your agreement to it, and
that this Release will not be effective, and you will not receive any of the separation benefits
outlined in the Severance Plan until that revocation period has expired; and

(iv) The job titles and ages of all individuals eligible or selected for the separation
package and the ages of all individuals in the same job classification or organizational unit who
are not eligible for the separation package are listed on the form attached as Appendix A.

If you wish to revoke your acceptance of this Release, you must deliver such notice in
writing, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 7th day following your signature to [NAME OF
RESPONSIBLE PERSON] at [FAX NUMBER] by fax or [EMAIL ADDRESS] by e-mail.]

(e) YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW
OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH,
IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE
DEBTOR.”

BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE
THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.

(f) This Release must be executed by you [, and any applicable revocation period under this
Section 1 must have expired without your revocation of this Release,] within 55 days following the
date of your termination of employment in order for you to be eligible to receive the “Severance
Benefits” and the accelerated vesting of your “Stock Awards,” each as defined in and pursuant to
the Severance Plan.

 

3

 

2. Employee’s Representations. You represent and warrant that:

(a) You have returned to the Company all Company property in your possession;

(b) You are not owed wages, commissions, bonuses or other compensation, other than wages
through [LAST DATE OF EMPLOYMENT] and any accrued, unused vacation earned through that date;

(c) During the course of your employment you did not sustain any injuries for which you might
be entitled to compensation pursuant to worker’s compensation law;

(d) You have not made any false and disparaging comments about the Company, nor will you do so
in the future; and

(e) You have not initiated any adversarial proceedings of any kind against the Company or
against any other person or entity released herein, nor will you do so in the future, except as
specifically allowed by this Release.

3. Maintaining Confidential Information. You will not disclose any confidential information
you acquired while an employee of the Company to any other person or use such information in any
manner that is detrimental to the Company’s interests. You will abide by all covenants regarding
confidential and proprietary information of the Company that you have entered into by written
agreement with the Company.

4. Cooperation With the Company. You will cooperate fully with the Company, at the Company’s
cost and expense, in its defense of or other participation in any administrative, judicial or other
proceeding arising from any charge, complaint or other action which has been or may be filed
against the Company and to which you have relevant information.

5. Severability. The provisions of this Release are severable. If any provision is held to
be invalid or unenforceable, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision.

6. Choice of Law. This Release shall in all respects be governed and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of [APPLICABLE STATE WHERE EMPLOYEE WAS EMPLOYED], including all matters
of construction, validity and performance, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

7. Integration Clause. This Release and the Severance Plan contain our entire agreement with
regard to the transition and separation of your employment, and supersede and replace any prior
agreements as to those matters, whether oral or written. This Release may not be changed or
modified, in whole or in part, except by an instrument in writing signed by you and an executive
officer of the Company.

8. Execution in Counterparts. This Release may be executed in counterparts with the same
force and effectiveness as though executed in a single document. Facsimile signatures shall have
the same force and effectiveness as original signatures.

The Parties have carefully read this Release in its entirety; fully understand and agree to
its terms and provisions; and intend and agree that it is final and binding on all Parties.

 

4

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties have executed the foregoing
on the dates shown below.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Employee	 	 	 	Company	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	[EMPLOYEE NAME]
	 	 	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	Title:
	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:

	 	 	 	 	 	Date:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 

 

5

 

Appendix B

Detailed Claims Procedures

1. Claims Procedure.

(a) Initial Claims. All claims will be presented to the Plan Administrator in writing.
Within 90 days after receiving a claim, a claims official appointed by the Plan Administrator will
consider the claim and issue his or her determination thereon in writing. The claims official may
extend the determination period for up to an additional 90 days by giving the Claimant written
notice. The initial claim determination period can be extended further with the consent of the
Claimant. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the initial claims
stage will be treated as having been irrevocably waived.

(b) Claims Decisions. If the claim is granted, the benefits or relief the Claimant seeks will
be provided. If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claims official will, within 90 days
(or a longer period, as described above), provide the Claimant with written notice of the denial,
setting forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant: (i) the specific reason or
reasons for the denial; (ii) specific references to the provisions on which the denial is based;
(iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect
the claim, together with an explanation of why the material or information is necessary; and (iv)
appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to submit his or her
claim for review, including the time limits applicable to such procedures, and a statement of the
Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse
decision upon review. If the Claimant can establish that the claims official has failed to respond
to the claim in a timely manner, the Claimant may treat the claim as having been denied by the
claims official.

(c) Appeals of Denied Claims. Each Claimant will have the opportunity to appeal the claims
official’s denial of a claim in writing to an appeals official appointed by the Plan Administrator
(which may be a person, committee, or other entity). A Claimant must appeal a denied claim within
60 days after receipt of written notice of denial of the claim, or within 60 days after it was due
if the Claimant did not receive it by its due date. The Claimant (or his or her duly authorized
representative) may review pertinent documents in connection with the appeals proceeding and may
present issues, comments and documents in writing relating to the claim. The review will take into
account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating
to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial
benefit claim determination. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the
appeals stage, such as by failing to file a timely appeal request, will be treated as having been
irrevocably waived.

 

 

 

(d) Appeals Decisions. The decision by the appeals official will be made not later than 60
days after the written appeal is received by the Plan Administrator, unless special circumstances
require an extension of time, in which case a decision will be rendered as soon as possible, but
not later than 120 days after the appeal was filed, unless the Claimant agrees to a further
extension of time. The appeal decision will be in writing, will be set forth in a manner
calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and will include specific reasons for the decision,
specific references to the provisions on which the decision is based, if applicable, a
statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive upon request and free of charge reasonable
access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s
claim for benefits, as well as a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under Section
502(a) of ERISA. If a Claimant does not receive the appeal decision by the date it is due, the
Claimant may deem his or her appeal to have been denied.

(e) Procedures. The Plan Administrator will adopt procedures by which initial claims will be
considered and appeals will be resolved; different procedures may be established for different
claims. All procedures will be designed to afford a Claimant full and fair consideration of his or
her claim.

 

2

 

Appendix C

Additional Information

Rights under ERISA

As a participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA.
ERISA provides that all Plan participants will be entitled to:

Receive Information About Your Plan and Benefits

1. Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator’s office and at certain Company offices,
all Plan documents and copies of all documents filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor,
and available at the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, such
as annual reports and Plan descriptions.

2. Obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of documents governing the
operation of the Plan and updated summary plan description. The Plan Administrator may make a
reasonable charge for the copies.

3. Obtain upon written request to the Plan Administrator information as to whether a
particular employer or employer organization is a sponsor of the Plan and the address of any
employer or employer organization that is a plan sponsor. Your beneficiaries also have a right to
obtain this information upon written request to the Plan Administrator.

4. Receive a written explanation of why a claim for benefits has been denied, in whole or in
part, and a review and reconsideration of the claim.

5. Continue health care coverage for yourself, spouse or dependent if there is a loss of
coverage as a result of a qualifying event. You or your dependents may have to pay for such
coverage. Review this Plan and summary plan description on the rules governing your COBRA
continuation coverage rights.

Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries

In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who
are responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate your Plan,
called “fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and
other Plan participants and beneficiaries. No one, including the Company or any other person, may
fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a welfare
benefit or exercising your right under ERISA. However, this rule neither guarantees continued
employment, nor affects the Company’s right to terminate your employment for other reasons.

 

 

 

Enforce Your Rights

If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a
right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without
charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules.

Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you
request a copy of Plan documents and do not receive them within thirty (30) days, you may file suit
in a Federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the
materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were
not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator. If you have a claim for
benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal
court. In addition, if you disagree with the Plan’s decision or lack thereof concerning the
qualified status of a domestic relations order, you may file suit in Federal court. If it should
happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse the Plan’s money, or if you are discriminated against for
asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file
suit in a federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you
are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you
lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is
frivolous.

Assistance with Your Questions

If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you
should have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need
assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest
office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U. S. Department of Labor, listed in your
telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquires, Employee Benefits
Security Administration, U. S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N. W., Washington, D.
C. 20210. You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under
ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

 

2

 

Administrative Information

	 	 	 
	Name of Plan:

	 	BioMed Realty Trust, Inc. Severance Plan
	 
	 	 
	Sponsor:

	 	BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
	 
	 	 
	Type of Administration:

	 	Self-Administered
	 
	 	 
	Type of Plan:

	 	Severance Pay Employee Welfare Benefit Plan
	 
	 	 
	Employer Identification
Number:

	 	20-1142292
	 
	 	 
	Plan Administrator:

	 	BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

c/o Compensation Committee 
 17190
Bernardo Center Drive

San Diego, California 92128

Telephone: (858) 485-9840
	 
	 	 
	Direct Questions Regarding the Plan to:

	 	BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
	 

	 	Attention: Secretary
	 

	 	17190 Bernardo Center Drive
	 

	 	San Diego, California 92128
	 

	 	Telephone: (858) 485-9840
	 
	 	 
	Agent for Service of Legal Process:

	 	BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
	

	 	Attention: Secretary
	 

	 	17190 Bernardo Center Drive
	 

	 	San Diego, California 92128
	 

	 	Telephone: (858) 485-9840
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	Service of Legal Process may also be made upon
the Plan Administrator at the above address.
	 
	 	 
	Plan Year:

	 	Calendar Year
	 
	 	 
	Plan Number:

	 	502exv10w10

Exhibit 10.10

Summary of Compensation for

Non-Employee Directors and Named Executive Officers of

First Acceptance Corporation (the “Company”)

Non-Employee Director Compensation Summary

Annual Retainer

$20,000

Additional $5,000 for serving as chair of audit committee

Retainers are payable in cash in equal, quarterly installments in arrears

Board and Committee Meeting Fees

$2,000 per meeting for each Board of Directors meeting attended

$1,000 per meeting for each Board of Directors committee meeting attended

Annual Equity Award

1,000 shares of restricted stock are awarded to all non-employee directors (other than Donald J.
Edwards, Gerald J. Ford and Thomas M. Harrison, Jr.) pursuant to the Amended and Restated First
Acceptance Corporation 2002 Long Term Incentive Plan, on the date of each annual meeting of the
Company’s stockholders.

Named Executive Officer Compensation Summary

Current salaries for named executive officers:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Name	 	Title	 	Salary
	Stephen J. Harrison

	 	Chief Executive Officer
	 	$	500,000	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Edward L. Pierce

	 	President
	 	 	400,000	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Kevin P. Cohn

	 	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	 	 	250,000	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Dan L. Walker

	 	Senior Vice President – Operations
	 	 	240,000	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Keith E. Bornemann

	 	Vice President – Corporate Controller
	 	 	160,000	 

     Under the terms of his employment agreement, Stephen J. Harrison is entitled to receive an
annual bonus equal to up to 100% of his base salary, based upon the attainment of performance-based
objectives established by the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the terms of their respective
employment agreements, Edward L. Pierce, Kevin P. Cohn, Dan L. Walker and Keith E. Bornemann are
entitled to receive an annual bonus of up to 75%, 66.7%, 50% and 35%, respectively, of their base
salaries for fiscal 2010.

     The named executive officers of the Company may also receive bonuses as determined in the
discretion of the Compensation Committee.

     The named executive officers may also receive stock-based awards pursuant to the Company’s
stockholder-approved Amended and Restated First Acceptance Corporation 2002 Long Term Incentive
Plan as determined in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

Additional Information

     The foregoing information is summary in nature. Additional information regarding director and
named executive officer compensation will be provided in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed
in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 16, 2010.

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