Opinion ID: 77609
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Waiver of Mixed-Motive Defense

Text: 11 Chambless argues that Louisiana-Pacific waived the affirmative mixed-motive defense — which concedes that an improper motive played a role in the employer's action while asserting that another, valid reason would have resulted in the same decision — by not properly pleading it. Therefore, she contends, the magistrate judge erred in instructing the jury on the defense. See FED. R. CIV.P. 8(c) (listing affirmative defenses parties must plead). We apply `a deferential standard of review' to a magistrate judge's jury instructions if they accurately reflect the law. See Wright v. CSX Transp., Inc., 375 F.3d 1252, 1256 (11th Cir.2004) (citation omitted). 12 We need not decide the extent to which the mixed-motive defense is governed by Rule 8(c)'s pleading requirements where the defense is included in the pretrial order and thus gives the plaintiffs and the court sufficient notice. See Pulliam v. Tallapoosa County Jail, 185 F.3d 1182, 1185 (11th Cir.1999). In Pulliam the mixed-motive defense was included in the pretrial order, though the defendant did not mention the defense by name, simply alleging that any adverse employment actions suffered by the plaintiff were either a result of his own request or of his unsatisfactory performance in his position. Id. Here, Louisiana-Pacific asserted in its answer that its actions against Chambless were taken, made, and done in good faith for legitimate non-discriminatory, job-related business reasons and/ or were based on factors other than her reporting alleged sexual discrimination.  (emphasis added). 13 Louisiana-Pacific's language was less specific than the Pulliam plaintiffs', but it put Chambless on notice that one or more reasons other than retaliation would be at issue. Given her knowledge that Louisiana-Pacific had purportedly fired her for smoking in her crane cab, Chambless had warning of what would be litigated at trial. The magistrate judge did not err in allowing Louisiana-Pacific to proceed with the mixed-motive defense.