July 2023-Virginia Bar Exam-Essay Questions - Suggested Answers to the Essay Questions

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy

July 2023-Virginia Bar Exam essay questions with suggested model answers prepared for the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. The document explains preparation by collaborating law school representatives and provides revised guidance with included citations to case and statutory law. It includes a detailed fact pattern involving a pedestrian injured by an ambulance and addresses claim timing, notice requirements, statute of limitations issues, and potential defenses for both the individual defendant and the locality under Virginia law.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

July 2023 - Virginia Bar Exam - Essay Questions

Suggested Answers Framework

Claims Against the City (Notice Requirement)

Claims Against the Individual (Statute of Limitations)

Potential Defenses for Youngblood and the City

Page 1 of 18 July 2023-Virginia Bar Exam-Essay Questions WW After each bar exam , the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners invites the Deans [or the Deans’ designees] of all Law Schools located in Virginia, to meet with the Board [remotely] . Representatives from all of the law schools in Virginia collaborate to prepare suggested answers which we think should be acceptable to the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. These answers also include cites to some of the case and statutory law for reference even though the VBBE may not expect such specificity in applicants’ answers on the exam.WW It should also be noted that while we think the answers that follow should be acceptable for full credit, keep in mind that the VBBE do give credit for good analysis and sometimes will accept for at least partial credit, alternate theories of analysis that are not what they had in mind as the preferred answer. jrz Prepared by the following who collaborated to prepare the suggested answers for the VBBE: J. R. Zepkin, Jennifer Franklin, Aaron-Andrew Bruhl & William H. Shaw, III of William & Mary Law School, Emmeline P. Reeves of University of Richmond Law School, Benjamin V. Madison III & Max Hare of Regent University Law School, Cale Jaffe of University of Virginia Law School, C. Reid Flinn of Washington & Lee Law School (also a member of the adjunct faculty at William & Mary Law School, Amanda Compton, Dan Fiore, II & Mike Davis of George Mason Law School, Rena Lindevaldsen of Liberty University Law School and Laura Wilson of Appalachian School of Law. The following, provided us great help with suggested answers in each’s particular area[s] of specialty: Mark Williams of Washington & Lee Law School, Walter Erwin, Ret. & Jim Guynn of Guynn Waddell, P.C. , and Professor Jeremy W . Hurley of Appalachian School of Law. Revised: August 14, 2023 (9:02am) 1. [07/23] - [Local Government + VCVP] A pedestrian was crossing Main Street in the City of Chesapeake (City) when she was struck and seriously injured by a speeding automobile. In response to a call from a witness to the accident, the City dispatched a rescue squad ambulance operated by the City Fire Department. The ambulance was driven by Danny Youngblood, who had recently been hired by the City for that purpose. When he turned onto Main Street, Youngblood saw a crowd of people gathered in the street where the accident had occurred. Nonetheless , he approached the scene of the accident at a very high speed with flashing lights and siren sounding. Mr. Jones, one of many curious passersby, was standing in the street taking a video of the accident scene, when Youngblood ran into him with the ambulance. Mr. Jones was struck to the ground and rendered unconscious. He remained unconscious in the hospital for several weeks but eventually recovered. He suffered a concussion, broken leg and other extensive injuries. Mr. Jones is considering filing a lawsuit against Youngblood and the City to recover money damages for his medical bills and pain and suffering from his injuries. (a) How long does Mr. Jones have to perfect his claim against the City? Explain fully. (b) How long does Mr. Jones have to perfect his claim against Youngblood? Explain fully. (c) What defenses , if any, does Youngblood have to Mr. Jones' claim? Explain fully. (d) What defenses , if any, does the City have to Mr. Jones' claim? Explain fully. WW (a) (i) Notice of Claims Requirement Under Va. Code §15 .2-209. Every claim against any locality for negligence is barred unless the claimant files a written statement of the nature of the claim , including the time and place at which the injury is alleged to have occurred, within six months after such cause of action accrued. The statement must be filed with the county, city, or town attorney or with the chief executive or mayor of the county, city, or town. The notice is deemed filed when it is received in the office of the official to whom the notice is directed. The burden

FAQs

How long does Mr. Jones have to perfect his claim against the City?

The claim against a locality for negligence is barred unless the claimant files a written notice statement within six months after the cause of action accrues. The notice must be filed with the appropriate locality attorney or mayor/chief executive, and it is deemed filed upon receipt by the designated office.

How long does Mr. Jones have to perfect his claim against Youngblood?

In addition to clarifying “perfect his claim,” the answer treats it as requiring timely filing of the actual personal injury lawsuit. Under Va. Code § 8.01-243, suit must be filed within the first two years after the accident, subject to tolling in certain circumstances (e.g., periods of unconsciousness or disability).

What defenses might Youngblood have to Mr. Jones’ claim?

The document indicates that defenses focus on procedural timeliness and statutory requirements, including possible tolling of the statute of limitations depending on factors such as minority or disability, and the effect of any relevant tolling period. The examinee is expected to address these legal timing issues in the defense analysis.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy