Sample From Master Outline For July 2009 Virginia Bar Exam

JULY 2009 VIRGINIA BAR EXAM – MASTER OUTLINE
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. AGENCY & PARTNERSHIP
I. AGENCY ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. PARTNERSHIP ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
B. CIVIL PROCEDURE ‐ FEDERAL
I. THE RIGHT COURT .................................................................................................................................................. 1
II. LEARNING ABOUT THE CASE ...................................................................................................................................... 3
III. COMPLEX CASES .................................................................................................................................................... 7
IV. ADJUDICATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
V. APPELLATE REVIEW ............................................................................................................................................... 11
C. CIVIL PROCEDURE ‐ VIRGINIA
I. THE RIGHT COURT .................................................................................................................................................. 1
III. PARTIES AND CLAIMS .............................................................................................................................................. 8
IV. ADJUDICATION .................................................................................................................................................... 13
VI. PRECLUSION ........................................................................................................................................................ 17
D. COMMERCIAL PAPER
I. TYPES OF NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS .......................................................................................................................... 1
II. LIABILITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
III. DUE NEGOTIATION ................................................................................................................................................. 2
IV. HOLDER IN DUE COURSE .......................................................................................................................................... 2
V. BENEFITS OF HDC STATUS ........................................................................................................................................ 3
VI. VIRGINIA DISTINCTIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 3
E. CONFLICTS OF LAWS
I. GENERALLY ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. DOMICILE ............................................................................................................................................................. 1
III. CHOICE OF LAW ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
F. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
I. THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL POWER .................................................................................................................................. 1
II. FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE POWER .................................................................................................................................... 3
III. FEDERAL EXECUTIVE POWER ..................................................................................................................................... 4
IV. FEDERALISM .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
V. STRUCTURE OF CIVIL LIBERTIES .................................................................................................................................. 6
VI. DUE PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
VII. FIRST AMENDMENT .............................................................................................................................................. 11
VIII. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS ODDS & ENDS ........................................................................................................................... 13
G. CONTRACTS & SALES
OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................................... 1
I. APPLICABLE LAW .................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. FORMATION OF CONTRACTS ...................................................................................................................................... 1
III. TERMS OF THE CONTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... 5
IV. PERFORMANCE ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
V. REMEDIES FOR UNEXCUSED NONPERFORMANCE ............................................................................................................ 8
VI. EXCUSE OF NONPERFORMANCE ................................................................................................................................ 10
VII. THIRD PARTY ISSUES ............................................................................................................................................. 12
H. CORPORATIONS
I. CORPORATE FORMATION ......................................................................................................................................... 1

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II. ISSUANCE OF STOCK ................................................................................................................................................ 2
III. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ........................................................................................................................................ 2
IV. RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS ....................................................................................................................................... 3
V. ALTERNATIVE CORPORATE FORMS .............................................................................................................................. 5
VI. FUNDAMENTAL CORPORATE CHANGES ......................................................................................................................... 6
I. CREDITOR’S RIGHTS
I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. MECHANICS LIENS .................................................................................................................................................. 1
III. PREJUDGMENT ATTACHMENT .................................................................................................................................... 2
IV. PROCESS OF ATTACHMENT ....................................................................................................................................... 2
V. JUDGMENT CREDITORS ............................................................................................................................................ 3
VI. JUDGMENT LIENS ................................................................................................................................................... 3
VII. EXEMPTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
VIII. FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCES ..................................................................................................................................... 6
IX. CREDITOR’S BILL & INTERROGATORIES ......................................................................................................................... 7
X. SURETYSHIP .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
J. CRIMINAL LAW
I. BASIC ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. ELEMENTS OF A CRIME ............................................................................................................................................. 1
III. PARTIES TO THE CRIME ............................................................................................................................................ 2
IV. INCHOATE OFFENSES ............................................................................................................................................... 2
V. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES ........................................................................................................................................... 3
VI. CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON ................................................................................................................................... 5
VII. OTHER OFFENSES ................................................................................................................................................... 7
K. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
I. STRATEGY TIPS ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. SEARCH AND SEIZURE .............................................................................................................................................. 1
III. CONFESSIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
IV. EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION ..................................................................................................................................... 4
V. ATTENUATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
VI. TRIAL RIGHTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
VII. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................................ 7
VIII. OTHER VIRGINIA ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................... 8
L. DOMESTIC RELATIONS
I. PREMARITAL ISSUES AND MARRIAGE FORMATION .......................................................................................................... 1
II. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE ..................................................................................................................................... 1
III. ECONOMIC ISSUES IN MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION .............................................................................................................. 3
IV. ISSUES REGARDING CHILDREN ................................................................................................................................... 4
M. EVIDENCE
I. TOPICS NOT COVERED BY LECTURE ............................................................................................................................. 1
II. RELEVANCE ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
III. WRITINGS ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
IV. WITNESSES ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
V. PRIVILEGES ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
VI. HEARSAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
N. EQUITY
I. EQUITABLE PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................................................... 1
II. STRATEGY FOR EQUITABLE REMEDIES .......................................................................................................................... 1
III. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUITY RELIEF ................................................................................................................ 2
IV. EQUITABLE REMEDY DOCTRINES ................................................................................................................................ 2
V. EQUITABLE DEFENSES .............................................................................................................................................. 5

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O. FEDERAL INCOME TAX
I. WHAT IS INCOME? ................................................................................................................................................. 1
II. ALLOCATION: TO WHOM IS IT INCOME? ...................................................................................................................... 3
III. ACCOUNTING: WHEN IS IT INCOME? ........................................................................................................................... 3
IV. WHAT IS THE CHARACTER OF THE INCOME? .................................................................................................................. 4
V. ^ ADDITIONAL TOPICS ............................................................................................................................................. 4
P. LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW
I. TYPES OF LOCALITIES ............................................................................................................................................... 1
II. POWERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 1
III. VALIDITY OF ORDINANCES ........................................................................................................................................ 2
IV. LAND USE REGULATION ........................................................................................................................................... 2
V. CONTRACT AUTHORITY ............................................................................................................................................ 3
VI. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY ............................................................................................................................................ 4
VII. PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS & TAKINGS ......................................................................................................................... 5
Q. PERSONAL PROPERTY
I. FOUND PROPERTY .................................................................................................................................................. 1
II. GIFTS .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
III. BAILMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
IV. COMMON CARRIERS ............................................................................................................................................... 2
R. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
I. GENERAL THEMES .................................................................................................................................................. 1
II. BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
III. REGULATORY SYSTEM .............................................................................................................................................. 1
IV. RULES OF CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................................ 2
V. JUDICIAL CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................................. 5
S. REAL PROPERTY
I. PRESENT ESTATES ................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. FUTURE INTERESTS ................................................................................................................................................. 2
III. RULE AGAINST PERPETUITIES ..................................................................................................................................... 5
IV. CONCURRENT ESTATES ............................................................................................................................................ 7
V. LANDLORD‐TENANT LAW ......................................................................................................................................... 9
VI. SERVITUDES ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
VII. ADVERSE POSSESSION ........................................................................................................................................... 15
VIII. CONVEYANCE THROUGH PURCHASE AND SALE ............................................................................................................. 16
IX. RECORDING SYSTEM ............................................................................................................................................. 18
X. LATERAL SUPPORT ................................................................................................................................................ 22
XI. WATER RIGHTS .................................................................................................................................................... 22
XII. POSSESSOR’S RIGHTS ............................................................................................................................................ 22
XIII. EMINENT DOMAIN ............................................................................................................................................... 22
XIV. ZONING ............................................................................................................................................................. 23
T. SECURED TRANSACTIONS
I. SCOPE OF ARTICLE 9 OF THE UCC .............................................................................................................................. 1
II. ATTACHMENT ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
III. PERFECTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
IV. PRIORITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
V. DEFAULT ON THE OBLIGATION ................................................................................................................................... 3
U. TORTS
I. INTENTIONAL TORTS ............................................................................................................................................... 1
II. TORT OF DEFAMATION ............................................................................................................................................ 3
III. PRIVACY TORTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
IV. ECONOMIC TORTS .................................................................................................................................................. 4

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V. NEGLIGENCE ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
VI. STRICT LIABILITY TORTS ........................................................................................................................................... 6
VII. NUISANCE ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
VIII. VICARIOUS LIABILITY ............................................................................................................................................... 7
IX. JOINT TORTFEASORS ............................................................................................................................................... 7
X. LOSS OF CONSORTIUM ............................................................................................................................................. 8
V. TRUSTS
I. OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. REQUIREMENTS FOR CREATION .................................................................................................................................. 1
III. REVOCABLE TRUSTS AND WILL SUBSTITUTES ................................................................................................................. 2
IV. SPECIAL TRUSTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
V. DUTIES OF A TRUSTEE .............................................................................................................................................. 4
VI. TRUST ADMINISTRATION PROBLEMS ........................................................................................................................... 5
VII. MODIFICATION AND EARLY TERMINATION OF TRUSTS...................................................................................................... 5
W. WILLS & ESTATES
I. INTESTATE SUCCESSION ............................................................................................................................................ 1
II. EXECUTION OF WILLS .............................................................................................................................................. 2
III. LAPSED GIFTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
IV. CHANGES IN FAMILY AFTER WILL IS EXECUTED .............................................................................................................. 4
V. REVOCATION OF WILLS ............................................................................................................................................ 5
VI. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TESTAMENTARY GIFTS ...................................................................................................... 6
VII. RELIANCE ON EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE AND ACTS ................................................................................................................ 7
VIII. OTHER WILLS DOCTRINES ......................................................................................................................................... 8
IX. ELECTIVE SHARE STATUTE ......................................................................................................................................... 8
X. WILL CONTESTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
XI. ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................................................................................... 10

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. AGENCY & PARTNERSHIP
I. AGENCY ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Liability of Principle to Third Parties for Torts of Agent .................................................................... 1
2. Liability of Principle to Third Parties for Agent’s Contracts ............................................................... 1
i. Test ................................................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Four types of authority ..................................................................................................................................... 1
a. Actual express authority ............................................................................................................................................. 1
b. Actual Implied Authority ............................................................................................................................................. 1
c. Apparent Authority ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
d. Ratification ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
iii. Rules of Liability on the Contract ...................................................................................................................... 2
3. Duties Agent Owes to Principal ....................................................................................................... 2
II. PARTNERSHIP ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
1. General Partnership Formation ....................................................................................................... 2
2. Liabilities of General Partners to Third Parties ................................................................................. 2
3. Rights and Liability Between Partners ............................................................................................. 3
4. Partnership Dissolution ................................................................................................................... 3
B. CIVIL PROCEDURE ‐ FEDERAL
I. THE RIGHT COURT .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Strategy .......................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Personal Jurisdiction ....................................................................................................................... 1
3. Subject Matter Jurisdiction ............................................................................................................. 1
ii. Diversity Jurisdiction ......................................................................................................................................... 1
a. Rule ............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
b. Citizenship ................................................................................................................................................................... 1
c. Amount in controversy ................................................................................................................................................ 1
d. Exclusions .................................................................................................................................................................... 1
iii. Federal Question Jurisdiction ........................................................................................................................... 1
iv. Supplemental Jurisdiction................................................................................................................................. 2
v. Removal ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
vi. Erie Doctrine ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Venue ............................................................................................................................................. 2
ii. “Local” actions: ................................................................................................................................................ 2
iii. “Transitory” actions (i.e., not local) .................................................................................................................. 3
iv. Determining “residence” .................................................................................................................................. 3
v. Transfer of venue ............................................................................................................................................. 3
vi. Forum non convienens ..................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Service of Process ........................................................................................................................... 3
iii. Methods of service ........................................................................................................................................... 3
iv. Waiver by mail ................................................................................................................................................. 3
v. Geographic limitation....................................................................................................................................... 3
vi. Immunity from service ...................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Pleadings ........................................................................................................................................ 3
i. Complaint ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Response .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
b. Counterclaims and Crossclaims ................................................................................................................................... 4
c. Amending pleadings ................................................................................................................................................... 5
iii. Rule 11 (certification) ....................................................................................................................................... 5
iv. Sanctions .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Discovery ........................................................................................................................................ 5
i. Required Disclosures ........................................................................................................................................ 5
ii. Discovery tools ................................................................................................................................................. 5
b. Duties .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
c. Scope of discovery ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
d. Enforcement of discovery rules ................................................................................................................................... 6
e. Tools ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
III. COMPLEX CASES .................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Joinder ............................................................................................................................................ 7
ii. Necessary and indispensable parties ................................................................................................................ 7

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iii. Impleader ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
iv. Intervention ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
v. Interpleader ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
2. Class Actions ................................................................................................................................... 8
i. Prerequisites: .................................................................................................................................................... 8
ii. Cause of action ................................................................................................................................................. 9
iii. Class certification ............................................................................................................................................. 9
iv. Notification ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
v. Settlement ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
vi. Subject Matter Juris.......................................................................................................................................... 9
IV. ADJUDICATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
1. Pretrial Adjudication ....................................................................................................................... 9
i. Voluntary dismissal .......................................................................................................................................... 9
ii. Default and Default Judgment ......................................................................................................................... 9
iii. Failure to State a Claim .................................................................................................................................. 10
iv. Summary Judgment ....................................................................................................................................... 10
2. Conferences and Meetings ............................................................................................................ 10
i. Rule 26(f) Conference ..................................................................................................................................... 10
ii. Scheduling Order ............................................................................................................................................ 10
iii. Pretrial Conferences ....................................................................................................................................... 10
3. Jury Trials ..................................................................................................................................... 10
i. Jury demand ................................................................................................................................................... 10
ii. Jury selection .................................................................................................................................................. 10
4. Trial and Post‐trial Motions ........................................................................................................... 10
i. JMOL: Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law ............................................................................................ 10
ii. RJMOL: Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law .......................................................................... 10
iii. Motion for a New Trial ................................................................................................................................... 11
iv. Motion to Set Aside Judgment ....................................................................................................................... 11
1. Final Judgment Rule ...................................................................................................................... 11
2. Interlocutory Appeals ................................................................................................................... 11
C. CIVIL PROCEDURE ‐ VIRGINIA
I. THE RIGHT COURT .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Personal Jurisdiction ....................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Statutory Bases of In Personam Jurisdiction ..................................................................................................... 1
b. General personal jurisdiction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
c. Specific personal jurisdiction ....................................................................................................................................... 1
iii. Constitutional Standard ................................................................................................................................... 1
iv. In Rem and Quasi‐in‐Rem Juris ......................................................................................................................... 1
2. Subject Matter Jurisdiction ............................................................................................................. 2
i. Circuit Court ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
ii. General District Court (GDC) ............................................................................................................................ 2
iii. Appeal from GDC to Circuit Court ..................................................................................................................... 2
3. Venue ............................................................................................................................................. 2
i. Forum selection clauses ................................................................................................................................... 2
ii. Two categories of venue (A trumps B) .............................................................................................................. 2
a. Category A Venue ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
b. Category B Venue ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
iii. Objections to venue .......................................................................................................................................... 3
iv. Forum non conveniens dismissal ...................................................................................................................... 3
1. Service of Process ........................................................................................................................... 3
i. Generally .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Method of service ............................................................................................................................................. 3
a. Who may serve process .............................................................................................................................................. 3
b. Service on individuals .................................................................................................................................................. 3
c. Service under long‐arm statute ................................................................................................................................... 4
d. Curing statute ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
e. Waiver ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
f. The Return (“Proof of Service”) ................................................................................................................................... 4
g. Timeliness of service ................................................................................................................................................... 4
h. ^ Rarely tested forms of service .................................................................................................................................. 4
iii. Service of other documents .............................................................................................................................. 4
iv. Immunity .......................................................................................................................................................... 4

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2. Pleadings ........................................................................................................................................ 5
i. Generally .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
a. Form ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5
b. Attorney Certification (cf. FRCP 11) ............................................................................................................................. 5
c. Alternative Pleadings .................................................................................................................................................. 5
d. Time Extensions .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
ii. General District Court ....................................................................................................................................... 5
a. Civil Warrant/Notice of Motion for Judgment ............................................................................................................ 5
b. Service ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
c. Response ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
d. Continuance ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
e. Written Instrument ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
f. Objections to venue .................................................................................................................................................... 6
iii. Circuit Court ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
iv. Response Options (Circuit Court) ...................................................................................................................... 6
a. Motion for bill of particulars ....................................................................................................................................... 6
b. Motion objecting to venue .......................................................................................................................................... 6
c. Special Appearance ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
d. Motion to Quash ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
e. Demurrer .................................................................................................................................................................... 6
f. Special Plea/”Plea in Bar of Recovery” ........................................................................................................................ 6
g. Answer ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
h. Equitable Defenses to Legal Actions ........................................................................................................................... 7
v. After Defendant Responds (Circuit Court) ........................................................................................................ 7
vi. Special Sworn Pleading Requirements ............................................................................................................. 7
a. Generally ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7
b. Contract and Account Actions ..................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Discovery ........................................................................................................................................ 7
i. General District Court ....................................................................................................................................... 7
ii. Circuit Court ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
a. Differences from federal practice ................................................................................................................................ 8
b. Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
III. PARTIES AND CLAIMS .............................................................................................................................................. 8
1. Joinder ............................................................................................................................................ 8
i. Joint obligors and joint tortfeasors .................................................................................................................. 8
ii. Legal Capacity .................................................................................................................................................. 8
a. Third‐party beneficiaries ............................................................................................................................................. 8
b. Partnerships ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
c. Executor or administrator ........................................................................................................................................... 8
d. Minors ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
iii. Mental Capacity ............................................................................................................................................... 9
a. Person under disability ................................................................................................................................................ 9
b. Convicts ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
c. Survival and Revival .................................................................................................................................................... 9
iv. Counterclaims .................................................................................................................................................. 9
v. Crossclaims ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
vi. Impleader ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
vii. Interpleader .................................................................................................................................................... 10
viii. Intervention (circuit court only) ...................................................................................................................... 10
ix. Necessary and Indispensable parties ............................................................................................................. 10
2. Special Causes of Actions .............................................................................................................. 10
i. Wrongful Death .............................................................................................................................................. 10
ii. Declaratory Judgments (Circuit Court) ........................................................................................................... 10
iii. Partition of Realty (Circuit Court) ................................................................................................................... 10
iv. Detinue ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
v. Action to Establish Boundaries ....................................................................................................................... 11
vi. Ejectment ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
vii. Unlawful Detainer .......................................................................................................................................... 11
viii. ^ Medical Malpractice .................................................................................................................................... 11
ix. ^ Enforcement of Arbitration Agreement and Awards ................................................................................... 12
3. Statutes of Limitation .................................................................................................................... 12
i. Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
ii. General Rule ................................................................................................................................................... 12
iii. Periods ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
iv. Raising the S/L defense .................................................................................................................................. 12
v. Tolling ............................................................................................................................................................. 12
a. Incompetency ........................................................................................................................................................... 12
b. Filing ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
c. Counterclaims and crossclaims ................................................................................................................................. 12

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d. ^ Impleader ............................................................................................................................................................... 12
e. ^ “John Doe” filings ................................................................................................................................................... 13
f. ^ Promise to waive S/L .............................................................................................................................................. 13
IV. ADJUDICATION .................................................................................................................................................... 13
1. Pretrial Termination ...................................................................................................................... 13
i. Nonsuit ........................................................................................................................................................... 13
ii. Default and Default Judgment ....................................................................................................................... 13
iii. Summary Judgment ....................................................................................................................................... 13
2. Trial and Judgment ....................................................................................................................... 13
i. Jury Trial ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
a. When you get a jury .................................................................................................................................................. 13
b. Selecting a jury .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
c. Jury instructions ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
d. Other powers of judge in a jury trial ......................................................................................................................... 14
ii. Presentation of Evidence ................................................................................................................................ 14
a. GDC: .......................................................................................................................................................................... 14
b. Damages to motor vehicle ........................................................................................................................................ 14
c. Legal claims in circuit court ....................................................................................................................................... 14
d. Equitable claims in circuit court ................................................................................................................................ 14
iii. Motion to Strike the Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 15
iv. Verdict ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
v. Judgment/Decree ........................................................................................................................................... 15
3. Post‐Trial Motions ........................................................................................................................ 15
i. Rehearing ....................................................................................................................................................... 15
ii. Motion to Set Aside Verdict as Contrary to Evidence ..................................................................................... 15
iii. Motion for New Trial ...................................................................................................................................... 15
iv. Remittitur ....................................................................................................................................................... 15
v. Additur ........................................................................................................................................................... 15
vi. Bill of Review .................................................................................................................................................. 16
1. Final Judgment Rule ...................................................................................................................... 16
VI. PRECLUSION ........................................................................................................................................................ 17
1. Generally ...................................................................................................................................... 17
2. Res Judicata .................................................................................................................................. 17
3. Collateral Estoppel ........................................................................................................................ 17
D. COMMERCIAL PAPER
I. TYPES OF NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS .......................................................................................................................... 1
1. Promissory Note ............................................................................................................................. 1
2. Draft 1
II. LIABILITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Contract or Signature Liability ......................................................................................................... 1
2. Warranty or Transfer Liability ......................................................................................................... 1
III. DUE NEGOTIATION ................................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Context ........................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Payable to order ............................................................................................................................. 2
3. Types of Indorsements .................................................................................................................... 2
IV. HOLDER IN DUE COURSE .......................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Requirements ................................................................................................................................. 2
V. BENEFITS OF HDC STATUS ........................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Free from Claims and Personal Defenses ......................................................................................... 3
2. Subject to Real Defenses ................................................................................................................. 3
VI. VIRGINIA DISTINCTIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Writing Checks Without Authority ................................................................................................... 3
2. Negligence: ordinary care ................................................................................................................ 3
E. CONFLICTS OF LAWS
I. GENERALLY ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. DOMICILE ............................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Domicile of choice ........................................................................................................................... 1
2. Domicile by operation of law .......................................................................................................... 1
III. CHOICE OF LAW ..................................................................................................................................................... 1

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1. Constitutional Limits ....................................................................................................................... 1
i. Due Process Clause & Full Faith and Credit Clause ........................................................................................... 1
2. Vested Rights Approach .................................................................................................................. 1
a. Tort Case ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1
b. Contracts Case ............................................................................................................................................................ 1
c. Property Case .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
d. Family Law Case.......................................................................................................................................................... 2
iv. Defenses ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Federal Cases in Diversity ................................................................................................................ 3
4. Foreign laws.................................................................................................................................... 3
F. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
I. THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL POWER .................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Justiciability Doctrines .................................................................................................................... 1
i. Generally .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Standing ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
a. Injury ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1
b. Causation and redressability ....................................................................................................................................... 1
c. No third party standing ............................................................................................................................................... 1
d. No generalized grievances .......................................................................................................................................... 1
iii. Ripeness ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
iv. Mootness .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
v. Political Question Doctrine ............................................................................................................................... 2
2. Supreme Court Review .................................................................................................................... 2
3. Lower Federal Court Review ............................................................................................................ 2
i. Sovereign Immunity ......................................................................................................................................... 2
ii. Abstention ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
II. FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE POWER .................................................................................................................................... 3
1. No General Federal Police Power .................................................................................................... 3
2. Taxing and Spending ....................................................................................................................... 3
i. Tax and Spend for the General Welfare ........................................................................................................... 3
ii. Regulation of Interstate Commerce ................................................................................................................. 3
3. 14th Amendment, Section 5 ............................................................................................................ 3
4. Necessary and Proper Clause .......................................................................................................... 3
5. Tenth Amendment .......................................................................................................................... 3
6. Delegation of Legislative Power ...................................................................................................... 4
III. FEDERAL EXECUTIVE POWER ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Foreign Affairs ................................................................................................................................ 4
i. Treaty Power .................................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Executive Agreements ...................................................................................................................................... 4
iii. Commander‐in‐Chief ........................................................................................................................................ 4
2. Domestic Affairs ............................................................................................................................. 4
i. Veto Power ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Appointment and Removal Power .................................................................................................................... 4
iii. Executive Privilege ............................................................................................................................................ 4
iv. Pardon Power ................................................................................................................................................... 4
v. Removal, Impeachment, and Liability .............................................................................................................. 5
IV. FEDERALISM .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
1. Supremacy Clause ........................................................................................................................... 5
i. Vertical Federalism ........................................................................................................................................... 5
a. Preemption ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
b. State’s Power to Tax or Regulate the Fed Govt ........................................................................................................... 5
ii. Horizontal Preemption ..................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Dormant Commerce Clause ............................................................................................................. 6
3. Power of States to Regulate Interstate Commerce ........................................................................... 6
4. Full Faith and Credit ........................................................................................................................ 6
V. STRUCTURE OF CIVIL LIBERTIES .................................................................................................................................. 6
1. Application of the Rights Provisions of the Constitution .................................................................. 6
i. State Action ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
ii. Application of Bill of Rights .............................................................................................................................. 7
2. Levels of Scrutiny ............................................................................................................................ 7
i. Rational Basis Review ....................................................................................................................................... 7
ii. Intermediate Scrutiny ....................................................................................................................................... 7

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iii. Strict Scrutiny ................................................................................................................................................... 7
VI. DUE PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
1. Procedural Due Process ................................................................................................................... 7
iii. Determining What Process Is Due .................................................................................................................... 8
2. Access to Courts .............................................................................................................................. 8
3. Substantive Due Process ................................................................................................................. 8
ii. Non‐fundamental Liberties .............................................................................................................................. 9
4. Equal Protection ............................................................................................................................. 9
i. Overview .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
ii. Suspect Classes: Race, Ethnicity, Alienage, and National Origin ...................................................................... 9
a. Generally ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9
b. Racial or Ethnical Classifications ................................................................................................................................. 9
c. Affirmative Action ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
d. School Segregation ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
e. School Assignment Plans............................................................................................................................................. 9
f. Alienage ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
iii. Quasi‐Suspect Classes: Legitimacy & Gender ................................................................................................. 10
iv. Rational Basis ................................................................................................................................................. 10
v. Fundamental Rights and Equal Protection ..................................................................................................... 10
VII. FIRST AMENDMENT .............................................................................................................................................. 11
1. Freedom of Speech ....................................................................................................................... 11
i. Content‐Neutral vs. Content‐Based Regulation .............................................................................................. 11
ii. Exceptions to the Rule Against Content‐Based Restrictions ........................................................................... 11
a. Incitement ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
b. Fighting Words/Hate Speech/True Threats ............................................................................................................... 11
c. Obscenity .................................................................................................................................................................. 11
d. Defamation ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
e. Commercial Advertising ............................................................................................................................................ 11
iii. Other Important Free Speech Concepts .......................................................................................................... 12
iv. Places Available for Speech ............................................................................................................................ 12
a. Public Forums............................................................................................................................................................ 13
b. Limited Public Forums ............................................................................................................................................... 13
c. Non‐Public Forum ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
d. Privately Owned Property ......................................................................................................................................... 13
2. Freedom of Association ................................................................................................................. 13
3. Freedom of Religion ...................................................................................................................... 13
i. Free Exercise Clause ....................................................................................................................................... 13
ii. Establishment Clause ..................................................................................................................................... 13
VIII. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS ODDS & ENDS ........................................................................................................................... 13
1. No Ex Post Facto Laws ................................................................................................................... 13
2. No Bills of Attainder ...................................................................................................................... 13
3. Contract Clause ............................................................................................................................. 13
4. 14th Amendment and Privileges and Immunities ........................................................................... 14
5. Takings Clause .............................................................................................................................. 14
G. CONTRACTS & SALES
OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................................... 1
I. APPLICABLE LAW .................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. FORMATION OF CONTRACTS ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Level 1: Offers ................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Level 2: Termination of Offers ......................................................................................................... 1
i. Method 1: Lapse of Time .................................................................................................................................. 1
ii. Method 2: Death Before Acceptance ............................................................................................................... 1
iii. Method 3: Revocation by Offeror ..................................................................................................................... 1
iv. Method 4: Rejection by Offeree ....................................................................................................................... 2
3. Level 3: Acceptance ......................................................................................................................... 2
4. Level 4: Enforceability ..................................................................................................................... 3
i. Lack of Consideration ....................................................................................................................................... 3
a. Generally ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
b. Consideration Rules .................................................................................................................................................... 3
c. Consideration Substitutes ........................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Statute of Frauds Defense ................................................................................................................................ 3
a. Application of Statute of Frauds ................................................................................................................................. 3
b. Satisfying the Statute of Frauds .................................................................................................................................. 4
c. Special Cases for Statute of Frauds ............................................................................................................................. 4

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iii. Other reasons for not enforcing an agreement ................................................................................................ 5
III. TERMS OF THE CONTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1. Parties’ Words and the Parol Evidence Rule ..................................................................................... 5
2. Conduct and Course of Performance ............................................................................................... 6
i. Conduct evidence ............................................................................................................................................. 6
ii. UCC Default Terms ........................................................................................................................................... 6
c. Risk of Loss .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
d. Warranties of Quality ................................................................................................................................................. 6
e. Contractual Limitations on Warranties ....................................................................................................................... 7
IV. PERFORMANCE ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Sale of Goods Performance Concepts .............................................................................................. 7
i. Perfect Tender .................................................................................................................................................. 7
ii. Rejection of goods ............................................................................................................................................ 7
iii. Curing ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
iv. Installment Contracts ....................................................................................................................................... 8
v. Acceptance of the Goods .................................................................................................................................. 8
vi. Revocation of Acceptance of the Goods ........................................................................................................... 8
2. UCC Payment Rules ......................................................................................................................... 8
3. Common Law Performance Concepts .............................................................................................. 8
V. REMEDIES FOR UNEXCUSED NONPERFORMANCE ............................................................................................................ 8
1. Nonmonetary Remedies (in rem) .................................................................................................... 8
i. Specific performance & injunctions .................................................................................................................. 8
ii. Right of Reclamation ........................................................................................................................................ 8
iii. Entrustment ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
2. Money Damages ............................................................................................................................. 8
i. Overview .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
ii. Measure of damages ........................................................................................................................................ 9
iii. Damage Rules for Sales of Goods ..................................................................................................................... 9
iv. Additions and Limitations ................................................................................................................................. 9
v. Liquidated Damages ......................................................................................................................................... 9
VI. EXCUSE OF NONPERFORMANCE ................................................................................................................................ 10
1. Excuse due to improper performance ............................................................................................ 10
i. CL Material Breach Rule ................................................................................................................................. 10
2. Excuse due to nonoccurrence of condition .................................................................................... 10
i. First, is there a contract condition? ................................................................................................................ 10
ii. Second, has the condition been satisfied? ...................................................................................................... 10
iii. Third, is the condition excused? ..................................................................................................................... 10
3. Excuse of performance by anticipatory repudiation ....................................................................... 10
i. Definition ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
ii. Consequences of anticipatory repudiation ..................................................................................................... 10
iii. Retracted repudiation .................................................................................................................................... 10
4. Excuse by insecurity ...................................................................................................................... 10
5. Excuse by reason of later contract ................................................................................................. 11
i. Rescission (cancellation)................................................................................................................................. 11
ii. Accord and satisfaction .................................................................................................................................. 11
iii. Modification (substituted agreement) ........................................................................................................... 11
iv. Novation ......................................................................................................................................................... 11
6. Excuse by later unforeseen event .................................................................................................. 11
VII. THIRD PARTY ISSUES ............................................................................................................................................. 12
1. Third Party Beneficiaries ............................................................................................................... 12
i. Context ........................................................................................................................................................... 12
ii. Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
iii. Can the contract be canceled/modified? ........................................................................................................ 12
iv. Who can sue whom? ...................................................................................................................................... 12
v. What defenses can be asserted? .................................................................................................................... 12
2. Assignment of Contract Rights ...................................................................................................... 12
i. Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
ii. Limitations ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
iii. Special Rules ................................................................................................................................................... 12
a. Gratuitous Assignments ............................................................................................................................................ 12
b. Who can sue whom? ................................................................................................................................................. 12
c. What defenses can be asserted? ............................................................................................................................... 13
d. Whom does the obligor pay? .................................................................................................................................... 13
e. Implied Warranties ................................................................................................................................................... 13
f. Multiple Assignments ............................................................................................................................................... 13

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

3. Delegation of Contract Duties ....................................................................................................... 13
i. Vocabulary ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
ii. When are duties delegable? ........................................................................................................................... 13
iii. Consequence of delegatee’s nonperformance?.............................................................................................. 13
H. CORPORATIONS
I. CORPORATE FORMATION ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Preincorporation Contracts: Promoters and Subscribers .................................................................. 1
i. Promoters ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Subscribers ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
2.
Absolute Formation Requirements .................................................................................................. 1
3.
Legal Significance of Formation of Corporation ................................................................................ 1
4.
Piercing the Corporate Veil.............................................................................................................. 1
5.
Foreign Corporations ...................................................................................................................... 2
II. ISSUANCE OF STOCK ................................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Consideration ................................................................................................................................. 2
2. Preemptive Rights ........................................................................................................................... 2
III. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ........................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Statutory Requirements for Directors .............................................................................................. 2
2. Liability of Directors to Corp and SHs ............................................................................................... 3
3. Duty of Care .................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Duty of Loyalty ................................................................................................................................ 3
5. Indemnification .............................................................................................................................. 3
IV. RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS ....................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Shareholder Derivative Suits ........................................................................................................... 3
2. Voting ............................................................................................................................................. 4
i. Which SHs have the right to vote? ................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Where do SHs vote? ......................................................................................................................................... 4
iii. When is a vote valid? ....................................................................................................................................... 4
iv. Pooling votes .................................................................................................................................................... 4
v. Cumulative voting ............................................................................................................................................ 4
3. Right of SH to Examine Books .......................................................................................................... 5
4. Dividends ........................................................................................................................................ 5
V. ALTERNATIVE CORPORATE FORMS .............................................................................................................................. 5
1. Shareholder Agreements Eliminating Formalities ............................................................................ 5
2. Limited Liability Company ............................................................................................................... 5
3. Virginia Business Trust .................................................................................................................... 5
VI. FUNDAMENTAL CORPORATE CHANGES ......................................................................................................................... 6
1. Characteristics of Fundamental Corporate Change........................................................................... 6
2. Procedural Steps ............................................................................................................................. 6
3. Amendment of the Articles ............................................................................................................. 6
4. Sale of All/Substantially All Assets Not nit he Ordinary Court of Buisiness ....................................... 6
I. CREDITOR’S RIGHTS
I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 1
II. MECHANICS LIENS .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Mechanic’s Lien for Personal Property ............................................................................................ 1
i. Two ways to create .......................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
a. Self‐help sale ............................................................................................................................................................... 1
b. Sherriff’s sale .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
3. Mechanic’s Lien for Real Property ................................................................................................... 1
i. Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Creation ............................................................................................................................................................ 1
iii. Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
iv. Priorities ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Waivers .......................................................................................................................................... 2
5. Exclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 2
III. PREJUDGMENT ATTACHMENT .................................................................................................................................... 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS viii

1. Value of Attachment ....................................................................................................................... 2
2. Eligibility ......................................................................................................................................... 2
IV. PROCESS OF ATTACHMENT ....................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Petition ........................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Bond ............................................................................................................................................... 2
V. JUDGMENT CREDITORS ............................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Prerequisite .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Duration of Judgment Creditor’s Rights ........................................................................................... 3
VI. JUDGMENT LIENS ................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Obtaining a Judgment Lien .............................................................................................................. 3
2. Judgment Liens on Real Estate ........................................................................................................ 4
i. Creation ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
ii. Scope ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
iii. Priority .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
iv. Duration ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
v. Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
3. Judgment Liens on Tangible Personal Property ................................................................................ 5
i. Creation ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
ii. Scope ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
iii. Priority .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
iv. Duration ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
v. Enforcement ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
4. Judgment Liens on Intangible Personal Property ............................................................................. 5
i. Creation ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
ii. Scope ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
iii. Priorities ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
iv. Duration ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
v. Enforcement: Garnishment .............................................................................................................................. 5
VII. EXEMPTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Homestead Exemption .................................................................................................................... 6
2. Poor Debtor’s Exemption ................................................................................................................ 6
3. Garnishment Exemption ................................................................................................................. 6
4. Personal Injury Exemption .............................................................................................................. 6
5. Tenancy by the Entirety .................................................................................................................. 6
VIII. FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCES ..................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Effect .............................................................................................................................................. 7
3. Proving a Fraudulent Conveyances .................................................................................................. 7
4. Preferences ..................................................................................................................................... 7
5. Procedure to Set Aside Conveyance ................................................................................................ 7
IX. CREDITOR’S BILL & INTERROGATORIES ......................................................................................................................... 7
1. Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 7
2. Procedure ....................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Prerequisites ................................................................................................................................... 7
4. Sanctions ........................................................................................................................................ 7
X. SURETYSHIP .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 7
i. Compensated and Gratuitous Sureties ............................................................................................................. 7
ii. Types of Surety Liability .................................................................................................................................... 7
iii. Statute of Frauds .............................................................................................................................................. 8
2. Rights of Surety ............................................................................................................................... 8
i. Against Creditor (None) .................................................................................................................................... 8
ii. Against Debtor ................................................................................................................................................. 8
iii. Against Co‐sureties ........................................................................................................................................... 8
3. Defenses of Surety .......................................................................................................................... 8
i. Debtor’s Defenses ............................................................................................................................................ 8
ii. Variation of Risk ............................................................................................................................................... 8
J. CRIMINAL LAW
I. BASIC ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Bar Exam Law ................................................................................................................................. 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS ix

2. Jurisdiction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Venue ............................................................................................................................................. 1
4. Merger ........................................................................................................................................... 1
II. ELEMENTS OF A CRIME ............................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Burden ............................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Vagueness ...................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Physical Act Requirement (Actus Reus) ............................................................................................ 1
4. Mental State (Mens Rea) ................................................................................................................. 1
i. Three states of mind ......................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Strict Liability Offenses ..................................................................................................................................... 2
iii. Transferred Intent ............................................................................................................................................ 2
iv. Temporal Requirement ..................................................................................................................................... 2
III. PARTIES TO THE CRIME ............................................................................................................................................ 2
IV. INCHOATE OFFENSES ............................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Generally ........................................................................................................................................ 2
2. Solicitation ...................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Conspiracy ...................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Attempt .......................................................................................................................................... 3
V. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Insanity Defense ............................................................................................................................. 3
2. Intoxication .................................................................................................................................... 4
i. Involuntary intoxication ................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Voluntary intoxication ...................................................................................................................................... 4
3. Mistake .......................................................................................................................................... 4
i. Mistake of Fact ................................................................................................................................................. 4
ii. Mistake of Law ................................................................................................................................................. 4
4. Self Defense .................................................................................................................................... 4
5. Defense of Others ........................................................................................................................... 4
6. Defense of Property ........................................................................................................................ 4
7. Duress & Necessity ......................................................................................................................... 5
8. Entrapment .................................................................................................................................... 5
VI. CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON ................................................................................................................................... 5
1. Minor Crimes .................................................................................................................................. 5
i. Battery ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
ii. Crimes of Assault .............................................................................................................................................. 5
2. Homicide ........................................................................................................................................ 5
i. Generally .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
ii. Year and a Day Rule (ARCANE) ......................................................................................................................... 5
iii. Murder ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
3. First degree murder ........................................................................................................................ 6
4. Manslaughter ................................................................................................................................. 6
5. Causation ........................................................................................................................................ 6
6. Other serious crimes ....................................................................................................................... 7
VII. OTHER OFFENSES ................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Property Offenses ........................................................................................................................... 7
i. Larceny Offenses .............................................................................................................................................. 7
ii. Other Related Offenses .................................................................................................................................... 7
2. Possession Offenses ........................................................................................................................ 7
3. Offenses Against the Habitation ...................................................................................................... 8
K. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
I. STRATEGY TIPS ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
II. SEARCH AND SEIZURE .............................................................................................................................................. 1
1. General Issues ................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Arrest ............................................................................................................................................. 1
3. Probable Cause and Searches .......................................................................................................... 1
i. Probable Cause ................................................................................................................................................. 1
ii. Search Warrants............................................................................................................................................... 2
iii. Issuance of Warrant ......................................................................................................................................... 2
iv. Executing the warrant ...................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Exceptions to Warrant Rule ............................................................................................................. 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS x

i. Search Incident to Arrest .................................................................................................................................. 2
ii. Automobile Searches ........................................................................................................................................ 2
a. Generally ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
b. Movable vehicle exception .......................................................................................................................................... 2
c. Inventory Search ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
d. Sobriety Checkpoints ................................................................................................................................................... 2
iii. Plain View Doctrine .......................................................................................................................................... 3
iv. Consensual Searches ........................................................................................................................................ 3
v. Stop and Frisk: Terry v. Ohio ............................................................................................................................. 3
vi. Exigent Circumstances ..................................................................................................................................... 3
vii. Garbage Bags ................................................................................................................................................... 3
viii. ^ Searches of public school children ................................................................................................................. 3
III. CONFESSIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Due Process .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Miranda .......................................................................................................................................... 3
i. The Rule ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
3. Resumption of Questioning ............................................................................................................. 4
4. Miranda Exceptions ........................................................................................................................ 4
i. Impeachment ................................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Public Safety Exception .................................................................................................................................... 4
iii. Fruits of the Poisonous Tree ............................................................................................................................. 4
IV. EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Effect of Illegal Pretrial Identification .............................................................................................. 4
V. ATTENUATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Standing ......................................................................................................................................... 4
i. Easy Cases ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
ii. Hard Cases ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Fruit of the Poisonous Tree ............................................................................................................. 5
VI. TRIAL RIGHTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
1. Right to a Speedy Trial .................................................................................................................... 5
2. Publicity Issues ............................................................................................................................... 5
3. Jury Trials ....................................................................................................................................... 5
i. Right to Jury Trial ............................................................................................................................................. 5
ii. Procedure ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
iii. Challenging Jurors ............................................................................................................................................ 6
iv. Jury sentencing ................................................................................................................................................. 6
4. Right to Counsel .............................................................................................................................. 6
i. Contours of the Right ....................................................................................................................................... 6
ii. Waiver .............................................................................................................................................................. 6
iii. Triggering the Right ......................................................................................................................................... 6
iv. Ineffective assistance of counsel ...................................................................................................................... 6
5. Jury Instructions ............................................................................................................................. 6
6. Guilty Plea ...................................................................................................................................... 7
i. Contract Law .................................................................................................................................................... 7
ii. Breach .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
iii. Plea of Nolo Contendre (No Contest) ............................................................................................................... 7
VII. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................................ 7
1. Double Jeopardy ............................................................................................................................. 7
i. When it Attaches .............................................................................................................................................. 7
ii. Application ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
iii. Waiver .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
iv. Virginia Special Rules ....................................................................................................................................... 7
2. Privilege Against Self‐Incrimination ................................................................................................. 7
3. Habeas Corpus ................................................................................................................................ 7
4. Cruel and Unusual Punishment ....................................................................................................... 8
VIII. OTHER VIRGINIA ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................... 8
1. Virginia Procedure notes ................................................................................................................. 8
i. Preliminary Hearings ........................................................................................................................................ 8
ii. Grand Juries in Va............................................................................................................................................. 8
iii. Forms of Indictment ......................................................................................................................................... 8
iv. Discovery .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
v. Bail ................................................................................................................................................................... 8
2. Virginia Court System ...................................................................................................................... 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS xi

I. PREMARITAL ISSUES AND MARRIAGE FORMATION .......................................................................................................... 1
1. Ante‐nuptial Agreements ................................................................................................................ 1
2. Marriage Formation ........................................................................................................................ 1
II. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE ..................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Annulment ...................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Divorce ........................................................................................................................................... 2
i. Procedure ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
ii. Kinds of Divorce Action ..................................................................................................................................... 2
a. Divorce “a vinculo matrimonii” ................................................................................................................................... 2
b. Divorce “a mensa et thoro”......................................................................................................................................... 3
III. ECONOMIC ISSUES IN MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION .............................................................................................................. 3
1. Property Division ............................................................................................................................ 3
2. Spousal Support (Alimony) .............................................................................................................. 3
IV. ISSUES REGARDING CHILDREN ................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Identifying parentage ...................................................................................................................... 4
2. Custody Dispute .............................................................................................................................. 4
i. Jurisdiction/choice of law: ................................................................................................................................ 4
ii. Merits ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
iii. Disputes between a parent and a non‐parent .................................................................................................. 5
iv. Effect of a custodial parent’s relocation ........................................................................................................... 5
3. Emancipated Children ..................................................................................................................... 5
4. Visitation rights............................................................................................................................... 5
5. Child Support .................................................................................................................................. 5
i. Biological parents owe a duty to support ......................................................................................................... 5
ii. Amount of support ........................................................................................................................................... 5
iii. Enforcement (same as alimony) ....................................................................................................................... 5
6. Adoption ........................................................................................................................................ 5
M. EVIDENCE
I. TOPICS NOT COVERED BY LECTURE ............................................................................................................................. 1
1. Procedural Considerations .............................................................................................................. 1
2. Burden of Proof .............................................................................................................................. 1
3. Presumptions .................................................................................................................................. 1
4. Judicial Notice ................................................................................................................................. 1
5. Real Evidence .................................................................................................................................. 1
II. RELEVANCE ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Basic Principles ............................................................................................................................... 1
2. Similar Occurrence Evidence ........................................................................................................... 1
3. Policy‐Based Exclusions ................................................................................................................... 1
4. Character Evidence ......................................................................................................................... 2
i. Criminal Case .................................................................................................................................................... 2
ii. Civil Cases ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
iii. Non‐Propensity Purposes ................................................................................................................................. 2
iv. Sexual Misconduct to Show Def’s Propensity ................................................................................................... 3
III. WRITINGS ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Authentication ................................................................................................................................ 3
i. Methods of Authentication .............................................................................................................................. 3
ii. Self Authenticating Documents ........................................................................................................................ 3
iii. Photographs ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Best Evidence Rule .......................................................................................................................... 3
IV. WITNESSES ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Competency .................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Leading Questions ........................................................................................................................... 4
3. Writings in Aid of Oral Testimony .................................................................................................... 4
i. Refreshing Recollection .................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Past Recollection Recorded (Hearsay Exception) .............................................................................................. 4
4. Opinion Testimony .......................................................................................................................... 4
i. Lay Witness ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Expert Witness ................................................................................................................................................. 4
iii. Ultimate Issues ................................................................................................................................................. 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS xii

5. Cross Examination ........................................................................................................................... 5
6. Impeachment ................................................................................................................................. 5
i. Procedure ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
ii. Prior Inconsistent statements ........................................................................................................................... 5
iii. Bias, Interest, or Motive to Misrepresent ......................................................................................................... 5
iv. Sensory Deficiencies ........................................................................................................................................ 5
v. Attack on Character for Truthfulness ............................................................................................................... 5
a. Reputation or Opinion for Character for Truthfulness ................................................................................................. 5
b. Criminal Convictions ................................................................................................................................................... 5
c. Bad Acts Reflecting on Character for Truthfulness ...................................................................................................... 5
d. Contradiction .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
7. Rehabilitation ................................................................................................................................. 6
V. PRIVILEGES ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Choice of Law .................................................................................................................................. 6
2. Attorney‐Client Privilege ................................................................................................................. 6
i. Elements ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
ii. Definition .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
iii. Waiver .............................................................................................................................................................. 6
3. Doctor‐Patient Privilege .................................................................................................................. 6
4. Marital Privileges ............................................................................................................................ 6
i. Spousal Immunity ............................................................................................................................................. 6
ii. Confidential Communications Between Spouses .............................................................................................. 7
iii. Exceptions to Both Privileges ............................................................................................................................ 7
VI. HEARSAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
1. Definition ....................................................................................................................................... 7
2. Non‐hearsay ................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Testimonial Rule ............................................................................................................................. 7
4. Hearsay Exceptions: Witness Unavailable ........................................................................................ 7
i. Grounds of Unavailability (PAILS) ..................................................................................................................... 7
5. Hearsay Exceptions: Availability Immaterial .................................................................................... 8
6. Impeachment of Hearsay Declarants ............................................................................................... 8
N. EQUITY
I. EQUITABLE PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................................................... 1
4. Review of Decisions on Equitable Claims ......................................................................................... 1
II. STRATEGY FOR EQUITABLE REMEDIES .......................................................................................................................... 1
III. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUITY RELIEF ................................................................................................................ 2
1. Inadequacy of Legal Relief ............................................................................................................... 2
2. Feasibility of Equitable Remedies .................................................................................................... 2
IV. EQUITABLE REMEDY DOCTRINES ................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Injunctions ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Specific Performance of Contracts ................................................................................................... 3
3. Special Case: Tort of Unfair Competition ......................................................................................... 3
4. Rescission and Reformation ............................................................................................................ 4
5. Restitution ...................................................................................................................................... 4
6. Other Equitable Remedy Terms ....................................................................................................... 4
V. EQUITABLE DEFENSES .............................................................................................................................................. 5
1. Applicability of Defenses ................................................................................................................. 5
2. Unclean Hands ................................................................................................................................ 5
3. Laches ............................................................................................................................................. 5
4. Unconscionability ........................................................................................................................... 5
5. Impossibility and Hardship .............................................................................................................. 5
6. Fraud .............................................................................................................................................. 5
7. Equitable Estoppel .......................................................................................................................... 5
8. Freedom of Speech ......................................................................................................................... 5
O. FEDERAL INCOME TAX
I. WHAT IS INCOME? ................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Basics .............................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Inclusions ........................................................................................................................................ 1
3. Exclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 1

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4. Employee‐related Exclusions ........................................................................................................... 2
5. Deductions ..................................................................................................................................... 2
i. Above the Line .................................................................................................................................................. 2
ii. Itemized (Non‐Business) Deductions ................................................................................................................ 2
iii. Exemptions ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
II. ALLOCATION: TO WHOM IS IT INCOME? ...................................................................................................................... 3
1. Assignment of Income Rule ............................................................................................................. 3
2. Contingent Fees .............................................................................................................................. 3
3. Investment Income ......................................................................................................................... 3
III. ACCOUNTING: WHEN IS IT INCOME? ........................................................................................................................... 3
1. Cash Method of Accounting ............................................................................................................ 3
2. Accrual Method of Accounting ........................................................................................................ 3
3. Gains and Losses on Disposition of Property .................................................................................... 3
iv. Cost Basis ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
IV. WHAT IS THE CHARACTER OF THE INCOME? .................................................................................................................. 4
1. Ordinary Income vs Capital Gains .................................................................................................... 4
V. ^ ADDITIONAL TOPICS ............................................................................................................................................. 4
1. ^ Corporate Tax .............................................................................................................................. 4
2. ^^ Pass‐through Entities .................................................................................................................. 4
3. Estate and Gift Tax .......................................................................................................................... 5
iii. Gift Tax ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
iv. Estate Tax ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
P. LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW
I. TYPES OF LOCALITIES ............................................................................................................................................... 1
II. POWERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 1
1. Express powers only........................................................................................................................ 1
2. Redelegation................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Dillon’s Rule .................................................................................................................................... 1
4. Power to Incur Debt ........................................................................................................................ 1
5. Police Power ................................................................................................................................... 1
6. Taxation ......................................................................................................................................... 2
7. Licensing ......................................................................................................................................... 2
8. Franchising Public Services .............................................................................................................. 2
III. VALIDITY OF ORDINANCES ........................................................................................................................................ 2
IV. LAND USE REGULATION ........................................................................................................................................... 2
1. General ........................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Regulatory Actors ........................................................................................................................... 2
3. BZA Review Proceedings ................................................................................................................. 2
4. Conditional Zoning .......................................................................................................................... 3
5. Mandatory Regulation of Subdivisions ............................................................................................ 3
6. Effect of New or Revised Zoning Ordinance Provisions ..................................................................... 3
7. Judicial Challenges AFTER the BZA Decision ..................................................................................... 3
8. Spotzoning and Downzoning ........................................................................................................... 3
9. Appeal ............................................................................................................................................ 3
10. Building Permits .............................................................................................................................. 3
V. CONTRACT AUTHORITY ............................................................................................................................................ 3
VI. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY ............................................................................................................................................ 4
1. Claims Against the Commonwealth ................................................................................................. 4
2. Claims Against Counties .................................................................................................................. 4
3. Tort Liability of Cities and Towns ..................................................................................................... 4
4. Liability of Officers/Employees ........................................................................................................ 4
5. Special Situations ............................................................................................................................ 4
6. Liability for Gross Negligence and Intentional Torts ......................................................................... 4
7. Rules for Suing Localities ................................................................................................................. 5
8. Suits by Localities as Plaintiffs ......................................................................................................... 5
VII. PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS & TAKINGS ......................................................................................................................... 5
1. Acquisition of Property Generally .................................................................................................... 5
2. Power of Eminent Domain .............................................................................................................. 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS xiv

3. Condemnation Proceedings ............................................................................................................. 5
4. Inverse Condemnation .................................................................................................................... 5
5. Adverse Possession ......................................................................................................................... 5
6. Disposing of Public Property ............................................................................................................ 5
I. FOUND PROPERTY .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Abandoned Property ....................................................................................................................... 1
2. Lost Property .................................................................................................................................. 1
3. Mislaid Property ............................................................................................................................. 1
II. GIFTS .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. General rule .................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Intervivos gifts ................................................................................................................................ 1
3. Gifts causa mortis ........................................................................................................................... 2
III. BAILMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Is it a bailment? .............................................................................................................................. 2
2. Liability for a bailee if the item is damaged or lost? ......................................................................... 2
IV. COMMON CARRIERS ............................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Who is a common carrier? ............................................................................................................... 2
R. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
I. GENERAL THEMES .................................................................................................................................................. 1
II. BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
III. REGULATORY SYSTEM .............................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Admission ....................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Direct Regulation ............................................................................................................................ 1
i. Contract............................................................................................................................................................ 1
ii. Procedure ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
iii. Sanctions .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
iv. Duty to report ................................................................................................................................................... 1
v. Indirect controls over attorney conduct ........................................................................................................... 1
vi. Law firms and service organizations ................................................................................................................ 1
vii. Right to counsel ................................................................................................................................................ 1
viii. Restrictions on non‐lawyers ............................................................................................................................. 1
IV. RULES OF CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Obtaining Clients ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Frivolous Litigation .......................................................................................................................... 2
i. Valid claims ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
ii. Criminal matters............................................................................................................................................... 2
iv. Attorney‐Client Contracts ................................................................................................................................. 2
v. Compensation .................................................................................................................................................. 2
vi. Relationship with the Client ............................................................................................................................. 3
vii. Entity as a Client ............................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Privileged Information .................................................................................................................... 3
i. Duty of Confidentiality ..................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Limits on the Duty ............................................................................................................................................ 3
iii. Summary: Revealing Client Wrongdoing .......................................................................................................... 3
iv. Attorney Exceptions ......................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Conflicts of Interest ......................................................................................................................... 3
i. Generally .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Attorney and Current Client ............................................................................................................................. 4
iii. Conflicts Between Clients ................................................................................................................................. 4
iv. Conflicts Over Former Clients ........................................................................................................................... 4
v. Zeal ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
vi. Roles of Lawyer ................................................................................................................................................ 4
V. JUDICIAL CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................................. 5
1. Lawyers’ Rules ................................................................................................................................ 5
2. Judges’ Rules .................................................................................................................................. 5
S. REAL PROPERTY
I. PRESENT ESTATES ................................................................................................................................................... 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS xv

1. Fee Simple Absolute ........................................................................................................................ 1
2. ^ Fee Tail ........................................................................................................................................ 1
3. Defeasible Fees ............................................................................................................................... 1
i. Two important rules of construction ................................................................................................................ 1
ii. Fee Simple Determinable .................................................................................................................................. 1
iii. Fee Simple Subject to Condition Subsequent .................................................................................................... 1
iv. Fee Simple Subject to Executory Limitation ...................................................................................................... 2
v. Life Estate ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
c. Doctrine of Waste ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
d. Future Interests ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
II. FUTURE INTERESTS ................................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Future Interests Capable of Creation in the Grantor ......................................................................... 2
2. Future Interests in Transferees ........................................................................................................ 3
i. Overview .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Remainders Generally ...................................................................................................................................... 3
iii. Distinguish Vested and Contingent Remainders ............................................................................................... 3
iv. Special Rules for Contingent Remainders ......................................................................................................... 3
v. Kinds of Vested Remainders ............................................................................................................................. 4
a. Indefeasibly Vested Remainder ................................................................................................................................... 4
b. Vested Remainder Subject to Complete Defeasance ................................................................................................... 4
c. Vested Remainder Subject to Open ............................................................................................................................. 4
vi. Executory Interests ........................................................................................................................................... 5
a. What is an executory interest? ................................................................................................................................... 5
b. Shifting Executory Interest .......................................................................................................................................... 5
c. Springing Executory Interest ....................................................................................................................................... 5
III. RULE AGAINST PERPETUITIES ..................................................................................................................................... 5
1. The Rule ......................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Four‐Step Framework ..................................................................................................................... 5
3. Examples ........................................................................................................................................ 6
4. Two Brightline Rules ....................................................................................................................... 6
5. Reform of the RAP .......................................................................................................................... 6
i. “Wait and See” or “Second Look” Doctrine ...................................................................................................... 6
ii. Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities (USRAP) ..................................................................................... 7
iii. Common Features ............................................................................................................................................ 7
IV. CONCURRENT ESTATES ............................................................................................................................................ 7
1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 7
2. Joint Tenancy .................................................................................................................................. 7
ii. Creation ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
iii. Severance (SPAM) ............................................................................................................................................ 7
3. Tenancy by the Entirety .................................................................................................................. 8
4. Tenancy in Common........................................................................................................................ 8
V. LANDLORD‐TENANT LAW ......................................................................................................................................... 9
1. Four Leasehold or Nonfreehold Estate ............................................................................................. 9
i. Tenancy for Years ............................................................................................................................................. 9
ii. Periodic Tenancy .............................................................................................................................................. 9
iii. Tenancy at Will ................................................................................................................................................. 9
iv. Tenancy at Sufferance ...................................................................................................................................... 9
2. Tenant’s Duties ............................................................................................................................... 9
i. Liable to Third Parties ....................................................................................................................................... 9
a. Tenant’s duty to keep the premises in reasonably good repair ................................................................................... 9
b. Tenant’s duty to repair ............................................................................................................................................. 10
c. T’s duty to pay rent ................................................................................................................................................... 10
ii. Landlord’s Duties ............................................................................................................................................ 10
a. Duty to deliver possession ......................................................................................................................................... 10
b. * Implied covenant of constructive eviction .............................................................................................................. 11
c. * Implied warranty of habitability............................................................................................................................. 11
3. Assignment and Sublease .............................................................................................................. 11
i. Generally ........................................................................................................................................................ 11
ii. Assignment ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
iii. Sublease ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
4. Landlord’s Tort Liability ................................................................................................................. 12
VI. SERVITUDES ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
1. Easements .................................................................................................................................... 12
i. Generally ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
ii. Can be affirmative or negative ....................................................................................................................... 12

TABLE OF CONTENTS xvi

iii. An easement is either appurtenant to land or held in gross .......................................................................... 12
iv. Easement and transferability ......................................................................................................................... 13
v. Creation of an affirmative easement ............................................................................................................. 13
vi. Scope of an easement .................................................................................................................................... 13
vii. Termination of an easement .......................................................................................................................... 13
2. The License ................................................................................................................................... 14
3. The Profit ...................................................................................................................................... 14
4. The Covenant ................................................................................................................................ 14
5. Equitable Servitude ....................................................................................................................... 15
i. Defined ........................................................................................................................................................... 15
ii. Creation .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
iii. General Scheme Doctrine ............................................................................................................................... 15
iv. Equitable defense to enforcement of an equitable servitude ......................................................................... 15
VII. ADVERSE POSSESSION ........................................................................................................................................... 15
1. Basics ............................................................................................................................................ 15
2. Tacking ......................................................................................................................................... 15
3. Disabilities .................................................................................................................................... 16
VIII. CONVEYANCE THROUGH PURCHASE AND SALE ............................................................................................................. 16
1. Two step process .......................................................................................................................... 16
2. Land contract ................................................................................................................................ 16
3. Closing .......................................................................................................................................... 16
4. Covenants for title and the 3 types of deed ................................................................................... 17
i. The Quitclaim ................................................................................................................................................. 17
ii. The General Warranty Deed ........................................................................................................................... 17
iii. The Statutory Special Warranty Deed ............................................................................................................ 17
IX. RECORDING SYSTEM ............................................................................................................................................. 18
1. Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 18
i. Model: The double‐dealer .............................................................................................................................. 18
ii. Two Brightline Rules ....................................................................................................................................... 18
2. Principles ...................................................................................................................................... 18
3. What is a BFP? .............................................................................................................................. 18
i. Generally ........................................................................................................................................................ 18
ii. Value: Two common issues ............................................................................................................................ 18
iii. Notice: 3 potential forms of notice (AIR): ....................................................................................................... 18
4. Recording Statutes ........................................................................................................................ 18
i. Notice Statute ................................................................................................................................................ 18
ii. Race‐Notice Statute ....................................................................................................................................... 18
v. Proper Recordation: Chain Title ..................................................................................................................... 18
a. What is chain of title? ............................................................................................................................................... 18
b. Three common chain of title problems ..................................................................................................................... 19
5. Mortgages .................................................................................................................................... 19
i. Generally ........................................................................................................................................................ 19
ii. Legal and Equitable Mortgages ..................................................................................................................... 19
iii. Parties rights .................................................................................................................................................. 19
iv. Foreclosure ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
v. Effect of Foreclosure on Other Interests ......................................................................................................... 21
vi. Priorities ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
vii. Redemption .................................................................................................................................................... 21
a. Redemption in equity ............................................................................................................................................... 21
b. Statutory Redemption ............................................................................................................................................... 21
X. LATERAL SUPPORT ................................................................................................................................................ 22
XI. WATER RIGHTS .................................................................................................................................................... 22
1. Riparian Doctrine .......................................................................................................................... 22
2. Prior Appropriation Doctrine ......................................................................................................... 22
XII. POSSESSOR’S RIGHTS ............................................................................................................................................ 22
1. Generally ...................................................................................................................................... 22
2. Trespass ........................................................................................................................................ 22
3. Private Nuisance ........................................................................................................................... 22
XIII. EMINENT DOMAIN ............................................................................................................................................... 22
1. Generally ...................................................................................................................................... 22
2. Explicit Takings ............................................................................................................................. 22
3. Implicit or Regulatory Takings ....................................................................................................... 22
XIV. ZONING ............................................................................................................................................................. 23

TABLE OF CONTENTS xvii

T. SECURED TRANSACTIONS
I. SCOPE OF ARTICLE 9 OF THE UCC .............................................................................................................................. 1
1. Article 9 applies to consensual security interests in personalty or fixtures ....................................... 1
2. Cast of Characters ........................................................................................................................... 1
3. Collateral ........................................................................................................................................ 1
II. ATTACHMENT ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
3. After‐acquired Collateral Clauses .................................................................................................... 1
III. PERFECTION .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
IV. PRIORITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
3. Priority ........................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Specific Contests ............................................................................................................................. 2
V. DEFAULT ON THE OBLIGATION ................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Debtor’s Limited Right of Redemption ............................................................................................. 4
U. TORTS
I. INTENTIONAL TORTS ............................................................................................................................................... 1
1. General Principles ........................................................................................................................... 1
2. Personal Torts ................................................................................................................................. 1
i. Battery ............................................................................................................................................................. 1
ii. Assault .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
iii. False Imprisonment .......................................................................................................................................... 1
iv. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Stress ......................................................................................................... 1
3. Property Torts ................................................................................................................................. 1
i. Trespass ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Trespass to Chattels & Conversion ................................................................................................................... 2
4. Defenses ......................................................................................................................................... 2
i. Consent ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
ii. Self‐Defense, Defense of Others, and Defense of Property............................................................................... 2
iii. Necessity .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
iv. ^ Recapture of Chattels, Reentry to Property ................................................................................................... 2
II. TORT OF DEFAMATION ............................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Elements ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Affirmative Defenses ...................................................................................................................... 3
3. First Amendment ............................................................................................................................ 3
III. PRIVACY TORTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Appropriation ................................................................................................................................. 3
2. Intrusion ......................................................................................................................................... 3
3. False Light ....................................................................................................................................... 4
4. Disclosure ....................................................................................................................................... 4
IV. ECONOMIC TORTS .................................................................................................................................................. 4
1. Fraud .............................................................................................................................................. 4
2. Intentional interference with a contract .......................................................................................... 4
3. Malicious prosecution ..................................................................................................................... 4
4. Abuse of process ............................................................................................................................. 4
V. NEGLIGENCE ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Elements ......................................................................................................................................... 4
i. Duty .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
ii. Breach .............................................................................................................................................................. 6
iii. Causation ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
a. Factual causation ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
b. Proximate causation ................................................................................................................................................... 6
iv. Damages .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
2. Defenses ......................................................................................................................................... 6
i. Traditional Contributory Negligence ................................................................................................................ 6
ii. Traditional Assumption of Risk ......................................................................................................................... 6
iii. Comparative Negligence .................................................................................................................................. 6
VI. STRICT LIABILITY TORTS ........................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Injuries Caused by Animals .............................................................................................................. 6
i. Injuries caused by domesticated animals ......................................................................................................... 6
ii. Trespassing cattle............................................................................................................................................. 7
iii. Wild animals .................................................................................................................................................... 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS xviii

2. Abnormally Dangerous Activities..................................................................................................... 7
3. Injuries Caused by Defective Products ............................................................................................. 7
4. Defenses ......................................................................................................................................... 7
VII. NUISANCE ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
1. Elements ......................................................................................................................................... 7
VIII. VICARIOUS LIABILITY ............................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Four Relevant Relationships ............................................................................................................ 7
IX. JOINT TORTFEASORS ............................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Contribution ................................................................................................................................... 7
2. Indemnification .............................................................................................................................. 7
X. LOSS OF CONSORTIUM ............................................................................................................................................. 8
1. What is recoverable? ...................................................................................................................... 8
V. TRUSTS
I. OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Uniform Trust Code ......................................................................................................................... 1
2. Vocabulary...................................................................................................................................... 1
II. REQUIREMENTS FOR CREATION .................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Basic Components ........................................................................................................................... 1
2. Oral Trusts ...................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Intent to Create a Trust ................................................................................................................... 1
4. Lawful Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 1
5. The Rule Against Perpetuities .......................................................................................................... 1
i. CL Rule .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
ii. Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities ................................................................................................... 2
iii. Va’s Personal Property Exception ..................................................................................................................... 2
iv. Model Answer .................................................................................................................................................. 2
III. REVOCABLE TRUSTS AND WILL SUBSTITUTES ................................................................................................................. 2
1. Inter Vivos Trusts ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Pour‐over Devices ........................................................................................................................... 2
3. Self‐Declaration of Trust ................................................................................................................. 2
4. Contests of Trusts ........................................................................................................................... 2
5. Durable Powers of Attorney ............................................................................................................ 3
IV. SPECIAL TRUSTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Charitable Trusts ............................................................................................................................. 3
2. Honorary Trusts .............................................................................................................................. 3
3. Constructive Trusts ......................................................................................................................... 3
4. Resulting Trusts .............................................................................................................................. 3
5. Spendthrift Trusts ........................................................................................................................... 3
V. DUTIES OF A TRUSTEE .............................................................................................................................................. 4
1. General Duties ................................................................................................................................ 4
2. Self‐Dealing .................................................................................................................................... 4
i. Trustee’s Obligation ......................................................................................................................................... 4
ii. Statute of Limitations ....................................................................................................................................... 4
iii. Waiver .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
VI. TRUST ADMINISTRATION PROBLEMS ........................................................................................................................... 5
1. Trustee Powers ............................................................................................................................... 5
2. Prudent Investments ....................................................................................................................... 5
i. Uniform Prudent Investor Act ........................................................................................................................... 5
ii. Uniform Principal & Income Act ....................................................................................................................... 5
iii. Expenses ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
3. Delegation by Trustee ..................................................................................................................... 5
4. Trustee Liability .............................................................................................................................. 5
i. Torts ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
ii. Contracts .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
5. Multiple Trustees ............................................................................................................................ 5
VII. MODIFICATION AND EARLY TERMINATION OF TRUSTS...................................................................................................... 5
1. Modification During Settlor’s Lifetime ............................................................................................. 5
2. Modification After Settlor’s Death ................................................................................................... 5
3. Court’s Power to Modify ................................................................................................................. 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS xix

4. Division or Combination of Trusts .................................................................................................... 6
5. Reformation to Correct Mistakes .................................................................................................... 6
W. WILLS & ESTATES
I. INTESTATE SUCCESSION ............................................................................................................................................ 1
1. Application of these rules ................................................................................................................ 1
2. Survived By Spouse ......................................................................................................................... 1
3. Other rules ..................................................................................................................................... 1
4. Statutory Rights of Surviving Spouse: REFH ..................................................................................... 1
i. Residence ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Exempt personal property up to $15k .............................................................................................................. 1
iii. Family Allowance up to $18k ........................................................................................................................... 1
iv. Homestead allowance up to $15k .................................................................................................................... 1
5. Special Rules ................................................................................................................................... 1
i. Half‐bloods ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
ii. Adopted children .............................................................................................................................................. 1
iii. Non‐marital children ........................................................................................................................................ 1
iv. Father inheriting from non‐marital child .......................................................................................................... 2
6. Simultaneous Death Rule ................................................................................................................ 2
7. Inter vivos Gifts ............................................................................................................................... 2
i. Advancements .................................................................................................................................................. 2
ii. Ademption by Satisfaction ............................................................................................................................... 2
8. Disclaimer (Renunciation) by Heir or Beneficiary ............................................................................. 2
9. Slayer Statute ................................................................................................................................. 2
II. EXECUTION OF WILLS .............................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Changes in Virginia Wills Statute: Formality Forgiveness .................................................................. 2
2. Requirements for a Witnessed Will ................................................................................................. 3
vi. Codicils ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
3. Requirements for a Holographic Will ............................................................................................... 3
4. Proof of Wills in Probate ................................................................................................................. 3
i. Procedure ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
ii. Ancillary Probate .............................................................................................................................................. 3
iii. Self‐Proved Will ................................................................................................................................................ 3
5. Attorney Liability for Negligence ..................................................................................................... 3
III. LAPSED GIFTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
1. Virginia anti‐lapse statute ............................................................................................................... 4
2. Special Rule for Lapse in a Residuary Gift ........................................................................................ 4
3. Class Gifts ....................................................................................................................................... 4
IV. CHANGES IN FAMILY AFTER WILL IS EXECUTED .............................................................................................................. 4
1. Omitted Spouse .............................................................................................................................. 4
2. Divorced Spouse ............................................................................................................................. 4
3. Omitted Child ................................................................................................................................. 5
V. REVOCATION OF WILLS ............................................................................................................................................ 5
1. Requirements for Revocation .......................................................................................................... 5
2. Presumptions Regarding Revocation ............................................................................................... 5
3. Revival of Revoked Wills ................................................................................................................. 5
i. Overview of Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 5
ii. Revoke the Revoking Will ................................................................................................................................. 5
iii. Dependent Relative Revocation (DRR) ............................................................................................................. 5
iv. Proof of Lost Wills ............................................................................................................................................ 5
v. Implied Revocation ........................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Changes on Face of Will After Executed ........................................................................................... 6
VI. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TESTAMENTARY GIFTS ...................................................................................................... 6
1. Four Types of Bequests ................................................................................................................... 6
2. Insufficient Assets ........................................................................................................................... 6
3. Estate Taxes .................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Ademption by Extinction ................................................................................................................. 6
b. Loss of Property by Destruction or Condemnation ...................................................................................................... 6
c. Guardian’s Sale of Specific Assets ............................................................................................................................... 7
d. Bequest of Securities ................................................................................................................................................... 7
5. Exoneration of Liens ........................................................................................................................ 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS xx

VII. RELIANCE ON EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE AND ACTS ................................................................................................................ 7
1. Mistakes or Ambiguities .................................................................................................................. 7
i. Plain Meaning .................................................................................................................................................. 7
ii. Latent and Patent Ambiguities ......................................................................................................................... 7
2. Incorporation by Reference ............................................................................................................. 7
3. Legal List ......................................................................................................................................... 7
4. Acts of Independent Significance ..................................................................................................... 7
5. Bequests of All Personal Property ................................................................................................... 7
6. Powers of appointment................................................................................................................... 7
VIII. OTHER WILLS DOCTRINES ......................................................................................................................................... 8
1. Contracts and Wills ......................................................................................................................... 8
i. Contracts Relating to Wills ............................................................................................................................... 8
ii. Wills as Contracts ............................................................................................................................................. 8
2. Nonprobate Assets (Will Substitutes) .............................................................................................. 8
IX. ELECTIVE SHARE STATUTE ......................................................................................................................................... 8
1. Recap of Rights of Surviving Spouse ................................................................................................ 8
2. Elective share .................................................................................................................................. 8
3. Procedure for Election by Spouse .................................................................................................... 8
4. Computing the Augmented Estate ................................................................................................... 9
X. WILL CONTESTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
1. Standing to Contest ......................................................................................................................... 9
2. Lack of Testamentary Capacity ........................................................................................................ 9
3. Undue Influence ............................................................................................................................. 9
4. No Contest Clauses ....................................................................................................................... 10
XI. ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ....................................................................................................................................... 10
1. Jurisdiction for Probate ................................................................................................................. 10
2. Appointment ................................................................................................................................ 10

TABLE OF CONTENTS xxi
* * *
JULY 2009 VIRGINIA BAR EXAM – MASTER OUTLINE ^ denotes rarely tested material, * denotes heavily tested material
I. PREMARITAL ISSUES AND MARRIAGE FORMATION
1. Ante-nuptial Agreements
i. Generally
a. This is a contract in contemplation of marriage.
b. Typically it deals with economic issues if the marriage is unsuccessful.
1) It can also deal with child support and estate planning (promises to make will
provisions).
ii. Requirements for a valid prenup:
a. In writing (S/F)
b. An actual marriage
c. Voluntary (K must be voluntary—true of all Ks)
d. Not unconscionable. Factors:
1) Failure to disclose financial assets
2) One spouse has counsel and the other didn’t
3) Time pressure
4) Business experience of the parties
5) Did contesting spouse appreciate the rights being forgone
iii. Changes to prenup
a. Allowed (even during marriage) but requires both parties’ consent and in writing
2. Marriage Formation
i. Must Have Capacity
a. Two kinds
1) Capacity to enter into a conventional commercial K
2) And special capacities as well
b. (These issues usually arise in annulment)
ii. Must be of opposite sexes
iii. License
a. You get one from the clerk of the court
b. Requires a fee
c. No blood test required
d. You have two months to have the ceremony to finalize the marriage
iv. Marriage Ceremony
a. Requirements
1) Must be officiated (clergy or govt official—anyone who can administer an oath)
2) One witness
3) Exchange of promises
b. Curing statute
1) A defect in the license or lack of authority of the officiate will not affect the marriage
so long as couples acted in good faith
II. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
1. Annulment
i. Backwards-looking: it is based on a problem that existed before the marriage but comes to light after.
ii. Grounds for Annulment (“Impediments”)
a. Grounds making a marriage void
1) Bigamy (also a crime)
2) Incest: includes ancestors, descendants, siblings (even adoptive), or lineal relatives
within one generation (i.e., uncles or nephews)
3) Parties were minors (or were 16 or older and parental consent)
i) Exception: A girl under 16 who is pregnant/has a baby can get married to the
father with a parent’s consent
ii) Note: This can be waived by ratifying the marriage by staying in it after 18
b. Grounds making a marriage voidable
1) Legal incapacity: mental illness, under influence of drugs/alcohol at time of ceremony
i) Can waive but only once you have capacity
ii) To void the marriage, the person will need to sue by next friend
2) Physical Duress
i) Must be an outright physical threat (i.e., not economic or legal threats)
L. Domestic Relations  II. Dissolution of Marriage  1. Annulment L- 1

* * *
JULY 2009 VIRGINIA BAR EXAM – MASTER OUTLINE ^ denotes rarely tested material, * denotes heavily tested material
I. FOUND PROPERTY
1. Abandoned Property
i. Is it abandoned?
a. Personal property is abandoned if the owner has given up possession with the intent to give up
title and control
ii. Has someone acquired rights in it?
a. Finder must take possession with the intent to assert title and control
2. Lost Property
i. Parties
a. True owners always win
b. The only parties that matter in this scenario then will be the person who owns the land on
which the property is found and the finder
ii. Lost property: found property where the owner took no voluntary act in placing the property where it is
found.
iii. Rule: For lost property, the finder wins over the owner and occupier of the premises
a. Exceptions:
1) Highly private locus: If lost property is found in a highly private locus, the
owner/occupier wins.
i) Highly-private locus = a place not open to the public (e.g., home or private
office)
2) If the finder is a trespasser, the owner or occupier of the premises will win
3) The master prevails over the servant who finds
3. Mislaid Property
i. Found property where the owner has taken some affirmative act in placing it down, and the owner has
left it behind. (I.e., forgot where it was.)
ii. If property is mislaid, the owner or occupier of the premises on which the property is found will prevail
over the founder
II. GIFTS
1. General rule
i. A valid gift passes title
2. Intervivos gifts
i. Three requirements:
a. Donative intent
1) This is the intent to pass title (not possession, but title)
2) This is easier to find when the donor/donee are closely related
b. Valid delivery
1) Easy: Delivery is valid if the donee is already in possession
i) You can also hand over something representative of an item rather than the
item itself (e.g., giving someone keys to a car or a password to a savings
account)
2) Four situations
i) Donor makes a check or promissory check to donee and gives it to donee.
a) NOT a valid delivery until the check is cashed or note is paid.
ii) Donor hands donee a check or a note made out to donor by a third party
a) This is valid delivery.
iii) Donor hands donee a stock certificate representing shares in a corporation.
a) This IS a valid delivery (even if the donor hasn’t told the corporation
or endorsed the stock over to the donee)
iv) The donor uses a middleman to get the gift from the donor to the donee
a) If the middleman is donee’s agent, there is valid delivery when it is
handed over to the middleman.
b) Otherwise, delivery isn’t valid until the gift gets to the donee.
c) When in doubt, construe the agent to be the donor's agent.
d) If the donee is a minor, then construe the agent to be the donee’s
agent.
c. Valid acceptance
1) Can be express OR implied by silence
Q. Personal Property  II. Gifts  2. Intervivos gifts Q- 1

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Sample From Master Outline For July 2009 Virginia Bar Exam

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JULY 2009 VIRGINIA BAR EXAM – MASTER OUTLINE

L. Domestic Relations  II. Dissolution of Marriage  1. Annulment L- 1

Q. Personal Property  II. Gifts  2. Intervivos gifts Q- 1

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