Virginia Contract Law Education and Training

Get the right training to protect your business with Virginia state contract law

By Emmet McMahan
Virginia contract law is an exchange of promises that is enforceable by law. Virginia contract law education and training includes a broad range of issues, such as the sale of property, the terms of employment or the settlement of a dispute.

Contract law of Virginia state allows both written and oral contracts. A written contract may be required when making a large purchase such as a car or house, while a smaller purchase like a book may be considered an oral contract. A contract typically requires the following three elements in order to be enforceable:
  1. Mutual consent. VA contract law requires that the parties agree on what the contract covers.
  2. Mutual consideration. The parties must exchange something of value. A contract may not be enforceable if a party is already obligated to provide the consideration or if the consideration is essentially worthless.
  3. Offer and acceptance. The contract contains an offer from one party that is accepted by the other party. A counter-offer is not an acceptance and is typically considered to be a rejection of the offer.

 

Attend a law school that specializes in contract law of VA

There are a variety of universities in Virginia that provide a concentration in commercial law or business law, which typically includes coursework on Virginia contract law.
Try: The University of Virginia School of Law provides a concentration in commercial law, which includes contracts. Regent University School of Law requires its first year law students to take two semesters of contract law.

Obtain Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for a contract lawyer in Virginia

Virginia requires attorneys to stay current on changes in the law through CLE courses. There are a variety of education and training programs in Virginia that provide CLE credit in contract law.
Try: Virginia Continuing Legal Education provides several courses in contract law that count as CLE credit in Virginia. The Virginia State Bar provides current courses that are approved in Virginia for CLE credit, including many courses on contract law in Virginia.

Learn through professional training opportunities on contract law in Virginia

Conferences, seminars and workshops are excellent methods for Virginia contract lawyers to improve their knowledge of the law. This training is typically provided by professional associations, law firms or dedicated providers of legal training.
Try: The Fairfax Bar Association keeps a schedule of upcoming seminars on a variety of legal topics, including contracts. LeClair Ryan is a law firm that holds conferences on contract law topics in Virginia.

 

  • A contract attorney in Virginia should join professional organizations that are dedicated to the practice of contract law in VA. These associations provide a number of resources essential for the practicing contract law attorney, including contact information for important courts, assistance with meeting CLE requirements and links to the recent contract law rulings.