Law graduate collapsed during intensive bar exam... but proctors refused to pause the test, lawsuit alleges

A law graduate who collapsed during a bar exam has alleged that proctors refused to pause the test as she suffered a cardiac arrest, a lawsuit claims.

Mary Jane Jung, 36, suffered a medical emergency as she sat the New York state bar in July last year.

But as she began to 'gasp for air and cry out in distress,' exam officials failed to offer timely medical attention and scolded fellow test-takers for trying to help, a lawsuit filed on Wednesday claims. 

The New Jersey-native said she lost consciousness and suffered a serious brain injury on July 30, 2025, at Hofstra University.

The grueling test takes around twelve hours over the course of two days.

Jung, one of around 600 examinees, began 'gasping for air, crying out, losing consciousness' and eventually turned blue as she collapsed in the exam hall shortly before a set lunch break, the complaint obtained by the Daily Mail stated. 

'The unmistakable signs of cardiac arrest unfolded before hundreds of people present in the room,' the filing said. 

'Yet, despite the obvious severity of the situation, Defendants' agents and employees failed to response with the urgency required by such a medical emergency.'

Jung claimed that exam proctors failed to immediately call emergency services and life-saving efforts, including CPR and the use of a defibrillator, were not administered 'during the critical early minutes' of cardiac arrest. 

'Instead, proctors instructed candidates to continue working on the examination,' the filing continued. 

Samantha Portillo, who was sat two rows in front of Jung, told Newsday at the time: 'We were just expected to continue with the test while somebody's literally losing their pulse behind me. It was really inhumane.'

According to Jung, examinees who attempted to stand or move away from the scene 'were reprimanded or discouraged from doing so' and at least one proctor admonished a candidate who tried to help Jung. 

'During this time, [Jung] lay unconscious and without adequate medical intervention,' the document said. 

'The delay in providing lifesaving assistance significantly reduce [Jung's] chances of avoiding serious injury and increased the risk of permanent neurological damage.'

It wasn't until the exam session ended that emergency responders were allowed into the room and attend to the hopeful lawyer, as administrators told other examinees that Jung was 'okay,' the complaint claimed. 

'As a direct result of these failures, [Jung] suffered severe physical injury, neurological complications, emotional trauma and significant economic harm,' the filing said. 

Joseph Landau, dean of Fordham Law School, told Newsday at the time: 'We were saddened to learn of what happened to one of our graduates during the New York bar exam this week and have been in touch with the family to monitor the graduate’s health.'

'Our thoughts are with the graduate and the family, and out of respect for their privacy, we do not have any further comment,' Landau added.

The lawsuit accused the state and its Board of Law Examiners of negligence, and said the proctors had a duty to 'exercise reasonable care in administering the bar examination and ensuring the safety of examinees.'

Jung also claimed that the defendants failed to properly train proctors and examination personnel for such emergency situations and failed to implement adequate safety protocols for medical emergencies, the document stated. 

As a result, Jung said she was diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation, required the implantation of a defibrillator device, continues to be monitored by cardiology specialists and suffered memory loss and cognitive impairment as well as emotional trauma and phycological distress, according to the complaint. 

Jung also claimed that she will continue to incur substantial medical costs in her future, and her professional career as well as her quality and enjoyment of life has been 'significantly disrupted.'

'We hope to see accountability through this lawsuit, and bring some closure of a traumatic and painful experience for our client,' Imran Ansari, Jung's attorney, said in a statement to NJ.com.

'More importantly, Ms Jung’s ordeal will resonate and effectuate change in the manner the test is administered and how those who host the test takers accommodate their needs, particularly in the event of a medical emergency.'

A GoFundMe, created by Jung's friend and fellow Fordham Law School graduate Annette Lopez, described Jung as a 'loving, caring, supportive and hilarious wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.'

'I have been lucky to know her strength since our first semester in law school, where we met,' the fundraiser said. 

The GoFundMe was intended to help Jung with her medical costs and raised over $30,000, the outlet reported. 

Carmen Beauchump Ciparick, a former judge and current chairperson of the Board of Law Examiners, told the New York Post that the university responded to Jung’s emergency within two and a half minutes after she collapsed, and three and a half minutes before the exam lunch break. 

Jung is seeking unspecified compensation for past and future physical, emotional and financial damages to be determined by the court in a trial, as well as any further relief deemed appropriate.

The Daily Mail reached out to Fordham Law School, Hofstra University and the state Board of Law Examiners for comment.