Hot Bench: Greg McKnight ’26

Hi Greg, I wanted to thank you for being this week’s Hot Bench guest!

Of course!

To start off, I wanted to introduce you to the people. Give us the basics: name, hometown, year.

I’m Greg McKnight, I’m from Woodbridge, Virginia, and I am a 3L.

My fellow Virginian! I know what you did this summer, but the people don’t know what you did this summer. So what did you do this summer?

This summer, I was doing appellate litigation with DC Legal Aid.

Yes, love a good public service job! What was your favorite part of the job?

I had really smart supervisors, like both of them were coming from multiple federal clerkships and Ivy League schools. I feel like they really taught me how to be a better writer.

That’s so real. My favorite part of my job was also getting to learn and be around the super smart attorneys. What was your favorite non-job experience this summer?

Probably hanging out with my cats.

Aww!

My sister has three cats, the Powerpuff girls—Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. Every day being with the cats, it was like—this is it, this isn’t even just luxury, like this is how life should be.

Oh my gosh, are y’all going to dress them up for Halloween, or do they not like dressing up?

We might as well dress them up.

You have to send pictures, that is the cutest collection of cat names. You mentioned the big 3L. How is this semester going? How do you feel?

I feel like it’s the best one so far. Like 1L fall was kind of like summer camp, it was a little too much fun, then it kind of balanced out. But 3L feels like you can’t scare me anymore, I know what to expect.

Yes, you’re true to this, not new to this.

Yep!

Are you 3LOLing or are you locked in?

I’m trying to, but I made the mistake of becoming responsible. People need me now for things. I’m planning things for ACS, and I’m mentoring multiple people.

Aww, look at you supporting the community and being a pillar! I want to give a shout-out cause you’re also the Editor-in-Chief of my journal—the Social Policy and the Law Journal.

That’s true. I downplay that a lot, but that is kind of a big deal.

Yes, that’s such a big deal!

It really is a lot of management, and a lot of decisions and emails. It’s also really nice to have it in my email signature. I feel like when I email people with my signature, it adds some respect behind my name.

The biggest, like Beyoncé said! Now, what are you most looking forward to this year, as it is our last?

Libel show.

Libel?!

That’s my Super Bowl for this year. Honestly, after Libel show, we should all just graduate because that will be my peak.

Are you in the writer’s room?

I haven’t gone yet, but I will make an appearance.

I was about to say you need to get in there, because last year it was way too long. No shade to the Libel people, but it was too much.

Yes, need to trim it down.

Yeah, you need to get in there and whip them into shape.

It’s going to be funny and succinct.

That’s what I’m talking about, that’s what I need. Now, in Hot Bench tradition, time for the lighting round. This one is “fall edition.” You ready?

I’m ready!

Apple cider or hot chocolate?

Apple cider.

Rocky Horror Picture Show or Little Shop of Horrors?

Rocky Horror.

Wrong answer, but it’s okay. Pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie?

Sweet potato.

Okay, correct answer! Halloween or Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving, it’s the plates.

It really is, already fantasizing about the plates. College football or pro football?

College football.