Hot Bench: Kasey Michaud ’26

Interviewed by Ashanti Jones ’26 — alj3emz@virginia.edu

Hi Kasey! Thank you so much for joining me for this week’s Hot Bench! I want to start the people off with the basics: name, year, and hometown.

My name is Kasey Michaud, and I am a 3L from Boca Raton, Florida.

How was your summer?

I had a great summer! I loved being in D.C. and getting to work at a Big Law firm for the first time. I spent the summer eating good food, exploring the arts, and listening to old playlists. I’m still upset that we didn’t get a song of the summer!

Ah so true! I don’t think anything can replicate how “Espresso” hit the streets last summer. I’ve asked a few D.C.-bound folks already, but are you leaning towards living in D.C. proper or in NoVA?

I have no idea! I lived in the city for the past two summers, but found myself wanting to explore NoVa a lot more this past summer. As long as I can get to work and the museums easily, I’ll be happy.

Those are 100% the correct priorities. How’s your semester going?! What classes are you taking this final fall semester?

My semester has been good! It’s been the most chill semester by far, but I’m still pretty busy with extracurricular stuff and all my hobbies. I’m taking Hallmarks of Distinguished Advocacy, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Legal Storytelling, and I was in the Advanced Topics in Trade Secrets short course.

My gosh, that sounds like the exact opposite of a chill semester! How is finals season looking for you? All exams or some papers in there?

I’ll have two exams and no papers! Once I give my closing argument and turn in my Legal Storytelling portfolio, I’ll have nothing due during the finals period.

Oh, okay, I see where the chill part is coming in, that sounds like a smooth finals season. I also want to sneak in here that you just did the Fourth Year 5K! He’s a runner, he’s a track star! Was this your first 5k?

Yes! Before this semester I had never even run a mile, so it was definitely an intimidating experience.

Tell us more, give us a thorn and a rose!

It was the best of times and the worst of times! It was cool to see so many people come out to take part in this UVA tradition and support such a good cause. My rose was having my friends cheer me on and run with me. My thorn was the pain of running! I don’t know how people do this; the soreness I felt afterwards makes me never want to run again.

Oof, the after-run pain is no joke! On a scale from one to ten, how likely are you to do another 5k?

Two, I think I’ll end my running career on a high, at least for the time being! But as a young professional in D.C., I fear the run club propaganda might just get to me. If I do run another one, I hope the route is less hilly.

Ah, yes, the D.C. running club culture is strong. One of the other summer associates at my job this summer joined a running club like two weeks in! I also want to shout out your work on Student Council! I don’t know how I stayed at the law school after hours without the student market now that it’s here, such a plus, and you were a big part of making it happen! Any other things on the horizon with Student Council?

Thanks! It’s always great to see our advocacy working, and I’m so glad that people like the new dining changes. In a perfect world, we would end the school year with composting at the Law School, a more comfortable gym experience, even more 24-hour dining options, and a pothole-free parking lot.

We would have to hold a parade in your honor if you guys could fix the parking lot potholes. Moving on to a Law Weekly tradition, the lightning round. And it’s the Thanksgiving edition! Turkey or ham?

Turkey!

Mac and cheese or mashed potatoes?

I’m very particular about my cheese, but a top-tier mac and cheese, like my dad’s baked lobster mac and cheese, will trump the most elite mashed potatoes.

Ouu fancy fancy! Cornbread or rolls?

Cornbread!

Pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie?

Pumpkin pie, but apple pie à la mode is the superior third option.

Wait, I actually agree, love apple pie! Macy’s parade or the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special?

Macy’s parade, but only because I don’t remember anything about the Charlie Brown special, or if I’ve ever even seen it.

Ah, what?! Definitely have to show it to you! Tree up before or after Thanksgiving?

After, or put it up on Thanksgiving day.

To outline over Thanksgiving break or not to outline over Thanksgiving break?

Outline over break, unfortunately, but take Thanksgiving day off!