Thomas Kutz ’22

Legislator, PA House of Representatives

Thomas Kutz knew from an early age he wanted to have a career in law, specifically as a prosecutor. He also wanted to stay close to home while also attending law school. That’s why he felt Widener Law Commonwealth was a good fit for those reasons – and a few more. 

“Widener Law Commonwealth made perfect sense with its geography and the Law and Government Institute, which offered so many programs and ways to be involved in both county and state government in the heart of Pennsylvania’s capital,” he said. 

During his time at WLC, Kutz worked as an Academic Success Fellow and served as president of the Federalist Society, president of the Republican Law Students Association, and as vice president of the Federal Bar Association. It was his work on Widener Commonwealth Law Review that he felt was the most beneficial “because of the opportunity it provided to grow as a researcher and writer and to contribute to a larger body of work,” he explained.  

Kutz said his First Amendment class with Professor Michael Dimino was the one he found most enjoyable. “As a student in grade school, you are taught to memorize the words of the First Amendment. In law school, you are taught the rationale and stories behind every case and every nuanced rule that shapes the legal landscape through which we exercise our First Amendment freedoms every day.” 

In a similar vein, Kutz found the education he received at WLC to be invaluable to his legal career, both as a state representative and as a member of the Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board. “With both constitutional scholars and industry experts as lecturers, I appreciated the opportunity to gain insight into the legislative process, administrative law, and constitutional law in ways that affect every bill proposed in the General Assembly.”  

His advice for current and potential WLC students: be sure to take advantage of the connections you can make at WLC and at the Pennsylvania Capitol, including internships and externships. “There are opportunities to work in every field of legal work in the private sector and at the county, state and federal levels.”  

Interview was conducted in Winter 2023.