The University of Denver is in the early phases of searching for a new dean for the Sturm College of Law, as current Dean Marty Katz, who has served since 2009, prepares to step down in July of 2016. Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Gregg Kvistad said in an interview, the current plan calls for the new dean to take over on July 1 2016.

“We will conduct a national search with the help of a search consultant so that we can reach out as broadly as possible and attract a diverse and impressive candidate pool,” Kvistad said in an interview with the Clarion. “We have just started the process and have not yet created a position description.”

According to Kvistad, the chair of the search committee is Doug Scrivner, who is also the chair of the DU Board of Trustees and an alumnus of the College of Law.

Scrivner said the committee will reach out to the legal community in Denver as part of the search effort.

“The next dean of the Sturm College of Law will be one who is committed to maintaining our deep connections to the legal community in Denver and the surrounding region.”

Scrivner also said the search process will be open to public feedback and comment.

“We will provide many forums for faculty, alumni, students and others to share their thoughts on what qualities the next dean should possess and to nominate specific individuals,” he said.

The committee will be looking for qualities that embody DU’s values according to Chancellor Rebecca Chopp.

“Our next dean should represent the core values of the University of Denver, such as inclusive excellence, innovation and collaboration, and serving the public good,” Chopp explained. “It will be important that the next dean be committed to supporting faculty and students, partnering within the community and preparing graduate who are ‘practice-ready.’”

Chopp also believes that the success of the law school and its strong reputation will make it easier to attract top candidates as the next Dean.

“The Sturm Colege of Law has become a national leader in legal education, moving up more than 20 places in the U.S. News & World Report law school rankings, with six specialty programs ranked in the top 25,” she said. “Dean Katz has provided remarkable leadership. He leaves the law school in a position of great strength, which will help us to attract its next leader.”