The dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law will step down after the 2012 school year and return to the classroom.

Mary Crossley was appointed in 2005 and said she will spend the remainder of her time finalizing the projects she orchestrated as dean.

"My main goal is to really work on making sure the initiatives we've gotten started during my time as dean are on solid footing," said Ms. Crossley, who announced Thursday she would step down.

As dean, Ms. Crossley has reformed the law school's curriculum, particularly for first-year law students, and developed outreach initiatives in Washington, D.C., to enhance employment opportunities for students. She also has worked on programs that deal with entrepreneurship and energy development.

Ms. Crossley said the next dean should be able to take the strengths that are already established at the law school and continue to build on them.

A Pitt news release said the school will begin the search for a new dean within the next few weeks.

It expects to finalize its decision by spring 2012.

Pitt spokesman Robert Hill said in an email that Pitt will consider candidates from within the university as well as outside sources. Ms. Crossley was a professor at Florida State University College of Law before becoming the dean at Pitt.

Once she steps down, Ms. Crossley anticipates teaching classes related to health care law -- her area of expertise -- as well as other classes.

First Published: May 7, 2011, 8:00 a.m.