Professional Background

Sarah Woodward is the Executive Director of Burrill Poole PLLC, where she oversees the firm’s operational, financial, and administrative functions in support of its strategic objectives and client service standards. Working closely with the Leadership Team, she provides firm-wide leadership across operations, finance, human resources, compliance, and infrastructure, ensuring that internal systems and processes align with the firm’s legal practice and long-term growth goals.

Sarah brings more than a decade of experience in legal operations, contract management, and organizational leadership across both law firm and corporate environments. Her background includes managing complex administrative and financial workflows, supporting legal teams and executive leadership, and developing scalable systems that promote efficiency, accountability, and consistency.

Prior to joining Burrill Poole, Sarah held senior paralegal and contract management roles where she led process development initiatives, coordinated cross-functional teams, and served as a key liaison between legal, finance, human resources, and external stakeholders.

Areas of Focus

• Firm Operations and Strategic Execution:
  Sarah oversees day-to-day firm operations and supports the implementation of firm-wide initiatives, policies, and long-term planning efforts, with an emphasis on operational efficiency and strategic alignment.
• Financial and Administrative Management:
  She manages budgeting, financial reporting, billing and collections, trust accounting coordination, vendor relationships, and internal reporting, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards and internal controls.
• Human Resources and Professional Support:
  Sarah leads non-attorney staff hiring, onboarding, development, and performance management, and supports attorney staffing, productivity, and compensation planning.
• Compliance, Technology, and Infrastructure:
  She oversees compliance with ethical, regulatory, and employment requirements; manages technology and practice management systems; and administers facilities and third-party service providers.

Approach and Commitment

Sarah brings a practical, detailed, and collaborative approach to firm leadership. She is committed to building reliable systems and processes that support attorneys, staff, and clients while advancing the firm’s operational integrity and strategic goals. Her work is grounded in responsiveness, clarity, and a strong understanding of the operational demands of a modern law firm.