The American Bar Association encourages firms to give 50 hours of pro bono work to their lawyers each year, allowing for the underprivileged to get an equal chance for legal service. Sara L. Woods, 33, the executive director of Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP), has devoted her entire career to the public sector of legal work, giving all of her time to pro bono cases and those who are underprivileged.

"It wasn't a question of whether or not to work in the public sector, it was a question of where," said Woods. Woods said she saw herself working on the front lines of legal services at a law firm after graduation, which she thought would last 25 years. However, she joined the legal world in a different form: public service.

Woods never made it to a law firm, choosing instead to become an attorney with the Women Against Abuse Center straight from Villanova School of Law in 1997.

After two years practicing women's advocacy there, Woods took a pro bono case from Philadelphia VIP. One thing led to another, and she became executive director of VIP in May 2007.

Woods says what she loves most about VIP is "we are helping people who need it most, and that we are providing an opportunity for people to volunteer." Woods says she serves primarily as a manager now, but she keeps one pro bono case open at all times.

VIP has been providing legal service since 1981, recruiting and training volunteer lawyers to handle a broad range of pro bono cases. VIP helps over 1,000 individuals and families obtain the legal service they need each year.

Woods' job as executive director is to recruit lawyers, fundraise and work with the board of directors to set an overall vision for the organization. She manages 11 staff members, who work along side Woods to bring sufficient legal service to the community.

Woods says her career thus far "has been the most rewarding career for me in the public sector." She says her biggest accomplishment at VIP so far is having the largest fundraising year ever for VIP last year.

"She has done a tremendous job, filled every expectation. ... She inspired me to take cases and to give to VIP at levels I've never given before. She has really galvanized people around the cause," said Kim Dolan, a chairwoman on the board of directors at VIP, about Woods.

Woods feels fortunate and privileged to be so active and involved with pro bono work at such a young age. "I feel like I need to work extra hard because I have been given a great responsibility."

INVOLVED FROM THE START

Woods finds that one of the greatest accomplishments in her life is being the first person in her family to acquire a law degree.

Woods was born in Lilburn, Ga., but grew up in Philadelphia. Her mother and father were a great influence to her career. Her mother's volunteer work introduced Woods to the field of public service at a young age, and her father's feminist views influenced her opinions, interests and future goals as an advocate for women.

Woods is involved with many women's rights organizations, and has been since her freshman year of college at Pennsylvania State University, which she attended from 1992 to 1996. She was involved with "Womyn's Concerns Group" at PSU, which advocated for women's rights and helped co-found other such groups on campus.

After graduating with a B.A. with honors from Penn State, Woods went to work as a counselor and advocate at Delaware County Women Against Rape. She then proceeded to law school at Villanova University School of Law in 1997. Graduating with her J.D. cum laude in 2000, Woods says she had a range of opportunities ahead. She decided to go back to Villanova in 2003, getting her masters in public administration in 2005.

Her post-law school path was "not what I expected," Woods said. She views her education and training as a lawyer as a privilege others do not have.

"Lawyers have given privileges and should use them for the greater good," says Woods. As a result, she says, she feels she should use her experience and her privilege to give back to the community through her pro bono work.

Having had female friends and family suffer from abuse, Woods says she has a strong connection to women's rights advocacy. Almost her entire career has been based on it: She was staff attorney at the Women Against Abuse Center from 2000 to 2002, and she worked on the Domestic Abuse Project in Delaware County for a short period of time. She was also Director of Public Service Careers and pro bono programs at Villanova School of Law for five years, from 2002 to 2007.

PASSING ON THE RESPONSIBILITY

Not only is Woods the executive director at VIP, she is also a model of community involvement for all young lawyers. She serves as the board secretary and as a member of the Young Women's Initiative advisory board on the board of directors of Women's Way, which strives for equality and freedom of women's rights. She is vice president of Lion's Paw Alumni Association board of directors, which promotes the welfare of the Penn State community. Woods is also a member of the advisory board of the Crime Victim's Law Project.

Passing on the privilege of a legal education is important to Woods as well. Currently, she is an adjunct professor at Villanova University School of Law, teaching a public interest lawyering course, as well as advising students about their career goals. Woods advises her students to "get involved early, make it a habit to work hard, and to listen to your gut."

The people working around Woods say they feel fortunate to be able to have her as a friend and co-worker. She has brought her personal experience, privileged education and determination to her work and continues to be an influence to those around her.

"Sara is a consummate professional, she is enthusiastic and committed to issues, organizations and people she cares about. She sets a tremendous example for anyone who works with her. She has an entrepreneurial spirit that makes her successful at any mission she chooses to pursue," said Elaine Petrossian, the assistant dean at Villanova University School of Law.

Woods says her gut and her heart are in public service work, so VIP is the right choice for her.

"I can't imagine not working in the public sector. I see myself here for a long time," she said.

Philadelphia is privileged to have her.