From 1988 through 2001, Ms. Padgett practiced in the areas of governmental and public institutions law, focusing the majority of her practice on the representation of school districts. She advised school boards and their administrations on a wide variety of matters including employment, zoning, student discipline, contract issues, election issues, desegregation, school finance, tax abatement, dress codes, religious activities of students, the Missouri Open Meetings Act, sovereign immunity, and official immunity.

In 2001, Sandy took a personal sabbatical from the practice of law to devote most of her time to raising her four sons who were born between 1992 and 1999. During that time, she was active in the community. She volunteered in her sons’ schools, serving as treasurer of the parent association, as a chair of numerous committees, and at the classroom level. She served as president and trustee of her neighborhood subdivisions. She chaired committees at her church and was most recently a member of the search committee for the selection of a new rector. In 2009, Ms. Padgett became a Court Appointed Special Advocate, advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children.