Paula Kirlin is an accomplished legal professional, educator, and international policy expert with a background in music and women's studies. She received a Bachelor's degree in Music and Women's Studies from DePauw University before earning a Juris Doctorate in International and Comparative Law from DePaul University College of Law. She completed her education with a Master's degree in International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

After her studies, Paula gained a wealth of professional experience, including serving as a lecturer at both UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design and San Jose State University. She has also held legal and policy leadership positions as the Head of Legal and Policy and Corporate Secretary at HubHaus, as well as Partner positions at both Monchamp Meldrum LLP and Holland & Knight LLP. Paula also worked at DePaul Asylum & Immigration Legal Clinic and as an IPSS Fellow at UNHCR. Her professional experiences extend to public policy internships at Feminist Majority Foundation, an assistant language teacher position in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, and a research assistant position at DePaul International Human Rights Law Institute. She has vast experience in international policy, legal and business matters, women's rights, and immigration law.