Ms. Padberg completed her undergraduate education at Tufts University in Boston, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in International Relations. She also attended the Taipei Language Institute in Taipei, Taiwan and received a certificate in Chinese Language. She studied law at Georgia State University, and attained her J.D. degree in 1989. Ms. Padberg has been extremely active in Immigration issues both on the local and the national levels. Her memberships and titles have included: 

• AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) Member since 1990
• Asian Interest Group-National Chairperson 1996-97
• Volunteer Driver/Translator, Chinese Olympic Team, 1996
• Atlanta AILA Chapter – Treasurer 1997-98
• Atlanta AILA Chapter – Chairperson, MAP (Military Assistance Program) 2011-present
• Member, Georgia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
• Instructor: People's Law School, Immigration Section, 2001 and 2003
• Georgia CLE Faculty Speaker at Immigration Seminars in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2011.
  Recent Topics: National Interest Waivers, EB1-1 and EB1-2
• Appointed to Serve on Georgia Commission to Study Limited English Proficiency Issues, 1999
• Appointed to serve as a Member, Georgia Commission on Interpreters, 2002-07