Paeten graduated from the University of Kansas in 2016 with a major in Social Welfare and a minor in African Studies. While at KU Paeten studied Kiswahili and in 2013 received a Fulbright Hays Scholarship to travel to Tanzania where she spent time studying women’s rights issues and Kiswahili. In 2013 and 2014 Paeten was also awarded a foreign language and area studies fellowship.

After graduating in 2016, Paeten continued her education at the University of Kansas School of Law. During her time at KU Law, Paeten participated in the legal aid clinic where she represented clients in criminal, juvenile, and civil matters. She also held the position of vice president of the student bar association and was a member of both the International Law Society and Women in Law organization. Paeten worked as a judicial intern for Magistrate Sebellius at the District Court of Kansas in Topeka where she assisted with writing court orders and legal research. Paeten also interned in Arusha, Tanzania at the Tanzanian Women Lawyers Association where she focused on women’s rights and land issues.

She began her practice at a Plaintiff’s firm in 2018. During this time, she gained invaluable experience drafting motions, researching legal issues, being a part of two major trials, and attending court proceedings.

Paeten currently practices at the Denning Law Firm and is on the public defender panel where she volunteers her time representing clients in state court for criminal matters.

Paeten resides in Kansas City with her dog Dutch. She runs a non-profit in East Africa that helps young women who are pregnant. Paeten enjoys painting, spending time with her family, and traveling in her spare time.