Ms. Barale graduated from Georgetown University in 1972 with a B.S. in Chinese and Russian languages, including studies at Taiwan Fujen University (1969-1970) and St. Petersburg University (1972).  She received a Master's degree in Chinese linguistics from the University of Hawaii in 1974.  In 1980, she graduated from George Washington University National Law Center. 

Ms. Barale is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the American Bar Association. 

Ms. Barale reads and speaks Mandarin Chinese fluently.