A graduate of American University Washington College of Law, Karpinski has practiced immigration law for over 20 years. She has worked for CLINIC since 1994 and currently provides training and technical assistance to member agencies and other no-profit organizations across the country. She also provides direct representation of clients in the Boston area.

Prior to joining CLINIC, she worked as an associate with the law firm of Wildes and Weinberg in New York and as a staff attorney with the Catholic Migration Office in Brooklyn, New York. She is a member of the New York and Connecticut state bars.