Clara von Harling studied law at the University of Freiburg and the University of Helsinki in Finland. In addition to the German state examination, she earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from SOAS University of London as a Friedrich Ebert Foundation scholar. 

During her legal clerkship at the Berlin Higher Regional Court (Kammergericht), she gained experience at the German Federal Film Board (FFA) and in the legal department of a leading German film production company.

Since 2023, Clara von Harling has been practicing as a lawyer at Schertz Bergmann, specializing in media law, defamation, and strategic counsel for businesses facing high profile or sensitive press coverage.