Karen Oakes raised five children as a single parent. In 1989, she attended Shasta College where she obtained five 2-year degrees/certificates. After graduation in 1991, she moved to Virginia. While in Virginia, she obtained an undergraduate degree from Averett College. Following graduation from Averett in 1995, she and the family relocated to Idaho, where Ms. Oakes attended University of Idaho College of Law. She graduated with her juris doctorate in 1998 and relocated yet again—this time to Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Since arriving in Klamath Falls, she has worked for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court (as a law clerk for the judges), the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office (as a deputy district attorney), and Oregon Institute of Technology (as adjunct teaching faculty). Since 2001, she has operated her own law practice. In 2004, the practice has focused solely on bankruptcy and consumer protection issues