From: Klamath Falls, Oregon

Karen M. Oakes, a NACBA member since early 2004, is our December 2006 Member of the Month. Karen’s accomplishments are extensive.  She currently wears three hats:  she 1) represents consumers in consumer law cases, usually bankruptcy, as a sole practitioner (http://www.oakeslawoffice.com); 2) represents low income tenants as the Legal Aid liaison in Klamath Falls, Oregon (where there is no Legal Aid office); and 3) serves as the Klamath County Justice of the Peace.  In addition, she serves as the Klamath County Bar president, on the Local Bar President  Committee of the Oregon State Bar, as a member of the Oregon State Bar, NACBA, NACA, ABI, National Association of Women Judges, American Judges Association, and the ABA, on the Board of Directors of  Klamath Hospice, and is involved in Rotary International. 

Karen’s pride in fighting for the rights of her clients reflects her own fight to overcome personal challenges.  After marrying young and dropping out of college, Karen returned to community college with the hope of gaining vocational skills.  After graduating with five 2-year degrees/certificates, she found a social services position.   Realizing quickly that higher education might help her get out of poverty, she found a satellite degree program at Averett College, where she obtained her BBA in just 21 months while working full time and being a single mom of five kids, including three adopted children.  She learned that employers were looking for significant work experience (besides being a mom!), and applied to law school. Karen graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1998.

Immediately upon joining NACBA in 2004, Karen started participating in the listserve and has been an active participant ever since.  In addition, she has attended every national NACBA convention since 2004 and all of the 2005 Bankruptcy Act educational sessions.

Karen credits NACBA with strengthening her practice: “I strongly believe that NACBA - and the ethical standards displayed by the members - are responsible for the quality of my work and the success of my practice. I want to thank NACBA for all the assistance and education I have obtained since my membership began.   I so wish that I had found this group earlier in my private practice; the association is invaluable!!”