Karen earned an Honours B.A. in Sociology at the University of Toronto in 1994 and an LL.B. from the University of Windsor in 1999. She articled with Pace Law Firm and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2001.

Karen brings over ten years of litigation experience to the Pace Immigration Team by advocating on behalf of clients before the Federal Court and at all levels of the Immigration and Refugee Board, including detention reviews and refugee hearings; appeals of refusals based on residency obligations, medical inadmissibility, and the bona fides of marriage; and appeals of deportation orders.

Whether advising on visa applications or appeal matters, Karen discusses with clients the best evidence required by visa offices and the Immigration Appeal Division and/or Federal Court. Karen's mission is to preserve a client's rights to present evidence before a decision-maker.

Karen is an Honorary Past President of the University of Toronto Alumni Association and is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the Peel Addiction and Assessment Referral Centre (PAARC), a non-profit organization which counsels persons with addictions to gambling, alcohol and drugs. She has made presentations on Canadian immigration law and procedure to the Canadian Mental Health Association/Peel Branch, Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (now the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council), American Bar Association, The Commons Institute, St. James United Church, YWCA Toronto, and Ontario Bar Association.

In June 2010, Karen appeared in "A Midsummer's Night Dream - The Lawyer Show" produced by Nightwood Theatre in Toronto followed by "Lethal Luau - A Murder Mystery" with the Brampton Music Theatre Group in July and December 2010.

In March 2013, Karen began presenting on the intersection between Canadian immigration law and health care at Kitchener Grand River Hospital, Trillium Health Partners, Toronto East General Hospital and Markham-Stouffville Hospital in light of the increasing diversity of patients with immigration questions.

Karen is an Arbor Award recipient, in recognition of her outstanding volunteer service at the University of Toronto. She is the President of the In-Pace Toastmasters Club for the term 2012-2013.

On April 13, 2013, Karen represented Division G at the Evaluation Contest of the District 60 Spring Conference in Toronto.