About Kimberly A.
Kimberly A. Oakes began her academic path in the sciences. She earned a B.S. in Microbiology from Penn State University in 1984. That scientific training preceded her decision to study law. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with a J.D. in 1991.
Her career has been primarily rooted in Pennsylvania. Over the years she joined MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton and advanced to a partner role. As a partner she has handled matters that require admission to multiple courts and coordination across procedural rules. Colleagues describe her as methodical; she prefers careful preparation and clear written work.
Ms. Oakes is admitted in Pennsylvania and to all courts of the Commonwealth. She also holds admission in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Those admissions allow her to represent clients in both state and federal proceedings. She regularly appears in filings and appellate matters that arise in those forums.
Outside the courtroom she engages with professional groups that connect lawyers and allied professionals. She holds current membership in the Pennsylvania State Bar and the Erie County Bar Association. She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and sits on the Board of Directors of Collaborative Professionals of Northwest Pennsylvania. That board role involves coordinating educational programs and outreach to local practitioners and community stakeholders.
Her practice at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton combines courtroom admissions, bar association involvement, and collaborative professional work. She balances litigation-related responsibilities with collaborative approaches when appropriate. In recent years she has been active in matters that benefit from cross-disciplinary coordination between legal and collaborative professionals. She continues to serve as a partner at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, where her practice includes work in Pennsylvania and federal courts.
