Karen K. Wesolowski was born on January 2, 1953, in Appleton, Wisconsin. She received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and a doctorate of laws from the Marshall-Wythe Law School at the College of William and Mary, where she was executive editor of the Law Review. Karen practiced law for 10 years, specializing in corporate and banking law. She first worked at Vedder, Price Kaufman & Kammholz in Chicago, then at the Bank of America and the First National Bank of Chicago, respectively. In 1988, she left the practice of law to be a full-time homemaker. Karen has been involved in teaching Sunday school and Community Bible Study, as well as other various community activities. She and her husband, Jim, reside in McLean, Virginia, with their two children.