Karen Khalil was elected to the 17th District Court in November of 1992, and re-elected in November of 1998. She is a graduate of Redford Union High School, Albion College and the University of Detroit School of Law. Judge Khalil's legal background was a staff attorney for Chrysler Corporation prior to her election to the bench.

Judge Khalil is a member of the Ameriguard Board of Trustees for Garden City Hospital, the Michigan District Judges Association, the Detroit Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and the National Association of Women Judges. She is also a member of the Unit Management Council for the Boys and Girls Club and founder and member of the Commission on Children's Issues in Redford.