Upon her graduation from law school, Oakes accepted a position with the Michigan House of Representatives as a policy analyst.

[7] With the departure of Oakes' predecessor and her subsequent election to the Michigan House of Representatives, she served in the legislature for the lame duck session of 2010.

[8] In December 2011, Oakes appeared as a guest on Off the Record (WKAR TV series), a weekly, political talk program broadcast statewide on PBS member stations throughout Michigan.

The topic of discussion included Michigan's Medical Marijuana law and Oakes' future political ambitions.

The Truth Team intends to secure grassroots and online supporters to promote President Barack Obama’s presidential achievements while holding Republicans accountable.

[12] Oakes ran unsuccessfully for Michigan's 32nd district Senate seat in 2014, but was soundly defeated by now-Senator Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth).

In accepting the job, she said that playing a crucial role in the Flint saga was important for her because everything else depends on how she and her team approach the legal challenges ahead.

[16]" It was reported on April 3, 2017 that Oakes had filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against Weaver and the city of Flint, alleging she was dismissed for objecting to "fraudulent legal documents" and other illegal acts.