About Us
The Boundary Bay Law Experience
Boundary Bay Law has provided U.S. immigration services to business and individual clients since opening our doors in 2015. Because of our convenient location close to U.S. border with Canada and unmet local demand, we began offering Canadian immigration services in early 2021. We are equipped to provide United States and Canadian immigration services to local and worldwide clients.
Call or email us to book an appointment today!
Our Team
Nicholas Berning
Attorney
Nicholas Berning has practiced immigration law since January 2007. Before co-founding Boundary Bay Law in 2015, he served as the Practice Manager at his previous firm from 2008 to 2015. Nick has represented over 200 EB-5 immigrant investors and E-2 non-immigrant investors. He also has extensive experience with both immigrant and temporary work visas, and with family sponsorship visas.
From 2009 to 2015, Nick served on the Washington State Practice of Law Board, which is responsible for investigating the unlawful practice of law in Washington State. The Washington State Supreme Court appointed Nick to serve as the Practice of Law Board’s Chair in 2012 while the Board finalized the controversial Limited License Legal Technician Rule. The Court also appointed Nick to serve two terms as the Board’s Vice Chair.
Mr. Berning taught Paralegal Studies courses at Whatcom Community College between 2009 and 2014, including courses on Legal Research and Writing, Law Office Technology, and Interviewing and Investigating.
Nick currently serves on the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association’s Washington Chapter Consular Processing Committee. He previously served two terms as the Chair of the Washington Chapter’s Limited License Legal Technician Committee.
Education
2001 - B.A. in Politics and Environmental Studies Whitman College
2005 - Juris Doctor Lewis & Clark Law School
Professional Licenses
Washington State Bar Association since 2006
Law Society of British Columbia since 2021
Professional Memberships
American Immigration Lawyers’ Association since 2007
2013/14 and 2014/15 - Chair of the Washington State Chapter’s Limited License Legal Technician Committee
2011/2012 - Member of the Washington State Chapter Congressional Liaison Committee
Current member of the Washington State Chapter’s Consular Processing Committee
Current member of the Washington State Chapter's Continuing Legal Education Committee
Washington Supreme Court Practice of Law Board 2009-2015
2011/12 - Chair
2012/13 - Vice Chair
2013/14 - Vice Chair
Maralise Fegan
Paralegal & Office Manager
Maralise Fegan moved to Bellingham, Washington to attend Fairhaven College at Western Washington University. In 2003, she graduated with a self-designed B.A. in “Cross Cultural Awareness and Communication in the Mental Health Field.”
Maralise began working with Nicholas Berning in 2011 as an intern for her post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies. Following the completion of her internship, Maralise continued to work with Nick as a paralegal in immigration law. She has experience working on a variety of immigrant and nonimmigrant U.S. visas including applications for investors, extraordinary and exceptional ability workers, religious workers, and family sponsorship categories.
Additionally, Maralise is an adjunct faculty member at Whatcom Community College, where she teaches Law Office Technology for the Paralegal Studies program and serves on the Paralegal Studies Academic Advisory Committee
Education
2003 - B.A. in Cross Cultural Awareness and Communication in the Mental Health Field Western Washington University
2012 - Paralegal Studies Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Whatcom Community College
Professional Licenses
Washington State Notary Public since 2016
Other Professional Experience
Whatcom Community College, Paralegal Studies Academic Advisory Committee 2021-2023, 2023-present (Chair)
Whatcom Community College, Paralegal Studies Adjunct Faculty - Law Office Technology 2021-present
City Council Member, City of Ferndale, WA 2021
Planning Commissioner, City of Ferndale, WA 2020, 2023-present (Chair)
Ava & Lexi
Employee Stress Management Officers
Boundary Bay Law has two ESMOs, Ava and Lexi. Originally from Canada, Ava immigrated to the U.S. in 2014. She is our resident expert in going for walks and napping in the sun. Ava also implemented our waste reduction plan and monitors our progress regularly by checking each of the waste bins for food scraps. Lexi joined us in 2020. She works hard to ensure we do not accidentally leave treats in our pockets and is a diligent napper.