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 Headshot

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

Professional Licenses

Professional Memberships


Maralise Fegan head shot

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

Professional Licenses

Other Professional Experience

Ava (dog) head shot
Lexi (dog) head shot

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.