Our Immigration Legal Team

Niren and Associates Immigration Lawyers

Michael H. Niren, B.A., LL.B.
Managing Partner and Founder of Niren and Associates

Michael is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association's Citizenship and Immigration Section and the American Bar Association. He is frequently called upon to appear in the media to discuss Canadian and US immigration issues effecting North Americans. He has been interviewed by Canada AM, CTV, Canada News Net, the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star and has given lectures on immigration topics overseas.

Michael Niren's practice philosophy is to provide highly personalized immigration service in an efficient and cost effective manner. Full legal representation is provided from the first stages of the immigration process throughout to your arrival in Canada.

Learn more about Micheal Niren here.

Fadi Minawi, B.A. (HONS.), J.D.
US Counsel to the Firm

Fadi N. Minawi received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Degree from the University of Toledo, College of Law and his Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons.) Degree from the University of Toronto in Political Science and Philosophy. He was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court team and is a recepient of the Reinberger Honors in Prosecution award.

Fadi primarily practices in US Immigration Law. He assists with matters relating to business immigration (including: relocation, expansion, investments, and work visas), litigation, admissibility issues, customs forfeitures and other cross-border issues. Fadi is also a criminal defense attorney and can assist with criminal matters in the US.

Bar admissions: New York
Licensed as a Foreign Legal Consultant, Law Society of Upper Canada

Professional memberships: New York State Bar Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, New York State Defenders Association, and the Bar Association of Erie County.

As an FLC and a New York licensed attorney, Fadi practices at both our Toronto and Buffalo offices.

Mary Keyork, LL.B., LL.M.
Managing Associate, Barrister & Solicitor

Mary Keyork holds a degree in Civil Law from the University of Montreal and a Masters in Transnational Law and Common Law from the University of Sherbrooke.

Mary has appeared before all three Divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board as well as at the Federal Court, successfully representing clients in complex immigration applications and hearings. Mary also assists in US immigration matters, including business immigration, sponsorships, admissibility and cross-border issues.

Mary also has a diverse background of international experiences in Armenia and in Switzerland. Mary is fluent in English, French and Armenian and has conversational abilities in Spanish.

Katherine Yang, B.A., LL.L., LL.B.
Barrister & Solicitor

Katherine graduated from the National Program at the University of Ottawa where she received both her Common Law and Civil Law degrees. She became a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2002. Prior to joining our firm, she gained extensive experience in commercial lending and real estate in private practice and also worked for a branch of the federal Canadian government.

Katherine represents clients in all Canadian immigration and citizenship matters. She also appears before all three Divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board, where she represents clients in refugee hearings, sponsorship appeals, and detention reviews. Katherine also assists with various NAFTA applications, including work visas, sponsorships and cross-border issues. Katherine is dedicated to serving her clients with dedication and commitment.

Katherine is fluent in English, French and Korean.

Vian Sulevani, B.A., LL.B., J.D.
Barrister & Solicitor

Vian attended the Joint J.D./LL.B. Program at the University of Windsor and University of Detroit Mercy, where she received American and Canadian law degrees. Prior to joining our firm, Vian practiced business immigration, real estate and personal injury law.

Vian represents clients in all Canadian immigration and citizenship matters, including the preparation and submission of applications for permanent residence, work permits, NAFTA applications, labour market opinions, temporary resident permits, sponsorships, and business investors. She also regularly makes submissions to embassies, consulates, high commissions and visa posts, as well as ports of entry and inland immigration processing centres.

Vian is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Bar Association (Citizenship and Immigration Section), and the Canadian Bar Association.

Candice L. Moore, B.A. (Hons.), J.D.
Barrister & Solicitor

Candice L. Moore holds a Juris Doctorate from The Pennsylvania State University, where she also earned a certificate in International, Comparative and Foreign Law. She has extensive experience in Canadian and U.S. Immigration and provides strategic advice and legal services to successfully meet the needs of both individual and business clientele.

Admitted to practice in both Florida and the District of Columbia, Candice is also a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Ontario Bar Association (Citizenship and Immigration section), the Canadian Bar Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (Canada chapter).

Tiziana Aiello, LL.L., LL.B.
Associate Lawyer

Tiziana graduated from the National Program at the University of Ottawa where she received both her Common Law and Civil Law degrees. She became a member of the Barreau du Quebec in 1998 and a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2002. Tiziana has been an associate at Niren & Associates since 2003. Prior to joining our firm, she was employed as In-House Counsel at an entertainment company in Montreal.

Tiziana represents clients in all Canadian immigration and citizenship matters. She also appears before all three Divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board, where she represents clients in refugee hearings, sponsorship appeals, and detention reviews. Tiziana also assists with various NAFTA applications, including work visas, sponsorships and cross-border issues.

Tiziana is fluent in English, French and Italian. She is also a member of the Association Quebecoise des Avocats et Avocates en Droit de l'Immigration, Ontario Bar Association and Canadian Bar Association.

Mary L. Zhang, M.A.
Senior Immigration Paralegal

Mary obtained her Master of Arts degree from Hebei University in China in 1996. She further graduated from the Immigration Practitioner Program in Seneca College in 2004, with honours.

Mary L. Zhang has been an Immigration Paralegal since 2001. She has been assisting Michael Niren since 2004. She is experienced in Canada inland and overseas processing for permanent residence and temporary permits, as well as US work visas and Green Card matters.

Laiqa Bushra,
Legal Assistant

Laiqa graduated from Humber College in 2009 where she received her Law Clerk Diploma. Laiqa has been with Niren and Associates since August 2009 and loves the experience she is gaining in Immigration Law.

Laiqa is fluent in English and conversant in Urdu and Punjabi.

Lauren Di Mambro,
Client Service Manager

Lauren has been working at Niren and Associates since May of 2008. She is currently the Client Service Manager at Niren and Associates dealing with all new inquiries and Internet marketing. She also manages the Niren and Associates Facebook and Twitter Pages. She attended York University and is now studying at Ryerson University.

Lauren is Fluent in both French and English.

Cassie Johnstone,
Receptionist

Cassie Johnstone joined the Niren and Associates team in mid 2009. Originally from South Carolina, she attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she double majored in Classical Studies and History.

With an extensive background in customer service, Cassie is the receptionist answering clients' calls, performing administrative duties, and providing a charming ray of sunshine.

Danielle Grbic, Paralegal
Legal Assistant

Danielle has been with Niren and Associates since 2007. She graduated with Honours from Trios College where she received her Paralegal Certificate.

She is currently assisting Fadi Minawi, our US Counsel to the Firm, with all matters pertaining to US Immigration such as US Inadmissability, US Permanent Residency and Green Card matters, US Business Visas, US Waivers, and US Work Visas. She also has experience in Canadian Inadmissability, Canadian Family Class Sponsorships, and Humanitarian Consideration cases.

Johanna Karatsoreos, B.A.(HONS.)
File Management Coordinator

Johanna is our File Management Coordinator and the Legal Assistant to Katherine Yang. Born and raised in Toronto, Johanna obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto with her focus on Criminology and Political Science. She has been with Niren & Associates since August 2008 and has been excited to learn and gain experience in Immigration Law.

Johanna is fluent in English and conversant in Greek.

Carlyn Moses, B.A.
Legal Assistant

Carlyn is a Legal Assistant at Niren and Associates. She assists in all matters pertaining to permanent residence, temporary residence, citizenship applications, Federal Court, and hearings. Prior to joining our firm, she was employed as an Immigration Legal Assistant with another Immigration Law firm in Toronto.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Guyana. She worked for three years with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Guyana. Carlyn is currently pursuing studies at Humber College towards acquiring her Immigration Practitioner License.

Ekaterina Pak, M.A.
Legal Assistant

Ekaterina is Legal Assistant to Mary Keyork. She assists with all legal matters related to USA and Canada immigration. Ekaterina holds Master Degree in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations mandated University for Peace.

Prior to joining Niren and Associates in September 2009, Ekaterina worked in the Protection Unit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Kyrgyz Republic. Ekaterina is fluent in Russian and has conversational abilities in French and German.