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.

Mariana Brankovic, M.A., LL.B.
Associate Lawyer

Mariana joined Niren and Associates as a Summer Student in 2005 and returned as an Articling Student in July 2006. She became an Associate following her call to the Ontario Bar in June 2007. She deals with all areas of immigration, refugee and citizenship laws, including Judicial Reviews at the Federal Court of Canada and NAFTA cases.

She also appears at the Immigration Appeal Division, Refugee Protection Division, and Detention Reviews. Mariana also practices Family Law and assists clients with matters concerning divorce and separation.

Mariana completed her undergraduate studies in History and Political Science at York University in 2002. She graduated among the top 5% of her class. She also obtained her Master of Arts Degree (History) at York University in 2003. She pursued her legal studies at Osgoode Hall Law School graduating in 2006. She was also part of the Parkdale Community Legal Clinic, providing immigration, refugee and citizenship legal services.

Mariana can assist clients in English and Serbian. She is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Immigration Section of the Ontario Bar Association.

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

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

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.

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).

Elizabeth A. Nanton, B.A., LL.B.
Admitted to Practice in New York

Elizabeth (Beth) received her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the Dalhousie University Law School and her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in Management from Western Washington University.

Elizabeth represents clients in all Canadian immigration and citizenship matters. She appears before all three Divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board, where she represents clients in refugee hearings, sponsorship appeals, and detention reviews.

Elizabeth also practices U.S. Immigration Law as an attorney admitted to practice in the State of New York, USA. In this capacity, she assists with applications made pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement, U.S. family and employment based visa petitions, and cross-border issues.

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.

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.

Johanna Karatsoreos, B.A.(HONS.)
Legal Assistant

Johanna is the Legal Assistant to Elizabeth Nanton and Lily Wu. 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.

Danielle Grbic, Paralegal
Legal Assistant

Danielle has a Paralegal Diploma from Trios College. She assists Fadi Minawi with U.S. Immigration issues but is also familiar with many aspects of Canadian Immigration law. She has been working at Niren and Associates since 2007.

Victoriya Borshiver, B.A.
Legal Assistant

Victoriya is the Legal Assistant to Mary Zhang. Victoriya obtained her degree in Psychology from York University in 2003 and has seven years of administrative experience.

Born in Russia and having lived in Israel, Victoriya speaks both Russian and Hebrew.