Mike is an of-counsel attorney in the firm. His primary area of practice is military law. Mike defends service members facing general court-martial, special court-martial, or administrative separation. Mike served over eight years on active duty in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. He has deployed as an attorney to Iraq and Afghanistan. Learn more about Mike's military practice and experience by clicking here.
Mike’s practice also includes civil litigation in state and federal courts. Mike is accredited by the Veteran’s Administration and he is expanding his practice to include representing veterans seeking benefits from the Veteran’s Administration.
Mike is an active member in the community. He supports a number of local educational, youth-sports and Veteran-oriented causes. Mike also serves as an officer in the Washington Air National Guard. Mike enjoys spending most of his free time with his extraordinary wife, Whitney Berens, and their three remarkable children. The Berens family’s favorite pastimes include golfing, running, visiting beaches, camping in Washington State Parks and downhill skiing at Crystal Mountain and beyond.
 Education
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New England School of Law, J.D. 2004 (with honors) |
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Ripon College, B.A. 1999 |
Military
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U.S. Air Force, 2006 – 2014 |
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Washington Air National Guard, 2014 – present |
Memberships
and Service
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Washington
State Bar Association |
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Department of Veterans Affairs – accredited |
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Veterans of Foreign Wars |
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United States Peace Corps |
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WATCH D.O.G.S. |
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Parent – Teacher Association |
Honors and awards
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Meritorious Service Medal – 2014 |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal – 2013 |
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NATO Medal – ISAF (non-Article 5) – 2013 |
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Meritorious Service Medal – 2011 |
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Air Force Commendation Medal – 2009 |
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Joint Service Commendation Medal – 2007 |
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Air Force Commendation Medal – 2006 |
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New England Scholar – 2004 |
Types of Cases
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General Courts-Martial |
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Special Courts-Martial |
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Administrative Separations |
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Flying Evaluation Boards |
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Veterans Administration Disability Claims |
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Civil Litigation |
Recent Representative Cases
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Represented a Soldier in Superior Court charged with 2nd degree Assault |
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DV with a deadly weapon (no confinement) |
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Represented a Veteran in Municipal Court charged with violating a No Contact Order (no confinement) |
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Represented a Soldier at a General Court-Martial for multiple drug offenses, AWOL, and more (all charges dismissed with prejudice) |
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Represented a Plaintiff in Superior Court in a civil action against a municipality (jury ruled in Plaintiff's favor/awarded damages) |
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Represented an Airman at a Special Court-Martial for a drug offense (no punitive discharge) |
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Represented an Airman at an Administrative Separation Board for a pattern of misconduct (preserved VA benefits with a Under Honorable Conditions (General) service characterization) |
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Represented a Soldier at a General Court-Martial for Accessory after the fact to Premeditated Murder, Obstructing Justice and more (no punitive discharge, limited confinement) |
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