About Mike Berens
“I wish I had met mike when I was a child so that I could have enjoyed his friendship and mentoring from a young age. He is true friend and straight shooter.”
— Jeremiah
Private Practice
Over the past decade Berens has excelled in private practice, securing many favorable results as retained counsel in military, criminal, civil, and administrative courts in the Puget Sound Region and beyond. Berens represents clients from all walks of life – from junior enlisted to general officers – and all ranks in between. He also represents plaintiff’s in civil suits and various administrative proceedings. In addition to his ownership and operation of Berens Law Firm, he serves in an Of Counsel capacity, practicing law and advocating for plaintiffs alongside his revered colleagues at the law firm Bailey Onsager P.C.
Military Service
Berens has served for approximately 20 years in the USAF. After serving over eight years as an active-duty officer, Berens commissioned as an officer in a Drill Status/Traditonal (part-time) capacity in the Washington Air National Guard (a reserve component of the USAF), entered private practice, and founded Berens Law Firm.
Berens’ active-duty military service included tours as an Area Defense Counsel at Grand Forks AFB, an Instructor and Litigator (Defense) in the Military Justice Division at the USAF Judge Advocate General’s School at Maxwell AFB, and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate at McChord Field. Berens military service also includes a 2007 tour as a deployed operational law attorney in Baghdad, Iraq, and 2013 tour as the Legal Advisor in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization coalition forces billet in Kandahar, Afghanistan. For the past 20 years, Berens has spent countless hours working near some of the busiest U.S. military airfields and flight lines in the world.
Berens continues to serve as an officer in the Washington Air National Guard with responsibilities in Washington State and at the national level. Today, and for the past six years, Berens has supported the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies mission teaching International Human Rights and Domestic Operations law in Newport, Rhode Island, and throughout the Pacific.
Personal Background
Berens is originally from Minnesota and northern Illinois. He attended Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and met his wife Whitney. After college, Berens served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia where he lived in an extremely rural village and taught Zambian farmers how to build ponds and grow fish. Berens returned from Zambia in 2001 to attend law school in Boston, Massachusetts. Berens earned his law degree and graduated Cum Laude (with honors) from New England School of Law in 2004. Berens commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps in 2006.
Berens is an active member in his community. Berens enjoys spending most of his free time with his extraordinary wife, Whitney Berens, and their three remarkable children. The Berens family routinely donates blood and supports a host of educational, youth, and veteran-oriented causes. The Berens family’s favorite pastimes include walks in the woods with their German Shorthaired Pointer, golfing in and around Kitsap County, camping in the San Juan Islands and at Lake Chelan, and big mountain skiing in Washington State and beyond.
Berens professional profile is also available on LinkedIn.
Decorated Veteran
Mike Berens earned many awards and decorations at home and abroad during active duty service as a Judge Advocate (JAG) from 2006 – 2014 in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps. The ribbons depicted here reflect many of the military accolades Berens received on active duty. Today, Berens serves as a Field Grade Officer and Traditional Guardsman in the Washington Air National Guard. Berens contributes to the greater good of the citizens Washington State and the United States through continued military service at the state and national level in the Air National Guard.
Meritorious Service Medal (2020)
Meritorious Service Medal (2017)
Washington Air National Guard Achievement Medal (2015)
Meritorious Service Medal (2014)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2013)
Meritorious Service Medal (2011)
Joint Service Commendation Medal (2007)
Air Force Commendation Medal (2007)
National Defense Service Medal (2006)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service star (2013)
Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star (2007)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (2006)
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (short) (2007)
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (2007 & 2013)
Air Force Longevity Service with one device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service star (2007 & 2013)
NATO Medal – non-Article 5 (2013)