Heather Fathali
Heather has been practicing U.S. immigration law with Cascadia Cross-Border Law in Bellingham, WA since 2014. She exclusively handles U.S. immigration and citizenship matters, specifically employment-based U.S. immigration for professionals, entrepreneurs, and persons of talent. Many of her clients are Canadian business owners seeking to expand to the U.S. market.
She works with businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large companies, planning and executing immigration strategies to help them navigate their U.S. expansion, gain access to the U.S. for their ownership and key personnel, and grow their companies. Additionally, she advises dual U.S./Canadian citizens who are seeking to renounce their U.S. citizenship, as well as dedicates a special area of her practice to the Jay Treaty and the unique rules pertaining to cross-border mobility for American Indians Born in Canada.
Heather has served as chair of the AILA Washington Consular Liaison Committee since 2019, is a member of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce Cross-Border Committee, and has also taught Immigration Law at Western Washington University. Heather received her JD from Seattle University School of Law, graduating summa cum laude. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology from Western Washington University, and continues to be interested in the study of diverse cultures. Heather grew up in Bellingham - she enjoys spending her free time with her family, enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest!
Halley Fisher French
Halley has practiced U.S. immigration law with Cascadia Cross-Border law since 2019. Her practice centers on employment-based immigration for businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals, with a particular emphasis on cross-border U.S.–Canada matters. She regularly advises Canadian companies and founders on expansion into the United States, including the transfer of key personnel and the development of immigration strategies to support business growth. She also represents individual professionals pursuing career opportunities in the United States, providing clear, strategic guidance on the most effective immigration pathways. Halley's practice spans a range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, consulting, and outdoor and lifestyle businesses.
Halley earned her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law in 2019. During law school, she completed internships with the Alaska Institute for Justice and the Human Trafficking Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. She also served as a judicial intern for the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont.
Halley currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University. Originally from Vermont, Halley spent several years in Boston where she earned her both Bachelors Degree in English Literature and her JD at Northeastern University before relocating to Washington State. Outside of her practice, she enjoys running, mountain biking, skiing, and exploring the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest with her family.
Scott Railton
Scott Railton limits his practice to United States immigration and naturalization law, with an emphasis on advising businesses and human resources departments. His counsel is relied upon by renowned professionals, including business executives, research scientists, and physician specialists. Mr. Railton reserves a portion of his practice for the litigation of admissibility and removal issues, humanitarian matters, and immigration advocacy. Situated near the border, he has substantial experience with U.S.-Canadian border processing and other related admissibility matters.
Mr. Railton has been selected to Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers list, an honor that is limited to no more than five percent of attorneys in any state. The Thomson Reuters website states, “Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.”
Mr. Railton is a past chair of the Washington State Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, as well as a former governor to the organization’s national board. An active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, he has served in leadership roles on several state and national committees for the organization. He currently serves on the AILA University Advisory Committee. He has chaired committees concerning U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Consular Affairs, State Government, Advocacy, and Consumer Protection while serving on many more. Mr. Railton is a member of the International Medical Graduate Task Force, an organization of legal professionals dedicated to improving immigration law in the physician and healthcare sphere. He regularly travels to Washington, D.C., to advocate for immigration reforms with these organizations.
Mr. Railton has taught U.S. immigration law and policy at Western Washington University, as well as other seminars on U.S. citizenship laws. He regularly speaks and writes to a wide variety of audiences concerning business immigration, immigration enforcement, criminality and waivers, and other constitutional matters related to U.S. immigration and border law. He has authored immigration-related articles published by the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Lexis-Nexis, Thomson Reuters, the Washington State Bar Association, and other noted publishers.
Border matters are a key part of Mr. Railton’s practice. He was Co-Chair and Business Track Chair of the 2022 American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Border Issues Virtual Conference. He has served as a past liaison to the organization at local ports of entry. He routinely advises on issues pertaining to admissibility, benefits applications, adjudications (TNs, Ls, Es), denied admissions, expedited removal, waivers, travel restrictions, documentation, NEXUS, and other issues particular to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Mr. Railton has extensive experience in healthcare immigration. Furthermore, he routinely assists hospitals, clinics, and healthcare workers with their immigration. He has substantial experience advising on J-1 waivers, H-1Bs, O-1s, and Physician National Interest Waivers for physicians in the Pacific Northwest; Schedule A petitions for registered nurses; and USMCA issues (TNs) related to healthcare occupations. He has substantial experience in PERM labor certifications and merits-based permanent residence applications (EB-1, EB-2). Likewise, he authored “U.S. Immigration for Health Care Workers” for an American Immigration Lawyers Association conference and testified at Washington State’s hearing on the Conrad 30 rules update. Mr. Railton views immigration as one key to addressing the United States’ healthcare crisis, as it relates to underserved populations in rural areas and specialty care.
Mr. Railton also takes a professional interest in how cannabis legalization impacts noncitizens. He authored “Marijuana and Immigration” for the American Bar Association, testified before Canada’s Parliament concerning national legalization and the border, and is frequently quoted in the U.S. and Canadian media on related developments. He routinely participates in professional panels focused on immigration and cannabis. Mr. Railton advocates for transparency of law and predictable outcomes for clients, as reflected in his "Think Immigration” post for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, "Wait, But Isn’t Pot Legal?” – Immigration Law and Cannabis Present Traps for the Unwary.
Mr. Railton is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and is admitted to practice in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for Western Washington. He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, where he was an executive editor for the Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree with highest honors from Western Washington University and has served on the Executive Committee of the institution’s Alumni Board of Directors. Mr. Railton presently serves on the Skagit Regional Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees and volunteers with a number of other regional organizations.
Greg Boos, Counsel to the Firm
Greg Boos is the founder of Cascadia Cross-Border Law, a firm recognized for its expertise in US immigration matters. With decades of experience navigating complex immigration issues, Boos has earned a reputation for integrity, innovation, and advocacy in cross-border law. His work has influenced national immigration policy and helped countless individuals and businesses overcome immigration challenges.
For the last 30 years, The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers has listed Mr. Boos among the world’s top US immigration practitioners. Additionally, for the past 12 years, Martindale-Hubbell has awarded him its highest rating—AV Preeminent—reflecting outstanding professional excellence based on peer evaluations.
Mr. Boos served as counsel for Bob Boule in the problematic Egbert v. Boule (142 S. Ct. 1793, 596 U.S. ___, 213 L. Ed. 2d 54), decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. Justice Thomas authored the majority opinion in which the Court held that federal agents operating at the border are immune from civil liability, regardless of the nature of their conduct.
Justice Sotomayor, in her dissent, described the decision as "disturbing as it is wrong." Her words highlight the Court’s departure from constitutional principles and its implications for accountability and human rights.
During his representation, Mr. Boos discovered Boule’s extraordinary dual role as a Department of Homeland Security informant and a clandestine guide for asylum seekers – Boule operated a bed and breakfast in Blaine, Washington, aiding US authorities in intercepting millions of dollars in illegal narcotics and helping over 1,000 refugees to Canada.
This backdrop underpins the forthcoming nonfiction book Smuggler, co-authored by Greg Boos and Reece Jones and scheduled for release on October 20, 2026, by Prometheus Books. The book explores the complexities of the US–Canada border, blending accounts of drug enforcement and refugee journeys with incisive commentary on US border policy. Provocative, timely, and deeply researched, Smuggler challenges conventional narratives about migration and enforcement.
HBO has options pending to adapt Smuggler for a television series—read the book before the story hits the screen.
Julia Herzog, Counsel to the Firm
A graduate of Cornell University with distinction in all subjects, Julia Herzog received her Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2003. She also obtained a Master of Laws and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the Faculty of Human and Social Development at the University of Victoria. Julia focuses her practice on immigration and citizenship matters relating to Canada and the United States.
Julia clerked for the Federal Court of Canada in 2004. From 2004 to 2009, she served as a provincial Crown prosecutor for Ontario and British Columbia and as a federal prosecutor for Canada. Looking for an opportunity to advocate directly for individuals, Julia is now in private practice in citizenship and immigration law. An active member of the Law Society of British Columbia and the New York State Bar, Julia is also a longstanding member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and chair of the Victoria Immigration Lawyers’ Group for the Canadian Bar Association BC Immigration Section.
With her substantial legal skills, Julia vigorously pursues and achieves solutions to her clients’ immigration and citizenship challenges, whether they are related to the United States or Canada. She actively advocates for refugees on a pro bono basis and is the founder and current co-chair of the Victoria Chapter of the Refugee Sponsorship Support program. Julia’s advocacy for refugees was reported in the Globe & Mail and featured in an interview on CBC's "All Points West."
Julia grew up in New York City and now makes her home on beautiful Vancouver Island. She is an active member of her local community, plays flute in a Klezmer band, and was recently appointed volunteer Jewish chaplain for the University of Victoria. Julia enjoys spending time with her family in the wilderness around Vancouver Island.
You can contact Julia at (250) 661-8713 or jherzog@cascadia.com.