Flavia Santos Lloyd

Practice Areas

Flavia Santos Lloyd is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California. With extensive experience and a deep commitment to immigration law, she provides expert legal counsel to individuals, families, and businesses navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration processes. Specializing in both immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions, Flavia has developed particular expertise in the areas of arts, entertainment, and sports immigration, assisting high-profile artists, athletes, and entertainers in obtaining the necessary visas to work and live in the United States.

As an immigrant herself, Flavia understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with navigating the immigration process. This personal experience enriches her practice, allowing her to empathize deeply with her clients' needs and goals.

Flavia has successfully managed thousands of cases, ranging from family-based petitions to employment-based visas and complex waivers. Her legal expertise covers a wide range of visa categories, including immigrant visas such as EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5, as well as nonimmigrant visas including E-2, L-1, H-1B, O-1, P-1, and Q-1. She also has a special focus on EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability), EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW), O-1, and P-1 visas. Additionally, Flavia manages F-1 student visa issues, providing support for students navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration processes.

Her combination of in-depth legal knowledge, practical experience, personal background as an immigrant, and passion for helping clients achieve their immigration goals has solidified her as a respected leader in the field of immigration law.

Career

Attorney Flavia Santos Lloyd is deeply committed to immigration law, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience as an immigrant to her practice. With over 23 years of experience in the field, she understands firsthand the challenges her clients face and is dedicated to providing them with zealous and diligent representation.

Before pursuing a career as an attorney, Flavia worked for 12 years as a supervising immigration paralegal at a leading Orange County immigration law firm, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience. This foundational work ignited her passion for immigration law, and she transitioned into law school with a strong understanding of the intricacies of the field. During law school, Flavia volunteered at immigration clinics and other immigration-related organizations, further deepening her commitment to the cause.

In 2016, Flavia founded Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., a high-profile immigration law firm dedicated to providing exceptional services to individuals, families, and businesses. As the Managing Partner, she built a firm with a strong reputation for high-quality service, offering a wide range of immigration legal services, including family-based and employment-based immigration, extraordinary ability cases, naturalization, adjustment of status, consular processing, asylum, and removal. Flavia specializes in extraordinary ability cases such as O, P, and EB-1A visas, as well as the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW).

In addition to her legal practice, Flavia has a passion for teaching. She teaches Immigration Law and California Bar Exam subjects at various law schools and dedicates time to scholarly work, writing research papers, and presenting them at national and international conferences.

Professional Memberships

Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

The American Bar Association (ABA)

Orange County and Los Angeles County Bar Associations

Orange County Hispanic Bar Association

Federal Bar Association

Thurgood Marshall Bar Association

Law and Society Association

Orange County Women Lawyers Association

International Studies Association

Publications

Whittenburg, F., & Lloyd, F. S. (2024). O-1B nonimmigrants. In Navigating the Fundamentals of Immigration Law: Guidance and Tips for Successful Practice (2024-2025 edition, Nonimmigrant Visas, pp. 227-246). American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Lloyd, F.S. (2023). K Visa Processing 101, in The Consular Practice Handbook (pp. 197-204). American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Personal

Beyond the courtroom, Flavia is a mother of two and an immigrant whose personal journey continues to shape her mission. She knows firsthand what it means to arrive in a new country with big dreams and no safety net, and how powerful persistence and courage can be.

Becoming a single mother in the U.S. and navigating life without legal status, Flavia built her future step by step, driven by the desire to create a better life for her children and others like her. These early experiences continue to fuel her empathy and determination to advocate for immigrants from all walks of life.

Flavia believes in honoring every story, whether it's a celebrity or someone quietly fighting for a chance to stay in the United States and thrive. For her, each case is personal because she's lived the uncertainty, the fear, and the hope.

When she’s not practicing law or leading her firm, she enjoys spending time with her children, taking Zumba classes, and reading.

Clients

Individuals and Families seeking lawful permanent residence, family-based visas, and naturalization.

Artists, Athletes, and Entertainers applying for O and P visas based on extraordinary talent.

Entrepreneurs and Investors pursuing E-2 visas to build or invest in U.S. businesses.

Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability applying under EB-1A and EB-2 NIW categories.

International Students and Scholars navigating F-1 and J-1 visa processes and change of status issues.

Companies and Organizations sponsoring foreign talent for employment-based visas, including H-1B, L-1, and PERM-based green cards.

Work Highlights

Successfully filed hundreds of O, P, EB-1A, and EB-2 NIW petitions, representing high-profile clients in the entertainment industry, arts, and professional sports.

Manages a high-volume immigration practice with a team of 55+ attorneys and staff, focusing on complex immigrant and non-immigrant visa cases.

Speaks at major events hosted by Harvard Law School and MIT, and is a frequent speaker at AILA.

Regularly appears on major media outlets such as Univision, Record TV, EVTV, and UOL, providing expert commentary on U.S. immigration law.

Industry Sector Expertise

Extraordinary Ability Cases (O, P, EB-1A Visas): Specializes in representing clients with extraordinary abilities in fields such as arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. Expertise in securing O-1 and P-1 visas for individuals with exceptional talent, as well as EB-1A immigrant visas for those seeking permanent residency based on their extraordinary achievements.

EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW): In-depth experience handling EB-2 NIW cases, assisting clients with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities who seek a waiver of the labor certification requirement based on their contributions to the U.S. national interest. This process is crucial for individuals whose work benefits the U.S. economy, healthcare, education, or other key sectors.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

U.S. Immigration Law: Extensive experience with U.S. immigration law, including family-based immigration, employment-based visas, asylum, naturalization, and deportation defense.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Expertise in handling cases before USCIS, including adjustment of status, work visas, green card applications, and waivers.

Immigration Courts: Knowledge and experience representing clients in Immigration Courts.

U.S. Department of State (DOS): Expertise in consular processing, including immigrant visa applications, waivers, and family reunification petitions at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

Languages Spoken

English

Portuguese

Spanish

French

Experience

Managing Attorney

SANTOS LLOYD LAW FIRM, P.C. | Newport Beach, CA

2016 - Present

Flavia is the founder and managing attorney of Santos Lloyd Law Firm, leading a high-volume immigration practice with a team of 55+ attorneys and support staff. She specializes in immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, including adjustments of status, asylum, waivers, business immigration, investment visas, and intracompany transfers.

Immigration Attorney

FLEMING’S FUNDAMENTALS OF LAW | Lake Forest, CA

03/2014 – 02/2016

Provided legal counsel for immigrant and non-immigrant clients seeking petitions for adjustment of status, asylum, waivers, U-visas, and business immigration. Attended client interviews and hearings at administrative agencies and immigration courts.

Supervising Immigration Paralegal

NICASTRO PISCOPO, APLC | Costa Mesa, CA

05/2002 – 08/2014

Supervised and trained staff in immigration law, supporting two attorneys in managing a busy immigration practice. Prepared clients for interviews, handled removal defense cases, and assisted with immigrant visa petitions and waivers.

Education

Awards