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Meet the team
About Us
Our team at Flavio DaCosta Law specializes in immigration law, helping individuals, families, and employers navigate complex immigration matters with clarity and confidence. We take a strategic, detail-oriented, and compassionate approach, understanding that every case carries real consequences—and every client deserves thoughtful, informed advocacy.
Beyond immigration, we also represent clients in personal injury matters arising from motor vehicle accidents, handle real estate title examinations and closings to support smooth and secure transactions, and provide focused DUI defense. Across all practice areas, our commitment is the same: careful analysis, clear communication, and results-driven representation.
The pillars of our team culture is built around thoughtful advocacy, careful analysis, and clear communication. We approach every matter with an understanding that legal issues do not exist in isolation. They affect families, businesses, and futures. Across all practice areas, we are committed to providing precise, strategic, and client-centered representation at every stage of the process.
Flavio DaCosta Esq.
Flavio DaCosta is a licensed attorney whose practice is centered on U.S. immigration law. He represents individuals, families, and employers navigating complex immigration matters, with a focus on strategic planning, careful case analysis, and guiding clients through high-stakes decisions with clarity and confidence.
Admitted to practice in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Flavio is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). His work includes family-based and employment-based immigration, removal defense, and long-term strategies toward lawful permanent residence. He is known for a disciplined, detail-oriented approach and an ability to assess both legal risk and practical outcomes.
In addition to immigration, Flavio oversees and provides representation in select related practice areas, including personal injury matters arising from motor vehicle accidents, real estate title examinations and closings, and focused DUI defense—bringing the same level of precision, judgment, and client-centered advocacy to each matter.
Originally from Brazil, Flavio is a first-generation immigrant whose perspective is shaped by a strong appreciation for family, discipline, and community. Outside of his practice, he is a husband, a step-father, an avid football fan—both American and international—and enjoys spending time outdoors grilling during the summer months. These interests reflect the balance and steadiness he brings to his work: focused, consistent, and grounded in long-term thinking.
Derek S. Ethier Esq.
Derek Ethier is an associate attorney whose practice primarily focuses on real estate law, representing clients in residential and commercial title examinations and closings. He plays a hands-on role in guiding transactions from contract to close, with a particular emphasis on identifying and resolving title issues, ensuring clear ownership, and helping clients move through the process efficiently and with confidence.
Licensed to practice in Rhode Island, Derek approaches real estate matters with careful attention to detail and a practical understanding of the issues that can delay or complicate a transaction. His work is guided by a commitment to precision, responsiveness, and clear communication—qualities that are essential when clients are navigating time-sensitive and high-stakes property decisions.
In addition to his real estate practice, Derek is deeply involved in the firm’s immigration work, assisting with family-based immigration matters and removal proceedings. He is especially passionate about cases involving family unity and protection, and he brings patience, diligence, and empathy to clients navigating an often overwhelming legal process.
Originally from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Derek maintains a strong connection to the local community he serves. In addition to his practice, he is a devoted father to two boys and an avid New England sports fan. His commitment to his family and community informs the way he practices law—thoughtfully, responsibly, and with a genuine desire to help others build stability and security.
Legal Support Team
Thulio Costa
Elisangela Domingues
Elisangela Domingues
Thulio Costa serves as the firm’s legal secretary and is the first point of contact for clients. He manages initial inquiries, coordinates scheduling, and helps guide clients through the early stages of the legal process, ensuring they are connected with the appropriate team member and streamlined communication.
Through clear communication
Thulio Costa serves as the firm’s legal secretary and is the first point of contact for clients. He manages initial inquiries, coordinates scheduling, and helps guide clients through the early stages of the legal process, ensuring they are connected with the appropriate team member and streamlined communication.
Through clear communication, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail, Thulio plays a key role in creating a smooth and welcoming client experience. He approaches his work with professionalism and care, helping clients feel informed, supported, and confident from their first interaction with the firm.
Thulio is known for his positive demeanor and thoughtful approach to helping others—qualities that naturally carry into the way he supports both clients and the legal team.
Elisangela Domingues
Elisangela Domingues
Elisangela Domingues
Elisangela Domingues is a paralegal at the firm and plays a central role in supporting clients throughout the immigration process. She works closely on active cases, assisting with document collection, drafting statements, and case preparation, and helps ensure that matters move forward efficiently and accurately.
With a law degree from Br
Elisangela Domingues is a paralegal at the firm and plays a central role in supporting clients throughout the immigration process. She works closely on active cases, assisting with document collection, drafting statements, and case preparation, and helps ensure that matters move forward efficiently and accurately.
With a law degree from Brazil, Elisangela brings a strong legal foundation and a highly detail-oriented approach to her work. She collaborates directly with attorneys and clients, helping to track deadlines, organize supporting evidence, and address questions as cases progress through each stage.
Known for her reliability, organization, and calm presence, Elisangela helps clients feel supported and informed throughout what can often be a complex and emotional process. Her commitment to precision and follow-through is an integral part of the firm’s day-to-day operations.
Mariana Gatz
Elisangela Domingues
Mariana Gatz
Mariana Gatz supports the firm as a legal assistant, providing hands-on assistance across immigration matters and ensuring cases move forward in an organized and timely manner. She works closely with attorneys and paralegals on case preparation and client support, contributing to a smooth and efficient legal process.
Originally from Chicag
Mariana Gatz supports the firm as a legal assistant, providing hands-on assistance across immigration matters and ensuring cases move forward in an organized and timely manner. She works closely with attorneys and paralegals on case preparation and client support, contributing to a smooth and efficient legal process.
Originally from Chicago, Mariana is currently completing her law degree at New England Law | Boston. She has experience working on initiatives supporting underserved immigrant families and brings a strong interest in community-focused legal advocacy to her work.
Fluent in Spanish, Mariana primarily assists Spanish-speaking clients, helping manage communication and ensuring that clients feel informed and supported as their cases move forward. She is known for her professionalism, empathy, and commitment to providing thoughtful, client-centered assistance.