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Celiza Patricia Braganca
also known as Lisa Braganca, Celiza Braganca
About Celiza
Biography
Defending individuals and businesses in government investigations and litigation.
Lisa defends companies, individuals, financial advisors, investment advisors, financial advisors, investors, officers, directors, and others in investigations by SEC, FINRA, and state securities commissioners. Lisa was a Branch Chief in the Division of Enforcement of the SEC, where she handled investigations of financial fraud, offering fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations. She has been successful in resolving government investigations, many times with no charges or substantially reduced charges being brought. Lisa also represents whistleblowers in reporting violations of securities laws through the SEC Office of the Whistleblower program.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
White Collar Crime
70%
27 years
Litigation
20%
33 years
Securities and Investment Fraud
10%
27 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 31 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Licensed in Virginia for 33 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
Location
Celiza Braganca
1100 Central Avenue, Suite G, Wilmette, IL, 60091
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Celiza Patricia Braganca's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
43 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Financial Markets and Services (15)
Lawsuits & Disputes (9)
Federal Regulation (7)
Securities & Investment Fraud (5)
Administrative Law (4)
Business (3)
Securities Offerings (3)
White Collar Crime (2)
Criminal Defense (1)
Employment & Labor (1)
Ethics & Professional Responsibility (1)
Federal Crime (1)
Real Estate (1)
What Clients Mention
Showing 6 - 10 of 43 reviews
Posted by anonymous | March 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Financial Markets and Services
Professional and Trust-worthy
Lisa was incredibly helpful in assisting me with responding to a FINRA 8210 letter, ultimately helping me achieve a cautionary letter result. From the very beginning, she was caring, responsive, and generous with her time, offering an initial consultation that lasted over an hour. Throughout the proc...
Posted by anonymous | February 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Lisa Braganca Review
Lisa was professional, helpful, and informative. She discussed each step with me, took the time to listen to what I had to say, and worked with me to achieve an effective and efficient outcome.
Posted by anonymous | February 05, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Professional and Empathetic
Lisa’s guided me through my case with high level of professionalism, was available to hear me out at short notice and reviewed my case with a human face. Lisa made the process easy to work through and I got a satisfactory result in a short timeframe Highly recommended
Posted by anonymous | February 05, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Lisa was great
Lisa was great in her preparation, in helping me prepare and getting me ready using her immense experience, knowledge and compassion. I'd highly recommend Lisa !!!
Posted by anonymous | January 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Financial Markets and Services
SEC Subpoena
Receiving a subpoena from the SEC can undoubtedly trigger immense stress and anxiety. If you find yourself in such a situation, I wholeheartedly endorse hiring Celiza Braganca to guide you through the process. Speaking from personal experience, her professional expertise and empathetic approach signi...
Celiza Patricia Braganca's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
Adrian Smith
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2012
Lead On! Award, Access Living
2004
Elected Delegate to 2004 Democratic National Convention, First Congressional District of Illinois (Democratic voters)
1992
Order of the Coif,
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Owner and Attorney, Braganca Law LLC
2014 - 2017
Trial Attorney, Stoltmann Law Offices
2011 - 2013
Legal Director, Access Living
2004 - 2011
Securities and Financial Litigation Attorney, Sperling and Slater PC
1999 - 2001
Branch Chief and Enforcement Attorney, US Securities & Exchange Commission
1994 - 1999
Trial Attorney, Jenner & Block
Associations
2019 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2019 - Present
Women's White Collar Defense AssociationMember
1995 - Present
Chicago Bar AssociationMember - Securities Law Committee
2019 - 2024
PIABA FoundationBoard Member
2014 - 2023
Public Investor Advocate Bar AssociationCommittee member
1993 - 1994
District of Columbia Bar
1992 - 1994
Virginia Bar
Sample of Legal Cases
Recovery of investment losses for investor
Settled
Resolution of SEC investigation into real estate investments
Investigation closed with no charges
Resolution of FINRA investigation into PPP loans
Settled
Resolution of FINRA investigation into failures to disclose
Settled
Responding to SEC subpoenas for documents and testimony
No charges brought against clients
Represented individuals investigated for insider trading
Either no charges brought against client or resolved via settlement
Education
1992
University of Chicago Law School
JD
1992
University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business
MBA
N/A
University of Chicago
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2023
2020
Best of TechShow 2019 Webinar
Cryptocurrency and digital coin regulation
2020
ABA TechShow
Cryptocurrency and digital coin regulation
2019
PIABA Annual Meeting
Using Behavioral Decision-making Research in FINRA Arbitrations and Mediations
2019
Illinois State Bar Association Webinar
Blockchain in Litigation 2.0
2019
Concordia University Program January 2019
Elder Financial Abuse
2018
St. John's Law School Securities Arbitration Clinic
FINRA Arbitration
2018
PIABA Annual Meeting
Using Behavioral Decision-making Research in FINRA Arbitrations and Mediations
2018
Chicago Bar Association Demonstration
Truth Without Proof - How to Get Blockchain Transactions into Evidence
2017
Rotary Club of Wilmette meeting
Fraud as a Virus
2017
National Association of Elder Law Attorneys - Illinois Chapter
Exploitation of Elders by Financial Advisors
2017
Annual Meeting of Public Investor Advocacy Bar Association
Discovery in FINRA arbitration
2016
Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association Annual Meeting
Investment Fraud - Reaching Defrauded Investors
2006
Minding Your 302s PLI Continuing Education Seminar
Securities fraud
2005
Turnaround Management Association
Securities fraud
2003
Mid-Atlantic Regional Workshop
Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002
Publications
2021
PIABA Foundation
2021 Updated Study on FINRA Expungements
2019
PIABA Foundation
2019 Study on FINRA Expungements
2019
ABA Law Practice Magazine
Dipping Your Analog Toe into Digital Coins
2019
Portfolio Media (Law360)
Truth Without Proof - How to Get Blockchain Transactions into Evidence co-author
2018
PIABA Bar Journal
Cryptocurrencies and Tokens: What are they and who regulates them - co-author
2006
Unknown
Minding Your 302s: Assessing Potential Civil, Administrative and Criminal Liability for False Financial Statement Certifications - co-author
1998
Law Journal Seminars Press
Insurance Coverage Disputes - contributor
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Should I call the FBI for coinbase fraud. My neighbor got me going in it with a fee on what we made.
23 Aug 2024
Q&A
Can you legally sell shares of your company knowing you are filing bankruptcy and the money will be immediately lost?
06 Jun 2023
Q&A
Discovery was sent by Defendant's former counsel, then new attorney subbed in. Is Discovery still due?
08 Jun 2023