Celiza Patricia Braganca

Celiza Patricia Braganca

also known as Lisa Braganca, Celiza Braganca

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 33 years

White collar crime Lawyer at Wilmette, IL
Practice Areas: White Collar Crime, Litigation, Securities & Investment Fraud

1100 Central Avenue, Suite G, Wilmette, IL

About Celiza

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

White Collar Crime 70%

Representing people in investigations by the SEC, FINRA, and state securities agencies. Representing whistleblowers in filing tips with SEC Office of the Whistleblower and pursuing those tips.

27 years

70%
Litigation 20%

Representing individuals and businesses in federal and state court litigation and arbitration as plaintiffs and defendants in contract and business disputes

33 years

20%
Securities and Investment Fraud 10%

Recovering investment losses for customers in court as well as FINRA and other arbitration forums.

27 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 30 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1995

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Licensed in Virginia for 33 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 1992

Former Member

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

5.0 /5.0

43 Client Reviews

Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | March 17, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Administrative Law

Excellent!

When I received a subpoena from the Secretary of State informing me that I was under investigation from the Securities Department, my original plan was to call a few attorneys to discuss my case and decide who would be in the best position to assist me. Lisa’s name was on the top of search list and a...fter my first call with her, there was no need for me to continue the search. She explained the rules of the investigation very clearly and laid a plan on how to respond to the subpoena. She was very meticulous throughout the process and communicated directly with the State attorney handling my case all the while keeping me informed of all the steps taken. Her timely actions resulted in my case being dismissed after a very short period.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last March 17, 2023

It was a pleasure to be able to get this investigation resolved so quickly by determining what the key issues were of concern to the regulator and addressing those proactively. I love being able to use what I learned working at the SEC and in the many securities regulatory investigations I have worked on in the last 20+ years to help people get through this difficult experiences.

Posted by Mirna | November 12, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Excellent legal services

Lisa was highly recommended to represent me in a contentious legal matter which involved potential financial exposure. She was diligent, consistently responsive, and empathetic. Above all, Lisa is meticulous in explaining complex legal processes and strategies. She provided astute counsel and strong ...representation for us to achieve the best possible outcome. Retaining Bragança Law was the best decision that I made.

Posted by anonymous | November 01, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Securities & Investment Fraud

Competent, Credible, Caring - Could not ask for a better attorney

I am a normal guy who never dreamed I would be the subject of an SEC investigation. I have a modest business but do not have deep pockets. Bluntly, I was panicked when I received notice from the SEC. Another attorney suggested I reach out to Mrs. Braganca and I soon discovered why. Liza put me at... ease and immediately got to work, exercising her knowledge of SEC law and the inner workings of the SEC itself. She formulated a strategy, prepared me well for my SEC interview, and walked me through the process. At every step of the way, Liza was mindful of the cost to me both financially and emotionally. She was able to distill the complex and often murky SEC laws and clearly articulate the choices that needed to be made along with the pro's and con's of each. At the end of the day, the results spoke for themselves. All charges were dropped without Liza using the full retainer. Our last conversation was bittersweet - while I was relieved for the whole affair to be over, I was saddened to not have a reason to work with Liza further. Through the process, Liza had cultivated confidence and calm, delivering the absolute best possible outcome. I highly recommend Liza.

Posted by anonymous | October 20, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Securities & Investment Fraud

Great SEC Defense Attorney!! Highly Recommend!

If you're ever confronted with an SEC investigation, please don't hesitate to contact Lisa at Braganca Law. Lisa was a strong advocate for me from day one, helping guide me through a complicated securities law issue which was very stressful and daunting. Her compassion and understanding of my situati...on, along with her experience and dedication to my case, greatly eased the tension. Lisa was very thorough answering all my questions and acted in my best interest throughout the entire process. She kept me well informed of each development in the case and took immediate action when necessary. Her hard work and tenacity paid off as the case was eventually dropped!! Had I not worked with Lisa I'm not sure I would have achieved the same result! I highly recommend Lisa Braganca as a competent, compassionate and smart lawyer.

See All Client Reviews

Celiza Patricia Braganca's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Celiza
Adrian P Smith headshot
Adrian Smith

Commercial real estate lawyer | Jun 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

View All Endorsements
Adrian P Smith headshot
Adrian Smith

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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 Association

Member

2019 - Present

Women's White Collar Defense Association

Member

1995 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

Member - Securities Law Committee

2019 - 2024

PIABA Foundation

Board Member

2014 - 2023

Public Investor Advocate Bar Association

Committee 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

See More Legal Cases

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

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

2019

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

Avvo Rating

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