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 31 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 21 - 25 of 43 reviews

Posted by anonymous | August 01, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Amazing experience!!!

Hello I hired Lisa because my previous company I was working with put me in a very bad position and was looking at getting banned from selling securities and possibly much worse. Lisa took the time to hear out my entire situation without any retainer and from there of the 10 interviews I had with dif...ferent lawyers she stood out as the most genuine and had the best results. After I had hired her the best case scenario is exactly what happened. I ended up not being charged with anything. Through this process Lisa wasn’t scared to tell me the harsh truth but in the softest way possible. When you are an individual in this type of situation and it can very scary and overwhelming and Lisa was very good at helping me through the ups and downs. I don’t think I could have possibly hired a better lawyer for this case. Also she is one of the only lawyers I have ever worked with that was extremely fair with money. She under charged for hours and you could tell she genuinely cared. Anyone that hires Lisa knows exactly what I’m talking about and I am so thankful she represented me.

Posted by anonymous | June 27, 2023 | Hired Attorney

Humane and efficient

Thank you for your help during one of the most stressfull periods in my life. I appreciate the expertise, the diligence & expediency, coupled with a genuine client-first mindset and the very humane and caring touch! You made a big difference!

Celiza Braganca

Replied last June 28, 2023

It was a pleasure to work with you. It means a great deal to me to be able to use what I learned working at the SEC and defending big businesses to help individuals and small businesses. I try to make the investigation process less terrifying by explaining what happens, answering questions, and being available to address concerns when they come up. Thank you so much for your kind words. This is why I do what I do.

Posted by anonymous | June 09, 2023 | Hired Attorney

The most wonderful attorney I ever had

Lisa made it very clear from the beginning that her goal was to be the best attorney I ever had. She managed to do just that. Never before had I experienced a combination of such genuine care, knowledge and intellect. If you want someone on your side, look no further.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last June 10, 2023

Thank you so much. I try to figure out what is important to each client so I can get that done. An important thing for many of my clients is to understand what is happening in a government investigation so they can stop worrying and focus on their families and day jobs. I explain what is happening, what the possible outcomes are, and what steps I will take to protect them. My job is to reduce my client's anxiety by providing information and be available to hear and address their concerns. Investigations can go on for a long time so it is important to be able to put this in the back of your mind and focus on family, work, and other important things in your life.

Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Financial Markets and Services

I HIGHLY recommend Lisa!

I was dragged into an SEC issue due to my interaction with a client that I had. Even though I was simply a software vendor and consultant I was required to give discovery. I had extensive documentation and was concerned that I would somehow be lumped into this case. Lisa did a phenomenal job gui...ding me through the process from start to finish. She was professional, always available and really laid out the realities and risks while also guiding me through how to properly communicate and share with the SEC. I have never been through anything like this, nor want to again. But Lisa made the process much easier to navigate. She did all the communication with the SEC. She recommended a proffer which was a great route to go. And was with me when we did the virtual proffer. Her past experience working with the SEC was invaluable because she had insight from both perspectives. If you find yourself in a similar situation as me I would recommend you reach out to Lisa. She really knows how this process works and will give you sound guidance.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last June 04, 2023

SEC investigations can be terrifying so I explain the process and the pros and cons of taking different steps throughout the process. It means a lot to be able to help people like you to get through the experience and to get a positive result. It was a pleasure to work with you.

Posted by anonymous | May 22, 2023 | Hired Attorney

A lawyer with top credentials who is extremely helpful and attentive

Lisa offers top 10 law firm advice at a reasonable price. She is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. She was attentive and always answered any question I had.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last May 22, 2023

Thank you. We work very hard not just to meet expectations but to exceed them. We want to answer all questions and make sure our clients know what is going to happen or could happen to reduce the anxiety and stress of any legal proceeding.

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

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

2019 - 2024

PIABA Foundation

Board Member

2014 - 2023

Public Investor Advocate Bar Association

Committee member

1995 - 2023

Chicago Bar Association

Member - Securities Law Committee

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

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