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 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Compassion

Posted by anonymous | May 08, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Thank you Lisa

Lisa helped me through THE most challenging and stressful time of my life. I never expected to have to experience such a traumatic event and Lisa was there every step of the way. She worked hard to put together the facts, eloquently organized and presented those facts, and was there to provide guidan...ce throughout the entire process. This ultimately led the right and correct result. Lisa is extremely intelligent but more importantly cares deeply about the well-being of her clients. My family and I thank you Lisa!

Posted by anonymous | August 29, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Securities Offerings

Highly recommended

I strongly recommend Lisa. She is a highly professional lawyer with deep expertise in SEC regulations. She offers valuable support to her clients, providing both comfort and reassurance. Known for her honesty, Lisa is someone you can truly count on.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last September 04, 2024

Thank you for your kind words and the opportunity to work with you. It means a lot to know that I helped you not only with the legal side of things but with the human side as well. These SEC and other government investigations are extremely distressing and distracting. I try to provide as much support and information as I can. It was a pleasure to work with you. Very best wishes in all that you do.

Posted by anonymous | January 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Financial Markets and Services

SEC Compliance Expert, Effective Advocate

As a capital B “basic” investor, I found myself worried and confused about how and when I could and should sell the equity my company granted me, including how to evaluate the materiality of the types of information I receive in my job from time to time. Lisa’s advice and guidance was brilliant and... helped me develop a pre-arranged trading strategy that has put my mind at ease. Lisa’s command and experience in this space paired with her very human and empathetic approach was a great fit for me - I highly recommend her.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last January 12, 2023

Thank you so much for your kind words. It means a lot to know that I was able to help you navigate a stressful and complicated situation. I started my firm in order to be able to help folks like you. It was a pleasure to work with you. Lisa Braganca

Posted by anonymous | December 27, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Federal Regulation

Witness Summons

I received a summons from the SEC to appear as a witness. I had no idea what this would entail and how it would turn my life upside down. Lisa was extremely kind and patient. She explained everything that was going to happen and coached me how to respond. As a result, my situation was positively reso...lved. I feel blessed and very fortunate I had Lisa on my side.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last December 28, 2022

It was a pleasure to help you get through the harrowing experience of responding to an unexpected SEC subpoena. I appreciate the opportunity to use what I learned working at the SEC to help third party witnesses and others to get through the stressful and opaque SEC investigation process.

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.

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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