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 9 reviews | General Knowledge

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 | November 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney

Recommended

Lisa was an invaluable source of information, providing insights that helped me make well-informed decisions. I highly recommend her as a trusted resource for legal counsel.

Posted by Dan | December 05, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Securities & Investment Fraud

Assessing Risk of Insider Trading Before the Fact

I had a trade of a public equity I wanted to conduct but was unsure if I had access to insider information pertaining to said trade. I live near Dayton, Ohio, so I contacted several attorneys locally and in Cincinnati who had experience in defending clients against allegations of insider trading af...ter the trades occurred. None had any experience in evaluating the risk of such allegations before such trades occurred and none could even make a referral to an attorney who did. In turns out this is a very specialized legal niche. I finally found Lisa online. After my consultation with Lisa, I engaged her on the matter. I provided all of the information I had and how I got it. Lisa and I discussed it all. However, what was particularly helpful was Lisa's insight into what actually puts one at risk of triggering an investigation of insider trading, and the fact elements that increase or diminish that risk. Lisa also explained in detail what an investigation would look like. At the end of the process, I felt confident that I could make a well-informed decision about conducting the trade. Lisa was very easy to talk to and was efficient in how she spent her time on the matter in order to keep the cost down. I highly recommend Lisa for such a priori analyses.

Celiza Braganca

Replied last December 21, 2023

It was a pleasure to work with you. While I can't give advice about whether a particular trade is based on material nonpublic information, I am happy to provide information about insider trading cases, the SEC's view of insider trading based on its numerous settlements, and what an SEC insider trading investigation looks like.

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

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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