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Case Results

In our cases we believe it is important to address the reality for many clients of being unable to afford a protracted government investigation or litigation. The SEC can, when it chooses, marshal almost unlimited resources to hire experts, hire trial consultants, and staff a case with numerous trial counsel. The SEC frequently pursues parallel investigations with criminal prosecutors, the CFTC, and other agencies. Because the SEC Staff have enormous discretion in determining whether to bring charges and what charges to bring, it is important at the outset to have a consistent strategy in place before responding to an SEC subpoena or request for information. In numerous investigations, we have been able to obtain favorable results for clients by developing a consistent and credible strategy from the beginning. Below are some examples of results we have obtained for clients. Please be aware that results will vary based on specific facts and circumstances of each case. These results are examples only.

SEC Defense

Insider Trading – SEC Investigation:
Represented professional investor investigated for potential insider trading by providing significant documentation to SEC at outset of investigation. SEC promptly closed investigation without interview or testimony from client.

Insider Trading – Self-Reporting:
Represented senior employee of public company in self-reporting to SEC inadvertent trading of securities of company during a blackout period. SEC decided not to bring any charges against client based upon voluntary self-reporting.

Finders – SEC Investigation:
Represented group of finders for real estate investments investigated by SEC for acting as unregistered broker-dealers. SEC closed investigation without bringing any charges against clients.

Crypto Exchange – SEC Investigation:
Represented cryptocurrency trading platform and its owners in SEC investigation. Obtained early settlement with SEC for nonfraud charges of operating as an unregistered broker-dealer and offering unregistered securities.

Federal Court Jury Trial Against SEC:
Represented investment fund and managers in federal jury trial and post-trial hearings and on remedies.

Federal Court Litigation with SEC:
In SEC v Beasley case, representing individual charged with nonfraud involvement in offering of notes purporting to be made to lend money to individuals awaiting receipt of settlements of legal cases.

FINRA Investigations

Representing current and former financial advisors in investigations of how they handled customer accounts and compliance with other FINRA rules.

Investment Loss Recovery

Recovered via settlement investment losses of attorney whose life savings were invested in high fee unsuitable non-traded real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and equity indexed annuities (a/k/a fixed indexed annuities). Case settled 10 days before the beginning of arbitration hearings.

Obtained jury verdict against insurance company for all compensatory damages (approximately $4.2 million), attorney’s fees, and $10 million in punitive damages in Wisconsin federal court trial.

Other Matters

Expert Consultations:
Provided expert deposition testimony on insider trading law on behalf of broker in retaliation lawsuit against brokerage firm.

Expert Consultations:
Consulted on Illinois Securities Law to law firm representing investors in private placement seeking rescission. Case settled.

Insurance Coverage:
Case Corporation v. Aetna Insurance Company (Wisconsin federal court). Obtained federal court jury verdict awarding covered losses of $4.2 million, plus $10 million in punitive damages for bad faith denial of insurance claims.

Probate Litigation:
In re Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson (Minnesota state court). Seeking to establish niece and grand-niece of Prince as heirs of Prince estate.

Regulatory Hearing and Appeal:
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation v. Gandhi (Circuit Court of DuPage County). Obtained reversal of agency ruling against client as abuse of administrative discretion.

Client Reviews

Thank Goodness for Lisa Braganca...Words I never thought I would say about an attorney – understanding, caring, compassionate and empathetic. Lisa Braganca is all of these and so much more. Best of all, she is...

Anonymous

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...

Anonymous

Lisa made it very clear from the beginning that her goal was to be the best attorney I ever had. She manabed to do just that. Never before had I experienced a combination of such genuine care, knowledge and...

Anonymous

When you are faced with the SEC looking at you for possible violations it can be one of the most unpleasant experiences. Working with Lisa Braganca made our situation 1000x easier. She worked with other...

Anonymous

I cannot recommend Celiza (Lisa) Braganca enough for the tireless work she's done for me, my partner, and our business. Facing potential SEC questioning is incredibly overwhelming and daunting, but Lisa brings...

Anonymous

I had the unpleasant experience of receiving a call from the SEC informing me that I was the target of an investigation. Having never dealt this with before, I was unsure of how to proceed. I was fortunate...

Anonymous

Our firm came under an SEC investigation for a $12m+ crypto offering. Despite some muddy waters, and internal shareholder concerns, Ms. Braganca kept me clear of the SEC enforcement actions on account of her...

Anonymous

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