Cecil, Emma R.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Liz is a founding partner of Cedillo-Pereira & Cedillo, PLLC. Combining her experience in public policy with the practice of law, Liz is dedicated to seeking U.S. immigration solutions for clients from around the world.  Out of law school, she joined Patton Boggs LLP and later began practicing immigration law under the direction of Attorney Lisa S. Brodyaga and thereafter served as staff attorney for Catholic Charities-ILS.
 
Liz is a proud graduate of North Dallas High School, the University of Pennsylvania and SMU Dedman School of Law.  At Penn, Liz was named Outstanding Senior Woman by the Panhellenic Association and 1993 Woman of Color of the Year and member of Sphinx Honor Society.  At SMU Law, Liz was a Barrister, a member of the National Moot Court Team and received the John Kennedy Award as Outstanding Woman for the Class of 1999.  In 2003, Liz was selected as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow.  In 2011, Liz was a Member of the American Council of Germany Immigration Study Tour in Berlin.
 
Liz frequently lectures on Immigration law and is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas. In 2012, Liz served as Course Director for the State Bar of Texas Advanced Immigration Course.  Liz has helped establish American Immigration Lawyer’s Association Dallas "Know Your Rights" project for pro se detainees held in ICE custody; Catholic Charities Unaccompanied Minors Advisory Committee; and Dallas Fort Worth Prosecutorial Defense Committee. She is a member of AILA D2 – Dream Defenders of youth and AILA Military Assistance Program. Liz has served as the AILA Texas Chapter ICE Liaison.  In 2012 and 2013, Liz was included in the Best Lawyers of America. 

In addition to immigration, Liz’s passion is education and kids. In law school, she established a tutoring/mentoring project for Dallas kids.  Currently, Liz serves on the Advisory Board for Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, the only all-girls, public college preparatory school in Dallas area; the Advisory Council for the University Crossroads Initiative to increase college matriculation for Dallas children; SMU Hispanic Advisory Committee and Friend of Paul Quinn College.  Recently, her law office initiated a scholarship in the name of the partners’ mother, Helen Davila Cedillo, to provide pro bono legal assistance to outstanding young leaders in conjunction with the North Texas DREAM Team.
 
Liz is on the Board of Governors for the Dallas Foundation, a Mayoral Appointee on the North Texas Education Finance Corporation, Founding Member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Dallas Alumni Chapter and 2013 President, a member of AILA, Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Executive Member of the Dallas Hispanic Bar Foundation, Hispanic National Bar Association, Hispanic 100 and assists as an immigration advisor to LULAC.  In 2010, Liz received the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Young Leader Award for demonstrated commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.   Liz is married to Oscar Pereira and blessed with wonderful children.