Celia Meza, Partner

EMAIL: celia.meza@meza.law

DIRECT: (773) 420-9691

LOCATION: Chicago

Celia represents clients in various business sectors and has 30 years of litigation, trial, government, and in-house corporate counsel work experience. She has extensive labor, employment, contracts, ethics, compliance, and investigations expertise which allow her to provide her clients with strategic and trusted legal, risk-management and business guidance.

From 2020 to 2023, Celia served as the City of Chicago’s Corporation Counsel. As the top lawyer for the third largest city in the U.S., Celia was responsible for overseeing and managing all legal matters for the City including litigation, torts, contracts, real estate, commercial transactions, labor, employment, and enforcement issues. In addition, she regularly provided legal advice and counsel to the more than forty Chicago departments, Boards, Commissioners, and City Council. Prior to serving as Corporation Counsel, Celia served as Senior Ethics Advisor to Chicago’s Mayor where she served as the mayor’s primary legal counsel on policy and operations.

Celia’s wide-ranging knowledge of City and State regulations allows her to provide her clients with unique insight and legal guidance on various matters. In addition, as a former federal prosecutor in the Northern District of Illinois and former Deputy Inspector General of Investigations for the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General, Celia can conduct and manage investigations involving allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse.   

Celia’s experience working as in-house legal counsel and as a compliance officer in public and private corporations, an institution of higher education, and a non-profit organization allows her to work effectively with business owners and corporate executives in meeting business objectives. In these roles, she drafted, reviewed, and revised Compliance Programs and Corporate Code of Ethics manuals, she conducted Title IX compliance program reviews, and handled contract disputes and trademark challenges on behalf of her clients. In addition, her vast employment law and human resources knowledge enables her to function as a business advisor and strategist in the development and implementation of human resources policies and procedures and in the preparation of responses to allegations of discrimination or harassment on behalf of her clients.

Celia is a dynamic and trustworthy attorney who represents her clients with the highest standards of ethics and integrity. She can quickly assess a legal issue and offer sound legal advice that is reasonable, appropriate, and in the best interest of the client.

EDUCATION

  • University of Iowa - College of Law. Iowa City, Iowa. Juris Doctorate

  • University of Illinois - Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. BA, English Literature 

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP 

  • Minnesota Supreme Court.  St. Paul, MN. Judicial Law Clerk to Justice Alan C. Page

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

  • Latinas Marking Their Mark, Chicago Latino Network, Honoree (2022)

  • FBI, Certificate of Appreciation, Service in the Public Interest (2005)

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/BOARDS

  • Hispanic Lawyers Association-Illinois, Member (2000 to present), Board Member, Treasurer (2011-2014)                          

  • Hispanic National Bar Association, Member (2000 to present), Deputy Regional President (2004-2005)

  • Chicago Bar Association, Member (2000 to present), Trial Skills Program Coach (2001-2005)

  • Chicago Inn of Court, Master of the Bench (2015 to present)

  • Association of Inspectors General, Certified Inspector General (2013-2015)

  • Leadership Greater Chicago, Fellow, (2005), Board Member (2006)

  • Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation, Board Member (2008-2009)

  • Family Institute at Northwestern University, Board Member (2006-2007)

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois Supreme Court

  • Northern District of Illinois - Federal Trial Bar

  • 7th Circuit Court of Appeals

  • 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals

SELECT PRESENTATIONS/PANEL MEMBER

  • 11th Annual Food & Beverage Exchange, Metropolitan Club, Chicago. “The Regulatory Expert’s Guide to Navigating the Latest Labeling Laws and Initiatives” (October 2023)

  • Cook County Bar Association, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. “Building Strategic Relationships to Advance and Enhance Your Career” (April 2023)

  • Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter. “Smashing the Glass Ceiling: A Women’s History Month Conversation with Industry Vanguards” (March 2022)