Mary Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
Liz Cedillo-Pereira is the managing attorney with Cedillo-Pereira and Associates, an immigration and nationality law practice that represents individuals, families, businesses, and government entities. Liz is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and lectures on immigration law as a faculty member with the UT School of Law Immigration Law conference and the State Bar of Texas Immigration law course. In 2007, Liz co-founded the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)—Dallas “Know Your Rights” project for detained individuals, and she is a member of AILA—DREAM Defenders & AILA Military Assistance Program.
Born and raised in Dallas, Liz is a graduate of North Dallas High School. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. Following college graduation, Liz served on the staff for two Members of Congress: Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard & Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson and as a consultant for Dean International. In 1999, Liz earned her J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law. At SMU Law, Liz was named the John Kennedy Outstanding 3L Woman.
Upon graduation, Liz joined Patton Boggs LLP as an associate. With an interest in immigration matters, Liz moved to the Texas-Mexico border to work with renowned attorney, Lisa Brodyaga, and thereafter returned home to create a court representation program for pro se immigrants in North Texas with Catholic Charities—Dallas.
Liz has received numerous awards for her dedication to the legal profession, to advocacy, and to community engagement and empowerment. Recently, Liz received the 2015 SMU Law Distinguished Alumni Emerging Leader Award, the “Ohtli” Award from the Republic of Mexico and was featured as a “Texas Trailblazer” on KERA. Also, Liz received the “Groundbreaker Award” from the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the “Young Entrepreneur Award” by the Consulate General of Mexico, and a 2013 “Emerge Leadership” Award, presented by PODER Hispanic Magazine. In 2013, Liz was appointed to the American Bar Association National Commission on Immigration. She was recognized as a “Best Lawyer in America” in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and she was named a “Best Lawyer in Dallas” by D Magazine in 2014 and 2015.
Liz has played a key leadership role in many charitable organizations, including the Dallas Foundation, the Callejo-Botello Foundation, and the Hispanic Bar Foundation, where she focused on educational pipeline initiatives.
Recently, Liz assisted the Texas Access to Justice Foundation in leading “Texas DACA Day,” a statewide initiative to provide legal services to those eligible for deferred action across the state. She is living out her dream to lead a law practice dedicated to helping others start on their paths towards the American Dream.
Liz is married to Oscar Pereira, an aeronautical engineer, and she has three children.