Ricky Bitelman-Behar, JD
Building the agreements, governance, and transaction structures companies need from formation through exit.
Start a conversation35+
Years building companies from the ground up
25+
More than 25 companies advised across sectors and jurisdictions
$8M
Raised in one PPM round — not total capital raised
$54M → ~$5B
IWC timber-reserve valuation growth
Profile
Ricky Bitelman-Behar is a transactional and regulatory corporate advisor whose 35+ year record spans governance, seed-to-exit capitalization, regulatory compliance, equity structuring, and cross-border operations. He has advised inventors, investors, and founders; operated an SEC-registered international company; and built legal-document SaaS platforms with compliance engineered into the product.
His experience connects private financings — Reg D, Reg CF, SAFEs and PPMs — with S-1 registration and 12(g) reporting. Just as importantly, it starts with the contracts, ownership records, and operating structures on which those later events depend.
Professional notice: Ricky operates in a non-practicing capacity as a corporate advisor, structural consultant, and platform architect. He does not provide legal representation.
What I do
The emphasis below reflects recurring work across engagements, with specialized capabilities supporting particular mandates.
Pre-incorporation, bylaws, governance, cap tables, officer equity, contracts
Reg D 506(b), Reg CF / Form C, SAFE, PPM, S-1, 12(g) reporting
International holding structures, foreign subsidiaries, cross-border fund flows
UPL gating, FTC and bar advertising rules
Forensic document review, broker-dealer transaction review
Signature work
Technology defense
At International Thermal Packaging, defended the core technology against takeover and asset-dilution attempts, isolated exclusive licenses protecting patent royalties, and negotiated commercialization contracts with the U.S. military and international partners.
TASER founder advisory
Advised inventor Jack Cover on protection of the original TASER technology, its redesign to meet non-firearm standards, and the sale, licensing, and capitalization path that preceded TASER International.
Trading technology
Advised Tradescape’s founder on day-trading technology and NASDAQ trade-execution optimization, including Smart Order Routing Technology. Tradescape was acquired by E*Trade in 2002.
Film & media finance
Structured financing for independent motion-picture assets and production ventures involving major studios, including Columbia Pictures.
Legal technology
Founded and architected platforms with UPL, FTC, and state-bar advertising compliance incorporated into their product design.
Real estate
Served as personal advisor to Burton Goldberg on the Hotel Mutiny project in Coconut Grove, Florida.
Track record
Several roles ran in parallel. Select a focus to follow the thread across organizations and decades.
Mar 2026 – Present
Founder
Miami · U.S. and international
Strategic advisory for startups and corporate clients from pre-incorporation to exit: contracts, bylaws, equity systems, and cross-border structures.
Apr 2026 – Present
Co-Founder & Platform Architect
Miami
Developed two legal-tech SaaS platforms and an Apple-approved emergency-alert app; handled formation and prepared offering materials with securities counsel and the CPA of record.
2026 – Present
Legal AI Trainer & Rubric Specialist
Remote
Rubric design and evaluation of AI output on multi-jurisdictional compliance, governance, and contract obligations.
Jan 1997 – Present
Legal & Corporate Director
Brazil
Contracts, mergers, acquisitions, due diligence, and executive counsel for an international timberland, agriculture, and trading group.
Sep 1991 – Apr 2026
Director of Legal Affairs
Miami · SEC 12(g)-registered
In-house securities filings and offerings, Board reporting, SEC and state blue-sky matters, carbon-credit strategy, international structures, and M&A agreements. During this work, IWC’s timber-reserve valuation grew from $54 million to nearly $5 billion.
Sep 2018 – Sep 2021
Chief Legal Officer
Deerfield Beach, FL
Advised management on corporate decisions, joint ventures, partnerships, and outside counsel.
Jan 2013 – Sep 2021
Director of Information Technology
Boca Raton, FL
Designed legal SaaS platforms, audited investor portals and closing systems, and developed technology-driven funding strategies.
Sep 1997 – Sep 2008
Legal Counsel
Pará, Brazil
Cross-border contracts, M&A diligence, multi-jurisdiction compliance, and support for U.S. GAAP audits of foreign assets.
Sep 1994 – Sep 1998
Director of Legal Affairs
United States
Founder protection, patent governance, commercialization agreements, and early venture liquidity.
Sep 1988 – Sep 1993
Board Advisor
Los Angeles
Corporate strategy, founder-protection arrangements, and capital partnerships for founder Jerry Wiegert.
Sep 1984 – Sep 1992
Mergers & Acquisitions Director
Los Angeles
Advised inventor Jack Cover on corporate restructuring, technology licensing, and capitalization.
Earlier engagement
Legal & Corporate Advisor
New York
Advised on day-trading technology and the partnership and transaction strategy preceding its 2002 acquisition by E*Trade.
Principals & clients advised
Inventor of the TASER
Founder, Vector Motor Car Company
Founder, International Thermal Packaging
Actor and investor
Actor
Actor, producer and investor
Acquired by E*Trade in 2002
Hotel Mutiny project
Sectors
Also available
When a venture needs its product built, we develop compliant websites and apps, including legal-document platforms, investor portals, and licensed-program intake systems. Regulatory constraints are part of the design from the start.
Engage
Whether you are forming, operating, financing, expanding, or preparing to exit, bring the stage you are at and the next decision ahead. Engagements are handled through Defensible.dev in Miami, with remote work across the U.S. and internationally.
rickybittelmanbeharjd@defensible.dev
