Representing athletes, celebrities, influencers, models, and other individuals in the entertainment industry.
Our practice is built upon five pillars of NIL, including brand name and development, influencer and brand relations, legal and compliance, financial literacy and tax implications, and philanthropy and community service.
Influencer Counsel is a new division of Bitman O’Brien & Morat, PLLC that focuses on representing athletes, bloggers, celebrities, content creators, influencers, models, and other individuals in the entertainment industry. The Counsel is comprised of Ronnie Bitman, Managing Partner and Legal Counsel, and Dan LaForest, Director-NIL Relations and Financial Counsel.
Influencer Counsel provides guidance and representation in all of these areas, helping clients develop their personal brand, and build
relationships with brands and other influencers.
In the ever-changing digital world, influencers need quality counsel they can trust. The seasoned team at Influencer Counsel by Bitman Law is here to advocate for influencers on all mediums and no matter how large the following.
The seasoned team at Influencer Counsel is here to advocate for influencers and athletes on all mediums and no matter how large the following.
Stories abound about influencers who had it all in their respective field, be it beauty, sports, or other interests, only to have their following and livelihood stolen from them often without sufficient reason. Even worse, influencers can fall victim to unscrupulous companies or platforms using their likeness without their permission, resulting in the influencer losing revenue.
We Read the Fine Print
While reasons for influencers being taken advantage of vary, most often, they can be attributed to contracts. Excited at the prospect of making money doing what they love, influencers are quick to sign binding contracts that can seriously affect them later down the line. Such contracts can restrict other endorsements they are allowed to take or even limit the sort of content they can create.
These contracts can not only stifle the creativity essential to staying relevant in such a competitive field, but they can also restrict revenue streams from other potential endorsement deals.
Agent Number 1537
rbitman@influencer-counsel.com
Ronnie Bitman is the managing partner and co founder of Bitman O’Brien & Morat, PLLC. He has been recognized as a premier attorney in the State of Florida. He is general counsel to several business clients, advising on overall business strategy, risk prevention, transactions, litigation, and appeals.
A Sports Management major heading the firm’s Sports & Entertainment practice group, Ronnie represents celebrities, TV personalities, content creators, models, athletes, musicians, and sports clubs in various business dealings and litigation matters. Ronnie acts as local (Florida) counsel for multiple firms, often handling complex and high profile litigation for celebrity clientele such as Justin Bieber, the Estate of Michael Jackson, Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex(Markle).
Ronnie litigates a wide range of complex and unique matters, including defamation and first amendment matters, employment law, class actions, social media and influencer matters, contract negotiations/litigation, partnership disputes, and general business law. He also remains a mainstay in Florida’s consumer financial services litigation scene, overseeing one of the state’s most robust residential foreclosure practices representing banks and mortgage servicers.
Aside from handling the firm’s day-to-day management and operations, Ronnie also serves on various groups, committees, and organizations. He currently serves on the advisory board of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, is a member of the George C. Young American Inn of Court (Orange County, FL), and is an appointee of the Florida Supreme Court, sitting on the Business Law Civil Jury Rules Committee.
Ronnie earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. He is a member of the California Bar, New York Bar, Florida Bar, and Washington D.C. Bar. He has been admitted to practice before various federal courts and the United States Supreme Court.
Agent Number 1564
dlaforest@influencer-counsel.com
Dan LaForest is a Wealth Advisor and Financial Planner with Security Financial Management, Inc. in Orlando, FL. SFM is a full-service financial planning firm and is one of the largest independent firms in Florida. He provides financial solutions and advice to retirees, business owners, and those seeking long-term guidance.
Dan has carried over his passion for advocating education and financial literacy from his day-to-day operations to promoting student-athletes with enthusiasm. Dan has also been involved with high school sports at many levels for over a decade, playing a significant role in shaping and promoting the sports programs and the athletes who participate. He is a member of the Orlando TD Club, Florida Citrus Sports, Cure All-Star Games, former owner of Varsity Sports Network, and host of the Central Florida High School Scoreboard Show.
Dan grew up in Apopka where he played at Apopka High School and graduated from East Tennessee State University (1988-1993) where he received his degree in Business Management and lettered on the football team.
Courtney Dawn Shaw
Executive Director of Communications
cshaw@influencer-counsel.com
Courtney Dawn Shaw is married to her best friend Jeffrey, and mom to Kingston, Carrington, and Brighton. She is a 2x author, speaker, certified personal trainer, spokesperson, TV/Radio Host, and Mrs. Florida America 2014-15. She is a long-time health advocate and member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutriton. Courtney has impacted countless lives through all forms of media with her message of hope, health, freedom, and passion for living an authentic life. Her energy, relatability, transparency, and zeal for life is contagious.
Her role as the Executive Director of Communications with the Influencer Counsel brings her passion for mentorship, media training, and brand development together to serve our elite athletes and influential clientele. Her mission is to identify, equip, and activate the greatness within our clients and partner them with brands that reflect their strengths, talents, and abilities.
One-Stop-Shop For All Things NIL
We strive to be the go-to source for information on contractual, business, financial, and other rights, helping exceptional student-athletes achieve their goals and thrive in the ever-evolving world of NIL.
