Ronnie Bitman
Managing Partner
Ronnie Bitman is the managing partner and co-founder of Bitman O’Brien & Morat, PLLC. He is considered one of Florida’s leading lawyers. In addition to handling the firm’s day-to-day management and operations, he litigates a wide range of complex and unique matters, which gain him a number of recognitions as one of Florida Trend’s Rising Stars, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Florida SuperLawyers®, and the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award winner.
Bitman has handled an array of complex commercial matters ranging from consumer fraud class actions, contract and employment disputes, trade secret litigation, unfair and deceptive trade practice matters, intellectual property litigation, business and partnership disputes, wrongful death actions, appeals, and multiple business transactions.
He is general counsel to several business clients, advising on overall business strategy, litigation prevention, transactions, litigation, and appeals.
A sports management major, he has stayed at the helm of sports and law, heading the firm’s Sports & Entertainment practice group. He has represented celebrities, TV personalities, athletes, musicians, and sports clubs in various business and litigation matters. He also acts as local counsel for various out-of-state firms, handling difficult litigation for major corporations and has acted in the same capacity for high-profile celebrity clientele such as Justin Bieber, the Estate of Michael Jackson, Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, and Lindsay Lohan.
Bitman is also a mainstay in Florida’s consumer financial services litigation scene, overseeing one of the state’s strongest residential foreclosure practices for banks and mortgage servicers.
HONORS, RECOGNITIONS AND PUBLICATIONS:
- Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™, 2016
- Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™, Up and Comers, 2010
- Super Lawyers™ 2020
- Super Lawyers™ 2019
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars™ 2014
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars™ 2013
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars™ 2012
- Orlando Business Journal, 40 under 40™ 2014
- Rocking Wrigley: The Chicago Cubs’ Off-Field Struggle to Compete for Ticket Sales with Its Rooftop Neighbors, 56 Fed. Com. L.J. 377 (2004)
- AV Preeminent Rated – Martindale-Hubbell®
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS:
- Orange County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- The George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court
- Immediate Past Board President of The Roth Family Jewish Community
- Center of Greater Orlando
- Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions for Contract and Business Law – 2017
- Florida Bar Business Law Section – Member
- Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section – Member
- Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section – Member
- Greater Orlando Sports Commission – Advisory Board
Major Win for Bitman O’Brien & Morat in Fair Credit Reporting Act Case
Bitman O’Brien & Morat recently had a significant win in a defense case for client, Holiday Inn Club Vacations*, Inc., dismissing a claim for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Changes in Student-Athlete Compensation Rules
Recently, a federal bill was introduced known as the Collegiate Athlete Compensation Rights Act. If passed, athletes under amateurism rules can increase their economic rights and be paid for appearances and endorsements, including the use of their name, likeness, and image. A few states, including Florida, have already passed legislation to allow compensation for student-athletes.
Time-Sharing and Family Law
When going through a paternity action or a divorce involving children it is required by family courts to establish a legal parenting plan. This plan will set all the rules applying to the children’s daily lives including custody, overnight responsibilities, healthcare, education, parent visitation schedules and the calculation of child support.
Dissolution of Marriage: What you need to know before filing in Florida
Making the difficult and life-altering decision to get divorced can be emotional and overwhelming. Being prepared and having an experienced lawyer by your side can help navigate the complex decisions and procedures involved in a divorce, or dissolution of marriage, case.
Ronnie Bitman Selected to Greater Orlando Sports Commission Advisory Board
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has announced its 2021 officers as well as 15 incoming members to its Executive and Advisory Board of Directors. New incoming members will serve as the team that will help us continue to collaborate and bring innovative ideas and leadership to Greater Orlando.
Bitman Adds Family Law Practice Area
Bitman, O’Brien & Morat is expanding its practice to include family law. Associate Ryan Marger will lead the team to represent clients in a variety of matters relating to family relationships including divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, and adoptions.
EDUCATION:
- J.D., cum laude, Indiana University School of Law (2004)
- B.A., with distinction, University of Michigan (2000)
ADMISSIONS:
-
- Florida Bar
- New York Bar
- California Bar (Inactive Status)
- Washington, D.C. Bar (Inactive Status)
- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
- United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
APPELLATE DECISIONS
- Bank of New York Mellon v. Johnson, 185 So. 3d 594 (Fla. 5th DCA 2016), review denied, SC16-392, 2016 WL 4440960 (Fla. Aug. 23, 2016)
- Ortiz v. PNC Bank, Nat. Ass’n, 188 So. 3d 923 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016)
- Schwades v. Am.’s Wholesale Lender, 146 So. 3d 150 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
- U.S. Bank Nat. Ass’n v. Croteau, 183 So. 3d 1089 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015)
- U.S. Bank Nat’l Ass’n on Behalf of Holders of the Home Equity Asset Tr. 2002-4 Home Equity Pass-Through Certificates , Series 2002-4 v. Doepker, 223 So. 3d 1083 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017), reh’g denied (July 19, 2017)
- Wilmington Trust, N.A. v. Whyte, 199 So. 3d 494 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016)
Learn More About Attorney Ronnie Bitman
Managing Partner
Bitman has handled an array of complex commercial matters ranging from consumer fraud class actions, contract and employment disputes, trade secret litigation, unfair and deceptive trade practice matters, intellectual property litigation, business and partnership disputes, wrongful death actions, appeals, and multiple business transactions.
He is general counsel to several business clients, advising on overall business strategy, litigation prevention, transactions, litigation, and appeals.
A sports management major, he has stayed at the helm of sports and law, heading the firm’s Sports & Entertainment practice group. He has represented celebrities, TV personalities, athletes, musicians, and sports clubs in various business and litigation matters. He also acts as local counsel for various out-of-state firms, handling difficult litigation for major corporations and has acted in the same capacity for high-profile celebrity clientele such as Justin Bieber, the Estate of Michael Jackson, Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, and Lindsay Lohan.
Bitman is also a mainstay in Florida’s consumer financial services litigation scene, overseeing one of the state’s strongest residential foreclosure practices for banks and mortgage servicers.
HONORS, RECOGNITION’S AND PUBLICATIONS:
- Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™, 2016
- Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™, Up and Comers, 2010
- Super Lawyers™ 2020
- Super Lawyers™ 2019
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars™ 2014
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars™ 2013
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars™ 2012
- Orlando Business Journal, 40 under 40™ 2014
- Rocking Wrigley: The Chicago Cubs’ Off-Field Struggle to Compete for Ticket Sales with Its Rooftop Neighbors, 56 Fed. Com. L.J. 377 (2004)
- AV Preeminent Rated – Martindale-Hubbell®
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS:
- Orange County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- The George C. Young First Central Florida American Inn of Court
- Immediate Past Board President of The Roth Family Jewish Community
- Center of Greater Orlando
- Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions for Contract and Business Law – 2017
- Florida Bar Business Law Section – Member
- Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section – Member
- Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section – Member
Major Win for Bitman O’Brien & Morat in Fair Credit Reporting Act Case
Bitman O’Brien & Morat recently had a significant win in a defense case for client, Holiday Inn Club Vacations*, Inc., dismissing a claim for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Changes in Student-Athlete Compensation Rules
Recently, a federal bill was introduced known as the Collegiate Athlete Compensation Rights Act. If passed, athletes under amateurism rules can increase their economic rights and be paid for appearances and endorsements, including the use of their name, likeness, and image. A few states, including Florida, have already passed legislation to allow compensation for student-athletes.
Time-Sharing and Family Law
When going through a paternity action or a divorce involving children it is required by family courts to establish a legal parenting plan. This plan will set all the rules applying to the children’s daily lives including custody, overnight responsibilities, healthcare, education, parent visitation schedules and the calculation of child support.
Dissolution of Marriage: What you need to know before filing in Florida
Making the difficult and life-altering decision to get divorced can be emotional and overwhelming. Being prepared and having an experienced lawyer by your side can help navigate the complex decisions and procedures involved in a divorce, or dissolution of marriage, case.
EDUCATION:
- J.D., cum laude, Indiana University School of Law (2004)
- B.A., with distinction, University of Michigan (2000)
ADMISSIONS:
- Florida Bar
- New York Bar
- California Bar (Inactive Status)
- Washington, D.C. Bar (Inactive Status)
- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
- United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States Supreme Court
APPELLATE DECISIONS
- Bank of New York Mellon v. Johnson, 185 So. 3d 594 (Fla. 5th DCA 2016), review denied, SC16-392, 2016 WL 4440960 (Fla. Aug. 23, 2016)
- Ortiz v. PNC Bank, Nat. Ass’n, 188 So. 3d 923 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016)
- Schwades v. Am.’s Wholesale Lender, 146 So. 3d 150 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
- U.S. Bank Nat. Ass’n v. Croteau, 183 So. 3d 1089 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015)
- U.S. Bank Nat’l Ass’n on Behalf of Holders of the Home Equity Asset Tr. 2002-4 Home Equity Pass-Through Certificates , Series 2002-4 v. Doepker, 223 So. 3d 1083 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017), reh’g denied (July 19, 2017)
- Wilmington Trust, N.A. v. Whyte, 199 So. 3d 494 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016)