Recalde Law Firm — Miami, Florida
We advise on fund formation, RIA compliance, private offerings, equity compensation, M&A, and international wealth structuring — from Miami for clients across the U.S. and Latin America.
We concentrate in five areas where deep regulatory knowledge and transactional precision create the most value for our clients.
Structuring private funds and advising registered and exempt reporting advisers from formation through ongoing operations.
We work with emerging and established managers to structure, document, and launch private investment vehicles — including venture capital funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, and real asset vehicles. Our fund formation work covers the full lifecycle: entity structuring, drafting of limited partnership agreements and operating agreements, private placement memoranda, subscription documents, and side letter negotiations.
For investment advisers, we serve as ongoing outside regulatory counsel. We advise SEC-registered investment advisers and exempt reporting advisers on the Advisers Act compliance framework, including Form ADV preparation and amendments, compliance program design and annual reviews, code of ethics, custody rule obligations, advertising and marketing rule compliance under the new Marketing Rule, and books and records requirements.
Representing buyers, sellers, and investors in middle-market transactions from LOI through post-closing integration.
We represent principals on both sides of middle-market acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, and joint ventures. Our approach is hands-on and deal-oriented — we quarterback transactions from the letter of intent through closing and post-closing adjustments, coordinating with tax advisors, accountants, and lenders to keep deals on track.
We have particular experience with transactions involving regulated entities — including acquisitions of RIA practices, fund portfolio transfers, and transactions where securities law intersects with traditional M&A. We also advise on cross-border M&A where U.S. and Latin American parties are on opposite sides of the table.
Counseling founders, issuers, and investors on private offerings, equity compensation, and securities law compliance.
We counsel companies raising capital through private placements, advising on exemption selection, offering structure, investor qualification, and disclosure obligations. Our work spans the full range of Regulation D offerings — from single-investor Series Seed financings to multi-tranche institutional raises — as well as Regulation S offerings to non-U.S. persons.
We also advise growth-stage companies on equity compensation design and implementation — including stock option plans, restricted stock awards, profits interests, and phantom equity arrangements. For founders navigating priced rounds, SAFE and convertible note conversions, and secondary transactions, we provide securities counsel that accounts for both regulatory requirements and cap table mechanics.
Advising LATAM families and international investors on U.S. inbound structuring, trust planning, and multi-jurisdictional asset protection.
We advise high-net-worth individuals and families — primarily from Latin America — on the legal architecture of their U.S. investments and wealth structures. This includes inbound investment planning for non-resident aliens acquiring U.S. real property, operating businesses, and financial assets, as well as pre-immigration planning for individuals establishing U.S. tax residency.
Our trust and estate structuring work focuses on dynastic planning through domestic and foreign trusts, asset protection structures, and succession planning for family-held businesses and investment portfolios. We coordinate with tax counsel, family office advisors, and fiduciaries in multiple jurisdictions to build structures that are operationally practical and compliant across borders.
Handling complex commercial disputes in federal and state court, including securities, fiduciary duty, and partnership matters.
We represent businesses and individuals in high-stakes commercial disputes in Florida state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration. Our litigation practice is concentrated in areas where our transactional and regulatory knowledge gives us a tactical advantage — including disputes arising from failed M&A transactions, securities fraud claims, investment adviser disputes, and partnership and LLC member controversies.
We handle matters from pre-litigation demand strategy through trial and appeal. Where appropriate, we pursue early resolution through mediation and negotiation, but we prepare every case as though it is going to trial. Our experience before the Southern District of Florida and the Eleventh Circuit gives us familiarity with the procedural requirements and judicial preferences in the courts where our clients' disputes most frequently arise.
Our clients operate in regulated and capital-intensive environments where legal precision is not optional. We serve a focused set of clients whose needs align with our core competencies.
SEC-registered firms and their CCOs navigating the compliance lifecycle — from initial registration and Form ADV preparation through annual reviews, mock examinations, and responding to SEC deficiency letters. We understand the operational realities of running an advisory practice and tailor our advice accordingly.
ERA-status managers operating under the venture capital or private fund adviser exemption. We advise on maintaining exemption eligibility, Form ADV-exempt reporting filings, and the compliance obligations that apply even in the absence of full SEC registration.
Single- and multi-family offices structuring direct investments, co-investment vehicles, governance frameworks, and next-generation succession plans. We help family offices navigate the regulatory boundary between family office exclusion status and investment adviser registration requirements.
Latin American families and entrepreneurs investing in U.S. real property, operating businesses, and financial assets. We advise on inbound investment structuring, pre-immigration planning, FIRPTA analysis, and the coordination of U.S. legal structures with home-country advisors and fiduciaries.
Founders raising Series A through growth-stage capital who need securities counsel that understands cap table mechanics, investor rights agreements, and the regulatory implications of their financing structures. We help founders navigate SAFE and convertible note conversions, priced rounds, and secondary transactions.
General partners and sponsors forming and operating private funds across venture capital, private equity, credit, and real asset strategies. We handle fund formation, investor onboarding, regulatory filings, and the ongoing governance and compliance needs of fund operations.
All client matters are led by Rafael Recalde, the firm's founder and managing attorney.
He is licensed in Florida and Washington, D.C., and brings over 18 years of experience representing companies, investors, and entrepreneurs in transactional, litigation, and regulatory matters. His practice spans commercial financings, M&A, cross-border structuring, and complex business disputes, with a particular emphasis on transactions involving Latin America or inbound investment into the United States.
Earlier in his career, Rafael held legal clerkships at Citigroup's Latin America Legal Department, where he supported the General Counsel in coordinating legal teams — both in-house and external — across 24 jurisdictions in the region. He also gained regulatory experience at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Rafael also speaks working French, Italian, and Portuguese, which strengthens his ability to engage with international stakeholders, review foreign-language documents, and streamline cross-border coordination.
Rafael is admitted to the Florida Bar and the District of Columbia Bar, and is authorized to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Based in Miami, Florida.
Analysis and commentary on securities regulation, fund operations, and cross-border structuring.
Schedule a consultation to discuss how we can support your regulatory, transactional, or structuring needs.