BAL has acquired Ladik Law Firm, adding sports and entertainment immigration specialist Steve Ladik and his team to the corporate immigration firm’s Sports and Entertainment Practice as it expands services for professional and amateur athletes, teams, and leagues.
The firm said the addition deepens its capabilities in athlete and team mobility matters, including immigration planning and compliance for travel tied to training, competition, tours, and league play. BAL CEO Jeremy Fudge said Ladik’s relationships and domain expertise will strengthen the practice and highlighted BAL’s technology platform as a differentiator for clients navigating fast-moving immigration requirements.
Ladik Law Firm is nationally recognized for immigration work across a wide range of sports, including tennis, golf, soccer, squash, basketball, baseball, figure skating, hockey, football, and track and field, according to the announcement. Steve Ladik has also advised organizations including the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, the National Football League and its teams, and the Texas Rangers.
BAL Sports and Entertainment Practice leader Gabriel Castro said Ladik’s background spans additional areas such as sailing and emphasized his ability to support mobility needs across different sports ecosystems, from individual athletes and support staff to teams and larger league organizations.
The deal follows a series of recent BAL additions and acquisitions, which the firm said included talent from Seyfarth Shaw, Erickson, and Newland Chase. BAL framed the expansion as a response to a more volatile global mobility environment, where organizations need rapid guidance and the ability to track changing laws and regulations.
Founded in 1980, BAL focuses on corporate immigration and says it operates with 13 U.S. offices and global coverage in more than 170 countries. The firm also pointed to its “oneBAL” structure—one team, one brand, one profit-and-loss model, and shared technology—as a way to standardize service delivery across its footprint.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are proud to welcome Steve, his team and clients to the BAL family. Steve’s incredible relationships and expertise will supercharge our industry-leading Sports and Entertainment practice. As a previous BALer, Steve knows firsthand the exceptional experience BAL can provide his clients and the unique technological gains only BAL can currently provide.”
Jeremy Fudge, CEO, BAL
“At a time when global mobility requires rapid response and the ability to track constantly shifting laws and regulations, BAL expands the resources available to athletes and support staff who are traveling for training and competition. While I had many options to consider, BAL stood apart with the most skilled, creative and passionate experts emphasizing exceptional service.”
Steve Ladik, Owner and Founder, Ladik Law Firm
“Steve’s expertise is a perfect complement to our Sports and Entertainment Practice. His experience in areas like sailing, football, hockey, basketball and golf demonstrates his ability to deliver across all elements of global sports.”
Gabriel Castro, Sports and Entertainment Practice Leader, BAL
