After years of looking for the right way to enter the New York market, Ballard Spahr is set to officially launch in the city today with the acquisition of noted white-collar and securities litigation boutique Stillman & Friedman.

The two firms created a new legal entity in New York, Ballard Spahr Stillman & Friedman, which will be the name of the firm in the city for the next two or so years. Once the branding efforts are completed, the Stillman & Friedman name will drop off, the heads of the two firms said last week. Ballard Spahr Chairman Mark Stewart said the firm was advised it was easier to combine the LLP and PC through creating a separate legal entity.