Managing Partner Michael Wildes is pictured with Israeli singing sensation and entertainer Eyal Golan.
Recently, the firm announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved Mr. Golan’s O-1 visa classification. Michael visited Mr. Golan while in Israel. February, 2019.
In order to qualify for an O-1 visa, which allows individuals of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, education or business to live and work in the United States, a foreign national must provide adequate documentation to demonstrate that he/she has sustained national or international acclaim in their field. Eyal Golan has enjoyed a long and illustrious career as one of Israel’s most successful pop-stars. Over the course of the last two decades, he has sold over 21 million albums and his songs have received a staggering 362 million YouTube views. To date, Mr. Golan has recorded over 20 albums and has performed for sell-out crowds around the world. He has been named Israel’s “Singer of the Decade” as well as “Singer of the Year” 11 times. In addition to hosting the hit television reality song contest “Eyal Golan is Calling You”, Mr. Golan also regularly volunteers his services as a singer for important civic and charitable causes.
Following this approval by DHS, the Department of State will now evaluate Mr. Golan’s character and fitness in light of the 2011 investigation by Israeli tax authorities as to actions carried out without his knowledge by officers within one of his companies. As was demonstrated by Founding Partner Leon Wildes’ successful representation of John Lennon in his deportation case, the United States should not judge the character of its prospective visitors based on charges sustained within foreign courts without any evidence that the accused knew about the criminal conduct. Mr. Golan has always maintained that he had no knowledge of the wrongful actions carried out by his company’s officials yet he remained linked to the case because of particularities of the Israeli tax system. Unlike the United States, Israeli tax law recognizes the concept of “corporate liability,” allowing prosecutors to charge Mr. Golan without any evidence that he was aware of the illicit activities of his company officials. Michael Wildes intends to show that, like John Lennon before him, the United States should not judge Eyal Golan, the fitness of another world-renowned, musical icon based on accusations that are not even actionable under the U.S. Constitution.
According to Michael “We are deeply honored to have had this opportunity to work with a client as celebrated as Mr. Golan and appreciative that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has acknowledged Eyal’s international talents and acclaim. It is our hope that Department of State will accurately apply the law in this case, too, so that Mr. Golan’s legions of fans in the United States will finally have the opportunity to participate first-hand in one of his famously electrifying live performances in 2019.”