ATTORNEY PROFILE

C H A R L E S  A P P L E B A U M  E S Q .

ATTORNEY PROFILE


I have practiced law since 1973 and my experience is broad. After clerking for the Assignment Judge of Hudson County, I became an associate of the Greenbaum law firm (then known as Greenbaum Greenbaum Rowe and Smith) and after a beneficial experience as a litigator, I concentrated in the commercial real estate area. I became a partner of the firm and for the ensuing 10 years I worked on commercial and residential subdivisions, acquisitions, financings, and land use applications.

While a member of the Greenbaum firm, I secured an L.L. M in Taxation at New York University Law School, to complement my J.D. from Rutgers - Newark Law School and my B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.
I thereafter became General Counsel to the M. Alfieri organization. As well as concentrating on commercial real estate matters I also became well versed in commercial leasing as the Alfieri organization owned, managed and developed several million square feet of office and flex space. As General Counsel I was responsible for administrative, corporate and litigation matters, as well as commercial real estate matters including development, leasing and financing. I established relationships with brokers and sophisticated lawyers for tenants and lenders. Most importantly, I learned to approach matters not just as a lawyer representing a businessman but also as a businessman.

After 12 years, I became General Counsel to Kara Homes Inc. and all its affiliates. I was once again responsible for all corporate and real estate matters. This included financing, construction, acquisition, and zoning. For the several year period I was general counsel, Kara Homes was among the fastest growing builders in the state.

I then became General Counsel to the Pinnacle Organization, a sophisticated developer of unique urban/suburban residential and commercial properties. Ultimately I became a part time consultant for Pinnacle while I started my own law firm primarily limited to the practice of commercial real estate. This was the best course for me and I have developed my practice over the last 10 years. During the last 10 years, while maintaining my law practice I became of counsel to the law firm founded by Peter J. Zipp (Zipp & Tannenbaum) located in Raritan Center, Edison New Jersey which is devoted to real estate tax appeals, eminent domain and redevelopment matters. By this association I have been able to offer tax appeal and redevelopment expertise to clients.

I have used the knowledge and experience I have gained over these many years to grow my practice. As a sole practitioner I am mindful that my success is based on cost effective service. I do what large firms can do in commercial real estate matters, but in an economical way to benefit the client.

I have always devoted time to educational matters and lecturing over my career. In 1988 I was elected as a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. I was a chairman of the Essex County real estate committee. I was also chairman (1989 to 1994, 1996 to 1997) of the Significant Literature and Publications Committee, Real Estate Division, Real Property Probate and Trust Section of the American Bar Association. I was an adjunct professor at both Rutgers Law School and Seton Hall Law School, teaching an upper-class course in real estate. I have written numerous articles, co-authored a 2-volume New Jersey Forms Book and lectured numerous times for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. In February, 2019, I was selected for inclusion in the Top Attorneys of North America 2019-2020 edition of “The Who’s Who Directories.” Below is a listing of those endeavors.
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Books & Articles


  • Co-Author: NEW JERSEY REAL ESTATE FORMS-PRACTICE, Lexus nexus (1988) Article: “CHARTING THE COURSE AWAY FROM HOME RULE,” 125 New Jersey Law Journal 61 (1990)
  • Book Review: ZONING AND THE AMERICAN DREAM, PROMISES STILL TO KEEP, 25 Real Property, Probate and Trust Journal 591 (Fall 1990)
  • Book Review: THE ACREL PAPERS, 28 Real Property Probate and Trust Journal 383 (Summer 1993)
  • Article: “NEW BROKERAGE PROBLEMS IN COMMERCIAL LEASING,” Vol. 5 Probate & Property 49 (Nov. /Dec. 1991)
  • Co-Editor: REAL ESTATE LOAN WORKOUTS, 1 The Acrel Papers (1991); REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIPS, 2 The Acrel Papers (1991); REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES, 3 The Acrel Papers (1992); THE ATTORNEY’S OPINION LETTER IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS, 4 The Acrel Papers (1992); COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LENDING, 5 The Acrel Papers (1992). All of the foregoing were edited by the Publications Committee of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and published by the Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, American Bar Association.

Seminars Conducted


  • Essex County Bar Association: COMPLEX ZONING (1983); CONDOMINIUM LAW (1983); REAL ESTATE TAX SHELTERS (1983); TAX REFORM ACT (1984); TAX/REAL ESTATE SYNDICATIONS (1986); CONSTRUCTION AND PERMANENT LOANS (1988).
  • New Jersey State Bar Association: RESIDENTIAL AND CONDOMINIUM LAW (1984); CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION (1989).
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: LEASING OFFICE SPACE (2001).
  • Monmouth University Guest Lecturer for Real Estate Program (2009).
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: SOPHISTICATED COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PRACTICE (2011).
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: SMALL TENANT/LANDLORD COMMERCIAL LEASING SEMINAR (2011)
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: COMPLEX ISSUES IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LEASING (2012)
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: CRITICAL ISSUES IN DRAFTING AND NEGOTIATING OFFICE, RETAIL, INDUSTRIAL & GROUND LEASES (2013)
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: INDISPENSABLE TOPICS IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PRACTICE (2015)
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: FROM THE GROUND UP: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROJECT (2016)
  • New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education: COMPLEX ISSUES IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE (2019)
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