Attorney Spotlight – Martin W. Kafafian

Today we present the next edition of our “Spotlight Series,” which is designed to help you get to know the team behind Beattie Padovano, LLC.

We are pleased to highlight Martin (Marty) W. Kafafian, Co-Managing Member and Chair of the Commercial Real Estate & Leasing Group at our firm.

Marty’s areas of practice include Commercial Real Estate, Banking, and Corporate Law. Among his extremely satisfied clients are Fortune 500 companies, national and regional retailers, real estate developers, supermarkets, and department stores. With tremendous breadth and depth of knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to integrity, Marty has provided counsel on a broad spectrum of matters that include financing, leasing, subleasing, sale-leasebacks, and the structuring and implementation of complex real estate transactions. In addition, Marty has been involved with the development of major real estate projects and the acquisition and disposition of real estate properties and portfolios.

Also known for his inspiring spirit of service, Marty has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles over the course of his career, earning coveted honors such as the CIANJ Chairman’s Outstanding Leadership Award (2009) and the Northern New Jersey Council for the Boy Scouts of America Good Scout Award (2005).  He currently serves as a Trustee for Hackensack Meridian Health and as a Director for CIANJ.

Here is more from our conversation with Marty:

Marty, what inspired your decision to become an attorney? 

I had the good fortune of taking a couple of law courses while completing my undergraduate studies at an engineering school. The professor was excellent, making the subject very interesting and opening my eyes to a different career path than I had initially intended to pursue.

What do you most enjoy about working with your team at Beattie Padovano, LLC? 

Our culture at Beattie Padovano, LLC is rooted in a shared commitment to the clients we serve. The collective belief here is that if you do the right thing by the client, everything else follows. Egos are checked at the door, and everyone is treated with respect.

What types of cases are especially meaningful or rewarding for you?

I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to work on complex commercial real estate transactions. Completing the legal work required for these deals to come to fruition is very fulfilling, and attending the groundbreaking ceremonies and grand opening celebrations that follow successful transactions is especially rewarding.

What is your favorite part about living and working in Northern New Jersey?  People from outside New Jersey are surprised when they visit North Jersey and discover the beauty of this area. We are also very fortunate to have easy access to New York City; some of the finest restaurants and most interesting cultural opportunities are at our fingertips. And I feel totally spoiled, as my office is just a five-minute commute from my home!

Please share a fun fact about yourself! 

I was playing golf one evening several years ago, and hit my ball into the green side bunker. As I made what was a fairly long walk over to the bunker, I saw a hawk swoop down, pick up my ball with its talons, and fly away. My hope was that the hawk would drop the ball into the hole, but it kept going. At the time I wasn’t sure if there was a message being delivered, perhaps that I should consider giving up golf! I did not stop playing, however; sometimes I question that decision.

What advice would you give to an aspiring lawyer? 

If you think you would like a career in law, I encourage you to pursue this path. Law school is certainly one of the more challenging educational tracks, but will provide you with the necessary foundation and skills to succeed in many areas. There are many wide and varied opportunities that will be available; you can practice in law firms large or small, or explore options to work in corporations, government, educational institutions, nonprofits, and other organizations. Although building a career as an attorney can be difficult and comes with a great deal of hard work, it is an extremely gratifying and rewarding profession.

Marty is a graduate of University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (J.D., 1976, with distinction) and New Jersey Institute of Technology (B.S.I.E., 1972). Learn more about his areas of practice and contact information by visiting Martin W. Kafafian – Beattie Padovano, LLC.