Newswise — When he’s not representing bankruptcy clients attorney Chuck Tatelbaum can be found making funny faces, acting silly, donning a red nose and waving to his neighbors—all in the name of honing his clowning skills.

Come Nov. 27, Tatelbaum will put his merry-making talents to use when he joins 900 volunteer clowns scheduled to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City—his fourth appearance as clown in the prestigious parade.

A 1966 graduate of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the Big Apple Circus Clown U., Tatelbaum says becoming a clown has fulfilled a lifelong dream to bring joy to people and bring “big smiles” to children.

Tatelbaum’s opportunity to learn professional clowning came after he won a legal case for Macy’s and the store offered to send him and wife to Clown U.

In 2011, Tatelbaum marched in his first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade dressed as a piece of toast with a pat of butter on his head. In 2013, he was a rag doll.

Tatelbaum takes clowning as seriously as he takes his legal work. He is the personal representative and trustee of the estate of Baltimore Colts legend Johnny Unitas, a member of Maryland Carey Law’s Board of Visitors, and chair of the Maryland Law School Club.

“Everyone has to take the clown oath that you will always be happy and cheery during the [Macy’s] parade,” says Tatelbaum who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, FL. “And that you won’t talk on your cell phone or go to the bathroom.”

In addition to the Macy’s Day Parade, Tatelbaum clowns at charity events. Tatelbaum sees clowning as a useful adjunct to his legal work, using some of his clowning skills in the courtroom. “It doesn’t take away from my professionalism to throw in a little humor,” Tatelbaum says. “Clowning has helped me how to read faces better and to relate to jurors. Clowning helps me be less serious.”

Tatelbaum will be featured on the WLRN Channel 17 special “Journey to the Macy’s Parade.”

MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact details