Born and raised in Catonsville, Maryland, Michael A. Mastracci's path to the legal profession began with his early education at St. Mark's Catholic School, followed by his high school years at Mt. St. Joseph's College. In 1986, he achieved a significant milestone by graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County campus (UMBC). This academic foundation paved the way for his next endeavor: the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he graduated in 1989, earning his Juris Doctorate Degree and subsequently gaining admission to the Maryland State Bar.
During his college and law school years, Michael honed his legal acumen through clerkship at his father's esteemed law office in southwest Baltimore City. His upbringing was steeped in the legal world, profoundly influenced by his father, A. Gus Mastracci. A. Gus Mastracci's legal career included a distinguished tenure as an Assistant City Solicitor in the Baltimore City Law Department from 1968 to 1989. Within the department, he served in the Litigation Section, tasked with defending the City of Baltimore in jury and court trials involving actions against the city. Additionally, A. Gus Mastracci played a pivotal role in the training and mentorship of new attorneys.
In parallel, A. Gus Mastracci was widely acknowledged as a "heavy hitter" among judges and fellow attorneys. He maintained a thriving private practice and held the esteemed role of the family lawyer for generations of residents in southwest Baltimore City and beyond, with a primary focus on negligence actions.
Following his admission to the Maryland Bar, Michael embarked on the next phase of his legal career by joining his father's firm as an attorney. Initially, his practice centered primarily on personal injury and negligence cases, encompassing auto accidents and workers' compensation claims. Michael's legal expertise further expanded as he developed a criminal defense practice within the firm. In 1995, a pivotal moment arrived as their office relocated to Baltimore County. The move was marked by the gratifying realization that the majority of their long-standing clients not only followed but continued to entrust them with their legal needs. In an era dominated by high-tech marketing and advertising strategies, Michael's professional reputation and success stand apart. They are built primarily on referrals from satisfied clients who deeply appreciate and trust the guidance and wisdom offered by Michael and his team in matters of law. Trust and competence remain the cornerstones of his practice.
Amidst a brief and less-than-harmonious marriage, Michael became the first branch on the Mastracci family tree to experience separation and divorce. His son, Nicholas, affectionately referred to as his "main man," was born in the spring of 1993. Tragically, Nick had not yet reached the age of two when Michael and his wife separated, sparking one of the most acrimonious custody battles to unfold within the Baltimore County Circuit Court. It was this transformative experience that kindled Michael's profound interest in family law matters and ultimately inspired him to pen his inaugural book, "Stop Fighting Over the Kids: Resolving Day-to-Day Custody Conflict in Divorce Situations."
Michael firmly believes that life carries on after divorce, even in the face of its inherent challenges for children. He emphasizes that, despite the difficulties, there are myriad ways to progress when co-parents find themselves at odds. Drawing from his own experiences as a recently separated and divorced parent with young children, he acknowledges the significant adjustments required and the unique nature of the parent-child bond, wherein children always take precedence.
One of the most pivotal decisions Michael made for his young son was marrying Deb Cromer, his wonderful stepmom. A delightful anecdote arises from Nick's observation that her name, "B. E. D.," spells "bed" backward, reminding us of the charming innocence of children. Among Deb's many attributes, she holds the role of Administrative Goddess and serves as the office manager at the Mastracci Law Office.
During challenging times, Michael often regarded Deb as his guardian angel. Their journey commenced as acquaintances, deepened into friendship over the years, and eventually blossomed into a 25-year marriage. While preserving the clarity of Deb's role and significance in Nick's life, Michael observed her extraordinary love and care for her stepson. Stepparenting following a tumultuous custody battle presented its own unique and often painful challenges. Through this experience, Michael gained invaluable insights into effectively managing such situations while steadfastly prioritizing the child's best interests.
Nick, an exceptional young man, graduated from The University of Baltimore School of Law in 2018. His early career included clerkships under two widely respected Judges in the Baltimore County Circuit Court. Currently, he contributes his legal expertise to Stacey Rice Law in Annapolis, specializing exclusively in Family Law, where he finds fulfillment and success.
Regrettably, on December 8, 2017, Michael's father passed away, leaving behind cherished memories and abundant laughter that help to fill the void and lighten Michael's heavy heart. Michael can only imagine the immense pride his father would have felt in witnessing his grandson, Nicholas Mastracci, pass the Maryland State bar exam on his first attempt in November of 2018, subsequently making his own indelible mark within the legal profession as a named 2023 Rising Star.
Beyond the personal narrative, Michael offers insight into the rationale behind sharing such intimate details. Reflecting on his time in law school, he recalls a valuable lesson from an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Baltimore County, who emphasized the importance of "knowing your judge." This wisdom extended beyond personal acquaintance, emphasizing a deeper understanding of a judge's background and temperament. Such insight provided a reasonable degree of certainty in anticipating a judge's likely rulings and perspectives on specific cases. This principle underscores Michael's belief that clients should similarly possess insights into their attorneys. Recognizing that personal experiences inevitably shape professional lives, he considers this understanding crucial to fostering a robust attorney-client relationship.
Another enduring lesson, imparted by an adjunct professor who was also a practicing attorney, emphasizes that "the practice of law has very little to do with the truth and everything to do with the perception of truth." In a moment of reflection, Michael invites consideration of the numerous publicized criminal trials, political campaigns, and recent scandals, highlighting the profound impact of perception.
A common adage often holds true: "It's not necessarily what you know but who you know." This principle guides Michael's approach to the legal profession.
With decades of experience spanning personal injury, auto accidents, workers' compensation, criminal defense, serious traffic violations, drunk driving cases, criminal trials, and family law matters, Michael emphasizes the importance of specialization. In his semi-retirement phase, he personally handles criminal, serious traffic, and family law cases while fostering co-counsel relationships for other areas of practice. Furthermore, he extends his services to encompass various legal domains through thoughtful referrals, ensuring that clients receive expert assistance tailored to their needs.
Michael does not profess omniscience nor claim to be an "expert" in every legal domain. He possesses an intimate knowledge of the areas he specializes in, acquired through years of dedicated practice. His belief in specialization informs his advocacy for selecting the most qualified professionals for specific tasks.
When seeking individuals with the requisite qualifications to address specific legal needs, an attorney serves as an invaluable resource. Michael frequently offers referrals to competent professionals, including alcohol and substance abuse counselors, child custody evaluators, therapists, anger management counselors, accountants, realtors, and more.
For those interested in exploring the comprehensive referral network available to meet individual and family needs, Michael welcomes your inquiries.
Michael's involvement extends to various legal organizations, past and present, including:
• Appointment to the Baltimore County Bar Association's Bench-Bar Committee.
• Appointment to The Maryland Court Process Committee of the Commission on Child Custody Decision Making.
• Membership in the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, Maryland Association for Justice, Maryland Criminal Defense Association.
• Engagement with the Maryland Collaborative Law Association, Inc., International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Maryland Collaborative Practice Council, Howard County Collaborative Professionals, Inc., Baltimore Collaborative Divorce Professionals.
• Founding and presidency of The Child Access Center from 1998 to 1999.
• Founding membership and presidency of the Maryland Collaborative Law Association (MCLA).
• Membership in the Justinians’ Legal Society.
• Authorship of the award-winning and highly acclaimed book, "Stop Fighting Over the Kids: Resolving Day-to-Day Custody Conflict in Divorce Situations" (ISLN: 914224981).
Michael remains committed to continuous learning and has recently attended several Continuing Education Programs, including:
• The Collaborative Institute 2014: Finding Money Harmony in Collaborative Divorce (June 6, 2014).
• Completion of 60 hours of supplemental mediation training with court certification in 2016.
• Training in Best Interest Representation for representing minor children in contested custody cases.
• Training as a Parent Coordinator.
In summary, Michael A. Mastracci shares his life's journey and insights to underscore the value of understanding an attorney's background and experiences. These elements are instrumental in building trust and fostering a productive attorney-client relationship. As you navigate the complex legal landscape, Michael stands prepared to offer guidance, support, and referrals where needed. Your legal matters are of paramount importance, and he is dedicated to ensuring you receive the expert assistance you require.
