Bio

Admitted: 1989, Maryland State Bar

Law School: University of Baltimore, J.D., 1989
College: University of Maryland, B.S., 1986

Present or Past Member of:

Baltimore City, Baltimore County and American Bar Associations; Maryland Criminal Defense Association; Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, Maryland Collaborative Law Association, Inc., International Association of Collaborative Professionals

Biography: Founder and President, The Child Access Center, 1998-1999.

Born: Baltimore, Maryland, May 12, 1964
ISLN: 914224981

About Michael A. Mastracci

By way of background, I was born and raised in Baltimore County, Maryland (Catonsville), attended grade school at St. Mark’s Catholic School, along with my younger sister. I attended high school at Mt. St. Joseph’s College and obtained my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County campus (UMBC) in 1986. I graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law, in 1989, at which time I received my Juris Doctorate Degree and was admitted to the Maryland State Bar.

During college and law school, I clerked at my father’s law office in southwest Baltimore City. I grew up around the law. My father, A. Gus Mastracci, was admitted to the Maryland State Bar in 1965 and was an Assistant City Solicitor in the Baltimore City Law Department, from 1968 to 1989, assigned to the Litigation Section, responsible for defending the City of Baltimore in jury trials and court trials for actions against Baltimore City.

In addition, my father maintained a successful private practice and was the family lawyer for generations of residents in southwest Baltimore City, and beyond, primarily concentrating in the area of personal injury, auto accidents, workers' compensation and negligence actions.

Gus Mastracci was widely regarded, by many judges and “heavy hitter” attorneys, as one of the best trial lawyers in the area. Currently residing in Florida, my mentor is semi-retired, but still comes out of the sun to attend various continuing legal educational seminars to remain connected to his passion.

Quite naturally, I joined my father’s firm as an attorney, upon being admitted to the Maryland Bar, and for many years worked primarily in the area of personal injury and negligence cases, including auto accidents and workers’ compensation claims. Additionally, I developed a criminal defense practice for our firm, and although we moved our office to Baltimore County in 1995, we are delighted that the majority of our long-time clients have followed us and have continued to utilize our services referring family members and friends throughout the years.

After a very short and less than harmonious marriage, I became the first branch on the Mastracci family tree to become separated and divorced. My “main man,” Nicholas, was born in the spring of 1993, and had not yet reached the age of two before his mom and I separated and began one of the most acrimonious custody battles to wreak havoc on the Baltimore County Circuit Court.  I only mention this because it was that experience that led to my interest and development in the area of family law matters.

Now that I’ve told you more than you need to know, let me tell you why I choose to share such personal information.

When I was in law school, one of my teachers was an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Baltimore County. During Constitutional Criminal Law class, His Honor instructed the class that one of the most important things you can do for your client is to “know your judge.”  He added that he was not talking about personally knowing the judge as a friend (which generally doesn't hurt), but knowing the particular background of a judge so that one could have a reasonable degree of assurance as to how a particular judge would likely rule or otherwise view the particulars of any given case. This is one of the better pieces of advice given in law school and is clearly based on reality and the true workings of the legal system. Similarly, I believe that you, the client, should know your lawyer. All of us bring our personal experiences into our professional life. It is a part of human nature and it is inevitable.

Another life-long lesson I learned from an adjunct professor, also a practicing attorney, who taught an introductory class at the University of Baltimore School of Law, was that “the practice of law has very little to do with the truth and everything to do with the perception of truth.” Take a moment and think back on some of the more publicized criminal trials in recent years, and reflect on some recent political campaigns and scandals and you will know what I mean.

There is another more common saying that is often true. “It’s not necessarily what you know but who you know.” Again, this is reality.

Similarly, while my office concentrates in the areas of personal injury, auto accidents, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, serious traffic violations, drunk driving cases, criminal trials, and family law matters, there are many other areas of law where I can be of service to my clients by simply making an appropriate referral.

I do not profess to know everything or to be “an expert” in each and every area of law.  I believe in specialization and hiring the right person for the task at hand.

Given my father's 30 plus years of Law and Public Service contacts and my own 15+ years of experience, I am confident that I can refer you to a competent attorney in most areas of law, for virtually any type of legal question or situation that you may have. When looking for a qualified person to handle a variety of specific legal matters or related services, an attorney is a good place to start. I often make referrals to competent alcohol and substance abuse counselors, child custody evaluators, accountants, realtors and the like.

Please contact me if you would like information on our comprehensive referral network to suit your individual and family needs.