ACBA Member Spotlight: Michael Notaro
Michael Notaro is an Alameda-based real estate attorney, mediator and non-profit leader serving as Chair of the 2026 ACBA ADR Section’s Executive Committee. A former student-athlete, Michael moved to California in 1981 to play water polo under legendary coach Pete Cutino at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating in 1985 with a degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies (PEIS), he spent two decades as an East Bay commercial real estate broker, specializing in office, industrial, and retail assets.
In 2011-2012, Michael served as the global President of Toastmasters International, where he championed the organization’s global rebrand: “Toastmasters: Where Leaders Are Made.” His book, The Call of the Leader, offers a reflective look at his experiences traveling the world during that transformative year. An avid endurance athlete, Michael is an active U.S. Masters Swimmer and served honorably in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?
The realization came while handling the sale of a commercial real estate transaction. My client and I reached a stage where specialized legal counsel was required, but after several referrals failed to meet the project’s needs, my client turned to me and said, “Michael, why don’t you consider going to law school—you should be an attorney.” I agreed, and by the following year, I was applying for law school.
If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you be doing instead?
Water polo coach.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were first admitted to practice?
I believe the practice of law is fundamentally an exercise in human connection. A lawyer’s truest value lies in their ability to hear the unspoken anxieties beneath a client’s words and to navigate the legal system not as an end in itself, but as a specialized toolkit for resolving the specific burdens that keep people up at night.
What is the biggest challenge facing you as a lawyer today?
Representing small “mom and pop” property owners is challenging. They struggle to maintain their buildings with increasing taxes, insurance and maintenance costs and decreasing revenue. The challenge is educating them and helping them follow best practices for property ownership in a litigious age.
What is your dream vacation?
When I was an officer of Toastmasters International, I had the pleasure of opening up the nation of Bangladesh for Toastmasters International. I would like to go back someday.
What are you reading now?
My reading has taken a backseat lately as I’m deep in the creative writing process, working toward a deadline with my publisher for an upcoming book. When I do find time, I find inspiration in biographies and American history.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I was born in Chicago, Illinois at a Catholic Hospital across town from the Pope’s birthplace. I was born on “holy ground.”
What person (living or dead, real or fictional) would you most like to have dinner with?
I would like to have corn cakes and apples with Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was an active real estate attorney specializing in ejectment, quiet title actions, and boundary disputes. Lincoln also believed in the concept of mediation. He stated “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser—in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.”
Why do you choose to be a member of the ACBA? What is the greatest benefit you’ve experienced as a member?
I view the ACBA as a vital hub for professional stewardship. My favorite aspect of membership is the human element: meeting new colleagues and learning about their career paths. Being part of this organization allows me to contribute to the strength of our local community while staying grounded in the diverse perspectives that make Alameda County such a dynamic place to practice.
Follow Michael Notaro’s example and become a member of the ACBA today! Find more information on our Why Join