Hiring Attorney Michael J. Upton has been one of the most disappointing and unprofessional experiences I've ever had. I paid him $10,000 in late July 2025 for what he described as a "pre-warrant investigation." He was involved for only about two months -- from late July through early September 2025 -- before I terminated his services due to lack of progress and professionalism. During that entire time, there was never a warrant, no arrest, no indictment, and no formal charge ever filed. Despite that, Mr. Upton has kept every dollar of the $10,000 I paid him.
From the start, I struggled to get basic communication or updates. When I reached out for information, instead of professionalism, I received demeaning and disrespectful text messages. His tone was rude, condescending, and completely unprofessional -- this occurred while he was still representing my son, simply because I was asking for updates. His messages felt bullying and dismissive, especially considering that we were a family under immense stress.
When I later asked for a refund, he refused. He eventually offered a partial refund only if I agreed not to file a grievance or lawsuit -- which I refused. His justification for keeping the money was that "anything could happen even five years down the line." So apparently, he believes he can hold a client's money indefinitely, even though my son has already met with law enforcement.
Out of disbelief, I contacted the Alabama State Bar and obtained his official disciplinary record. The records confirm that Mr. Upton has multiple prior reprimands -- both public and private -- for professional misconduct, including issues involving client communication, excessive fees, and mishandling of client matters. These are official Bar documents, available to anyone who requests them directly from the Alabama State Bar.
My experience mirrors the same pattern seen in those reprimands: poor communication, lack of accountability, and disregard for clients. I feel deceived, bullied, and completely disappointed. If you value honesty, transparency, and professionalism, I strongly urge you to look elsewhere. I regret ever trusting him with my family's case, our money, or our peace of mind. read more
