Mark Upton was born in Century, Florida, and earned both his B.S. (1982) and J.D. (1985) from the University of Alabama. He was admitted to practice law in Alabama in 1985 and Florida in 1986 and is an active member of several local bar associations in both states. His professional affiliations also include the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the International Association of Arson Investigators.
With a distinguished career spanning decades, Mark focuses his practice on casualty, property, and products liability litigation in both state and federal courts across Alabama and Florida. He also specializes in insurance coverage opinions and bad faith litigation.
A seasoned trial attorney, Mark has tried over 100 jury trials to verdict in 15 different courthouses across Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. His courtroom experience extends to every state and federal courthouse between Panama City, Florida, and Pascagoula, Mississippi. In addition to his litigation work, he is respected speaker at insurance industry seminars, educating professionals on claims handling, fraud investigation, and bad faith litigation. He has also lectured at the Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention’s annual meetings on topics such as arson, fraud, and insurance policy interpretation.
Following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Mark served as lead counsel for the insurance industry before the Florida Supreme Court in Cox v. Florida Farm Bureau. His successful argument led to the overturning of a controversial interpretation of Florida’s Valued Policy Law, which had previously allowed for double recovery of flood and wind damage under homeowners’ insurance policies.
Beyond his legal practice, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, Suzy, their five children, and five grandchildren. He resides in Niceville, Florida.
