Michael Raymond Hauptman

Michael Raymond Hauptman of Atlanta Georgia, hero of civil liberties, passed away at age 68, September 12, 2022.  Michael was the son of David and Muriel Hauptman, who have predeceased him.   Raised in the traditional Jewish faith, Michael grew up with his family in the New York City area (Manhattan and New Jersey) where he and his siblings attended school.  Michael recalled having a car he bought for $60 and spray painted it with his brother, Jeffrey, to make it look nice or funny.  Michael worked with his father and had a union job in hotels in New York City changing light bulbs.  That job was particularly fascinating to him and was shaping of how he saw the world at a young age.  

Mr. Hauptman graduated from Kean College in New Jersey in August of 1975, and became interested in law school from one of his father’s friends.  He made his way to the Atlanta Law School, and graduated from John Marshall Law School in June of 1978.  After passing the bar on his first try, Michael began a legal career as an advocate for criminal defendants and kept his signature ponytail throughout his career.  

Michael played an important role in the criminal justice system, while he finished his career training young lawyers and managing his own cases in the role as ‘of counsel’ at the Law Office of W. Bryant Green, III, PC. Mr. Hauptman leaned in on cases where he represented clients in the most controversial of topics.  He was counsel in the matters of State v. Walter Leroy Moody; State v. H. Rap Brown; State v. Wayne Williams; State v. Eileen Wornos, to name a few.  A victory he was especially proud of was defending Queer Nation against a criminal trespass warrant involving a Cracker Barrell Restaurant.  That was one of many matters that Michael participated in that were equally profiled and of legal significance.  

Michael’s practice partner throughout much of his career was Robert Citronberg, who passed in March of this year.  In the furtherance of his cases, Mr. Hauptman worked with many notable attorneys in the local bar including Howard Simmons, Bruce Harvey, Bruce Morris, James "Jim" Howard, and Jerry Froelich.  Michael defended his clients with the zealousy of a true advocate, and even was found in contempt of court a couple of times.  Of course, he was right and was exonerated.

In addition to his case load, Mr. Hauptman was the President of the Board of the ACLU for many years as well as the President of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).  It always seemed that any person in any courtroom (great or small) in the state knew Michael Hauptman.   

While Mr. Hauptman’s professional accomplishment are great, his upstanding character and integrity didn’t go without notice.  Mr. Hauptman was recognized as an Outstanding Georgia Citizen in 1995 by the former Georgia Secretary of State, Max Cleland.  Michael was further granted the receipt of the Grady Coalition Award by the ACLU for his years of dedicated civil rights service as an attorney.   He was, without a doubt, loved by everyone that called him a friend.

“Defender of the different” were the terms the Atlanta Journal and Constitution used to describe Michael’s career in the early nineties.  If one knew Michael as a friend, he was ‘different’ - and so are you.   Hauptman always took solving problems for people very seriously, whether you were a client, colleague, family member or friend.  Michael was known as “Uncle Michael” to many of those that knew and loved him.  We will miss our Uncle Michael dearly.

Michael enjoyed comedy and music.  He could play guitar and would do his best Tom Waits impression, as he could not sing a lick (sorry Tom).  He appreciated most comedy, but Archer, Rick and Morty and Family Guy get special shout outs from his recent viewing habits.  However, Michael took the most liking to the standup of Mitch Hedberg, who he really related to.

With regard to family, Michael loved his family deeply and is survived by:

Jeffrey and Patricia Hauptman; Sue Ferber and husband Alan; and many nieces and nephews who were dear to him. They are: Lorraine Monteiro, Tiffany Hauptman, Jake Kunz, Stephanie Hardeman, Jessica Perkel and Brian Ferber.  Hauptman recently lost his sister, Royce (Hauptman) Kunz.

Michael is also survived by so many others who loved and adored him.  All of us different folks:  the young lawyers, the different, and the friends and colleagues.  Lots of good memories, laughs and lessons that we will hold and cherish.

For the family, may God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.  

Rest in peace, Michael.   You remain in the love you gave us.

A memorial service will be held at Manuel’s Tavern on October 1, 2022 at 4:00 PM.  An addendum will be posted.  

- Bryant Green