Profile
Practicing at Taylor English allows me the flexibility to provide creative solutions that are outside the box of what a traditional firm can offer clients.
Michele Stumpe is a seasoned litigator with both plaintiff and defense experience who is a trusted adviser to clients in the hospitality and retail industries. At Taylor English, Ms. Stumpe focuses her practice on premises liability, business litigation, hospitality and dram shop litigation, as well as alcohol licensing and consulting. Known as one of the top attorneys in Georgia for alcohol licensing and permits, Ms. Stumpe provides clients with a full range of services, including licensing compliance, training, policy implementation, risk management, and disciplinary and litigation representation.
In addition to her hospitality practice, Ms. Stumpe represents individuals and corporations in general litigation matters. She works as a strategic partner to evaluate her clients’ policies, procedures and implementation to ensure they have best practices in place to minimize litigation risks. Ms. Stumpe provides consulting services for various trade associations in the hospitality industry, including the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA), Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) and the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores (GACS). In 2002, she developed “The Responsible Alcohol Sales & Service” (RASS) workshops to educate owners and licensees on the legal obligations and responsibilities of serving alcohol to consumers. The program was so well received that many Georgia jurisdictions now require attendance as a prerequisite to obtaining an alcohol license.
Business groups frequently ask Ms. Stumpe to speak on alcohol sales compliance and responsibility issues. She has been a featured speaker at trade associations, legal education and law enforcement seminars, and on consumer radio programs. Her work also has gained recognition from peers, and in 2013 she was awarded the Georgia Restaurant Association Chairman’s Award.
Ms. Stumpe enjoys volunteer work, scuba diving, gardening and golf when not practicing law. She is a co-founder of The Giving Kitchen, an Atlanta non-profit organization that provides crisis medical funds to employees in the hospitality industry. Ms. Stumpe also travels to Africa annually to work with underprivileged children and endangered wildlife through her non-profit, Children of Conservation. The organization provides scholarships to schoolchildren in Africa.
Memberships
American Bar Association
Atlanta Bar Association
Les Dames d’Escoffier International
Community Involvement
The Giving Kitchen, Co-Founder and Board Member, 2013-present
Children of Conservation, Founder/CEO, 2009-present
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, President, 2015-present; Board of Directors, 2012-present; Governance Committee, 2011-present
Dewar Wildlife Trust Inc., Board of Trustees, 2004-present
Camp Twin Lakes, Legal Advisory Board, 2009-present
Orange Duffel Bag Initiative, Board Member, 2010-2012
Great Ape Project, International, President, 2005-2009; Board of Directors, 2004-2009; Legal Advisory Board, 2002-2009
ABA Animal Law Sub-Committee on Great Apes, Co-Chair, 2009-present
Practice Highlights
Experience
Obtained dismissal with prejudice from court in premises liability case in which plaintiff’s experts alleged $15 million in long-term medical needs.
Obtained dismissals in favor of defendants in several cases involving alcohol retailers who had been sued for providing alcohol to minors or to individuals who were intoxicated.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendants in case where plaintiff sought more than $100 million in damages as a result of alleged mismanagement of corporate assets, conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty.
Recovered a multimillion-dollar confidential settlement for a waitress who was rendered a quadriplegic due to a defective road condition that forced her vehicle into oncoming traffic.
Recovered settlement of $800,000 against one party and won verdict of $1.25 million against accountant/attorney who served as a trustee for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. Trustee improperly paid $800,000 to one beneficiary and misappropriated an additional $180,000 for his own personal benefit.
Recovered verdict of $1 million from MARTA for the attack on a patron in a MARTA station.
Obtained defense verdict in lawsuit against alcohol retailer whose employee sold alcohol to a minor, in which the minor then was involved in a car accident, killing the other individual in the vehicle.
Recovered $2.4 million from MARTA for the attack and kidnapping of a patron from a MARTA parking deck.
Successfully moved for summary judgment in favor of employer against disgruntled ex-employee for claims related to intentional infliction of emotional distress. By aggressively defending claim, and refusing to be held hostage to the claims asserted, client was able to obtain victory before trial was made necessary and was awarded more than $100,000 in attorney’s fees in so doing.
After obtaining favorable result on behalf of one of the nation’s largest grocery chains, the plaintiff attempted to back out of the agreement. Client was not only able to enforce the terms and conditions of the agreed upon settlement, but was also awarded all of its attorney’s fees and costs incurred in so doing.
Newsroom
Speaking Engagements
- Responsible Alcohol & Tobacco Sales and Service (RASS) Workshops for Evindi, Inc., 2000-present2020
- "It’s the Law: Alcohol Compliance Training for Employees," Evindi, Inc., 2000-present2020
- April 2, 2020
- March 17, 2020
- February 27, 2020
- Hospitality Law – Guest Speaker – Kennesaw State (2016-2017) and Georgia State (2007-2015)
- “Negotiating MOUs with African Governments” – PASA Strategic Development Conference – Johannesburg, South AfricaNovember 12, 2019
- “Analysis of Law Firm Compensation Models and How to Make Each of Them Fair for Women” - First Chair Equal Pay Summit – Chicago, IL2019
- “Hospitality and the Law” - Lewis on the Law Podcast – Atlanta, GA2019
- “How to Build A Dynamic Team” - FAB Hospitality Conference – Charleston, SCJune 11, 2019
- “How to Ask for What You Really Want in Negotiation”– FAB Hospitality Conference – Charleston, SCJune 10, 2019
- June 9, 2019
- “Work-Life Balance and Management: Creating Growth in Your Organization & Network” - Women in Law & Leadership Summit – Atlanta, GAApril 26, 2018
- March 22, 2018
- “Pursuing Your Passion Without Quitting Your Day Job” – Eleanor’s Table, Atlanta, GAFebruary 15, 2018
- “Safety & Security in the Restaurant Industry” - Georgia Restaurant Association, Atlanta, GAJanuary 9, 2018
- “Preparing for the Holidays,” Recipes for Restaurant Success - Taylor EnglishOctober 2017
- “The Business Side of Green” - Renewable Now Network – National PodcastJuly 31, 2017
- “Alcohol: Navigating the Complex World of Beverage Laws, Promotions, and Liability,” Recipes for Restaurant Success – Taylor EnglishApril 2017
- “Alcohol Sales and Service Laws for Owners and Managers,” Recipes for Restaurant Success - Taylor English, Atlanta, GAApril 2016
- “Achieving Work/Life Balance” - Wigwam Wellness Festival, Atlanta, GAApril 2016
- June 23, 2015
- Spoke at National Business Institute CLEs on Trial Practice and Litigation Presentations, National Business Institute, 1999-2012
- "Responsible Alcohol Sales & Service Laws for Owners and Managers," Recipes for Restaurant Success, Atlanta, GAMarch 24, 2015
- "R.A.S.S. - Responsible Alcohol Sales and Serving," Kennesaw State University Small Business Development Center Restaurant Expo, Kennesaw, GAFebruary 23, 2015
- November 4, 2014
- August 27, 2014
- August 12, 2014
- “Alcohol Licenses & Restaurants,”- We Sell Restaurants Radio Show, Atlanta, GAAugust 6, 2013
- "Early Case Assessment," Kroger Legal Conference2013
- May 23, 2013
- March 12, 2013
- “Don't Let Holiday Parties Turn Sour,” Recipes for Restaurant Success – Taylor English, Atlanta, GA2012
- Don't Let Holiday Parties Turn SourAugust 28, 2012
- "Underage Keg Parties," Guest Legal Expert, B98.5 Radio, Atlanta, GA
- “Alcohol Compliance Laws,” Georgia Restaurant Association, Atlanta, GAMay 2012
- Georgia Restaurant Association, conference speaker
- Georgia Food Industry Association, conference speaker
- Georgia Association of Convenience Stores
- “Alcohol Compliance Laws: What You Think You Know Can Hurt You,” Georgia Food Industry Association2005
- “Alcohol Compliance Laws: What You Think You Know Can Hurt You,” Georgia Restaurant Association2005
- "Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws," Consultant and guest speaker, Cobb County Law Enforcement Training Video2005
Publications
- August 2017
- March 9, 2017
- September 15, 2016
- March 12, 2015
- July 2, 2014
- February 7, 2014
- December 9, 2010
Headlines
- March 23, 2021
- April 26, 2020
- November 20, 2019
- October 15, 2019
- June 19, 2019
- December 6, 2018
- July 24, 2018
- July 24, 2018
- December 2017
- December 1, 2017
- September 13, 2017
- April 6, 2017
- March 23, 2017
- January 31, 2017
- August 24, 2016
- October 23, 2015
- November 6, 2014
- October 10, 2014
- November 4, 2013
- November 1, 2013
- September 7, 2012
- May 21, 2012
- August 30, 2010
- July 16, 2010
News Releases
- September 10, 2020
- November 20, 2019
- October 14, 2019
- July 18, 2018
- October 23, 2015
- August 22, 2014
- July 31, 2014
- September 27, 2013
- August 19, 2013
Alerts
- Information Current as of March 15, 2021
- Information Current as of April 24, 2020
- Wednesday, May 1, 2019 | 9:00 AM | Georgia Department of Revenue (1800 Century Blvd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30345)April 30, 2019
- January 22, 2019
- June 2018
- October 26, 2017
- September 21, 2016
- August 4, 2016
- July 1, 2016
Events
- September 17, 2020
- An Interactive Hospitality and Retail Law SeriesOctober 23, 2017
- An Interactive Hospitality and Retail Law SeriesJune 20, 2017
- April 11, 2017
- April 28, 2016
- September 22, 2015
Community Involvement
- November 15, 2016
- August 8, 2016
- November 20, 2014
- September 2, 2014
- April 19, 2013
- July 17, 2012
- June 4, 2012
- June 23, 2009
Services
Education
University of South Carolina School of Law, JD, 1993
University of Florida, BFA, 1990
Bar Admissions
Georgia
South Carolina
Courts & Adjudicative Bodies
Court of Appeals of Georgia
Supreme Court of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
Accolades
Daily Report's 2019 Georgia Trailblazers
Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, Most Innovative Woman of the Year - Government or Non-Profit, 2019
Atlanta Business Chronicle, Women Who Mean Business, 2015
Diversity Journal’s 2015 Women to Watch
Georgia Restaurant Association 2013 Chairman's Award