Profile

Michele Stumpe serves as co-chair of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department at Taylor English. She 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

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