Navigating the Legalities for Restaurants

The Main Course brings a new perspective to the world of
restaurants by looking at the legalities involved in operating
during a pandemic. Host Barbara Castiglia welcomed Michele
Stumpe, Partner at Taylor English Duma LLP. Stumpe
specializes in hospitality litigation and liability. 


Stumpe found her way into this niche following a call from a
convenience store client that needed representation for an
alcohol violation hearing. She became very good at defending that
industry, and eventually, it evolved into a hospitality
focus. 


During COVID-19, her focus shifted. “I’ve been busier than ever
but billed less than ever because so many of my clients are in a
devastating situation.”


Her clients needed her but for a new reason. “I was helping them
to understand the latest orders and actively working on their
behalf with jurisdictions and the state on measures to benefit
them.”


To do this, Stumpe sent out update emails and then devised a
checklist for reopening to be compliant with Georgia laws. The
state also required new training for restaurant employees. She
worked with an organization to create a free training program.
She even helped launch an app with a colleague that restaurant
owners can use for a regular to-do list. 


Stumpe has been an advocate to help the hospitality industry stay
safe and stay open. That includes working on legislation to
legalize the delivery of alcohol. 


She has also been helping food service workers in other ways
through her nonprofit The Giving Kitchen. “We created it to
be a safety net for those facing hardships. Since COVID, we’ve
provided services to over 6,000 workers.”