History of Children of Conservation
In 1999, Michele Stumpe, a successful lawyer and partner at her law firm, went to Africa for the first time. Having worked with great apes as a teenage volunteer at the local zoo, the purpose of the trip was to continue that passion at the Limbe Wildlife Sanctuary in Cameroon. Although then boyfriend, Kerry Stumpe, stayed in Atlanta with his Architecture practice, it was a trip that would forever change the course of both of their lives. A year later, the two left their safe and stable jobs to start a business that would allow the freedom and control to make an impact with orphaned primates and conservation. Based upon Michele’s legal background and expertise in alcohol licensing/compliance work, they formed the consulting firm “Evindi, Inc.” (named after the beloved Lowland gorilla Michele had fallen for on her trip to Cameroon), along with the law firm of Stumpe & Associates. Kerry gave up his career as an architect to run both companies, handle all of the trial presentations and develop an expertise in alcohol licensing.
The first year was a struggle, a mere 10 months into their new practice, the firm’s biggest client filed bankruptcy. Dreams of conservation were set aside and corporate survival took priority. In the summer of 2002, a woman (we will call her Emily) was brutally beaten, kidnapped & raped in the newly constructed Lindbergh MARTA parking deck. Emily, a 56 year old grandmother and lifelong airline employee had heard about Michele and reached out to her for advice. After a heart-felt discussion about the incident, Michele (a defense attorney) observed some significant flaws in the security that had been in place, and took notice. MARTA had already contacted Emily to set up a meeting, so Michele encouraged her to see a Plaintiff’s attorney before settling anything. Emily met with several lawyers but had a connection with Michele and surprisingly asked if she would be willing to take on the case and represent her. From day one, Emily’s main goal was for MARTA to change its practices so no one else would have to endure her fate. Despite the daunting thought of expensive litigation and the uphill battle of fighting a corporate giant like MARTA, the newly formed Stumpe & Associates agreed to champion Emily’s cause.
Five years and over $100,000 in litigation expenses later, the three week trial began. It was, indeed, a David vs. Goliath matchup. Emily’s side of the courtroom was relatively bare with only Kerry and Michele’s dad to assist. Meanwhile, MARTA’s corner of the courtroom was filled with a multitude of lawyers, paralegals, professional trial consultants and various MARTA representatives. The arguments were rigorous, tedious, and at times distasteful. Emily remained determined and strong. After nearly 3 weeks of grueling testimony, it was determined that MARTA had not only destroyed key evidence, but had also knowingly deceived the court in an attempt to cover it up. Appalled at MARTA’s misconduct, the Judge rendered an immediate verdict in Emily’s favor. MARTA had never lost more than $250,000 in a negligent security case, and it was now up to the jury to decide this one. The verdict - $1.7 million. The judge added an additional $300,000 of interest. Emily had won – almost. MARTA appealed, and it was another 17 months before the Georgia Court of Appeals issued its opinion affirming the decision. It had been well over six years since her attack, when the Stumpe’s, proud, weiry, and overjoyed presented Emily with a $1.1 million tax free check from MARTA!
As for the Stumpe’s, well, they paid off their enormous case debt, (including the second mortgage on their house), set aside college money for their daughter, caught up on their retirement accounts, and finally established a Foundation for conservation. Michele & Kerry had always wanted to “change the world.” When their dreams seemed out of reach, it was Michele’s father who was always quick to point out that they should focus on one soul at a time… Emily had been the perfect way to start.
