An established Atlanta-based law firm, Taylor English Duma (now known as Taylor Duma), is officially shuttering its operations in March 2026 following a long-term erosion of its partner ranks.
The closure marks the end of a multi-year period of instability for the firm, which once boasted over 150 attorneys. The decline accelerated significantly throughout 2025 and early 2026, as high-profile founders and senior partners led a series of high-stakes departures.
The Timeline of the Collapse
The firm’s downward spiral became public in mid-2025 and culminated in the final decision to wind down operations this week.
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April 2025: Top employment lawyer and founding partner Joe English resigned from the firm he helped establish.
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June 2025: A “mass exodus” of senior leadership occurred when partners Michele Stumpe, LeeAnn Jones, Lisa Harper, Matt Rosenkoff, and Kyle Baker departed to launch a rival firm, Ardis Law.
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Late 2025 – Early 2026: Following the loss of its hospitality and litigation heavy-hitters, the firm struggled to maintain its mid-market dominance. Mid-level associates and remaining boutique practice groups began lateral moves to international firms like Bradley and Nelson Mullins, which have been aggressively expanding their Atlanta footprints.
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March 2026: Remaining leadership confirmed that the firm would “shutter” rather than attempt a merger, citing an inability to sustain overhead costs after losing more than 40% of its revenue-generating partners in under 12 months.
Impact on the Atlanta Legal Market
The dissolution of Taylor Duma is a significant event in the Atlanta legal landscape, reflecting a broader trend of “boutique-fication” where top talent leaves established mid-size firms to form specialized, agile practices.
| Departed Partner | New Affiliation | Focus Area |
| Joe English | Independent/Consulting | Employment Law |
| Michele Stumpe | Ardis Law (Founder) | Hospitality & Dispute Resolution |
| LeeAnn Jones | Ardis Law (Founder) | Litigation |
| Various Senior Associates | Nelson Mullins / Bradley | IP & Corporate Transactions |
What Happens Next?
For clients and staff still tied to the firm:
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Case Transitions: Most active litigation is being transferred to the new firms formed by departing partners.
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Office Space: The firm’s prominent office near The Battery Atlanta (Wildwood Center) is expected to be vacated by the end of the month, with Ardis Law reportedly taking over a portion of the top-floor lease.
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Administrative Wind-down: A small skeleton crew will remain through April 2026 to handle final billing and file storage compliance.
Would you like me to look for the contact information for the new firms (like Ardis Law) where the former Taylor Duma partners have relocated?