Peter Kumpe, a longtime antitrust, class action litigation, securities, and intellectual property attorney, has announced his retirement from Rose Law Firm. Kumpe has been practicing law for over 50 years.
Kumpe earned his law degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1972, where he served as Managing Editor of the Texas Law Review. After graduation, he began making his mark as a seasoned trial lawyer with substantial jury experience.
Kumpe’s courtroom skills and experience have been invaluable to all who have worked with him, and he has been a true leader through his tireless work on behalf of his clients. His unique ability to motivate and encourage others made him a mentor to many lawyers who worked alongside him.
Kumpe co-founded Williams & Anderson on December 1, 1988, with W. Jackson Williams, David Menz, and Philip Anderson. Kumpe spent the next 31 years practicing at Williams & Anderson until that firm closed its doors in 2020. In February of that year, he joined Rose Law Firm in an Of Counsel role.
Kumpe has been selected to Super Lawyers since 2006 and ranked as a Senior Statesperson by Chambers and Partners.
In addition to his leadership roles as an attorney, Kumpe has volunteered his time with dozens of organizations, including the Foundation Fund Board for UALR and the University of Arkansas Foundation.
Kumpe’s most beloved philanthropic organization is World Services for the Blind, which his father founded over 75 years ago. He has acted as general counsel for the organization for decades and left a legacy, just as his father did before him.
Kumpe believes “we all thrive and contribute most effectively when we devote ourselves to the service of others.”
Mr. Kumpe was part of the trial team that successfully defended the Arkansas Democrat (predecessor to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) in an antitrust lawsuit brought by the Arkansas Gazette claiming that the pricing policy of the Arkansas Democrat violated state and federal law. He represented a number of turkey growers across the northern tier of Arkansas in several lawsuits against Butterball Turkey Company, alleging breach of contract for the improper weighing of birds delivered for slaughter. As a result of the litigation, the growers recovered millions of dollars. Mr. Kumpe also successfully defended Walmart Stores, Inc. against allegations of unfair practices in its pricing of drug items. National media covered this litigation.
His accomplishments and contributions to all he has worked with are simply unmatched. Kumpe’s dedication and expertise will be sorely missed, and Rose Law Firm wishes him well.