Mark Bullock was elected the new New Zealand Law Society Whanganui branch President at the branch’s annual meeting on 4 April 2014. He succeeds Kathryn Crooks, who served as President for two years.

Mr Bullock was born and raised in Whanganui and studied law at Canterbury University. After graduating Mr Bullock had some time out rowing locally and in Cambridge before returning to home, where he has practised since 1994.

Mr Bullock was employed as a barrister’s pupil before practising on his own account in 1996. In November 2011 he joined the long standing Whanganui firm Jack Riddet Tripe (known as JRT Lawyers) where he is now the principal.

He has a strong litigation background in family, criminal, civil and employment law. Since joining JRT Lawyers he is enjoying the challenges of general practice and property law.

Mr Bullock is passionate about his clients’ continuing access to justice. He is an approved legal aid provider for civil, family, and criminal matters. Mr Bullock is a youth advocate, a family legal advice service provider and lawyer for child.

Mr Bullock has a long standing interest in alternative dispute resolution. He is an accredited mediator with LEADR and is applying to be an FDR provider under the new Family Justice regime.

He is also on the board of trustees at the Community Law Advice Wanganui.

Mr Bullock was a keen sportsman in his youth, playing rugby, rowing and later cycling and multisport. He now spends as much of his spare time as he can with his wife Fiona and their four young children. They are often involved watching and coaching the children’s sport. When time permits he enjoys time out hunting and fishing.