Burnard Bull partner Alison Bendall is the new Law Society Gisborne branch President.
Ms Bendall was elected at the branch’s annual meeting on 31 March and succeeds Tiana Epati, who served as President for two years.
Originally from Palmerston North, Ms Bendall began practising in Gisborne following her admission from Victoria University in 1989. She joined Chrisp Caley and Co, now Nolans, as a staff solicitor in June 1989.
When she joined Chrisp Caley, Ms Bendall intended staying in Gisborne for some three years. However, she “caught the Gisborne bug” and has lived in Gisborne ever since. Three things that she has found particularly attractive about Gisborne are its sense of community, the ability to be part of a close legal community and the ability to “have a healthy lifestyle”.
Ms Bendall began practise at Chrisp Caley as a family and criminal litigator, then practised briefly as a barrister in 1992, before working in the private sector as an employment and human resources advisor.
She returned to private practice in 2009, joining Woodward Chrisp’s litigation team in 2009 as a staff solicitor, then moved to Burnard Bull in 2011, was made senior associate in 2012 and partner of the firm in 2014.
Throughout her career Ms Bendall’s practice has focused on litigation, specialising in all areas of employment law, and advising both employer and employee clients. As a partner in a provincial practice she also now undertakes a degree of private client work and heads the firm’s team for civil litigation matters.
Ms Bendall’s interests include yoga and running, and more recently she has completed the officials’ course for the sport of surf life saving.
Before her election as President, Ms Bendall served a several terms on the Gisborne branch Council.
Grey Street Legal Ltd director David Ure was elected the branch’s Vice-President at the annual meeting and the new branch Council is: Ann-Jolena Baker, Kris Clapham, Ellie Fitzgerald, Jonathan Natusch, Kirsten Giles, Manaaki Terekia, Raewyn Tretheway, Vicki Thorpe and William Eivers.