Our Team
Whatever your legal need, we have someone with the experience to help
Mark Bullock LLB
Solicitor
mark@bullockassociates.co.nz
06 927 6698
Mark is a local through and through having been born and bred in Whanganui and returning to Whanganui after attaining his law degree from the University of Canterbury.
Mark specialises in family law, disputes, family estate claims and is a registered Legal Aid Provider and an accredited Law Society mediator. He is also appointed by the Family Court as a Lawyer for Child. Mark is passionate about helping people and assisting people to access justice when their economic circumstances may be a barrier to speaking with a solicitor.
Mark’s successful career started at secondary school when he was Head Boy of St Augustines College of Whanganui (now known as Cullinane College), Captain of the first XV and Rowing team. He played representative rugby in Whanganui and Canterbury and represented New Zealand in rowing as a younger man.
He has a long history with Whanganui Collegiate School having with his four children attending the school. He enjoys supporting secondary school rowing, rugby and netball.
Mark has graduated from the rugby field and the river to live with his wife, Fiona and two youngest children, on a lifestyle block surrounded by his animals which include grazing sheep, a horse for his son Ben, two dogs and a pet pig.
Mark currently has two children attending tertiary education in the South Island, one child based in Dunedin and the other at Lincoln University in Christchurch. His two youngest children continue at secondary school.
When Mark isn’t standing at his desk pounding on the keyboard advocating for his clients, you may find him fly fishing in the Tongariro or fishing off the coast here. When free time allows, he pursues his other hobby, golf. He is a sponsor of the Marton Golf Club and a member of the Whanganui Golf Club. He also sponsors the Marist Rugby Club.
Mark is fully recovered from his head injury which was sustained in April 2022 and is thrilled to be back on deck leading the charge for Bullock and Associates.
Karin Thomas
Consultant / Senior Solicitor
LLB/Post Graduate Degree Leadership & Managment
karin@bullockassociates.co.nz
06 281 3096
Karin has joined Bullock & Associates having decamped from the Waikato. Karin has 25 years experience and more recently owned and operated her own law practice for 10 years.
Karin is passionate about Division of Relationship Property and loves achieving pragmatic solutions on behalf of clients when dealing with the upset and trauma of a relationship breakdown. An area focus that is of particular interest to Karin is the intersection of Trust law and the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.
Karin brings a plethora of trust law, commercial and property law experience to Whanganui. Karin leads the Property Team at Bullock & Associates and has a special interest in Incorporated Societies and all things property law – that is, rural, residential and commerical property buying and selling, including refinancing and commercial leasing.
Karin fully understands buying or selling a home can be a daunting time especially for first home buyers. She is fully across the application process for Kiwisaver and buying your first home.
Karin was specifically recruited to take over the day to day management of Murray Hughes’ clients and is looking forward to carrying on Murray’s good deeds and excellent service to his clients. Karin is working with Murray for a full handover of his clients during his transition back to retirement.
Karin is excited to have recently relocated to Whanganui. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Bullock & Associates.
When Karin is not in the office, you will find her exploring Mount Ruapehu and the Tongariro National Park. She has a great love for the outdoors and loves being in the snow.
Karin’s approach to providing legal services is focusing on pragmatic win/win solutions while protecting her client’s position. Karin’s focus is leaving her clients feeling empowered and providing the best legal service available.
Grace Deroles (Bromley)
Registered Legal Executive
grace@bullockassociates.co.nz
Grace is a Registered Legal Executive who enjoys all things property. Specialising in residential conveyancing, Grace is dedicated to helping her clients with buying, selling or refinancing, while ensuring she provides the best possible service in a friendly and approachable manner.
When not at work, Grace enjoys playing netball, fishing and spending time with her husband, family and friends.
Vanessa Wilson
Registered Legal Executive
vanessa@bullockassociates.co.nz
Vanessa has a passion for conveyancing and enjoys assisting clients throughout the process. She understands buying or selling a home can be a daunting time especially for First Home Buyers. With over 10 years experience working in the legal profession and having graduated in 2018 as a Registered Legal Executive, Vanessa is not only qualified to assist clients with all your conveyancing needs but she does so in a friendly and approachable manner.
When Vanessa’s not at work she’s with her partner Hayden and their sons on the softball and rugby fields or at the local speedway, and in her downtime she enjoys ambling through craft fairs/markets and par taking in wine tours.
Key areas: House purchases and sales, Assisting first home buyers (including Kiwisaver, HomeStart Grant, Kainga Ora subsidy), bank finance/refinancing, wills & enduring powers of attorney, family trusts.
Ashleigh Kilpatrick
Registered Legal Executive
ashleigh@bullockassociates.co.nz
Bullock and Associates are delighted to have Ashleigh as their Registered Legal Executive. Ashleigh has over 10 years experience in the legal profession and is our Estates and estate administration go to person. She specialises in High Court applications for Probate and Letters of Administration (when people pass away without a Will).
Ashleigh also has a wide range of experience in residential, rural and commercial conveyancing and Estate and Succession planning including wills and enduring powers of attorney.
Ashleigh’s strength is her attention to detail and her deep compassion for her clients who are navigating through very stressful circumstances of losing a loved one and making sure clients have their affairs in order. Ashleigh is focused on service to our clients.
Ashleigh is currently the Treasurer for the NZ Institute of Legal Executives (NZILE) Wellington Central Districts Branch Inc and is active in the community with BNI Whanganui (Business Network International).
Outside of the office she enjoys the great outdoors, spending time with family and friends and travelling.
Linda Peina
Legal Assistant
linda@bullockassociates.co.nz
Retiring at the end of 2021 after working with Murray Hughes for 15 years, attending to conveyancing, trusts, wills and estate matters, Linda has returned to the firm to assist the team on a part time basis, from Monday to Wednesday.
A keen high-handicap golfer, Linda enjoys playing golf with her husband wherever and whenever she can. Being semi-retired makes it possible for Linda to visit and play golf with family and friends for long weekends.
Rosa Georgette LLB
Rosa has left to take on a new challenge in Wellington. We wish her well. Please rest assured we are still here and available to assist you.
Rachael Palmer
Legal Assistant/Trust Account Administrator
rachael@bullockassociates.co.nz
Murray Hughes
After 30 plus years of service to his clients and the community Murray has retired but is still in regular contact with the firm and assists us when the need arises. We wish Murray well and his clients can be rest assured that they are in good hands with the team here. If you need anything please contact us.
Rob Handley
Rob is making the most of his retirement but is still in regular contact with the firm. Rest assured his clients and practice are well being looked after by our team. We look forward to continuing to provide you and all of our clients with our usual high standard of service so do not hesitate to contact us.
Get In Touch.
Please get in touch to find out about our services and how we can be of assistance.