Martin Bell is retiring from fulltime practice on 31 March this year. He will remain working parttime with the firm for six months on some project work.
Martin joined Corcoran French as a partner in 2000 when he moved from Greymouth, where he had practised as a partner in Hannon & Seddon for 20 years. That West Coast link then completed a full circle in 2021 with the merger of Corcoran French and Hannan & Seddon.
Martin was managing partner of Corcoran French between 2010 and 2020 and led the firm through many interesting and challenging times, including the Canterbury Earthquakes and the first waves of Covid-19. Martin stepped into a consultancy role in 2023 and decided to hang up the boots this year.
On the timing of his upcoming retirement, Martin says “it was not an easy decision, as I have greatly enjoyed my career as a lawyer and my time at Corcoran French over the last 24 years. It’s hard to know exactly when the time is right but I want to leave on a high whilst I still can remember what is in my files and recall everyone’s names here! I am very much looking forward to retirement now that I have two grandchildren”.
In addition to spending more time with family, Martin intends to spend his retirement attending to work around home and at his bach.
Martin’s practice areas consisted of civil litigation, trust and estate disputes, ACC, Resource Management, and Local Government work. He says he is leaving the firm in great hands and looks forward to following the firm’s progress over the coming years. He thanks all his clients, past and present, for their instructions and for trusting him to assist them with their matters.
Martin, on behalf of all partners and staff at Corcoran French, thank you for all your work, leadership, guidance and support to us all over the years, and best of luck for your well-deserved retirement.