On 30 September 2021 the legal fraternity bid adieu and happy retirement to Simon George Mortlock, MNZM, who formally retired from law and Mortlock McCormack Law after more than 53 years of practice.

Simon’s career began as a fresh faced University of Canterbury graduate working for Meares Williams, then with his brother Paul. After a short time Simon went to the UK for a few years and travelled all around Europe. He then returned to New Zealand and later moved to Harper Pascoe Buchanan & Co as a Partner. He had a predominantly banking and commercial practice but was confident enough to turn his hand to most areas of law. After approximately 30 years of dedicated service, Simon left to establish his own firm, Simon Mortlock Lawyers, located in the PWC building, with a staff of 6. The firm expanded to 18 people, and became Simon Mortlock Partners. Although Simon made the conscious decision to not bring across his banking practice, many hundreds of clients followed him. They are still clients of the firm today as are their children and grandchildren.

Upon meeting legal and community minded soul mate Sue McCormack, firms and minds merged to create Mortlock McCormack Law, which, after the earthquakes, returned to the city at 299 Durham Street. Simon retired from partnership in 2018 but remained practising law at MML as a Consultant.

In January 2019, Simon was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s Honours awards for his services to the community and education.

Simon’s recognition on the honours list is a consequence of 40 years of volunteer and community work, including youth, education, affordable housing solutions, the environment and advancing rights for people with special needs. Simon emphasises that the achievement is “a recognition of all the people I have worked with and a reflection of the significance of the community volunteers sector”.

Simon has retained some of his directorships and trusteeships so we will be fortunate to still see him in the office from time to time. However, he now has more opportunities to spend quality and quantity time with delightful wife Belinda, doing all the things they love, including visiting their children and grandchildren.

Simon, we wish you all the best.

Photo: Simon Mortlock & Sue McCormack