Others of the "very good, loyal, longstanding staff" staff are Louise Brandon, who does legal executive work, office manager Glenis Pidwell, Linda Lott and Mr Tripe's wife, Diana, who works part-time.
The new partners both have children at St John's Hill School and their wives are friends.
They're friends with each other too, despite a bit of verbal sparring "to keep life interesting".
Mr Bullock trained in law at Canterbury University. He started practising in 1994 for Steve Taylor.
He began his own firm in 1996, mainly doing court work. He said he was also an accredited mediator and had an interest in property law.
The move to JRT attracted him because it was an established firm with a good reputation.
Mr Stratford was trained at Otago University, and has practised law in Dunedin for about 17 years. He arrived in Wanganui a year ago and worked for Stephen Ross & Associates.
He said he was looking forward to establishing long-term relationships with clients at JRT.
As for Mr Tripe, he was just pleased the firm was continuing into the future.
"We have clients who have been here for many generations, and we want that to continue. We value that relationship, and we honour it," he said.
He's hoping to have more free time to sail his boat on Lake Taupo, and would like to start a trailer sailer race from Wanganui to Hipango Park.
The firm has existed since at least 1881. It has been in its present building in Ridgway St since 1967.
Deeds in its office go back more than 100 years. Some old title deeds are on parchment, and documents are solemnly signed, sealed, stitched with green tape and punched with revenue stamps.
Mr Tripe said despite changing times and changing methods, it was a privilege to be an old lawyer.
"We still deal with people and people haven't changed."
