DMAW Lawyers rewards excellence with eight promotions firm wide

As featured in The Advertiser, on InDaily's Corporate Ladder and by Lawyers Weekly DMAW Lawyers is proud to announce eight promotions, reflecting our commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence.

Congratulations to the following staff members on your recent promotions.

We look forward to seeing you grow in your new roles as you continue to go above and beyond for our clients.

Callum Ritchie - Principal
Sam de Cure - Special counsel
Annabel Nettle - Senior associate
Abby-Rose Hill - Associate
Irini Kourakis - Associate
Narisse Fechner - Associate
Stephanie Maurangi - Associate
Stephanie Dugan - Client experience and engagement manager

Chief Executive Officer Bernice Witkowski said the promotions are a direct reflection of the individuals’ contributions and the firm’s commitment to creating a culture of professional growth.

We are thrilled to recognise such a large group for their progress, development and dedication to the firm and our valued clients.

It is fantastic to see DMAW Lawyers provide the environment and opportunities for staff to progress their careers, with a strong focus on merit-based promotions as soon as they are ready. Demonstrating expertise beyond their years, Callum’s appointment as principal and Abby-Rose’s rapid advancement are both a testament to this.

Callum Ritchie - Principal

Callum Ritchie has been appointed to the position of principal.

Since joining DMAW Lawyers as a senior associate in 2023, Callum has quickly built trust and demonstrated sharp legal insight. As a key member of our transactions team, he brings deep expertise in real estate, development, infrastructure and construction.

Callum has experience working with a diverse range of clients including government bodies, developers, major retailers, hotel operators and shopping centres on their real estate and transactional requirements.

He has experience in a wide range of property and development work, including the drafting, review and negotiation of complex transactional documentation, site due diligence and contract management.

Callum prides himself on his attention to detail, delivering tailored advice and achieving commercial results for his clients in the constantly evolving real estate industry.

Callum was listed by Doyle’s Guide as a Rising Star in Property & Real Estate Law in South Australia for 2025.

Congratulations Callum!

Sam de Cure - Special Counsel

Sam de Cure has been appointed to the position of special counsel.

Sam joined the firm’s disputes team in 2023 as a senior associate. He is a senior member of the disputes practice with a focus on alternative dispute resolution, commercial litigation and insolvency.

Sam has extensive experience working on complex commercial litigation matters in many Australian jurisdictions.

He advises clients about corporate and personal insolvency, and about their interactions with state and federal regulatory bodies.

Sam also has significant experience advising and representing insolvency practitioners, creditors and businesses in proceedings under the Corporations Act and about the insolvency process generally.

Sam was recognised in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Australia for his work in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Insolvency and Reorganisation Law and Litigation.

Congratulations Sam!

Annabel Nettle - Senior Associate

Annabel Nettle has been appointed to the position of senior associate.

Annabel joined DMAW Lawyers as a graduate lawyer in the disputes team in 2019, progressing to associate in 2022 and now to senior associate.

Annabel provides practical, commercially focused advice across a wide range of litigious and non-litigious commercial matters.

She supports our clients in resolving complex disputes with an emphasis on achieving efficient, strategic outcomes.

Annabel’s construction law experience extends to acting in disputes involving large-scale infrastructure projects.

She also assists clients in protecting and resolving disputes about their intellectual property.

In the bankruptcy and insolvency space, Annabel regularly advises individuals and companies in financial distress as well as insolvency practitioners.

Annabel was recognised in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Australia for her work in Insolvency and Reorganisation Law.

Congratulations Annabel!

A further four lawyers have recently been appointed to associate – Abby-Rose Hill (transactions), Irini Kourakis (disputes) Narisse Fechner (transactions) and Stephanie Maurangi (transactions).

In addition, Stephanie Dugan has been promoted to client experience and engagement manager in recognition of her broad remit and the importance the firm places on client experience.

Congratulations Abby, Irini, Narisse, Steph M and Steph D!