Caitlin Surman

Matthew Fuss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Matthew, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Annabel West is a Special Counsel in the corporate team in Adelaide. She specialises in corporations and securities law, with a principal focus on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, capital raisings and corporate advisory work. Annabel has extensive experience in managing corporate transactions for a wide range of local and international clients in diverse industries, from listed companies, private equity funds and government owned corporations, to SMEs and not for profits. Her experie...

Matthew Hawke is Special Counsel in Cowell Clarke’s Building, Construction & Infrastructure and Dispute Resolution teams. Matthew has broad experience in construction advice and disputes (including construction contract drafting and advice), compulsory acquisition disputes, and the construction industry security of payment regimes across Australia. When not working in the construction space, Matthew supports clients in negotiating or litigating their general contractual, misrepresen...

Geoff specialises in construction and engineering matters and regularly advises on the preparation of construction contracts and significant building and construction disputes for a number of large contractors, property owners, and government. He has experience in a wide range of building and construction disputes including claims under security of payment legislation, professional negligence claims against consultants, variation claims, time related claims and claims with respect to defectiv...

Angus, a Director at WRP Legal since January 2021, specialises in Corporate, Commercial and Tax Law. With a career foundation at a Big 4 accounting firm in tax and legal, followed by close to a decade at a prominent national BigLaw firm, Angus brings a wealth of expertise to structuring new ventures, restructuring existing ones, and managing complex M&A and projects. He also enjoys assisting with day to day legal issues that arise in the course of conducting business. His role largely inv...

James is the leader of our Public M&A and Equity Capital Markets practice. He is a current member of the Australian Takeovers Panel and has extensive experience working in top-tier corporate law firms in Australia and London. James’ experience includes leading the Kain teams advising: SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on its proposed acquisition by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) (a subsidiary of Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)) by way of scheme of arrangement for approximately $180m; Ke...

With more than 35 years’ experience in property law, Richard has advised on matters from major CBD property acquisition and Commonwealth property interests to large scale community title residential development and joint venture property developments. He has extensive experience in advising Commonwealth, state and local government in commercial property related matters and has acted for multiple Councils in property sales and developments. He is also the Honorary Solicitor for the South...

Sam McNeil is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Sam, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sam is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Since joining WRP Legal in 2018, Sam has led the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team with expertise honed as special counsel at a major national law firm. Renowned for his skill in insolvency litigation, consumer law, construction, property, and leasing disputes, Sam has represented international corporations, national and local businesses, SMEs, and high-net-worth individuals. A skilled advocate, negotiator, and strategist, he crafts tailored approaches that deliver favourable outcomes, e...

Natalie Abela is a director in Cowell Clarke’s Dispute Resolution team, and also leads our Estate Administration and Insurance teams. Natalie practices predominantly in commercial litigation, with specialist expertise across corporate and personal insolvency, business and contract dispute resolution, probate and estate dispute resolution and defamation law. Having had significant experience in complex litigious matters for both national and international clients, Natalie also has a focu...