Perth insurance litigation firm Jarman McKenna will merge with national law firm Sparke Helmore Lawyers on March 1.

Sparke Helmore National Managing Partner Phillip Salem says the merger is a “critical step” in enhancing the legal services and expertise his firm provides to clients across Australia.

Jarman McKenna has 52 lawyers and staff with expertise across all main lines of insurance. It acts for insurers, self-insured organisations, insureds, agents and brokers.

Sparke Helmore has more than 650 employees nationally and deals with the insurance, government, financial services, technology, mining, construction and property sectors.