Consolidation in the insurance law services sector is continuing, with Sparke Helmore Lawyers today announcing it has bolstered its commercial insurance team with four new partners, two special counsel, a senior associate and 25 lawyers and support staff.

The partners, Kiley Hodges, Ian Jones, Renee Sadler and Matthew Seisun, were most recently at Curwoods Lawyers.

Sparke Helmore National Managing Partner Phillip Salem says many domestic insurers want a full service offering and “it’s crucial to have strong financial lines, CTP liability, construction and professional indemnity practices”.

“With the addition of this team, we have that.”

Mr Jones, Ms Sadler and Mr Seisun will work in the Sydney office, while Ms Hodges will be based in Brisbane.

Sparke Helmore has more than 750 people working in eight offices servicing the insurance, government, financial services, technology, mining, construction and property sectors.

Another specialist insurance law firm, Wotton + Kearney, also announced three partnership appointments today.

Allison Hunt becomes the first female partner for the firm’s Melbourne office, increasing the percentage of women in the partnership to 30%.

Edward O‘Brien and Andrew Brennan, also Melbourne-based, will build the firm’s capability in the SME sector.

The three appointments are internal promotions.