Leading insurance law firm Phillips fox has announced a merger with the Perth partnership of national firm Gadens Lawyers.

The merger, which excludes the Gadens volume banking practice, comes four months after Phillips Fox opened its Perth office after operating a franchise there for nearly seven years.

Phillips Fox says the move, which will create a practice of 12 partners supported by 40 lawyers and with expected annual revenue of about $16 million, is part of the firm’s plan to expand its presence in Perth.