Sparke Helmore Lawyers and Perth firm Jarman McKenna may ink a merger agreement by the end of the year after having entered into formal merger talks,
Sparke Helmore has confirmed to
Australasian Lawyer.
The two leading Perth firms have signed a term sheet which gives them three months of exclusivity as they discuss their possible marriage. Discussions and due diligence are expected to continue through November.
Sparke Helmore's Chairman of Partners, Mark Hickey, said the possible merger would be a great fit for the firm’s growth strategy.
“As part of our renewed growth strategy we are constantly looking for opportunities to improve the service we provide to our clients,” he said.
“Joining forces with Jarman McKenna's strong team of insurance litigators will bring in new expertise, which will be hugely beneficial for our clients. Merging our firms would enable us to enhance the services we provide in Western Australia, as well as increase our national insurance capability.”
Sparke Helmore specialises in insurance, corporate and commercial, construction, workplace, IP, IPOs, mining, manufacturing, property and procurement. It has more than 650 people working out of offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Upper Hunter.
Jarman McKenna is a specialist boutique law firm specialising in insurance litigation and general commercial practice. The firm’s founding partner
Piet Jarman said that the merger will equally benefit the law firm’s current clients.
“The insurance litigation market in Perth and across Australia has become increasingly competitive. Sparke Helmore is an established and reputable firm that shares our values and ambitions, so it makes sense to explore this opportunity, which would expand the offering we provide and greatly benefit our clients,” he said.
