Thames Valley firm Pitmans’ recruitment campaign has intensified with the firm hiring two London partners for its Reading office.

The firm has hired Weightmans head of construction Laurence Sheppard, who joins as head of construction, and employment partner Richard Devall, who joins from H2O Law. He previously worked at Pitmans 7 years ago.

Devall said: “I’m coming back to a team I know very well and a firm I have a lot of time and respect for. I’m looking forward to expansion not only in Reading but also in London.”

The firm is also planning to recruit up to 22 fee-earners for its new London office in the next six to eight months. Pitmans is moving into new offices in London within the next three months, with space for at least 30 fee-earners. Currently the firm has eight fee-earners in London.

A spokesman said: “We look for London-calibre partners in the Thames Valley, which sets us apart from the other firms in the region.”