Scottish firm Brodies is expanding its ranks with five partner hires as the firm prepares to open up a new office in Aberdeen.

The firm last week bulked up its competition offering with the hire of Mark Clough QC from Addleshaw Goddard, where he was partner and head of the London competition team.

Clough will join Brodies' public law and regulatory team in Edinburgh and will focus on UK and EU competition law, state aid and public procurement across sectors including energy, transport and financial services.

His hire comes with the firm set to take on a further four partners over the coming months, including Dundas & Wilson board member and ex-banking and financial services head Michael Stoneham.

Stoneham, who ran unsuccessfully against Donald Shaw for the post of managing partner at Dundas last year, focuses on debt, restructuring and recovery work.

The other new recruits for Brodies include Harper Macleod employment head Paul McMahon, Biggart Baillie commercial property partner Richard Smith, and former Bond Pearce oil and gas consultant Clare Munro, all who are joining as partners.

The hires come as the firm gears up to open an office in Aberdeen later this year to add to its existing offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The office will be led by Colin MacLaren, who joined Brodies in October 2010 from Aberdeen firm Paull & Williamsons where he was head of property. The office will focus on offering corporate, commercial, and private client advice.

Brodies managing partner Bill Drummond said: "These six major appointments further underscore our long-term commitment to attracting the best legal talent to serve our clients across Scotland, the UK and internationally."