Two prominent banking attorneys have joined the Troutman Sanders law firm.

James Stevens and Richard Cheatham both came to the firm from Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, where they have spent their careers. Cheatham has been practicing for more than 40 years; Stevens for 11.

Tom Powell, a banking attorney with Troutman Sanders, said the two are stars who will bring different ideas and approaches to the firm. They began talking after Stevens and Powell worked together on a board and spoke on the same panel.

Troutman Sanders has “long-desired” the pair, Powell said.

“We realized it made a lot more sense than didn’t,” Stevens said.