Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) has boosted its media group with the hire of BBC in-house counsel Jaron Lewis.

Lewis, who previously worked at RPC before switching to the BBC in 2000, will join the City firm as a partner in its media practice. He will work under department head Liz Hartley, with whom he set up the firm's contentious media practice in 1997.

While at the BBC Lewis advised its directors, trustees and controllers on claims about programme content as well as on business and regulatory disputes.

Commenting on the appointment, Hartley said: "Jaron's invaluable experience and understanding of the media sector will bolster our practice and add value to the service that we provide to our clients."

RPC's media team now comprises four partners, one consultant and eight assistant solicitors, with a further assistant solicitor set to join in November.

News of Lewis' move comes with a number of larger top 50 firms having downsized their media teams in recent times, claiming it has become harder to provide cost-effective advice to clients. Last year Addleshaw Goddard transferred its four-partner film and music practice to specialist media firm Michael Simkins.