Baker Botts has hired a corporate partner from CMS to its London office.

Partner Stuart Blythe joins the firm after having spent over five years at CMS' London office where he co-headed the firm's global M&A practice in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector, according to his profile on the firm's website.

Prior to that role, Blythe was a partner at legacy Edwards Wildman Palmer and Bird & Bird for three years respectively, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He also held a number of in-house roles before joining private practice, including the role of senior vice president and general counsel of Dublin-based telecoms operator Viatel for four years, and international general counsel for former American telecommunications giant MCI WorldCom, now Verizon, for six years.

Mark Rowley, partner in charge of London and the Middle East at Baker Botts, said: "Stuart has an excellent cross-border client base, which will enhance our corporate department in London and help to grow our TMT capabilities as well."

The addition follows a hiring push by Baker Botts to its London office, which historically has grown slowly. Last year, Baker Botts' managing partner John Martin highlighted the office as a growth priority.

Recent hires to the office include equity capital markets partner Richard Brown from Latham & Watkins, as well as global projects development and finance partner Nick Collins from Jones Day in London.

A spokesperson for CMS said in a statement: "We can confirm that Stuart Blythe has left the firm and we wish him all the best."