Travers Smith has hired Robert Payne from CMS to lead its property litigation team.

Payne, who was a senior associate at CMS, joins the leading London independent firm as a senior counsel, bringing established expertise across a range of contentious property issues. 

His experience spans leading high-stakes litigation in the Court of Appeal to managing client portfolios involving contested and uncontested lease renewals, insolvency and development matters.

Before joining CMS in 2019, he spent two years at hotel investor, owner and operator Accor, where he worked as legal counsel for Northern Europe, covering the UK, Benelux and Scandinavia.

Emma Pereira, head of real estate at Travers Smith, said: “We are delighted that Robert has joined our team. He brings a wealth of experience across a broad spectrum of real estate disputes, and his knowledge will further enhance our offering.”

Payne wrote on LinkedIn: “It’s been a great start, and I’m excited about what’s ahead as we continue to support clients with a wide range of real estate litigation matters.”

His appointment marks a push by Travers Smith to grow the specialist disputes component in its real estate team. The firm’s litigation team focuses on commercial claims, including the ongoing Autonomy litigation on behalf of HP, the quantum phase of which is due to take place this year.

It is also managing follow-on class action competition litigation, including the PACCAR case, which reached the UK Supreme Court and continues to have repercussions at the appellate level. The case, which concerned litigation funding, is also under review by the Civil Justice Council.

Payne is the second senior lateral hire this month as the firm continues to rebuild its senior ranks following a series of departures to US and Magic Circle firms. Mandip Englund joined as head of restructuring and insolvency from Fried Frank.

Travers Smith promoted six partners in June 2024. Among them was John Buttanshaw, who has a contentious background in environmental law and ESG-related disputes, including compliance and risk management issues ranging from human rights to financial crime. Gareth Wynne, a full-service real estate partner focused on development asset investments, was also part of the cohort.

Ailie Murray, an employment partner covering both contentious and non-contentious employment matters, was promoted in 2023.

Recent partner departures include those of Mahesh Veria, former head of incentives, who joined A&O Shearman last November, and Lucie Cawood, the firm’s former head of private equity, who left for personal reasons. Her deputy, Will Yates, stepped into the role.

Last month, the firm announced the opening of an office in Brussels while winding down its Paris operations.