Vinson & Elkins has become the latest firm to close in Abu Dhabi, with all staff set to relocate to its Dubai office.

All staff in Abu Dhabi, including partner Rob Patterson, will move to Dubai from the end of March, with the firm continuing to have offices in both Dubai and Riyadh.

The decision was made by Vinson & Elkins’ management committee, with a number of other firms closing in Abu Dhabi last year.

Herbert Smith Freehills closed in Abu Dhabi in the summer, in a move that saw five other lawyers relocate to Dubai and resulted in the consolidation of its United Arab Emirates’ offices into one.

Meanwhile Latham & Watkins closed in Doha and merged its Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices, seven years after launching in the region.