The office was opened in 2008. The firm says that circumstances are different now - that a physical presence in Abu Dhabi is no longer necessary to carry out work there. The staffing of the Abu Dhabi office has dwindled recently through partner losses meaning the loss of specialists in Islamic finance and real estate. 

Two offices in Middle East

Remaining partner Alexander Currie, a projects lawyer, will now be a part of the team of Dubai head and corporate finance specialist Zubair Mir. As well as having the office in Dubai, now running to eight partners, Herbert Smith has a two-partner office in Doha. Source: Legal Week