Wall Street leader Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is to shut down its Singapore branch, following the news this week that Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe is also pulling out of the country.

The six-lawyer practice is currently headed-up by partner Alan Brenner, who is relocating to the firm's New York base, with the remaining lawyers – one of counsel and four associates – transferring to Simpson Thacher's Hong Kong arm.

Simpson Thacher's London managing partner Walt Looney told Legal Week: "The decision to consolidate the office is nothing to do with the Singapore market. There is no need for us to be located so near Indonesia or further south. We can service our clients, including the Singapore ones, from Hong Kong."