Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has pulled the plug on its Brussels outpost, as the Texas leader looks to focus its resources on Asia and the Middle East.

The office, which was headed by corporate governance partner Martine de Witte, closed on 1 January.

While It is unknown what the next move for De Witte – the office's only partner – will be, European policy advisor Wim van Velzen has already joined the local arm of US rival Covington & Burling in a non-legal role.