Vinson & Elkins China co-head David Blumental is relocating to Hong Kong with a team of associates following the firm's decision to close in Shanghai.

Blumental, who launched the US firm's Shanghai base in 2005, will continue to co-head Vinson's China practice from Hong Kong.

He is well-regarded for his work in the energy and natural resources sector, and has advised big-name clients such as Sinopec and CNOOC on major M&A deals. An exact timeframe for his move has not yet been confirmed.

Meanwhile, Vinson's other China co-head, Jay Kolb, will now be based permanently in Beijing, where he will also be joined by a number of associates. Both Kolb and Blumental previously split their time between Beijing and Shanghai.

The Shanghai office's third partner, energy specialist Tju Liang Chua, was recently recruited by US rival Sidley Austin to join its Singapore base.

Vinson's website currently lists nine associates as based in Shanghai, with around seven expected to relocate to either Beijing or Hong Kong, with the others set to leave the firm and remain in Shanghai for personal or family reasons.

Vinson declined to comment.

Vinson announced in July it was closing its Shanghai office in a move to consolidate its China offering and focus on work coming from Beijing.