The Duomo di Milano in Milan, Italy

Paul Hastings is closing its Milan office following the departure of two partners, including its office head.

The firm's chair Seth Zachary confirmed the closure in a statement.

"We constantly assess the fit of our practices in all the markets in which we operate in the light of the firm's financial and strategic goals," Zachary said in a statement. "Looking forward, we believe that our clients will be best served in this region working collaboratively with the leading independent firms in the market."

The decision comes following the second group departure from the office this year. Office head Bruno Cova has now left the firm alongside litigation partner Francesca Petronio. The pair are expected to join Willkie Farr & Gallagher's Milan office, according to a person familiar with the move. Willkie didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cova joined Paul Hastings in 2005, having previously worked as chief legal adviser at Parmalat SpA. Petronio has also been at the firm since 2005, joining after four years as senior associate at Norton Rose Fulbright.

Zachary, in a statement, expressed his gratitude for Cova and Petronio's contributions to the Milan office and clients in Italy.

The pair's departure follows that of a team exit from the base earlier this year, including two partners and four associates. That group joined Herbert Smith Freehills.

In recent years, Italy has proved an uncertain market for a number of firms, with several closing bases across the country.

However, some firms have expanded their Milan offerings.

Dentons recently launched its Europe-South Korea practice with the hire of Soon-Youn Kim as partner to head up the desk. Linklaters also recently hired Roberto Egori as a partner and head of the firm's tax practice from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Milan.