Clifford Chance (CC) has seen two further partner departures in Italy, with the firm's partnership shrinking by almost a third in the country over the last year.

Rome capital markets partner Anna Bessant left CC at the end of last month and has yet to announce her next move, while Milan-based project finance partner Massimo Novo left in August to join the European Investment Bank as head of legal for Italy and Southeast Europe.

In total, CC's Italy partner count has fallen from 25 to 17 over the last year, with total fee earner count in Italy reducing from 145 to 120 since January. At the beginning of 2007, the firm had 175 fee earners in Italy.

The latest departures leave the Rome office with three partners following the resignation of Bessant and the departure of former Rome office head Luigi Chessa earlier this year.

Bessant's departure leaves Rome head Guiseppe de Palma as the only finance partner in the capital, but CC said the exit did not indicate a change in strategy.

The magic circle firm bolstered its Italy practice last month through the rehire of former associate Lucio Bonavitacola as a partner in Milan. The regulatory specialist left earlier this year alongside partners Paolo Calderaro, Michele Crisostomo and Silvio Riolo to form their own firm. CC also added Maisto & Associate tax partner Carlo Galli in Milan in January.