Clifford Chance, the international law firm, is to restructure the senior management structure at its Italian offices as Luigi Chessa, the firm's joint managing partner for the region, has resigned after only eight months in the role.

Chessa is leaving Clifford Chance to spend more time with his family, according to a source close to the company. The exact date of his departure has yet to be decided, but the company is expected to release details next week on the new management structure.