Sidley Austin Adds Private Equity/M&A Partner

New York (October 7, 2013) — Sidley Austin LLP announced today that S. Scott Parel will join the firm in Dallas as a partner and member of Sidley’s global Private Equity and M&A practices. Mr. Parel is joining eight of his former colleagues from Weil Gotshal & Manges who have recently moved to Sidley, two of whom also are members of the firm’s Private Equity practice.

“We are extremely pleased to further expand our Private Equity and M&A practices with a lawyer of Scott’s caliber,” said Larry Barden, vice-chair of Sidley’s Management Committee. “He has built an impressive practice representing several leading private equity sponsors. His strengths complement well those of our existing team of lawyers focused on serving private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in sophisticated M&A and corporate matters. We welcome him to Sidley.” 

Mr. Parel has broad corporate and transactional experience. He focuses his practice on complex corporate and transactional matters, representing private and pension fund sponsors and their portfolio companies in connection with leveraged acquisitions, minority investments, divestitures, joint ventures and restructurings. Mr. Parel is also very active in professional development and pro bono activities, and previously served as co-chair of Weil’s Pro Bono and Professional Development committees. He was ranked in Chambers USA 2012 as a leading Corporate/M&A Lawyer in Texas.

“Scott is an excellent addition to our outstanding team of private equity lawyers,” said Carter Phillips, chair of Sidley’s Executive Committee. “He brings deep experience in guiding private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies through the complexities relating to M&A activity, investments and myriad other issues. We are delighted to welcome him to our Private Equity practice, which continues to be an area of strategic growth for us.” 

Sidley’s Dallas office opened in 1996 with a focus on intellectual property litigation. It is now home to nearly 60 lawyers including 16 associates and counsel from Weil who have accepted offers from Sidley. In 2012, Sidley opened an office in Houston to focus on energy-related transactions and complex commercial litigation. The Houston office today has grown to 32 lawyers.

With approximately 1,700 lawyers in 19 offices worldwide, Sidley has built a reputation as a premier legal adviser for global businesses and financial institutions. For the third consecutive year, Sidley received the most first-tier national rankings of any U.S. law firm in the 2013 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” survey, including for both International Arbitration – Commercial and International Arbitration – Governmental. On Law360’s list of Global 20 Firms, Sidley was ranked among the top law firms with the greatest global reach and expertise. To stay up-to-date with the latest Sidley news, please follow us on Twitter at @SidleyNewsroom.