Sidley Austin announced 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. Parel joins eight former colleagues from Weil Gotshal & Manges, who recently moved to Sidley.

“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.”

“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.”

Parel 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. 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.