Gabriel MacConaill

Gabriel MacConaill, a 42-year-old partner in Sidley Austin’s Los Angeles office, died on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

MacConaill’s death was ruled a suicide. A restructuring expert, he joined Sidley in 2009 from Potter Anderson & Corroon, where he was an associate at the Delaware-based law firm, which is known for its bankruptcy expertise. MacConaill made partner at Sidley on Jan. 1, 2014.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gabe MacConaill, our valued colleague and partner,” a Sidley spokeswoman said in a statement. “He will be fondly remembered by colleagues as well as clients as an outstanding lawyer, partner and friend. Our hearts especially go out to his wife to whom we offer our sincerest condolences.”

A 2005 graduate of the Dickinson Law School at Pennsylvania State University, MacConaill was one of several Sidley lawyers to recently land a lead role in the Chapter 11 case for Mattress Firm Inc., the country's largest mattress retailer.

MacConaill had an active bankruptcy practice, having made 53 appearances in Delaware bankruptcy court since starting his legal career at Potter Anderson in 2005. He represented the likes of American Airlines Inc., Aricent Technologies Holdings Ltd. and GE Capital Retail Bank, the latter in a bankruptcy court proceeding in Los Angeles.

He also served as chair of Sidley’s summer associate programs committee and the firm said in a memoriam posted on his biography page that MacConaill was “known for providing clients with practical solutions in complicated restructurings and developed a reputation for understanding and putting his clients’ business interests first.”

Sidley said MacConaill is survived by his wife, Joanna Litt.