Bill Savitt’s courtroom style draws notice in Musk-OpenAI fight
The Verge profiled the litigator after his cross-examination of Elon Musk in a case against Sam Altman and OpenAI.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
William “Bill” Savitt has become a notable figure in Elon Musk’s legal orbit after questioning Musk in the case known as Musk v. Altman, according to The Verge. The profile matters because the dispute sits at the center of high-stakes AI litigation involving Musk, Sam Altman and OpenAI.
The Verge’s Elizabeth Lopatto reported that Musk sued Altman and OpenAI, and that Savitt cross-examined Musk during the case. Lopatto wrote that Musk objected to Savitt’s questioning, saying the lawyer’s questions were “designed to trick me” and telling him, “You mostly do unfair questions.”
According to The Verge, Savitt answered in a restrained tone: “I am trying to put the questions as fairly as I can. I am doing my best.” Lopatto described his approach as soft-spoken and direct, saying many of his questions asked Musk to confirm or repeat points from earlier testimony.
Lopatto wrote that Musk’s difficulty recalling statements he had made during direct examination helped shape her view of his credibility as the first witness in the case. That assessment was presented by The Verge as part of its courtroom account, rather than as a court finding.
The Verge described Savitt as a lawyer who has prevailed against Musk twice, though its account focused on the Musk-Altman-OpenAI dispute. The profile also placed Savitt among lawyers frequently involved in major corporate and securities matters.
According to The Verge, Savitt has represented Coinbase in a fight with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The same profile said he also represented KKR in Corwin v. KKR Financial and Sotheby’s in a case involving its defense of a poison pill.
Legal publisher Lawdragon highlighted Savitt’s prominence in 2015, The Verge noted. Lawdragon wrote that reading The Wall Street Journal could resemble looking at Savitt’s daily calendar, a reference to the number of significant business disputes in which he had appeared.
The Verge also included a personal detail from Savitt’s background, quoting him as saying that after college he intended to move to New York and get a record deal. The profile’s subheading referenced a Fender Telecaster, underscoring the musical thread in an otherwise litigation-focused portrait.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.