Savitt's Musk Victory
William Savitt, a distinguished litigator from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, is currently at the forefront of OpenAI's defense against Elon Musk's lawsuit.
Savitt is widely recognized for his pivotal role in the 2022 legal showdown where he represented Twitter. In this high-stakes confrontation, Savitt successfully pursued legal action against Musk to ensure the completion of his $44 billion acquisition of the social media platform, after Musk attempted to withdraw from the agreement. Musk had cited concerns regarding spam and bot accounts on the platform, alleging that Twitter had failed to provide accurate disclosure about their prevalence and had supplied misleading information. Following a series of defeats in court orchestrated by Savitt's strategic legal prowess, Musk ultimately relented and proceeded with the purchase just before the trial was scheduled to commence. Reports indicate Musk was displeased with the $90 million in legal expenses incurred by Twitter to Wachtell and even initiated a lawsuit seeking a refund, accusing the firm of systemic corruption. Beyond the Twitter case, Savitt also previously represented Tesla's board, including Musk himself, in a lawsuit concerning the acquisition of SolarCity, a case in which Musk was ultimately victorious.
An Unconventional Path
William Savitt's trajectory to becoming a premier corporate litigator is quite unconventional, diverging significantly from typical legal career paths. Before embarking on his legal studies at Columbia Law School, Savitt spent his twenties immersed in New York City's vibrant music scene, performing in rock bands and supporting himself by working as a taxi driver. His legal career eventually ascended to the pinnacle of the American judicial system, where he had the honor of serving as a clerk for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Savitt often attributes his ability to maintain an open mind and suspend judgment to the invaluable lessons learned from Justice Ginsburg. Furthermore, Savitt's professional relationship with Sam Altman extends beyond the current legal battle. He had previously collaborated with OpenAI during Altman's temporary departure from the board in 2023, providing assistance with the company's restructuring and fundraising efforts. Savitt's extensive legal experience also includes representing high-profile clients such as actor Brad Pitt and advising on significant corporate mergers.
