Wachtell Lipton co-chair who grilled Elon Musk departs for rival Gibson Dunn

William Savitt has departed Wachtell Lipton to join Gibson Dunn, taking five other partners with him in a major shift for the legal sector. As the co-chair of Wachtell’s litigation department, Savitt was central to the firm's legal strategy, most notably serving as the lead attorney who cross-examined Elon Musk during the Twitter acquisition litigation. His move to Gibson Dunn represents a significant addition for the firm, which has actively pursued high-level lateral talent.

Bloomberg Law News, Reuters, Law.com, The New York Times, and the Financial Times confirm the transition. Coverage underscores the rarity of such a high-level departure from Wachtell, a firm traditionally characterized by its stability and limited lateral hiring. The reports highlight the aggressive expansion strategy currently employed by Gibson Dunn as it integrates these six new partners into its litigation practice.

Details regarding the immediate impact on Wachtell’s ongoing active litigation files or the specific structural changes Savitt will face at Gibson Dunn are not specified in the current coverage. Future developments will depend on the transition of existing client portfolios between the two firms.