Alternative Dispute Resolution
May 21, 2026
Musk v. Altman: When 'all in' egos litigate what mediation could have fixed
Mediation was the only alternate universe where everyone could have walked away a partial winner--but after three weeks of trial testimony, private texts from tech titans, a personal diary and less than two hours of jury deliberation, Musk lost and Altman won on a statute-of-limitations hook.
Leonid M. Zilberman
Partner
Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP
Phone: (619) 236-9600
Email: lzilberman@wilsonturnerkosmo.com
Lonny practices employment law, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as mediation and alternative dispute resolution and provides anti-harassment and other employment-related training to California Employers.
Mediation is that confidential alternate universe we never get to see but that avoids countless courtroom battles on a weekly basis. In Musk v. Altman, that alternate universe was the only place where everyone could have walked away a partial winner. Instead, we got the version where a jury is forced to pick a side, and one of the world's richest people learned that his wealth and what appeared to be a compelling story can die on a simple statute‑of‑limitations ho...
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!
Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)
Already a subscriber?
Sign In