Coherent Economics’ client Microsoft prevailed in its closely watched trial opposite Elon Musk. On May 18, 2026, a federal jury unanimously rejected Elon Musk’s claims against OpenAI, its leadership, and Microsoft, delivering a resounding verdict in under two hours. A Coherent Economics team led by President Laurel Van Allen provided economic consulting support, working in close coordination with affiliate and damages expert Jonathan Arnold.
The suit alleged that OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity amounted to unjust enrichment and a breach of charitable trust. The jury found those claims untimely, concluding that Mr. Musk had been aware of the company’s structural shift well before filing suit. Mr. Musk has stated that he plans to appeal.
Coherent Economics supported Microsoft throughout this litigation, with key contributions from President Laurel Van Allen, Director Ian Day, Consultant Zach Stephens and others on the Coherent team, and in close collaboration with Microsoft’s damages expert Jonathan Arnold, Ph.D. Our team delivered rigorous economic analysis showing that Mr. Musk’s damages expert’s model was methodologically unsound and produced unreliable and implausible results that were disconnected from Mr. Musk’s theory of liability. Keeping pace with this sprawling case demanded seamless coordination and analytical rigor at every turn, and we are proud of what our team delivered.
Laurel Van Allen and the Coherent team worked closely with Jay Jurata, Russell Cohen, Nisha Patel, Forrest Lovett, Elisa Beneze and others at Dechert on behalf of Microsoft.
Coherent Economics looks forward to continuing to provide exceptional support to its clients as disputes in rapidly evolving markets grow ever more complex.