OpenAI, known for its groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence, including products like ChatGPT, Sora, and DALL-E, has earned its spot as a global tech giant. With millions of users worldwide, it’s widely regarded as one of the leading players in the AI industry.
However, in 2025, OpenAI found itself in the spotlight for another reason: a legal battle between Elon Musk, the owner of X, and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. The two tech moguls have been engaged in a fierce courtroom clash, fighting over the origins and evolution of OpenAI. This ongoing legal drama is taking place in a San Francisco federal court, with both parties filing claims and counterclaims against each other. Altman has assembled a legal team from prestigious law firms such as Morrison & Foerster and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz to represent him. On the other hand, Musk has opted for a couple of smaller litigation firms to handle his case.
Among Musk’s legal team, there’s one particular lawyer who stands out for his unusual dual career. Meet Jaymie Parkkinen, whose work in the courtroom contrasts sharply with his night-time hobby: clowning. According to Business Insider, Parkkinen is known not just for handling complex legal disputes but also for his performances as a clown. In fact, Parkkinen juggles a career as both a lawyer and a performer, even running a business called “Clown Cardio,” where he combines humor with fitness.
“I’ve got comedy friends who can’t believe I’m a lawyer,” Parkkinen shared. “And my lawyer friends are equally surprised that I perform as a clown.”
For those picturing the typical “Ronald McDonald” type of clown—complete with red noses and big wigs—that’s not quite Parkkinen’s style. He clarifies that his clowning is much more akin to the physical comedy of icons like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Lucille Ball. “Clowning is about stripping away all the societal layers that define us—gender, politics, money, power—and finding out who you really are without all that,” he explained.
As for the Musk-Altman lawsuit, this legal battle began in 2024 when Musk filed a suit against Altman, aiming to prevent OpenAI from transitioning from its original non-profit status to a for-profit corporation.
