Amid the intense demands of litigation where strategy, conflict, and uncertainty collide few attorneys navigate with both tactical brilliance and genuine empathy. Tiffiny Fox, a newly minted Litigation Partner at Zelms Ehrlich Lenkov, is one of those rare legal minds who blends tactical brilliance with a purpose-driven ethos. 

With a career spanning everything from high-impact civil and criminal litigation to fraud investigation, public entity defense, and regulatory compliance, Tiffiny’s practice will once again expand as she joins Jeffrey Lenkov’s Entertainment Law, Professional Sports Law, and Retail, Restaurant, and Hospitality Litigation team.

Throughout her career, Tiffiny has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and trial-tested litigator with deep expertise in insurance defense, business litigation, and risk mitigation. Her resume tells the story of a powerhouse: first-chairing three civil trials, including a three-week jury trial culminating in a 45-minute defense verdict as well as second chairing two murder trials. As the newest Partner at ZEL, she has finally realized a dream once deferred.

But ask Tiffiny what drives her, and you won’t just hear about case law or courtroom victories—you’ll hear about people. “Effective team management, being a resource for others, and making meaningful connections are the foundation of my purpose-driven life,” she shares. Whether she’s zealously defending a client, advising a cross-functional team, or mentoring junior attorneys, Tiffiny brings a relational approach to a profession too often defined by power and procedure.

A former law firm founder and fraud investigation counsel for a global insurance leader, Tiffiny combines entrepreneurial grit with institutional insight. She is relentless in aligning legal strategy with business objectives, delivering not only client focused results, but measurable client value. Her focus on continuous improvement and operational efficiency underscores a modern legal mindset—one that’s as committed to integrity as it is to outcomes.

Path to Purpose

Tiffiny’s passion for justice was ignited at just nine years old, in the backseat of her mother’s car. Like most days after school, the radio was locked onto KFWB News 98—all news, all the time—a choice her younger brother and she endured every day with theatrical groans. With her nose buried in the latest Goosebumps book, a familiar voice suddenly cut through the static: it was her father, Larry Dean Walls, Esq., giving a radio interview after securing a guilty verdict against one of the first female gang members in Compton.

Though she had always admired her father—who served as a Deputy District Attorney for nearly three decades—it was the first time she heard him speak about his work in such a meaningful way as he expressed his deep passion for justice. That moment was transformative. “I decided then and there,” Tiffiny recalls, “I wanted to be a lawyer like my dad—to help people and make a real difference.”

Not long after, her younger brother hit 6’0” at the age of ten and set his sights on the NBA. By the time Jerry Maguire hit theaters during her junior year of high school, Tiffiny had found her new mission: to become a sports agent and attorney, committed to representing athletes like her little brother with care and integrity.

But as life often reminds us, our best-laid plans can be upended by unexpected obstacles. Her brother suffered a career-altering injury during his junior year of college, just as Tiffiny entered her second year of law school when students are crystalizing their career path. Their shared dream of his professional sports stardom came to a pause, but undeterred, her brother still made it to the NBA and is the Head Assistant Coach for the Salt Lake City Stars.

Tiffiny completed law school and gave the entertainment law route her best shot—navigating the world of music, film, and television. But student loans required more than a living salary, leading her to a boutique criminal defense and civil rights litigation firm. There, she “cut her teeth” on the inner workings of the criminal justice system—this time from the other side of the table from where her father once stood.

While the work was rewarding, it was extremely disheartening having to witness the glaring disparities of the treatment of people of color by the judicial system on a daily basis while the response to the urgent need for criminal justice reform was as deliberate in speed as breaking down segregation after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954) decision. These injustices ultimately fueled her decision to switch her primary practice from criminal defense to civil litigation when she launched her own practice to survive being laid off in the last recession, which has given her the chance to impact lives in new ways.

Rising from Recession 

When the global recession hit with full force, it left few industries untouched—and for Tiffiny, the fallout was deeply personal. On Christmas Eve, without warning, she was laid off. What followed was a moment of stark uncertainty: no plan, no safety net, and no job prospects. Despite a strong legal résumé, the hiring freeze in public agencies and a lack of civil litigation experience made securing interviews nearly impossible.

But within a week, Tiffiny transformed adversity into action. Heeding the advice of a trusted mentor, she founded The Walls ~ Fox Firm, launching her own legal practice amid one of the most turbulent economic periods in modern history. What began as a leap of faith became a defining moment in her career—one that instilled an unrelenting belief in her own resilience and capability.

“The greatest lesson I learned,” she reflects, “was that I am always employable—because at any given moment, I can employ myself.” That mindset, forged in crisis, became her armor and compass. It gave her the clarity to see that she was, in essence, recession-proof.

Building a firm from the ground up, especially just a few years out of law school, was no small feat. Tiffiny quickly found herself juggling the competing demands of entrepreneurship: acquiring clients, delivering high-caliber legal services, managing staff, and figuring out the mechanics of running a business—all without the cushion of formal business education or prior executive experience.

Yet, it was precisely this immersion—this trial by fire—that sharpened her instincts and stretched her leadership capacity. Learning to navigate the administrative, financial, and operational intricacies of her practice gave her a crash course in entrepreneurship. Simultaneously, balancing client service with business growth tested her agility and strategic thinking.

Though running a firm was never part of her original plan, Tiffiny embraced the challenge with the same tenacity she brought to the courtroom. What might have unraveled another young professional became the catalyst for her transformation—not just into a business owner, but a confident leader capable of turning setbacks into stepping stones.

Her experience leading The Walls ~ Fox Firm continues to serve as a powerful reminder: success doesn’t always follow a linear path, and sometimes, the most profound growth begins at rock bottom. 

Ultimately, that path led her to Liberty Mutual Group, where she was able to expand her business acumen and litigation skills by transitioning into an in-house counsel role, which ushered her into the complex world of insurance defense. Though it may not have been the destination she originally envisioned, it became a space where she could grow, advocate, and thrive—bringing with her the fire first sparked in the backseat of a car, tuned to a father’s voice, decades earlier.

From Courtroom to Executive Leadership

For Tiffiny, the courtroom was once her primary arena—an environment marked by structured confrontation, adversarial negotiations, and unrelenting pursuit of favorable outcomes. But as her career progressed, so did her role. Transitioning from seasoned litigator to influential equity partner required more than legal prowess—it called for reinvention.

Tiffiny’s shift from stalwart litigator to executive leadership as an equity partner at Edlin Gallagher Huie + Blum in 2021 marked a pivotal inflection point in her professional journey. Where courtroom success often hinges on solitary performance and tactical mastery, executive leadership is built on collaboration, foresight, and emotional acuity. She had to transcend a case-by-case mindset and instead champion a broader vision—one that prioritizes not only client satisfaction but also cultivates enthusiastic client loyalty, collaborative partnership, strong interpersonal skills, business acumen, and a thriving internal culture.

This transformation began with a rigorous self-assessment. Developing a holistic leadership style required her to reframe her approach—focusing not only on individual performance but on cohesive team dynamics, purpose-driven culture, and aligning personal values with organizational goals. Associates needed to feel like more than instruments of revenue generation. They needed to feel seen, valued, and essential to the firm’s identity and future.

While the skills honed in litigation—such as analytical sharpness, persuasive articulation, and steadfast resilience—remained valuable, they no longer defined the entirety of her effectiveness. In her new role, strategic thinking and emotional intelligence became indispensable. Tiffiny quickly recognized that leadership isn’t about asserting dominance; it’s about cultivating understanding, forging trust, and inspiring people toward a unified purpose.

In a profession where competition often stirs emotional intensity, she found that true leadership demanded composure. Mastering emotional intelligence became a turning point. Through mindfulness practices, she gained clarity on the importance of empathy, nuanced listening, and interpersonal sensitivity—traits that now anchor her leadership philosophy.

Understanding what drives individuals, how they express themselves, and how to support their aspirations is central to her leadership style. With this awareness, she has cultivated teams defined not by hierarchy, but by mutual respect and shared mission. By holding space for others to grow, she has enabled collective wins that transcend personal achievement.

Equally essential has been her ability to reconcile immediate demands with long-term vision. In litigation, the goal is often narrowly focused on prevailing in the moment. As an executive leader, Tiffiny has embraced the complexity of balancing short-term execution with sustainable strategy. Decisions now must consider not just the next quarter, but the next chapter.

Navigating ambiguity has become second nature. Unlike the structured parameters of the courtroom, business leadership requires operating with incomplete data, shifting markets, and constant innovation. Her success in entrepreneurial environments has stemmed from a willingness to adapt rapidly, make confident choices amid uncertainty, and blend intuition with informed analysis.

Perhaps the most gratifying element of this evolution has been the opportunity to lead and uplift others. Where courtroom triumphs were often solitary, her leadership wins are now shared. Each individual accomplishment within her team becomes a collective celebration—a testament to the cultures she has helped shape.

Litigation Philosophy

In Tiffiny’s view, the ultimate strategy for successful litigation begins with deeply understanding the client—their needs, goals, and what a “win” truly looks like. Litigation isn’t one-size-fits-all. For her, the first and most essential step is clarity. That means stepping back to take a holistic view of the situation: How did we get here? What do all parties really want? What are the stakes for my client if we can’t reach their win? What are the costs to the other side? And most importantly—can we chart a path that leaves all parties feeling vindicated in the broader business context?

For her former criminal defense clients, time was their currency— e.g. their “business”—and in the business world, time means money. The purpose of both, she notes, is often tied to quality of life. Yet too often, business litigation is approached with a narrow focus on simply defeating an opponent—without evaluating whether that “victory” creates actual business value.

Tiffiny flips that script by starting with what matters most: aligning legal strategy with business priorities. “I work closely with stakeholders to define what they really want to achieve,” she says. “Is it preserving brand reputation? Managing financial risk? Maintaining strategic relationships? Ensuring compliance? Or simply buying time to pivot or reposition?” Once that objective is clearly defined, she crafts a litigation strategy that is not only legally sound—but also commercially purposeful.

With a multidisciplinary background that spans criminal law, civil litigation, transactional law, and regulatory compliance, Tiffiny draws upon a uniquely broad legal toolkit. She can leverage insights from insurance fraud cases in her civil work, apply transactional principles to interpret complex contracts, and anticipate business impacts with an entrepreneurial lens. That range allows her to see intersections and nuances others may miss—helping her identify creative off-ramps, strategic settlements, or regulatory workarounds that serve the client more effectively than traditional courtroom battles.

“In civil litigation, one legal strategy might seem dominant,” she explains, “but a regulatory solution or ADR path might better serve the client’s long-term goals.” Her ability to navigate across legal systems and business functions gives her a distinctive edge in building cross-functional solutions with sustainable impact—not just legal wins.

For business clients, reputation, timing, and operational disruption are often as important as the outcome itself. Tiffiny incorporates those variables—public perception, internal bandwidth, investor optics—into her legal strategy. Especially in highly regulated sectors or industries with strong consumer visibility, she understands that sometimes the best move isn’t to fight louder, but to fight smarter.

As both a lawyer and entrepreneur, she believes litigation is just one tool in a broader problem-solving toolkit. Sometimes, a strong legal position is a powerful lever at the negotiation table. Other times, alternative dispute resolution—or even walking away—can unlock better results. “My entrepreneurial journey taught me to constantly weigh flexibility, speed, and resource allocation,” she says. “As trial nears, I always ask: Is this still the best use of our time, money, and focus? Or is there a smarter way to resolve this?”

That ongoing evaluation, rooted in clarity, strategic alignment, and a fierce commitment to client success, is what defines Tiffiny’s approach—and what sets her apart in the field.

Legacy, Leadership & Connection: The Vision Behind TWF and Golden Fox Enterprises

The Walls Family Scholar Athlete Foundation (TWF) was founded in 2007 by Tiffiny’s father, Larry Dean Walls, Esq., to recognize and reward academic scholars and athletes – beginning as early as grade school – who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and strong leadership in their communities.

TWF is driven by three core objectives:

To identify and support scholar-athletes with collegiate potential from historically under represented communities.

To promote academic and athletic excellence throughout students’ high school careers.

To provide recognition, encouragement, and scholarships to exemplary students.

Larry Dean Walls was a remarkable scholar-athlete, attorney, father, and community activist whose legacy continues to inspire. While playing football and running track at Mount San Antonio College, he was honored with the prestigious Scholar Athlete Award, a recognition that changed the trajectory of his life. He went on to earn a track scholarship to San Jose State University during its iconic Speed City era—joining Olympic legends and fellow TWF Board Member Dr. John Carlos as well as Tommie Smith. To his credit, Mr. Walls competed in the 1968 and 1972 U.S. Olympic Trials, his second attempt at being an Olympian was at the same time he was earning his J.D. from Hastings College of the Law.  Upon becoming a member of the California Bar, Mr. Walls served his community as a Deputy District 

Attorney for Los Angeles County for 28 years.

Since its inception, TWF has recognized and awarded more than 50 outstanding scholar-athletes.

Following her father’s passing on August 23, 2023, Tiffiny relaunched TWF to honor his memory and broaden the Foundation’s mission. In addition to its original focus, TWF now includes the Larry Dean Walls Legal Scholar Award, designed to recognize exemplary young women from historically underrepresented communities who aspire to pursue legal careers. This expansion reflects a deeper commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession.

Golden Fox Enterprises, LLC (GFE) represents the culmination of Tiffiny’s personal business development journey and her passion for cultivating meaningful human connection. GFE specializes in curated, high-impact events that foster genuine professional and interpersonal relationships.

Tiffiny believes that authentic connection doesn’t happen by chance—it’s intentional. Through expertly crafted experiences—whether a fun, intimate evening for singles and couples, a dynamic networking soirée, or a transformative weekend retreat—Golden Fox events are designed to break down barriers and spark creativity, conversation, romance, and collaboration.

Held in carefully selected upscale venues, every event is an opportunity to bring ambitious minds and kindred spirits together in an environment that inspires new beginnings—both personally and professionally.

From rooftop cocktail hours to immersive dinner series, Golden Fox Enterprises is about more than events—it’s about elevating the way we connect.

Roots Shaped Tiffiny’s Leadership Philosophy

Long before Tiffiny stepped into a courtroom or a boardroom, she was leading from the sidelines—as a team captain in her youth sports career. Balancing the demands of a scholar-athlete lifestyle, she discovered early on that success requires more than talent and ambition; it demands self-discipline, self-determination, and an unwavering commitment to the team.

While academic excellence was largely an individual pursuit—one that called for personal drive and long hours of solitary study—athletics offered a powerful counterbalance. “Sports taught me that you can’t always win alone,” Tiffiny reflects. “Everyone has a role, and the best teams succeed not just because of individual skill, but  because of shared understanding, trust, and cohesion.”

This formative experience shaped her approach to leadership well beyond the field. Whether captaining a sports team or later leading legal teams and firm initiatives, Tiffiny came to understand that high performance isn’t just about personal achievement. True success, she believes, stems from collective effort—when individuals elevate each other to reach a common goal.

“Winning together,” she says, “is the essence of teamwork.” It’s a philosophy rooted in her early exposure to team dynamics—where coaches favored not only skillful players, but those who could inspire their peers to perform at their highest level. That same ethos now drives her professional leadership. “As an attorney, I’ve been fortunate to experience individual success,” she says. “But my most meaningful victories have come when I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate, to motivate, and to lead others toward shared success.”

In her view, leadership is not about commanding from the top, but about empowering those around you. The courtroom may look different than a basketball court or soccer field, but for Tiffiny, the principles remain the same: lead with purpose, support your teammates, and aim to win—together.

Blueprint for Legal Leadership in Compliance and Corporate Defense

Tiffiny shares that the secret to success has never been a mystery—it’s been a mindset. Guided by one of her father’s favorite maxims, “Success comes to the prepared mind,” she has approached every test, challenge, and competition with unrelenting dedication to preparation. Whether burning the midnight oil before the bar exam or studying until the final classroom bell, she’s made it clear: brilliance is optional, but preparation is not. “At any given moment, I may not be the smartest person in the room,” she says. “But I will outwork my opposition to the very last second.”

That ethic has not only propelled her through a dynamic legal career, but it has also defined the guidance she offers to aspiring litigators and future legal executives—particularly those eyeing careers in fraud, compliance, or corporate defense.

Tiffiny’s roadmap begins where all expertise is born: mastering the fundamentals. Fraud and compliance are technical territories, steeped in evolving regulatory frameworks, financial intricacies, and investigative nuance. Success in these areas, she notes, requires more than legal fluency; it demands deep operational understanding—how a business functions, where vulnerabilities lie, and how systems either fortify or expose the organization to risk.

Yet technical mastery alone is not enough. The modern legal leader must also act as a translator between law and business. “The best litigators don’t just argue cases—they advise, prevent, and lead,” Tiffiny emphasizes. Those who excel are capable of distilling complex legal concepts into actionable insights that resonate in the boardroom. They recognize that compliance failures are not just legal concerns, but reputational, cultural, and financial ones as well.

Central to her counsel is a reminder to anchor every decision in integrity and sound judgment. In fields often defined by gray zones and quiet red flags, legal professionals must be principled stewards. “You’re going to be called upon to deliver hard truths to powerful people,” she says. “To do that effectively, you must be both trusted and trustworthy.”

Another imperative: stay curious and agile. As the regulatory landscape evolves in response to shifts in technology, global markets, and societal expectations—from cybersecurity and ESG to AI-driven fraud—remaining static is not an option. Lifelong learning and cross-disciplinary insight are the hallmarks of long-term success.

Finally, Tiffiny champions intentionality and innovation. She encourages emerging professionals to seek mentors, but also to design careers that reflect their own values, aspirations, and vision. “You don’t have to take the traditional route to arrive at your destination,” she says. “But you do have to be excellent. And unafraid to create your own lane when the path forward doesn’t yet exist.”

In Tiffiny’s world, preparation isn’t just a practice—it’s a principle. One that transforms challenge into opportunity, and ambition into leadership.

A Call for Thoughtful Leadership

As litigation and legal operations evolve alongside rapidly advancing technologies, Tiffiny sees the integration of artificial intelligence not just as a game-changer—but as a call to action. From AI-enhanced legal research to compliance monitoring and predictive analytics, the potential for innovation is immense. But with that power comes profound responsibility.

“Regulating AI may be the greatest legal responsibility of our generation,” she asserts. While the benefits of AI are far-reaching—efficiency, accessibility, and insight among them—Tiffiny emphasizes that without strong ethical frameworks, these tools risk becoming vehicles for harm. Deep fake abuse, fraud, cyberattacks, and even AI self-actualization are no longer the stuff of science fiction; they’re real, imminent challenges that demand attention.

She believes the legal field must lead the charge—not just reacting to new technologies, but shaping how they are used and governed. “We need responsible and thoughtful leaders at the forefront of this burgeoning industry,” she says. “It’s on us to ensure that ethical and responsible usage of AI becomes the norm—so that innovation serves the public interest, not just private gain.”