AI for Attorneys: Catching Fraud & Saving Hours

Collin McKee

What if AI wasn't just saving time — what if it was finding fraud? Insurance defense attorneys review thousands of claims every year. Most of them are exactly what they look like, but some of them aren't. And the ones that aren't — the staged accidents, the inflated injuries, the patterns that only show up when you look across ten files — those are the cases where AI is changing everything. My guest today has seen it firsthand. Welcome to Endeavors AI, the show for legal professionals who want to know how artificial intelligence is actually working inside law firms right now — not the hype, not the theory, but the real stuff. Today we're sitting down with Tiffiny Fox, partner at Zelms Erlich Lenkov, where she focuses on insurance defense litigation and professional liability. Tiffiny has built her career defending some of the most complex claims in the insurance space, and she's become one of the clearer voices I've heard on how AI actually fits into that world — not as a buzzword, but as a tool with real teeth. Tiffiny, welcome.

Tiffiny Fox

Good morning, and thank you so much for having me.

Collin McKee

Really glad you're here. Before we get into what you're doing, I want to paint a picture for everyone watching who's in the insurance defense world and hasn't made the move to AI yet. Here's the reality of this practice: you're managing high volumes, multiple carriers, multiple cases, multiple deadlines, all running at the same time — and every claim that comes across your desk has to be evaluated. Is that what it looks like, or is something off?

Tiffiny Fox

Absolutely. You're looking for so many different things once a claim first comes in. One of my specialties is insurance fraud, so I'm always looking for the "why" of what happened, trying to figure out how we got to where we are.

Collin McKee

And historically that's been built on a judgment call, or experience, or pattern recognition over the years. But the problem is the fraud isn't always obvious. The patterns don't always show up in one file — they show up across ten different files, or twenty. Sometimes someone's running a scheme in three different jurisdictions, and no human can evaluate all of that at the same time at ten o'clock on a Thursday. So that's the gap that's made for AI. Tiffiny, let's start with you. You didn't wake up one day and say, "I'm going to be an AI attorney." You built your career the traditional way — litigation, partnership, building a practice. So how did AI enter the picture? At what point did it stop being something you read about and become something you actually paid attention to?

Tiffiny Fox

In regard to insurance fraud specifically, I used to work as in-house counsel at Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, and that's where I first got into the SIU and insurance fraud investigation space. I recently joined our professional liability team at Zelms Erlich Lenkov, where I'm a partner in our Los Angeles office, representing attorneys, insurance professionals, and other licensed professionals in complex litigation — as well as getting the opportunity to build out our fraud investigation practice. I've spent my career helping clients navigate difficult legal challenges, and I'm passionate about how AI can help lawyers work more efficiently while still exercising sound judgment and advocacy. I really think one of the biggest opportunities for AI in the insurance industry is in the special investigation unit — SIU — which investigates potentially fraudulent claims. Fraud is often difficult to detect, as you mentioned, because it's not usually just one piece of evidence. There's a pattern. AI has the potential to analyze large volumes of claims data, identify anomalies, recognize recurring providers, recurring claimants, vehicles, addresses, phone numbers, billing patterns — and then connect the dots on information that would take a human investigator days or weeks to uncover. That doesn't mean AI replaces investigators. It means it helps point experienced professionals in the right direction more quickly. That's typically how I see the purpose of AI in general: it's not here to replace our expertise, it's here to help us leverage our time so we can work more efficiently and effectively.

Collin McKee

In the past people would catch this — it would just take days and days. As it gets more complex, what are some of the things AI is actually picking up? Not to knock anyone's experience, which is paramount, but what's it surfacing?

Tiffiny Fox

A good example — without giving away the farm — is that a lot of times something in the claims process triggers a question mark. Maybe there's something in the timeline of how the claimant reported the incident that doesn't make sense. Or there are documents we've requested to support the claim and they say they're not there, or they can't find them, and it doesn't make sense. Typically you cast a wide net to obtain documents, and you're examining the information and documents presented to you to see where there might be gaps or holes. Claimants are not always the most sophisticated — they might not really know what they're doing, or might not take the claim seriously at first. But if you have someone delaying getting information to you, or only giving you things piecemeal — what's really great about AI is that you can plug in all this information, plug in all these documents, and prompt the AI to look for specific patterns and specific inconsistencies. Once you have an idea of where you think the issue is, you can really focus on that. It's a data-mining opportunity to speed up the process so you can identify where that gap in the information is a lot quicker.

Collin McKee

It does make sense. It's not that attorneys are missing something obvious right in front of them and need AI for it. It's that it only becomes obvious if you look at a hundred data points at once, which is nearly impossible for any set of eyes. It's a game changer. And of course the bad actors are using it at the same time, so we need to use these tools for good as well. Let's talk about the practical side, because fraud investigation is compelling, but most attorneys watching are thinking about document review, deposition prep, motion drafting, research. Where is AI showing up in your regular workflow?

Tiffiny Fox

One thing I've found particularly helpful is when I'm looking for impeachment evidence across many layers of testimony and discovery responses. AI can quickly transcribe a recorded statement, and summarize it. Most recently I have a case involving a claimant who alleged he was forced to drive an extensive amount of time, and that's why the accident happened — whereas we have information that he was working for another company outside the country. I was able to find some information about this international company, but it wasn't in English. So I plugged it into the AI to have it translated as quickly as possible, because it wasn't necessarily an easy language like Spanish. Getting a court-certified translator involved just to translate a one-page document — when I could quickly use AI, and I can always data-check it later. What I was really looking for was the contact information and the name of this other company so I could subpoena its records. That's something I would have struggled with if I'd tried to do it line by line using Google Translate, or had to pay hundreds of dollars to a translator for a one-pager that I was able to get translated in twenty seconds for the information I needed.

Collin McKee

There are people being standoffish toward the tools. We've heard horror stories of people using it too much, taking it into the courtroom, and getting their hands slapped, if not worse. What are you finding in your firm? Are people being more exploratory? Of course you need guardrails — but what else are you seeing people use AI for?

Tiffiny Fox

Everyone is being very careful about extensive use of AI. We primarily use the Protégé AI feature that LexisNexis provides. In there you can upload large volumes of medical records, which is extremely helpful — reviewing 10,000 pages of medical records would easily take a week; now that can be done in a matter of hours. And you still have to go back and check the work to make sure nothing important has been missed. So the way I really use AI is more like a first-year associate or intern: to go in, do the down-and-dirty work, and then I go back with a fine-tooth comb to make sure all the information and data is accurate and correct before putting it into my final summary or report, after I've vetted it.

I think that's where a lot of attorneys are getting in trouble. You might have a lot of younger attorneys who don't have the experience necessary to understand when the AI might be wrong, so they don't know how to correct it or when to correct it. And they might not have given themselves a good starting point in how to use AI. I've taken a couple of courses through Berkeley's online institute, and Harvard has a program for AI for attorneys, so that you can learn the proper prompting you need — because you want it to focus on specific things. You also want to use certain buzzwords, like "don't make anything up," "don't hallucinate," "only use real, verifiable, actual cases in your analysis." Don't just make something up to make me happy — because that's what these AI models really are there for. They want to help, they want to assist, and they don't know the difference between fact and fiction, because what they're really doing is just predicting what they think the next word is going to be based on the aggregate of the information they have. So the output is only as good as the input. You really need attorneys understanding that, and taking a real ethical position in how they're using AI. Unfortunately, a lot of attorneys are not doing that. But as we see more cases coming down — an attorney in our firm recently circulated a New York decision about the use of AI and whether it's considered an attorney-client privileged document. As attorneys increasingly use this tool, which is what it essentially is, they really have to stay up on the law in their jurisdiction and make sure they're following those rules and best practices.

Collin McKee

Good advice. Garbage in, garbage out. I've had it likened to a first-year law intern — you wouldn't set it loose with that little instruction and expect everything to be perfect. It needs to be trained. So let's shift a bit, because who you are inside the firm matters, but who you are outside of it shapes who you are. Tell us about the Walls Family Scholar Athlete Foundation, which you started in honor of your father. Even that's the reason you're an attorney today, isn't it?

Tiffiny Fox

Growing up, I knew my dad was an attorney. I'd gone to work with him a few times. When he first started off he was in private practice, and we had this running joke that I was his first associate and later he became mine — because I was helping him move in, asking where everything goes, and he'd say, "You were quite the industrious child even at five, so I wasn't surprised you got where you are in your career." But one day I was riding in the car with my mom and my little brother. My mom liked to listen to talk radio, KFWB, and all of a sudden I hear this voice and think, "Wait a second — that sounds like my dad." I turn up the radio, and sure enough he was being interviewed, talking about how he had just successfully prosecuted the first female gang member in Compton, because he was part of the hardcore gang unit in the Los Angeles DA's office assigned to Compton. Just hearing him, and his passion, and him explaining what he did — I thought, "Wow, that sounds like something really important. I want to do something really important. I want to help people too." So I decided then, at nine, that I was going to become an attorney like my dad.

I initially went a different road. I started off doing entertainment law, because I'd wanted to be my brother's agent — he hit six feet at ten years old, and he's now a successful basketball coach. He was with the NBA G League's Salt Lake City Stars, and now he's the head coach of the Saskatchewan Rattlers in the CEBL in Canada. I'm really excited for him, because that's his first head coaching position. But my passion had been to take care of my brother and be his agent — and unfortunately, like what happens to a lot of athletes in college, an ill-timed injury changed the trajectory of his career. So I went over into entertainment, then switched and started doing criminal defense and civil rights litigation. That's where I really found my passion for helping people.

In the last recession, I unfortunately got unceremoniously laid off on Christmas Eve. I was talking to one of my mentors about my situation, and he said, "You've talked over the last year about trying to bring clients into the firm. If you're able to do that, now you can go out on your own. What's the worst that'll happen? You're still looking for a job. And what's the best? The sky's the limit." So within a week I went from being unemployed to starting my own practice, the Walls Fox firm. My dad retired from the DA's office shortly after, and he was calling me every day wanting to hang out. I said, "Dad, I'm working and trying to stay out of your pocket — I need to focus." Then one day I had a very difficult case with difficult opposing counsel, and I asked my dad to show up in federal court with me for an appearance. All of a sudden the disrespect stopped. The cutting me off stopped. So I turned to him after the hearing and said, "You're hired." He became my first associate, and we spent the next two and a half years working together, which was really great.

By that point he had already started the Walls Family Scholar Athlete Foundation. We used to have a family reunion every year, and one of my younger cousins came up to him and said, "Uncle Larry, I want a hundred dollars." And he said, "Why should I give you a hundred dollars?" And he said, "Well, because you're rich." And my dad said, "Even if that's the case, I've worked hard for everything I have. So what are you doing to work hard? How are your grades? Are you involved in sports? Are you involved in your community?" And the boy said, "I barely got C's, they're not that great, and I'm not involved in any extracurricular activities." So to encourage this young man, my dad said, "Look — if you come back next year and you've got A's and B's, and you're playing sports, and you're volunteering and showing me that you're an upstanding member of the community, I'll give you a hundred dollars." That's where it started. The next year at the reunion, he gave him an award and a trophy and made a big pomp and circumstance celebrating this kid in front of our family. And then all the other little kids asked, "Well, what do I have to do to get a hundred dollars?" That's how the Walls Family Scholar Athlete Foundation truly began. In 2007, after seeing the success he'd had within our own family — changing the trajectory of some of the young men, because unfortunately it's still the case today that a lot of young Black men don't have a father figure or someone showing them that support and that path — he decided to extend it to the larger community.

When he passed away from prostate cancer — it'll be three years this August — his celebration of life had over 200 people. It was standing room only. People from his fraternity and from the family came from across the nation to celebrate his life and speak about the good deeds he had done and how they'd impacted them. So I decided then, I can't let this mission and this legacy die with him. I relaunched the foundation in his honor. And this year, on Father's Day weekend, I was over the moon that we were able to extend four scholarships — to three amazing graduating seniors from Crenshaw High School, all with a 3.5 and above, going to amazing schools. This year we gave out his namesake, the Larry Dean Walls Legal Scholar Award, to a young woman who's absolutely phenomenal. She graduated summa cum laude from USC and is headed to UCLA Law School in the fall. Just hearing their stories of how they've overcome various obstacles and hurdles in their lives was absolutely amazing. We got the opportunity to celebrate them and their success, and I like to think I gave them an inspiring message as they head into college — to always continue to bet on themselves. Life will throw hurdles and obstacles your way, but the decision you have to make is: are you going to let them stop you, or are you going to jump over them and keep going until you reach your destination?

Collin McKee

And the luncheon was on his birthday?

Tiffiny Fox

The scholarship luncheon was on his birthday, Saturday, June 20th. And Father's Day was Sunday. So it was a bit of a heavy weekend for me, but it felt so wonderful to be able to honor him in this way. Rather than being sad about losing him and not having him there, I was able to do something in his honor, and have people sing his praises and remember his memory. It's my way of keeping him close to me, as well as continuing the legacy he started.

Collin McKee

A lot of us, unfortunately, think self-centeredly — what can I do for me, and how can I get there faster? But you're asking, what can I do that's meaningful, and what is it going to mean for the community? That's to be commended. You also run something called First Fridays, a monthly event that brings together founders, executives, and attorneys. Tell us about that, and when the next one is.

Tiffiny Fox

We have our events the first Friday of every month, traditionally — except for months like July, which falls on a holiday weekend, so it's going to be on July 10th. I'm really excited about this next event, because we're bringing together founders and investors from various industries. We have entertainment executives, an influencer/podcaster/author, a health-tech founder, and an AI founder. They're all going to be talking about how to create your own personal brand and empire from nothing — including the struggles they've had and how they've gotten to where they are today. My mantra through First Fridays and just in life is: always bet on yourself. You can't imagine what it feels like to get laid off on Christmas Eve. But at the same time, my mentor — I felt like the message he gave me without saying it was, always bet on yourself. What's the worst that can happen? Because if you don't believe in you, who else is going to believe in you? If you know you can overcome any obstacle, any hurdle, any challenge, you're going to keep motivating and inspiring yourself. We all have those situations that occur, and how you pivot and overcome is what's important. That's one of the resounding messages I try to use the First Fridays platform for — to inspire entrepreneurs, especially young women and this younger generation, who in my opinion often give a lot of attention and focus to influencers. I feel we need more role models. That's why the panelists I have are pillars of the community — rock stars in their business lives, but also people who can be role models and mentors. A lot of people need that before they know it. One of our test cases: last month we did an AI event, the second in a series we started last year, and one of the attendees was so inspired by the panel we had last August that she's now an AI consultant. She came back as the head speaker for the event we had in early June. That's what First Fridays is really about — not only planting seeds, but watering the seeds people have, to help them grow in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Collin McKee

Not only that — you're building the raised garden box for the seeds to go in. You're building the room for people to have those conversations. And not the simple, easy way. Nothing against influencers, they have their place, but someone to actually have a conversation with, not just stare at your phone and listen to. Again, to be commended. As we're closing up, I wanted your advice. Say you're talking to someone who's being a little skittish about AI — and I don't think that's necessarily wrong, because people do need to be cautious — but they can't be left behind either. What's one thing, not a list, that someone could and should do with AI to keep pace in the law field?

Tiffiny Fox

In the legal field — and this is based on what we heard at our AI event earlier this month — I'd say really look into Claude for attorneys. They've launched a whole new platform. I admittedly haven't had the opportunity to use it just yet, but someone gifted it to me. So the one thing I'd say is: just jump in. Start somewhere, whether it's with Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude. Jump in somewhere. And they're offering a lot of free tutorials now for attorneys, especially Claude. I know it's hard to find the time — believe me, I feel like every single second of my day is full with something; even when I'm sleeping I'm doing something, because I'm recovering. But like anything in life, you want to be an expert in your field. You wouldn't start litigating a civil case without looking at the code of civil procedure — you wouldn't know what to do. You wouldn't go to trial without looking at the jury instructions. So it's just getting that fundamental base so you can have an understanding of what the AI really is. Honestly, I was very fearful about it when I first found out about AI. I thought, this doesn't sound good at all — people are going to take advantage, they're not going to have the right information. And one of the gentlemen who's going to be speaking on our panel July 10th told me, "It's really about the prompting and the information that you give it." So the better you understand what the tool is, the better you'll be able to use it. That would be my advice: pick one, play around with it, get to really understand it, understand the prompts you need, understand your professional responsibility rules, and use it as effectively as possible.

Collin McKee

Great advice — get some reps in, ask it questions, have it ask you questions. There's a lot it can teach you if you let it. Tiffiny, it's been a great discussion. I really appreciate it. How do people find more information about the foundation and about First Fridays?

Tiffiny Fox

Thank you. You can go to thewallsfoundation.com and find everything about our foundation, plus updates about our events, including our upcoming fundraising gala on September 26, 2026. You can check us out on Instagram at TWF Scholars. And for First Fridays, you can check out Golden Fox ENT on Instagram, which has all the updates. I'm myself still trying to figure out getting a virtual assistant and an AI assistant so I can increase my marketing — so if anybody has suggestions for me, I'm more than happy and open to hearing them.

Collin McKee

Tiffiny Fox, a pleasure having you. For anyone asking these sorts of questions, we'll probably have a conversation on the sidebar with Tiffiny about automations — just getting to know how it fits into your business to buy back your time. That's what Endeavors AI endeavors to do. Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed the show, please share it, comment, subscribe — we're pretty regular, about one a week with these types of conversations. And with that, we'll see you on the next one. Thank you.