Alton Attorney Explains What Actually Happens When You File a Lawsuit

Our Daily Show! Keith Short & Associates: How a Lawsuit Works- Step by Step

ALTON - A local attorney breaks down how a lawsuit works and what to expect if you hire a lawyer.

Keith Short, with Keith Short & Associates, P.C., in Alton, explained that he can quickly decide whether or not he is going to take a case based on the client’s demeanor. Unlike other lawyers, Short often brings cases to trial. He assesses cases to decide if they’re worth investing the time and energy before he agrees to take them.

“It’s got to be trial-worthy from day one,” he explained. “We know within the first hour if we’re going to take the case or not. We probably know, truthfully, within the first 15 minutes. A lot of it has to do with the read of the person. Do we believe them?”

When you first meet with Short, he will ask you for a lot of information. He wants a better understanding of your side of the story.

He shared that clients often ask him if he thinks the case will go to trial. This is a question he can’t answer right away, but he prepares every case as if it will.

Many people also ask how much the case is worth. While Short believes this is a “greedy question,” he understands why people ask. He can’t give a definitive answer, but he often has an idea.

“It’s got to be, in my mind, theoretically at least, a significant amount of money, or I just can’t invest that much of my time, my client’s or my employees’ time,” he said. “I always tell people, ‘Look, it’s got to be worth a lot or you wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t let you be here.’”

Once the lawsuit is filed, Short prepares clients for the depositions. People are often “terrified” to give a deposition, but Short promises it’s less intimidating than it sounds. The insurance company will ask you questions, and Short will prepare you ahead of time.

Additionally, he makes it a point to protect his clients. If the deposition gets too heated, he will step in. But he said most of the lawyers are kind people, and he will make sure you are prepared to answer the questions and avoid saying the wrong thing.

“My job is to protect the people I’m sitting next to, and I’m going to do that. But 99% of these guys are really decent men and women,” he said. “But there are people who have certain methods of asking questions that are going to get you boxed in, and I know it. I’ve seen it happen over and over.”

While Short takes many cases to trial, mediation is another possible outcome. Short personally doesn’t enjoy mediations, but he sees the value of them.

“Mediation is like divorce. Nobody’s happy,” he said. “The defendants are paying more money than they want. We’re probably taking less than we want. But there’s a real value to getting on with your life.”

When it comes time to settle a case, Short encourages clients to be reasonable. He will do everything he can to get his clients as much money as possible. But he urges them not to gamble with large amounts of money.

Short isn’t afraid to turn down impressive offers if he knows the case is worth more. But if there’s a possibility that the client will lose, he will be honest.

“If I have $500,000 on the table and we might lose, I say to you, ‘There’s $500,000 tax-free sitting here, and you’re going to flip a coin to see if you might get 6? That’s greed,’” he said. “My job is not to get you everything. My job is to take care of you…My job is to tell you, ‘You’re making a terrible mistake. You could change your whole life with this amount of money, and you want to flip a coin because you somehow think you should get another $150,000.’”

Above all, Short values honesty with his clients. He will do whatever is in their best interest, and he cares about helping them. A lawsuit can be complicated, but Short is there to help clients understand each step and make the right decisions.

“Your ego wants to try to win. Your fear wants to settle it,” he added. “But your professional obligation is to weigh all those factors and tell your client what’s right.”

For more information about Keith Short & Associates, P.C., visit their official website.

More like this:

Attorney Keith Short & Associates Introduces New Partner

Apr 13, 2026

Alton Attorney Gives Practical Tips On What To Do Before You Meet With a Lawyer

Feb 4, 2026

Free Estate and Tax Planning Workshop Planned in Alton

5 days ago

Raoul warns Illinois state employees, retirees about pension-related investment scam emails

3 days ago

Why Routines Can Make Life Feel Freer, Not More Restricted

Apr 16, 2026