Owner/Managing Partner

Keith Short is a skilled and experienced litigator who has tried cases throughout Illinois and Missouri.  Keith has litigated 26 jury trials in the last 10 years alone. He tried 7 cases in an 18 month span in 2023-2024, winning 6 of those 7 trials:  3 medical malpractice cases, a trucking accident, a car accident and a premises liability accident.  Millions of dollars won.  In that same time frame Keith settled 3 other medical malpractice cases, each over a million dollars and one being several million.  His biggest case to date is $9.5 million.  Keith has handled over 40 appeals before various Illinois Appellate Courts.

Keith has handled thousands of workers compensation cases, having tried over 200 and winning approximately 90% of the time.  His first 6 years he was a defense lawyer representing some of the largest employers in the region.  In 1999 he saw the light and joined one of the largest and most respected plaintiff law firms in St. Louis.  The normal partnership tract was 10+ years.  Keith was named a full partner after 2 years with the firm.

In 2011 Keith started his own firm with no clients, one part time assistant, a little bit of money and a lot of ambition.  The firm has since added 6 incredible coworkers and 1 partner.  Keith Short and Associates typically represents 250-300 clients at a time and tries to keep the number of medical malpractice cases to no more than 30…not an easy task as they are referred at least 10 cases a week.  All cases come as referrals from other lawyers.  Keith has represented 4 other local lawyers and has, many times, represented the families and friends of former opposing lawyers, the highest compliment an opponent can give.

Keith taught writing at the college level, was a City of Edwardsville elected alderman and was chosen as a member of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois’ federal mediation panel.  Keith is certified as a mediator by Harvard and Northwestern Universities.  Keith has been invited to speak at continuing education legal seminars throughout the St. Louis metro east and Washington DC, Chicago, Las Vegas and Marina Del Rey, California.

Keith and his wife Jennifer have 8 children and 7 grandchildren.  Keith has been driven to compete in all aspects of life.  He loves sports and has played plenty:  football, baseball, track and field, racquetball and even has a black belt in tae kwon do.  Still an adventurer, he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa and many of the 14ers in Colorado.  Keith loves whitewater rafting, skydiving, and long-distance hiking.  He golfs poorly.  Keith loves his kids, grandkids, bullmastiffs and Jen, most of all.

Partner

Holly Marcum has been practicing law since 2003. In fact, she began her legal career working for Keith Short. The two of them worked together representing plaintiffs in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases for five years until Keith encouraged Holly to expand her practice areas. At that time, Holly began practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate, guardianship, real estate, business transactions and class action litigation.

In 2021, Holly joined Keith at his new firm and came back to her roots. In addition to managing the firm’s workers’ compensation department, Holly also continues to represent clients in drafting their estate plans (will, trusts, and transfer on death documents), probating the estates of loved ones who have passed away, obtaining guardianship of minors or disabled adults, real estate transactions or related issues, and setting up businesses such as LLCs. Holly’s impressive track record and dedication to her clients led Keith to make her a partner in 2023.

Holly is the third generation of her family to live in the Alton-Godfrey area, and she is a graduate of Alton High School. While she has spent her entire career practicing in Madison County and the surrounding areas, Holly is excited about being back in her hometown to practice and assist those in her community.

Outside of the office, Holly enjoys spending time with her family, watching her children’s sporting events and boating.

Holly has been published: Taft-Hartley Act (1947). Major Acts of Congress. Ed. Brian K. Landsberg. Macmillan-Thompson Gale, 2004.

Senior Paralegal

Shana is the most senior paralegal having been with the firm for 12 years. Shana genuinely cares for each client and his/her struggles. Shana knows every element of car accident litigation and premises liability lawsuits and has helped the firm settle and win multiple million dollar cases.

Medical Malpractice Paralegal, Office Adminstrator

Erica is the senior medical malpractice paralegal and office administrator. Erica’s experience as both a plaintiff and defense paralegal is a tremendous asset, giving us an edge in every case. She is remarkably organized, driven and hates losing more than anyone you’ll likely ever meet.

Medical Malpractice Paralegal

Anthony (Tony) is a medical malpractice paralegal and trial assistant. Tony has assisted Keith in trials in Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Macoupin and Will counties. Tony plans to enter law school and, in time, join the firm as an attorney.

Workers’ Compensation Paralegal

Samantha is the senior workers’ compensation paralegal.  Sam has helped nearly a thousand clients litigate their claims and works closely with the attorneys to see that each client receives the best possible representation from filing the case through trial.  Its unlikely you’ll ever meet a nicer person than Sam.

Workers’ Compensation Assistant

Rosa is a workers’ compensation legal assistant and medical records specialist. Quiet, hard working and dedicated Rosa is also fluent in Spanish and does a wonderful job of navigating our Spanish speaking clients through every aspect of their cases.

Receptionist

Karen, our receptionist, brings a wealth of skills having previously been an advocate and placement specialist for older and disabled persons. Reliable, kind and tough when she needs to be. She’s a true asset to the firm.