Meet Attorney Keith Belt
For Keith "Kit" Belt, the practice of law was a compelling choice. Belt, a 1994 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, describes himself as a very loyal person. That trait has served him well as a personal injury lawyer.
"I've always been a person who would be more apt to stand up for someone else than I would stand up even for myself," Belt said. "As a trial attorney, I get to stand up for others in the midst of personal adversity. I find that work especially rewarding. There is no other profession for which I would be better suited."
Belt recalls one case, in particular, that allowed him to fulfill his goals as an advocate for an injured client. He said, "A father and bread-winner suffered a catastrophic brain injury. He had two great kids, who were just at the age where they had just gone off to college”. They left college to come home to try to care for their father."
The family's financial support, meanwhile, fell to the wife, who was having great difficulty making ends meet, Belt said.
The case was a difficult one. It took over two years to prepare a successful case against the defendant. By the time of trial the family's debts had mounted and they were nearly broke.
As Belt recounts, "We made a substantial recovery in that case, and I can remember that when we settled during the third day of trial, we were in a huddle at the family's house, with the wife and the two boys all crying together about the impact that this was going to make on their lives, and how the settlement literally saved the family. I'll never forget it."
The opportunity to achieve those sorts of results drew Belt to his career as a litigator. Belt continues to enjoy both the intellectual demands and the emotional rewards of being a trial lawyer. Belt's success in representing injured plaintiffs reflects the tenacity that he brings to each case.
"Litigation is very satisfying to me, because it is very competitive and it's an intellectual challenge that I really enjoy," he said.
Belt has earned the distinction of receiving an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest recognition of legal excellence of its kind. Belt also has been selected to the prestigious American Trial Lawyers organization which is an award that is bestowed on the top 100 trial lawyers in each state. Belt has also been admitted to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Less than 1 percent of U.S. lawyers are members. In addition, Belt was selected as an Alabama Super Lawyer which is an award that goes to the top Alabama lawyers in their respective specialty areas.
Belt stresses that his work involves more than representing clients in litigation, however.
"A lot of times a client may need to talk to a lawyer to know if they need a lawyer," Belt said. If you consult with a legal professional who is ethical, "they should tell you whether or not their services are truly needed."
Belt strives to combine his compassion and sympathy for each of his clients with his loyalty to their objectives and his personal desire to win on their behalf.
"Those qualities dovetail together to make for a true advocate, meaning someone who takes on the plight of their client's situation and tries to better their situation through litigation," Belt said.
Community involvement ranks high on Belt's list of activities. He is particularly proud to serve as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Head Injury Foundation. The non-profit Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for people who have survived traumatic brain injuries and for their families. Belt also supports the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation through his membership in the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association.
Belt has a variety of interests that keep him active outside his law practice, as well. In addition to being an avid snow skier, Belt rounds out his passion for outdoor sports by hunting, playing golf and tennis.
