ATTORNEY PROFILE
Attorney Caitlin Shortell is a 2023 and 2024 Super Lawyer, a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plaintiff's Lawyer in Alaska, and a 2023 YWCA Woman of Achievement.
Her current practice is focused on complex civil litigation, injury law, and corporate litigation.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE
Since founding a private practice in 2009, Ms. Ms. Shortell has fought and won landmark civil rights victories and everyday battles for clients, including but not limited to the following:
EMPLOYMENT LAW
The following is just a sample of Ms. Shortell's many employment law accomplishments over the last twenty years:
- She obtained monetary relief for 18 construction workers in a FLSA collective action case against a multinational corporation
- Obtained monetary settlements for employees who experienced discrimination, wrongful termination, and sexual harassmentin both private sector and government employment
- Protected the professional licenses and certificates of teachers, law enforcement officers, nurses, physicians, and other professionals in administrative appeals.
- Advocated for federal sector EEO complainants at hearing and alternative dispute resolution
- Brokered millions of dollars in negotiated severance agreements for corporate executives, professionals, and other employees.
SEASONED FAMILY LAW PRACTITIONER
Shortell Law LLC handles high net worth and financially complex divorces, dissolutions, child custody, child support, cases involving LGBTQ family law issues, adoption, and guardianship. Ms. Shortell's background in child protection work and a training in Transformative Mediation distinguishes her from other family law practitioners. Ms. Shortell provides volunteer representation in family law cases for survivors of domestic violence for ANDVSA.
LANDMARK LITIGATION AND LEGISLATIVE EXPERT ADVICE
Ms. Shortell was plaintiff's counsel in Hamby v. Parnell (2014),the case that secured same sex couples the right to marry in Alaska . Ms. Shortell helped write and pass the LGBT-inclusive Anchorage Equal Rights Ordinance (2015) Five years after winning the lawsuit that secured equal marriage, Ms. Shortell sued to stop the State of Alaska from a discriminatory practice of denial of PFDs to same sex military spouses and kids stationed out of State in Smith v. Dunleavy (2020).
INJURY LAW
Ms. Shortell is a committed advocate for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injuries. This includes litigation on behalf of juvenile and adult victims of sexual violence.
MEDIATION
Ms. Shortell is trained and practices as a mediator in Transformative Mediation. Ms. Shortell has successfully participated as counsel for litigants in numerous mediations and settlement conferences.
GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP AND RELATED LITIGATION
Ms. Shortell represents wards and family members in petitions for guardianship, petitions for review of guardianship, and in civil actions against the state of Alaska and negligent professional guardians and conservators.
VOLUNTEER WORK
Ms. Shortell offers volunteer representation and legal advice for survivors of sexual and domestic violence through ANDVSA and the Times Up Legal Defense Fund. She also provides free legal services on a regular basis to members of the community.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Ms. Shortell has served on the boards of Out North and Alaska Institute for Justice.
Recent Blog Posts
Shortell Law LLC files employment discrimination lawsuit against Alaska State Troopers and Beacon Occupational Health and Safety over rescission of a job offer to a job applicant living with HIV
Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination and Retaliation Filed On Behalf of Former APL Employee
Press Release: Kenai Peninsula Borough and Charlie Pierce pay $237,500 to settle sexual harassment case by Pamela Wastell
Tell Your Legislators to Support HB99 and SB 108
What is a NAICS code? Why is it Important to Alaska Businesses?