Caroline Mitchell litigates complex commercial disputes with a focus on defending corporations in actions arising from foreign events, including environmental, human rights, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Alien Tort Statute, and fraud claims. Caroline is currently advising clients about legal issues arising from COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the Shelter in Place orders in California.
In one of her cases, Jones Day defeated class certification and secured dismissal of a multibillion environmental claim. She has successfully defended clients against various slavery and kidnapping allegations. She served on the trial team in Bowoto v. Chevron Corporation, which won a defense verdict. As part of that case, Caroline litigated difficult questions relating to choice of law, RICO, the Alien Tort Statute, jurisdiction, preemption, capacity, statute of limitations, and vicarious liability. She also cultivated key third-party witnesses. Caroline also advises clients about jurisdictional challenges when clients are sued in unfavorable forums and international discovery issues, including 28 U.S.C. 1782.
Caroline represents clients in antitrust and unfair competition claims, including representing clients from the oil, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, video game, health care, and floral industries in price-fixing, monopolization, and unfair competition lawsuits. This includes recently representing a health care provider in parallel state and federal class actions that alleged tying and market leveraging. She also has experience in fee and cost recovery.
Caroline has represented clients in pro bono matters, including prisoners' rights, medical care, discrimination cases, and immigration cases. She is on the board of the Family Violence Appellate Project, which advocates for survivors of domestic violence in appellate courts.
Experience
Speaking Engagements
- October 4, 2012
Jones Day Hosts California Client Development Event for Women - February 2012
Managing a Data Breach, Bay Area General Counsel's Group - February 7, 2012
Managing a Data Breach. JD CLE University
- University of Minnesota (J.D. magna cum laude 1989; Order of the Coif; Managing Editor, Law Review); Bryn Mawr College (A.B. 1984)
- California
2012 Outstanding Public Service Award from the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and the Bar Association of San Francisco Volunteer Legal Services Program
Named one of the top women litigators in California by the Los Angeles Daily Journal (2005)
Roll Call for Social Justice Award from the Legal Aid Society (2002)