Shelley began practicing in the area of Claimant Worker's Compensation representation in 1989. At that time, she joined the law practice of Jeffrey A. Goldstein as an associate and later the practice became Goldstein & Dodge which emphasized Claimant Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Social Security Disability representation. Prior to 1989, Shelley worked in civil practice, first predominantly practicing immigration law and later turning to a broader civil practice with employment age discrimination case work as well as some minor criminal County Court work. She originally began practicing with the law firm of Karp, Goldstein and Stern as an associate in 1981.

As Shelley P. Dodge was practicing in the area of Worker's Compensation for claimants, she also became actively involved with the Worker’s Compensation Education Association first as a member then as a board member and served as president and 1994 through 1996. Shelley also served on a number of Division of Worker’s Compensation Committees including the Independent Medical Examination task force and Physical Capacity Task Force at the Division of the State of Colorado Division of Worker's Compensation. Shelley has taught numerous seminars and workshops in the area of claimant workers’ compensation representation both through WCEA, the Colorado Bar Association and Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. Shelley has also given workshops to various labor organizations educating them about worker compensation rights and remedies.

Shelley also participated in a number of initiative drives which attempted to allow Colorado injured workers to pick their own physicians as well as an initiative to make employers responsible for safe workplace environments. Shelley has testified at the legislature on a number of bills appearing during many legislative sessions to educate legislators about the loop holes and gaps in the workers compensation laws that leave injured workers without sufficient rights and remedies in many circumstances.

Currently, Shelley practices as a sole practitioner dedicating her time and energy to injured workers cases. She always gives free consultations to injured workers.