If you are trying to work with JPEGs use AutoISO and AutoDR to your advantage as that can help with complex lighting. Also try using DR400 which the camera will not select on its own. Don't let the ISO setting fool you, if you are on DR200 and ISO400 the camera is actually shooting at base ISO (200), if you are on DR400 and ISO800 the camera is still shooting at base ISO. (200) The DR modes expose at the higher iso setting but shoot 1 stop (dr200) or 2 stops (dr400) down from there and then apply a tone curve to the image.
You can also adjust shadows in the JPEG with the Shadow Tone adjustment. A good way to get a feel for that is to shoot a RAW and then create a bunch of in camera JPEGs from it adjusting that control in the RAW conversion.
Shawn