Sarah Schielke’s journey to becoming a trailblazing civil rights attorney in Colorado is a testament to her resilience, innovative spirit, and unwavering commitment to justice. After graduating from Boston University School of Law in 2008, events led her to Colorado for a fresh start. With no professional connections or experience, Schielke took an unconventional approach to launching her legal career: she posted an ad on Craigslist offering discount legal services.
This bold move paid off, as Schielke quickly gained valuable experience. In 2012, she founded the Life and Liberty Law Office, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation—areas she had been passionate about since law school. Schielke’s unique path allowed her to forge her way in the legal field, particularly in civil rights cases.
Schielke’s innovative strategy of publicly sharing body camera footage from her clients’ cases has proven highly effective. This approach has brought national attention to her cases and resulted in substantially larger settlements than typical for similar situations. Her success continued, with two high-profile cases making significant impacts.
One of Schielke’s most notable cases involved Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who was injured during an arrest by Loveland police in June 2020. Schielke’s release of the body camera footage in April 2021 brought the case to light, sparking national media attention and prompting internal and external reviews of the incident and the police department. As a result, two officers faced criminal charges and were sentenced in 2022. The case settled for $3 million, far exceeding the typical settlement of less than $100,000 for similar cases.
In another landmark case, Schielke secured a record-breaking $7 million settlement against the Idaho Springs Police Department for a brutal tasing incident in 2021. These successes have cemented Schielke’s reputation as a formidable civil rights attorney.
Schielke’s work has earned her recognition as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado, acknowledging her significant impact on her community and country. Her courage in challenging powerful institutions and dedication to justice has set her apart in the legal field.
Despite her success, Schielke remains grounded and reflective. She acknowledges strong women’s challenges in their profession and emphasizes the importance of adapting without losing oneself. Schielke credits her growth to life experiences, including the loss early in her career, which taught her gratitude, positivity, and forgiveness.
Schielke’s definition of courage involves the determination to right wrongs and make positive changes, even in the face of powerful opposition. She lives by the principle that there are two types of people: good people and good people in pain. This perspective informs her approach to her work and interactions with others.
To overcome adversity, Schielke emphasizes constant learning and reaching out to those with more experience. She also credits her success to the support of her husband, who is a stay-at-home dad to their two daughters.
Sarah Schielke’s story is one of transformation and perseverance. From her unconventional start on Craigslist to becoming a leading civil rights attorney, she has consistently pushed boundaries and challenged the status quo. Her innovative tactics, unwavering commitment to justice, and compassionate understanding of human nature have benefited her clients and contributed to broader changes in law enforcement accountability. As she continues to make waves in the legal world, Schielke remains dedicated to learning, growing, and making the world a little better than she found it.