Sarah Schielke: A Legal Firebrand Redefining Civil Rights Advocacy

From a Craigslist ad to record-breaking settlements, Sarah Schielke’s journey in the legal world is anything but conventional. A magna cum laude graduate of Middlebury College and Boston University School of Law, Schielke has become a powerhouse in criminal defense and civil rights litigation in Colorado.

Schielke’s career began with a leap of faith. After moving to Colorado to get a fresh start, she posted an ad on Craigslist offering discount legal services. This bold move quickly gained her valuable experience and established her practice, the Life and Liberty Law Office, in 2012.

What sets Schielke apart is her innovative approach to civil rights cases. She’s pioneered the strategy of releasing body camera footage from her client’s cases to the public, which has proven remarkably effective in drawing attention to police misconduct and securing justice for her clients.

This approach paid off spectacularly in the case of Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who was injured during an arrest by Loveland police officers in 2020. Schielke’s release of the body camera footage in April 2021 thrust the case into the national spotlight, prompting internal and external reviews of the incident and the department. The case ultimately settled for $3 million, far exceeding typical amounts for similar cases, and led to criminal charges against two officers.

Building on this success, Schielke secured another landmark victory in 2022, settling a case against the Idaho Springs Department for $7 million. This case involved a client who had been subjected to a “brutal tasing attack” in his own home, further solidifying Schielke’s reputation as a formidable advocate for civil rights.

Schielke’s commitment to justice extends beyond high-profile cases. She’s currently spearheading multiple lawsuits against the Fort Collins Police Services, addressing a series of alleged wrongful DUI arrests by a former officer. These suits claim that the officer in question wrongfully arrested more than 17 people in just one year, with subsequent blood tests revealing no alcohol in the arrestees’ systems.

Her impactful work has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, Schielke was honored as one of USA Today’s Women of the Year, recognizing her as a champion of change. She also received the DUIDLA’s “Badass Award” in 2021 for her contributions to United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her influential work in civil rights and DUI defense.

Schielke’s approach to law is characterized by continuous learning and adaptability. She emphasizes the importance of courage, defining it as the determination to rectify wrongs and improve situations, even in the face of powerful opposition. Her guiding principle is the belief that there are fundamentally two types of people: good people and good people in pain. This perspective informs her approach to her clients and her opponents in court.

Despite her challenges and opposition, Schielke remains steadfast in improving the justice system. She views her role as an attorney and an agent of change, working tirelessly to hold law enforcement accountable and secure justice for those wronged by the system.

Her personal life complements Schielke’s success in the legal field. She credits her husband, a stay-at-home dad, to their children, supporting her pursuit of her demanding career.

From her early days of offering discount legal services on Craigslist to becoming a nationally recognized civil rights attorney, Sarah Schielke’s journey is a testament to her resilience, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her work continues challenging the status quo in law enforcement and criminal justice, setting new standards for accountability and compensation in civil rights cases.

As Schielke forges ahead, she remains dedicated to her clients and the broader cause of civil rights. Her unique approach to litigation, combined with her tenacity and compassion, continues to reshape the landscape of civil rights law in Colorado and beyond.

Schielke’s story is about determination, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of justice. Her willingness to take on challenging cases and innovative methods have brought about significant change in individual cases and sparked broader conversations about police accountability and civil rights. As she continues her work, Sarah Schielke is a beacon of hope for those seeking justice in a complex legal landscape.