Sarah Schielke: The Unyielding Force Reshaping Colorado’s Legal Landscape

Sarah Schielke, synonymous with relentless advocacy and innovative legal strategies in Colorado, is making waves in civil rights and criminal defense. Her journey from novice to celebrity attorney is as unconventional as inspiring.

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Schielke’s academic prowess was evident early on. She graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Psychology before securing a full academic merit scholarship to Boston University School of Law. There, she distinguished herself as the Managing Editor of the Boston University Law Review, laying the groundwork for her future legal career.

However, Schielke’s bold move after law school set her on a unique path. In 2010, armed with her law degree but needing work experience or legal connections, she took a chance on Colorado and herself. She posted an ad on Craigslist offering discount legal services, candidly admitting she was learning but promising to do her best. This unorthodox approach paid off, allowing her to gain valuable experience rapidly.

By 2012, Schielke had established the Life and Liberty Law Office, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights litigation—areas she had been passionate about since law school. Her decision never to work under another attorney allowed her to forge her oath in law, particularly in civil rights cases.

Schielke’s innovative strategy of publicly sharing body camera footage from her clients’ cases has proven remarkably effective. This approach has drawn attention to important cases and resulted in settlements far exceeding typical amounts for similar cases.

One of her most high-profile cases involved Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who was injured during an arrest by Loveland police in June 2020. By releasing the body camera footage in April 2021, Schielke brought national attention to the case, prompting internal and external reviews of the incident and the police department. This led to criminal charges against two officers and a $3 million settlement for the Garner family – significantly higher than the usual “going rate” of less than $100,000 for similar cases.

Schielke’s success continued with a record-breaking $7 million settlement in a case against the Idaho Springs Department for a “brutal tasing attack” on her client in his own home. These victories underscore her effectiveness in leveraging public attention to drive accountability and change.

Her work has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, Schielke was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year, an award recognizing “strong and resilient women who have been champions of change across the country” for her work in the civil rights field. She also received the DUI Defense Lawyers Association’s “Badass Award” in 2021 – the organization’s highest honor – for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her impact in the civil rights and DUI defense fields.

Schielke’s approach to law is deeply rooted in empathy and understanding. She believes there are two types of people: good people and good people in pain. This perspective allows her to approach even the most challenging situations with compassion, recognizing that everyone is trying their best, even when their actions seem objectionable.

To overcome adversity, Schielke relies on constant learning and reaching out to those with more experience. She also credits her success to the support of her husband, who stays at home with their children, allowing her to pursue her demanding career.

Schielke remains committed to learning and growth as she continues to blaze her trail in the legal world. Her journey from a novice lawyer advertising on Craigslist to a celebrated civil rights attorney inspires aspiring lawyers and advocates for change.

Sarah Schielke’s story is about determination, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her innovative approaches and courage in the face of powerful opposition have benefited her clients and reshaped the landscape of civil rights advocacy in Colorado. As she moves forward, Schielke exemplifies the power of forging one’s path and standing up for what’s right, even in the face of significant challenges.