By James John
Sarah Schielke’s journey to becoming a leading civil rights attorney in Colorado is a testament to her innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to justice. After graduating from Boston University School of Law in 2008, Schielke found herself in Colorado seeking a fresh start. With no legal connections in the state, she took an unconventional approach to launching her career in 2010 by posting an ad on Craigslist offering discount legal services.
This bold move paid off, as Schielke quickly gained valuable experience from several clients seeking legal help through the platform. “I can’t believe how many people look for lawyers on Craigslist because I got a ton of experience very quickly,” Schielke recalls. This experience laid the foundation for her to open the Life and Liberty Law Office in 2012, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation.
Schielke’s career has been marked by her willingness to challenge the status quo and take on powerful institutions. Her unique strategy of publicly sharing body camera footage from her clients’ cases has been particularly effective in bringing attention to incidents of police misconduct. This approach has resulted in settlements exceeding typical amounts in civil rights cases.
One of her most high-profile cases involved Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who was injured during a 2020 arrest by Loveland police. Schielke’s release of the body camera footage in April 2021 brought national media attention to the case, prompting internal and external reviews of the police department. The case resulted in criminal charges against two officers and a $3 million settlement for the Garner family – significantly higher than the usual sub-$100,000 settlements for similar cases.
Building on this success, Schielke secured an even more substantial victory in 2022. She settled a case against the Idaho Springs Police Department for a record-breaking $7 million, related to what she described as a “brutal tasing attack” on her client in his own home.
Schielke’s impact on civil rights law has earned her numerous accolades. In 2023, she was named one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, recognizing “strong and resilient women who have been champions of change across the country.” She has also been repeatedly named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense and received the DUI Defense Lawyers Association’s “Badass Award” in 2021 for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her impact on the civil rights and DUI defense fields.
When asked about her proudest moment, Schielke recounts a case in Clear Creek County where she fought to release body camera footage of her client being tased by police. Despite facing potential contempt charges, she stood firm in her conviction to release the footage. “I have never felt so proud in my life because I knew it was probably going to happen, but I knew they were wrong, and I knew I was doing what was right,” she says.
Schielke’s definition of courage is deeply rooted in her work: “The brand of courage that I try to live by and teach to my kids is to try and execute, to have the determination to fix a wrong that you see, or make things better, even if people are telling you ‘no,’ or especially if the people who are telling you ‘no’ have much power and are scary.”
Her guiding principle is the belief that there are fundamentally two types of people: good people and good people in pain. This empathetic worldview informs her approach to legal practice and personal interactions, allowing her to see humanity in even the most challenging situations.
To overcome adversity, Schielke relies on continuous learning and reaching out to more experienced individuals for guidance. She also credits her husband, a stay-at-home dad to their two daughters, for supporting her demanding career.
Sarah Schielke’s journey from a novice lawyer advertising on Craigslist to a nationally recognized civil rights attorney is a testament to her resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her unique approach to legal practice and courage in challenging powerful institutions have benefited her clients and contributed to broader discussions about police accountability and civil rights in America. As she continues to make waves in civil rights law, Schielke remains committed to learning, growing, and fighting for justice, inspiring those seeking to make a difference in the legal profession and beyond.
