Sarah Schielke’s path to becoming a formidable civil rights attorney in Colorado is a testament to determination and unconventional thinking. Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Schielke’s academic journey took her from Middlebury College in Vermont, where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology, to Boston University School of Law on a full academic merit scholarship. There, she served as the Managing Editor of the Boston University Law Review, honing her legal acumen.
After law school, Schielke boldly moved to Colorado and started her practice. In 2010, with no local connections or experience, she turned to an unlikely platform: Craigslist. Posting an ad for discount legal services, Schielke offered assistance for free or at minimal cost, acknowledging her novice status but promising her best efforts. This unorthodox approach proved surprisingly effective, providing her with rapid and diverse experience in the legal field.
In 2012, Schielke founded the Life and Liberty Law Office, which focused on criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Her decision never to work under another attorney allowed her to develop innovative strategies, particularly in civil rights cases. One such approach involves sharing body camera footage from her clients’ cases with the public. This move has proven highly effective in drawing attention and securing larger settlements.
Schielke’s work gained national recognition with the Karen Garner case. Garner, a woman with dementia, was injured during an arrest by Loveland police in June 2020. By releasing the body camera footage in April 2021, Schielke brought widespread attention to the incident, leading to internal and external reviews of the police department. This resulted in criminal charges against two officers and a $3 million settlement for the Garner family, far exceeding typical settlements in similar cases.
Her success continued with a record-breaking $7 million settlement in 2022 against the Idaho Springs Police Department for a tasing incident. These high-profile cases have established Schielke as a formidable advocate for civil rights in Colorado and beyond.
Schielke’s impact extends beyond individual cases. In 2023, she was named one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, recognizing her as a champion of change and acknowledging her significant contributions to civil rights law. She received the “Badass Award” from DUIDLA in 2021, the organization’s highest honor, for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her impact on civil rights and DUI defense.
Her expertise in DUI defense has led to her being named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense from 2018 to the present. Schielke regularly lectures across the country on marijuana, alcohol, and drug DUI defense strategies, with her material on Winning Marijuana DUIs published in the Texas DWI Manual. She serves as the National DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA) president.
Schielke’s approach to law is deeply rooted in her philosophy. She believes in the importance of adaptability, especially for women in the legal field, while staying true to oneself. Her definition of courage involves the determination to right wrongs and effect positive change, even in the face of powerful opposition.
Recently, Schielke has taken on another significant case, filing five lawsuits against Fort Collins Police Services for alleged wrongful DUI arrests by a former officer. This action demonstrates her commitment to holding law enforcement accountable and protecting civil rights.
Throughout her career, Schielke has shown a remarkable ability to learn, adapt, and challenge the status quo. Her journey from a novice lawyer advertising on Craigslist to a nationally recognized civil rights attorney exemplifies the power of perseverance, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to justice. As she continues to take on high-profile cases and advocate for change, Sarah Schielke remains a pivotal figure in the fight for civil rights and police accountability in Colorado and beyond.
