Sarah Schielke’s journey to becoming a prominent civil rights attorney in Colorado is as unconventional as inspiring. After graduating from Boston University School of Law in 2008, life events led her to Colorado for a fresh start. With no professional connections or experience, Schielke took an unusual approach to kickstart her legal career: she posted an ad on Craigslist offering discount legal services.
This bold move paid off, providing Schielke with valuable experience and laying the foundation for her future success. In 2012, she established 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 approach to civil rights cases has been groundbreaking. She developed a unique strategy of sharing body camera footage from her client’s cases with the public, drawing widespread attention and resulting in substantially larger settlements than typical 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. Schielke’s decision to release the body camera footage in April 2021 brought national media attention to the case and prompted internal and external reviews of the incident and the police department.
The investigations triggered by Schielke’s actions led to criminal charges against two officers. In 2022, both were sentenced: Austin Hopp received five years in prison, while Daria Jalali was given 45 days in jail, followed by three years of probation. The case ultimately settled for $3 million, far exceeding the typical settlement amount of less than $100,000 for similar cases.
Schielke’s success continued in 2022 when she secured a record-breaking $7 million settlement in a case against the Idaho Springs Police Department for a “brutal tasing attack” on her client in his own home.
Her innovative approach and commitment to justice have not gone unnoticed. Schielke was named one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, recognizing her significant impact in her community and countrywide. She was also repeatedly named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense. In 2021, she received the “Badass Award” from DUIDLA for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her impact on civil rights and DUI defense.
Schielke’s path to success has been challenging. She acknowledges that as a woman-in-law, she requires a degree of adaptability that men often don’t face. However, she emphasizes the importance of adapting without losing oneself and working to change the system from within.
Her proudest moment came during a case in Clear Creek County, Colorado, where she fought to release body camera footage of her client being tased by police. Despite potential legal consequences, Schielke stood her ground, knowing she was doing what was right. This case ultimately settled for $7 million.
Schielke’s perspective on life and law was deeply influenced by personal tragedy. The loss of her father to cancer early in her legal career prompted her to reframe her approach to life, fostering gratitude, positivity, and forgiveness.
Her definition of courage involves the determination to right wrongs and make positive changes, even in the face of powerful opposition. Schielke lives by the principle that there are two types of people: good people and good people in pain, emphasizing empathy and understanding in her approach to law and life.
Schielke’s success is built on continuous learning and a supportive family structure, including her husband, a stay-at-home dad to their two daughters. Her advice to her younger self? Keep loving to learn – there’s a lot of it ahead.
Through her innovative strategies, unwavering commitment to justice, and personal growth, Sarah Schielke has indeed paved her way in civil rights law, impacting her clients and the legal landscape of Colorado.
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