The trajectory of Sarah Schielke’s legal career began with a bold move – a Craigslist advertisement in 2010. Fresh from Boston University School of Law and seeking renewal in Colorado, she offered legal services at minimal cost, candidly telling potential clients she was learning alongside them. This honest approach proved remarkably effective, providing her extensive practical experience early in her career.
By 2012, she established the Life and Liberty Law Office, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Never having worked under another attorney, Schielke developed distinctive strategies, particularly her groundbreaking approach of publicly releasing body camera footage to expose police misconduct and secure justice for her clients.
A defining case involved Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who suffered injuries during a 2020 arrest by Loveland police officers. Schielke’s strategic release of body camera footage brought national attention to the case, resulting in criminal charges against two officers. Austin Hopp received a five-year sentence, while Daria Jalali was sentenced to 45 days in jail with three years of probation. The case concluded with a $3 million settlement, dramatically exceeding the typical $100,000 settlement for similar cases.
Her momentum continued with a record-breaking $7 million settlement against the Idaho Springs Department in a police tasing incident. When threatened with contempt for releasing body camera footage, she remained resolute, even wearing a defiant t-shirt to the court declaring her First Amendment rights had been violated.
Currently, Schielke is challenging systemic issues through five lawsuits against Fort Collins Police Services, addressing alleged wrongful DUI arrests. These cases demonstrate her commitment to police accountability, particularly when innocent citizens face severe consequences from law enforcement misconduct.
Personal tragedy has profoundly shaped her approach to law and life. The loss of her father to cancer at age 59, shortly after he witnessed her first trial loss, transformed her perspective on gratitude and forgiveness. This experience influenced her unique philosophy that people are either “good people or good people in pain,” a viewpoint that guides her legal strategy and personal interactions.
Her definition of courage focuses on addressing wrongs, especially when confronting powerful opposition. This principle has become central to her legal practice and the values she instills in her children. As a woman-in-law, she acknowledges the additional challenges of adaptation while maintaining authenticity, supported by a family structure where her husband is a stay-at-home father.
Recognition as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado acknowledges her significant impact on civil rights law and community justice. Through her innovative legal strategies and unwavering commitment to accountability, Schielke has secured unprecedented settlements for her clients and helped reshape law enforcement practices throughout Colorado.
From her early days offering discount legal services to becoming a leading civil rights attorney, Schielke’s journey exemplifies her belief in continuous learning and growth. Her approach combines determination with innovative thinking, transforming individual lives and systemic practices in law enforcement. Her story demonstrates how unconventional methods and unwavering dedication to justice can create meaningful change in the legal system.
Through her work, Schielke challenges the status quo, fighting for justice while maintaining her core principle of constant learning. Her success proves that innovative approaches and steadfast determination can transform the legal landscape and protect civil rights.
