Sarah Schielke’s journey to becoming a renowned civil rights attorney is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to justice. After graduating from the Boston University School of Law, Schielke boldly moved to Colorado, where she began her legal career by offering discounted services on Craigslist. This unconventional start gave her invaluable experience and set the stage for her future successes.
2012, Schielke established the Life and Liberty Law Office, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Her innovative approach to civil rights cases, which involves sharing body camera footage with the public, has proven to be a game-changer in the legal field. This strategy has brought attention to her clients’ cases and resulted in record-breaking settlements that far exceed those typically seen in similar cases.
One of Schielke’s most notable achievements was the $3 million settlement she obtained for the family of Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who a Loveland police officer injured during an arrest in June 2020. Schielke’s decision to release the body camera footage of the incident in April 2021 sparked national outrage and led to criminal charges against two officers involved in the case. Her tireless efforts also prompted internal and external reviews of the Loveland Police Department, showcasing her ability to effect change at a systemic level.
Schielke’s success continued in 2022 when she settled another case against the Idaho Springs Department for $7 million. This case involved the brutal tasing of her client in his own home by police officers. Her dedication to fighting for her client’s rights has not gone unnoticed, as she was named USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado in 2023.
Beyond her civil rights work, Schielke has made significant contributions to the DUI defense field. Since 2018, she has been repeatedly named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense and serves as the President of the National DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA). In 2021, she received DUIDLA’s prestigious “Badass Award” for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her overall impact on the DUI defense field.
Recently, Schielke has taken on another challenge by filing five lawsuits against the Fort Collins Police Services and former officer Jason Haferman for alleged wrongful DUI arrests. These lawsuits claim that Haferman wrongfully arrested more than 17 individuals in one year despite blood tests showing no alcohol present in their systems. Schielke’s determination to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions and seek justice for those wrongfully accused is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her clients and the community.
Throughout her career, Schielke has faced numerous challenges and personal setbacks, including the loss of her father to cancer early in her legal journey. However, she has used these experiences to fuel her passion for justice and to develop a unique perspective on the world. She believes that everyone is inherently good, but some are simply good people in pain, acting out due to their own suffering. This understanding has undoubtedly shaped her approach to law and her interactions with clients and colleagues.
As Sarah Schielke continues to make waves in Colorado’s legal landscape, her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring attorneys and advocates for change. Her courage, determination, and innovative spirit have firmly established her as a formidable force in the fight for civil rights and justice. With each groundbreaking case and record-breaking settlement, Schielke proves that one person can make a difference in the lives of many.
