Sarah Schielke’s path to becoming a prominent civil rights attorney in Colorado is as unconventional as it is inspiring. After graduating from Boston University School in 2008, a series of life events led her to Colorado for a fresh start. Sessional connections or experience in the state, Schielke took an unusual approach to kickstart her legal career: she posted an ad on Craigslist offering discount legal services.

“I can’t believe how many people look for lawyers on Craigslist because I got a ton of experience very quickly,” Schielke recalled. This bold move provided her with invaluable hands-on experience and laid the foundation for future success.

In 2012, Schielke eblised the Life and Liberty Law Office, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Her decision never to work under another attorney allowed her to forge her own path in the legal field, particularly in civil rights cases.

Schielke’s innovative approach to civil rights litigation has set her apart. She developed a unique strategy of sharing body camera footage from her clients’ cases with the public to draw attention to its client’s police misconduct. This tactic has proven highly effective, bringing national media attention to her cases and resulting in substantially larger settlements than typical for similar situations.

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 release of the body camera footage in April 2021 brought the case to light, prompting internal and external reviews of the incident and the police department. The case settled for $3 million, far exceeding the typical settlement of less than $100,000 for similar cases.

Building on this success, Schielke secured another landmark victory in 2022 with a record-breaking $7 million settlement against the Idaho Springs Police Department for a brutal tasing incident. These cases have brought justice to her clients and contributed to conversations about police brutality and reform.

Recently, Schielke has taken on another significant challenge, filing five lawsuits against Fort Collins Police Services for a series of alleged wrongful DUI arrests by former officer Jason Haferman. The lawsuits claim that Haferman wrongfully arrested more than 17 people in a one-year period, with blood tests showing no alcohol present in one individual.

Schielke’s work extends beyond individual cases. She regularly lectures across the country on marijuana, alcohol, and drug DUI defense strategies. Her material on Winning Marijuana DUIs has been published in the Texas DWI Manual, showcasing her expertise in this area of law.

Throughout her career, Schielke has demonstrated a willingness to take on powerful institutions and challenge the status quo. Her courage is defined by her determination to right wrongs and effect positive change, even when faced with formidable opposition. She attributes her success to constant learning, reaching out to more experienced colleagues, and the support of her family.

Schielke’s philosophy is rooted in empathy and understanding. She believes that there are fundamentally two types of people: good people and people in pain. This perspective informs her approach to both her legal worker interactions withers, allowing her to see beyond surface-level behaviors and address underlying issues.

As she continues to make waves in the legal world, Sarah Schielke remains dedicated to learning, growing, and improving the justice system. Her innovative tactics, unwavering commitment to her clients, and compassionate understanding of human nature have benefited those she represents and contributed to changes in law enforcement. Schielke’s journey from a Craigslist ad to becoming a nationally recognized civil rights attorney serves as an inspiration to aspiring lawyers and advocates for justice everywhere.