The story of Sarah Schielke’s legal career begins with an unlikely Craigslist advertisement in 2010. After graduating from Boston University School of Law and moving to Colorado for a fresh start, she offered legal services at minimal cost, transparently telling potential clients she was learning alongside them. This honest approach resonated with many, providing her with rapid, hands-on experience in the legal field.
This foundation led to the establishing of the Life and Liberty Law Office in 2012, where she specialized in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Rather than following traditional paths, Schielke charted her course, never working under another attorney. This independence allowed her to develop innovative approaches to civil rights cases, particularly her strategic use of body camera footage to expose police misconduct.
Her breakthrough came with the Karen Garner case, where she released footage showing the mistreatment of a woman with dementia during a 2020 arrest by Loveland police officers. The public exposure led to criminal charges against two officers: Austin Hopp received five years in prison. At the same time, Daria Jalali was sentenced to 45 days in jail with three years of probation. The case resulted in a $3 million settlement, far exceeding the typical $100,000 settlement for similar cases.
Building on this success, Schielke secured a $7 million settlement with the Idaho Springs Department in a police tasing case. When faced with potential contempt charges for releasing body camera footage in this case, she stood firm in her convictions, even wearing a defiant t-shirt to court that proclaimed her First Amendment rights had been violated.
Currently, she’s challenging systemic issues through five lawsuits against Fort Collins Police Services, addressing alleged wrongful DUI arrests by a former officer. These cases demonstrate her ongoing commitment to police accountability and civil rights protection, particularly in cases where innocent citizens face severe consequences from law enforcement misconduct.
Personal loss has profoundly shaped Schielke’s approach to law and life. The death of her father from cancer at age 59, shortly after witnessing her first trial loss, led to a transformative 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 practice and personal interactions.
Her definition of courage focuses on addressing wrongs, especially when confronting powerful opposition. She emphasizes the importance of standing firm in one’s convictions, even when faced with institutional resistance. This principle has become central to her legal strategy and the lessons she passes on to her children.
As a woman in law, Schielke acknowledges the additional challenges of adapting to the profession while maintaining authenticity. Her success is supported by a progressive family structure, with her husband serving as a stay-at-home father to their children, enabling her focused dedication to civil rights work.
Her groundbreaking work has earned her recognition as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado, acknowledging 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 unconventional start offering discount legal services to becoming a leading civil rights attorney, Schielke’s journey embodies her advice to “keep loving to learn.” Her story demonstrates how determination, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to justice can transform individual lives and systemic practices in law enforcement.