Sarah Schielke’s journey to becoming a prominent civil rights attorney in Colorado is a testament to her resilience and innovative spirit. After graduating from Boston University School of Law in 2008, a series of what she candidly calls “bad life decisions” in her 20s led her to Colorado for a fresh start. Faced with no work experience or legal connections, Schielke took an unconventional approach to launch her career: she posted an ad on Craigslist offering discount legal services.
This bold move proved surprisingly effective. “I can’t believe how many people look for lawyers on Craigslist because I got a ton of experience very quickly,” Schielke recalls. This initial success laid the groundwork for her to establish the Life and Liberty Law Office in 2012, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights litigation – areas she had been passionate about since law school.
Schielke’s career has been characterized by a steep learning curve, which she embraces wholeheartedly. “My whole life has been a steep learning curve, and I just love it,” she says. Her unique position of never working under another attorney has allowed her to forge her legal path, particularly in civil rights cases.
One of Schielke’s most effective strategies has been sharing body camera footage from her client’s cases with the public. This approach has often resulted in settlements exceeding typical amounts for similar cases. A prime example is the case of 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 national attention to the case, leading to internal and external reviews of the incident and the department.
The investigations prompted by Schielke’s actions resulted in criminal charges against two officers. In 2022, both officers were sentenced: Austin Hopp to five years in prison and Daria Jalali to 45 days in jail, followed by three years of probation. According to Schielke, the city of Loveland settled with the Garner family for $3 million in September 2021 – significantly higher than the usual “going rate” of less than $100,000 for such cases.
Her success continued in 2022 with a record-breaking $7 million settlement against the Idaho Springs Police Department for a brutal tasing incident. These achievements have earned Schielke recognition as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado.
Schielke’s approach to her work is deeply rooted in her personal experiences and beliefs. She views courage as the determination to fix wrongs and improve things, even in the face of powerful opposition. This philosophy was evident in what she considers her proudest moment – standing firm against a judge’s attempt to hold her in contempt for releasing body camera footage in a Clear Creek County case.
The loss of her father early in her career also shaped Schielke’s perspective, leading her to embrace gratitude, positivity, and forgiveness. She believes in constant learning and seeking advice from those with more experience, attributes that have contributed to her success in navigating complex legal challenges.
Throughout her career, Schielke has demonstrated a unique ability to adapt without compromising her values. She acknowledges the additional challenges women face in her field and strives to create opportunities for other strong, intelligent women in her practice. Her guiding principle – that there are only good people and good people in pain – informs her compassionate approach to clients and adversaries.
Schielke’s advice to her younger self reflects the growth and wisdom she’s gained through her experiences: “My younger self is unrecognizable to who I am now, and it was only through a lot of loss and suffering and not wanting to have those things hurt so much that I worked so hard on myself and how I interact with the world and deal with the world.”
Sarah Schielke’s story concerns determination, innovation, and a deep commitment to civil rights. From her unconventional start on Craigslist to becoming a nationally recognized attorney, she has consistently pushed boundaries and challenged the status quo. Her work secures justice for her clients and drives systemic change in law enforcement practices.
As she continues to pave her way in civil rights law, Schielke inspires aspiring attorneys and advocates for justice everywhere. Her unique blend of creativity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her principles has established her as a true trailblazer in Colorado’s legal landscape, significantly impacting civil rights law.
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