Sarah Schielke, a magna cum laude graduate of Middlebury College and a Boston University School of Law alumna, has become a trailblazing force in Colorado’s legal community. Her journey began unconventionally, with Schielke offering discounted legal services on Craigslist after moving to Colorado. This unique start provided her with a solid foundation and valuable experience that would shape her future as a prominent civil rights attorney.
2012, Schielke established the Life and Liberty Law Office, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Her innovative approach to civil rights cases, which involves releasing body camera footage to the public, has proven to be a powerful tool in seeking justice for her clients. This strategy has not only brought attention to the cases but has also resulted in record-breaking settlements, such as the $3 million settlement in the Karen Garner v. City of Loveland case in 2021 and the $7 million settlement in the Michael Clark v. Idaho Springs police tasing case in 2022.
Schielke’s tireless efforts and dedication to her clients have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, she was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year, recognizing her significant impact as a champion of change in the civil rights field. Her work has prompted internal and external reviews of police departments, leading to criminal charges against officers and systemic changes within law enforcement agencies.
In addition to her civil rights work, Schielke has made substantial contributions to the DUI defense field. She has been consistently named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense since 2018 and currently serves as the National DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA) president. In 2021, she received DUIDLA’s “Badass Award,” the organization’s highest honor, for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her impact on DUI defense.
Most recently, Schielke has filed five lawsuits against the Fort Collins Police Services and former officer Jason Haferman, alleging a pattern of wrongful DUI arrests. The 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 decision to take on these cases demonstrates her unwavering commitment to holding law enforcement accountable and seeking justice for those who have been wronged.
Throughout her career, Schielke has faced personal challenges, 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 human condition. She believes most people are inherently good, but some are simply good people in pain, acting out due to their suffering. This understanding has undoubtedly influenced her approach to law and her interactions with clients and colleagues.
As Schielke continues to make her mark on Colorado’s legal landscape, she remains committed to effecting change from within. She surrounds herself with a team of intelligent, strong women and strives to create a more just and equitable legal system. Her advice to her younger self is to embrace the transformative power of loss and suffering, recognizing that these experiences have shaped her into the formidable attorney and advocate she is today.
With each groundbreaking case and record-breaking settlement, Sarah Schielke proves that one person can make a significant difference in the fight for justice. Her courage, determination, and innovative spirit inspire aspiring attorneys and advocates for change, cementing her status as a pioneering force in Colorado’s legal community.
