In 2010, a fresh law graduate made an unconventional move that would reshape civil rights litigation: posting a legal services advertisement on Craigslist. After graduating from Boston University School of Law, Sarah Schielke came to Colorado seeking renewal. She took the unusual step of offering legal services at minimal cost while being forthright about her beginner status.
This distinctive approach proved unexpectedly fruitful, providing her with extensive practical experience. By 2012, she launched the Life and Liberty Law Office, dedicating her practice to criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Her choice to remain independent, never working under another attorney, allowed her to develop innovative approaches that would later define her success.
Schielke’s signature strategy emerged through her use of police body camera footage, bringing unprecedented transparency to law enforcement accountability. This approach proved crucial in representing Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who suffered injuries during a 2020 Loveland police arrest. When Schielke released the footage in April 2021, it drew national attention and prompted thorough departmental investigations.
The results were striking: Officer Austin Hopp received a five-year sentence, while Officer Daria Jalali served 45 days in jail with three years of probation. The case settled for $3 million, far exceeding the typical $100,000 settlement. Schielke built on this momentum in 2022, securing a record-breaking $7 million settlement for a client tased by Idaho Springs police officers in his home.
Personal loss shaped her legal philosophy profoundly. The death of her father from cancer at 59, shortly after watching her lose her first trial, taught her valuable lessons about gratitude and forgiveness. This experience fundamentally transformed her approach to both life and legal practice.
Schielke defines courage as the determination to address wrongs and improve situations, especially when confronting powerful opposition. This was evident in a Clear Creek County case where she faced contempt charges for releasing body camera footage despite following judicial orders. Rather than backing down, she embraced the challenge, even wearing a t-shirt to court highlighting the First Amendment violation.
As a female attorney, Schielke recognizes the additional adaptability required compared to their male counterparts. She emphasizes maintaining authenticity while navigating professional demands and actively works to transform the system from within, fostering strong women on her staff.
Her guiding principle reflects a compassionate understanding of humanity: She sees only good people and good people in pain. Each person, she believes, approaches their day intending to do their best, and inappropriate actions often stem from personal struggles.
Supporting her success is an unwavering commitment to learning and the crucial support of her husband, who stays home with their daughters, enabling her demanding career. This foundation allows her to maintain her innovative approach while balancing professional responsibilities.
Recognition for her groundbreaking work came through her selection as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado. Her journey from a Craigslist beginner to a transformative force in civil rights law demonstrates how determination and innovative thinking can reshape the justice system.
Through her unique combination of legal expertise and human understanding, Schielke has created a practice that wins unprecedented settlements and drives meaningful change in law enforcement practices. Her approach to civil rights litigation, combining transparency with public accountability, continues to redefine the boundaries of justice while maintaining an unwavering commitment to human dignity.
