Sarah Schielke has emerged as a formidable force in civil rights litigation, challenging police misconduct and reshaping law enforcement accountability in Colorado. Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Schielke’s academic journey took her from Middlebury College in Vermont, where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology, to Boston University School of Law on a full academic merit scholarship. There, she served as the Managing Editor of the Boston University Law Review.
After law school, Schielke made the bold decision to move to Colorado and establishboldly decidednse and civil rights law practice. In 2012, she founded the Life and Liberty Law Office, specializing in areas she had been passionate about since law school. This unconventional path allowed her to shape her approach to law without the constraints of traditional firm hierarchies.
Schielke’s innovative strategy of publicly releasing body camera footage from her clients’ cases has proven to be a game-changer in civil rights litigation. One of her most high-profile cases involved Karen Garner, a 73-year-old woman with dementia who was injured during an arrest by Loveland police in June 2020. Schielke’s release of the footage in April 2021 sparked widespread outrage and led to a $3 million settlement. More importantly, it resulted in criminal charges against two officers: Austin Hopp was sentenced to five years in prison, and Daria Jalali received 45 days in jail followed by three years of probation.
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 not only brought justice to her clients but have also fuder discussions about police reandly, Schielke has taken on another significant challenge, filing five lawsuits against Fort Collins Police Services for alleged wrongful DUI arrests. The suits claim that former officer Jason Haferman wrongfully arrested more than 17 people in a one-year period, with blood tests showing no alcohol per year, which led to an internal affairs investigation and Haferman’s resignation.
In her pursuit of justice, Schielke has been vocal about police department accountability. She has called for the resignation of Fort Collins Police Chief Jeff Swoboda, stating, “The only thing worse than a cop who charges innocent citizens with awful crimes he knows they didn’t commit… is a cop who lies and covers up the cop that made those terrible arrests.“
Schielke’s impact extends beyond individual cases. She serves on the Executive Committee and as President of the national DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA). Her expertise in DUI defense has led to regular speaking engagements across the country on marijuana, alcohol, and drug DUI defense strategies.
Throughout her career, Schielke has demonstrated unwavering courage in challenging powerful institutions. She defines courage as “the determination to fix a wrong that you see, or make things better, even if people are telling you ‘no,’ or especially if the people who are telling you ‘no’ have a lot of power and are scary.”
Schielke’s impactful work has earned her significant recognition. In 2023, she was named one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, acknowledging her role as a champion of change. She has also received the DUIDLA’s “Badass Award” in 2021 for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and her impact in civil rights and DUI defense. Additionally, Schielke has been repeatedly named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense from 2018 to the present.
Despite her professional success, Schielke remains grounded and reflective. She attributes her growth to life experiences, including the loss of her father early in her career, which taughtlosingude, positivity, and forgiveness. Schielke also emphasizes the importance of constant learning and reaching out to more experienced colleagues to overcome adversity.
As she continues to make waves in the legal world, Sarah Schielke remains dedicated to 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 broader changes in law enforcement. Schielke’s journey from a law school graduate to a nationally recognized civil rights attorney serves as an inspiration and advocates for justice everywhere.