From Craigslist to Civil Rights Champion: How Sarah Schielke Transformed Colorado’s Legal Landscape

Sarah Schielke’s journey into law defies conventional paths. After graduating from Boston University School of Law in 2008, a series of life changes brought her to Colorado, seeking a fresh start. With no connections and zero experience, she took an unconventional first step: posting a legal services ad on Craigslist, offering assistance for free or minimal cost while being transparent about her learning curve.

This bold move proved surprisingly successful, allowing her to gain extensive experience rapidly. By 2012, she established the Life and Liberty Law Office, focusing on her passions: criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Schielke’s independent streak – never working under another attorney – enabled her to forge her path, particularly in civil rights cases.

Her innovative approach to civil rights litigation has set her apart. Schielke pioneered a strategy of sharing body camera footage from her client’s cases with the public, bringing unprecedented attention to police misconduct. This tactic proved transformative in the case of Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who suffered injuries during a June 2020 arrest by Loveland police. When Schielke released the footage in April 2021, it sparked national media attention and prompted internal and external reviews of the department.

The impact was substantial: two officers faced criminal charges, with Austin Hopp receiving five years in prison and Daria Jalali serving 45 days plus three years of probation. The case settled for $3 million – far exceeding the typical settlement of less than $100,000 for similar cases. Schielke followed this success with another groundbreaking achievement: a record-breaking $7 million settlement in 2022 for a client who endured a brutal tasing by Idaho Springs police officers in his own home.

Personal tragedy has shaped Schielke’s approach to law and life. Her father’s death from cancer at 59, shortly after watching her lose her first trial, led her to embrace gratitude, positivity, and forgiveness – including self-forgiveness. This experience transformed her outlook and practice.

Her definition of courage reflects her approach to civil rights law: being determined to right wrongs and improve situations, especially when faced with powerful opposition. She believes in trusting oneself and loving others unconditionally while working to leave the world better than you found it.

Schielke’s guiding principle is equal compassion. She sees only two types of people—good people and good people in pain. She believes everyone tries their best each day, and those who misbehave are likely suffering in their way.

As a woman-in-law, Schielke acknowledges the additional adaptability required compared to her male counterparts. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity while adapting to professional demands and actively works to change the system from within, including mentoring other strong women on her staff.

Her proudest moment came from standing firm in her principles. She faced contempt charges when releasing body camera footage in a Clear Creek County case despite following a judge’s orders precisely. Rather than backing down, she embraced the challenge, even wearing a T-shirt to the court highlighting the First Amendment violation—a case that ultimately settled for $7 million.

For her groundbreaking civil rights work and innovative approach to justice, Schielke earned recognition as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado. Her story demonstrates how unconventional beginnings and unwavering determination can transform individual lives and the justice system.