Sarah Schielke, a renowned civil rights attorney and founder of The Life & Liberty Law Office in Loveland, Colorado, has made a name for herself as a passionate defender of civil rights. Her educational background and personal experiences have shaped her into a formidable force in the courtroom, fighting against governmental oppression and overreaching.
Schielke’s journey began in Rochester, New York, where she grew up before attending Middlebury College in Vermont. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, graduating magna cum laude. It was during this time that Sarah Schielke first recognized the importance of defending civil rights, particularly in the context of DUI defense.
She was learning “a lot of unconventional solutions and creative ideas and whatever it takes. There’s always a different way to do it; there’s usually a better way to do it, too.”
After Middlebury, Schielke attended Boston University School of Law on a full academic merit scholarship. She earned her Juris Doctor and served as the managing editor of the Boston University Law Review, honing her legal skills and deepening her commitment to justice.
Upon graduating, Schielke established The Life & Liberty Law Office, specializing in civil rights and criminal defense cases. Her passion for her work is evident in her own words: “I fight governmental oppression and overreaching. I fight to preserve our civil rights. I stick it to cops that hurt people.”
Sarah Schielke’s Slate of Achievements
Sarah Schielke’s dedication and skill have led to numerous notable achievements and recognition. She has obtained record-breaking settlements in police misconduct cases, including $3 million in Karen Garner v. City of Loveland (2021) and $7 million in Michael Clark v. Idaho Springs (2022). In 2023, she was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year, and in 2021, she received the Badass Award from the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. Schielke has also been recognized as a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense every year since 2018.
Her impact on the legal community isn’t lost on her peers. “No doubt people thought I was a bit crazy in the beginning. But now, 15 years later, other attorneys regularly reach out to tell me they are proud of or inspired by something I’m doing. That always means a lot,” Schielke shares.
Beyond her professional achievements, Schielke’s personal life and motivations are deeply intertwined with her work. She is a married mom of three children and three dogs, and her commitment to fighting for the underdog and preserving civil rights is unwavering. “I do more, know more, try more, and care more than any other lawyer,” Schielke says. “I take my work very seriously. I take close to nothing else seriously.”
As Schielke looks to the future, she remains dedicated to continuing the fight against police misconduct and the erosion of civil liberties. Her work not only seeks to achieve justice for her clients; it also aims to inspire change in the legal system and beyond. With her characteristic determination, Schielke declares, “I’m going to keep pressing to preserve our freedoms until these people get it, so it could be a while.”
Sarah Schielke’s journey from Rochester to becoming a champion for civil rights is a testament to the power of passion, education, and an unwavering commitment to justice. As she continues to fight for the rights of the underdog, Sarah Schielke serves as an inspiration to aspiring attorneys and all those who believe in the importance of preserving civil liberties.
