From Craigslist to Courtrooms: Sarah Schielke’s Unorthodox Rise as a Civil Rights Crusader

When Sarah Schielke moved to Colorado in 2010, she needed work experience or legal connections. Undeterred, the Boston University School of Law graduate turned to an unlikely platform to jumpstart her career: Craigslist. Schielke quickly gained invaluable experience by offering discount legal services, remarking, “I can’t believe how many people look for lawyers on Craigslist because I got a ton of experience very quickly.”

This unconventional start laid the foundation for Schielke’s trailblazing career in civil rights law. In 2012, she opened the Life and Liberty Law Office, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation – areas she had been passionate about since law school. Having never worked under another attorney, Schielke could pioneer her strategies, particularly in civil rights cases.

One such strategy, releasing body camera footage to draw public attention to her client’s cases, has proven remarkably effective. In 2021, Schielke’s release of footage depicting the brutal arrest of Karen Garner, a woman with dementia, by Loveland police officers set in motion a series of investigations and criminal charges. The city ultimately settled with Garner’s family for $3 million, far exceeding the typical settlement amount for similar cases.

Schielke’s proudest moment came when she faced potential contempt charges for releasing body camera footage in another case involving the tasing of her client, Michael Clark, by Idaho Springs police officers. Despite the risk, Schielke knew she was doing what was right. The department later settled Clark’s case for a record-breaking $7 million.

Schielke’s personal life has also shaped her approach to law and her interactions with the world. The loss of her father to cancer, just as she was starting to practice law, prompted her to reframe her life with gratitude, positivity, and forgiveness. She believes most people are either excellent or good in pain, and everyone tries their best daily.

To overcome adversity, Schielke relies on constant learning, reaching out to those with more experience, and the support of her husband, a stay-at-home dad to their two daughters. Her mantra is to love others no matter what and strive to leave the world a little better than she found it.

Looking back, Schielke acknowledges that her younger self is unrecognizable compared to who she is today. It was through loss, suffering, and the desire to alleviate that pain that she worked hard on herself and her interactions with the world. Her advice to her younger self: keep loving to learn.

Sarah Schielke’s journey from Craigslist to courtrooms, her unwavering commitment to civil rights, and her ability to overcome personal and professional challenges inspire aspiring attorneys and advocates for justice. Her groundbreaking work and record-breaking successes are a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and the courage to forge one’s path in the face of adversity.

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