Sarah Schielke’s journey to becoming a prominent civil rights attorney in Colorado is a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to justice. Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Schielke’s academic prowess was evident from the start magna cum laude from Middlebury College in Vermont with a B.A. in Psychology before attending Boston University School of Law on a full academic merit scholarship. There, she distinguished herself as the Managing Editor of the Boston University Law Review.
After law school, Schielke made a bold move that would define her career. Packing up her belongings and her dogs, she relocated to Colorado to start her criminal defense and civil rights law practice. Without first working under another attorney, this decision to strike out on her own allowed Schielke to forge her unique approach to law, particularly in civil rights cases.
Schielke’s innovative strategy of sharing body camera footage from her clients’ cases with clients has proven remarkably effective. This approach has not only drawn to instances of injustice but has also led to resettlements far exceeding typical amounts for similar cases.
A prime example of Schielke’s impact is the Karen Garner case. In 2021, Schielke obtained a record-breaking $3 million settlement in this internationally publicized case against the City of Loveland. The case involved the violent arrest of Garner, a woman with dementia, by Loveland police officers. Schielke’s release of the body camera footage brought national attention to the incident, leading to criminal charges against two officers and prompting internal and external reviews of the police department.
Building on this success, Schielke secured another landmark victory in 2022. She obtained a record-breaking $7 million settlement against the Idaho Springs Police Department for a brutal tasing incident involving her client in his own home. These high-profile cases have solidified Schielke’s reputation as a formidable advocate for civil rights.
Schielke’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, she was named one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, an award recognizing “strong and resilient women who have been champions of change across the country,” for her work in the civil rights field. This recognition highlights Schielke’s significant impact and her role in pushing for broader systemic changes in the legal system.
Beyond her civil rights work, Schielke has also made a name for herself in DUI defense. From 2018 to now, she was named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense. From 2018 to the press area, she is widely recognized, and she regularly lectures and presents across the country on marijuana, alcohol, and drug DUI defense strategies. Her material on Winning Marijuana DUIs has even been published in the Texas DWI Manual.
Schielke’s contributions to the legal field extend beyond her casework. She serves on the Executive Committee and as President of the national DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA). In 2021, she received DUIDLA’s “Badass Award”—the organization’s highest honor—for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and for her impact on the civil rights and DUI defense fields.
She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to constant learning and growth. Throughout her career, she has approached each case with a mix of empathy and strategic thinking. Her unique perspective on human nature—that there are fundamentally two types of people: good people and good people in pain—informs her approach to her legal work and interaction with clients and opponents alike.
Sarah Schielke’s journey from law school graduate to trailblazing civil rights attorney is a testament to her determination, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her unique approach to civil rights cases and expertise in DUI defense has brought about significant changes in individual cases and challenged the status quo in the legal system.
As Schielke continues to make waves in the legal world, she serves as an inspiration, particularly for women in the legal profession. Her story demonstrates that with passion, perseverance, and a willingness to take unconventional paths, it’s possible to make a significant impact in the pursuit of justice. Sarah Schielke’s legacy in Colorado’s legal landscape is one of courageation and an unyielding dedication to protecting civil rights and individual liberties.
