Sarah Schielke (pronounced “Shell-key”) was born and raised in Rochester, New York. She attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont where she received a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in Psychology and graduated magna cum laude. Sarah then went on to law school at the Boston University School of Law on a full academic merit scholarship. There, she was the Managing Editor of the Boston University Law Review. After law school, Sarah packed up her bags, rounded up her dogs, and moved out to Colorado where she opened her own criminal defense and civil rights law practice.
In over twelve years of practicing since, Sarah has become an experienced trial attorney with an unmatched winning record. She has a reputation for being one of the most intelligent, passionate, and creative attorneys in the country. She is extremely capable, expertly determined, and she always executes. When the playing field changes, she adapts; when the playing field is unfair, she innovates. Sarah is the quintessential problem-solver. Often referred to as a “badass” by her peers and her clients, Sarah manages to also somehow be equally well-known for her warmth, wit, authenticity, and compassion.
Sarah has been repeatedly named a Rising Stars SuperLawyer for DUI Defense (2018-present). She regularly lectures and presents all over the country regarding marijuana, alcohol and drug DUI defense strategy. Her material on Winning Marijuana DUIs has been published in the Texas DWI Manual. Sarah is on the Executive Committee and serves as Vice-President to the national DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA) and is a Board Member on the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (CCDB). In 2021, she was awarded DUIDLA’s Badass Award – the organization’s highest honor – for her work on two United States Supreme Court case amicus briefs and for her civil rights work taking down corrupt and abusive police officers in the internationally publicized case of Karen Garner v. City of Loveland, et al.
Sarah is married and has two kids, six dogs, and a definitely normal preoccupation with the band Phish.
EDUCATION
2005
B.A. in Psychology from Middlebury College
2008
J.D. from Boston University School of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
2010 State of Colorado
2011 Federal District Court for District of Colorado
2013 Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
2017 United States Supreme Court
RECOGNITION
2021 Recipient of The Badass Award, the DUI Defense Lawyers Association’s Highest Honor
2018 - 2022 Selected to Super Lawyers - Rising Stars
2012 In re People v. Wilburn, successfully petitioned Colorado Supreme Court for Rule 21 review & reversal, 272 P.3d 1078 (Colo. 2012)
2006 Boston University School of Law, Dean’s Award – Evidence
2005 Boston University School of Law, Dean’s Award – Civil Procedure
PRACTICE AREAS
CIVIL RIGHTS
DUI DEFENSE
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
CASE SEALING
