The legal profession has also changed over the past few decades, driven by emerging technologies, shifting client needs, and increasing competition between larger, established offices and boutique law firms. In the United States, smaller law practices have also learned to compete by emphasizing face-to-face communication with clients, specialized knowledge, and flexibility in the face of change. In the State of North Carolina, an example of the change is the career path of Michael Christopher Schehr, attorney-at-law, whose career reflects the challenges and opportunities of building a new law firm in the modern era amid competition.
The United States has a large number of practicing lawyers, according to statistics released by the American Bar Association. In North Carolina, particularly in cities such as Charlotte, competition among lawyers is intense. Large firms will always occupy the high-value corporate cases, but smaller firms have established niches representing individuals who prefer personalized services in areas such as injury law, immigration, and criminal defense. Schehr’s practice aligns with this broader trend of boutique practices taking their place in an elite field.
Born on May 27th, 1991, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Schehr earned an undergraduate criminal justice and political science degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He attended the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2018, graduating cum laude. During law school, he volunteered at a construction-defects and personal-injury law firm and participated in the law school business development clinic and the tax development clinic, both of which informed his future strategy for expanding his practice.
In 2019, after he passed the North Carolina Bar Exam, Schehr began his legal career in immigration law, a practice that exposed him to the need for client-oriented communication and the delicate balancing of complex regulations. Towards the end of the year, he established Schehr Law PLLC, an entity that has maintained its headquarters in Charlotte but has especially concentrated on criminal defense and personal injury cases. While larger law firms would feature larger numbers of clients but with less personalized service, Schehr Law was established on the principle of access and face-to-face contact with clients, an approach that positioned it to challenge larger players in the market.
One of the hallmarks of the practice has been the integration of digital tools into client services. Communication online, the use of legal software, and an emphasis on transparent updates to clients have defined the firm’s style. The relevance of these trends underscores broader industry shifts, with a growing number of law firms adopting practice management software and increasingly relying on online marketing and platforms to attract clients. Schehr’s career aligns with these trends, as his firm has been recognized for its activity in online forums and for its commitment to keeping pace with the demand for digitally connected clients.
The firm’s caseload has included notable results, including a significant settlement in a personal injury case in Yadkin County. In that case, Schehr secured a significant settlement for a young passenger injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a delivery driver working for DoorDash. Such results highlight the role of smaller firms in taking on complex personal injury cases that can alter local legal landscapes and shape individual clients’ lives. For attorneys practicing outside of the largest metropolitan firms, high-value results can serve as markers of credibility within the broader legal community.
As part of his litigation practice, Schehr has also participated in debates on how law firms brand themselves in the digital age. In June 2025, he released Personal Injury in the Age of AI, TikTok, and 5-Star Reviews, the book that analyzed how artificial intelligence, social media, and online review culture have transformed client expectations and firm promotion. With many clients now checking online reviews before choosing legal services, such issues have become increasingly relevant. The book situates personal injury law within the broader discussion of technology’s impact on the professions.
Schehr’s firm remains part of the competitive landscape in Charlotte, where personal injury firms have grown significantly over the last decade. He has been recognized within the regional market for his practice’s presence. While awards and lists vary in their criteria, they often signal how smaller firms are perceived relative to larger practices that dominate local advertising markets.
The growth of Schehr Law illustrates the difficulty boutique practices encounter when working with larger, established firms, but also how smaller businesses can establish unique niches by placing an importance on access, client-centered approaches, and flexibility for the digital age. With the legal profession still wondering how it will address the possibilities of artificial intelligence, marketing, and client disclosure, professions like Schehr’s reveal how lawyers must address these issues in practice rather than in theory.
Michael Christopher Schehr’s journey, from Thomas Jefferson School of Law cum laude graduate to founder of a Charlotte practice noted in the state’s personal injury sector, is one example of how younger lawyers have forged individual directions in an oversubscribed profession. His career highlights the shifting dynamics among clients, the contributions technology has made to law, and the enduring utility of boutique law firms in determining outcomes for individuals in North Carolina and beyond.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal case is unique, and it is important to consult with a qualified attorney to discuss the specific details of your situation.
