Legal services across the United States have shifted over the last decade as small, focused firms have gained ground against traditional large practices. Clients now seek representation that is not only skilled in the courtroom but also responsive to fast-moving technology and changing expectations. Solo and small-firm lawyers now represent more than 60 percent of active members, according to the American Bar Association’s 2024 National Lawyer Population Survey, as there has been a steady demand for boutique law firms. This larger trend has created space for lawyers who mix specialization with personalized service.
In North Carolina, Charlotte is a competitive market where personal injury and criminal defense law firms compete for attention. Mecklenburg County itself has experienced more than a 20 percent population increase since 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, and with that has come additional legal demand ranging from civil disputes to complex injury claims. Boutique firms position themselves as agile alternatives to the bigger, more entrenched players that fill out the city’s legal landscape. Here, a newly established company has built a reputation for delivering consistent performance and maintaining friendly customer relations.
Schehr Law PLLC entered this landscape and has raised some eyebrows in Charlotte’s legal community. Founded in 2019 by attorney Michael Christopher Schehr, the law firm began as a single-attorney practice and has grown to employ six staff members, helping with personal injury and criminal defense matters. The office aims to facilitate strong communication between clients and employees, with an emphasis on providing quick updates and maintaining transparency. Public records show that in four years of practice, the company has settled a large majority of personal injury cases in state and federal courts.
Schehr graduated cum laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and joined the North Carolina Bar in 2019. Having had prior experience in immigration law, where he was introduced to early litigation and client advocacy, Schehr sought to depart from the large firms that received large caseloads with the thought that size mattered in quality service, and instead create a smaller firm that utilized technology and direct connection. The action aligns with a broader trend noted by the North Carolina State Bar, which has seen growing numbers of lawyers going into solo practice.
The firm has been busy in the area of personal injury law, with cases resulting in significant judgments. Court records in 2022 show that Schehr Law secured an $802,000 settlement in Yadkin County, which is reported to be among the largest personal injury settlements in the jurisdiction. While specific case data remains under non-disclosure agreements, the result demonstrates the firm’s expertise in conducting high-stakes negotiations. Statistics maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation record more than 273,000 statewide traffic accidents during the same year, further illustrating the ongoing need for representation of injuries.
Technology is a central theme in the firm’s operations. Schehr Law utilizes secure electronic communication products for document sharing and case status, a process aligned with overall legal industry practices. The 2023 ABA Legal Technology Survey indicated that over 70 percent of small firms utilize cloud-based systems for client data and filings. By combining these tools, the firm aims to reduce delays and enhance client access to information, a step that has been positively received in reviews and public documents.
Colleagues in the Charlotte legal community have noted the firm’s swift rise. Records of membership confirm Schehr as a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, a bar association that promotes continuing legal education and professional conduct. Membership in these organizations is common among attorneys who want to remain current on professional growth and state law developments. These memberships also provide networking tools that can be helpful to a growing practice.
Schehr’s dual life as a working lawyer and serious paintball player introduces an element of public interest, but the firm remains at the forefront of his professional endeavors. His success in supporting competitive sports despite a heavy legal calendar has been recognized in local press profiles, illustrating an ethic of work that translates into effective management of his practice. It also contributes to the firm’s distinct character in Charlotte’s legal community.
Observers of the local legal scene point to Schehr Law PLLC as an example for small practices to forge an identifiable name within a short time frame. The combination of technology, client-centered communication, and high-profile case wins illustrates how boutique firms compete with large-scale institutions. The firm’s trajectory aligns with larger trends for North Carolina, as solo and small practices continue to expand their market share.
Michael Christopher Schehr’s establishment of Schehr Law PLLC illustrates how a single attorney can build a modern practice that reflects changes in client expectations and the availability of resources to attorneys. By embracing a small-team approach and an emphasis on technological developments, Schehr has positioned his firm as part of an emerging niche in the Charlotte legal marketplace that focuses on responsiveness and strategic representation.
