In today’s workforce, people may switch careers or run secondary businesses, but it is uncommon to find someone who excels in two high-stress, unrelated areas at the same time. The dedication required to head a legal practice generally leaves little time for another full-fledged career, and professional athletics requires the same level of devotion. But there exist occasional instances of individuals who balance both pursuits, demonstrating that discipline and time management can fill the gap between scholarly and physical accomplishment. Their histories reveal how varied expertise can coexist and complement each other.
The law is founded on research, analysis, and meticulous representation. Lawyers spend years becoming masterful at statutes, knowledgeable about courtroom tactics, and establishing rapport with clients. According to the American Bar Association, there are a large number of attorneys practicing in the United States, but few have their own firms or pursue notable achievements outside the profession. Running a private practice generally involves long hours and frequent client contact, leaving little time for other activities beyond occasional recreation.
Professional sport imposes a different type of schedule. Paintball, a physically demanding game of strategy, has become a worldwide phenomenon. The National Xball League (NXL), North America’s top professional league, has thousands of players across various divisions, and international tournaments attract players from Europe, Asia, and South America. Preparing for this level of play requires extensive travel, frequent tournaments, and an understanding of team dynamics. Sustaining top-of-the-line performance requires round-the-clock training and fast reflexes. Not many professional athletes have another full-time job while competing at the elite level.
Michael Christopher Schehr occupies the space between these universes. After gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, he graduated cum laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego in 2018. He passed the North Carolina Bar Exam in 2019 and began his career in immigration law before establishing Schehr Law PLLC in Charlotte. The firm specializes in personal injury and criminal defense and now has six support staff. Schehr gained recognition for securing a significant settlement for a client injured while riding as a passenger in a delivery vehicle. His practice emphasizes open communication and utilizes innovative digital technologies that enable clients to track the status of their case.
As he built that legal career, Schehr was also climbing in the competitive paintball world. He started playing in 2007 when he was just a teenager and became a professional in 2016 with the Trenton TopGun squad. Over the years, he was part of some of the most renowned teams in the sport, including the Los Angeles Ironmen, Baltimore Revo, Tampa Bay Damage, and San Diego Dynasty, a highly awarded team. “Paintball rankings recognized him among the top players in 2023, and that year, he contributed to his team’s success at the NXL World Cup. Since 2022, he has won multiple Dorito Player of the Year awards, highlighting his impact in key moments on the field.
Juggling these accomplishments requires a level of scheduling and concentration few people pursue. Court dates, client sessions, and filings vie with travel abroad and tournament preparation. The NXL season consists of a series of national events that tend to coincide with the peak periods of an attorney’s practice. Schehr’s success in managing both careers reflects dedication and the ability to adapt to diverse demands. Legal practice demands thoughtful argument and meticulous attention to detail, but professional paintball operates on fast thinking and instantaneous choice.
The vast majority of professional paintball players spend their time on the sport full-time and make their living off it through coaching or sponsorship. Schehr, on the other hand, operates a law firm that can take on some of the largest personal injury firms in Charlotte and plays regularly in top-tier tournaments. His path illustrates how professional aspiration can’t be limited to a single endeavor.
Managing a boutique law firm requires marketing and leadership acumen in addition to law qualifications. Schehr has authored a book on evolving client expectations, titled Personal Injury in the Age of AI, TikTok, and 5-Star Reviews, released in 2025. The book examines how online culture and technology affect how law firms communicate with the public. That view might be informed, at least in part, by his background in competitive sport, where communication and adaptation are crucial.
Schehr’s story illustrates how careers can converge in surprising ways. The physicality of professional paintball can hone attention and toughness, abilities well-used in law practice. The analytical training of law, on the other hand, can inform game strategy and under-pressure decision-making.
Michael Christopher Schehr remains active in his legal practice and paintball in Charlotte, North Carolina. His ability to maintain visibility as both an attorney and an athlete highlights a unique blend of talent and focus, showing that careers are not limited to a single definition of success.
