Michael Blair is a specialist on financial services and financial services regulation. He joined 3 Verulam Buildings in 2000 after serving as General Counsel to the Board of the Financial Services Authority from 1998-2000, and as head of the legal function in its predecessor body, the Securities and Investments Board from 1987-97. Before that he had served from 1982 to 1987 as an Under Secretary in the home civil service, latterly taking responsibility for the criminal and civil legal aid schemes in England and Wales as well as for the higher courts and matters affecting the legal profession.

He served as Chairman of the Inn's Finance Committee between 2000 and 2004 and was Deputy Treasurer in 2007, serving on the Executive Committee and all 2008 planning Committees. Amongst other appointments, he was Treasurer or the General Council of the Bar 1995-1998, Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee of the General Council of the Bar 1994, Elected Member of the General Council of the Bar 1988-1998 and Member of the Council of Legal Education 1992-1997.

His practice is largely advisory though he has appeared before the Chancery Division (banking transfer schemes), the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal (in the split capital investment trust matter) and the Financial Services Authority's Regulatory Decisions Committee (enforcement proceedings). He is currently a Member of the Competition Appeal Tribunal (since 2000), Chairman of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (2001- 2007), President of the Guernsey Financial Services Tribunal (since 2000), Board Member of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (since 2003 ) and Deputy Chairman of SWX Europe Ltd (the Swiss-owned equities exchange in London) 2007-8 (to become Chairman on 1 July 2008).