Michael W. Blair

Michael Blair retired from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a leading global law firm, at the beginning of 2023 after 41 years at the firm. During his final eleven years, he served as the firm’s Presiding Partner.

As Presiding Partner, Mr. Blair was responsible for establishing the strategic direction for, and leading, the $1.3B global firm. During his tenure as Presiding Partner, the firm strengthened its position in key industries, such as private equity, technology and healthcare, and strategic geographies, significantly improving its financial position. Mr. Blair also led the firm’s efforts to support its people and its clients through the Covid-19 pandemic, to build an inclusive community, and to reinforce the firm’s distinctively supportive and collaborative culture.

Prior to becoming Presiding Partner, Mr. Blair served as Chair of the Debevoise global Corporate Department for 13 years and advised on some of the largest M&A transactions of the 1990s and 2000s.

Mr. Blair has had a longstanding interest in U.S. national security matters. Since 2009, he has served as a Trustee of the Smith Richardson Foundation, the leading funder of independent U.S. national security analysis. Mr. Blair has been an active member of Business Executives for National Security and joined its Board in 2025. Since 2023, Mr. Blair has also served as a director of Remote Legal, a rapidly-growing legal tech software company.

Previously, Mr. Blair served as a Lecturer in Law at Columbia University Law School and as a director of the Partnership for New York City and of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

Mr. Blair received his B.A. from Yale University and his J.D. from the University of Chicago.