Michael Blackham

Michael Blackham is the founder and managing partner of Blackhill Law. He brings a unique combination of legal, business, tax, and technology expertise to his practice, having served as a legal advisor to private investment funds, startups, and technology companies throughout his career.

Michael has extensive experience counseling fund sponsors on complex structural and regulatory matters. His background includes serving as general counsel and chief compliance officer to private equity firms and fund sponsors, where he gained deep insight into the operational and strategic challenges facing investment managers. This hands-on experience informs his practical approach to legal counsel, ensuring advice that aligns with business realities.

His practice encompasses the full spectrum of fund formation and investment management law, with particular emphasis on structuring and launching private investment funds across various strategies including venture capital, private equity, and cryptocurrency funds. Michael regularly advises on securities law matters, including private placements, regulatory compliance, and investment adviser registration requirements. He also provides comprehensive corporate counsel on entity formation, governance structures, and strategic transactions, while leveraging his tax expertise to design efficient fund structures that optimize returns for both sponsors and investors.

Michael’s multidisciplinary background enables him to see legal issues through multiple lenses - legal, business, tax, and technological. This perspective proves particularly valuable when navigating the increasingly complex intersection of traditional finance and emerging technologies. He believes that effective legal counsel requires not just technical expertise, but also clear communication, transparent pricing, and a commitment to building long-term client relationships.

Michael earned his J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, his Master of Taxation from Weber State University, and his MBA from Western Governors University. He is admitted to practice in Utah and is a member of the Utah Bar Association and the Securities Section of the Utah Bar.