Prior to joining Van Dermyden Makus, Blair served as Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Compliance for an agricultural technology start-up, where she spent three years shaping a positive and thriving workplace culture. In this role, Blair advised and briefed the Board of Directors, executive leadership, mid-management, and employees on legal and compliance matters. She led investigations into employee misconduct and performance concerns, and developed policies and procedures that fostered a healthy and supportive organizational environment—all through a foundation of active listening and collaboration.

Before transitioning to an in-house role, Blair honed her skills as a litigator, representing railroads and small businesses in personal injury and employment defense cases. Her experience includes defending against wage-and-hour class actions, and discrimination and harassment claims, as well as participating in mediations and hearings before the California Civil Rights Department.

Blair began her career as an insurance claims adjuster, in which role she developed investigative skills and an ability to assess credibility, an expertise upon which she continues to draw in her legal practice.

Blair earned her Juris Doctor with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she conducted research as a fellow studying the intersection of immigration status and domestic violence.

CA State Bar No. 303708