Michael Humphries specialises in all aspects of property development law, but is particularly well known for his major infrastructure planning and compulsory purchase work, where he has acted in relation to some of the largest and most important projects in recent years. Michael has acted for and advised utilities, developers, landowners and objectors, as well as central and local government. Michael also has an extensive compulsory purchase inquiry and Lands Chamber practice and is the general editor of the "National Infrastructure Planning Handbook" (Bloomsbury Professional) and senior editor of "The Law of Compulsory Purchase" (Bloomsbury Professional); both leading practitioner manuals.

He is always one of the highest rated planning barristers in the annual Planning Magazine Law Survey and in 2013 appeared in Planning Magazine's 'Power 100' list as one of the most influential people in the UK planning system.

Michael is currently a Senior Visiting Fellow in the University of Cambridge Land Economy Department where he delivers an annual lecture on infrastructure planning.

In the Chambers & Partners Gude to the Bar (2016 and 2017), Michael was identified as one of the six "star individuals" at the London Planning Bar.