James M. Spears

James M. (Mit) Spears is a Washington DC-based lawyer specializing in biopharmaceutical regulation, competition and communications.

A former executive vice president and general counsel of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) with over 35 years of experience in both private practice and government, Spears offers broad-based expertise in health care, the life sciences and technology sectors. In private practice, Mit provided legal advice and strategy guidance to biopharmaceutical companies on key industry issues. In addition to his work in the life sciences sector, Mit’s practice has focused on antitrust and trade regulation, advertising and consumer law and litigation.

In addition to serving as general counsel of the Federal Trade Commission, Mit served in various capacities at the U.S. Department of Justice including principal deputy assistant attorney general in both the department’s Civil and Environment and Natural Resources and acting assistant attorney general for legal policy. Mit’s legal career began as a staff assistant to Texas Gov. William P. Clements Jr.

A native Texan, Mit received a B.B.A from Texas Tech University and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.