Scott Spear

Scott A. Spear, 51, a lawyer who spent 10 years on Capitol Hill as an aide to Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. (R-Fla.), died March 1 [2010] at his home in the District. The cause of death is under investigation by the D.C. medical examiner. Mr. Spear came to Washington in 1988 to work as Shaw's legislative director. About five years later, he became Shaw's administrative assistant, or chief of staff, and directed the congressman's office until 1999. After a year at the Akin Gump law firm, Mr. Spear spent several years with the lobbying firms Van Scoyoc Associates and Kessler & Associates. He had had a private law practice since 2008. Scott Austin Spear was born in Demopolis, Ala., and grew up in Prattville, Ala. He was a walk-on kicker on the University of Alabama football team under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. After graduation, he went to law school at Samford University in Birmingham, graduating in the mid-1980s. He practiced law in Birmingham and Dallas before moving to Washington. Survivors include his father, Edward A. Spear of Prattville; a sister; and a brother.