Robert D. Spellings was born in Fort Worth, Texas.  He attended the University of Texas at Austin on a full athletic scholarship and graduated with a BBA from the University's School of Business.  He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1968.  His early career was spent in public service in the Texas State Government where he served as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Texas House, and Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor.  He was subsequently appointed the state's Chief Deputy Comptroller and as Special Assistant Attorney General..

For the next 20 years Mr. Spellings was engaged in private practice in Texas, specializing in civil law and government relations.  His clients have included major companies and industry trade groups including Caterpillar, Inc., Freeport McMoRan, the Santa Fe Railroad, Laredo Nat'l Bank, Beal Bank, the Texas Bar Association and the Texas Business Law Foundation.

Prior to joining Butera & Andrews, Mr. Spellings was a partner in Gardere, Wynne & Sewell, where he opened and managed both the Washington and Austin offices of this highly-regarded Texas law firm.

Mr. Spellings is admitted to practice in both Texas and the District of Columbia.  He is married to Margaret Spellings, the current Secretary of Education.  They reside in northern Virginia and have four children.