sears was born in july 1940 in syracuse, new york, the son of james l. sears and helen m. fitzgerald. sears attended christian brothers academy in suburban syracuse; this is a private catholic preparatory academy. he earned his undergraduate degree at the university of notre dame (b.s.,1960), and completed law school at georgetown university (l.l.b., j.d., 1963); both universities are among the most prominent catholic colleges in the united states.