A litigator’s reputation is critical, both inside and outside the courtroom, and at the end of the day, it is all he or she has, says John G. Browning, a partner at Spencer Fane in Plano, a former justice on the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas, and a Texas Lawyer columnist.

John G. Browning is a Partner at Spencer Fane LLP.

“It takes years to build a reputation, but that reputation can unravel with frightening speed based on one ill-advised act or statement—particularly in the Digital Age,” Browning said.