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The Florida Bar
www.floridabar.org
Appellate Practice Certification

Certified Attorneys

Certified Attorneys by City

Definition

Appellate practice deals with recognition and preservation of error committed by lower tribunals, and the presentation of argument concerning the presence or absence of such error to state or federal appellate courts through brief writing, writ and motion practice and oral argument.

Thinking of Becoming Board Certified? Review a summary of the requirements. PDF document opens in new window

Board Certification Applications for Lawyers
To download an application, click on the appropriate application. You will be asked if you would like to "Open" or "Save" the file (MSWord). It is advisable to save the file to your computer for future reference. Type in your responses on the application and print a copy. Attach any required documents, enclose the $250 application fee, and mail your application to: The Florida Bar, Legal Specialization and Education Dept., 651 E. Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300.

Board Certification CLE credit hours are now available online. Visit www.floridabar.org/certification and click “New! Check Your Board Certification CLE Credits” to view and print a record of your current certification credit hours.

Currently Certified
If you were originally certified in 1998, 2003 or 2008, the Application for Recertification Word document opens in new window must be postmarked by June 15, 2013. All requirements for recertification must be completed by May 31, 2013 unless you file a recertification extension request.

Recertification File Extension
To request a one-time 3-month extension, please submit the Recertification Extension Application. Word document opens in new window

Seeking Certification
If you wish to apply for certification, the Initial Application for Certification Word document opens in new window filing period opens July 1, 2013 and applications must be postmarked by August 31, 2013.
Amendments to Rule 6-13, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar have been proposed and will be considered by the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar in April and May of 2013. It is anticipated the rules will be become effective on May 31 and will impact all applicants for the March 2014 exam. We will post the initial application as soon as the rules are finalized.

You may submit an Abbreviated Application for Certification Word document opens in new window only if you meet one of the following conditions. In order to become eligible to sit for the 2014 Appellate Practice Exam, the abbreviated application must be postmarked by August 31, 2013.
1. You submitted an Initial Application for Certification by August 31, 2012 which was approved, but you were unable to sit for the 2013 Appellate Practice Exam.

2. You submitted an Initial Application for Certification by August 31, 2012 which was approved, you took the 2013 Appellate Exam, but you were unsuccessful in obtaining a passing score. (Please note if you were unsuccessful on the 2012 and 2013 exam, you are not eligible to apply for the 2014 Appellate Practice exam, but you may reapply in 2015 by submitting the Initial Application for Certification.)

General Information
Exam Specifications PDF document opens in new window Revised 12/7/2012
Examination - Format and Scoring PDF document opens in new window
Recommended Study Sources PDF document opens in new window
Standards for Certification of a Board Certified Appellate Practice Lawyer - Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 6-13
Appellate Practice Standing Committee Policies PDF document opens in new window
Appellate Practice Committee members

Appellate Practice Certification Staff Liaison Contact Information:
Carol Vaught
The Florida Bar
651 East Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300
850/561-5738
cvaught@flabar.org

Appellate Practice Certification Field Established 1993


[Revised: 03-27-2013]