Board Certification

Board Certification is administered by the Florida Bar on a specialty-by-specialty basis. Of the 80,000 Florida Bar members, as of 2024, there are currently less than 200 Board Certified Appellate Specialists.

Board certification recognizes attorneys’ special knowledge, skills and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism and ethics in practice. Established in 1982 by the Florida Supreme Court, board certification helps consumers identify specialists in various areas of law.

Certification in Appellate Practice requires the following:

• Practice of law for at least five years;
• Substantial involvement in the specialty of appellate practice — 30 percent or more during the three years immediately preceding application;
• Handling of at least 25 appellate actions and five appellate oral arguments during the five years immediately preceding application;
• 45 hours of approved appellate practice certification continuing legal education in the three years immediately preceding application;
• Peer review; and,
• A written examination.

I was initially certified in 2009 and recertified in 2014 and 2019. My recertification is pending in 2024.