Rule 6-13.3 - MINIMUM STANDARDS(a) Substantial Involvement. The applicant must have been engaged in the practice of law for at least 5 years. At least 30 percent of the applicant's practice must have been spent in substantial and direct involvement in appellate practice to demonstrate special competence as an appellate lawyer during the 3-year period immediately preceding the application date. The appellate practice certification committee will substitute up to 2 of the 3-year substantial involvement requirement for individuals who have served as appellate judges or as a clerk, career attorney, or staff attorney in an appellate court. Substantial involvement during the year immediately preceding the application will not be waived or substituted.(b) Appellate Actions. The applicant must have had sole or primary responsibility in at least 25 appellate actions for the filing of principal briefs in appeals or the filing of petitions or responses in extraordinary writ cases during the 5-year period immediately preceding application. A former judge may substitute a published appellate opinion with attributed authorship to that judge for any or all of the 25 appellate actions to meet this requirement.(c) Oral Arguments. The applicant must have presented at least 5 oral arguments to an appellate court during the 5-year period immediately preceding application. The oral arguments to an appellate court need not have been presented in the same cases listed on the application as appellate actions.(d) Education. The applicant must complete 45 credit hours of approved continuing legal education for appellate practice certification during the 3-year period immediately preceding the filing of an application. Accreditation of educational hours is subject to policies established by the appellate practice certification committee or the board of legal specialization and education.(e) Peer Review.(1)Lawyer References. The applicant must submit the names and addresses of at least 4 lawyers who are neither relatives nor current associates or partners to complete peer review forms. These lawyers must be involved in appellate practice and familiar with the applicant's practice.(2)Judicial References. The applicant must submit the names and addresses of at least 2 judges before whom the applicant has appeared on appellate matters within the last 2 years to complete peer review forms.(f) Examination. Every applicant must pass an examination designed to demonstrate sufficient knowledge, proficiency and experience in appellate practice - including the recognition, preservation, and presentation of trial error, and knowledge and application of the rules of appellate procedure applicable to state and federal appellate practice in Florida - to justify the representation of special competence to the legal profession and public.Adopted July 1, 1993 (621 So.2d 1032). Amended Nov. 21, 1997; April 9, 1999; August 17, 2007; May 31, 2013; January 29, 2016 by the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar; amended and effective 12/4/2020 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors.