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Top-Ranked Appellate Lawyers in Miami, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked appellate lawyers in Miami, Florida are Paul Morris (LexRank 88.00), Dorothy Frances Easley (84.00) and Elliot Burt Kula (84.00).

This ranking lists 25 appellate lawyers in Miami, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar, a credential held by 4.9% of Florida lawyers in any field. Their experience ranges from 17 to 51 years in practice. 2 of the 25 list Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Paul Morris

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 51 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 88.00: strongest in Reputation (8/20) and Experience (30/30).

    Strongest

    • Reputation 8/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
  2. No change

    Dorothy Frances Easley

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20). 4.00 points behind #1, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    4.00 points behind #1 (Paul Morris): Reputation −4.

  3. No change

    Elliot Burt Kula

    Kula & Associates, P.A. · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  4. No change

    Andrew Scott Berman

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 42 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  5. No change

    Jeffrey B Crockett “Jeff”

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  6. No change

    Jack Roy Reiter

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  7. No change

    Julissa Rodriguez “Julie Rodriguez”

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  8. No change

    Daniel B Rogers

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  9. No change

    Elizabeth Koebel Russo

    Russo Lima Appellate Firm, P.A. · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 47 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  10. No change

    Dinah Stein

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  11. No change

    Roy D Wasson

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 44 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
  12. No change

    Caryn Lynn Bellus

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.40 points behind #11, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.40 points behind #11 (Roy D Wasson): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  13. No change

    Erik W Scharf

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 26 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  14. No change

    Elliot H Scherker

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 50 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  15. No change

    Paul L Nettleton

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 42 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 82.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  16. No change

    Michael John Dono

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 81.40: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.20 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.20 points behind #15 (Paul L Nettleton): Experience −1.2.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  17. No change

    Elaine D. Walter

    Kula & Associates, P.A. · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 22 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 80.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.00 points behind #16, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.00 points behind #16 (Michael John Dono): Experience −2.4.

  18. No change

    Karla F Perkins

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 78.85: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.55 points behind #17, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.55 points behind #17 (Elaine D. Walter): Professional credentials −3.8, Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  19. No change

    Wendy Frank Lumish

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 44 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 78.85: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  20. No change

    Philip Dixon Parrish

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 78.85: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 25.8)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  21. No change

    Forrest Lee Andrews Jr.

    Lydecker LLP · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 21 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 77.80: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.05 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.05 points behind #20 (Philip Dixon Parrish): Experience −4.8.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  22. No change

    David Lanier Luck

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 19 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 76.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20). 1.00 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)

    1.00 points behind #21 (Forrest Lee Andrews Jr.): Experience −2.4.

  23. No change

    Kathryn Lee Ender “Katie”

    Independent practice · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 75.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (21.6/30). 1.20 points behind #22, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 25.8)

    1.20 points behind #22 (David Lanier Luck): Experience −1.2.

  24. No change

    Paulo R Lima

    Russo Lima Appellate Firm, P.A. · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 74.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 1.20 points behind #23, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 25.8)

    1.20 points behind #23 (Kathryn Lee Ender “Katie”): Experience −1.2.

  25. No change

    Michael T. Davis

    Kuehne Davis Law, P.A. · Miami, FL

    Verified
    • 17 years experience
    • Appellate
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 74.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (4/20) and Experience (20.4/30).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 4.1)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 25.8)

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 25 profile pages267 facts for 25 lawyers

Appellate market in Miami

LexRanked tracks 30 lawyers and 5 law firms in appellate law in Miami, Florida. 30 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 19, 2026.

Lawyers
30
Law firms
5
Verified professional data
30 of 30
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
28 years30 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Miami

What sets these Miami lawyers apart

All 25 lawyers in this ranking are Board Certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar, which only about one in twenty Florida lawyers achieves in any field. Florida Bar board certification requires at least five years of practice, substantial involvement in the field, peer review by other lawyers and judges, continuing legal education and a written exam, and it must be renewed every five years. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Board Certified in Appellate Practice 25 of 25
Years in practice 17 to 51 (median 31)
Languages besides English Spanish (2), Hebrew (1), Portuguese (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school University of Miami School of Law (10 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Miami office address and appellate as a practice area on record. It compares 25 appellate lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the order being appealed, and Florida's six district courts of appeal hear most appeals from the trial courts.

Rule What it means
Notice of appeal Filed with the clerk of the lower tribunal within 30 days of rendition of the order (Fla. R. App. P. 9.110(b))
Initial brief Served within 70 days of filing the notice of appeal (Rule 9.110(f))
Answer and reply briefs Answer brief 30 days after the initial brief; reply brief 30 days after the answer brief (Rule 9.210(g))
Rehearing Motion for rehearing or clarification within 15 days of the court's decision (Rule 9.330(a))
Florida Supreme Court Discretionary review is invoked by a notice filed within 30 days of the district court's decision (Rule 9.120(b))
Appellate courts Six district courts of appeal, each covering contiguous judicial circuits (Fla. Stat. § 35.01)
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Miami-Dade County is in Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing before you sign.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.
  4. If you prefer to work in another language, check the languages listed on each profile.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to appeal a judgment in Florida?

30 days from rendition of the final order. The notice of appeal is filed with the clerk of the court that entered the order, under Rule 9.110(b) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. The deadline is jurisdictional, so a late notice usually ends the appeal.

Can I appeal an order before the case is over?

Only certain nonfinal orders can be appealed right away, such as orders on venue, injunctions and personal jurisdiction, listed in Rule 9.130. Other orders are usually reviewed after the final judgment.

Which court hears my appeal?

Most appeals from the circuit courts go to one of Florida's six district courts of appeal, determined by the circuit where the case was heard. The Florida Supreme Court reviews only certain cases.

Why hire a separate appellate lawyer?

An appeal is decided on the written record and the briefs, not on new evidence. Appellate lawyers focus on legal research, brief writing and oral argument, and The Florida Bar certifies lawyers in Appellate Practice after peer review and an exam.

What does Board Certified in Appellate Practice mean?

It is a credential from The Florida Bar for lawyers with substantial experience in the field who have passed peer review and a written exam. 25 of the 25 lawyers in this ranking hold it; 4.9% of Florida lawyers hold a board certification in any field.

Which court handles cases in Miami?

State court cases in Miami-Dade County are heard in Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking appellate lawyers in Miami?

Yes. 2 of the 25 ranked lawyers list Spanish on their Florida Bar profile. Each LexRanked profile shows the languages on record.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Paul Morris, Dorothy Frances Easley, Elliot Burt Kula, Andrew Scott Berman and Jeffrey B Crockett “Jeff” and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Paul Morris scores 88.00 and Dorothy Frances Easley 84.00, a gap of 4.00 points, mostly in reputation. Compare them side by side

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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