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North Carolina Roots, North Carolina Values
Sam J. Ervin IV, 52, was born and raised in Morganton, North Carolina, where he lives today. He is married to Mary Temple
Ervin and has two step-children and two children. Ervin is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Morganton, where
he has served as a deacon and an elder. He has also been active in various charitable and bar-related activities.
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Outstanding Academic Preparation
Ervin attended Burke County public schools and graduated in 1974 from Freedom High School. He graduated magna cum laude from
Davidson College, where he majored in history, and he earned his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1981.
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Distinguished Career
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| Sam J. Ervin, IV with his father and grandfather, Senator Sam Ervin. |
Ervin practiced law in Morganton from 1981 until 1999. He handled a wide range of civil, criminal, and administrative matters,
including many appeals to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of North Carolina. As a practicing lawyer,
Ervin developed a reputation as a thorough, careful, knowledgeable, and ethical advocate who was devoted to the best interests
of his clients.
In 1999, Ervin was appointed to the North Carolina Utilities Commission by Governor Jim Hunt. He is currently serving
his second term on the Utilities Commission, having been reappointed by Governor Mike Easley in 2007.
The Utilities Commission is a quasi-judicial agency responsible for regulating investor-owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications,
and water and sewer companies providing service in North Carolina.
As part of its work, the Utilities Commission conducts hearings, rules on procedural motions, decides complex questions
of law and fact, and issues detailed written orders that can be appealed to the appellate courts.
Since taking office, Ervin has participated in making many important decisions, including the Utilities Commission's decisions
to require rate reductions for Dominion North Carolina Power and Duke and to implement the energy legislation enacted by the
General Assembly in 2007. In addition, Ervin was instrumental in the development of the rate freeze provisions of the Clean
Smokestacks Act.
Ervin has also been active in national energy policy debates. From 2004 until 2007, Ervin served as Chairman of the Committee
on Electricity of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Ervin led NARUC's response to the
enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and helped developed NARUC's policies addressing climate change issues.
Ervin's work as a member of the Utilities Commission has been characterized by his in-depth knowledge of the issues, his
devotion to a thorough understanding of the law, and his insistence on fair treatment for all parties.
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Sam J. Ervin IV: Fair. Objective. Conscientious.
"The law is the glue that holds our society together. In order for the law to play its intended role, judges must apply
the law fairly, objectively, and conscientiously. The North Carolina Court of Appeals is the last real opportunity that most
people have to be heard in our courts. The decisions of the Court of Appeals also affect countless other cases across the
state. These facts make the Court of Appeals a uniquely important part of North Carolina's judicial system.
"If I'm elected to the Court of Appeals, I will study the facts of each case carefully, thoroughly review the applicable
law, and make my decision based on a careful analysis of the statutes enacted by the General Assembly and the prior decisions
of the appellate courts."
-- Sam J. Ervin IV
Sam J. Ervin IV, Democrat
For the North Carolina Court of Appeals (Tyson Seat)
PAID FOR BY ERVIN FOR COURT OF APPEALS COMMITTEE
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