Published: Wed, Oct. 29, 2008 12:30AM

Modified Wed, Oct. 29, 2008 06:13AM

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Seeking to replace Stephens is Dan Barrett, 49, of Advance. Barrett, who graduated from Wake Forest University's law school, has a legal practice based in the Davie County town and has been a county commissioner. His specialty is employment law, a field in which he has written extensively. Four years ago he was a candidate for governor in the state Republican Party primary. He is running for the appeals court on a "conservative judicial philosophy," which suggests an ideological signal to voters.

Stephens, who pledges fairness and hard work and appears to deliver, merits a full term.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit Stephens' Web site at judgelinda.org.

HIS OPPONENT: Find out more about Barrett at barrettforjudge.com.

SAM J. ERVIN IV

This is an unusual contest. Ervin and his opponent, District Judge Kristen Ruth, were swept into the general election by a tide of votes in the May 6 primary, a tide that sunk the candidacy of the incumbent, Judge John M. Tyson. It is no secret that both Ervin and Ruth are Democrats. Either is qualified for the appeals court, but Ervin has the stronger case.

Ervin, 52, is a member of the state Utilities Commission, a body that functions much like a court as it renders opinions in complex utilities matters. He is a Harvard Law School graduate and an experienced lawyer who, before joining the Utilities Commission, practiced in Morganton, taking cases to both the Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court. He seems well-versed in North Carolina criminal law and in the workings of the appeals court.

Ruth, also 52, has been a Wake County District Court judge for a decade. As a judge, the Campbell University law school graduate is energetic and innovative. Although she has particular expertise in family law, she appears well-grounded in the law overall.

Even though he is not a judge, Ervin seems unusually able and well qualified for the appeals court. His familiarity with utilities law is another plus factor for the Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from Utilities Commission rulings.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit Ervin's Web site at ervinforcourtofappeals.com.

HIS OPPONENT: Find out more about Kristin Ruth at judgeruth.com.

JAMES A. 'JIM' WYNN

Voters -- please pay attention. In this race a highly qualified and well-respected incumbent is being challenged by a marginally qualified opponent. It would be a sad day if she were to prevail.

Jim Wynn, 54, of Cary has served two long stints on the Court of Appeals, interrupted by a short one on the state Supreme Court (he was narrowly defeated in a try for election after being appointed to the high court). He was also twice nominated to the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but partisan politics kept him from being confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Wynn, a graduate of Marquette University's law school who also holds an advanced legal degree from the University of Virginia, has been a distinguished judge on our state's appeals court, where he has emphasized the importance of reviewing the merits of cases brought before the court, not simply dismissing them on technicalities. His re-election is endorsed by both Republican and Democratic former chief justices of the state Supreme Court. Wynn has also had a long career in the Navy and the Navy Reserve, where he serves part time as a military trial judge. He has been a leader in the American Bar Association as well.

Gibsonville lawyer Jewel Ann Farlow is Wynn's challenger. She is a Wake Forest University law school graduate. Farlow, 50, has no experience as a judge or in a comparable job.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit Wynn's Web site at judgewynn.com.

HIS OPPONENT: Find out more about Farlow at jewelannfarlow.com.