Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Family:  31 years ago, our family moved to Cumberland County, our family’s first home in NC. My husband, Colonel Robert D. Calabria, a Vietnam veteran and I have three married children and three granddaughters. We now live in Wake County.

Education: Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, J.D., 1983;  Undergraduate: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Summa Cum Laude, B.A. History, 1977;  University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine, Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Hygiene, 1967.

Legal/Judicial Experience:
NC Court of Appeals Judge and Mediator, 2003-present; District Court Judge, 10th Judicial District (Wake County), 1996-2002; Private Practice: Cary, 1991-1996; Fayetteville, 1988-1989; Associate, Hutchens & Waple, Attorneys at Law, 1990-1991; US Department of HUD 1989-1990; Central Carolina Community College, 1988; University of Maryland, Overseas Division, Heidelberg, Germany, 1986-1987.   

Organization Affiliations:

James Iredell Award by Campbell University's chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. Award received in 2007 given each year to an individual who has made significant contributions to the legal profession and to the Norman A. Wiggins School of Law. American Bar Association, member; Former Vice President and member of the North Carolina Bar Association;  Serves on the Board for Bar Cares; Wake County Bar Association, member and former member of the Board of Directors. Organized and moderated the first "This is the Law" Seminar. North Carolina and Wake County Association of Women Attorneys, member.

Literacy Council of Wake County: "2009 Volunteer of the Year" for leadership as Chairperson of the Juvenile Outreach Literacy Team facilitating direct one-on-one tutoring for students, ages 6-17, at the Juvenile Literacy Center.

Member: St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Cary and Garner Chambers of Commerce; National Association of Women Business Owners; Sir Walter Cabinet; Triangle Sons of Italy; Italian Heritage Society, New Hanover County and NC Roadrunners Club. 

Voters evaluate candidates for the Court of Appeals on judicial experience and philosophy. I am the only candidate for this Court of Appeals seat who has served as an appellate court judge, a mediator, a district court judge, a juvenile court judge and an attorney with business management experience as the senior partner of the Law Offices of Ann Marie Calabria. As an appellate judge, I have handled over 2,400 cases and have authored over 700 opinions. My opinions can be found at www.nccourts.org. As a trial judge, I have handled over 50,000 District Court civil, criminal and juvenile cases.

I was encouraged to seek a second term on the NC Court of Appeals because people know what to expect: fair treatment from a judge that sticks to the law and will not legislate from the bench. I have a consistent judicial philosophy. I believe the United States and North Carolina Constitutions established federal and state governments of limited powers. Judges also have an important but limited role:  protecting individual liberty, applying the law fairly and recognizing the authorities, responsibilities and limits on each branch of government. I also believe in judicial restraint, not judicial activism. 

My service as a Judge on the Court of Appeals has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. My 22 years of experience in both the private and government sectors have prepared me for another eight year term on the Court of Appeals. I hope to continue this service and would be honored by your vote at early voting, starting October 14 or on November 2nd. The judges are listed on the ballot as non-partisan. Please cast your vote for Judge Ann Marie Calabria, NC Court of Appeals (Calabria Seat). Thank you, in advance, for your support and your vote. www.judgecalabria.com.