He previously served as a state Utilities Commissioner and as a judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
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.
From 2004 until 2007, Ervin served as Chairman of the Committee on Electricity of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
[9] Ervin ran for the Supreme Court again in 2014, this time for the seat being vacated by Justice Mark Martin.
[13] Ervin defeated Justice Robert N. Hunter, Jr. with approximately 52 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns.