Toby Hampson

Education

Toby Hampson earned a high school diploma from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Hampson earned his B.A. in international studies and history from American University in 1998. He obtained his J.D. from the Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in 2002, where he was inducted into the Order of Barristers and was a member of the Law Review.[1][2]

Career

2019-Present: Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Judge Toby Hampson grew up in Moore County, NC. He is a proud product of North Carolina public schools, having attended Sandhills Farm Life Elementary, Union Pines High School, and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

He graduated from American University with a Bachelor’s Degree and Honors and graduated from Campbell University School of Law in 2002 with Honors, where he was inducted into the Order of Barristers and was a member of the Law Review.

Judge Hampson has over 16 years of experience as an attorney in the Court of Appeals and is a leading expert in Appellate Law. He began his career at the NC Court of Appeals, clerking for Judges K. Edward Greene, Wanda Bryant, and Bob C. Hunter. Hampson entered private practice with the Raleigh law firm of Patterson Dilthey, focusing on trial and appellate litigation before joining Wyrick, Robbins, Yates & Ponton in 2007. As a Partner at Wyrick, he led the firm’s Appellate Practice group.

Judge Hampson has served on the NC Court of Appeals for more than 7 years since being elected in 2018. He joined the court with extensive experience in appellate law.

During his time on the bench, Judge Hampson has authored hundreds of opinions as a Court of Appeals Judge. He is a North Carolina State Bar certified specialist in Appellate Practice and serves on the North Carolina Bar Association Appellate Rules Committee.

Judge Hampson lives in Raleigh with his wife, Kristin, a practicing lawyer, and their three daughters.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am running for re-election to the NC Court of Appeals because I bring real hands-on experience to the Court. I grew up as a lawyer in the NC Court of Appeals as a law clerk for three judges, and spent my career litigating cases in the NC Court of Appeals and NC Supreme Court. I am, at this point, the only State Bar certified specialist in handling appeals serving on our NC Court of Appeals. I've handled just about every kind of case that court hears. Everything from representing indigent parents whose parental rights are at risk, to folks that have been injured, to complex commercial litigation. We need to keep Judges on the Court with real, hands-on experience dealing with all the kinds of cases that the Court hears.Since my election in 2018, I have seen firsthand that we need Judges who will defend the Rule of Law and lead with fairness and impartiality. As a Court, we draw our authority from the people because they know those rulings are made based on the rule of law – and not based on political considerations. The only way our courts and judicial system can operate effectively is if they are serving the people. I understand that it is critical to restore and maintain public confidence in our courts. We do that by ensuring that those extreme partisan agendas are not driving the decisions of the courts. As a Judge, I stand up for the rule of law, treat parties with respect, and listen to their arguments with the consideration they deserve.We need Judges that protect your Constitutional Freedoms and Rights. When the validity of over 65,000 voters, including our neighbors here in NC and military members serving us overseas, were challenged, I stood in dissent and said that you don’t change the rules after the game has been played.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about restoring and maintaining public confidence in the Judiciary and protecting Constitutional Freedoms and Rights for all North Carolinians.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Charlotte Black Political Caucus

NC AFL-CIO

NC Sierra Club

NC NOW

Durham Peoples Alliance

Durham Committee on Affairs of Black People

Equality NC

Down Home NC

Planned Parenthood SE

Police Benevolent Association

College Dems of America

NC Transgender Caucus

NCAAT

NASC