Manuel was born in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico and like far too many, was raised by a single mother.  Through his mother, he learned the value of hard work and perseverance. 

These lessons served him well.  Manuel worked at a restaurant as a food server while obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in political science, and a minor in psychology, from the University of Southern California. 

Manuel went on to obtain a law degree from Whittier Law School.  At Whittier, Manuel completed law school as part of an accelerated program in 2 1/2 years, graduating with honors, cum laude. 

After passing the California Bar Exam on his first attempt, Manuel joined the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office as a Deputy City Prosecutor.  There, he focused on quality of life issues affecting the residents of Long Beach.

Manuel then served the people of Santa Barbara County as a Deputy District Attorney.  There, he prosecuted complex major fraud cases, as well as serious and violent felonies.

Since 2013, Manuel has served the people of Los Angeles County as a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. 

Manuel is currently assigned to the prestigious Victim Impact Program, where he prosecutes sex crimes and serious domestic violence cases. 

Throughout his career, Manuel has prosecuted some of the most violent crimes, including: murder, child sexual assault, adult sexual assault, child physical abuse, elder abuse, gang violence, and domestic violence.

Manuel has handed 65 jury trials and has appellate experience as well as juvenile justice experience. 

Recently, Manuel commented: “I believe that my background and legal experience will serve me well in sitting as a fair and effective judge of the superior court.  To do so, it is paramount that everyone be treated with respect, and that the courts serve our diverse communities with fairness and compassion.” 

Manuel is married and has two young children.

I am writing as a candidate for judge who has been endorsed by the Hon. Adam Schiff, The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and U.S. Representative from the 28^th Congressional District, California.  Adam has been acquainted with my professional work since 2009 and I am honored to have his endorsement.

I was born of second generation immigrants who crossed the Atlantic from Europe; who came through Ellis Island, and whose names are on the walls of that immigrant processing hall.  My maternal grandfather was a coal miner, and later, a heavy construction worker.  My paternal grandfather was a tailor, and my paternal grandmother, a seamstress in the “sweat shops” of New York City.  They all eventually made a life for themselves and their families, passing down to their children and grandchildren working class values of hard work and commitment, so a better life could be made for themselves and their children.  The American Dream.

I was afforded a chance at that dream by my parents, and what distinguishes me from my opponents are my years of experience in the legal profession. 

I have been a trial and litigation attorney in the Superior Courts for the past 28 years with a specific emphasis on Complex Litigation.  Complex cases require keen organizational skills, and intellect, and as importantly, the facility to bring disparate interests together to find common ground and ultimately, resolution if at all possible.  I have been bringing these qualities to my legal work since I began practicing law nearly 30 years ago, and have enjoyed success in reaching favorable results for my clients through both bench and jury trials to verdict and judgment, and appeals.

Our Superior Court is the largest single trial court in the United States, which necessarily requires its judges be able to handle any and all challenges at whatever level of complexity in the administration of justice throughout this very diverse and populous county.  What happens in the trial court can have such a consequential and lasting effect on people’s lives. So it is critically important that a judge have both understanding and empathy for all those that come before the court, and for the lasting effect the decisions made will have on them.  I would be that judge.

It is critical that a judge makes decisions without fear or favor; without bias, without prejudice without preconceived notions or influences; but solely dedicated to the fair administration of justice.  We need exceptional people with an unwavering dedication to the judiciary’s core mission:  to protect rights and liberties, uphold and interpret the law, and provide for the peaceful resolution of disputes.  I would be that judge.

So, I am asking that you join Congressman Adam Schiff in supporting my judicial campaign, along with the many judges, elected officials, community leaders, and Democratic organizations in the attached list of endorsements.

I would be honored to have not only your support, but your encouragement to others to vote for Tom Parsekian for Judge, Seat #150 on March 3, 2020.

Education

J.D. - Rutgers University School of Law, Newark, New Jersey, 1990

B.A. - Columbia University, New York, NY, 1983

Other Education

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, 1978-1979

Oxford University, Exeter College, Oxford, England – 1982

Licensure

State Bar of California, 1991

United States District Court, Central District, 1991

United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1991

United States District Court, Northern District, 2004

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 2009

Supreme Court of the United States, 2010

I have been a successful litigation and trial attorney in the Superior Courts for the past 28 years with a specific emphasis on Complex Litigation.  Complex Litigation cases are those that typically involve not just complex issues, but multiple party litigants and law firms, sometimes in very high numbers, which make exceptional organizational and case management skills a prerequisite for success.  Additionally, complex cases require keen intellect, and as importantly, the facility to bring disparate interests together to find common ground and ultimately, resolution.  I have been bringing these qualities to my legal work since I began practicing law nearly 30 years ago, and have been extraordinarily successful in reaching favorable results for my clients through both bench and jury trials to verdict and judgment.

What about serving on the LA Superior Court interests you? 

Los Angeles County Superior Court is the largest single trial court in the United States, which necessarily requires its judges be able to handle any and all challenges, at whatever level of complexity, in the administration of justice throughout this very diverse and populous county.  As a result and necessary consequence, the Los Angeles County Superior Court requires judges bring no bias, prejudices, preconceived notions or external influences to the bench in the administration of justice.  It is of utmost importance that a judge be able to take all those that come before her or him with equal measure of empathy, civility, respect and understanding, and apply only those properly admitted evidentiary facts to the applicable law; to render the administration of justice impartially without fear or favor.  These truths are deeply seated in my core beliefs and will guide my work as a judge.  Los Angeles County needs those that take the bench to hew closely to these qualities due to the breadth and diversity of its people, cases and issues that come before the court, particularly at the county trial court level.  It is at the trial court level that people’s lives are most affected, if not permanently altered, and in the most profound way; therefore, judges need to be able to administer justice in an evenhanded manner without bias or prejudice, indeed, those are the very qualities I will bring to the bench.

SHERRI “ONICA” VALLE COLE: Judicial Candidate for Los Angeles Superior Court 2020, Seat No. 150

Proven  Los Angeles Prosecutor – 15+ Years

Yale Educated & Loyola Scholar from Loyola Law School

Experience as a Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court and certified in the areas of Small Class, Traffic, Unlawful Detainers, and Civil Restraining Orders, including Domestic Violence Protective Orders.

From 2002 through 2018, Sherri “Onica” Valle Cole, was a career criminal prosecutor with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, specializing in Consumer Fraud and Workplace Protection. 

As a criminal prosecutor she walked the halls of the county courthouses on a regular basis and has negotiated hundreds of cases with bench officers and defense counsel.  Onica’s trial experience as a criminal prosecutor has included cases that involved domestic violence, animal cruelty, assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of a concealed weapon, brandishing a deadly weapon, prostitution, narcotic offenses, hit and run offenses and other serious criminal offenses. 

From February of 2009 through June of 2017, Onica was assigned to a vertical prosecution unit which focused on Consumer crimes.  As a consumer fraud prosecutor, she protected the public by prosecuting dangerous medical doctors, sale of untested and unapproved food and drugs, auto repair theft, marijuana clinics, incompetent and/or unlicensed immigrant consultants, would-be real estate brokers, loan modification, grand theft and the unlicensed practice of law by those who take advantage of low-income immigrants. 

Onica has vigorously prosecuted immigrant consultants including Gloria Saucedo, Eblin Balver and Jesus Lozano and was invited to lecture at the May 2016 conference on the topic of Immigration Fraud for the California Association of District Attorneys.

“Language and cultural barriers make immigrants susceptible to scams…. Those who are in the country illegally are especially vulnerable because they may be afraid to report wrongdoing... [making it] in some ways the perfect crime.”  Onica Cole

Man posing as attorney lied to immigrants seeking legal help L.A. Times, by Kate Linthicum, June 2, 2015

Onica now works as in-house counsel and is a civil litigator, completing three civil trials in 2019.  She practices statewide prosecuting minor compromise pleadings on behalf of indigent litigants.

Onica has a unique compassion for understanding the experiences of others.  Born in San Diego, California to an interracial couple, Onica is sensitive to the needs of the diverse population of Los Angeles county.  Onica is one of four children from the marital union of a Mexican mother and African American father.  Onica has spent the majority of her youth living in Tijuana, Mexico, commuting across the border daily to attend school in San Diego, CA.  Onica’s father operated his medical clinic in a low-income area of San Diego and the family commuted across the border to save money.  Each of the children had a job, and Onica was the bookkeeper for Dr. Cole’s Medical Office.  Onica assumed that role when she was just seven years old. 

After graduating from Clairemont High School in San Diego, as the Class Valedictorian and “Person Most Likely to Succeed” Onica pursued her education at Yale University in New Haven, CT.  In 1993, she graduated with a degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry.  Onica always had a passion for the law and continued on to Loyola Law School on a full scholarship.  Onica supported herself by working as a substitute teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District.  She loved teaching students and has a passion for working with children.  Since her graduation from law school and passing the Bar in 1998, Onica has never stopped giving to residents of Los Angeles County.

Onica has volunteered with Mentoring Our Student Through Experience (MOSTE), a mentoring organization for young girls in the South Los Angeles Area, both as a mentor and board member.  Onica has also served the Criminal Director of the Los Angeles City Attorneys Association and Treasurer for the Black City Attorneys Association.  Onica has received the Black Women Lawyers Association Community Service Award and sat on their board as the Co-Chair of the Community Action Community, Co-Chair of the Parent Committee and Recording Secretary.  Onica enjoys hiking with the Sierra Club where she is active as a hike leader and served as the Director of Curriculum for the Sunday School program at Holy Family Catholic Church in South Pasadena.  Onica most recently joined the Parish Life Committee for the Holy Family Catholic Church in South Pasadena.

Onica is married to Brent Honore’, a thirty-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and together they have two young children Merit (9) and Leonicio (6).  In December of 2016 Leonicio was diagnosed with Autism.  Onica has become a strong advocate for special needs children and the larger disabled community.

My role as a judicial offcer is non-partisian but I have been a member of the Democratic party since I was registered to vote. I am most likely considered a moderate democrat.  I stonrgly believe in our American values, the United States Constitution, California Constitution and our enacted laws.  I truly believe in the fair and equitable application of the law and facts to all members of our society.