Official Election Pamphlet - Alaska Elections State Division of Elections

Superior Court Judge
Steve W. Cole, Third Judicial District
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS:
Cole & Razo; attorney/partner (2001-05)
Gray, Cole & Razo; attorney (1990-2000)
SERVICE ORGANIZATION(S) MEMBERSHIP:
Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committee,
2012-present
Kodiak Teen Court (founder, classroom instructor,
legal advisor, board member), 1995-present
Alaska Legal Services (alternate, board of directors),
1996-2005
Alaska Pro Bono Corp. (alternate, board of directors),
2000-02
University of Alaska, Kodiak (adjunct law professor),
1996-99.
SPECIAL INTERESTS:
Family activities, fishing, camping, sports, cinema
MAILING ADDRESS:
AGE: 60
PLACE OF BIRTH:
NAME OF SPOUSE:
Kodiak Courthouse
204 Mission Road - Room 124
Kodiak, Alaska 99615
New London, Conn.
Diana Pistro-Cole
CHILDREN’S NAMES: Nicole, Lennon (both adults)
LENGTH OF RESIDENCY IN ALASKA: 38 years
ALASKAN COMMUNITIES LIVED IN:
Kodiak: October 14, 1974 to present -- (except Unalaska,
1976-78, and law school, 1978-81, though returning
home during summers).
EDUCATION:
University of San Diego High (1966-70;
high school diploma)
Univ. of California, Irvine (1970-72)
Univ. of California, Berkeley, (1972-74; B.S.,
Business Administration)
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, (1978-81, law degree)
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENT POSITIONS:
VISTA volunteer, Kodiak (1974-75), Unalaska (1976-78).
Alaska Legal Services, attorney, Kodiak, (1981-83)
Public Defender Agency, attorney, Kodiak (1983-90)
District Court Magistrate, Kodiak (2005-09)
Superior Court Judge, Kodiak (2009-present)
STATEMENT:
I have been in Kodiak since 1974, although I also
lived in Unalaska (1976-78) and left for law school
(1978-81). I have travelled to Unalaska, Dillingham,
Sand Point and Naknek for hearings, and enjoyed
getting to know these communities.
I love living in Kodiak and everything a small,
closely-knit town has to offer, including raising a
family and spending time outdoors. I try to give back
to my community by being involved in many youth
activities, such as Little League (1975, 1987-97),
Kodiak High softball (1991-97), and Kodiak Teen Court
(1995-present), as founder, legal instructor and board
member. I strongly believe it is important to spend
time with our children as they are our future, and it is
easy to learn more from them than they do from us.
It has also been a rewarding and learning
experience to work up the ladder in the justice system
as a paralegal, attorney, magistrate and now judge. I
believe my time spent doing so makes it easier to explain
to people, especially those representing themselves,
how to maneuver through a sometimes intimidating path
towards justice. I also try to treat parties, attorneys,
victims and jurors with fairness, dignity and respect,
and to work hard to decide cases impartially and
consistently with our laws and Constitution.
I know, however, there is always more to learn and
improve on as a judge. If retained, I will strive to do
so, as well as to uphold my duties and responsibilities
to the citizens of Alaska.
The views expressed in this statement are from the candidate and not endorsed by the Division of Elections.
The text of this statement was provided and paid for by the candidate in accordance with AS 15.58.030 and 6 AAC 25.690.
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2012 REGION III