DIDS updates: Peter Handy appointed executive director; billing guidelines, rate increases, and new NSPD named

The Department of Indigent Defense Services (DIDS) provided multiple operational updates at its Feb. 6 board meeting, including leadership appointments, new counsel rates, and plans to promulgate standardized billing guidelines for court-appointed attorneys.

Executive Director Peter Handy opened the departmental update by confirming Governor Lombardo appointed him as Executive Director of DIDS and that the agency is continuing recruitment for a new Deputy Director. "We are still looking for his replacement for Deputy Director," Handy said, noting upcoming interviews with interested candidates.

Handy told the board that the CJA-level appointed counsel rate increased on Jan. 1, 2025, to $175 per hour for non–death-penalty cases and $223 per hour for capital cases. He also described efforts to finalize billing guidelines, saying DIDS is changing forms and will host training sessions so attorneys better understand what is appropriate to bill and what may require additional detail to expedite review and create consistent data collection.

Handy announced that Governor Lombardo appointed Andrew Coates as Nevada State Public Defender. Board members asked about Coates’s background and his expected role. Handy said Coates was licensed in 2019, previously held a contract in Nye County, served as deputy counsel to the governor, and is qualified to handle up to low B felonies. "It was understood that Mr. Coates will not be taking or handling category A felonies himself, but he should take the opportunity to learn from the qualified persons in his office," Handy said.

When introduced during public comment, Coates described his experience: "I have been a public defender in Lyon County, Nye County and complex counsel throughout rural Nevada. I was deputy general counsel to Governor Lombardo, and then he asked me to take this job," he said. In response to a question about courtroom work, Coates said his role will be "mostly administrative," adding that his priorities include compliance with the Davis settlement and recruiting attorneys for rural offices.

Handy and board members said the department aims to publish the billing guidelines and provide training to attorneys and staff later in the month. The department also will continue to refine data-collection forms to create consistent archives for review. The board did not take formal action on billing guidelines at the meeting; staff will proceed with promulgation and training plans and report back as steps are completed.

The board also noted the resignation of board member Harriet Cummings and that Laura Fitzsimmons had resigned her position as chair; a process to fill the governor-appointed seat was not specified during the meeting.