Miles R. Feinstein

Miles Roger Feinstein, 82, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2023. 

He was born on June 25, 1941, in Camden, NJ, to Louis and Sylvia Feinstein. At a young age, Miles bravely survived polio, displaying remarkable strength and determination in overcoming the challenges it presented. This early experience shaped his character and instilled in him a deep appreciation for life and its opportunities. He would later go on to chair the March of Dimes in Passaic County. 

Miles was a beloved husband for 24 years to Peggy (nee Bott) and a devoted father to Bari Feinstein, Matthew Feinstein and his wife, Sara, and Elizabeth Feinstein and her husband, Roger. He was an adoring grandfather to Ryan, Jack, Annie, Charlie, and Goldie. Miles cherished his friendship with his mother-in-law, Margaret Bott and his sister-in-law Patricia Dandola as well as his loving caretaker, Desenia Ramos, and his adoring dog, Bailey. 

Miles's academic accomplishments were remarkable. He graduated Phi-Beta Kappa and was awarded the prestigious Henry Rutgers scholar from Rutgers University. He went on to earn his law degree from Duke University School of Law. After a clerkship with NJ Supreme Court Justice Morris Pashman, Miles pursued his lifelong passion for criminal law. Throughout his career, Miles gained legendary status for winning an unprecedented number of high-profile, highly publicized criminal cases. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the longest federal trial in United States history. The case inspired the book "The Boys from New Jersey" and the movie "Find Me Guilty," where the movie's Judge was ironically named "Judge Finestein." Miles also made significant contributions to the case of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, representing a key recanting witness that led to the reversal of a murder conviction. Miles was not only a renowned legal expert, often quoted in various publications and a frequent lecturer in continuing education courses for attorneys, but also served as the President of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His commitment to justice and constitutional rights earned him recognition as one of the Best Lawyers in America, and he was listed in the National Directory of Criminal Lawyers and New Jersey Super Lawyers every year since its inception. Additionally, he received the Honorable Lawrence A. Whipple Award and was honored as one of the Top Attorneys of North America. Miles was a recipient of multiple humanitarian awards and was recognized as Man of the Year by six organizations. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Miles was known for his kindness, thoughtfulness, and genuine curiosity towards everyone he met. His playful nature, characterized by jokes and laughter, brought joy to those around him. He had a deep appreciation for the arts and cherished moments spent with his loved ones in the serene Berkshire Mountains. To know Miles was to adore him. The family extends special gratitude to Dr. Mark Dickson, Rosemary Giuliano, and the entire MSK team for their care and support. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the March of Dimes www.marchofdimes.org or the Sarcoma Foundation of America www.curesarcoma.org would be greatly appreciated.

A livestream of the memorial can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r6MRIad5Hs