Founder
New Jersey State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section; Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL-NJ); National College for DUI Defense (affiliate member); American Bar Association; County Bar Association Criminal Practice Committee; Municipal Court Practice Section.
Edward G. Appel is a New Jersey criminal defense attorney and the founding lawyer of the Law Office of Edward Appel, where his practice is devoted to defending individuals charged with DUI/DWI and a full range of criminal and municipal court offenses. Known for thorough preparation and practical guidance, Mr. Appel brings a trial-ready mindset to every matter while seeking efficient resolutions that minimize risk and protect his clients’ futures. He has represented professionals, students, commercial drivers, and first-time defendants across New Jersey’s municipal and superior courts.
Mr. Appel’s DUI/DWI practice is grounded in a detailed understanding of New Jersey’s municipal court procedures and the science behind breath and field sobriety testing. He regularly challenges motor-vehicle stops, checkpoint protocols, probable cause determinations, and the reliability of Alcotest 7110 results. When appropriate, he works with forensic toxicologists and investigators to analyze calibration records, medical conditions, and video evidence. Outside the DUI/DWI context, he defends clients facing allegations of drug possession, assault, theft and fraud offenses, domestic violence matters, juvenile charges, and traffic violations, as well as expungements and post-judgment relief.
Clients appreciate Mr. Appel’s direct communication style and focus on practical outcomes—whether negotiating charge reductions, litigating suppression motions, or navigating collateral issues such as license suspensions, ignition interlock requirements, immigration considerations, employment ramifications, and professional licensing disclosures. He also advises on administrative hearings before the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and related compliance issues.
Committed to professional development, Mr. Appel maintains active memberships in criminal defense organizations and regularly attends advanced training in DUI/DWI defense, municipal court practice, and trial advocacy. He believes that meticulous preparation, credibility with the court, and a calm courtroom presence are essential to effective advocacy. His goal in every case is the same: to ensure clients understand their options, to protect their rights at every stage, and to pursue the most favorable result the facts and law allow.
In addition to his practice, Mr. Appel volunteers with expungement clinics and community education programs, presenting on topics such as know-your-rights during traffic stops and the long-term consequences of municipal court convictions. The information provided here is intended for law firm marketing purposes and should be confirmed with the attorney before reliance.
J.D., Delaware Law School, Wilmington Delaware; B.S Marketing, St. Joseph University-Philadelphia; NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) practitioner and refresher coursework; Advanced seminars on Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C operation, maintenance, and challenge strategies; NJICLE coursework in Municipal Court Practice, DWI Defense, and New Jersey Evidence.
State of New Jersey; State of Pennsylvania.
Member of the New Jersey Bar; Member of Pennsylvania Bar; Member of U.S. Supreme Court Bar.
Attorney at Law
New Jersey State Bar Association (Criminal Law Section; Young Lawyers Division)
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL-NJ)
DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), Associate Member
Camden County Bar Association; Burlington County Bar Association
National College for DUI Defense (Affiliate Member)
Michael Feehan is a criminal defense and DWI/DUI attorney at the Law Office of Edward Appel, representing clients in municipal and superior courts throughout New Jersey. He focuses his practice on DWI/DUI matters, complex motor vehicle offenses, narcotics and weapons charges, juvenile delinquency, domestic violence restraining order hearings, and expungements. Michael is known for a meticulous, evidence-driven approach, leveraging advanced training in standardized field sobriety testing and breath testing protocols to challenge the State’s proofs and protect his clients’ rights. After earning his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, Michael served as a judicial law clerk to a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court, Criminal Division. There, he gained invaluable insight into motion practice, evidentiary issues, sentencing considerations, and trial dynamics. He then entered private practice with a defense-focused boutique before joining the Law Office of Edward Appel, where he continues to advocate for individuals facing some of the most stressful moments of their lives. In DWI cases, Michael conducts a thorough review of every aspect of the stop, field sobriety evaluation, and chemical testing. He is trained in the NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) protocols and has completed specialized coursework on the Alcotest 7110, allowing him to identify procedural errors or reliability issues that can lead to suppression of evidence or dismissal. His clients benefit from his ability to spot weaknesses in the record, craft persuasive motions, and negotiate practical resolutions while maintaining trial readiness. Michael believes that excellent lawyering begins with listening. He takes time to explain the process, timelines, and potential outcomes, ensuring clients are informed at every stage. He collaborates closely with investigators and expert witnesses when needed, and he brings a steady, professional courtroom presence to each matter. Outside the courtroom, Michael contributes to legal education through articles and presentations on municipal court practice, DWI litigation, and collateral consequences of convictions. He volunteers his time at expungement clinics and with reentry and veterans’ support organizations. Whether navigating a first-time DWI or a serious indictable offense, Michael is committed to delivering strategic, ethical, and results-oriented advocacy tailored to each client’s goals.
J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, NJ – Moot Court Board; Center for Social Justice, Criminal Defense Clinic; Appellate Advocacy honors
B.A., Rutgers University–Camden – magna cum laude, Criminal Justice; Minor in Political Science
NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Practitioner Course – completed training and practical exercises
Advanced Alcotest 7110 training for defense attorneys (NJICLE)
NJICLE certificates in Defending DWI and Refusal Cases; Municipal Court Practice
New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey; New Jersey Superior Court and all Municipal Courts of New Jersey
Attorney at Law
Member, International Economics Honor Society
Member, New Jersey State Bar Association
Member, Ocean County Bar Association
Stephen is a lifelong resident of New Jersey, being born in Ocean County, NJ. Upon graduation from Southern Regional High School, he attended the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in Economics and became a member of the International Economics Honor Society.
After undergraduate school, Stephen pursued his law degree at the Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law, graduating in 2011. During law school, he served as the Senior Editor for Articles of the Tenth Volume of the Journal of International Business and Law. He also received the Justice Hubert L. Will Social Justice Award for his work assisting indigent plaintiffs in Federal Fair Housing Act litigation through the Law Reform Advocacy Clinic.
Prior to graduating, Stephen worked as a Graduate Intern in the State Farm NY Claims Litigation Center. He served in the Law and Motions Department, assisting counsel in resolving serious injury threshold cases in motor vehicle accidents and general insurance litigation. He also drafted internal memoranda summarizing developing case law for firm-wide consideration.
Simultaneously, Stephen interned for the Honorable Leonard B. Austin of the Supreme Court of New York, assisting in the drafting of appellate decisions, research, and advisement on matters before the Appellate Term.
Upon graduation, Stephen interned for the Honorable Francis R. Hodgson, Jr., of the Criminal Division of the Ocean County Superior Court. There, he was responsible for research, advisement, and drafting of opinions in criminal matters involving Post-Conviction Relief and Pre-Trial Incarceration.
After his tenure with Judge Hodgson, Stephen became an associate with S. Karl Mohel, Esq., a prominent Criminal Defense attorney. He handled numerous Criminal Defense and Municipal law cases, including but not limited to:
2nd Degree Theft
1st Degree Aggravated Sexual Assault
1st Degree “Kingpin” Crimes
1st Degree Murder
1st Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child
Domestic Violence allegations and protective orders
DUI, reckless driving, suspended license, careless driving, excessive speed, and leaving the scene of an accident
Misdemeanor possession of CDS, assault, harassment, and shoplifting/theft
Following this role, Stephen joined Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks, LLC, serving as Defense Counsel on cases such as 2nd Degree Resisting/Eluding, 4th Degree Aggravated Assault, 2nd Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, DUI, reckless driving, and other municipal offenses.
Later, Stephen was employed at McGuire, Aziz & Associates, LLC, where he served as Lead Criminal Defense Counsel, overseeing all Criminal Defense, Municipal Defense, DUI, and Traffic cases for the firm.
Since beginning his career, Stephen has dedicated his practice exclusively to Criminal and Municipal Defense. He strongly believes every individual deserves the protections of the United States Constitution and high-quality representation that upholds due process and fairness. With 14+ years of experience, Stephen is a zealous and compassionate advocate who approaches every case with deep knowledge of criminal and municipal procedure, always focused on achieving the best outcome for his clients.
Outside the courtroom, Stephen enjoys sports, automobiles, information technology, and the culinary arts.
Southern Regional High School, Ocean County, NJ – Graduate
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania – Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
Member, International Economics Honor Society
Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law – Juris Doctor (2011)
Senior Editor, Journal of International Business and Law (Vol. 10)
Recipient, Justice Hubert L. Will Social Justice Award (Fair Housing Act litigation, Law Reform Advocacy Clinic)
14+ years of experience in Criminal Defense, Municipal Defense, DUI, and Traffic Court matters
Former Law Clerk/Intern for:
Hon. Leonard B. Austin, Supreme Court of New York (Appellate Term)
Hon. Francis R. Hodgson, Jr., Criminal Division, Ocean County Superior Court
Graduate Intern, State Farm NY Claims Litigation Center (Law & Motions Department)
State of New Jersey
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
