Former New Jersey Lawyer Charged With Practicing Law Without A License

Thursday, October 9, 2025, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

TOMS RIVER, NJ.- On Tuesday, following an investigation, a 54-year-old Holladay, Utah, man and former disbarred attorney, was taken into custody and jailed after being formally charged in connection with theft-related offenses for practicing law without being licensed.

     According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025,  David T. Schlendorf, 54, of Holladay, Utah, was formally charged with one count of Theft by Deception; and Unauthorized Practice of Law. Schlendorf was processed on the charges and remanded to the Ocean County Jail pending future court proceedings in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River, New Jersey.

     The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and the Toms River Police Department. During the investigation, Detectives uncovered that in March 2025, an individual in Toms River, New Jersey, retained Schlendorf to represent him in a legal matter, paying him around $10,000 for his services.

     During further investigation, Detectives determined that Schlendorf misrepresented himself as a licensed New Jersey attorney. Schlendorf was actually disbarred in the State of New Jersey in December 2022.

     The investigation into Schlendorf’s activities remains active and ongoing.

     “If anyone else paid Mr. Schlendorf in connection with legal services after December 2022, I urge you to contact Detective Jason Putkowski of the Toms River Township Police Department at (732) 349-0150 Ext. 1349 or Detective Sergeant Lindsay Llauget of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027 Ext. 3462,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. 

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”