A lawyer has admitted in a guilty plea that he made $70,000 representing New Jersey clients after he was disbarred.
David T. Schlendorf, 54, now a resident of Holladay, Utah, pleaded guilty on Monday to five counts of theft by deception and one count of unauthorized practice of law, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
Schlendorf was first charged in October of last year when it was alleged that he made $10,000 representing a client after being disbarred. He was disbarred in December 2022 and took on the client in March 2025, authorities said.
A further investigation into his Toms River-based law firm found that he represented another five clients after losing his license, officials said. The clients paid him a combined $60,000 between January 2023 and September 2025, according to prosecutors.
Schlendorf was admitted to the bar in 1997 and was disbarred on Dec. 28, 2022, according to state judiciary records.
He was issued a letter of admonition in July 2018 for failing to obey rules regarding retainer agreements in family law matters, according to a letter from the state Supreme Court’s disciplinary review board.
At sentencing, the state will be seeking probation under the condition that he has no contact with his victims. He will also have to pay $70,755 in restitution.
Schlendorf’s sentencing is scheduled for July 17.
