He was admitted to the bar in February 1899 and he started his law practice in Newark,[3] obtaining his first legal experience in the office of Pitney & Hardin there.

[3] Lehlbach continued to serve as the assistant prosecutor until April 6, 1913, when he resigned in order to restart the practice of law.

He did manage to win the election with a slim 2.2% majority, in a close race with Democrat Dallas Flannagan.

In a heated battle, Lehlbach lost his election bid by capturing 49.6% of the vote in comparison to Towey's 49.9%.

[7] After losing the election, Lehlbach went back to practicing law in Washington, D.C., and continued to do so until his death by heart attack at the age of 61 on August 4, 1937.