CL Talk

Jason Ward in conversation on mental health and insurance traps for lawyers

Feb 24, 2026

Jason Ward, a former civil litigator who built a successful practice in Lindsay, Ontario, before leaving law due to alcoholism and THC dependency, joins managing editor Tim Wilbur to talk candidly about what happens when lawyers can no longer cope. Ward explains why stigma in the profession is often internalized rather than imposed, how billable-hour pressures and a “win–lose” culture fuel mental health crises, and why pausing practice can be a strategic act of self-preservation rather than defeat. He offers practical guidance on when to seek confidential help, how to consider stepping away from practice, and what lawyers need to understand about disability insurance structures, including capacity-based definitions of disability, evidence-heavy claims processes, and the risks of going without an own-occupation rider.