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JASON WARD

Lawyer & Speaker

Man in glasses wearing a blue suit and black shirt, sitting and looking at the camera.

At fifty, I had it all.

I owned a mid-size law firm, was certified as a specialist litigator, had wealth, reputation, notoriety, endless trial work, and more. I walked away, not by choice, but because of mental health and substance use disorders, which I had entirely neglected during my twenty-plus-year career. They settled the score, mercilessly.

My story may surprise you, especially since I had never done drugs before age forty-five. Alcohol was similarly not a factor in my life until mid-life, when I made that wonderous connection. Now I share my journey, hoping that it makes a difference not only among my profession, but beyond. A dizzying tale, laced with a little humour and a lot of self-deprecation, all to raise awareness and to encourage everyone to talk more about what’s really going on out there.

It’s okay to not be okay.

READ | WATCH | LISTEN

News & Media Appearances

  • Promotional graphic for a podcast episode of "NYCLA Amicus Curiae: Candidly Speaking" featuring Jason Ward, a lawyer and speaker. The episode focuses on mental health and the legal profession, highlighting issues like mental wellbeing and balancing work demands. Hosted by Daniel K. Wiig, the graphic includes a large microphone image and contact info for NYCLA.

    NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast

    Jason Ward candidly speaks with Host, Daniel K Wiig on Mental Health and the Legal profession, addressing the elephany in the room.

    Listen to the Episode
  • Litigation Radio

    Litigation Radio

    “This is a brutally honest discussion, but it’s one we need to have.”

    Listen to the Episode
  • Maclean's logo with a red maple leaf in place of the apostrophe

    Maclean's Magazine

    “My career as a lawyer almost destroyed me”

    Read the Article
  • Logos of the Canadian Bar Association and Modern Law. The Canadian Bar Association logo features a scale within a blue and green circle. The Modern Law logo includes text "Modern Law" with lines radiating outwards and a small scale icon at the bottom.

    The Canadian Bar Association

    “A personal story about alcohol and substance abuse in the legal profession”

    Listen to the Episode
  • Young woman working on a laptop with "Law Times" text overlay.

    Law Times News

    “Battling alcohol and THC addiction, Jason Ward left the law and can’t see ever going back”

    Read the Article
  • The Lindsay Advocate logo

    The Advocate Podcast

    “Behind the poise, confidence and omnipresent, constant contributions to his community, Jason Ward was hurting. And hiding.”

    Listen to the Episode
  • The Peterborough Examiner and Kawartha Lakes this week

    Metroland Media

    “Lindsay lawyer opens up about struggles with mental health and addiction that led to him leaving practice.”

    Read the Article
  • Kawartha 411 logo with text "KAWARTHA" above red squares containing the numbers "4", "1", "1". Below is the tagline "Kawartha’s source for breaking news."

    Kawartha 411 Sunday Drive

    “Ward is speaking openly about the role alcohol and drugs played in his early retirement from a successful career as a lawyer.”

    Watch Part 1
  • Kawartha 411 logo with text "KAWARTHA" above red squares containing the numbers "4", "1", "1". Below is the tagline "Kawartha’s source for breaking news."

    Kawartha 411 Sunday Drive

    “Jason is speaking out to help reduce the stigma around mental health and addiction.”

    Watch Part 2
  • Close-up of a black microphone on a white background with the text "bob got a microphone."

    Bob got a Microphone

    Jason Ward on Breaking the Habit

    Listen to the Episode
  • The text "Law Times" in blue capital letters on a white background.

    Law Times News

    “Ex-lawyer who conquered addictions uses new website to reach out to those with mental health issues”

    Read the Article

Upcoming Speaking Events

SEE JASON LIVE

  • Montreal

    Montreal Lawyers' Association

    Montreal, QC | Feb. 2024

  • Logo of FACL Ontario with a maple leaf and the text 'Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers' in maroon color.

    Federation of Canadian Asian Lawyers

    Toronto, ON | March 2024

  • BC Hydro logo with a green and blue circle and black text.

    BC Hydro

    BC | Fall 2023

  • Logo featuring stylized orange and white fan-like design next to the letters "YWL" in black.

    Young Women in the Law

    Toronto, ON | Fall, 2023

  • Durham Region Law Association logo with red laurel wreath and text 'Since 1879'."

    Durham Law Association

    Ajax, ON | Sep. 28/29, 2023

  • Logo of the Middlesex Law Association with geometric design

    Middlesex Law Association

    London, ON | Fall, 2023

  • Logo of New York County Lawyers Association in blue and brown text on a white background.

    NY County Law Association

    NY | July, 2023

  • Ontario Bar Association logo with a rainbow and scales of justice

    Ontario Bar Association

    Toronto, ON | Fall, 2023

  • Logo of the Young Bar of Montreal with stylized design and text "Jeune Barreau de Montréal, Young Bar of Montreal."

    Young Bar of Montreal

    TBD | 2023

Interested in booking?