About Jason
Jason is so much more than his addiction. He is a husband, father, brother, son, lawyer, public speaker, musician, author, advisor, and more.
Discover more about the man behind Mentally Speaking.
Legally Speaking
Education:
LLB (Bachelor of Law), University of Western Ontario (1998)
B.A. Economics (Hons.), University of Guelph (1995)
Lawyer:
Owner (Founder, 2003) - WARDS LAWYERS PC, a full-service, ten-lawyer firm serving Central Ontario and beyond (City of Kawartha Lakes)
Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation (2021, designated by the Law Society of Ontario)
In early 2022 at age fifty, after more than twenty years, Jason retired from WARDS LAWYERS PC, now speaking publicly about mental wellness and addiction.
He practiced civil litigation, including business/commercial disputes, family law, defamation, shareholder conflict and employment law. Jason initially articled with Siskinds (London, 1998-9), before practicing commercial and class action litigation at Ogilvy Renault (Toronto, 2000).
After his candidacy in the 2003 Ontario general election, he and his family relocated from Toronto to Lindsay, Ontario, his hometown, where he started his own law firm. Shortly afterwards, his wife, Karissa, left her position as a business lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, Toronto, to join Jason to build their own firm together, which today is one of the largest firms in Central Ontario, serving clients across Ontario.
He often published legal articles, blogs and, recently, his book entitled, “Resolving Grave Disputes – The Law of Dead Bodies in Ontario” was published by Amazon, Kindle, CanLII and by a nationally prominent legal journal, the Estates Trusts & Pensions Journal.
Media & Appearances
Personally Speaking
Community Service:
Director - Canadian Mental Health Association
Member - Institute of Corporate Directors
Honorary Director – Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes
Both Jason and Karissa have served on many community boards and offered advisory services to local and provincial non-profit and charitable organizations. They are passionate about youth mental health. They have, among other things, operated a huge, month-long Hallowe’en event in their community, known as “Haunt Your Home,” attracting millions of visitors from all over the world to the home-decorating contest. They also present the largest kids’ road hockey tournament in Ontario, if not beyond, raising money and awareness for youth mental health.
Coaching:
Jason coached for many years minor hockey, soccer, baseball and lacrosse. He has also sponsored many young athletes in their athletic-related goals.
Music:
Jason has played in rock bands throughout his life. He sings and plays guitar. His brother, Simon, founded and was the lead singer/songwriter for the popular Canadian band, The Strumbellas.
Recognition & Publications
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Business Hall of Fame, 2023, JA Northern and Eastern Ontario
Outstanding Service and Contribution to Community Award, 2023, Government of Canada
Certified Specialist – Civil Litigation, 2021, Law Society of Ontario
COVID Hero Award, 2021, Chamber of Commerce, City of Kawartha Lakes
Favourite Lawyer, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2010 to 2020*
Employer of the Year, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2019, Chamber of Commerce, City of Kawartha Lakes
Favourite Law Firm, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2020/21*
Best Law Firm, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2020/21*
Best Legal Services, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2020/21*
Best Family Law Lawyer and Best Family Law Firm, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2020/21*
Best Employment Lawyer, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2020-2022*
Community Leadership Award, 2014, Lindsay Rotary Club
Business Leader of the Year, City of Kawartha Lakes, 2012, Chamber of Commerce
Jason is also married to the Business Leader of the Year (2015) and the Extraordinary Woman of the Year (2016) – Karissa, 2015, Chamber of Commerce; 2016, Women’s Resources, Kawartha Lakes
Coach of the Year, Minor Hockey, LMHA, 2010-2011
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“Resolving Grave Disputes – The Law of Dead Bodies in Ontario”, Amazon, also published by Canada’s Estates, Trusts & Pensions Journal, November, 2019 and by CanLII.ca (2018 CanLIIDocs 157)
“Parties and Joinder, Rule 6 – Consolidation or Hearing Together”, in Civil Procedure and Practice in Ontario, published by CanLII and the University of Windsor (2021 CanLIIDocs1990)
“Parties and Joinder, Rule 8 – Partnerships and Sole Proprietorships”, in Civil Procedure and Practice in Ontario, published by CanLII and the University of Windsor (2021 CanLIIDocs1993)
“Child Representation”, Chap. 13 in J. McLeod’s, Child Custody Law and Practice (Toronto: Thomson Canada Limited, 1999 Updates), focusing on important issues when representing children in family law litigation and disputes
“Bringing a Motion in the Central East Region”, a professional development conference for lawyers, A Step-by-Step Guide to Bringing a Motion, for the Law Society of Ontario in April, 2019
“Bottoms Up! How Not to Achieve Freedom 50”, self-published, focusing on Jason’s mental health and substance disorder issues contributing to his retirement
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Lawyer Coach and Advisor – Coach and Advisor Network, Law Society of Ontario (coaching and advising other lawyers)
Certified Mediator - Jason is a qualified and accredited mediator, having an Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate from the University of Windsor Law School, where he also trained in using Harvard-developed negotiation skills
Certified Collaborative Lawyer – Jason has also been a fully trained and certified collaborative family law lawyer.
Section 3 Counsel – Jason was also a designated “section 3” counsel (under Ontario’s Substitute Decisions Act), often appointed by the Superior Court of Justice, through the Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee, to represent incapable individuals
*Readers’ Choice Awards, Peterborough Examiner / Kawartha Lakes This Week