Law360 Canada (July 6, 2026, 2:20 PM EDT) --
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| Connor Baillie |
Maintaining mental health in the legal profession is not a luxury; it is a professional imperative. As lawyers, we operate in an environment defined by deadlines, fiduciary obligations and the constant pressure to deliver high-quality work. Yet the demands of practice, especially in an era of remote work and constant digital connectivity, can blur the boundaries between our professional and personal lives. Without deliberate effort, the job has a way of following us home, settling into our routines and quietly eroding our well-being.
As an associate lawyer at Epstein & Associates, having joined the firm in April 2024 and been called to the bar in October 2025, I have experienced firsthand how challenging — and how essential — it is to prioritize mental health while building a successful practice. Working at a larger firm comes with support, mentorship and resources, but it also brings high expectations, complex files and a pace that can be difficult to sustain without intentional balance.
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Over time, I’ve learned that maintaining my mental health requires active, consistent effort. For me, the most effective strategies have been simple and non-negotiable:
1. Regular exercise: Whether it’s a morning run or a late-evening workout, physical activity helps reset my mind and counteracts the sedentary nature of legal work.
2. Healthy eating: Fuelling my body properly has a direct impact on my energy, focus and resilience.
3. Hobbies and personal interests: Making time for activities I genuinely enjoy keeps me grounded and reminds me that my identity extends beyond my profession. Golf is a big one for me!
4. Time with friends, family and loved ones: These relationships provide perspective, support and connection, all of which are essential to long-term well-being.
This list is not the be-all and end-all for maintaining mental health. Whatever the outlet may be, lawyers need something that allows them to decompress, step away from the intensity of practice and avoid “bringing work home” in a way that consumes their personal lives.
The challenge of working from home, and the return to office
Remote work has undeniably improved convenience and flexibility. This being said, it has also made it harder to draw clear lines between work and home. When your office is steps away from your living room, it becomes tempting, even automatic, to check emails late at night, reopen files after dinner and continue drafting long past the point of diminishing returns.
Compounding this is the reality that most of us are tethered to our phones. Email access is constant, notifications are relentless and the expectation of responsiveness is ever-present. Our current environment makes it even more important to set boundaries that protect mental health and prevent burnout.
Since the beginning of 2026, the profession has seen a “return to work” trend. Some firms have reinstated full-time in-office expectations, while others have adopted hybrid models that require several days a week on site. As a result, not everyone enjoys the convenience of working from home, and the daily commute has once again become a substantial part of the workday.
This shift brings its own set of challenges. Time spent travelling, whether 20 minutes or two hours, reduces the flexibility many lawyers have grown accustomed to. It can also compress the hours available for personal commitments, exercise, hobbies and time with loved ones. For practitioners already balancing demanding caseloads, this added logistical pressure can make maintaining mental health even more difficult.
Yet the return to the office has also highlighted something important: the value of human interaction and connectivity in a professional setting. Being in physical proximity to colleagues fosters mentorship, collaboration and a sense of shared purpose that is difficult to replicate through screens. Informal conversations, spontaneous problem-solving and simply being part of a team can provide emotional support and reduce the isolation that many lawyers felt during extended periods of remote work.
Still, even with hybrid flexibility, the boundary between work and home remains fragile. Phones buzz with emails and messages at all hours, regardless of where we are physically located. Whether working remotely or commuting to the office, lawyers must be intentional about carving out personal time.
A note on solo practitioners
While my experience is shaped by working in a larger firm, it is important to acknowledge that solo practitioners face an even more demanding landscape. Without the benefit of shared workloads, administrative support or internal mentorship, solos often shoulder every aspect of their practice, including legal work, client management, documenting, billing, marketing and operations.
For them, prioritizing mental health is not just important; it is essential to the sustainability of their practice. The pressure to be constantly available can be overwhelming, and the risk of burnout is significantly higher. Solo practitioners must be especially intentional about carving out time for rest, personal fulfilment and meaningful connections.
The reality of the profession, and the need for balance
The legal profession is demanding by nature. There will always be evenings when we must review a file, respond to a client or finalize a submission to ensure that deadlines are met and that we uphold the standard of care expected of us as fiduciaries. This is part of the job but cannot become the entirety of the job.
If we allow our personal well-being to deteriorate, it will inevitably seep into our work, reducing our effectiveness, impairing our judgment and ultimately harming the very clients we are committed to serving. Striking a balance is not only beneficial for us but essential for the quality and integrity of our practice.
Final thoughts
Lawyers are trained to advocate for others, but we must also learn to advocate for ourselves. Prioritizing mental health is not a sign of weakness or lack of dedication, it is a hallmark of professionalism. Whether you work in a large firm, a boutique practice or as a solo practitioner, investing in your well-being is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your long-term success, both professionally and personally.
Connor Baillie is an associate lawyer at Epstein & Associates, having been called to the Ontario bar in October 2025 and employed at the firm since April 2024.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
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