Lerners LLP Leads the Canadian Legal Profession with the Introduction of Balint Groups to Support Lawyer Wellbeing
Apr 28, 2026
Announcements
Lerners LLP is proud to announce the launch of its Balint Group program within the firm’s Health Law Group, making Lerners a pioneer in implementing this reflective practice model at a Canadian law firm. Balint Groups, long used by medical professionals, are facilitated, confidential peer discussions designed to help colleagues support one another in high-pressure fields.
To bring this model into a legal setting, Lerners partnered with Balint Legal, a UK-based organization that has facilitated similar programs abroad. “We’re delighted to work with Lerners on this pioneering initiative,” say Marion Baker and Suzanne Jacobs, Co‑Founders, Balint Legal. “This partnership gives lawyers a supportive, structured space to talk with peers, confidentially, about the emotional impact of their work and the relationships at the core of that work, while enhancing the resilience required for a long and satisfying career in the law.”
The pressures facing today’s lawyers are well documented. A national study by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, the Canadian Bar Association and Université de Sherbrooke found that more than half of legal professionals report clinically significant distress, driven largely by high emotional demands and long hours, with women and younger lawyers disproportionately affected.
In a profession plagued by burnout, perfectionism, and stoicism, Balint Groups offer lawyers a much‑needed reprieve. “Our Balint Group has brought colleagues together in a supportive space to reflect on challenging experiences, build relational intelligence that we can use beyond the sessions, and stay more connected to our own well-being. It has helped our lawyers feel more sustained and engaged in their work while continuing to provide excellent client service,” says Nada Nicola‑Howorth, Partner at Lerners LLP and a leader in the Health Law Group.
This conversation is particularly timely with Mental Health Week on the horizon. This year’s theme, “Come together, Canada,” underscores the power of connection in addressing these challenges. Creating structured opportunities for lawyers to reflect, decompress, and learn from one another not only reinforces a sense of community and collegiality; it’s also good for business.
Firms that invest in reflective practice often see meaningful business benefits, including stronger team cohesion, improved retention, and more consistent client service. Participants in the Lerners pilot highlighted the value of hearing from colleagues, including senior lawyers, about shared relational challenges, noting that gaining multiple perspectives helped reframe difficult situations and made them feel “less heavy,” supporting more thoughtful judgment and sustained performance.
This important initiative reinforces Lerners’ commitment to fostering a healthier, more supportive workplace. And it’s just the beginning. In the future, Lerners anticipates the expansion of Balint Groups across the firm, so more of our lawyers can reap the benefits.
About Lerners LLP
Lerners LLP is one of Ontario’s largest law firms, with offices in London, Toronto, Waterloo Region, and Strathroy. With over 90 years of successful client service and representation, our team of more than 140 exceptionally skilled lawyers provides deep experience across a full range of practice areas.
About Balint Legal
Balint Legal delivers confidential, facilitated peer‑support groups (Balint groups), run by Balint-trained former lawyers, that help practitioners reflect on the emotional and relational challenges of practice, build stronger professional skills, and support sustainable wellbeing.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Alysia Christiaen
Chief Brand & Strategy Officer
Lerners LLP
achristiaen@lerners.ca
