About James D. Cairns III

Attorney Jim Cairns is an Erie area native who has been practicing law for over 24 years. He has helped men and women throughout the state end their marriages in the most convenient and cost-efficient manner possible. As a lawyer, he is committed to providing comprehensive legal services. After encountering numerous delays and unnecessary expenses during his own divorce, attorney Cairns recognized the need for an updated approach to the divorce process. He decided to concentrate on using technology to create a method that would more affordably serve his clients in the areas of divorce (simple, uncontested, no-fault). This involves:

• Preparation of divorce settlement agreements

• Deed changes

• Retaking of maiden or prior married names

This technology-driven method of completing a divorce soon formed Cairns Law Offices. His method now includes preparation of estate planning documents for divorced clients:

• Wills

• Trusts

• Powers of Attorney for Financial and Health Affairs

• Living Wills

Education & Background

Jim has been a Professor at Pennsylvania State University, lecturing in estate planning for divorced, single, and married clients. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law, and holds a Master's Degree in Administration from Mercyhurst College. Jim is also a Registered Investment Advisor and is the Director of Retirement Services at an Erie, PA financial firm where he consults divorced clients regarding proper financial planning. In addition, he holds Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Producer's licensure. Attorney Cairns is a frequent speaker at various legal and financial workshops.

He has a background in social work, counseling, and education, and has worked with the Gertrude A. Barber Center and Perseus House non-profit organizations.

Helping the Community

As a member of the community, he is dedicated to helping Pennsylvania's at-risk youth by working as a volunteer for Attorneys and Kids Together (AKT), the Erie County Bar Association's community project. This program is designed to support the educational needs of students who are living in homeless situations and most likely to drop out of school.

He is also a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and has taught in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law "Street Law" program and various summer youth education projects.

Personal Life

He has recently returned from the country of Nicaragua where he developed and sponsored Nicaragua's 30th Anniversary of Literacy Celebration. Jim also holds a second-degree black belt in martial arts and is a volunteer teacher of Goshin Jutsu Karate.

Our Goal

It is our goal to provide Pennsylvanians with the best service for simple, no-fault, uncontested divorce. At Cairns Law Offices, $219 divorce includes all court costs, so you can complete your divorce and rebuild your life cheaply and affordably! We make it easy to file your divorce online. Start today!

Representative Clients

• Clients needing Affordable Divorce Representation.

• Clients needing Financial and Estate Planning.

Past Employment Positions

• Sosinc Communications, Sioux City, IA, Assistant General Counsel, Vice President of Customer Support, 2000 - 2002

• Centurion Telecommunications, Columbus, OH, Assistant General Counsel, 1998 - 2000

• Cairns & Cambell, Cleveland, OH , Managing Partner, 1995 - 1997

Classes / Seminars

• Estate Planning, Penn State University, 2009 - Present

• Business Law, Tri-State Business Institute, 2010 - Present

Pro Bono Activities

• AKT- Attorneys and Kids Together, 2006 - Present

• Developed & Sponsored Nicaragua's 30th Anniversary of Literacy Celebration, 2010 - Present

Ancillary Businesses

• Financial Planning for Divorced and Married Clients

• Retirement Planning for Divorced and Married Clients

Professional Associations & Memberships

• PA Bar Association

• Erie County Bar Association

 

Awards

Reviews for James D.

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5 stars
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4 stars
8%
3 stars
1%
2 stars
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What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.9
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.9
Value for Money
4.9
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
May 07, 2013
Hired Attorney

Everything went very smoothly. I'm very satisfied with my overall experience. It cost far less than I anticipated.

Response from James D.
May 07, 2013
Thank you. Happy that we made this process cost effective for you.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
May 06, 2013
Hired Attorney

Everything went perfect. Much easier compared to the previous lawyer I paid a lot more money for.

Response from James D.
May 06, 2013
Wonderful to hear.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
April 30, 2013
Hired Attorney

Cairns Law Firm provided the efficiency that I was unable to do. They provided me with step by step guidelines that made this process easy.

Response from James D.
April 30, 2013
Glad that we were able to help you with step by step process.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
April 29, 2013
Hired Attorney

I just love the quick response. It's as if he is on his computer 24hrs and doing his work at the same time. Also he really cares about his clients. I really appreciate the fact that he was able to send me copies of my paperwork in less than 24hrs, I emailed him on Sunday around 3pm and I got everything I needed by 9am the following day. He is just the best and I have already referred him to a friend. Thank you.

 
Response from James D.
April 29, 2013
Thank you. Our office works as a team.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
April 23, 2013
Hired Attorney

Very easy and affordable if you follow the steps that they lay out for you.

Response from James D.
April 23, 2013
Than you. Our cost is very affordable.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
April 22, 2013
Hired Attorney

Just awesome! That's all I can say!!!! Not only did I get great fast cheap legal counsel but i even got a free phone call!!!!From a lawyer WOW!!!! The services may be cheap but the service I have received is anything but. First rate and first class I highly recommend them!!!

Response from James D.
April 22, 2013
Glad that we were able to you.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
April 19, 2013
Hired Attorney

I originally hired a local attorney to handle my divorce. After hundreds of dollars wasted and NO communication over a 4 month period, I was a bit wary of every hiring another lawyer. When I found Cairns Law Offices online, my first impression is this is too good to be true but here I am about 4 weeks later fully divorced. There was constant communication every step of the way, if I had a question it was answered within 24 hours by the LAWYER himself. Very PLEASED!!

 
Response from James D.
April 19, 2013
Thank you. Glad that we were able to help you destressed you situation.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
March 19, 2013
Hired Attorney

Their office was very quick and professional through this divorce process. Thank you for everything!

Response from James D.
March 19, 2013
We are Happy that our office professionalism and quick service made your day.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
March 18, 2013
Hired Attorney

I could easily have paid another lawyer ten times what I paid Atty Cairns, and not gotten the level of service I got from him. He turned what could have been a painful process into something that was as easy as opening an email. Plus, even eight months after my divorce was finalized, he was still willing to review my documents and answer my questions. Having him as my divorce attorney was the best move I could have made. It just doesn't get any better!

 
Response from James D.
March 18, 2013
Thank you. Our fees are very affordable and our process of filing is easy.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
March 13, 2013
Hired Attorney

Cairns Law Offices are by far the best thing money could buy! I talked to dozens of people all for which were telling me that my divorce would cost a few thousands of dollars and take more than a year to complete, but thanks to Cairns Law offices, that was not the case. they handled my divorce with the utmost discreet and respect, I'm now a happy divorcee and ready to move on with my life. the people at Cairns Law offices are by far worth every cent and i would use them again in a heart beat.

 
Response from James D.
March 13, 2013
Thank you. Glad that we were able to help you.

Services

Areas of Law

  • Family Law 3
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody
    • Military Divorce
  • Other 5
    • Debt Division
    • Preparing Settlement Agreements
    • Property Division
    • Uncontested Divorce
    • No Fault Divorces

Practice Details

  • Languages
    English
    Spanish
  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Fixed fees available
    Accepted Credit Cards
    American Express
    Discover
    MasterCard
    Other - Paypal
    Visa
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Member
    Firm Name
    Cairns Law Offices
  • Pro Bono Services

    AKT- Attorneys and Kids Together, 2006 - Present Developed & Sponsored Nicaragua's 30 Anniversary of Literacy Celebration, 2010 - Present

  • Additional Links

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1995, Ohio
    2002, Pennsylvania
    Memberships
    Pennsylvania Bar Association
    Ohio Bar Associations
    Erie County Bar Association.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
    Class of 1995
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Indiana University
    Class of 1988
    B.A.
    Criminology, Dean's List

    Mercyhurst College
    Class of 1992
    M.S.
    Administration, Dean's List

Contact James D. Cairns III

Member at Cairns Law Offices
4.9
2896 reviews

3433 West Lake RoadErie, PA 16505U.S.A.

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Fax: (412) 872-2225

744 South Street, Suite 33Philadelphia, PA 19147U.S.A.

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Fax: (412) 872-2225

3945 Forbes Avenue, Suite 185Pittsburgh, PA 15213U.S.A.

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Fax: (412) 872-2225
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Other Office Locations

Philadelphia, PA

744 South Street, Suite 33Philadelphia, PA 19147U.S.A.

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Pittsburgh, PA

3945 Forbes Avenue, Suite 185Pittsburgh, PA 15213U.S.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, James D. Cairns, III is admitted to practice in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
  • Does this attorney maintain a professional presence on any social networks?
    Yes, James D. Cairns, III has a professional profile on facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • Does this attorney speak any other languages?
    James D. Cairns, III speaks Spanish.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, James D. Cairns, III has a 4.9 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney offer any legal services for a flat fee?
    Yes, James D. Cairns, III offers fixed fees for certain legal services.