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%
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Communication
4.9
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.9
Value for Money
4.9
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
September 30, 2016
Hired Attorney

For couples that agree on how assets should be split and amicable through the divorce process, Cairns Law is safe, easy, and affordable. I saved thousands of dollars by filing my divorce through Cairns rather than a traditional lawyer. I looked into filing on my own and the process seemed very confusing. I went with Cairns and it couldn't have been easier.

 
Response from James D.
September 30, 2016
Thank you so much.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
October 04, 2015
Hired Attorney

I was very pleasantly surprised by how easy and quickly the process was. I was expecting a more difficult process. The cost was what caught my attention over the internet. I researched a few sites for customer feedback and it was very favorable.

Response from James D.
October 04, 2015
Glad to hear that the feedback from our other clients made it easier for you to choose our services.
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
August 25, 2015
Hired Attorney

It was quick and painless

Response from James D.
August 25, 2015
Thank you
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
February 08, 2013
Hired Attorney

They made a difficult time a little less difficult by being exactly who they say they are and doing exactly what they say they will do. There was no confusion or lack of respect.

Response from James D.
February 08, 2013
Our process is to make our clients feel confident and comfortable. Thank you
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
December 11, 2025
Hired Attorney

After 2 years of struggling to get divorced, I found this firm and within 6 months I got divorced! I paid for all of the premium options, which welas a bit kore expensive, but it was WELL worth it. Absolutely recommend them for anyone who needs a divorce. I'm finally free and it's all thanks to Cairns Law Offices.

Divorce
Posted by Stephanie
August 30, 2023
Hired Attorney

Fast, easy to follow instructions, and affordable. However, I would caution anyone that has a spouse that may not fully agree to the divorce and/or its terms. Cairns service is for straight forward divorces only. If you want to speak to someone on the phone, I would recommend hiring an attorney and not going the online route.

Divorce
Posted by anonymous
November 04, 2022
Hired Attorney

Reasonable cost fast service give you all the information that you need and easy to use they lay all the services out

Divorce
Posted by Bob
March 09, 2022
Hired Attorney

, excellent communication with staff. Could not be happier with results. Recommended to everyone to use

Response from James D.
March 09, 2022
Happy clients are our number 1 goal so we are grateful for your review. Thanks for your recommendation!
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
April 03, 2020
Hired Attorney

Working with this law office was extremely easy and affordable. This was for a non contested divorce and once signatures were notarized I was divorced within a month.

Divorce
Posted by anonymous
September 21, 2019
Hired Attorney

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.