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
90%
4 stars
8%
3 stars
1%
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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
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 09, 2017
Hired Attorney

I had to pay extra money in the end for something that I don't feel was my fault. The date on the papers should have been made clearer.

Family Law
Posted by anonymous
November 21, 2016
Hired Attorney

all I can say it was easy and fast

Response from James D.
November 21, 2016
Thank you
Divorce
Posted by Vincent
February 17, 2026
Hired Attorney

Legal service was provided promptly ensuring value for money. However the law office should not charge customers for follow up calls and restricting follow up only by email. I believe the same manner you accepted call to initiate the process such communication medium should continue. Other than that the service was efficient and professional. They provided adequate instruction and proper guidance.

 
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
October 31, 2019
Hired Attorney
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
May 14, 2019
Hired Attorney
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 16, 2017
Hired Attorney
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
February 27, 2018
Hired Attorney

Very easy to usr

Divorce
Posted by anonymous
May 21, 2019
Hired Attorney

When I emailed about my exact date I needed to file just to double check no one would answer my question. My ex husband mailed a copy of the signed papers too then as well as to me and they changed me 35 dollars because he wasn't supposed to mail them to the law firm too. You could have just shredded them. You didn't have to charge me for that.

 
Divorce
Posted by Phyllis
May 25, 2025
Hired Attorney

I hired this company to get me a divorce upon completing the steps that were required for the divorce (paperwork) I received instructions that would not be beneficial to me. Cairns Law Offices states on the paperwork that's sent (served) to the defendant if he or she makes any mistakes completing the paperwork sent out to them the spouse which is the person that filed for the divorce will be responsible for paying for the supposedly mistakes yes the divorce is mutual people can be petty and what purpose does that serve to inform the defendant that instead of just instructing them on how to fill out the paperwork correctly so now I get a email from Cairns law offices informing me I need to pay for the 3 mistakes my husband has made totaling $150 because it's $50 each also when I reached out to get clarity on a question they responded with a generated response that didn’t answer my question and then tried to charge me for it their services are a scam I wasted my time and money

 
Divorce
Posted by Joan
August 10, 2023
Hired Attorney

I wanted a quick simple divorce. I did not want to have to see my husband I did not want to have to go to court I just wanted it done and over with and this company provided that and more. I did the fast track it was quick it was easy. Any delays or caused by myself or my husband for whatever reason traveling or lack of clarity on the information that we were dealing with on our part. Questions asked for quickly dealt with and I am Beyond pleased with the results of a quick and easy divorce in just a few months. Thank you thank you thank 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.