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
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Communication
4.9
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.9
Value for Money
4.9
Divorce
Posted by Heather
September 27, 2024
Hired Attorney

Getting my divorce was so easy! They explained everything in detail and completed everything as soon as they received it! They always kept in communication. I did not ever have to reach out to them because they always explained everything in detail.

Response from James D.
September 27, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the kind words. We like to have our clients know exactly what's going on every step of the way through the process.
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 24, 2024
Hired Attorney

Service was excellent and process was fast just as the office said it would be. I was surprised to receive my divorce decree within three weeks. I would definitely recommend Cairns to family and friends.

Response from James D.
August 24, 2024
Thank you for the kind words and for the recommendation. We are very glad to hear you had such a good experience with our firm.
Divorce
Posted by Teresa E
August 23, 2024
Hired Attorney

they made my divorce easy and painless. good response when I had a question. didn't have to wait for answers. things were done in a timely fashion. Very happy with their service. Everything was done on-line through e-mail. I was worried about that, but it worked out very well.

Response from James D.
August 23, 2024
We are so glad to hear you had a good experience with our firm. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the kind words.
Divorce
Posted by anonymous
August 01, 2024
Hired Attorney

I found Cairns Law Offices through a Google search and was initially skeptical about their legitimacy. To ease my concerns, I even asked friends to verify if it was a real company. I'm glad I did, as Cairns Law Offices turned out to be extremely professional. Throughout the entire divorce process, they provided detailed instructions on the next steps and promptly responded to any questions via email, usually within a couple of hours. If you and your spouse are on the same page and in full agreement regarding the divorce, I would definitely recommend their services. They are very professional and efficient.

 
Response from James D.
August 01, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the positive feedback. We greatly value and appreciate your recommendation as well.
Divorce
Posted by Michelle
July 31, 2024
Hired Attorney

Thank you so much for making a difficult transition move smoothly and fast. I appreciate you so much. Everything was fast, easy and reasonable. The directions were very clear and within a few months my divorce was final.

Response from James D.
July 31, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the kind words. We strive to make it a seamless process for all of our clients and we're glad you had such a good experience with our firm.
Divorce
Posted by Jinkyu
July 31, 2024
Hired Attorney

I found this site through a Google search while I was going through a divorce. This site helped me get a divorce relatively easily and at a lower price than a regular lawyer. I hope that in the future, you will also provide interpretation services for people with limited English skills.

Response from James D.
July 31, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the feedback. We will take this into consideration for the future.
Divorce
Posted by Crystal
July 31, 2024
Hired Attorney

Everything was easy and the communication was good. The instructions were clear and I appreciated the timely responses. I would recommend Cairns Law Offices for anyone looking for an uncontested divorce in PA.

Response from James D.
July 31, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the kind words. We greatly appreciate the recommendations as well. We are so glad to hear you had a good experience with our firm.
Divorce
Posted by Antionette
July 24, 2024
Hired Attorney

I came across Cairns Law office after I found out that the person who I was gonna do my divorce had passed away. The Lawyer I was working with helped me out with questions and when my payment wasn’t working online he took the time to call me and process the payment. I would recommend this office to anyone that is looking to get divorced!

 
Response from James D.
July 24, 2024
Thank you for the kind words and recommendation. We greatly value your feedback and are glad you had a positive experience.
Divorce
Posted by Phillip
July 04, 2024
Hired Attorney

This law firm was exactly what I needed. The process was explained in immense detail. It was definitely a great job on getting my divorce pushed through. I would recommend to anyone in the same situation. ( No contest divorce)

Response from James D.
July 04, 2024
Thank you for the recommendation and taking the time to leave a review. We strive to make it easy to understand and are glad you had a good experience with our law firm.
Divorce
Posted by Richard
June 28, 2024
Hired Attorney

Was very pleased at the promptness, responsiveness from team, compassion, and overall cost, as long as you can come to healthy agreements and conclusion with spouse- this service and law firm can't come on high enough recommendation!! Very pleased and excited for the next chapter. Thank you, Cairns Team!

Response from James D.
June 28, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for the recommendation. We are so glad we could help in this difficult time.

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.