Family Law Practice: About John A. Cairns

Expert Guidance with Personal Attention for Complex Family Matters

As an attorney with nearly four decades of experience in Family Law, John has handled a significant number of complex cases for high net worth individuals. He is skilled at educating clients to make wise decisions in divorce proceedings and other family matters.

John was recognized as a Super Lawyer® by Minnesota Law & Politics. He has also been honored to receive an AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating from his legal peers and indicates his reputation for professional excellence. In addition to his Family Law practice, John Cairns also specializes in Local Government issues, and he is widely regarded as the most prominent Charter School attorney in the United States.

Prior to founding John Cairns Law in February 2008, John was a shareholder at Briggs and Morgan, P.A. in Minneapolis. During his 19 years with the firm, John was a member of the Business Law Section and the Education/Tax-Exempt Organization Practice Group.

Like many of his clients, John is a respected leader in his home community of the Twin Cities. Some of his non-profit and public service roles include:

• Former President and Member of the Minneapolis City Council
  
  
• Former President and Board Member of the Lowry Hill Residents Association
  
  
• Member of the Twin Cities Citizen's League since the mid-1970s, also a former Director and Policy Committee Chair
  
  
• Board member for the Illusion Theatre and the New Dance Ensemble in Minneapolis
  
  
• Board member for Center for Victims of Torture, the world’s leading nonprofit group involved in helping torture victims as well as changing policies to prevent torture

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, John received his B.A. from Carleton College and his law degree from the Duke University School of Law.

John and his wife Sonia reside in Minneapolis. In his free time, John enjoys spending time with his family and ten grandchildren. He has also traveled extensively in the U.S. as well as West Africa, Israel, Central America and Latin America.