Mr. Cairns is a trial lawyer, who for 25 years has defended clients in employment, tort, and commercial litigation in trial and appellate courts across the United States. He has been recognized by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America and a Florida Super Lawyer.

He represents private employers, local governments and school boards in discrimination and harassment cases under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and other federal and state laws. He handles class actions under Rule 23 and opt-in claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act. He also has experience litigating First Amendment employment issues, including both religion and speech cases, as well as 14th Amendment due process claims.

Mr. Cairns regularly counsels clients concerning human resources issues, such as investigation of sexual harassment claims, preparation of affirmative action plans, OFCCP audits, responding to administrative charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and comparable state agencies, and the drafting of employment agreements, non-competition agreements, employee handbooks and related employment policies. He also counsels on regulatory compliance and traditional labor issues under both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act, such as union campaigns, contract negotiations, labor disputes and defense of unfair labor practice charges. He helps clients in labor, employment, and litigation issues associated with their mergers, acquisitions and layoffs.

Mr. Cairns counsels clients in high-exposure toxic tort, product liability and personal injury matters.

He is involved in the firm's representation of business clients who operate private and public transportation systems including railroads, trucking companies, and intermodal companies.