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Gregory Bruce Cairns
About Gregory
Biography
Mr. Cairns’ practice focuses on workers’ compensation litigation and related employment law. Mr. Cairns attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Psychology in 1975. He also attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee where he pursued a Master’s in industrial psychology. Following graduate school, he obtained his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982. Mr. Cairns has been licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado since 1982.
Mr. Cairns has thirty-seven years of experience as an attorney in matters relating to workers’ compensation and employment law. He has published several articles in The Colorado Lawyer concerning employment issues, and has been a frequent speaker concerning workers’ compensation, fitness for duty testing, medical marijuana, and the special needs of older workers with injuries. He has taught basic legal research in the paralegal training programs for Metropolitan State College in Denver and the Denver Paralegal Institute. In addition, he is the founder and principal instructor for The Center for Workers’ Compensation Training, a private occupational school.
Mr. Cairns, who hails from Wisconsin, currently serves as president of Cairns & Associates, P.C. in Denver, Colorado. In 2003 he was named an “Outstanding Lawyer in America.” In 2010, he received the Lance Butler Award for service to the Colorado workers’ compensation community. He has served as President of Professionals in Workers’ Compensation and the Denver Law Club.
An avid bicyclist and hiker, Mr. Cairns was also a regular parody song writer and actor for the Denver Law Club.
He is grateful to have enjoyed a wide and varied experience in the world of Colorado worker’s compensation.
Learn more about our specialized services in workers’ compensation training and medical testing of employees.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Colorado for 43 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1982
No misconduct found
Location
Cairns & Associates, P.C.
3900 E Mexico Ave Ste 300, Denver, CO, 80210-3940
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Gregory Bruce Cairns's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
38 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Advocacy (27)
Case Results (24)
Practice Area Knowledge (17)
Recommendation (17)
Professionalism (14)
Character & Conduct (13)
Compassion (11)
Responsiveness (11)
Communication Style (10)
Staff & Support (9)
General Knowledge (6)
Trustworthiness (5)
Punctuality (3)
Cost of Services (2)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Brenden O. | August 08, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Case denied? Call Greg
After the insurance company denied my claim leaving me without treatment for worker’s comp, Greg and his paralegal Andrea went above and beyond to not only help me win my case but also to negotiate a final settlement. I had spoken with another lawyer who didn’t even want to take my case so I’m extrem...
Posted by anonymous | February 27, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Knowledgeable and respected in his field
I appreciate Greg’s knowledge and expertise in the workman’s comp legal field. I know his experience and reputation helped the outcome of my case immensely. He was compassionate, timely and professional throughout the long process of resolving my case.
Posted by Akilah | April 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Great work vey professional
Greg has helped me with my 3 year worker's compensation claim and yesterday we won. Greg and his staff communicates with you and answers your questions in a timely basis. My professional opinion as a paralegal is that he's great to work with . I very highly recommend his services .
Posted by anonymous | January 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Work Comp case
Greg and his firm were amazing. Greg helped me in my Work Comp case when no one else would. Greg and Andrea were always there to answer any questions and guide through the process. I highly recommend them. Gene Risdall
Posted by anonymous | September 10, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Honest, Knowledgeable, Hard Working, and Kind
Greg is honest, knowledgeable, hard working, and kind. I appreciate that throughout the duration of my case he and his paralegal, Andrea, kept me updated and were always quick to respond via email or phone. I found my work comp case made me feel vulnerable and exposed. Greg asked me how I was and hel...
Gregory Bruce Cairns's Lawyer Endorsements
"Greg is an excellent attorney. He adheres to high ethical standards, and he truly empathizes with his clients, which allows Greg to creatively advocate on their behalf so that he can obtain a just outcome for them. This is fundamental to his philosophy of representing claimants in workers' compensation cases. And not only is he experienced, responsible, and extremely knowledgeable, Greg is also personable and humorous. He is an attorney who his clients, colleagues, and judges can trust, and I fully endorse him."
"Gregory is an accomplished lawyer and very talented. Each year he transforms dry legal concepts into skits and songs teaching legal ethics. He works hard for his clients."
"I have the highest respect for Greg both as a lawyer and as a person. He treats both his clients and opposing parties with respect. In determining whether to take a certain action in a case, he considers not just the legal ability to do so and the possible ramifications, but also considers the moral ramifications of taking that path. He is a mentor whose wisdom and experience are beyond value."
"I highly endorse Gregory Cairns without hesitation. I have known Mr. Cairns for over 25 years. He is incredibly knowledgable in the field of worker's compensation, and he always thoroughly prepares his cases. As a result, he often achieves results for his clients that are quite favorable. He tries to settle cases out of court, if possible, but if the case cannot be settled, then Mr. Cairns is not afraid to take the case to trial. He is well liked and respected by his colleagues and by the judges before whom he practices. Unlike many attorneys, he truly cares about his clients, and he always works hard to achieve for them the best results possible. He keeps his clients well informed concerning the progress of their case, and he will answer questions so that the client understands what is happening in the case. As a former WC judge, I have seen many attorneys in court, and I can tell you that there are no better attorneys than Mr. Cairns. Again, I wholeheartedly endorse him."
"Greg is an extremely knowledgeable, experienced, professional, and above all effective Workers' Compensation lawyer. He has lectured on the subject and has the unusual perspective of having worked on both the defense and the injured worker's side. I heartily recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Greg for many years and have left my own blood in the court room having been on the other side of work comp cases. Total mastery of the law and a stinging wit in court. HE is one of the best"
Steven Gurwin
Workers compensation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2022
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Best Lawyer, Expertise
2019
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Lansford F. Butler Award, Workers’ Compensation Section of the Colorado Bar Association
2005
Outstanding Respondent Attorney, Professionals in Workers’ Compensation
2003
Outstanding Lawyers of America in 2003, Outstanding Lawyers of America
Work Experience
2011 - Present
President, Cairns & Associates, P.C.
2009 - 2011
Special Counsel, Ruegsegger Simons Smith & Stern, LLC
2004 - 2009
Member, Cairns Nemechek & Magruder, LLC (formerly Cairns Nemechek & Sweeney, LLC)
2000 - 2004
Special Counsel, Hall & Evans
1999 - 2000
President, Cairns & Associates, P.C.
1991 - 1999
Member, Cairns, Dworkin & Chambers, P.C.
1991 - 1991
Special Counsel, Law Offices of John M. Connell
1986 - 1990
Shareholder and Vice President, Lavinder & Cairns, P.C.
1984 - 1986
Associate, Clifton & Associates, P.C. (Now Clifton Hook & Bovarnick, P.C)
1982 - 1984
Associate, Holland & Hart
Associations
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, Workers' Compensation Committee
Member
American Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Member
Denver Bar Association
Colorado Self Insurers' Association
2009 - 2011
The Denver Law ClubVice President (2009-2010), President (2010-2011)
1997 - 2004
Professionals in Workers' CompensationBoard of Directors and President
1992 - 1993
Medical Case Management/Managed Care Task Force, sponsored by Division of Workers' Compensation
Education
1982
University of Texas System, Austin
JD - Juris Doctor
1975
University of Wisconsin, Madison
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Twelve Things Supervisors Should Know About Workers' Compensation
Workers' Compensation
2015
Legalization of Marijuana: Impact on Public Entities and Pools
Legalization of Marijuana
2015
"Top Twelve Questions Insurers Ask About Medical Marijuana"
Medical Marijuana
2015
"Legalities of Screening at the Three Stages of Employment"
Employment & Labor
2014
"Hiring Right"
Workers Compensation
2014
"Denver Law Club Ethics Revue 2014"
Ethics
2013
"The Dever Law Club Ethics Revue 2013"
Ethics
2013
"Ethics Review"
Ethics
2012
"The Denver Law Club Ethics Revue 2012"
Ethics
2012
"Medical Marijuana"
Medical Marijuana
2012
"Bury the Hatchet Show"
Workers Compensation
2011
"The Denver Law Club Ethics Review 2011"
Ethics
2011
"The Denver Law Club Annual Meeting"
Workers Compensation
2011
"Medical Marijuana"
Medical Marijuana
2010
"Workers Compensation Update - 2010"
Workers Compensation
Publications
2008
Chapter 10, Senior Law Handbook, A joint project of the Elder Law and Trust and Estate Sections of the Colorado Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Colorado, Inc.
Workers’ Compensation and the Aging Worker
2006
The Healthcare Savings Chronicle
The Ten Ingredients of a Superlative Workers’ Compensation Program
1996
Risk Management Magazine
Background Checking: Reducing Workers’ Compensation Claims
1996
The Colorado Lawyer
Workers’ Compensation, ADA and the FMLA: The Ten Questions Most Commonly Asked by Colorado Employers
1993
Prevent: Loss Control Newsletter published by Colorado Compensation Insurance Authority
Alcohol and Drug Testing in the Work Place: What Private Employers Need To Know
1986
The Colorado Lawyer
The Colorado Prejudgment Interest Statute: Potential For Market Rate Interest
1986
The Colorado Lawyer
Collecting Pre- and Post-Judgment Interest in Colorado: A Primer
1986
The Colorado Lawyer
An Update of Appendices From Collecting Pre- and Post-Judgment Interest in Colorado
1981
Texas International Law Journal
Recent Developments: Verlinden B. v. Central Bank of Nigeria
Languages
English
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