DES MOINES, Iowa - Drake University is dedicating an entire day to one of its alumni.

The school is hosting its Cady Day of Service in honor of late Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, who died unexpectedly last year.

A variety of virtual and live events are taking place today (Friday) in the Des Moines area and around the state to honor of Cady.

Attorneys from all over the state are participating in some form of public service or pro bono work

The public's invited to a free clinic on Living Wills and the Powers of Attorney.

As a member of the Iowa Supreme Court, Cady proved to be consequential in at least two high profile, politically charged cases.

He wrote the opinion in Varnum v. Brien, a unanimous decision in 2009 that made Iowa the third state to permit same-sex marriage, years before the U.S Supreme Court affirmed gay marriage in 2015.

Cady also wrote the 5-2 majority opinion in Planned Parenthood v Reynolds, which struck down a 72-hour waiting period for an abortion. (Republicans lawmakers passed a 24-hours waiting period this year, which was temporarily blocked by a judge during litigation)

Governor Terry Branstad appointed Cady to the Iowa Court of Appeals in 1994, and elevated Cady to the Iowa Supreme Court in 1998.

(Image from Drake University)