Members of the Iowa legal community participated in the 2025 statewide Mark S. Cady Day of Public Service (Cady Day) on Friday, Oct. 17, marking the sixth year that lawyers, law students, and legal organizations have joined forces to perform public service and pro bono work in honor of the late Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice.
The Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) joined the effort with a volunteer shift at Meals From the Heartland, a local organization dedicated to packing and distributing meals to those in need. During their shift, the OPR volunteers were delighted to run into members of the Branstad & Olson law firm, who were volunteering at the same location.
Cady Day brings together hundreds of volunteers through legal clinics, service projects, and educational initiatives. Over the past six years, these efforts have reached tens of thousands of Iowans, demonstrating the profound impact of collective service.
“During the Cady Day of Service, we honor the legacy of Chief Justice Cady not only with words, but with action,” said ISBA President Kathy Law. “The Cady Day of Service reminds us that justice lives not just in our courtrooms, but in our communities—in the hands of those who serve, volunteer, and lift others up. As Iowa lawyers, we are proud to carry forward his belief that the law should be a force for good in every corner of our state.”
Drake Law School Dean Roscoe Jones, Jr., also reflected on the significance of the day:
“Justice Cady’s legacy continues to inspire our entire community—students, staff, faculty, and alumni—to use their legal education in service of others and as a force for good. The Cady Day of Public Service embodies the best of Iowa’s legal tradition: selfless service and civic commitment. I’m proud that Drake Law continues to play a leading role in honoring that legacy and advancing it for future generations.”
Cady Day is sponsored by Drake University Law School, The Iowa State Bar Association, Iowa Legal Aid, and the Polk County Bar Association, and continues to exemplify the Iowa legal community’s commitment to service, civic engagement, and justice for all.
Did you or your law firm participate in Cady Day this year? Please share the details and your photos with us at communications@iowabar.org.
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