Juror Handbooks in Memory of John Nathanael "Nat" Bryan, Sr. (1960-2008)

Attorney Nat Bryan was a zealous advocate for his clients, a generous supporter of the Birmingham Bar Foundation and a devoted husband and father. His untimely death in 2008 was a loss to all who knew him and to the Birmingham legal community. Nat served as a Birmingham Bar Foundation officer and board member from 2004 through 2006.

In 2005 Nat worked with the Courts of 10th Judicial Circuit to create the first Birmingham Bar Foundation Juror Handbook. This handbook was the first guide provided to jurors since the State of Alabama stopped funding jury service guides in 1992. The eighth edition of the Birmingham Bar Foundation 10th Judicial Circuit Juror Handbook was published in 2020. 

Each Presiding Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit has been instrumental in promoting the Juror Handbook, and it is widely seen as a tool for assisting citizens in serving their important role in preserving our Constitutional rights to a jury trial in civil and criminal cases. The justice system works best when jurors are informed of and fulfill their duty as the fact finder in cases pending before the Courts. The Juror Handbook helps jurors fulfill these responsibilities.

The Juror Handbook is published in memory of Nat Bryan. The Birmingham Bar Foundation honors Nat and his memory by recognizing his contributions toward making jury service simpler and more understandable for the citizens of Jefferson County. The Birmingham Bar Foundation also honors Nat’s memory and supports the jury system by providing wireless internet access in the Jefferson County Jury Assembly Room.

Please contact the Birmingham Bar Foundation at PO Box 1905, Birmingham, AL 35201 to learn about how you can participate in the Nat Bryan Memorial Fund designated for the Juror Internet and Handbook projects.