Aisha Johnson

Correspondent

Aisha Johnson

Federal courthouse correspondent, covers civil rights, employment discrimination, housing rights, and Second Amendment disputes.

Civil Rights & Constitutional

Decisions covered by Aisha Johnson

1,073 decisions
Feb 11 2025
9th Cir. 3:22-cv-00244- Published

K. J., a minor, by and through his guardian ad litem, Kasey L. Johnson v. Doctor LAMONT A. JACKSON

The Ninth Circuit reversed summary judgment, holding that school officials violated a high school student's due process rights by extending his suspension based on new charges without providing notice or a hearing. The court further ruled that the officials are not entitled to qualified immunity and that the student has standing to seek expungement of the disciplinary records.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Feb 4 2025
2nd Cir. 22-3097 Panel Decision

Schansman v. Sberbank of Russia PJSC

The Second Circuit held that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's commercial activity exception applies to claims brought under the Anti-Terrorism Act, abrogating sovereign immunity for a Russian state-owned bank. The court further ruled for the first time that the ATA's immunity provisions cover foreign state instrumentalities, not just agencies.

Civil Labor
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Jan 28 2025
9th Cir. 2:23-cm-00228- Published

In re Grand Jury Subpoena, dated July 21, 2023

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court order compelling a law firm to submit a privilege log to the government, holding that such a log would violate the client's Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. The court ruled that when documents are protected under Fisher v. United States, an in camera review by the judge is generally required before any disclosure can be made.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Self-Incrimination
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Jan 13 2025
2nd Cir. 22-1227 Panel Decision

Pearson v. Gesner

The Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a prisoner's medical neglect claims but vacated the dismissal of his excessive force allegations. The court held that the district court erred by relying on a defendant's self-serving report and a video to evaluate the sufficiency of the complaint under Rule 12(b)(6).

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Dec 30 2024
2nd Cir. 22-585 Panel Decision

Edwards v. Arocho

The Second Circuit vacated the dismissal of a pretrial detainee's Fourteenth Amendment claims regarding unsanitary conditions and segregation without a hearing. The court also reversed summary judgment on a failure-to-protect claim, finding a factual dispute over whether the plaintiff exhausted administrative remedies under the PLRA.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Eighth Amendment - Cruel & Unusual
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Dec 23 2024
9th Cir. 21-1096 Published

VITALIY CHMUKH v. MERRICK B. GARLAND, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of asylum and withholding of removal for a Ukrainian national convicted of possessing a stolen vehicle. The court held that the Washington state statute aligns with the federal definition of an aggravated felony and that the conviction constitutes a particularly serious crime.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Dec 9 2024
2nd Cir. 22-3106 Panel Decision

Cerame v. Slack

The Second Circuit vacated a dismissal, holding that Connecticut lawyers have Article III standing to challenge a new bar rule restricting speech. The court found the plaintiffs plausibly alleged a credible threat of enforcement that chills their First Amendment rights.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Standing
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Nov 13 2024
2nd Cir. 23-614 Panel Decision

Peterson v. Bank Markazi

The Second Circuit affirmed the district court's exercise of personal jurisdiction over Clearstream and the constitutionality of 22 U.S.C. § 8772, but vacated the summary judgment against Bank Markazi. The court held that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the turnover claim against Bank Markazi and erred by failing to apply state law to determine ownership interests in the assets.

Bankruptcy Civil Summary Judgment
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Nov 13 2024
2nd Cir. 22-1801 Per Curiam

New Yorkers for Religious Liberty, Inc. v. City of New York

The Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of facial challenges to New York City's COVID-19 vaccination mandate for public school employees, ruling the policy neutral and generally applicable. However, the court vacated and remanded the dismissal of as-applied religious exemption claims for two plaintiffs, requiring the district court to evaluate whether their denials improperly judged the nature of their beliefs.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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