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

1,757 decisions
Apr 21 2026
10th Cir. 1:24-CV-00646-KWR-LF Panel Decision

Sanchez, et al. v. Torrez, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of landowners' Fifth Amendment takings claims, ruling that they failed to state a valid claim for a judicial taking. Although the court found the plaintiffs had standing and that sovereign immunity did not bar the suit, it held that the New Mexico Supreme Court's decision merely clarified existing public easements rather than taking established property rights.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Standing
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Apr 21 2026
10th Cir. 6:14-CV-00385-JAR Panel Decision

Womble v. Chrisman, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment on a prisoner's claim regarding inadequate nutrition but reversed the ruling on unsanitary toilet and shower conditions. The court held that a reasonable jury could find prison officials acted with deliberate indifference to the Eighth Amendment regarding the facilities, remanding the case for trial on that specific claim.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Eighth Amendment - Cruel & Unusual Qualified Immunity
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Apr 21 2026
10th Cir. 1:20-CV-03501-RBJ Panel Decision

Liberty Global, Inc. v. United States

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment, holding that the codified economic substance doctrine applies to complex tax-avoidance schemes even when they mechanically comply with the tax code. The court ruled that Liberty Global's 'Project Soy' lacked economic substance and business purpose, disallowing the claimed tax deductions.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Summary Judgment
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Apr 21 2026
10th Cir. 1:20-CV-01878-RBJ Panel Decision

Packard, et al. v. City and County of Denver, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed a jury verdict finding a Denver police officer liable for excessive force, rejecting his qualified immunity claim because clearly established law prohibited using pepperballs on peaceful, unarmed protesters without warning. The court also upheld the denial of a bifurcation motion and the punitive damages award, confirming that the officer acted with reckless indifference to the plaintiff's constitutional rights.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 21 2026
10th Cir. 25-3119 Panel Decision

United States v. Lowe

The Tenth Circuit denied Gary Lowe's request for a certificate of appealability, finding that reasonable jurists could not view the district court's denial as debatable or wrong. The court concluded that Lowe's claims of judicial bias and ineffective assistance of counsel lacked merit due to a lack of transcript support and a misunderstanding of local rules.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 21 2026
10th Cir. 6:21-CV-00380-RAW Panel Decision

Robinson v. Nationstar Mortgage

The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment against Katrina Robinson, holding she lacked Article III standing under the Fair Housing Act because her injury was not fairly traceable to the defendant's actions. Consequently, the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over her state law claims, leaving the district court's dismissal of all claims intact.

Civil Civil Rights - Housing Summary Judgment
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Apr 21 2026
4th Cir. 25-4296 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DUSTIN ERIC WILSON

The Fourth Circuit affirmed Dustin Wilson's conviction, ruling that his trial counsel's decision to advocate for medical treatment rather than pre-trial release was objectively reasonable. The court found no evidence that Wilson's medical condition would have secured his release or that his guilty plea was the result of ineffective assistance.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 21 2026
Fed. Cir. 26-133 Panel Decision

In re ROSALIND C. ABRAMS

The Federal Circuit dismissed a petition for a writ of mandamus because the underlying employment discrimination case does not fall within its limited statutory jurisdiction. The court ordered the immediate transfer of the petition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, which has proper appellate authority over the Northern District of Georgia.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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