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 10 2026
11th Cir. 1:20-cv-00613-TWT Unpublished

TENOR CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC v. GUNBROKER.COM, LLC

The Eleventh Circuit reversed a summary judgment ruling that had shielded a financial firm from fiduciary duty claims, holding that statutory duties under the Investment Advisers Act cannot be waived by contract disclaimers. The court also reversed a jury verdict awarding the firm unjust enrichment, ruling that its financing services were inextricably linked to prior illegal investment advice, rendering the entire contract void.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting
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Apr 10 2026
6th Cir. 25-3651 Published

Rondell Hooks v. Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners, et al.

The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for defendants in an excessive-force suit because the plaintiff failed to exhaust administrative remedies. The court held that the Prison Litigation Reform Act bars litigation when an inmate has not filed a standard grievance or provided evidence of an informal one in the district court.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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Apr 10 2026
10th Cir. 1:24-CV-01837-RMR) Panel Decision

SCOTT WILLIAM WYBAN v. MOSES STANCIL, Director, CDOC; BARRY GOODRICH, Warden; THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

The Tenth Circuit denied Scott William Wyban a certificate of appealability, ruling that his ineffective assistance of counsel claims lacked substantial grounds for relief. The court affirmed the district court's denial of his habeas petition, finding that trial counsel's strategic decisions were within the wide range of professionally competent assistance.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 10 2026
1st Cir. 24-1323 Panel Decision

García-Navarro v. Universal Insurance Company Hogar La Bella Unión, Inc.

The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Universal Insurance Company, holding that a Puerto Rico Supreme Court decision clarifying the scope of professional services exclusions applied retroactively to pending cases. The court rejected the appellant's argument that the intervening precedent created new law, finding instead that it merely clarified existing statutory interpretation.

Civil Insurance Summary Judgment
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Apr 9 2026
9th Cir. 8:23-cv-01071-JAK-ADS Unpublished

Escamilla v. Lara

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of several claims in a challenge to California's bail agent licensing law because the injuries were speculative and not yet ripe. However, the court reversed the denial of leave to amend, holding that the plaintiff could have pleaded facts to establish ripeness and a plausible retaliation claim.

Civil Insurance
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Apr 9 2026
Fed. Cir. 25-1171 Panel Decision

Bennett v. United States

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Pamela and James Bennett against the United States and various officials. The court held that it lacked jurisdiction because the plaintiffs failed to establish a money-mandating source of law under the Little Tucker Act.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Apr 9 2026
11th Cir. 2:23-cv-00146-KKD-PBM Per Curiam

Ernest N. Finley, Jr. v. City of Montgomery, Steven L. Reed

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment and denial of a motion to stay in a civil rights and employment dispute involving a former police chief. The appellate court held that the appellant failed to challenge material facts or the lower court's reasoning, rendering the appeal frivolous under the summary affirmance standard.

Constitutional Sixth Amendment - Right to Counsel Summary Judgment
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Apr 8 2026
4th Cir. 24-2132 Panel Decision

Perry v. Marteney

The Fourth Circuit reversed a district court ruling that had granted a preliminary injunction allowing a child to attend a virtual public school without vaccination. The appellate court held that West Virginia's compulsory vaccination law is a neutral and generally applicable regulation that does not violate the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Civil Rights - Section 1983
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