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

1,706 decisions

Jul 7 2026

United States Court… 24-7152 Panel Decision

Zia Chishti and Sarah Pobereskin v. Tatiana Spottiswoode

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a defamation and breach of contract lawsuit brought by Zia Chishti against Tatiana Spottiswoode. The court held that Spottiswoode's congressional testimony and related statements were protected by legislative privilege and First Amendment principles.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment

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Jul 7 2026

11th Cir. 22-13992 Published

Pernell v. Florida Board of Governors of the State University System

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking Florida's Individual Freedom Act as applied to public university professors. The court held that the state cannot ban professors from teaching specific viewpoints on race and sex in the classroom.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment

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Jul 7 2026

United States Court… 24-7127 Panel Decision

GREGORY T. ANGELO v. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed a lower court ruling that dismissed a Second Amendment challenge to the District of Columbia's ban on carrying firearms on public transit. The appellate court held that licensed pistol owners have standing to sue because the ban forces them to incur higher transportation costs to comply with the law.

Child Sexual Abuse Material Civil Rights - Section 1983 Criminal Standing

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Jul 7 2026

11th Cir. 22-13992 Published

Pernell v. Florida Board of Governors of the State University System

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking Florida's Individual Freedom Act as applied to public university professors. The court held that the statute's viewpoint-based restrictions on classroom speech violate the First Amendment and cannot be justified by employee speech or government speech doctrines.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment

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Jul 7 2026

10th Cir. 6:20-CV-00152-RAW Panel Decision

Lakey, et al. v. Bryant, et al.

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment in a civil rights suit arising from the death of Jared Lakey during a police encounter. The court held that the Carter County Sheriff was entitled to qualified immunity and that there was insufficient evidence of an informal custom of excessive force.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment

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Jul 7 2026

10th Cir. 1:25-CV-00065-RMR-CYC Panel Decision

Ahmadi v. Hyatt Regency Hotel Denver

The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se employment discrimination appeal. The court held that the appellant waived his right to appellate review by failing to object to the magistrate judge's recommendation.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment

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Jul 7 2026

11th Cir. 24-13513 Published

Marbury v. Warden III

The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court's grant of summary judgment in an Eighth Amendment deliberate-indifference case involving prison violence. The appellate court held that statistical evidence and specific facility conditions created a genuine dispute of material fact regarding a substantial risk of serious harm.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity

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Jul 7 2026

10th Cir. 1:25-CV-02206-LTB-RTG Panel Decision

Nakagaki v. Aspen Valley Hospital, et al.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se employment discrimination complaint. The court held that the plaintiff failed to cure pleading deficiencies or comply with local rules despite multiple opportunities to amend.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment

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Jul 7 2026

11th Cir. 5:25-cv-00356-AW-MJF Per Curiam

Brown v. Warden, FCI Marianna Miles Unit Manager

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a federal prisoner because the notice of appeal was premature. The court held that a magistrate judge's report and recommendation is not a final, appealable order until the district court adopts it.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner

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Jul 6 2026

5th Cir. 25-30687 Per Curiam

Veals v. Hedgemon

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by an incarcerated plaintiff who sought to proceed in forma pauperis. The court found the appeal lacked arguable merit because the claims were time-barred or failed to state a cognizable constitutional issue.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983

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