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

1,714 decisions
Mar 17 2026
4th Cir. 26-6059 Per Curiam

GARY WAYNE CARTER v. JOHN BRAD WHITESIDES; CAPTAIN ERIC JAILLETTE; LANCASTER SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

The Fourth Circuit vacated a district court's denial of a Rule 60(b) motion because the lower court raised the timeliness issue on its own without giving the plaintiff notice. While the court agreed that the one-year deadline applied, it held that timeliness is an affirmative defense that must be raised by the opposing party.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 16 2026
5th Cir. 24-10860 Panel Decision

Jessica Clouse; Lindsay Heyman; Meghan Klein; Sydney Severson; Rebekah Tate; Marissa Jennings; Lauren Moore; Laura Kade Plaintiffs— v. Southern Methodist University Defendant—

The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court's award of litigation costs to Southern Methodist University, ruling that the university qualified as a prevailing party despite one plaintiff's claims surviving summary judgment. The court held that SMU was entitled to recover fees for deposition videos, transcripts, and copying under 28 U.S.C. § 1920 because these expenses were necessary for trial preparation.

Civil Civil Rights - Education Statute of Limitations Summary Judgment
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 1:22-cv-00390-LEK-WRP Unpublished

Kakalia v. State of Hawaii

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a pro se motion for reconsideration in a civil rights action, finding the appellant failed to establish grounds for relief under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b). The court also rejected an unsupported claim of judicial bias and declined to consider arguments not raised in the opening brief.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Mar 16 2026
5th Cir. 25-60508 Per Curiam

Morningstar v. Kroger

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by a pro se litigant seeking in forma pauperis status. The court found the appellant's arguments conclusory and patently meritless, ruling that the appeal was frivolous.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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Mar 16 2026
5th Cir. 25-20199 Per Curiam

Judy Vuong v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs; Douglas A. Collins, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the Department of Veterans Affairs on Judy Vuong's claims of race, color, and sex discrimination and retaliation. However, the court reversed and remanded the case regarding her hostile work environment claim, finding the district court erred by dismissing it sua sponte without notice.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Mar 16 2026
9th Cir. 3:21-cv-01767-RBM-DTF Unpublished

Benjamin Flournoy v. M. Pollard, Warden, Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility; C. Kies Correctional Officer and Kilough, Mr. Miranda Lieutenant, Ralph Diaz, Former CDCR Secre...

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in a prisoner's civil rights lawsuit alleging that prison officials were deliberately indifferent to his health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The court held that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence that officials knew of and disregarded an excessive risk to his safety.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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