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

1,710 decisions
Mar 11 2026
3rd Cir. 2:20-cv-20559 Panel Decision

Michael Kaplon v. Morris Township Police Department; Madison Police Department; Borough of Madison; Township of Morris; Chief Mark DiCarlo; Chief Darren P. Dachisen, Sr.; Police...

The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for police officers and municipalities in a civil rights case arising from a drunk driving crash and subsequent arrest. The court held that the officers had reasonable suspicion to stop the appellant and that the force used to subdue him was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 10 2026
9th Cir. 8:23-cv-00306- Published

B.B., a minor by and through her mother, Chelsea Boyle v. Capistrano Unified School District; Jesus Becerra, an individual in his individual and official capacities; Cleo Victa, an individual in her individual and official capacities

The Ninth Circuit vacated a district court's grant of summary judgment for a school principal who disciplined a first-grade student for a drawing. The panel held that elementary students retain First Amendment protections and that age is a relevant but non-dispositive factor in the Tinker balancing test.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Mar 10 2026
4th Cir. 25-1409 Panel Decision

Environmental Hydrogeological Consultants, Inc. v. North American Risk Services, Inc.

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an environmental consultant's negligent misrepresentation claim against an insurance adjuster, holding that North Carolina law imposes no duty of care on independent adjusters toward third-party claimants. The court reasoned that imposing such a duty would create conflicting loyalties for adjusters who are employed by insurers.

Civil Insurance
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Mar 10 2026
4th Cir. 24-1880 Panel Decision

Trauernicht v. Genworth Financial Inc.

The Fourth Circuit reversed and vacated a district court's class certification order in an ERISA fiduciary breach case involving a defined contribution plan. The court held that individualized monetary claims in such plans cannot be joined in a mandatory class under Rule 23(b)(1) and that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate commonality.

Civil ERISA / Employee Benefits
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Mar 10 2026
6th Cir. 25-1053 Published

BRAYTON JAMES GROTH v. NICHOLAS HILL, SCOTT MCINTYRE, and RAYMOND FAES

The Sixth Circuit dismissed the officers' interlocutory appeal for lack of jurisdiction because they refused to accept the plaintiff's version of genuinely disputed facts regarding the level of resistance. The court held that without a factual concession or clear video evidence resolving the dispute, appellate review of qualified immunity denials in excessive-force cases is barred.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity
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Mar 10 2026
6th Cir. 25-1681 Published

West v. Dow Chemical Company

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment to an employer, holding that a signed termination release validly barred an employee's discrimination claims. The court found the release was executed knowingly and voluntarily because the employee received adequate time to review the document and consult counsel.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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