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

1,783 decisions
Jul 23 2024
United States Court… 22-5273 Panel Decision

JO SPENCE v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DENIS MCDONOUGH

The D.C. Circuit held that the liberal pleading standards typically afforded to pro se litigants do not automatically apply when the litigant is a licensed attorney. The court affirmed the district court's dismissal of most claims and its grant of summary judgment, ruling that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying leniency to the pro se lawyer.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Jul 15 2024
9th Cir. 4:23-cv-05829- Published

Defense for Children International-Palestine v. Biden

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging U.S. military aid to Israel, ruling that the claims present nonjusticiable political questions. The court held that adjudicating the dispute would improperly intrude upon the Executive Branch's exclusive constitutional prerogatives over foreign policy and national security.

Civil Civil Rights - Education
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May 31 2024
9th Cir. 3:23-cv-01097-CL Published

Betschart v. State of Oregon

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction requiring Oregon to provide counsel to indigent criminal defendants within seven days of their initial appearance or release them from custody. The court held that the systemic failure to provide counsel constitutes an extraordinary circumstance that overrides the Younger abstention doctrine and justifies federal intervention to protect Sixth Amendment rights.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Preliminary Injunction
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May 14 2024
United States Court… 23-5074 Panel Decision

MOHAMMED JIBRIL v. ALEJANDRO N. MAYORKAS

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the Jibril family's lawsuit, holding they lacked Article III standing to seek prospective injunctive relief. The court ruled that without evidence of current watchlist status or a substantial risk of future injury, the plaintiffs could not demonstrate the concrete injury required for judicial review.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Due Process Standing
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Apr 26 2024
United States Court… 24-7078 Panel Decision

Walton v. First Merchants Bank

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's sua sponte dismissal of Deborah Walton's complaint, holding that she lacks standing to bring a qui tam action under the False Claims Act. The court further ruled that her retaliation claim fails because she is not an employee or agent of the defendants, and that she forfeited other federal claims by failing to adequately brief them.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Apr 23 2024
9th Cir. 9:23-cv-00101- Published

Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force; WildEarth Guardians v. State of Montana; Lesley Robinson; Greg Gianforte

The Ninth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction banning wolf trapping in Montana during grizzly bear denning season but vacated the order's geographic scope and prohibition on research trapping. The court held that while plaintiffs raised serious questions regarding unlawful grizzly bear take under the Endangered Species Act, the district court's injunction was overbroad in its application to areas outside the occupied grizzly range and to state research activities.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting
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Mar 6 2024
9th Cir. 3:21-cv-01718- Published

B & L PRODUCTIONS, INC., DBA Crossroads of the West; BARRY BARDACK; RONALD J. DIAZ, Sr.; JOHN DUPREE; CHRISTOPHER IRICK; ROBERT SOLIS; LAWRENCE MICHAEL WALSH; CAPTAIN JON’S LOCK...

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to California statutes banning firearm sales on state property, ruling that the laws regulate nonexpressive conduct and do not violate the First or Second Amendments. In a related consolidated appeal, the court vacated a preliminary injunction, finding the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on their constitutional claims.

Civil Securities
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Feb 29 2024
9th Cir. 6:23-cv-01624- Per Curiam

Linthicum v. Wagner

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction, holding that legislators' walkouts to deny a quorum are official acts protected by Nevada Commission on Ethics v. Carrigan rather than personal speech under the First Amendment. Consequently, the Senators could not claim retaliation for absences incurred during their protest, meaning Oregon's constitutional disqualification provision applies without violating free speech rights.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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