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

1,080 decisions
May 1 2026
9th Cir. 4:21-cv-00257-JGZ Unpublished

WRIGHT, ET AL. V. TALAMANTES, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit reversed summary judgment for Dr. Dale Woolridge, holding that conducting a forensic medical exam on a child without parental consent or a court order violates clearly established constitutional rights absent exigent circumstances. The court also reversed summary judgment for investigator Gerardo Talamantes on judicial deception claims, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding the materiality of his statements to the juvenile court.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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May 1 2026
11th Cir. 1:24-cv-03775-JPB Per Curiam

Plagianes v. Fulton County School District

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Dawn Plagianes's ADA claims because she failed to file her EEOC charge within the statutory 180-day deadline. The court held that the limitations period began when the school district unequivocally notified her of its termination decision in April 2021, not when her resignation or termination became effective later that summer.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Statute of Limitations
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May 1 2026
9th Cir. 2:22-cv-01590-MEMF-AGR Unpublished

FRANK V. TESLA, INC., ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's order compelling arbitration and denying the motion to vacate, holding that the employment agreement was not unconscionable under California law. The court found that while unequal bargaining power created some procedural unfairness, the agreement lacked sufficient substantive unfairness because the district court had already severed the offending carve-out provision.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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May 1 2026
11th Cir. 1:25-cv-02192-MHC Per Curiam

Oleksandra Plyatsko v. Judge Alice Benton

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's § 1983 claims against state judges and officials but vacated the judgment to remand with instructions for a dismissal without prejudice. The court held that the plaintiff abandoned her challenge to the domestic relations exception on appeal, requiring the lower court to dismiss the case on that specific jurisdictional ground rather than other procedural bases.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983
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May 1 2026
10th Cir. 5:25-CV-03049-JWL Panel Decision

Martin v. Schnurr, et al.

The Tenth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal of a prisoner's Eighth Amendment claim, holding that the lower court erred by relying on a Martinez Report to resolve factual disputes during the screening stage. The appellate court clarified that while such reports may help identify frivolous claims, they cannot be used to dismiss a complaint for failure to state a claim when the report conflicts with the plaintiff's pleadings.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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May 1 2026
1st Cir. 24-2067 Panel Decision

Lantigua-Núñez v. United States Coast Guard

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a Federal Tort Claims Act claim against the Coast Guard, holding that the Suits in Admiralty Act provides the exclusive remedy for maritime torts involving government vessels. Because the plaintiff's proposed amendment to add a claim under the Suits in Admiralty Act was time-barred, the court ruled that no federal subject matter jurisdiction existed over the tort claim.

Admiralty / Maritime Civil
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May 1 2026
6th Cir. 24-1975 2-1

Kerwin v. Trinity Health Grand Haven Hosp.

The Sixth Circuit reversed a district court's grant of a preliminary injunction under Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act, holding that the NLRB failed to demonstrate the irreparable harm required for equitable relief. While the Board likely succeeded on the merits of its unfair labor practice claims, the court found that the Board's remedial powers were sufficient to address any injury without immediate judicial intervention.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Apr 30 2026
11th Cir. 9:23-cv-81577-RMM Unpublished

QUIN E. BRISCOE v. TRANSAMERICA PREMIER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY an Iowa Corporation, successor by merger to Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company an Iowa corporation

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed that Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company violated Florida contract law by unilaterally annuitizing Quin Briscoe's annuity without her selection of a payment option. The court held that the contract required the owner to elect a specific payout method before payments could begin, making the insurer's default action a breach of the agreement.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Insurance
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Apr 30 2026
5th Cir. 25-50098 Per Curiam

Otis v. Miller

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an inmate's Eighth Amendment claim regarding prison conditions, ruling that the complaint failed to allege personal involvement by the named officials. The court held that the plaintiff did not provide sufficient facts to demonstrate that the defendants were deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of serious harm.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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