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
Apr 16 2026
6th Cir. 24-4068 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CHRISTEN L. CLARK

The Sixth Circuit vacated the district court's denial of a defendant's motion to withdraw a guilty plea, ruling that the sudden resignation of counsel due to pending disciplinary action created a presumption of ineffective assistance requiring an evidentiary hearing. The court held that the district court abused its discretion by relying solely on the plea colloquy without resolving factual disputes regarding the voluntariness of the plea.

Constitutional Habeas Corpus - Federal Prisoner (28 USC 2255) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Read summary →
Apr 16 2026
5th Cir. 25-50671 Per Curiam

Sheets v. Scott & White Hospital of Marble Falls

The Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Baylor Scott & White Hospital, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove a causal link between her protected activity and subsequent adverse employment actions. The court held that significant temporal gaps between the employee's reports of racial discrimination and the disciplinary measures taken against her rendered the retaliation claim insufficient as a matter of law.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Apr 16 2026
9th Cir. 2:23-cv-07851- Published

NICHOLAS BROWN v. THE BRITA PRODUCTS COMPANY

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a consumer protection lawsuit against Brita, holding that no reasonable consumer would expect a low-cost water filter to remove contaminants to below lab-detectable limits. The court ruled that the plaintiff's claims failed because the alleged omissions were not material under California law given the product's clear disclosures.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Consumer Protection
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-01280-VMC Published

Multimedia Technologies, Inc. v. City of Atlanta, Georgia

The Eleventh Circuit vacated a district court ruling that struck down a portion of Atlanta's 1982 sign code, holding that the challenged provision is content-neutral rather than content-based. The appellate court remanded the case for the lower court to apply intermediate scrutiny to determine if the restriction is narrowly tailored to a significant government interest.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other Standing
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
1st Cir. 23-1871 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES v. JOSÉ CARTAGENA, t/n José Ruben Cartagena-Rodríguez

The First Circuit vacated a conviction for unlawful force because the government introduced a hearsay statement from an unavailable victim, violating the Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause. The court affirmed the remaining convictions for obstruction and falsifying records, which were supported by sufficient evidence, and remanded for a new trial limited to the vacated count.

Criminal Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Obstruction of Justice Sixth Amendment - Confrontation Clause
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-04531-TWT Per Curiam

K. JEFF CARNEY, M.D., PHARM.D v. EMORY UNIVERSITY

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Emory University, holding that requiring a physician to undergo leadership coaching did not constitute a prohibited medical examination under the ADA. The court reasoned that the coaching focused on professional conduct and conflict resolution rather than inquiries into physical or mental impairments.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
11th Cir. 1:23-cv-24740-EA Per Curiam

MARK T. STINSON v. WAYNE HADDIX d.b.a. Ventures Partnership AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC SHELBY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal sua sponte because the district court's denial of a Rule 60(b) motion regarding a venue transfer was not a final, appealable order. The court held that since the underlying litigation remains pending, the ruling is reviewable only after a final judgment on the merits.

Civil Consumer Protection
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
11th Cir. 9:22-cv-81914-WM Per Curiam

ROMADE ASSET PARTNERS, L.P. v. PRESCOTT LESTER

The Eleventh Circuit dismissed an appeal concerning interim orders in a partition of heirs property action because the district court had not yet issued a final judgment. The court held that Florida's Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act requires further judicial action beyond valuation and buyout notices before an appeal can proceed.

Civil Real Property
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-04531-TWT Per Curiam

K. JEFF CARNEY, M.D., PHARM.D v. EMORY UNIVERSITY

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Emory University, holding that requiring a physician to undergo leadership coaching did not constitute a prohibited medical examination under the ADA. The court reasoned that the coaching was focused on professional skills rather than inquiries into physical or mental impairments.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
Read summary →
Apr 15 2026
11th Cir. 1:21-cv-04531-TWT Per Curiam

K. JEFF CARNEY, M.D., PHARM.D v. EMORY UNIVERSITY

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Emory University, holding that requiring a physician to undergo leadership coaching did not constitute a prohibited medical examination under the ADA. The court reasoned that the record failed to support a reasonable inference that the coaching involved inquiries into physical or mental impairments.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
Read summary →