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 2 2026
9th Cir. 6:22-cv-00496-MO Unpublished

ROBIN R. GILLILAND v. Linn County Deputy EASON; Linn County Deputy LEDERER; Linn County Deputy Lt D. RANDALL

The Ninth Circuit reversed summary judgment on Gilliland's Eighth Amendment excessive-force claim against Deputy Eason, finding a genuine dispute of material fact regarding force used during transport. The court affirmed judgment for all other claims, including those against Deputy Lederer and Lieutenant Randall, while remanding the excessive-force claim for trial.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 2 2026
9th Cir. 20-72157 Published

SUSIE ESKILIAN v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit vacated the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of a stateless immigrant's motion to reopen removal proceedings, ruling that the agency applied an incorrect diligence standard. The court held that individuals born in the Soviet era who are deemed stateless reasonably begin challenging removal only after learning they are no longer protected from deportation.

Civil Immigration (Civil) Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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Apr 2 2026
8th Cir. 24-3261 Panel Decision

Michael Cunningham v. Trooper Amanda Kahler

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the denial of sovereign immunity against a state superintendent in his official capacity, ruling that Missouri law does not waive immunity for prospective relief regarding expunged records. The court held that while the state cannot be sued for damages, the superintendent remains subject to suit to prevent future dissemination of expunged convictions that lead to unlawful arrests.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Qualified Immunity
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Apr 2 2026
8th Cir. 24-3181 Panel Decision

Designworks Homes, Inc.; Charles Lawrence James v. Columbia House of Brokers Realty, Inc., doing business as House of Brokers, Inc doing business as Jackie Bulgin & Associates;...

The Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court's award of attorney's fees against a plaintiff for bringing unnecessarily overbroad copyright infringement claims. The court held that the lower court acted within its broad discretion to deter litigation strategies that do not serve the purposes of the Copyright Act.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Apr 2 2026
7th Cir. 24-1612 Panel Decision

Stingley v. Laci Transport Inc.

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for shuttle truck drivers transporting auto parts, holding their intrastate routes fell within the Fair Labor Standards Act's motor carrier exemption. The court ruled that moving goods from out-of-state storage lots to a Chicago assembly plant was part of a continuous interstate journey.

Civil Labor
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Apr 2 2026
7th Cir. 24-1998 Panel Decision

Nos. 24-1998 & 24-2210 Don Lippert v. Latoya Hughes, et al.

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court's modification of a consent decree requiring the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide adequate medical care, holding that the PLRA's specific findings requirement was satisfied by the parties' stipulation and the court's explicit amendment. The court dismissed appeals regarding the extension of the decree and the removal of a procedural stipulation, concluding those issues fell outside its interlocutory jurisdiction.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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Apr 2 2026
7th Cir. 24-2210 Panel Decision

Nos. 24-1998 & 24-2210 DON LIPPERT v. LATOYA HUGHES, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's enforcement of a consent decree requiring the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide adequate medical care to prisoners. The court rejected the department's argument that new findings under the Prison Litigation Reform Act were necessary because the lower court had already satisfied those statutory standards when approving the implementation plan.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner
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Apr 2 2026
4th Cir. 25-1347 Panel Decision

KEITH REILLY v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

The Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review, upholding the Merit Systems Protection Board's dismissal of a federal employee's whistleblower retaliation claims. The court found no reversible error in the Board's determination that the employee failed to prove protected activity was a contributing factor in his employment actions.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Apr 2 2026
4th Cir. 24-6538 Per Curiam

Michael Jermaine Grace v. Alamance County; Graham Police Department; Officer Cross; Officer Z. Hulcher; Detective C.T. Denny

The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment in a civil rights action, holding that the plaintiff waived appellate review of claims barred by the statute of limitations. For the remaining claims, the court found no reversible error after a de novo review of the record.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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