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

1,785 decisions
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9th Cir. 2:22-cv-01590-MEMF-AGR Unpublished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
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
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
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
5th Cir. 25-40686 Per Curiam

Pacheco-Morales v. Young

The Fifth Circuit dismissed the appeal of a former Texas prisoner seeking to challenge his conviction, ruling that his claims were untimely and failed to state a valid cause of action. The court held that the appellant's allegations of conspiracy and discrimination were conclusory and that he cannot raise new theories of relief for the first time on appeal.

Civil Civil Rights - ADA / Other Qualified Immunity
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Apr 30 2026
5th Cir. 25-40395 Per Curiam

Joyce Hilts v. City of Port Arthur

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a former city employee's due process claims, ruling that her at-will employment status negated any protected property interest in her job. The court further held that her substantive due process claim was time-barred because the termination became final upon receipt of the notice, not after the internal appeal process concluded.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment
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