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

Feb 12 2026

7th Cir. 22-3212 Panel Decision

JENNIFER SHIRK v. TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the grant of summary judgment, holding that an employee failed to prove causation for her FMLA and Rehabilitation Act retaliation claims. The court found that the university's decision to terminate the plaintiff was based on her insubordinate emails to senior leadership, not her protected medical leave or accommodation requests.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment

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Feb 11 2026

9th Cir. 2:23-cv-00031- Published

Cox v. Gritman Medical Center

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction, holding that Idaho-based medical providers purposefully availed themselves of Washington law by treating a Washington resident and transmitting prescriptions to Washington pharmacies. The court also affirmed that venue was proper in the Eastern District of Washington because a substantial part of the events giving rise to the wrongful-death claims occurred there.

Civil Tort / Personal Injury

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Feb 11 2026

7th Cir. 25-1402 Panel Decision

CHARIOT CAMPBELL v. CITY OF GALESBURG, ILLINOIS

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Chariot Campbell's Section 1983 lawsuit alleging constitutional violations during child custody proceedings. The court held that DCFS employees were protected by sovereign and qualified immunity and that LSSI failed to state a claim for violating constitutional rights.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity

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Feb 11 2026

7th Cir. 24-3231 Panel Decision

Michael A. Maxie v. Crystal Bennett

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a postjudgment motion challenging the remand of a child-custody case to state court. The court held it lacks jurisdiction to review remand orders based on a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and found no evidence of judicial bias.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner

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Feb 10 2026

7th Cir. 25-1389 Panel Decision

ROBERT L. COLLINS BEY v. EILEEN S. GAVIN and WELLHART LLC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for a prison doctor and her employer, ruling that delays in treating a prisoner's broken hand did not constitute deliberate indifference under the Eighth Amendment. The court held that the medical staff's reliance on standard scheduling procedures and their reasonable response to the injury negated any claim of constitutional violation.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment

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Feb 10 2026

7th Cir. 25-1279 Panel Decision

WISCONSIN VOTER ALLIANCE v. DON M. MILLIS, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to the Wisconsin Elections Commission for lack of Article III standing. The court held that the Wisconsin Voter Alliance failed to demonstrate a concrete injury beyond a bare procedural violation of the Help America Vote Act.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983

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Feb 6 2026

11th Cir. 3:21-cv-03061-MCR-ZCB Published

Melton v. I-10 Truck Center Inc.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment on claims of discriminatory and retaliatory termination but reversed the dismissal of a racially hostile work environment claim. The court held that evidence of pervasive racial slurs directed at nonwhite customers and the use of the term 'boy' created a genuine dispute of material fact regarding the workplace environment.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment

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Feb 6 2026

11th Cir. 1:22-cv-21397-KMW Published

Castro-Reyes v. City of Opa-Locka

The Eleventh Circuit reversed the denial of qualified immunity for Officers Bosque and Kelly regarding a false arrest claim, finding they had arguable probable cause to detain the plaintiff under Florida's Baker Act. The court affirmed the denial of immunity for Officers Serrano and Perez on excessive force and state law assault claims, holding that a jury could find their use of force was grossly disproportionate to the threat posed.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity

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Feb 5 2026

7th Cir. 25-1344 Panel Decision

MICHAEL D. HICKINGBOTTOM v. CHRISTOPHER HOLCOMB

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for prison officials regarding an Eighth Amendment claim about black mold, ruling that reasonable remediation efforts negate a finding of deliberate indifference. The court also upheld a jury verdict against the plaintiff on a heat-related claim, rejecting arguments regarding ineffective counsel and jury composition.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983 Summary Judgment

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Feb 5 2026

7th Cir. 24-3105 Panel Decision

LOGAN DYJAK v. LANA MILLER and KATE PATAROZZI

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the grant of summary judgment for facility officials, holding that they were entitled to qualified immunity regarding visitation restrictions. The court found that no clearly established First Amendment right existed for civil detainees to unrestricted visitation under the specific pandemic-era and post-pandemic circumstances faced by the facility.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment

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