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
Jan 29 2026
1st Cir. 24-1655 Panel Decision

JENNIFER DEANGELIS; NATALIE TOMASELLI v. HASBRO, INC

The First Circuit vacated the dismissal of a Title VII claim alleging religious discrimination and retaliation against Hasbro, Inc. The court held that the plaintiffs plausibly alleged that their sincerely held religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine were not accommodated and that the employer's subsequent actions constituted adverse employment actions.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment
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Jan 29 2026
11th Cir. 3:22-cv-00312-RAH-JTA Published

Denise Hughes, as Administrator of the Estate of Edwin Dewayne Moss v. Darian K. Locure, an individual; Monique N. Locure, Administratrix of the Estate of Darian K. Locure

The Eleventh Circuit reversed the district court's denial of qualified immunity to a sheriff's deputy sued for drunk driving that caused a fatal collision. The court held that existing circuit precedent did not clearly establish that such conduct violated the Constitution, shielding the deputy from federal liability.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity
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Jan 27 2026
1st Cir. 25-1134 Panel Decision

JANE DOE v. CITY OF BOSTON; BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT; INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS in the official capacities

The First Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the City of Boston, ruling that no reasonable jury could find the police department's disclosure of a former officer's disciplinary records was motivated by retaliation. The court held that the department's actions were driven by standard procedures and legal obligations rather than a desire to punish the plaintiff for protected conduct.

Civil Civil Rights - Employment Summary Judgment
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Jan 23 2026
United States Court… 24-7045 Panel Decision

DAVID L. DE CSEPEL v. REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY, A FOREIGN STATE

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a decades-long lawsuit by the de Csepel family seeking the return of Holocaust-era artwork seized by Hungary. The court held that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act because the family failed to prove the takings violated the specific international law of expropriation.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty
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Jan 22 2026
1st Cir. 25-1275 Panel Decision

JOHN T. KOLACKOVSKY; ZENAS B. SEPPALA; ANNE HYDE; ROBERT SONIA; JONATHAN RING; TIM ROSE; RAY THURSBY; DEE OLIBERIO; CALANDRA SALO; LARY SALO; CASSI HOHENWARTER v. TOWN OF ROCKPORT

The First Circuit affirmed the dismissal of residents' constitutional and statutory challenges to a new zoning district because they failed to allege specific, concrete injuries required for Article III standing. The court held that vague assertions about potential property value changes and generalized grievances were insufficient to establish a personal stake in the outcome.

Civil Civil Rights - Voting Standing
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Jan 21 2026
1st Cir. 24-1488 Panel Decision

ARLETA MONGUE v. THE WHEATLEIGH CORPORATION; L. LINFIELD SIMON; SUSAN SIMON; MARC WILHELM

The First Circuit affirmed a district court order enforcing a global settlement resolving Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage claims against a luxury hotel. The court held that a single attorney could simultaneously represent individual plaintiffs and a certified class in negotiating the deal without creating a disqualifying conflict of interest.

Civil Labor
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Jan 16 2026
United States Court… 24-3194 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOSEPH A. CERRONI, JR.

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the denial of a writ of coram nobis, holding that the appellant failed to prove fundamental error or ineffective assistance of counsel regarding his guilty plea. The court further ruled that the appellant waited too long to challenge the conviction, offering no valid reason for the three-decade delay.

Constitutional Sixth Amendment - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
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