Alicia Johnson-Ishman

/My focus

My practice focuses on a variety of litigation matters, including complex litigation, contract disputes, class actions, and other consumer protection cases. I represent clients in all phases of litigation, from assessing initial claims and dispositive motions to discovery, trial, and appeal.

I am a former judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert A. Richardson, a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Prior to that, I served as a judicial law clerk for six senior judges in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in Washington, DC.

Leveraging my clerkship experience along with my active case log, I am able to obtain successful outcomes for my clients.

As a member of the firm’s NYC Pro-Bono Committee, I maintain an active pro-bono practice focused on civil rights and landlord-tenant issues.

/Representative experience

• Successfully obtained dismissal of lawsuit venued in the wrong jurisdiction based on contractual forum selection clause.
• Successfully compelled a consumer to arbitration based on membership terms of service.
• Successfully obtained dismissal of multiple causes of action in lawsuit alleging business torts and trademark infringement against supermarket retailer.
• Successfully obtained dismissal of multiple causes of action in lawsuit against foreign textile company, alleging complex, international contractual and trademark disputes. 
• Second-chaired a federal pro bono civil rights trial dealing with Section 1983 disputes, including cross-examining multiple witnesses.
• Representation of a consumer technology company in multiple consumer disputes and AAA arbitrations.

/Looking ahead

As litigation becomes more complex and resource-intensive, clients must weigh options outside the courtroom. I see an increase in the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation and arbitration, as they allow for more creative solutions to disputes that better meet the needs of all parties.

/Insights

Presentations

• “Taking the Lead: Winning Strategies and Techniques for Commercial Cases,” New York State Bar Association, November 2025 (speaker)
• “Meet a New York Appellate Judge— Commercial Disputes: By and for Junior Lawyers —Part 12,” New York State Bar Association, May 2024 (moderator)