Commissions lawsuits

Barring any surprises, the two largest settlements in the Sitzer/Burnett commissions case — totaling nearly $700 million — will be finalized in just a few days.

Judge Stephen Bough said discovery could continue into whether deals reached by eXp and Weichert with the Hooper plaintiffs constituted a "reverse auction."

A law professor says the court doesn’t have the authority to force objectors to attend in person, while in Pennsylvania, Howard Hanna’s dismissal is appealed.

The franchise went the same route as eXp, agreeing to settle with plaintiffs in the Hooper case even though it was originally named in Gibson.

The combined deals, which total nearly $5 million, are the next step in resolving litigation for the four firms with regional and national footprints.

In a lengthy filing, Judge Bough outlined his reasons for approving nine brokerage settlements last week, which he said got plaintiffs “the best deal possible.”

Defendants seek dismissals in the Missouri case; leading Utah MLS dropped from lawsuit involving flat-fee brokerage; eXp files settlement.

West Penn MLS was also dismissed, with the judge ruling there was no evidence of a conspiracy between the parties to fix rates.

The deal, which is not yet final, came in a Georgia case but covers similar lawsuits over agent compensation.

John L. Scott and Real Estate One are the latest firms to reach a deal in the Gibson/Umpa class-action lawsuit.

Using the “one-third” formula, the plaintiffs’ lawyers are asking for more than $225 million from the two commissions settlements, plus other expenses.

Terms of the deal — which still requires a judge’s OK — were not revealed. Meanwhile, the settlement fund for Sitzer, Moehrl and Gibson is nearing $1 billion.

The commissions cases will be reassigned after Judge Andrea Wood was made aware of a possible conflict of interest.

In a court filing, lawyers called the nearly $37 million request “reasonable” and “appropriate” based on the risk and hours involved.

Preliminary approval of the deal was granted on Aug. 8, with a final hearing set for Nov. 26. Plus, Batton 2 plaintiffs respond to motions to dismiss.

A court filing indicates that Chicago-based At World Properties is nearing a deal in a lawsuit brought by an Illinois homebuyer.

Settlement details and dates have been set for Compass, Real, Douglas Elliman, Realty One and @properties, but NAR hit a roadblock in its fight with the DOJ.

Another group of plaintiffs has filed an appeal in the RE/MAX, KW and Anywhere settlements, while the brokerages offered new arguments for dismissing Batton.

Two cases involving REBNY as well as the Nosalek case are now on hold, but a Pennsylvania case will move forward — and so will MLS PIN.

The five defendants in Batton 2 — Compass, eXp, Redfin, Weichert and United — filed a joint motion, arguing that the claims are untimely and lack merit.