Commissions lawsuits

Trying to keep up with all of the recent lawsuits challenging the way agents get paid? Here’s a cheat sheet.

The case takes aim at NAR and local as well as national brokerages, while calling out the current system as a way to protect ineffective agents.

The agreements, which cover multiple buyer-broker commissions lawsuits, were deemed “fair, reasonable and adequate” by the judge.

Although the jury reached a verdict in the Sitzer/Burnett lawsuit on Oct. 31, post-trial motions will keep any judgment on hold until spring.

Cases in South Carolina, New York and Chicago pit consumers against NAR, REBNY, Keller Williams and other top real estate companies.

With more trials over commission practices — and potentially hefty damage awards — looming, the settlement agreements could be a selling point.

After the jury unanimously found for the plaintiffs in the Missouri case, the lead attorney announced he was filing a nationwide suit naming NAR, 7 brokerages.

After less than three hours of deliberation, the jury ruled for the plaintiffs in the landmark Sitzer/Burnett trial, awarding nearly $1.8 billion.

The plaintiffs’ attorney presented a dramatic closing argument, while the defense took a more methodical approach, saying the conspiracy claims did not hold up.

During a grinding morning of testimony, CEO Bob Goldberg repeatedly said NAR doesn't weigh in on commissions, while emotions ran high in the afternoon.

A former NAR committee member called traditional compensation practices “the ultimate form of restraint of trade,” claiming that NAR looked the other way.

On Day 5 of the Sitzer/Burnett trial, plaintiffs focused on steering, high fees in the U.S., and how buyer agent pay is handled differently in other countries.

On Day 4 of the Sitzer/Burnett trial, an expert witness for the plaintiffs said the current commissions system is a "clear case" of collusion and price fixing.

Materials painted 6% commissions as the goal, plaintiffs’ attorneys argued, while industry witnesses defended it as just a number, and negotiable.

Pre-recorded depositions from Bob Goldberg, Gino Blefari and Gary Keller included tense exchanges about buyer-broker commissions.

On day two of the Sitzer/Burnett trial, the plaintiffs presented opening arguments, while the defense said conspiracy claims are "conjecture."

Lawyers jostled for position and weeded out ineligible jurors, including many who are members of the plaintiff class (Missouri home sellers).

Starting Oct. 16, NAR and other defendants will present their case to a jury that could decide how agent commissions are paid.

After a major real estate company reached a settlement in the Moehrl and Sitzer/Burnett cases, NAR said its commitment to defend itself remains unchanged.