Compass escalates battle with MLSs, suing 15 in federal court
The brokerage giant is challenging the pre-marketing rules of major MLSs across the country, including six in California and three in North Carolina.
November 12, 2026
Real estate in the courtroom
- Tuccori judge not ready to OK settlements; Compass, NAR cooperateThe judge in the commission case questioned the “adequacy” of the deals. Plus, NAR won’t subpoena Compass execs in PLS case; Zillow responds to steering claims.Updated November 11, 2026
- MLSListings joins legal battle against CompassThe Northern California MLS was added to an amended complaint on Oct. 30. Plus, Compass seeks dismissal of CRMLS case; agents move to get NAR subpoenas quashed.Updated November 3, 2026
- Zillow settles years-long securities case for $212.5MThe deal, which is pending court approval, comes just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Zillow’s petition for review of the case’s class certification.October 28, 2026
More Real estate in the courtroom
- OneKey joins CRMLS as plaintiff in lawsuit against CompassThe New York-based MLS is the eighth to ask the court to protect it from the brokerage giant’s litigation threats, which it says date back to March.October 27, 2026
- Oren and Tal Alexander sentenced to 30 years for sex traffickingThe ex-luxury brokers and their brother Alon each received the same sentence following their convictions in March on multiple federal sex offenses.October 27, 2026
- Compass execs ask court to quash NAR subpoenas in PLS caseRobert Reffkin, Ashton Alexander and Cory Perkins allege NAR is trying to pressure them not to testify, calling the subpoenas “retaliatory and oppressive.”October 26, 2026
- CRMLS leaders pick apart Compass lawsuitThe MLS’s CEO and general counsel suggest the brokerage giant’s own complaint indicates its agents may be falling short of NAR rules and state law.October 26, 2026
- Homebuyer sues Keller Williams franchisee over fixed broker feeThe plaintiff alleges the brokerage charged him $650 “for nothing” in violation of a state consumer protection law and the firm’s own fiduciary duty.October 23, 2026
- ARMLS, 5 other MLSs sue Compass over pressure campaignThe six organizations are asking the court to declare that their cooperation rules are not anticompetitive in the face of an "imminent threat" from Compass.October 22, 2026
- Realtor associations spar in court over failed merger attemptA small Realtor association filed suit against its former CEO and the Long Island Board of Realtors, alleging they conspired to merge without authorization.October 22, 2026
- Compass sues REMAX President Alex VidalThe brokerage giant claims Vidal’s move to REMAX from ERA Real Estate, now under the Compass banner, violated a non-compete agreement.October 21, 2026
- Former eXp agents settle in assault case 2 days into trialDavid Golden and Michael Bjorkman, who were accused of drugging and sexually assaulting another eXp agent, have reached a confidential deal with the plaintiff.October 21, 2026
- eXp Realty, AGNT, Sanford settle sexual assault caseAn Oct. 18 filing indicates Anya Roberts and the corporate defendants reached a “confidential settlement.” The trial against two former eXp agents will proceed.October 19, 2026
- Trial begins for former eXp agents accused of sexual assaultTwo former eXp agents accused of drugging and sexually assaulting another agent go on trial. The plaintiff and corporate defendants have meanwhile settled.Updated October 19, 2026
- Compass follows through on vow to sue CRMLSThe brokerage giant sent the MLS a letter last month demanding rule changes and told Real Estate News last week that it would follow the letter with a lawsuit.October 16, 2026
- Sellers sue REX, Colorado brokerage over alleged ‘blacklisting’A couple who listed their property with REX in 2021 claims the now-defunct firm aided a conspiracy by not disclosing that buyer agents refused to show the home.Updated October 14, 2026
- Final push for approval of Tuccori opt-in deals underwayA fairness hearing in the Tuccori case is less than a month away. Plus, mandatory membership lawsuit dismissal stands; SCOTUS won’t review Zillow investor case.October 9, 2026
- Zillow poised for legal fight as agent antitrust case advancesThe judge allowing the case to proceed said the plaintiffs “plausibly allege” that agents “have no choice but to participate in Zillow’s referral ecosystem.”September 29, 2026
- Tuccori counsel reject Batton fee request; no rehearing in SitzerThe Batton counsel can’t claim a share of a fund it did not build, the lawyers argue. Plus, Sitzer/Burnett objectors lose rehearing bid; Zillow cases merged.September 25, 2026
- Zillow asks court to toss RESPA case for goodThe plaintiffs’ latest amended complaint repeats claims that the court previously rejected, Zillow argued in its motion to dismiss the case with prejudice.September 22, 2026
- Chicagoland agents, brokers react to ruling in Zillow-MRED caseOne Compass-affiliated brokerage leader said the ruling brought “a sense of satisfaction,” while others just hope for more clarity and stability going forward.September 19, 2026
- Law firm tees up class action linked to MRED-Compass dealBuyers may have overpaid if they bought after the MRED-Compass deal, Hagens Berman says. Plus, lawyers debate fees in Tuccori; Gibson objector wants rehearing.September 18, 2026
- More Sitzer/Burnett appeals tossed by 8th CircuitAppellate judges ruled on Sept. 15 — again — to uphold the settlements approved by the lower court. This is the third judgment to affirm since mid-August.September 15, 2026
