SEATTLE, Aug. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JND Legal
Administration
Proposed settlements have been reached with the National
Association of Realtors ("NAR") and Home Services of America
("HomeServices"), resolving certain claims, including in lawsuits
known as Burnett v. National Association of Realtors, Case
No. 19-CV-00332-SRB (W.D. Missouri); Moehrl v. NAR, Case No.
1:19-cv-01610-ARW (N.D. Illinois);
Umpa v. NAR, Case No. 4:23-cv-00945 (W.D. Missouri); and Gibson v. NAR, Case No.
23-CV-788-SRB (W.D. Missouri). The
lawsuits allege the existence of an anticompetitive
agreement that resulted in home sellers paying inflated commissions
to real estate brokers or agents in violation of antitrust law.
Proposed Settlements have also been reached with other Defendants
in these actions, including Anywhere Real Estate, RE/MAX, Keller
Williams, Compass, Real Brokerage, Realty ONE, @properties,
Douglas Elliman, Redfin, Engel &
Völkers, HomeSmart, United Real Estate, and certain of their
affiliates. Although the Burnett Court has authorized notice
to be given of the proposed settlements with NAR and HomeServices,
this Notice does not express the opinion of the Court on the merits
of the claims or defenses asserted by either side of the lawsuits.
Additional settlements may be reached with other Defendants. Go to
www.RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com for more information about
these settlements and any additional settlements, and to submit
your email to receive all future notices.
Am I affected?
You are a Settlement Class Member and eligible for payment if
you: (1) sold a home during the Eligible Date Range; (2) listed the
home that was sold on a multiple listing service ("MLS") anywhere
in the United States; and (3) paid
a commission to any real estate brokerage in connection with the
sale of the home. The Eligible Date Range depends on what MLS you
listed your home for sale on. Go to
www.RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com to see the Eligible Date
Ranges and to learn more.
What do the settlements provide?
NAR has agreed to pay at least $418
million, and HomeServices has agreed to pay $250 million, into a Settlement Fund. The current
value of all Settlements with these and other Defendants is
over $980 million. The Fund
will be distributed to qualifying Settlement Class Members who
submit an approved claim form, after any awarded attorneys' fees,
expenses, settlement administration costs, and service awards have
been deducted. The settling Defendants have also agreed to provide
Cooperation and to implement Practice Changes, including that NAR
will prohibit sellers and listing agents from making offers of
compensation on REALTOR® MLSs to buyer agents. You can learn more
about the Practices Changes and Cooperation in the Settlement
Agreements, which are available at
www.RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com.
How do I get a payment?
Note: If you have already submitted a Claim Form in these
cases for a prior Settlement with other Defendants, you do not need
to submit another Claim.
You must submit a claim form, with information pertaining to
and/or evidence of your home sale and commissions paid, by
May 9, 2025. Claim forms can
be submitted online at www.RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com. You
can also print a claim form at the website and mail it to
Burnett v. National Association of Realtors, c/o JND Legal
Administration, PO Box 91479, Seattle,
WA 98111, or email it to
info@RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com.
What are my other options?
You may object to or exclude yourself (opt-out) from the
Settlements by October 28,
2024, or do nothing. If you exclude yourself, you will
not receive a settlement payment, but this is the only option that
allows you to sue NAR or HomeServices relating to commissions for
brokerage services. If you wish to object, the Court will consider
your views in deciding whether to approve or reject the proposed
settlements. If the Court does not approve the settlements, no
settlement payments will be sent, and the lawsuits will continue.
You cannot object if you opt-out. By doing nothing, you will get no
payment, and you will not be able to sue NAR or HomeServices
relating to commissions for brokerage services. For more
information, including how to object or exclude yourself and to
read the full terms of the release, visit
www.RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com.
What happens next?
The Court will hold a hearing on November 26, 2024 to consider whether to
grant final approval of the settlements and award fees and costs to
the attorneys representing the class ("Class Counsel"). The Court
has appointed the law firms of Ketchmark and McCreight;
Williams Dirks Dameron; Boulware Law; Hagens
Berman Sobol Shapiro; Cohen Milstein
Sellers & Toll; and Susman
Godfrey, as Class Counsel. Class Counsel will ask the Court
to award an amount not to exceed one-third (33.3%) of the
Settlement Fund for attorneys' fees, plus out-of-pocket expenses
incurred during the cases. The Court may award less. Class Counsel
may also seek compensation for each current and/or former class
representative. You will be represented by Class Counsel at the
hearing unless you choose to enter an appearance in person or
through your own counsel, at your own cost. The appearance of your
own attorney is not necessary to participate in the hearing.
Questions?
This Notice is only a summary. To learn more, visit
www.RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com, call toll-free
888-995-0207, email info@RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com, or
write Burnett v. National Association of Realtors, c/o JND
Legal Administration, PO Box 91479, Seattle, WA 98111.
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SOURCE JND Legal Administration