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Gibson

Gibson v. National Association of REALTORS®

Settled$289.7 million total ($250M NAR + $39.7M brokerages)NAR Commission Antitrust
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Quick Facts

Filed

September 23, 2024

Jurisdiction

Northern District of Illinois

Plaintiff Firm

Hagens Berman

Next Milestone

8th Circuit appeals pending: bulk settlements (oral arguments Jan 2026) + five brokerage settlements appealed March 5, 2026 by Spring Way Center LLC

Key Issue

MLS commission display rules. Settlement includes multiple tranches: NAR $250M (approved June 2025) and 5 additional brokerages $39.7M (approved Feb 2026): Howard Hanna $32M, William Raveis $4.1M, Windermere/Lyon $2.1M, EXIT Realty $1.5M

Industry Impact

Injunctive relief prohibiting mandatory commission offers on MLS

Case Timeline
Key events and milestones in this case

Class action lawsuit filed

September 23, 2024

Gibson lawsuit filed alleging NAR's MLS commission display rules violate antitrust law

Cases consolidated

April 19, 2024

Gibson and Umpa cases consolidated into single proceeding

NAR settlement announced

November 2024

NAR agrees to $250M settlement with structural changes to MLS rules

NAR settlement approved

June 24, 2025

Court grants final approval of $250M NAR settlement and injunctive relief

8th Circuit appeal filed

January 14, 2026

Appeal filed seeking to overturn NAR settlement, creating uncertainty for industry

Five brokerages settlement approved

February 5, 2026

Judge Bough approves additional $39.7M in settlements with Howard Hanna ($32M), William Raveis ($4.1M), Windermere/Lyon ($2.1M), and EXIT Realty ($1.5M). Total claims across all settlements reach 2.7 million with only 22 opt-outs and 3 objections.

Five Brokerage Settlements Appealed

March 5, 2026

Spring Way Center LLC and objectors file notice of appeal to the Eighth Circuit challenging the $39.7M five-brokerage settlements, arguing amounts are 'grossly disproportionate' to what is needed to compensate injured parties nationwide. Oral arguments on the bulk settlements were heard in January 2026; ruling expected spring 2026.

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