Howard Hanna Joins Tuccori Settlement as Legal Tensions Escalate

Hanna Holdings, the parent company of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, disclosed on March 24, 2026 that it has reached a settlement agreement in the Tuccori homebuyer commission lawsuit through that case's court-approved opt-in mechanism. The move adds Howard Hanna to the growing list of brokerages resolving their homebuyer commission exposure through the Tuccori settlement rather than the competing Batton case.

What Is the Tuccori Opt-In Mechanism?

The Tuccori case received preliminary approval from Judge Stephen Bough on March 4, 2026. A key feature of the settlement is a court-approved opt-in mechanism that allows additional brokerages — beyond the original four defendants — to join the settlement and obtain a release of homebuyer commission claims. Anywhere Real Estate was the first major brokerage to use this mechanism, and Howard Hanna is now following suit.

Why Are the Batton Plaintiffs Trying to Block This?

The Batton plaintiffs — led by Mya Batton and represented by attorneys at Korein Tillery and Lowey Dannenberg — have repeatedly attempted to intervene in the Tuccori settlement. Their core argument is that brokerages are using the Tuccori opt-in to settle "on the cheap," obtaining a broad release of claims for a fraction of what they might pay if forced to litigate in the Batton case. The court has previously denied similar Batton intervention attempts, including blocking the Batton plaintiffs from interfering with Anywhere's Tuccori settlement in early March 2026.

The Broader Conflict

The tension between Tuccori and Batton reflects a broader conflict over which case will ultimately control the resolution of homebuyer commission claims. The Batton plaintiffs have also filed a motion to add Tuccori's attorneys as co-lead counsel in the Batton case — a move that Anywhere Real Estate has opposed, arguing it is an attempt to gain leverage over the Tuccori settlement proceedings.

What Does This Mean for Homebuyers?

If you sold a home through a Howard Hanna agent during the relevant period (approximately 2015–2024), you may now be eligible to file a claim in the Tuccori settlement. The claim deadline is September 15, 2026. Use our Tuccori Settlement Guide to check your eligibility, or take the Settlement Eligibility Quiz to see all settlements that may apply.