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Batton 2 (Buyer Suit)

Batton 2 v. National Association of REALTORS®

Pending RulingNAR Commission Antitrust
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⚖️ Mediation in progress — Weichert update due May 27 (11 days)

Weichert Realtors is in active mediation with Batton 2 plaintiffs. A successful outcome could signal the first direct settlement in this case. Read our Redfin defense analysis →

Quick Facts

Filed

November 2, 2023

Jurisdiction

Northern District of Illinois

Plaintiff Firm

Susman Godfrey

Next Milestone

Tuccori opt-in approval motions due May 18, 2026; Weichert mediation status update due May 27, 2026; all parties joint status report due June 2, 2026; eXp and Redfin remain active defendants; Batton plaintiffs' Seventh Circuit appeal of injunction denial pending; May 8 brokers' reverse auction denial filed

Key Issue

Buyer-side commission inflation — Compass, Redfin, eXp, Weichert & United Real Estate must face lawsuit after MTD denied March 25, 2026. On April 16, 2026, an Illinois judge granted NAR's request for a full stay of Batton 2 proceedings pending final approval of the Tuccori settlement. Compass and United Real Estate opted into the Tuccori settlement on April 28. On April 28, eXp, United, and Redfin filed responses to the second amended complaint with notable admissions and affirmative defenses. Weichert is separately pursuing direct mediation with plaintiffs.

Industry Impact

Litigation is effectively paused under the April 16 Illinois stay until Tuccori receives final approval (est. summer 2026). Compass and United Real Estate opted into Tuccori on April 28 — their stay motions in Batton were denied April 30. If the Tuccori settlement is approved, NAR, Compass, United, Anywhere, and HomeServices would be released from Batton 2 claims. Weichert is in direct mediation with plaintiffs under a 60-day stay (status update due May 27, 2026). eXp and Redfin have not announced settlements and remain active defendants. Redfin presented an affirmative defense claiming it 'withdrew from and ceased any participation' in any alleged conspiracy prior to the acts alleged.

Weichert Mediation Status Update

May 27, 2026 — Weichert Mediation Report Due

Weichert Realtors and the Batton 2 plaintiffs agreed to a 60-day mediation stay and must update the court on May 27. If mediation succeeds, Weichert could announce a direct settlement — potentially the first Batton 2 defendant to settle outside the Tuccori opt-in route.

11

days away

60-day mediation stay filed April 20 Weichert has not opted into Tuccori
Upcoming Court Deadline

June 2, 2026 — Joint Status Report Due

All parties must file a joint status report with the court on the overall state of Batton 2 litigation. This will reveal whether Weichert's mediation has succeeded, and whether eXp and Redfin have moved toward settlement.

17

days away

May 27 — Weichert mediation update June 2 — All-parties joint status report
Case Timeline
Key events and milestones in this case

Batton 2 Filed

November 2, 2023

Batton 2 homebuyer antitrust case filed against NAR, Compass, Redfin, eXp, Weichert, United Real Estate, and others

Motion to Dismiss Briefing

February 20, 2024

Court addresses initial motion to dismiss; case proceeds to full briefing on all defendants

MTD Denied — All 5 Defendants

March 25, 2026

Federal judge denies motions to dismiss for Compass, Redfin, eXp World Holdings, Weichert Realtors, and United Real Estate. All five must face trial on buyer commission antitrust claims.

Illinois Court Grants NAR Stay

April 16, 2026

Illinois judge grants NAR's request for a full stay of all Batton 2 proceedings pending final approval of the Tuccori settlement. Litigation is effectively paused until summer 2026.

Weichert 60-Day Mediation Stay Filed

April 20, 2026

Weichert and Batton 2 plaintiffs file joint motion for a 60-day stay while a mediator works toward a direct settlement — diverging from Compass and United Real Estate's Tuccori opt-in approach.

Compass and United Opt Into Tuccori; eXp/United/Redfin File Responses

April 28, 2026

Compass and United Real Estate file opt-in agreements to join the Tuccori settlement, seeking to exit Batton 2. On the same day, eXp, United, and Redfin file responses to the second amended complaint. Redfin presents an affirmative defense claiming it 'withdrew from and ceased any participation' in any alleged conspiracy. United concedes 'there may be benefits for brokers related to NAR membership' but denies commissions were supracompetitive; notes it is not a NAR member. eXp denies NAR requires brokerage compliance with its policies.

Batton Emergency Injunction Denied; Compass/United Stay Motions Denied

April 29–30, 2026

Judge Hunt denies the Batton plaintiffs' emergency injunction to halt NAR's Tuccori settlement (April 29). On April 30, she also denies Compass and United Real Estate's motions to stay Batton proceedings pending Tuccori approval, consistent with earlier denials for other opt-ins.

Defendants Deny 'Reverse Auction' in Opt-In Settlement Response

May 8, 2026

Real estate brokerages facing the Batton antitrust lawsuit in Florida federal court (Anywhere Real Estate, Douglas Elliman, Compass, Hanna Holdings, HomeServices of America) filed a response pushing back against homebuyers' claims that the Tuccori opt-in settlements constitute a 'reverse auction.' Defendants argue the opt-in mechanism is legitimate and pro-competitive. (Law360, May 8, 2026)

Weichert Mediation Status Update Due

May 27, 2026

Weichert and Batton 2 plaintiffs must update the court on the status of mediation negotiations.

Joint Status Report Due

June 2, 2026

All parties must file a joint status report with the court on the overall state of Batton 2 litigation.

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