
Judge Patti B. Saris aims to wrap up the Nosalek commission lawsuit by this summer, signaling her readiness to move forward after 16 months of discussions.
Preliminary Approval Hearing
In a recent hearing, she announced that a preliminary approval hearing for the settlement reached in June 2023 between the plaintiffs and MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN) will take place on April 4, 2025.
The agreement includes a $3 million contribution from MLS PIN to a settlement fund and significant reforms in business practices, particularly removing the requirement for mandatory buyer broker compensation for properties listed on the multiple listing service (MLS).
Settlement Revisions
Initially hesitant about the settlement, Judge Saris granted preliminary approval in September 2023.
However, shortly after, the Department of Justice (DOJ) raised concerns by submitting an amicus brief.
This prompted MLS PIN and the Nosalek plaintiffs to revise their settlement terms, which still drew scrutiny from the DOJ.
Future Outlook
In February 2024, the DOJ reiterated its stance by filing a statement of interest, opposing cooperative compensation practices linked to the lawsuit.
During the hearing, Judge Saris acknowledged the slow progression of the case and indicated that she would refer to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement as a crucial benchmark.
She remains neutral about the distinctions between the two cases and believes they can be clarified in the upcoming preliminary hearing.
Chris Bower from the DOJ noted that they’re still considering the plaintiffs’ recent motion for a preliminary approval hearing.
While new to the Nosalek case, he has previous experience with other significant settlements, including the NAR case.
Looking ahead, Judge Saris expressed her determination to finalize the lawsuit by summer, hinting that she would not entertain any further extensions, especially as the DOJ has requested in the past.
Frustrated by the delays, she made it clear that she does not wish to receive additional delays or status updates from here on out.
Source: Housingwire