What is the case name and number for the pending litigation involving Engel & Volkers?
Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Don Gibson, Lauren Criss, John Meiners, and Daniel Umpa, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. National Association of Realtors, Homeservices of America, Inc., BHH Affiliates, LLC, HSF Affiliates, LLC, The Long & Foster Companies, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Compass, Inc., EXP Realty, LLC, Redfin Corporation, Weichert Realtors, Five D I, LLC d/b/a United Real Estate, Hanna Holdings, Inc., Douglas Elliman, Inc., Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, At World Properties, LLC, The Real Brokerage, Inc., Real Broker, LLC, Realty One Group,
Inc.
Homesmart International, LLC, Engel & Volkers, Engel & Volkers Americas, Inc., Nexthome, Inc., Exit Realty Corp.
International, Exit Realty Corp USA, Windermere Real Estate Services Company, Inc.
Lyon Real Estate, William Raveis Real Estate, Inc., John L.
Scott Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., The Keyes Company, Illustrated Properties, LLC, Parks Pilkerton Village Real Estate, Crye-Leike Real Estate Services, Baird & Warner Real Estate, Inc., Rea Estate One Family of Companies, Lokation Real Estate LLC, Case No. 4:23-cv-00788-SRB (consolidation with 4:23-cv-00945-SRB) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Western Division.
On April 23, 2024 plaintiffs filed a consolidated class action complaint against us and the above named defendants claiming an antitrust conspiracy by and between the National Association of Realtors® ("NAR") and residential real estate brokerages to increase broker compensation at the expense of property sellers.
Source: Item 3 — LITIGATION (FDD pages 17–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Engel & Volkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there is pending litigation involving the company. The case is titled Don Gibson, Lauren Criss, John Meiners, and Daniel Umpa, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. National Association of Realtors, Homeservices of America, Inc., BHH Affiliates, LLC, HSF Affiliates, LLC, The Long & Foster Companies, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Compass, Inc., EXP Realty, LLC, Redfin Corporation, Weichert Realtors, Five D I, LLC d/b/a United Real Estate, Hanna Holdings, Inc., Douglas Elliman, Inc., Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, At World Properties, LLC, The Real Brokerage, Inc., Real Broker, LLC, Realty One Group, Inc. Homesmart International, LLC, Engel & Volkers, Engel & Volkers Americas, Inc., Nexthome, Inc., Exit Realty Corp. International, Exit Realty Corp USA, Windermere Real Estate Services Company, Inc. Lyon Real Estate, William Raveis Real Estate, Inc., John L. Scott Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., The Keyes Company, Illustrated Properties, LLC, Parks Pilkerton Village Real Estate, Crye-Leike Real Estate Services, Baird & Warner Real Estate, Inc., Rea Estate One Family of Companies, Lokation Real Estate LLC. The case number is 4:23-cv-00788-SRB (consolidation with 4:23-cv-00945-SRB). It is being held in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Western Division.
The lawsuit, filed on April 23, 2024, is a consolidated class action alleging an antitrust conspiracy between the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and residential real estate brokerages. The plaintiffs claim that the defendants conspired to increase broker compensation at the expense of property sellers.
For a prospective Engel & Volkers franchisee, this pending litigation indicates potential legal and financial risks. While the outcome of the case is uncertain, it could result in significant financial liabilities for Engel & Volkers if the company is found liable. This could, in turn, affect the financial stability of the franchise system. It is important for potential franchisees to closely monitor the progress of this litigation and assess its potential impact on their investment.