Motions to Dismiss Filed in Two Home Seller Cases (Gibson and Umpa)

Louisiana REALTORS® • February 27, 2024

An Update from Katie Johnson, NAR Chief Legal Officer and Chief Member Experience Officer

I'm writing to share a brief litigation update but first let me acknowledge that we understand that these are challenging times for our members and the industry, and we appreciate all the feedback and support as we navigate these challenges toward a positive outcome for property owners and the real estate profession. 


Yesterday, we filed motions to dismiss in two of the copycat home seller class action cases, the Gibson case and the Umpa case, both of which are pending before Judge Stephen Bough in federal court in the Western District of Missouri. 


As you may recall, these two copycat lawsuits were filed late last year, shortly following the Burnett verdict. As in the Burnett case, the plaintiffs in Gibson and Umpa claim that NAR and corporate defendants conspired to force home sellers to pay buyer broker commissions. Both cases are among those the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) will consider centralizing at a hearing scheduled for next month.


NAR's motions raise issues relating to the specific allegations in these national cases that are in addition to those decided by the court in the Burnett case, which is a Missouri-only case. We believe that the cases should be dismissed because listing brokers or buyers, not sellers, compensate buyer brokers and because offers of compensation are authorized by state real estate laws. MLS rules do not require any particular amount of compensation (zero is allowed in some MLSs), and the MLS can be easily avoided by sellers who prefer to avoid any MLS rules.


Other defendants filed motions arguing for additional grounds for dismissal. The plaintiffs will have an opportunity to respond to these motions before the court rules on them.



We will continue to keep you informed about legal milestones. As always, please feel free to reach out to me or my team with any questions.

Consumer Guide Update: Teen Financial Literacy

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 9, 2026
Want Your Teen to Own a Home Someday? Start Talking Money Now Teens may not be thinking about mortgage rates or down payments just yet, but the money habits they’re building now can follow them for years. And 88% of teens surveyed by Fannie Mae and Junior Achievement said they want to own a home someday. This week’s Consumer Guide: Talk to Your Teens About Money and Homeownership makes those conversations a little easier, covering everything from credit scores and budgeting to debt, renting versus owning and saving for that eventual down payment. So yes, you may have to interrupt the doomscrolling. But helping teens get smarter about money today could put them in a much better position to get the keys to a home of their own down the road. Download all of NAR’s Consumer Guides in English or Spanish at facts.realtor. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Teen Financial Literacy Fraud Red Flags Helping Family Members Become Homeowners Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season Condominium Insurance Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. The next Consumer Guide, scheduled for publication on Oct. 21, will cover winter cold and storm preparedness.

Constitutional Amendment Positions for November 3 Election

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 9, 2026
Homeownership Is on Louisiana's November Ballot

Cookbook for the REALTORS® Relief Foundation On Sale Now!

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 8, 2026
After months of gathering recipes from across our Louisiana REALTORS® family, the cookbook is ready! This 200+ page collection is filled with Louisiana flavor, REALTOR® heart and recipes contributed by our members. We launched sales of the cookbook at the Fall Governance Meetings. You can now purchase your copy for $30 directly from the printer and shipped to you! Additionally, we will have copies available at the RRF booth at NXT . After NXT, we will carry a limited stock at the LR office for you to purchase through the LR Merch Shop and pick-up from the office or at an LR event, as stock is available. Even better, $15 from every cookbook sold will be donated to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to help provide housing-related assistance to REALTORS® and their families following disasters. Pick up a copy for yourself, grab one as a gift and enjoy a taste of Louisiana while supporting a great cause!
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