B
aird & Warner has reached a settlement agreement with home sellers in the Gibson/Umpa commissions lawsuit, just a month after filing to dismiss the case. The brokerage filed the agreement on November 28, the same day NAR and HomeServices received final approval of their settlements totaling nearly $700 million. Details of the damages are not yet disclosed, but more information is expected when the plaintiffs file preliminary approval documents.

    Judge Stephen Bough has been asked to stay all deadlines and proceedings while both sides prepare to file approval forms. Several brokerages remain as defendants in the case, including eXp, Weichert Realtors, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Notably, Weichert and eXp reached settlements with plaintiffs in a different commissions case in Georgia, but Bough refused to pause proceedings due to "questionable behavior" surrounding the settlements.

    Baird & Warner previously argued that the court lacked jurisdiction over the company, stating it did not operate within the judicial district. This was their second attempt to secure dismissal, following a similar motion filed in July. Founded in 1855, Baird & Warner is one of the nation's oldest brokerage firms, with over 2,400 agents and $6 billion in annual sales as of 2023.