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lawsuit filed by Jerome Milko against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is the latest challenge to the organization's mandatory membership rules. Milko, a Realtor and broker with licenses in three states, claims he has been "unjustly enriched" by paying excessive NAR fees for 37 years, resulting in at least $75,000 in damages.

    Milko's case joins several others across the country, including filings in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Louisiana. The plaintiffs argue that they should not be forced to join other associations to access MLS listings, particularly since the broker compensation option was removed following a $418 million NAR settlement with home sellers.

    In related cases:

    * In Michigan, a lawsuit filed by Douglas Hardy is awaiting a judge's decision on whether to dismiss after it was amended to include charges of deceptive compensation practices.

    * In Texas, broker Lou Eytalis has been in court for five months, with no significant movement as the court weighs a motion to dismiss filed by one of the defendants.

    * In Pennsylvania, a judge is considering a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim in a case filed by Maurice Muhammad.

    * In Louisiana, a judge is also considering a motion to dismiss filing for failure to state a claim in a case filed by two agents and two brokers.