K
atie Johnson, the chief legal officer of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), is leaving the organization after 17 years. According to Inman, her last day will be this Friday. The trade group has denied rumors that she was fired, instead issuing a statement thanking her for her service.

    Johnson's departure comes amid a tumultuous period for NAR, which has faced numerous crises in recent years. She was one of several top executives called on by staffers to resign last year following a sexual misconduct scandal. Johnson had been with the organization since 2007 and rose through the ranks to become chief legal officer in March 2023.

    During her tenure, NAR faced significant challenges, including antitrust commission lawsuits and a Department of Justice probe into its practices. A jury found the trade group liable for conspiring to inflate broker commissions, leading to a $418 million settlement that is still awaiting court approval.

    Johnson's departure has left a void in NAR's leadership, with general counsel Lesley Muchow taking on additional responsibilities in the interim. The organization is also hiring outside counsel to focus on risk assessment.