A Louisiana federal judge dismissed an antitrust lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors. This marks another setback for challengers of industry membership rules.

The Big Picture

The DeYoung lawsuit, filed in January 2025 by Louisiana brokers and agents, alleged NAR's three-way membership agreement violated multiple federal laws. Plaintiffs argued that access to multiple listing services (MLS) was improperly tied to local association membership.

Judge Shelly Dick adopted Magistrate Judge Erin Wilder-Doomes' recommendations, which noted plaintiffs failed to explain how forced membership harms consumers. The magistrate also found allegations of disparate impact against minority communities lacked specific factual support.

“"There is not a single fact in the Amended Complaint that shows how any of Defendants' policies specifically limit minority consumers and communities."”

Why It Matters

This ruling adds to similar dismissals in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Federal judges are establishing a clear pattern: legal challenges to NAR's membership rules need stronger consumer harm arguments.

and named multiple defendants including NAR, Louisiana local associations, and ROAM MLS. Judge Dick permanently dismissed federal claims against most defendants but gave plaintiffs against one individual executive.