Key facts
- Compass CEO Robert Reffkin and MRED CEO Rebecca Jensen testified in a hearing regarding Zillow's antitrust lawsuit.
- Both witnesses stated Zillow executives threatened litigation over MRED's policy on listing access standards.
- Jensen described calls with Zillow executives where she declined requests to delay listings on Zillow.
- Evidence presented by Zillow suggested communication between Reffkin and Jensen regarding confidential documents.
- Zillow claims a conspiracy between Compass and MRED to harm its listing portal.
- MRED maintains it is enforcing a neutral rule to maintain data integrity and the viability of MLSs.
During the final day of a hearing for Zillow's preliminary injunction motion in its antitrust lawsuit against Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) and Compass International Holdings, key defense witnesses Robert Reffkin, CEO of Compass, and Rebecca Jensen, CEO of MRED, testified that Zillow executives threatened litigation.
Jensen detailed two calls in October 2025 with Zillow executives, including Errol Samuelson and Michael Lane. Lane reportedly expressed regret over using MRED's private listing network and raised fair housing concerns. Jensen defended the network, citing its flexibility for sellers. In a separate call, Samuelson allegedly asked Jensen to delay MRED's private listings on Zillow, which she declined, citing a 2008 DOJ settlement. Samuelson then reportedly threatened Jensen with litigation and a "public spectacle" if she did not comply.
Jensen explained her resistance stemmed from her experience with the 2008 DOJ lawsuit and settlement, which influenced MRED's current objective criteria for IDX display rules. She stated MRED's October update merely clarified these criteria and that the MLS has consistently aimed for national expansion, refuting claims of a conspiracy with Compass.
An MRED spokesperson characterized the lawsuit as a breach of contract, asserting that Zillow's alleged harm is self-inflicted and can be resolved by complying with existing license agreement terms. The spokesperson emphasized MRED's enforcement of a neutral rule to maintain data integrity and the viability of MLSs.
During his testimony, Reffkin was presented with text messages and emails by Zillow's counsel, including a "highly confidential" Zillow document he sent to Jensen. Zillow's legal team used this and other communications between Compass and other MLS executives to argue that MRED and Compass conspired to harm Zillow.
A Zillow spokesperson stated that the testimony revealed a conspiracy to undermine its listing standards and warned that such a playbook, if replicated nationally, could end the open housing system. The company expressed satisfaction that the truth was revealed during the proceedings.
Post-hearing briefs are due July 9, with responses due July 13. A ruling on Zillow's preliminary injunction motion, which requires proof of irreparable harm and likelihood of prevailing at trial, could take weeks or months.