An Illinois federal judge has recused herself from overseeing a settled antitrust class action case concerning realtor commission payments. Judge Andrea R. Wood of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois stepped aside due to a familial connection with a partner at one of the law firms defending the case. “My relationship with this relative has not affected or impacted any decision in this case. Nonetheless, the relationship requires recusal under the Code of Conduct for United States Judges,” Judge Wood stated in her notice on Wednesday.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2019 against the National Association of Realtors and other parties, alleged that a conspiracy led to inflated broker commissions. The case had reached a settlement, with no further litigation anticipated. The connection prompting Judge Wood’s recusal pertains to a spouse of a distant relative who is a partner at one of the involved law firms. This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of ethical standards and judicial conduct, underscoring the imperative for transparency and impartiality within the judiciary.
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