NAR names political law attorney as new general counsel
Jonathan Waclawski, who previously worked at the association from 2017-2022, will lead the legal team, filling the vacancy left by Katie Johnson in October.
The National Association of Realtors has a new top lawyer, and he's a familiar face at the trade organization.
Jonathan Waclawski announced his position via LinkedIn on Feb. 28, and the appointment was first reported by Bloomberg Law News. Real Estate News has reached out to NAR for details.
Waclawski, the association's new general counsel and senior vice president of legal, will lead the division previously headed by Katie Johnson, who stepped down from her role as chief legal officer in October after 17 years with NAR.
Following Johnson's departure, NAR said its priority was to ensure "business continuity and remaining laser focused on shepherding NAR through this time of significant industry change."
A return to the national association: According to his NAR bio, Waclawski previously worked at the organization starting in 2017, first serving as a political law attorney and later as vice president of political advocacy, leading strategy for NAR's federal, state and local political programs. He left the association in 2022.
A political focus: In addition to his advocacy work at NAR, Waclawski has served in several other politically oriented legal roles. He was general counsel for former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's presidential campaign in 2016, associate counsel for the Republican National Committee for three years in the mid-2010s, and legal counsel for the Republican Party of Wisconsin at various times.
Picking up the legal pieces: Waclawski's appointment comes after a tumultuous time for the organization, including years of commissions-related litigation that culminated in a $418 million settlement, major changes to policies around agent fees and representation, sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits, and related allegations that put a spotlight on NAR's culture.