Sudden "no longer interested"
Your client walks away, then an offer on the same property appears hours or days later through someone else.
Broker commission litigation
Straw Broker Schemes: When Your Commission Is Diverted
A straw broker scheme happens when a buyer or seller puts a friend, relative, or cooperative agent on the contract as broker of record so the commission you earned flows back to them. Florida law may allow you to pursue the people behind it.
Warning signs of a straw broker
Related-party agent
The new broker of record is a spouse, sibling, business partner, or employee of the buyer.
New or unformed LLC
The purchaser is an entity created after you introduced the buyer, sometimes not yet legally formed at signing.
Same price you negotiated
The deal closes at terms that match pricing information you obtained and shared.
Representative result
In May 2026, a Miami-Dade jury returned a $47.83 million verdict ($19.83M compensatory, $28M punitive) in Miles Goldstein Real Estate, LLC v. Reuben Ezekiel, et al., a case handled by Josef Timlichman involving an $84,000 commission. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome in any future case.
Read about the verdictFrequently asked questions
What is a straw broker?
A straw broker is a licensee named on a transaction mainly to receive a commission that is then shared with, or returned to, a party to the deal. The broker who actually found the buyer and negotiated the terms is left out.
What legal claims can apply to a straw broker scheme?
Depending on the facts, claims may include breach of contract, procuring cause, fraud in the inducement, tortious interference with a business relationship, unjust enrichment, and civil conspiracy against everyone who participated.
Can I sue the buyer if I didn't have a written agreement with them?
Possibly. Some claims, such as fraud and tortious interference, do not depend on a written buyer agreement. Your timeline, communications, and the relationship between the parties matter. An attorney can review whether your facts support a claim.
How quickly should I act?
Florida statutes of limitations apply, and evidence like text messages and showing records can be lost. Preserve everything and seek a case review promptly.
Press coverage
Coverage of the $47.83M commission verdict
Cases handled by Josef Timlichman Law have received coverage from the following publications.
- RISMediaJury Awards Florida Broker $47.8M in Damages After Six-Year Fight Over CommissionJune 11, 2026 (opens in new tab)
- VINnewsHollywood Solo Lawyer Wins $47.8M Verdict in $84K Real Estate Commission DisputeMay 25, 2026 (opens in new tab)
- CityBizSolo Miami Attorney Secures $47.83 Million Jury Verdict in Landmark Florida Real Estate Commission CaseMay 19, 2026 (opens in new tab)
- Law.com — Daily Business ReviewHow a South Florida Attorney Turned His Clients' $84K Recovery Into a $47.8M Jury VerdictMay 18, 2026 (opens in new tab)
- The Real DealAlex Goldstein wins $47.8 million verdict after being cut out of dealMay 18, 2026 (opens in new tab)