Who can sales associates initiate legal action against for compensation in real estate transactions?

A sales associate can initiate legal action for compensation only against the person who is registered as their employer, typically the broker. This is due to the legal relationship and the contractual agreement that exists between the sales associate and their broker. In the context of real estate transactions, the sales associate works under the broker's license and is compensated through the broker's fees. Since the broker is responsible for the actions and transactions conducted by the sales associate, any claims related to compensation must be directed towards the broker rather than the individual parties involved in the transaction or clients from previous dealings.

This structure also helps to maintain broker liability and accountability, ensuring that transactions comply with applicable laws and ethical standards. In Florida real estate practices, this delineation of responsibility underscores the importance of the employer-employee relationship within the real estate profession.