The National Association of REALTORS® on Friday announced the appointment of Leslie Nettleford-Freeman to a new position on NAR’s legal team: associate general counsel, vice president of legal affairs and brand protection. The role elevates NAR’s commitment to defend the REALTOR® trademark, one of its most valuable member benefits.
Being licensed as an agent or broker doesn’t give someone the right to use the term REALTOR® with their name. Only members of NAR can call themselves a REALTOR®. By joining, they pledge to abide by the NAR Code of Ethics, which goes beyond state licensing requirements and emphasizes honesty, integrity, fairness and putting clients’ interests first. Members also benefit from exclusive access to advanced training, resources, and tools that empower them to deliver elevated service.
‘Strategic Vision and Proven Track Record’
Nettleford-Freeman’s appointment “underscores NAR’s commitment to ensuring that the REALTOR® brand continues to represent the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and expertise—setting NAR members apart from non-member agents,” NAR said in a release.
NAR CEO Nykia Wright says, “Leslie’s deep expertise in intellectual property law and her innovative approach to brand protection make her the ideal leader to champion the REALTOR® trademark, reinforcing its unique value for both the professionals who carry it and the consumers who rely on it.”
Before joining NAR, Nettleford-Freeman spent more than two decades with AARP, one of the nation’s most trusted brands serving Americans 50 and older. As associate general counsel for AARP, she led major trademark enforcement campaigns, shutting down fraudulent websites and unauthorized entities claiming to offer AARP discounts or partnerships. In one case, she dismantled a network of over 50 domain names misusing the AARP trademark.
Under her leadership, AARP built a cross-departmental brand protection team—spanning digital, marketing and IT—to respond quickly to emerging threats and protect AARP members from scams and misuse of the brand. Beyond enforcement, Nettleford-Freeman developed intellectual property programs to educate AARP staff on copyright and trademark compliance, licensing practices and risk mitigation. Previously, she oversaw commercial real estate transactions and led regulatory compliance as the general counsel for AARP’s Building Operations Group.
Her thought leadership and commitment to legal excellence have earned her career accolades, including the 2019 Outstanding In-House Counsel Award from the Association of Corporate Counsel and the 2018 Top Assistant General Counsel Award from the First Chair Awards Conference. At Georgetown University Law Center, she serves as an adjunct professor, teaching intellectual property monetization and brand protection strategies.
A Strong Foundation
The appointment of Nettleford-Freeman builds on NAR’s reputation of staunchly safeguarding the REALTOR® trademarks. The term REALTOR® has been in use for more than 100 years, and the association has successfully defended the trademark, including in a landmark 2004 decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
NAR educates association staff and members on the importance of preserving the REALTOR® brand, through tools such as its Membership Marks Manual and videos such as “Make Our Marks Remarkable,” as well as educating consumers through its “Right by You” national advertising campaign, which highlights the benefits of working with an NAR member.
Nettleford-Freeman brings experience and vision that will “compliment NAR’s existing efforts,” says NAR General Counsel and Senior Vice President, Legal Jon Waclawski, “allowing the NAR Legal Team to elevate its trademark defense and education work so that the REALTOR® brand is recognized and used properly by consumers and professionals.”
Her official start date is Aug. 4.
“I am honored to join NAR and look forward to contributing to the stewardship of one of the most respected trademarks in business,” says Nettleford-Freeman. “Protecting the REALTOR® brand is not just about legal enforcement—it’s about preserving the trust and professionalism that our members represent.”
