Nar Appoints Andowah Newton As Associate General Counsel

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is strengthening its legal team. The trade association announced the appointment of Andowah Newton as its new vice president of litigation and associate general counsel on Thursday. 

Prior to this appointment, Newton was the vice president of legal affairs and the head of litigation at a global luxury conglomerate. In this role she directed legal strategy for over 30 brands and dealt with several issues, including those involving the conglomerate’s real estate holdings. 

“I am excited to join NAR at such a pivotal moment for the organization and the real estate industry at large. I look forward to supporting our members, protecting the integrity of the profession, and ensuring NAR remains a strong, trusted advocate for property rights and housing access,” Newton said in a statement.

Newton’s legal background includes vast experience advising parties on civil litigation, risk mitigation, and corporate governance.

She is also the founder and president of a youth empowerment nonprofit called the The RAN Fund, giving her experience dealing with the legal, operational and governance issues at a nonprofit like NAR. 

“Andowah brings a valuable combination of litigation experience, financial acumen, and strategic judgment,” Jon Waclawski, NAR’s general counsel and senior vice president of legal, said in a statement. “Her experience managing complex legal matters, coupled with her hands-on understanding of nonprofit compliance and governance, makes her exceptionally well-suited to guide NAR’s litigation strategy in this evolving landscape.”. 

Newton will begin her new role later this month on August 25. Her appointment comes five months after NAR appointed Waclawski to replace long-time general counsel Katie Johnson, whose tenure at NAR ended in October 2024.