Cushman COO blasts firm with sex, age bias lawsuit

One of the industry’s top executives sued her employer, Cushman & Wakefield, for alleged sexual and age discrimination. Suzy Reingold, Cushman’s 66-year-old chief operating officer, filed suit in New York State Supreme Court, saying that she was passed over for a promotion to become president of the firm’s tri-state region in favor of Ronald Lo Russo, a younger male executive.

In the lawsuit, which was reviewed by Crain’s, Reingold claims that she was “already effectively carrying out” the president’s responsibilities and was “eminently qualified for the position.” Reingold also claims that the firm’s top North American CEO, Jim Underhill, had promised her the promotion.

Instead, Reingold claims in the suit that she was denied the position and marginalized by the company, which pulled her off a big assignment to find a new Cushman office in Lower Manhattan.

“These allegations are completely without merit, and we will defend ourselves vigorously,” Cushman said in a statement to Crain’s. “Ron Lo Russo, President, NY Tri-state region, has brought incredible leadership to this role.”

The lofty commercial brokerage has seen a worrying number of high-profile departures in recent months, including former CEO Glenn Rufrano’s exit in June. [Crain’s]  – Hiten Samtani