NEW YORK CITY-Citing a clear emphasis at Cushman & Wakefield on the younger generation, and instances of favoritism of men at the firm—which include a lack of pay equity—New York tri-state region COO and executive managing director Suzy Reingold slapped the company with a discrimination suit Monday that seeks damages of more than $20 million.

Back in 2012, when Joe Harbert vacated the COO position to join Colliers International, Reingold assumed many of his duties and was considered the heir apparent for the position, according to the complaint filed with the New York State Supreme Court—which was to be served on Cushman Monday.

In fact, the legal filing asserts, Reingold was assured by C&W CEO Jim Underhill that, “the job is yours.” At the same time however, the company launched an executive search to fill the position, even though—according to the complaint—it previously had promoted several executive level men without conducting an outside search. Attorney Deborah Marcuse of Sanford Heisler, which is representing Reingold in the case, tells GlobeSt.com, “she was informed that 'because this is a big position and we're a large company, we have to run this search.' But if it was such a big deal, why not go with the most qualified person?”

Much of the complaint questions the qualifications of the 38-year-old man who ultimately landed the president job, Ron Lo Russo. The job description, according to Marcuse, stipulated that C&W was seeking someone who had a “minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, with at least five years in a leadership role.” Reingold had been managing brokers for seven years at Cushman and had more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Marcuse says.

By contrast, the complaint quotes an article that appeared in Crain's New York Business at the time of Lo Russo's hiring, in Feb., 2013, which says in part, “Lo Russo has worked for several years as an in-house leasing broker at Vornado. The new role would put Lo Russo in the prominent role of managing some of the city's top leasing brokers.

It continues, “Lo Russo will take over the role from Suzy Reingold. Though Lo Russo is well regarded in the industry, bringing him in to replace Reingold marks another occasion in which a high ranking position in the real estate business has gone to a man, a move sure to feed perceptions of the industry as a male bastion.”

Says Marcuse, “they told Reingold she was going to work with Lo Russo; it's almost like they were saying they know he's not up to the job.”

The complaint goes on to site a clear emphasis on youth at Cushman & Wakefield. As it happens, Reingold first brought Lo Russo to the attention of Cushman executives, but she suggested him for a middle management role. When she tossed out the name, the complaint alleges, “Underhill's only question about the candidate, on two separate occasions, was “how old is he?”

Further, former CEO Glenn Rufrano said in February, 2012 that “we need young people, we need young management, we need young people in the office,” according to the lawsuit. And when Lo Russo came onboard, Underhill publicly said, in part, “What's notable is that he's a young guy coming in to run a significant part of our business.” The press release announcing the hire included Lo Russo's age but did not mention Reingold's.

Meanwhile, Reingold also alleges she was short-changed on compensation in several ways—and in one instance was told to stifle concerns after she complained. When she was hired in 2005, she was guaranteed an annual salary of $250,000 and then received a raise to $300,000 in January, 2008. However, that December, a letter from John Rufrano, then president and CEO of the Americas, said all salaried employees earning $125,000 or more a year would receive a 5% pay cut in 2009. When Reingold complained to the firm's general counsel at the time, she was told not to pursue the matter further unless she was planning to leave the firm, according to the complaint.

Additionally, Reingold claims her compensation has been at least $100,000 less than her male counterpart in New Jersey for every year since 2007 and was lower than her Stamford/Westchester male equivalent for all but one of those years.

Reingold continues to work at Cushman & Wakefield and was reportedly at the office on Monday. However, the atmosphere has been hostile, according to the lawsuit.

Reingold claims that shortly after Lo Russo's hire, she was told she would be promoted to the newly created position of NY tri-state COO and equal her West Coast counterpart, who is COO and EVP. However, Reingold's title remains at executive managing director. Further, Underhill told her that as COO, she would become a part of the C&W Americas Management team, but that never came to pass, the complaint alleges.

It also charges that Reingold has been “stripped of many of her former responsibilities and marginalized by company management since bringing her complaints.” The complaint notes that Underhill pulled Reingold out of negotiations for Cushman offices Downtown, stating that the “significance” of the deal warranted Lo Russo taking her place, and it alleges that Lo Russo has “gone out of his way to exclude Reingold from “key decisions and question her authority.”

Cushman & Wakefield responded publicly to the suit with a written statement that says in part, “These allegations are completely without merit, and we will defend ourselves vigorously.” It goes on to cite Lo Russo's accomplishments since joining Cushman.The firm has 20 days to answer Reingold's complaint.

Instant Insights /

Reingold Sues C&W for Over $20M in Gender, Age Discrimination Suit

Related Stories

Recommended For You