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?”