Glamorous Manhattan developer sues luxury real estate giant over claims broker barraged her with slur you wouldn't say in front of your mother: 'That's STREET language'

By EMMA JAMES, US SENIOR REPORTER Published: 00:18, 12 June 2026 | Updated: 00:22, 12 June 2026 A glamorous Manhattan real estate developer has launched a federal lawsuit against Douglas Elliman and luxury brokerage team Noble Black & Partners, claiming she was repeatedly referred to as a 'bad-ass b***h'. Trisha Paravas, founder of Roche Real Estate Development, claims broker Glenn Davis made several 'gender-based and derogatory' comments towards her, the Daily Mail can reveal. The self-made developer and former Wall Street professional hired Davis and his team to market condominium units associated with one of her projects. Paravas argues Douglas Elliman and Noble Black & Partners failed to adequately supervise him and should be held responsible for his conduct. Davis has since left the firm to join another company. In a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York on June 2, Paravas alleges his comments calling her a 'bad-ass b***h' caused her emotional distress, reputational harm and financial losses. According to the lawsuit, Davis used the phrase on multiple occasions, including during a project-related meeting attended by members of his team. Paravas alleges the remarks were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of conduct that created a hostile and degrading professional environment. Filings show that she took her complaints to senior figures at the firm directly, writing in an email referring to the Chief Operating Officer: 'Do you think Bryan Cohen Esq. of DE refers to his mother or wife as 'BAD ASS B***H'??  'Do you think Noble Black head of your firm refers to his mother and wife as 'BAD ASS B***H'??' Trisha Paravas, founder of Roche Real Estate Development, has filed a federal lawsuit against Douglas Elliman, Noble Black & Partners and broker Glenn Davis over alleged derogatory comments made during a business relationship Paravas alleges Glenn Davis, a luxury real estate broker, repeatedly referred to her as a 'bad-ass b***h' during meetings and work-related communications She continued: 'It's disappointing to see that a reputable Noble Black team or DE [Douglas Elliman] uses such language to refer to a client. And, you dared to repeat such words back to me. It's disrespectful, unprofessional, and simply out of line on all levels.' Questioning whether the alleged remarks reflected the company's culture, she added: 'That is STREET language – Are these DE standards?' The email goes on to state that she would not continue working with anyone at the expense of her values and argued that anyone who spoke to a paying client in that manner had 'no place' in her corporation. Paravas's complaint alleges that during a September 2024 meeting, Davis and members of his team mocked her and referred to her using offensive language, including the phrase 'bad-ass b***h.' She further claims the phrase was later repeated during a professional work call and alleges members of Davis' team participated in or reinforced the conduct. The developer has been profiled by Forbes for her efforts to bring 'accessible luxury' housing to Manhattan's middle-market buyers and by ELLE Canada as a self-made entrepreneur who transitioned from Wall Street into real estate development. Paravas built a career in finance before founding Roche Real Estate Development and pursuing residential development projects in New York City. She has publicly described herself as arriving to the United States from her native India with $180 to her name, working her way through the finance industry and eventually launching her own development company. Douglas Elliman is one of the largest luxury residential real estate brokerages in the United States In the complaint, Paravas says she developed condominium projects in Harlem and retained Davis in connection with the marketing and sale of units associated with one of those developments. The lawsuit claims the alleged conduct eventually forced her to choose between continuing a professional relationship under conditions she considered unacceptable or terminating it altogether. Paravas ultimately terminated Davis's services despite the financial consequences, claiming she faced 'significant business disruption and financial loss, including holding costs exceeding $150,000' after severing the relationship. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Paravas said that she retained the firm because of their 'reputation and stature' in the industry.' She added: 'During the course of our business relationship, Glenn Davis referred to me as a "bad-ass b***h." That comment was deeply disappointing and unacceptable to me. 'As a woman, and a professional who has worked hard to build my career, I do not believe women in business should have to accept derogatory or degrading language as the price of doing business. 'I faced a difficult decision. I could ignore conduct that I believed crossed a professional line, or I could stand by my principles and terminate the relationship. 'I chose to stand by my principles, even though that decision came with serious financial consequences, including project delays and carrying costs.' The self-made developer has previously been profiled by Forbes and ELLE Canada for her transition from Wall Street to New York real estate development The successful property mogul built a career in finance before founding Roche Real Estate Development and pursuing residential development projects in New York City (pictured: residential buildings along Billionaire's Row)  Prior to filing the lawsuit, veteran of Douglas Elliman Davis announced that he was leaving the firm in October 2025, shortly after the breakup of Noble Black & Partners. And after Noble Black's exit to Corcoran a month earlier, he announced he was joining Ryan Serhant to launch the New York Collaborative Team, bringing seven agents with him. In what appears to be a thinly veiled reference to the Alexander brothers scandal that engulfed Douglas Elliman, her complaint also points to prior controversies involving individuals affiliated with the brokerage and cites public calls for an independent investigation into company leadership and workplace conduct. Paravas alleges the incident should be viewed in the context of broader cultural and supervisory failures within the firm. Former Douglas Elliman stars Tal and Oren Alexander rose to prominence at the brokerage before departing in 2022. The brothers later became the subject of multiple sexual assault allegations, lawsuits and criminal investigations, sparking broader questions about culture and accountability within the luxury real estate industry. The controversy was followed by reports of a board-ordered review into workplace culture and conduct at Douglas Elliman, which reportedly contributed to leadership changes at the company. Paravas confirmed that she was aware of the Alexander brothers scandal, but did not want to 'conflate' her case with any other. Paravas's lawsuit alleges she suffered emotional distress, reputational harm and financial losses after ending her business relationship with Davis She added: 'However, I do believe these public reports show why companies should take concerns about misconduct, professionalism, and workplace culture seriously when they are raised. 'Publicly traded companies should be held to high standards. 'Clients, employees, shareholders, and the public deserve transparency and accountability when concerns are brought forward. Leaders must walk the talk. 'Ultimately, my position is that this case is about accountability, professional standards, and dignity. 'I hope my actions send a message to younger women entering business and real estate: success should never require accepting disrespect, derogatory comments, or conduct that undermines your value as a professional.' She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and has demanded a jury trial. A federal judge has ordered that Douglas Elliman, Noble Black & Partners and Davis be formally served with the complaint. None of the defendants have yet filed a response in court. Prior to the lawsuit being filed, Douglas Elliman veteran Davis announced that he was leaving the firm in October 2025, shortly after the breakup of Noble Black & Partners. Davis, Douglas Elliman and Noble Black did not respond to requests for comment.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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