Former employee works toward settlement in Zillow job discrimination suit

Former Zillow employee Samuel James Herrera has notified a Denver-based U.S. District Court that he and his former employer are working toward a settlement in his job discrimination lawsuit. 

On Wednesday, Herrera, who calls himself “a day-one Zillow employee,” notified Judge Regina Rodriguez, who is overseeing the lawsuit in a Denver-based federal court, that the parties were working toward a settlement agreement.

According to the notice of settlement, the agreement resolves all of the claims in the case. The filing said the terms of the settlement are still being finalized. 

Parties typically file notices of settlement in a lawsuit when all or some of the plaintiff’s claims have been settled.

In his complaint, filed in September, Herrera claimed he was wrongfully terminated by Zillow in February 2024. 

During his time with the firm, Herrera claims he earned seven promotions, ultimately landing in the role of general manager of rentals, Eastern region in 2022.

At Zillow, Herrera said he was known for his “stellar performance,” which he claims continued in his final general manager role. In this role, Herrera claims he regularly exceeded his sales goals, but despite this, he says he was passed over for further promotions and held to different standards than his white colleagues. Herrera claimed that after complaining of discrimination, Zillow forced him out of the company. 

At the time of the lawsuit’s filing, Zillow told HousingWire that the claims “alleged in the complaint are inconsistent with Zillow’s culture and values, and we believe they are without merit. One of our highest priorities at Zillow is and always has been creating an environment where people do great work and treat each other with dignity and respect.” 

Additionally, the listing portal giant noted that while Zillow was founded in 2004, Herrera did not join the firm until 2010, making him a long tenured employee, but not a “day-one” employee.

Zillow did not immediately respond to HousingWire’s request for comment on the settlement. 

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article said a settlement had been reached. The article has since been clarified to say that they parties are working toward an agreement.