PHOTO: Former Luxe Listings Sydney personality Tammy Soglanich.
Former Luxe Listings Sydney personality Tammy Soglanich has launched sex-discrimination proceedings against her former employer and one-time co-star Simon Cohen, turning one of Sydney prestige real estate’s most talked-about professional splits into a Federal Court dispute.
Soglanich and Cohen were previously among the best-known figures in Sydney’s luxury buyer’s-agent market. They worked together for years at Cohen Handler and appeared on the Amazon Prime series Luxe Listings Sydney.
Their professional relationship ended abruptly in late 2024, prompting considerable speculation within Sydney’s property industry.
Property Noise reported on their split at the time, but neither party publicly explained exactly what had happened.
Now the dispute has moved from industry whispers to the Federal Court.
Sex-discrimination proceedings launched
According to reporting by The Australian, Soglanich has commenced sex-discrimination proceedings involving her former employer and Cohen.
The precise allegations have not yet been publicly detailed.
Attempts to resolve the dispute through mediation reportedly failed earlier this year, meaning the matter is now progressing through the court system.
A case-management hearing is reportedly scheduled for early December before Justice Jane Needham. Both parties have been directed to prepare affidavits and reports as the case moves forward.
At this stage, the proceedings contain allegations that have not been tested or determined by the Court.
There has been no finding of unlawful discrimination or misconduct against Cohen or Cohen Handler.
That distinction is critical.
Cohen says he wants the facts heard
Cohen has declined to discuss the substance of the case while proceedings remain active.
However, he indicated that he welcomed the opportunity for the evidence and facts to be presented in court.
Soglanich did not provide a comment to the publication reporting the proceedings.
It has also been reported that two earlier third-party investigations into Soglanich’s complaints did not find evidence of misconduct. That information has not been independently tested by the Federal Court and does not determine the outcome of the current proceedings.
The Court will ultimately need to consider the claims, responses and supporting evidence provided by both parties.
From television partnership to public legal dispute
The legal proceedings represent an extraordinary turn for two people previously presented as a successful partnership within Sydney’s prestige property sector.
Cohen Handler built its reputation representing buyers seeking high-value properties across Sydney’s eastern suburbs and other premium markets.
Soglanich worked alongside Cohen for several years and developed her own public profile through Luxe Listings Sydney, which followed high-profile agents and buyer’s advocates negotiating multimillion-dollar property transactions.
Property Noise previously described Cohen and Soglanich as a powerhouse pairing within Sydney’s luxury real estate market.
When Soglanich departed Cohen Handler in 2024, the reason for the split was not publicly disclosed. Reports at the time said the pair had gone their separate ways, but neither publicly provided a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the departure.
What initially appeared to be a private professional separation has now developed into a significant employment dispute.
Soglanich has moved on professionally
Following her departure from Cohen Handler, Soglanich established a new chapter in her property career.
She is now a co-founder of Aurum Advisory, a real estate advisory business she reportedly launched with Leon Jacques in February 2025.
The move gave Soglanich an independent platform after years of working within Cohen Handler and appearing alongside Cohen on television.
Cohen, meanwhile, has continued leading Cohen Handler and remains one of Australia’s most recognisable buyer’s agents.
The Federal Court proceedings will now place renewed attention on their former working relationship and the events surrounding Soglanich’s departure.
Why the failed mediation matters
Mediation gives parties an opportunity to resolve a dispute privately without proceeding to a contested hearing.
The reported failure of mediation does not indicate which party has the stronger case. It simply means they were unable to reach an agreed resolution at that stage.
The case-management process will establish how the matter proceeds, what evidence must be filed and which issues are genuinely in dispute.
It is still possible that the parties could reach a settlement before any final hearing.
However, if the case proceeds, affidavits, evidence and legal submissions may provide the first detailed public explanation of what caused the relationship between Soglanich and Cohen Handler to collapse.
The dangers of trial by industry gossip
Sydney’s prestige property industry is relatively small, highly competitive and intensely image-conscious.
When two well-known figures abruptly separate, speculation spreads quickly.
But a Federal Court proceeding cannot be responsibly covered through rumour, anonymous commentary or assumptions based on social-media posts.
Soglanich is entitled to have her claims properly heard.
Cohen and Cohen Handler are equally entitled to respond to those claims and to the presumption that allegations remain unproven unless supported by evidence and upheld by the Court.
The fact that proceedings have been filed does not prove discrimination occurred.
Equally, the reported outcome of previous third-party investigations does not prevent Soglanich from bringing her claim or determine what the Federal Court may ultimately decide.
Reality television versus workplace reality
The case also highlights the gap that can exist between the carefully presented world of property television and the private reality of working inside a major real estate business.
Shows such as Luxe Listings Sydney sell an image of enormous commissions, glamorous properties, designer wardrobes and powerful personalities.
Viewers see the deals, negotiations and celebrations.
They do not necessarily see employment tensions, internal complaints, management decisions or relationships deteriorating behind the scenes.
Soglanich and Cohen were known publicly through a programme built around prestige, competition and personality.
Their dispute will now be assessed in a very different environment—one governed by evidence, affidavits and federal employment law rather than television editing.
A case the Australian real estate industry will watch closely
The proceedings are likely to attract significant attention because of the public profiles of those involved and Cohen Handler’s position within Australia’s prestige buyer’s-agent sector.
The case also raises broader questions for real estate businesses.
How are internal complaints handled when the people involved are both senior, commercially valuable and publicly recognisable?
Can a workplace investigation resolve a dispute when the parties fundamentally disagree about what occurred?
What happens when an employee’s professional identity is closely tied to the employer’s brand and television profile?
Those questions extend well beyond Cohen Handler.
Real estate remains an industry heavily built around personalities, personal brands and close professional relationships. When those relationships deteriorate, separating personal reputation, employment obligations and commercial interests can become extremely difficult.
What happens next?
The reported case-management hearing in early December is expected to establish the next procedural steps.
The Court may set deadlines for evidence, affidavits and other documents. Further mediation or settlement discussions also remain possible.
Until more documents become publicly available, the exact nature of Soglanich’s allegations—and Cohen Handler’s complete response—remains unclear.
Property Noise will continue following the case as it progresses.
The Property Noise view
When Tammy Soglanich and Simon Cohen separated professionally in 2024, Sydney’s property industry was left asking what had gone wrong.
Nearly two years later, the answer may finally emerge through the Federal Court.
But this is not the time for Property Noise—or anybody else—to decide who is right based on reputation, television appearances or industry gossip.
Soglanich has brought sex-discrimination proceedings.
Cohen has indicated that he wants the evidence and facts presented.
Mediation has reportedly failed.
Now both sides will have the opportunity to put their cases before the Court.
For an industry that relies so heavily on image, confidence and personal branding, this dispute is a reminder that the polished public version of a successful real estate partnership may tell only part of the story.