Three former female employees of Goldman Sachs & Co. are suing the  Wall Street firm, charging rampant gender discrimination that unfairly favors men in pay and promotions.

The suit filed Wednesday by the three women alleges that Goldman has violated federal and New York City laws by engaging in a systematic “pattern and practice” of discrimination against female professionals at the firm. They are asking a federal judge to certify the case as a class-action suit on behalf of the firm’s women employees.
The three, who were a vice president, a managing director and an associate, also are seeking damages from Goldman for emotional distress they say they’ve suffered and for lost income.

We believe this suit is without merit,” Goldman spokesman Lucas van Praag said in a statement. “People are critical to our business, and we make extraordinary efforts to recruit, develop and retain outstanding women professionals.”

The suit was filed in federal court in New York.