Practice Areas
Administrative Law | Rent Regulation & DHCR | Appellate Advocacy
Professional Associations & Memberships
- New York Apartment Association
- Nassau County Bar Association
Bio
Jillian N. Bittner is a highly skilled and accomplished member of the firm, focusing her practice on complex administrative law matters, particularly in rent regulation. Since joining the firm in January 2014 as an associate, Jillian has built an impressive track record representing property owners in high-stakes proceedings before the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). She has handled a wide range of cases, from rent overcharge complaints to succession claims. She has been extremely successful defending clients in audits conducted by the Tenant Protection Unit since its inception in 2014.
Jillian has succeeded in opposing DHCR’s attempted, improper retroactive application of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA), based on the Court of Appeals ruling in Matter of Regina Metropolitan Co., LLC v New York State Div. of Hous. & Cmty. Renewal, 35 N.Y.3d 332 (2020) – in which the firm represented the prevailing party.
Jillian is an experienced attorney with extensive expertise in Petitions for Administrative Review (PAR) before DHCR and Article 78 proceedings in the Supreme Court. She has represented building owners in complex class action lawsuits, particularly those stemming from the 2009 Roberts v Tishman Speyer Props, LP ruling and its progeny. Jillian has a proven record in appellate advocacy, having successfully presented appeals before the Appellate Division. On November 20, 2024, she argued nine consolidated appeals before the NYS Court of Appeals.
Jillian specializes in rent regulatory due diligence, helping prospective purchasers of residential apartment buildings assess and mitigate potential liabilities related to overcharges and deregulation. She also regularly conducts record reviews to assist property owners in preparing their buildings for sale or financing, to maximize property value.
Jillian has significant experience in guiding clients through complex Substantial Rehabilitation Applications, Major Capital Improvement Rent Increase Applications, and J-51 Tax Abatement and Exemption applications.
A sought-after speaker and author in the field of rent regulation, Jillian frequently presents at industry-leading CLE seminars.
On February 25, 2025, Jillian lectured in the CLE seminar, “Lead Paint Violation: HP Audits,” hosted by New York Apartment Association (NYAA) and the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), presenting on recordkeeping and production requirements.
Several months earlier, in November 2024, Jillian lectured at the first CLE seminar hosted by NYAA and NYCLA, discussing legislative changes to the Rent Stabilization Law that occurred with the 2024 Budget Bill, including the amendments to Individual Apartment Improvement (IAI) rent increases.
On November 8, 2023, Jillian lectured in the CLE hosted by the Queens County Bar Association, Landlord & Tenant Update 2023, on “Rent Overcharge Complaints and Discovery Beyond the Base-Date.”
Jillian co-authored the article, “The Legislature’s Continued Assault on the Real Estate Industry” with co-founder of the firm Niles C. Welikson, published by Apartment Law Insider in June 2023.
In January 2023, Jillian was published in the New York Real Estate Law Reporter as a co-author of the article, “Court Declines to Block Retroactive Application of HSTPA.”
On November 2, 2022, Jillian lectured in the CLE seminar hosted by the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) and NYCLA, “Reviewing the Proposed Amendments to the Rent Stabilization Code,” presenting on DHCR’s 2022 proposed amendments to base date rent calculations in the context of rent overcharge complaints and the default formula.
On October 6, 2022, Jillian participated in a virtual roundtable hosted by the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA), which reviewed all major changes contemplated by DHCR’s proposed amendments to the Rent Stabilization Code published on August 31, 2022.
On March 3, 2022, Jillian lectured in the CLE seminar hosted by the RSA and NYCLA, “DHCR Administrative Proceedings and Appeals,” speaking directly on how owners can successfully defend rent overcharge complaints filed with DHCR post-HSTPA.
On May 6, 2021, Jillian lectured in the CLE seminar hosted by the RSA and NYCLA, “Navigating Landlord-Tenant matters in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act, the Tenant Safe Harbor Act and the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act,” therein discussing post-HSTPA caselaw, including Regina Metropolitan.
Jillian was published in the in the June 2017 New York Housing Journal for her contribution to the “Housing Court Appellate Update.” She was also published in the February 2017 edition of the RSA Reporter as a co-author of “An Owner’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Major Capital Improvements.”
Jillian was a co-author of “New Amendments to the Rent Stabilization Code and Recommendations” published by the New York Housing Journal in February 2014.
Jillian is admitted to the New York State Bar and the United States Supreme Court.