James Nelson is a principal, head of tri-state investment sales at Avison Young. He was previously a partner at Massey Knakal Realty Services, the biggest investment-sales brokerage in New York City in number of deals.

One of the top brokers at the firm in terms of sales, Nelson has steered the trades of approximately 300 properties with a total value of more than $2.5 billion. Notable sales have included 435 10th Avenue, 30 West 21st Street, 200 East 11th Street, 625 Broadway and 100 Vandam Street. Notable clients have included the archdiocese of New York, Bank of America, the Bromley Companies, the Related Companies, Zeckendorf Development and Toll Brothers.

Nelson focuses primarily on the East Village, Greenwich Village and Noho; and is also involved in Massey Knakal's private equity real estate fund, MKRO I.

A Bethesda, MD native, Nelson earned an English degree from Colgate and now lives in Connecticut.