2026 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Avery Boxell, Katz, Sapper & Miller

“Avery Boxell stands out for his leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to building both people and organizations. A trusted adviser to real estate investors, developers, and owners, he is recognized for his expertise in Qualified Opportunity Zones, partnership taxation, and strategic tax planning. After relocating from Indianapolis to New York to support KSM’s growth, Avery helped integrate the firm’s New York City office and build a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and growth.” 

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of?

I am heavily involved with developments in Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) across the country. The QOZ program was created through tax reform in 2017 and was recently extended and made permanent. These deals offer immense tax benefits, allowing investors to defer, and potentially eliminate a portion of, their capital gains tax liability at the onset, with the opportunity to exclude all gains upon exit. I often find that real estate clients are well positioned to capture these tax benefits, and while complex, helping structure them is rewarding given the value they add for clients.

Who has been a mentor or influential figure in your career, and what is the most valuable advice they have shared with you?

There have been many people who have influenced my career, but Kent Manuel stands out. Kent was a partner at KSM who essentially established the firm’s real estate practice. Through our work on shared clients, I learned from Kent that the best way to serve real estate clients is to do the hard work of always being prepared, use tax knowledge to find solutions to clients’ problems, and treat people fairly. One of Kent’s quotes that has stayed with me is, “You may never be the smartest person in the room, but you can always be the most well-prepared.” Kent was often both.