Best Buy has named Keith Nelsen executive vice president and general counsel. He will report to CEO Brian Dunn, effective immediately.

Nelsen assumes the general counsel role from Joe Joyce, who is retiring in October 2011 after more than 20 years with the company. Joyce joined Best Buy in 1991 and has served as the company's general counsel since that time.

Nelsen, who joined Best Buy in 2005, most recently served as senior vice president, commercial, and as general counsel for Best Buy International, managing the company's legal responsibilities outside of the United States, including oversight of its international transactions and local law compliance. He also oversaw the company's equity-related investments on a global basis, providing assessment, financial analysis, strategic rational and recommendations of equity investment opportunities.

Prior to joining Best Buy, Nelsen was chief administrative officer and general counsel at Danka Business Systems PLC, where he worked to maximize growth and profitability for the company in more than 20 countries. He also was responsible for worldwide legal operations and oversaw the human resources function. Before that, he was vice president, Legal, at NordicTrack. He began his career as a practicing attorney with Best and Flanagan.