JetBlue Airways Corp. has promoted its vice president and associate general counsel, Brandon Nelson, to serve as the New York-based airline's new legal leader.

Nelson shouldn't experience any turbulence transitioning to his new role, because he's been the company's acting GC since July following the retirement of his predecessor, James Hnat. Hnat, who received a $1.2 million pay package, stayed on as an adviser. But he is expected to leave that role at the end of the year, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nelson joined JetBlue more than 13 years ago and worked his way up from manager and staff counsel to director and corporate counsel to VP and associate GC before his latest promotion, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also serves on the company's corporate venture capital fund, JetBlue Technology Ventures.