Conducting Virtual Shareholder Meetings – SEC Guidance, State Law Considerations

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related public health concerns, many state governors have issued executive orders declaring public health emergencies,  which restrict most in-person meetings.  Given the public health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, many public companies and large privately-held companies are considering holding “virtual” or “hybrid” annual shareholder meetings this year, as opposed to having in-person annual meetings at a physical location.