From the Editor...

Good afternoon, from my home office to yours. We continue to bring readers mutual fund governance news, information, and analysis, even as we all embrace this new world of virtual meetings and social distancing—because a lot is happening.

We've been following Securities and Exchange Commission actions as they grapple with keeping the markets running smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic, we've reported on how funds are communicating coronavirus-related risks to shareholders, and we spoke to an independent board chair about his initial experience with conducting a virtual meeting. We've also been keeping readers updated on what's happening that's not related to the novel coronavirus.

International Women's Day seems like forever ago, but really it was just a few weeks ago, at the beginning of March, Women's History Month. To recognize this, we asked two independent fund directors and one experienced recruiter to talk with us about women on fund boards. The result is a really fascinating Q&A with Thrivent Mutual Funds' Janice Case, Morningstar Funds' Theresa Hamacher, and Wilbanks Partners' George Wilbanks. Their perspectives are different, and their views are interesting. Give it a read.

This month—today, in fact—also markets the 10-year anniversary of the landmark Jones v. Harris decision. Kelley Howes from Morrison & Foerster LLP has written an exclusive article for FBV on the state of litigation a decade on. It's a good summary of the marketplace, and it contains some good advice for fund boards.

Also, we've got news that two senior '40 Act attorneys have moved from Schiff Hardin to Vedder Price. Both will continue to work with mutual funds and fund boards, and by adding them to the Washington, D.C., office, Vedder Price has bumped up female shareholder representation in that office up to one-half. 

We're always happy to hear that our readers, and friends, are safe and comfortable, so feel free to reach out with questions, feedback, commentary, or just to say hi. And we'll keep keeping you informed and in the know. 

For now,

Hillary Jackson, founding editor