8 Things About the 2021 Proxy Season You Should Know (“Allison & Shannon-Style”)

In this Vid-Guide, Perkins Coie’s Allison Handy and Zillow’s Shannon Cartales do their lightning round, a ping pong-style of practice pointers about the proxy season, including:

1. Virtual annual meetings are a realistic option for many companies despite continued reluctance by some investors.
2. In preparing a proxy statement and annual meeting calendar, include timelines related to all stakeholders and service providers in addition to complying with SEC and state law rules.
3. Share proxy statement disclosures early with internal stakeholders to coordinate internal and external messaging.
4. Pay attention to voting requirements – get the disclosure right and know what you are looking for when your vote tabulator sends reports.
5. Communications sent to shareholders during the proxy season might need to be filed as “additional soliciting materials.”
6. Have an action plan ready in connection with the shareholder proposal process.
7. Be prepared for the possibility that shareholder proponents might file “exempt solicitations.”
8. Get ahead of proxy season hot topics by engaging with shareholders in the offseason.