Overview

The agenda featured a number of distinguished speakers. Former SEC Commissioner Annette Nazareth lead the first discussion, entitled "Leadership in a Time of Crisis," which was moderated by John Hill, independent Chair of the Putnam Funds. Attendees discussed the potential scope of regulatory reform in the financial services industry. The group then discussed recent fee litigation, in particular, the Harris case. During the final panel, moderated by Dwight Crane, independent Chair of the Legg Mason Partners Equity Funds, John Coates of Harvard Law School presented his new research findings analyzing the international competitiveness of U.S. mutual funds. His not-yet-published paper, a draft of which was provided to attendees, compares the tax and securities laws governing mutual funds with laws governing other collective investments in both the U.S. and the E.U.

Following the discussion the group enjoyed a reception and then a working dinner. The dinner discussion, moderated by Peter Clapman, independent Chair of the AARP Funds, focused on fund proxy voting issues from a mutual fund board leader's perspective.

Agenda

12:00 – 1:00     Lunch

Opportunity for small group, peer-to-peer discussion focusing on issues of unique importance to fund leaders.

1:00 – 3:00   Leadership in a Time of Crisis

John Hill, Chairman, Putnam Funds
Annette Nazareth, former SEC Commissioner and Partner, Davis Polk & Wardell

3:00 – 3:30    Break

3:30 – 4:30    Fee Litigation Update

Paul Dykstra, Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP
Paulita Pike, Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP

4:30 – 5:30   International Competitiveness of Mutual Funds

Professor John Coates, Harvard
Dwight Crane, Chairman, Legg Mason Partners Equity Funds

5:45 – 8:30    Reception and Working Dinner

Program Info

If you are an independent board chair or lead independent director and would like to register for the next CFL roundable, please contact us via email or phone at (202) 507-4488.