Выражение встречается в следующем контексте: attendance at a regular or special meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice, except where a director states that he or she is attending for the purpose of objecting to the conduct of business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

Меня интересует первая часть предложения до слова except.
Спасибо.

Заранее спасибо