Keith Paul Bishop

Keith Paul Bishop

Keith Bishop works with privately-held and publicly-traded companies on federal and state corporate and securities transactions, compliance, and governance matters. He is highly-regarded for his in-depth knowledge of the distinctive corporate and regulatory requirements faced by corporations in the state of California. While many law firms have a great deal of expertise in federal or Delaware corporate law, Keith’s specific focus on California corporate and securities law is uncommon. A former California state regulator of securities and financial institutions, Keith has decades of experience navigating the regulatory-intensive state’s rules. For companies with substantial operations in California but incorporated elsewhere, Keith is an exceptional resource. He is frequently called in to help with issues arising under California’s “blue sky” and lender laws. An avid writer, Keith’s blog, www.calcorporatelaw.com, covers a diverse collection of California corporate and securities law issues and has served as a valued resource for other attorneys, business executives, judges, and media, nationwide.

Recent Posts

Is Counterfeit Currency A Bank Note?

Counterfeiting was once considered to be tantamount to treason. It is still a serious, but not capital, crime. In fact, it is one of only four crimes specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Notably, however, the Constitution doesn't mention...

Are A Breach Of Fiduciary Duty And A Breach Of Governing Documents "Non Bis In Idem"?

Last week, I discussed the Court of Appeal's consideration of whether the business judgment rule protects a director from claims based on breach of the corporation's governing documents.  See Does The Business Judgment Rule Protect Directors Who...

Does The Business Judgment Rule Protect Directors Who Violate Governing Documents?

Under the business judgment rule, a director will not be liable for a mistake in business judgment provided that certain conditions are met. In the case of a California nonprofit mutual benefit corporation, a director who performs her duties in...

What Is A Knowing Violation Of Law?

Nevada's private corporation law automatically exculpates directors and officers from individual liability from individual liable to the corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or...

10th Circuit Highlights Difference Between Delaware And Nevada Exculpatory Statutes

Because the power to manage a corporation’s affairs rests with the board of directors, it is normally up to the board to decide whether the corporation will pursue a claim. A shareholder who believes that the corporation should sue must therefore...

Genealogy And The Corporate Lawyer

Who is family and how close are they? These aren't questions that typically occupy the mind of a corporate lawyer. Occasionally, however, consanguinity matters even to a corporate lawyer. Thus, Section 308 of the California Corporations Code...

The Legal William Shakespeare

This past April marked the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare.  See Happy Birthday William Shakespeare! In 37 plays, Shakespeare wrote of kings, generals, lovers, and fools. He also made frequent mention of law. He uses the word...

Court Holds Inspection Statute Does Not Require That Records Be Brought To California

In "The Scope Of Stockholder Inspection In California And Delaware", I wrote about what a shareholder is entitled to inspect under California's shareholder inspection statute - Corporations Code Section 1601.  I did not discuss where that inspection...

Drafting Bylaws - Four Things To Consider

Four points to consider when drafting these often crucially important, but tiresome, documents: