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

When A Purchase And Sale May Be A Loan

The California Financing Law requires that persons engaged in the business of making consumer loans or making commercial loans be licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, unless exempt. Cal. Fin. Code §§ 22009 & 22100....

Are Diversity Riders Legal?

Some venture capital firms have recently begun including so-called "diversity riders" in their term sheets. In general, these require that the issuer and the lead investor make commercially reasonable efforts to include a member of an...

When, If Ever, Will California Charter A Public Bank?

 A little over a year ago, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed  legislation, AB 857 (2019 Cal. Stats. ch. 442) local agencies to establish so-called "public banks", subject to approval by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and...

Court Holds Disgorgement Requires No Pecuniary Harm

There are equitable remedies and there are legal remedies.  A claimant pursuing a breach of fiduciary claim can choose which type of remedy it seeks.  Choices, like elections, have consequences.

California and Delaware Franchise Taxes Are Similar In Name Only

Recently, I came across a proxy statement filed a California corporation seeking shareholder approval to reincorporate in Delaware.  In the midst of a lengthy disquisition on the pros and cons of reincorporation, the issuer noted that the franchise...

Section 16600 Wipes Out Invention Assignment

"Wipin' out wipe outHey watch outWah wah wahWipin' out wipe out"

The DFPI And Insider Trading

All securities transactions by members and employees of the Securities and Exchange Commission must comply with 5 CFR § 200.735-5 which in turn requires compliance with 5 CFR § 4401.102. In general, § 4401.102 adopts a "possession" standard for...

How To Correct A Defective Meeting of Shareholders

Last Friday's post noted the multiple ways in which a meeting of shareholders may be invalidated. Fortunately, the California General Corporation Law provides several opportunities for curing an improperly called or noticed meeting of shareholders....

How Not To Take Valid Shareholder Action

Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina begins with this famous line: