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

Does California's New Consumer Financial Protection Law Apply To SEC Registered Investment Advisers?

As has been previously noted, California's Governor recently signed  AB 1864 (2020 Cal. Stats. Ch. 157) into law (aka the "California Consumer Financial Protection Law"). Broadly speaking, this new law will bestow new regulatory authority on the...

What Is A Stakeholder?

The dernier cri of corporate governance is "stakeholder capitalism", but this begs the question of what makes someone or something a "stakeholder". Originally, the term referred to the person with whom, or on which, bets (the "stakes") were...

DBO RIP July 1, 2013 to January 1, 2021

It is now official.  Governor Newsom has signed AB 1864

Is A Corporation's Address A Trade Secret?

"Cryptocurrency" is a hybrid word form from the Greek adjective, κρυπτός, meaning hidden, and the Latin participle, currens, mean running or flowing.  The word "currency" is also derived from currens, perhaps based on the idea that money flows from...

Do You Indorse Or Endorse A Document?

When you indorse a check or stock certificate, you typically sign it on the back.  That makes etymological sense because "indorse" is derived from the Latin preposition in, meaning on, and dorsum, meaning back. 

LLC's Failure To File Cross-Complaint Dooms Double Derivative Action

Although the members of a limited liability may file a derivative action, the right of action belongs to the LLC and not to the members themselves.  This fundamental principle had real consequences for the plaintiffs in Heshejin v. Rostami, 2020 Cal....

Issuer Errs In Permitting Broker Non-Votes But Attorneys' Fees Claim Fails

Broker non-votes can be a source of confusion for those not familiar with how shares of public companies are typically held and stock exchange rules. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker does not receive voting instructions from its client and...

Is The CSL (Over)Due For A Makeover?

One of the first registered public offerings that I worked on was for a small technology company. The lead underwriter was a regional investment banking firm. Although he had considerably more experience in securities law than me, the underwriters'...

Is A Breach Of Fiduciary Duty A Violation Of State Law?

California Labor Code Section 1102.5 protects employees from certain retaliatory acts by their employers.  Subdivision (b) of the statute provides: