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

Are Company Misstatements Of Diversity Actionable Under Rule 10b-5?

In a typical securities fraud action brought under Rule 10b-5, a private plaintiff must prove (1) a material misrepresentation or omission by the defendant; (2) scienter; (3) a connection between the misrepresentation or omission and the purchase or...

SEC: QOF Interests Are Typically Securities

Yesterday, the staffs of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a statement describing the "opportunity zone" program created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The intent...

Like Marley, Court Forges Chain Of Liability Link By Link To Hold Nevada Director Liable For California Corporation's Debt

The Nevada legislature has gone a long way to insulate directors of Nevada corporations from liability.  Directors, however, are not entirely immune as was recently illustrated in Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz' recent ruling in Odyssey Reinsurance Co. v....

"Approved As To Form" Is No "Sick Chicken"

Attorneys often sign settlement agreements under the words "approved as to form" or "approved as to form and content". In signing the settlement agreement, an attorney may not expect to be bound by the settlement, but should she? That question was...

Publicly Held Corporations and Publicly Traded Corporations - Non Bis In Idem?

California's new female director quota requirement applies to publicly held domestic or foreign corporations with their principal executive offices located in California. Cal. Corp. Code §§ 301.3 & 2115.5. California's older Public Disclosure Act...

Conflict Waiver Does Not A Shareholder Make

Section 800(b)(1) of the California Corporations Code imposes the following standing requirement for derivative lawsuits:

Court Of Appeal Finds No Successor Liability Following Purchase Of Assets

Buyers of assets typically like to pick and choose the assets and liabilities that they will acquire. In general, the law permits this. Thus, a corporation that purchases the principal assets of another corporation, will not assume the seller’s...

Commissioner Peirce Has Concerns About California's Gender Quota Mandate

California's gender quota law has attracted a lot of attention, including from at least one member of the Securities and Exchange Commission. At last month's annual conference of the Society for Corporate Governance, Commissioner Hester M. Peirce...

Why The Mandated Report On Female Directors Fails To Provide Meaningful Information

As noted yesterday, the California Secretary of State published a report on its website concerning publicly domestic or foreign corporations with principal executive offices are located in California. This report was required to document the number...