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

California Misses Target In Defining Fictitious Business Name

California's fictitious business name law is ostensibly intended to make available to the public the identities of persons doing business under the fictitious name. In general, the law requires a local filing of a fictitious business name statement...

Despite Skepticism California's I-Bank Bill Moves Forward

Recently, I have written about Senator Ben Hueso's proposal to convert the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) as a depository institution.  As a depository bank, the I-Bank would hold and lend taxpayer dollars. 

How Filing A Fictitious Business Name Statement Can Win A Lawsuit

In California, a corporation's fictitious business name is any name other than the corporate name stated in the articles of incorporation. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17900(b)(3). A corporation that regularly transacts business in California for profit...

Governor Appoints New Commissioner Of Business Oversight

Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced the appointment of Commissioner Jan Owen's successor at the Department of Business Oversight:

Learn What's New In Delaware And California For Free!

This Thursday, I will be joining Michael Allen of the prominent Delaware law firm of Richards, Layton & Finger in providing a webinar on recent developments on California and Delaware corporate law. The webinar is sponsored by the Business Law...

Court Finds Corporation To Be "Antagonistic" To Its Shareholders

A derivative claim is one brought by a shareholder on behalf of the corporation to recover for harm done to the corporation.  Cohen v. Mirage Resorts, Inc., 62 P.3d 720, 732 (Nev. 2003).  However, when a derivative action is initiated, the corporation...

Will The SEC's Framework Beget Blue Sky Blues For Digital Assets?

Earlier this week, two senior officials at the Securities and Exchange Commission issued this statement elucidating a "framework for 'investment contract' analysis of digital assets".  The Framework applies the tripartite test fashioned by the United...

California Bill Would Codify ABC Test For Employee Status

Much to the consternation of employers, the California Supreme Court last year adopted a three-factor test, known as the "ABC" test, for determining when a worker is an employee.  Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles, 4...

Court Finds Nevada Corporate Law To Be No Bar To Alter Ego Claim

The gist of an alter ego claim is that that there is no separation between the corporation and its owners. As a result the distinct personality of the corporation may be disregarded and the shareholders held to account for the corporation's...