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

Court Of Appeal Decides Against Arbitration Bylaw Amendment

Much has been written of late about the enforceability of exclusive forum bylaws. What happens when the forum isn't a court, but an arbitration? Does it make any difference if the arbitration bylaw is adopted after a dispute has arisen? The Fourth...

California AG Declares Whistleblower Tally A State Secret

Since 2004, the California Attorney General has been required to maintain a whistleblower hotline to receive calls from persons who have information regarding possible violations of state or federal statutes, rules, or regulations, or violations of...

Victims Of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund

In the waning days of the 2001-2002 legislative session, then Assemblymember Kevin Shelley gutted and amended AB 55. As introduced, AB 55 would have amended the Elections Code. Instead, AB 55 became the vehicle for the enactment of the deeply flawed...

Commissioner Ponders Whether To Exempt Real Estate Brokers From Investment Adviser Registration

Last week, the Commissioner of Business Oversight issued an invitation for comment on whether to exempt real estate brokers from the investment adviser certification requirement under the Corporate Securities Law of 1968. The exemption would require...

Magna Carta Friday - King John Guarantees The Freedom Of The English Church

As I've mentioned, this year marks the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta by King John at Runnymede.  I previously posted the introduction and my translation of the original Latin of the 1215 version. Today, I continue with the...

Some LLC Names Slip Past California's Statutory Ban

The California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act explicitly bans a number of different words from being included in LLC names:

SEC Charges Attorney For Allegedly False Legal Opinion

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against an attorney who was allegedly involved in the filing of false registration statements.  The SEC's order instituting proceedings alleges that the attorney provided opinion...

The SEC's Rule 14a-8 Process Just Became Even More Pointlessly Outré

Yesterday, Broc Romanek posted on SEC Chair Mary Jo White's Friday surprise with respect the no-action letter request submitted by Whole Foods Market, Inc.  Readers may recall that in December Whole Foods had obtained the staff's concurrence in...

This Is One Form 8-K, You'll Never Want To File

In a recently filed Form 8-K, an international money transmitter, Xoom Corporation, reported that been the victim of a criminal fraud.  This was no small heist.  According to company, over $30 million had been transferred to overseas bank accounts: