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

Representing Others Before The SEC

Not too long ago, I wrote about the Shareholder Rights Project (SRP) at Harvard Law School, noting that the SRP's website and correspondence to the Securities and Exchange Commission explicitly stated that the SRP was "representing and advising"...

This Stockholder Would Rather Fly To Delaware Than Drive To L.A.

Yesterday's post mentioned the recent Delaware Supreme Court decision in United Techs. Corp. v. Treppel, 2014 Del. LEXIS 608 (Del. Dec. 23, 2014). The case involved an inspection demand under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The...

Stockholder Inspections Of Delaware Corporations In California

In United Techs. Corp. v. Treppel, 2014 Del. LEXIS 608 (Del. Dec. 23, 2014), the Delaware Supreme Court held that the Court of Chancery had authority to condition a stockholder's inspection under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law...

'Tis A "Bootless Labour" To Ask The Staff To Appeal Its Own No-Action Advice

In This “Appeal” Of Whole Foods’ No-Action Letter Isn’t Very Appealing, I wrote about Jim McRitchie's attempt to "appeal" the staff's decision with respect to the exclusion of his proxy access proposal to Whole Foods Market, Inc. The staff had...

It's Magna Carta Friday!

This year marks the 800th anniversary of King John of England's sealing of the Magna Carta at the field of Runnymede. Readers may remember that King John was the youngest brother of the more celebrated Richard Coeur de Lion (the "Lion Heart"). King...

CalPERS Continues To Take Shots At The Press

I continue to be shocked at CalPERS' vitriolic approach towards the press.  In the last 12 months, CalPERS has taken on The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, several California metropolitan newspapers, several local newspapers, and bloggers. According...

More Questions About California's Section 25102(f) Exemption

Earlier this week, I addressed some common queries regarding California's limited offering exemption, which is often referred to as the "F" exemption because it is found in Corporations Code Section 25102(f). Today's post will address a few more...

Removing California Securities Legends

When I first started practicing law, the predominant exemption from qualification under the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968 was found in Corporations Code Section 25102(h). Although that exemption remains on the books, its popularity has...

Recurrent Rogations Regarding California's Section 25102(f) Exemption

Section 25102(f) is perhaps the most commonly used exemption from qualification under the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968.  Here are just a few of the questions that the Department of Business Oversight receives concerning the exemption: