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

CalPERS Allowed To Continue Rating Agency Suit

In 2009, the California Public Employees' Retirement System filed a lawsuit alleging negligent misrepresentation and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage against Moody's Investors Services, Inc., Moody's Corporation and The...

An Epic Question: Is This Pay Ratio Too Large, Too Small or Just Right?

California's corporate tax rate is currently 8.84%. According to the California Taxpayer's Association, only nine states (Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island) have a higher top rate....

Delaware Court Rules Nevada Law Governs But Applies Delaware Law

Although there are many significant differences between the corporate laws of Nevada and Delaware, the Nevada Supreme Court has often looked across the country to Delaware. Thus, the Nevada high court has adopted Delaware's test for demand futility...

Looking For The List Of OTC Margin Stocks? You'll Find It In California's New LLC Act

When originally enacted, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 banned brokers and dealers from extending margin credit on over-the-counter (OTC) securities. This changed in 1969 when the Exchange Act was amended. The Federal Reserve determined which...

Are Proper Names In A Language?

My last name is Bishop.  In Spanish, it would be Obispo.  If I included Obispo in a corporate name, would that be acceptable to the Secretary of State?

This Volte-Face Might Prove Problematical For LLCs

Under the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act, the articles of organization prevailed over conflicting provisions of a written operating agreement. Cal. Corp. Code § 17005(f) (repealed). The drafters of the California Revised Uniform...

Some Things That The Corporations Code Doesn't Tell You About Annual Meetings

Annual meetings of shareholders are important. If a corporation fails to hold one for a period of 60 days after the designated date or, if no date is designated, for 15 months, then the superior court may summarily order a meeting. Cal. Corp. Code §...

Internal Affairs Doctrine May Not Control Alter Ego Liability

The internal affairs doctrine "is a conflict of laws principle which recognizes that only one State should have the authority to regulate a corporation's internal affairs — matters peculiar to the relationships among or between the corporation and...

Legitimate Interests Provide No Immunity For Intentional Interference Claims

In law school we study contract law and we study torts.  We don't study contracts and torts as a single subject (e.g., "contorts"). Why? Because they are generally regarded as fundamentally different areas of the law. They involve different issues -...