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

Securities Law Doppelgängers

Over the years, I've noted that a number of evil twins have walked the corporate securities law stage.

Felonious Filings

In October, I wrote about a warning from the Secretary of State regarding business theft. One way to steal a corporation's identity is to make a false filing with the Secretary of State listing yourself as an officer. While this can be an initial...

Should/Must Corporate Minutes Be Signed?

Corporations Code Section 1500 establishes the basic rules governing corporate minutes. The statute requires California corporations to "keep minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders, board and committees of the board". It also requires that...

Commissioner DuFauchard To Leave At Year's End

A Job Well Done

"This Letter Is Not An Interpretive Opinion"

Interpretive Opinions

Surprise! Some CalPERS Board Members Can Attend Meetings And Vote By Proxy

CalPERS' Domestic Principles of Accountable Corporate Governance (United States) unequivocally assert:

Mirabile Dictu! "Common Stock Does not Constitute an Investment in 'Stock'"

Anyone who has picked up a prospectus or a private placement memorandum has undoubtedly seen, if not read, various legends and other warnings.  Recently, I came across the following legend in an offering document:

Are Proxy Access Bylaws Legal?

Proxy Access Meets Private Ordering

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 - It's The Law! (Well, Sort Of)

In an earlier post, I wrote about the ambiguity that inheres in the use of the word "shall".  In researching the topic, I discovered that last fall, President Barack Obama signed the "Plain Writing Act of 2010" into law. Ironically, the Act requires...