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

"Out, damned spot!"

In this post from last June, I addressed the unfortunate legislative legerdemain known as the spot bill.  "Yet here’s a spot."  Assembly Member Jared Huffman has continued the practice with his introduction of a AB 361. Because AB 361 in its current...

"Shut, Shut The Door, Good John!" Bill Introduced To Close Revolving Pension Fund Door

Last week in this post, I wrote about the California Controller John Chiang's announced intention to sponsor legislation to shut the revolving door between California's two largest public retirement systems, CalPERS and CalSTRS, and the private...

"Hello, Newman" - E-Mail Bill May Add To Post Office Woes

On Valentine's Day, the United States Postal Service announced that it had begun its 2011 fiscal year with a loss of $329 million. In announcing these results, the USPS cited "electronic diversion" as implying "long term structural changes in...

Another Fissure In The Internal Affairs Doctrine?

In this post from last November, I mentioned two New Jersey decisions applying New Jersey law rather than the law of the state of incorporation.  Krzastek v. Global Resource Industrial & Power, Inc., No. A-1815-06T2 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Sept....

The Shades Of Samson Occum, Daniel Webster And John Marshall Haunt New LLC Act Bill

Nearly two decades ago, I co-wrote an article describing a new form of business entity - the limited liability company - and pondering whether California would ever enact laws authorizing the organization of LLCs. Bishop & Rizzi, "Are Limited...

Controller To Sponsor Bills Aimed At Influence Peddling At CalPERS And CalSTRS

On February 3, 2011, California Controller John Chiang sent this letter to Rob Feckner, Chairman of the California Public Employees Retirement System.  The Controller is an ex officio member of the CalPERS Board of Administration.

Man Bites Dog: SEC Staff Overrules Congress

Yesterday, Broc Romanek reported in his blog that the Securities and Exchange Commission staff has posted several new Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations with respect to Say-on-Pay.  In particular, I noted that the staff disagrees with Congress.

CalPERS' Placement Agent Investigators Admit Cooperation With The SEC and Prosecutors

On Wednesday, February 16, 2011, the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees Retirement System will consider proposed steps to implement the twelve recommendations resulting from a special review by an outside law firm of...

Why Is There No Withhold Box?

The Securities and Exchange Commission has long required that a form of proxy relating to matters other than election to office provide a means to specify by boxes a choice between approval or disapproval of, or abstention with respect to, each...