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

SEC Relies On Questionable Legislative History In Proposed VC Definition

I'm still cogitating on the Securities and Exchange Commission's definition of "venture capital fund" that it proposed last Friday in Release No. IA-3111.  Here are some first impressions.

Defining “Venture Capital Fund” Is “No Small Task”

Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed a definition of "venture capital fund" for purposes of the new exemption from investment adviser registration under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This new exemption was created by Section...

In California, Francois Mitterrand's Last Meal Would Not Have Been A Canary

Yesterday, I wrote about a California State Board of Equalization regulation, 18 CCR § 1587, which solemnly declares that canaries are not food animals.  I then recalled that Francois Mitterand's last meal was a small bird, the Ortolan Bunting, that...

Time To Reevaluate The Meaning Of Director Qualifications

In 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission began requiring companies to disclose "any specific, minimum qualifications that the nominating committee believes must be met by a nominating committee-recommended nominee for a position on the...

It's Official In CA - Don't Even Think About Your Canary As Food!

I deal with regulations all day long.  Most of them are absolutely somniferous.  However, every once in a while I come across a regulation that is so unexpected that I can't help but wake up, rub my eyes and stare in wonderment.

SEC Will Consider Definition of "Venture Capital Fund" This Week

Section 407 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue rules defining "venture capital fund".  As discussed in this earlier post, the definition is needed to implement the...

CalPERS Announces Private Engagement In Lieu of Name and Shame

On Monday, the California Public Employees Retirement System issued this press release stating that it has "adopted a new strategy for engaging underperforming public stock companies through private contacts and proxy actions rather than by posting...

Are Social Investors Mounting A Campaign For Minority Rule?

As discussed in this prior post, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires that companies include in their proxy statements not less frequently than every six years "a separate resolution subject to shareholder vote to...

Forum, Venue and Choice-of-Law - When Shall We Three Meet Again?

In prior posts I mentioned several California oddities with respect to the often confused concepts of choice of law, choice of forum and choice of venue.  For those who simply can't get enough of the subject, I recommend reading Julie Bisceglia's ...