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

It's June 6 - Do You Know Where Your Bills Are?

In the late 1960's, New York television station WNYW began its 10:00 p.m. news broadcast with ""It's 10:00 p.m. ... Do you know where your children are?"

Court Of Appeal Holds Note Investors May Be Liable For Usury

Earlier this week, the California Court of Appeal issued an opinion in a case that should be interesting reading for anyone dealing with promissory notes.  In Creative Ventures, LLC v. Jim Ward & Associates, the court reached the following...

Is Form D Afflicted With Mission Creep?

In 1981, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed the adoption of a new form in connection with the adoption of Regulation D. Release No. 33-6339 (Aug. 7, 1981) [46 FR 41791]. The following year the SEC adopted both Regulation D and the new...

Nevada's Share of Corporate Charters Leads 48 Other States!

Recently, I came across this blog posting by Professor Larry Ribstein at the University of Illinois College of Law that discusses the role of Nevada in the market for corporate charters.  He discusses this this article in Boardmember.com and a more...

If I Were A Carpenter, I'd Build A Better Proxy

As reported by Broc Romanek on May 24, 2011 in The Proxy Season Blog, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America recently filed a petition for rule making with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Carpenters would like to see...

SEC Proposes John Wilkes Booth Rules

On Wednesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rules disqualifying felons and other "bad actors" from Rule 506 offerings.  In 2007, I submitted this comment letter arguing, among other things, that the SEC should not impose mandatory...

SEC's Whistleblower Release Misapprehends California Ethics Laws And Rules

In a 3-2 vote yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved final rules implementing the whistleblower provisions of Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Conflict Minerals Bill In Suspense File (For Now)

SB 861 in Suspense

SEC Rule 14a-21(b) - An "Extraordinary Injustice" To Shareholders?

When the Securities and Exchange Commission was considering the adoption of its say-on-pay rules, I submitted this comment letter recommending that issuers be given flexibility to adopt voting procedures that they determine to provide the most...