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

A Cumulous Cloud Of Confusion Reigns Over Vote Required For Say-On-Pay Frequency

In reviewing recent proxy statement filings with the Securites and Exchange Commission, I've noted a great deal of confusion regarding the vote required for approval of the newly mandated advisory resolution on the frequency of shareholder votes on...

OAL Approves CalPERS' Placement Agent Disclosure Regulation / Bill Introduced To Require Ethnic And Gender Reporting By CalSTRS & CalPERS

More than a year ago, I petitioned the California Public Employees Retirement System to adopt placement agent disclosure regulations in accordance with the California Administrative Procedure Act. Last Friday, the California Office of Administrative...

Fairness Hearings - Shell Companies Need Not Apply

In recent weeks, a number of stories have appeared in the press regarding "reverse mergers" involving shell corporations and Chinese companies.  For example, Joshua Gallu wrote this story for Bloomberg last December.

Religious Facility Debt Securities And The CSL

Earlier this week, Shelly Banjo wrote this story for The Wall Street Journal about religious facilities that are unable to meet their debt obligations. Ms. Banjo notes that many religious groups have relied on bond financing to acquire, build or...

Bits and Pieces

Another California Pay-to-Play Story?

"Most" Does Not Mean All

Because the Dodd-Frank Act requires the adoption of so many new regulations, I like to say that the other shoe (or more likely a whole closet full of shoes) remains to be dropped. One large shoe that is yet to be dropped is how the Securities and...

California Commissioner Expresses Concern About Proposed Venture Capital Fund Definition

As I wrote in this early posting, California is ground zero for the venture capital industry. Many of our most succesful and innovative companies have been funded by the venture capital industry. Thus, it is good to see that Commissioner Preston...

What You Can Do When Securities Are Subject To A Commissioner's Transfer Restriction

As a condition to qualification, the Commissioner of Corporations may impose a restriction on the subsequent transfer of the securities being qualified. Cal. Corp. Code § 25141. Rule 260.141.10 describes the general circumstances under which the...

Life Settlement Contracts And The CSL

In this recent post, I wrote about California's cooling off statute with respect to viatical and life settlement contracts.  Yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed this complaint alleging a massive life settlement contract bonding...