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

Legislature Passes Capital Access Company Bill

In July, I posted this item regarding California's Capital Access Company law.  My friend, Lee Petillon, was the mover behind the original legislation. He is also the author and lead cheerleader for SB 1155 (Dutton & Price). The Capital Access...

LLC Contractor License Bill Moves One Step Forward

A lot of bills didn't make it out of the legislature by the August 31 deadline.   However, SB 392 (Florez) was one of the fortunate few to make it to enrollment. If signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger, this bill will allow limited liability...

DOC To Mandate Use of New Part 2 to Form ADV

Yesterday, the Department of Corporations issued this notice to investment advisers registered with the it. The notice advises that the Department is adopting the new Part 2 to Form ADV effective October 12, 2010. The Department has announced the...

"Cooked Dividends" Leads to Bloody Massacre

Cooking dividends is the practice of declaring a false or "cooked" dividend for the purpose of raising the value of a company's shares. Apparently, this was a serious problem in the early days of both California and Nevada. The practice is still...

"Extracts from the SEC's Proxy Access Amendments, With Some Remarks Upon Them"

James McRitchie at Corpgov.net recently made reference to a forthcoming law review article by J.W. Verret at George Mason University School of Law. Professor Verret posits in various strategems for discouraging shareholder nominations. He writes...

Placement Agent Bill Passes

The legislature has passed and sent AB 1743 (Hernandez) to Governor Schwarzenegger for signature. If signed into law, this bill will require placement agents with respect to public retirement systems to register as lobbyists. This would have many...

Legislative Session Now Ended (Almost)

Yesterday was the end of the current legislative biennium.  Under the California Constitution and legislative rules, this means that any bill not passed before today is now dead.  Cal. Cons. Art. IV, § 10(c), Legislative Joint Rule No. 61(b)(17)).

CA AG Files Criminal Complaint Against Sellers of Movie Loans

Last week, the California Attorney General filed this 89 count criminal complaint against three individuals. The complaint alleges that these individuals offered and sold securities without qualification under the Corporate Securities Law of 1968....

Proxy Access and Director Qualification Requirements

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted its final changes to the federal proxy rules. These new rules will require public companies, under specified circumstances, to include in their proxy materials information about, and the...