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 Few Comments On The SEC's Proposed Claw Back Rules

Earlier this month, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it was reopening the comment period on proposed rules for listing standards for the recovery of erroneously awarded compensation. The SEC first proposed the rules way back in...

Secretary Of State Claims "Round Robin" Board Selection Process Solves Discrimination

"A Round Robin is a Name given by Seamen, to an Instrument on which they sign their Names round a Circle, to prevent the Ring-leader being discover'd by it, if found."*

When Is The "Time Of Distribution" To Shareholders?

"As I was walking down the street one dayA man came up to me and asked me what the time was that was on my watch, yeahAnd I said . . ."*

Chapter 5 of the California General Corporation law prohibits a distribution to shareholders unless certain...

A Corporation May Get Religion, But Not Easily

Section 206 of the California Corporations Code provides that a corporation organized under the General Corporation Law may engage in any "business activity", subject to any limitation contained in its articles of incorporation and compliance with...

Claw Backs And Preemption

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it was reopening the comment period on proposed rules for listing standards for the recovery of erroneously awarded compensation. One issue that I doubt that they are looking for is...

Does The Secretary Of State Misapprehend California's Board Quota Requirement?

As noted in prior posts, the Secretary of State has filed a motion to dismiss a federal court challenge to California's director quota laws (SB 826 and AB 979). The Secretary's brief includes several remarkable and troubling assertions. For example,...

Can A Corporation Change Its Board Size In Proprio Motu?

As noted in yesterday's post, Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber is asking U.S. District Court Judge R. Gary Klausner to dismiss a challenge to California's board quota statutes. In her motion to dismiss, the Secretary of State advances the...

State Seeks Dismissal Of Federal Court Challenge To California Quota Laws

In July, a Texas non-profit membership association filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Central District (Western Division) of California, Alliance For Fair Board Recruitment v. Weber, Case No. 2:21-cv-05644-RGK-RAO (July...

Identity Thief Impersonates DFPI

It seems that no one's identity is immune from theft, including financial regulators. Last week, the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation announced that it received a complaint from a California resident regarding an email sent...