Education
J.D., USC Gould School of Law
B.A., Harvard University
Bar Admissions
California
Memberships
California Lawyers Association Business Law Section, Co-Chair, Corporations Committee (2018)
Orange County Bar Association Business and Corporate Law Section, Chairman (2005)
California State Bar Business Law Section, Member, Executive Committee (2004-2007)
Senate Commission on Corporate Governance (1991)
Keith 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 lawyers, business executives, judges, and media, nationwide.
At the federal level, Keith helps clients understand and comply with new or changing U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requirements—always a moving target.
He has represented clients in a wide variety of industries, including high tech, home building, and healthcare, among many others. Keith establishes long-term relationships with his clients and gets to know their business from all angles. His counsel covers public and private securities offerings of debt and equity, mergers and acquisitions, proxy contests and tender offers, federal and state securities laws (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Act), corporate governance matters, financial services regulations, and California administrative law.
Keith also regularly advises clients on compliance, licensing, regulatory, and civil enforcement issues, as well as internal corporate investigations, including stock option backdating and other alleged management malfeasance.
Keith is a former California Commissioner of Corporations responsible for the administration and enforcement of California's laws and regulations governing the following:
As a former Deputy Secretary for Business Regulation and General Counsel of the California Business, Transportation & Housing Agency, Keith had oversight of business regulatory departments including:
And transportation-related departments:
In these roles, Keith has also testified before numerous California legislative budget and policy committees.
In addition to producing numerous articles on corporate and securities laws, Keith is the author of the Nevada corporate law treatise, "Bishop and Zucker on Nevada Corporations and Limited Liability Companies." His writings have been cited in several Nevada Supreme Court and U.S. District Court opinions. He is a practice consultant to Marsh & Volk’s Practice Under the California Securities Laws and has contributed to Marsh's California Corporation Law.
Throughout his career, Keith has acted as an expert witness, testifying in matters concerning corporate law, securities law, and attorney malpractice.
At the federal level, Keith helps clients understand and comply with new or changing U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requirements—always a moving target.
He has represented clients in a wide variety of industries, including high tech, home building, and healthcare, among many others. Keith establishes long-term relationships with his clients and gets to know their business from all angles. His counsel covers public and private securities offerings of debt and equity, mergers and acquisitions, proxy contests and tender offers, federal and state securities laws (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Act), corporate governance matters, financial services regulations, and California administrative law.
Keith also regularly advises clients on compliance, licensing, regulatory, and civil enforcement issues, as well as internal corporate investigations, including stock option backdating and other alleged management malfeasance.
Keith is a former California Commissioner of Corporations responsible for the administration and enforcement of California's laws and regulations governing the following:
As a former Deputy Secretary for Business Regulation and General Counsel of the California Business, Transportation & Housing Agency, Keith had oversight of business regulatory departments including:
And transportation-related departments:
In these roles, Keith has also testified before numerous California legislative budget and policy committees.
In addition to producing numerous articles on corporate and securities laws, Keith is the author of the Nevada corporate law treatise, "Bishop and Zucker on Nevada Corporations and Limited Liability Companies." His writings have been cited in several Nevada Supreme Court and U.S. District Court opinions. He is a practice consultant to Marsh & Volk’s Practice Under the California Securities Laws and has contributed to Marsh's California Corporation Law.
Throughout his career, Keith has acted as an expert witness, testifying in matters concerning corporate law, securities law, and attorney malpractice.
Keith teaches Securities Regulation at the University of California, Irvine School of Law where he previously taught Administrative Law. He has also taught classes in Sales and Lease Transactions, Corporations, and Advanced Topics in Corporate Governance at Chapman University School of Law.
Visit Keith's blog California Corporate & Securities Law.
A frequent public speaker, Keith has served as keynote speaker or panelist in programs sponsored by:
2023 Annual Corporate & LLC Update
San Diego, California
11.16.23
Annual Corporate & LLC Update 2021
The Business & Corporate Law Section of the San Diego County Bar Association
10.26.21
Annual Corporate & LLC Update 2020
San Diego County Bar Association
11.09.20
California and Delaware Law Annual Update
LACBA
Webinar
4.02.20
All Aboard: A California Tale of Gender Diversity
San Diego, California
6.28.19
Issues and Mistakes in Counting the Vote
San Diego, California
9.26.18
La Jolla, California
6.06.18
Understanding Fiduciary Duties and a Sweep of Certain Anti-Fraud Provisions of the Advisers Act
La Jolla, California
6.06.18
Annual CA & DE Law Update Webinar
Webinar
4.12.18
Annual Corporate and LLC Law Update 2017
San Diego, California
12.06.17
Brown Bag: Annual CA & DE Law Update
Webinar
5.17.17
Can Delaware Be Dethroned? Evaluating Delaware’s Dominance of Corporate Law
Los Angeles, California
2.17.17
Ethical Issues for In-House Counsel
Newport Beach, California
5.25.16
California Business Law for Out-of-State Corporations
Boston, Massachusetts
4.21.16
Hot Issues for Your Annual Meeting
Webinar
3.02.16
Annual Corporate and LLC Law Update
San Diego, California
2.26.16
Orlando, Florida
1.27.16
Corporate Law for the Corporate Secretary
Seattle, Washington
10.09.15
Fundamentals of Corporate Governance & Sources of Authority
Seattle, Washington
10.07.15
LACBA California and Delaware Law Update Symposium
Los Angeles, California
4.30.15
Fundamentals of Corporate Governance
Orlando, Florida
1.28.15
2014 Annual Delaware & California Law Update Symposium
Los Angeles, California
5.16.14
Orlando, Florida
1.29.14
Current Securities Law Issues for Small Business
Washington, D.C.
4.05.13
Fundamentals of Corporate Governance
Berkeley, California
11.07.12
Freedom to Choose: What You Need to Know About Choice of Law Provisions
New Orleans, Louisiana
10.10.12
Recent Developments in Federal and State Securities Laws Governing Offerings in California
Los Angeles, California
6.05.12
Reorganization of California's Administrative Agencies
Teleconference
6.04.12
New Ways to Raise Capital under the JOBS Act
San Diego, California
5.22.12
2012 Annual Delaware & California Law Update Symposium
Los Angeles, California
5.18.12
Nevada Corporations - A Better Bet?
Costa Mesa, California
1.25.12
Did it Pass? The Complexities of Shareholder Voting
San Francisco, California
11.01.11
Newport Beach, California
9.14.11
Chapman University School of Law Annual Symposium
Orange, California
1.28.11
Southern California
11.30.10
Proxy Access and the Dodd-Frank Act
Los Angeles, California
11.17.10
Raising Capital Without Violating the CA Securities Laws
San Francisco, California
10.21.10
Business Law Developments Breakfast Briefing - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
10.07.10
Business Law Developments Breakfast Briefing - Palo Alto
Palo Alto, California
10.06.10
LACBA - 2010 Glendon Tremaine Symposium
Santa Monica, California
4.30.10
Enforcement Under the California Securities and Commodity Laws
San Francisco, California
11.09.09
LACBA - 2009 Glendon Tremaine Symposium - Annual California and Delaware Corporate Law Updates
Santa Monica, California
4.24.09
SDCBA - San Diego County Bar Association - Recent Developments and Pitfalls in Private Placement
San Diego, California
3.18.09
64 Allen Matkins Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in America®
Press Release
8.15.24
FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements Are Now In Effect
1.04.24
New SEC Rules Will Increase the Regulation of Private Fund Advisers
8.31.23
Press Release
8.17.23
Plaintiff Standing for California Competition Lawsuits Widens
Keith P. Bishop in Bloomberg Law
Press Mention
7.21.23
TripAdvisor’s Planned Nevada Move Puts Delaware in Tricky Spot
Keith P. Bishop in Bloomberg Law
Press Mention
5.11.23
California Regulators Admit Some Fault in Silicon Valley Bank Failure
Keith P. Bishop in American Banker
Press Mention
5.08.23
What Was the San Francisco Fed's Role in SVB Collapse?
Keith P. Bishop in the San Francisco Chronicle
3.27.23
Keith Paul Bishop Receives National Law Review's 2022 Go-To Thought Leadership Award
Press Release
12.19.22
Press Release
8.19.22
Press Release
11.04.21
Senator Sanders' "Let's Be Clear" Podcast - Episode 7: Public Banking
Podcast
2.05.21
Press Release
11.05.20
Press Release
10.07.20
Securities & Exchange Commission Modernizes The Definition Of "Accredited Investor"
8.28.20
California Enacts Novel Female Board Quota Legislation
By Keith P. Bishop in the Business Law News of California Lawyers Association
Article
6.08.20
Many Corporations Facing April 29 Deadline For Sending Annual Reports
4.27.20
Should Your Corporation Have Emergency Bylaws?
4.23.20
4.01.20
3.25.20
Press Release
8.15.19
New Report Sheds Little Light on State’s Groundbreaking Women-On-Boards Law
Press Mention
7.10.19
Thirty-Eight Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
6.26.19
Allen Matkins Partners Recognized as Top Authors in JD Supra's 2019 Readers' Choice Awards
Attorneys among top contributors in Energy, M&A, Real Estate, and Securities
Press Release
3.27.19
Issues and Mistakes in Counting the Vote with Keith Bishop from Allen Matkins
Keith Paul Bishop on NASPP’s Equity Expert Podcast
Press Mention
3.13.19
Calif. Weighs Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Elder Financial Abuse
Keith P. Bishop in Ignites
Press Mention
3.12.19
Press Release
11.01.18
Forty-One Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.16.18
Firm named Top Real Estate Firm; individual attorneys recognized as top authors in respective categories
Press Release
3.19.18
Adding "alter ego" claims when suing companies gets risky, following Calif. decision
Keith P. Bishop in Legal Newsline
Press Mention
1.29.18
Press Release
11.01.17
Lawyer says lawsuits over corporate social activism could increase
Keith P. Bishop in Cook County Record
Press Mention
9.01.17
California Supreme Court Affirms Novel M&A Tax
Keith P. Bishop in Connect Media
Press Mention
8.07.17
44 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2017 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.07.17
Promissory note security classification ruling called limited in scope
Keith P. Bishop in Norcal Record
Press Mention
3.03.17
California Regulators Check 1% of BDs, Investment Advisor Firms: Report
Keith Paul Bishop in ThinkAdvisor
Press Mention
2.16.17
Press Release
8.15.16
Fifty Allen Matkins Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Press Release
7.08.16
Attorney says judge's decision leaves questions in serving dissolved corporations
Keith P. Bishop in Norcal Record
Press Mention
6.09.16
Own Startup Shares? Know Your Rights to Company Financials
Keith P. Bishop in The Wall Street Journal
Press Mention
5.24.16
Three Questions to Ask Before Incorporating in Delaware
3.21.16
Does a company have to disclose when a top executive has a serious medical problem
Keith P. Bishop in Los Angeles Times
Press Mention
2.04.16
Press Release
8.18.15
56 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Nine Allen Matkins attorneys received special honors in their respective regions.
Press Release
6.26.15
UCC A forgotten code in asset purchase transaction
By Keith P. Bishop in Daily Journal
12.08.14
Press Release
11.03.14
55 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2014
Press Release
7.03.14
Cheniere CEO Risks Losing $133 Million Amid Investor Suit
Keith P. Bishop in Bloomberg
Press Mention
6.09.14
Ethical Obligations May Prevent Voluntary SEC Reporting
Keith P. Bishop in The American Lawyer
Press Mention
2.24.14
Am Law Firms Help Construct $2.7 Billion Tri Pointe Deal
Keith P. Bishop and Drew M. Emmel in The American Lawyer
Press Mention
11.05.13
Business flight puts lawyers in awkward position
Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal (Subscription Required)
Press Mention
9.04.13
New securities offerings rule raises preemption questions
Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Press Mention
8.15.13
Article
8.15.13
Keith P. Bishop in The Recorder
Press Mention
7.26.13
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2013 and Rising Stars 2013
Press Release
7.11.13
Thirty-Four Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America®
Press Release
8.23.12
Facebook tries to speed Instagram deal
Keith P. Bishop in Financial Times
Press Mention
8.15.12
61 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2012 and Rising Stars 2012
More Than 40 Percent of Firm's Partners Make the List
Press Release
7.19.12
Keith P. Bishop in California Lawyer
Press Mention
7.01.12
No Way, Amending an Agreement Can Violate State Securities Laws?
by Keith Paul Bishop in Daily Journal
6.14.12
Political-Spending Disclosure Plans Could Have Hidden Costs
By Keith P. Bishop in Forbes
Article
1.31.12
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2012 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America®
Press Release
9.19.11
Did it Pass? The Complexities of Shareholder Voting
9.15.11
60 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2011 and Rising Stars 2011
Press Release
7.27.11
CalPERS/CALSTRS Set to Launch Diverse Database
7.20.11
CalPERS/CALSTRS Set to Launch Diverse Director Database - Keith Bishop
6.28.11
Dodd Frank: New SEC and DOC Rules Will Determine Regulatory Future of Venture Capital Industry
2.26.11
New Changes In Law Put Hedge Funds Under State Regulation
2.12.11
Say On Pay: The Dodd Frank Act Challenges Executive Compensation
2.08.11
Fairness Hearings: A Faster, Cheaper Alternative To Federal Registration
1.24.11
Keith P. Bishop in The Wall Street Journal
Press Mention
1.05.11
Frenzy For Facebook Shares Heats Up With A New Auction
Keith P. Bishop in Kerry A. Dolan's Shades of Green
Press Mention
12.13.10
Keith P. Bishop in LexisNexis
Press Mention
10.26.10
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2011 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America
Press Release
8.16.10
Keith Paul Bishop of Allen Matkins Launches California Corporate Law Blog
Attorney Offers Timely Information Regarding California Corporate and Securities Laws
Press Release
8.04.10
63 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2010 and Rising Stars 2010
Press Release
7.19.10
In Shareholder Derivative Suits, Determining What Law Governs Isn't Easy
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
6.18.10
No Way, Amending an Agreement Can Violate State Securities Laws?
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
6.14.10
Trading in Private Shares: El Dorado or Fools Gold?
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
4.26.10
Trading in Private Shares: El Dorado or Fools Gold?
by Keith Paul Bishop inDaily Journal
4.23.10
Form 8-K Mandate: All Prescription, No Diagnosis
By Keith Paul Bishop in Daily Journal
2.11.10
Form 8-K Mandate: All Prescription, No Diagnosis
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
2.11.10
2.02.10
Naming a Business Is Never Easy in California
By Keith Paul Bishop in Daily Journal
1.13.10
Naming a Business Is Never Easy in California
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
1.13.10
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC Adopts Ten-Minute Warning Rule
This alert contains information that affects NASDAQ listed companies.
12.10.09
Legal Alert: Regulation of Member Private Offerings
Private offerings of securities by a FINRA member firm or a control entity must comply with new disclosure and filing requirements and limitations on the use of proceeds.
10.29.09
Legal Alert: California Enacts Emergency Legislation to Address Pay-to-Play and Public Pension Funds
This new law will impact investment advisers and others who use placement agents to obtain access to public retirement systems in California.
10.22.09
Unveiling Pay-to-Play Arrangements
By Keith Bishop in Daily Journal
10.21.09
Unveiling Pay-to-Play Arrangements
By Keith P. Bishop in The Daily Journal
Article
10.21.09
State Power Over Corporate Charters
By Keith Bishop in Daily Journal
10.08.09
State Power Over Corporate Charters
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
10.08.09
Legal Alert: Proposed Legislation Imposes New Requirements on Private Fund Advisers
This alert is important to any person or entity that manages private funds.
10.07.09
This alert applies to California for-profit and non-profit corporations.
9.03.09
California to Extend Significant Corporate Law Benefits to NASDAQ Capital Market Companies
This alert applies to corporations with outstanding shares listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market
9.03.09
This alert applies to corporations with securities listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
8.25.09
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2010 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America
Press Mention
8.19.09
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
8.06.09
By Keith Paul Bishop in Daily Journal
8.06.09
State of California's Issuance of Registered Warrants Raises Securities Law Questions and Concerns
7.16.09
57 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2009 and Rising Stars 2009
Press Release
7.14.09
California Owes an Explanation on Securities Rules
Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Press Mention
7.13.09
California's Blue Sky Law Problems for Foreign Issues and Issuers
By Keith P. Bishop in INSIGHTS
Article
7.01.09
California's statute applies to foreign corporations when the election or appointment of a director occurs in California.
6.30.09
The Case Against Consolidation
By Keith P. Bishop in the Daily Journal
Article
6.30.09
Securities and Exchange Commission Proposes To Amend Investment Adviser Custody Rule
5.27.09
High Court Might Have to Rein In Unique Oversight Board
By Keith Paul Bishop in Daily Journal
5.26.09
High Court Might Have to Rein In Unique Oversight Board
By Keith P. Bishop in Daily Journal
Article
5.26.09
3.10.09
By Keith P. Bishop in Los Angeles Lawyer
Article
11.03.08
Allen Matkins Attorneys Named in 2009 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America
Press Release
10.08.08
44 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2008 and Rising Stars 2008
Press Release
8.13.08
California Supreme Court Confirms Limited Enforceability of Non-Competition Agreements in California
Employers should reevaluate existing agreements with California employees in light of the Edwards Decision by the California Supreme Court.
8.11.08
Public and privately held companies should be aware of new SEC guidance on federal securities law implications of company Web sites. The new guidance contains helpful information in how companies may use the Internet to provide disclosures to investors, but does not give companies a blank check to use the Internet to disclose information to investors.
8.05.08
Keith Paul Bishop Joins the Orange County Office of Allen Matkins
Press Release
7.21.08
Diversity Quotas Aren’t Popular, but California Shows They Work
Keith P. Bishop in Bloomberg
Press Mention
News & Insights
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