sec-opinion-letter

name	sec-opinion-letter
title	Opinion of Counsel for SEC Filing
description	Drafts Opinion of Counsel letters for SEC registration statements, covering due incorporation, valid issuance, fully-paid and non-assessable opinions, and Reg S-K Item 601(b)(5) consent language. Use when drafting Exhibit 5.1 opinions for S-1/S-3 filings, shelf offerings, or securities issuance transactions.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/sec-opinion-letter
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	capital-markets
language	en
tags	["corporate","regulatory","letter","drafting"]

Opinion of Counsel for SEC Filing

Drafts a formal legal opinion letter for an SEC registration statement, providing counsel's assurances on corporate status, authorization, and securities validity per ABA Legal Opinion Accord standards.

Prerequisites

1. Charter documents — Articles/Certificate of Incorporation (all amendments), current bylaws
2. Board resolutions — Minutes or written consents authorizing issuance
3. Stockholder approvals — If required by statute or charter
4. Registration statement — Draft or filed Form S-1, S-3, or applicable form
5. Capitalization records — Stock ledger, cap table, outstanding shares by class/series
6. Transaction agreements — Underwriting, purchase, or placement agent agreement
7. Good standing certificate — From Secretary of State, dated within 5-10 days of opinion date
8. Officer's certificate — Factual representations from authorized officer

Quick Start

1. Collect and review all prerequisite documents
2. Extract factual recitals (legal name, jurisdiction, capital structure, board actions)
3. Draft opinion letter following the document layout below
4. Verify all statutory citations with [VERIFY] flags for uncertain references
5. Include Item 601(b)(5) consent language and Section 7 disclaimer
6. Format for PDF exhibit filing as Exhibit 5.1

Document Layout

Section	Content
Letterhead	Firm name, address, contact
Date	Closing/filing date
Addressees	Company board, SEC, underwriters as applicable
Re: Line	[Company] — Registration Statement on Form [S-1/S-3] for [X] Shares of [Class] Stock
Engagement scope	Client, transaction, opinions requested
Documents examined	Principal documents reviewed
Assumptions	Customary assumptions per ABA Legal Opinion Accord
Factual recitation	Corporate status, capital structure, authorizing actions
Opinion paragraphs	Numbered conclusions