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Exhibit 5.1
August 14, 2000
Eloquent, Inc.
2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 100
San Mateo, CA 94403
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection
with the filing Eloquent, Inc. (the "Company") of a Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission covering the offering of up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Shares"), pursuant to its 2000
Non-Qualified Stock Plan (the "Plan").
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus, your Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, as amended,
and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments
as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the
genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, and
the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery
are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion
that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plan, the
Registration Statement and related Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully
paid, and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred
payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such
deferred payments are made in full).
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
Very truly yours,
COOLEY GODWARD LLP
By: /s/ Jodie Bourdet
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Jodie M. Bourdet
