<PAGE>
Exhibit 5.1
July 19, 2000
Reunion Industries, Inc.
11 Stanwix Street, Suite 1400
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Gentlemen:
In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed by Reunion Industries, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") relating to the registration for resale by the registering
stockholders named therein of 3,245,515 shares of the Company's common stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), we, as counsel for the Company, have
examined such corporate records, other documents, and questions of law as we
have considered necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.
Upon the basis of such examination, we advise you that in our opinion the
Shares to be sold by the registering stockholders are duly and validly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
It is our understanding that this opinion is to be used only in connection
with the offer and sale of the Shares while the Registration Statement is in
effect.
We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, including any and all post-
effective amendments and any registration statement relating to the same
offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act, and to reference to this firm under the caption "Legal Matters."
In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sincerely,
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Stephen W. Johnson
----------------------
Stephen W. Johnson
