Exhibit (i)
December 28, 2000
Harris Insight Funds Trust
3200 Horizon Drive
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Harris Insight Funds Trust (the "Trust")
in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act")
of an indefinite number of Class B shares of beneficial interest (the "Class B
Shares") of each of the series of the Trust designated Harris Insight Money
Market Fund, Harris Insight Equity Fund, Harris Insight Equity Income Fund,
Harris Insight Growth Fund, Harris Insight Index Fund, Harris Insight Small-Cap
Opportunity Fund, Harris Insight Small-Cap Value Fund, Harris Insight
International Fund, Harris Insight Balanced Fund, Harris Insight Bond Fund,
Harris Insight Intermediate Government Bond Fund, Harris Insight Tax-Exempt Bond
Fund, Harris Insight Emerging Markets Fund, Harris Insight Large-Cap Aggressive
Growth Fund, Harris Insight Small-Cap Aggressive Growth Fund, and Harris Insight
Technology Fund (the "Funds") in the Trust's registration statement no.
33-64915 on form N-1A as amended by post-effective amendment no. 18 thereto
(the "Registration Statement").
In this connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate and other
records, certificates and other papers as we deemed it necessary to examine for
the purpose of this opinion, including the amended and restated agreement and
declaration of trust, as amended (the "Trust Agreement"), and actions of the
board of trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") authorizing the issuance of the
Class B Shares.
For this purpose, we have assumed that, upon sale of the Class B
Shares, the Trust will receive the authorized consideration therefor, which will
at least equal the net asset value of the Class B Shares.
Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that upon the issuance
and delivery of the Class B Shares in accordance with the Trust Agreement and
the actions of the Trustees authorizing the issuance of the Class B Shares, and
the receipt by the Trust of the authorized consideration therefor, the Class B
Shares so issued will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable by the
Trust.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust". Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust or any
series of the Trust (each, a "Series"). However, the Trust Agreement disclaims
shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and any
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Series and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement,
obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees.
The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification out of the property of a Series
for all loss and expense of any shareholder of a Series held personally liable
for the obligations of the Trust or a Series. Thus, the risk of a shareholder
incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to
circumstances in which a Series itself would be unable to meet its obligations.
In giving this opinion, we have relied upon the opinion of Bingham Dana
LLP dated December 28, 2000.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in
the category of persons whose consent is required under section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC
