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Exhibit 5.1
Faegre & Benson LLP
2200 Norwest Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
June 14, 2000
Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc.
7401 Boone Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), relating to
the offering of up to 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Shares"), of Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc., a Minnesota corporation
(the "Company"), pursuant to the Company's 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan, we
have examined such corporate records and other documents, including the
Registration Statement, and have reviewed such matters of law as we have deemed
relevant hereto, and, based upon such examination and review, it is our opinion
that all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company has been taken to
authorize the issuance and sale of the Shares and that, when issued and sold as
contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be legally and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Faegre & Benson LLP
FAEGRE & BENSON LLP
