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EXHIBIT 5.1
[LETTERHEAD OF METROMEDIA FIBER NETWORK, INC.]
November 9, 2000
Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc.
c/o Metromedia Company
One Meadowlands Plaza
East Rutherford, New Jersey, 07073
Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-4
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the above-captioned Registration Statement on Form S-4
(the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules and
regulations under the Act (the "Rules"), I have been requested by Metromedia
Fiber Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to furnish my
opinion as to the legality of up to 62,500,000 shares of the Company's class A
common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"), being registered for
exchange against shares of common stock and series A, B and C preferred stock of
SiteSmith, Inc., pursuant to a merger agreement entered into by the Company,
Aqueduct Acquisition Corp. and SiteSmith, Inc., dated October 9, 2000.
In connection with this opinion, I have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of the following documents
(collectively, the "Documents"): (a) the Registration Statement, (b) the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws as currently in
effect, and (c) selected records of the Company's corporate proceedings. In
addition, I have made those other
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Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc.
examinations of law and fact as I considered relevant and necessary in order to
form a basis for my opinions.
In my examination of the Documents, I have assumed, without independent
investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the enforceability of the
Documents against each party to them (other than the Company), the legal
capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the documents reviewed by
me, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the
conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to me as
certified, photostatic, reproduced or conformed copies of valid existing
agreements or other documents and the authenticity of all the latter documents.
As to certain matters of fact, I have relied on representations, statements or
certificates of officers of the Company.
Based on the above, and subject to the assumptions stated in this opinion,
I am of the opinion that (a) the Shares have been duly authorized for issuance
and (b) the Shares, when issued and delivered and paid for as contemplated in
the Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
My opinions expressed above are limited to the federal laws of the United
States, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and judicial
decisions interpreting these laws. My opinions are rendered only with respect to
the laws, and the rules, regulations and orders under them, which are currently
in effect. Please be advised that I am not admitted to practice in the State of
Delaware.
I consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the reference to my name under the caption "Legal Matters" in
the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I
do not agree or admit that I come within the category of persons whose consent
is required by the Act or the Rules.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Arnold L. Wadler
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Arnold L. Wadler
General Counsel
