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EXHIBIT 5.1
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Venture Law Group,
A Professional Corporation
2800 Sand Hill Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Tel: (650) 854-4488
Fax: (650) 854-1121
August 11, 2000
RITA Medical Systems, Inc.
967 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Registration Statement on Form S-8
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
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Statement") filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
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"Commission") on August 11, 2000 in connection with the registration under the
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Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 5,053,112 shares of your
Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance under the 2000 Employee Stock
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Purchase Plan, 1994 Incentive Stock Plan, 2000 Stock Plan and 2000 Directors'
Stock Option Plan. As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have
examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to
be taken by you in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares.
It is our opinion that upon conclusion of the proceedings being taken or
contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
the various states where required, the Shares when issued and sold in the manner
described in the Registration Statement will be legally and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and in any amendment thereto.
Very truly yours,
VENTURE LAW GROUP
A Professional Corporation
/s/ Venture Law Group
