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[LETTERHEAD OF WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION APPEARS HERE]
Exhibit 5
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July 27, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have acted as counsel to Whirlpool Corporation (the "Company") in
connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed
today under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration
Statement"), covering shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") which may be issued to participants under the
Whirlpool Corporation 2000 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (the "Plan") as a
result of awards or the exercise of options granted to such participants.
I have examined the Plan and such other records, documents, and
matters of law and satisfied myself as to such matters of fact as I have deemed
relevant for purposes of this opinion. In rendering this opinion, I have assumed
without investigation that the information supplied to me by the Company and its
employees and agents is accurate and complete.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion that,
assuming that the shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") will be issued in
accordance with the terms of the Plan and in the manner described in the
Registration Statement, the Shares to be issued to participants under the Plan
will be legally issued, fully paid, and non-assessable when so delivered
pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.
I do not find it necessary for purposes of this opinion, and
accordingly do not purport herein, to cover the application of the securities of
"Blue Sky" laws of the various states to the delivery of the Shares to the
participants pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to me included in and made a part of
the Registration Statement.
Sincerely,
Robert J. LaForest
