EXHIBIT 3.1
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
111 WEST MONROE STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603
June 23, 2000
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Re: Van Kampen Focus Portfolios, Series 234
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Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel for Van Kampen Funds Inc. as Sponsor and
Depositor of Van Kampen Focus Portfolios, Series 234 (hereinafter referred to as
the "Trust"), in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of a
Trust Agreement dated June 23, 2000, among Van Kampen Funds Inc., as Depositor,
American Portfolio Evaluation Services, a division of Van Kampen Investment
Advisory Corp., as Evaluator, Josephthal & Co., Inc., as Supervisory Servicer,
and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the Depositor has
delivered to and deposited the Securities listed in the Schedule to the Trust
Agreement with the Trustee and pursuant to which the Trustee has provided to or
on the order of the Depositor documentation evidencing ownership of Units of
fractional undivided interest in and ownership of the Trust (hereinafter
referred to as the "Units"), created under said Trust Agreement.
In connection therewith we have examined such pertinent records and
documents and matters of law as we have deemed necessary in order to enable us
to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The execution and delivery of the Trust Agreement and the
execution and issuance of certificates evidencing the Units in the
Trust have been duly authorized; and
2. The certificates evidencing the Units in the Trust, when duly
executed and delivered by the Depositor and the Trustee in accordance
with the aforementioned Trust Agreement, will constitute valid and
binding obligations of such Trust and the Depositor in accordance with
the terms thereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 333-38272) relating to the Units referred to
above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
