Exhibit 5
January 10, 2001
The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
Re: The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.,
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am General Counsel of The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and have acted as such in
connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), of the above-captioned Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement"), relating to the registration of 5,298,795 shares of
the Corporation's Common Stock, $.10 par value (the "Shares").
In arriving at the opinions expressed below, I have examined
and relied on the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to my
satisfaction of all such corporate records of the Corporation and such other
instruments and other certificates of public officials, officers and
representatives of the Corporation and such other persons, and I have made such
investigation of law, as I have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions
expressed below. In rendering the opinions expressed below, I have assumed and
have not verified that the signatures on all documents that I have examined are
genuine.
Based on the foregoing, it is my opinion that:
1. The Corporation is validly existing as a corporation in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. The Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action of the Corporation, and are legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity,
binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Company,
(a) I have assumed that each other party to such agreement or obligation has
satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable and it to the extent
necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it, and (b)
such opinions are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to the reference to my name in the
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus under the caption "Legal
Matters." By giving such consent, I do not admit that I am an "expert" within
the meaning of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued
thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including
this exhibit.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Nicholas J. Camera
----------------------
