<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
HALE AND DORR LLP
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
60 STATE STREET, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
617-526-6000 - FAX 617-526-5000
January 12, 2001
Analog Devices, Inc.
One Technology Way
Norwood, Massachusetts 02062-9106
Registration Statement on Form S-3
----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for the registration of an aggregate
of 63,750 shares of Common Stock, $0.16 2/3 par value per share (the "Shares"),
of Analog Devices, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"). All of the
Shares are being registered on behalf of certain stockholders of the Company
(the "Selling Stockholders").
We are acting as counsel for the Company in connection with the
registration for resale of the Shares. We have examined signed copies of the
Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission. We have also examined
and relied upon minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company as
provided to us by the Company, the Articles of Organization and By-Laws of the
Company, each as restated and/or amended to date, and such other documents as we
have deemed necessary for purposes of rendering the opinions hereinafter set
forth.
In our examination of the foregoing documents, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as copies, the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents and the
legal competence of all signatories to such documents.
Our opinion below, insofar as it relates to the Selling Stockholders'
shares being fully paid, is based solely on a certificate of the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company confirming the Company's receipt of the consideration
called for by the applicable resolutions authorizing the issuance of such
shares.
We assume that the appropriate action will be taken, prior to the offer
and sale of the Shares, to register and qualify the Shares for sale under all
applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws.
We express no opinion herein as to the laws of any state or
jurisdiction other than the state laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and
the federal laws of the United States of America.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection
with the offer and sale of the Shares while the Registration Statement is in
effect.
Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set
forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. This
opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, rules, regulations and
judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change
in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which
might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.
BOSTON WASHINGTON, DC NEW YORK RESTON, VA LONDON*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hale and Dorr LLP Includes Professional Corporations
* an independent joint venture law firm
<PAGE> 2
Analog Devices, Inc.
January 12, 2001
Page 2
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of
Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and to the use of our
name therein and in the related prospectus under the caption "Legal Matters." In
giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hale and Dorr LLP
-------------------------------------
HALE AND DORR LLP
