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EXHIBIT 5.1
OPINION OF TROOP STEUBER PASICH REDDICK & TOBEY, LLP
August 2, 2000
National Mercantile Bancorp
1840 Century Park East
Los Angeles, California 90067
Ladies/Gentlemen:
At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on Form
S-2 (the "Registration Statement") to which this letter is attached as
Exhibit 5.1 filed by National Mercantile Bancorp, a California corporation
(the "Company"), to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), the sale of up to 1,517,241 shares of Common Stock (the
"Shares") of the Company.
We are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and
upon delivery against payment therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Prospectus
constituting a part thereof.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ TROOP STEUBER PASICH REDDICK & TOBEY, LLP