<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.1
AKERMAN, SENTERFITT & EIDSON, P.A.
One S.E. Third Avenue
Miami, Florida 33131
July 19, 2000
Bush Industries, Inc.
One Mason Drive
Jamestown, New York 14702
RE: Registration Statement on Form S-8
----------------------------------
Gentlemen:
We are special counsel to Bush Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and our opinion has been requested with respect to the
inclusion of an aggregate 875,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock
(the "Shares") in a Registration Statement on Form S-8. The Shares are issuable
upon the exercise of stock options or the award of Shares in accordance with and
pursuant to the terms of the Bush Industries, Inc. 1995 Stock Plan (the "Plan").
This opinion has been prepared and is to be construed in accordance
with the Report on Standards for Florida Opinions dated April 8, 1991, issued by
the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar, 46 The Business Lawyer, No. 4 (the
-------------------
"Report"). The Report is incorporated by reference into this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized and when issued upon payment therefor in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Plan and, if applicable, upon the terms and
conditions of options relating to such Shares, will be validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.
In rendering this opinion, we advise you that members of this Firm are
members of the Bar of the State of Florida, and we express no opinion herein
concerning the applicability or effect of any laws of any other jurisdiction,
except the securities laws of the United States of America referred to herein,
and the general corporation laws of the State of Delaware.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the Shares, as filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ AKERMAN, SENTERFITT & EIDSON, P.A.
