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EXHIBIT (i)
Opinion and Consent of Counsel
as to legality of shares being registered
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Ropes & Gray
One Franklin Square
1301 K Street, N.W., Suite 800 East
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 626-3900
Fax: (202) 626-3961
WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL NUMBER: (202) 626-3907
September 22, 2000
HighMark Funds
Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act") an indefinite number of shares of beneficial interest ("Shares") of
the HighMark Funds ("Trust"), as permitted by Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). You propose to file a
post-effective amendment on Form N-1A (the "Post-Effective Amendment") to your
Registration Statement as required by Section 10(a)(3) in order to update
certain financial information and file the annual amendment required by the 1940
Act.
We have examined your Agreement and Declaration of Trust on file in the
office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Clerk of
the City of Boston. We have also examined a copy of your Bylaws and such other
documents, receipts and records as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of
this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the issue and sale
of the authorized but unissued Shares of the Series have been duly authorized
under Massachusetts law. Upon the original issue and sale of your authorized but
unissued Shares and upon receipt of the authorized consideration therefor in an
amount not less than the net asset value of the Shares established and in force
at the time of their sale, the Shares issued will be validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.
However, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
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HighMark Funds
September 22, 2000
Page 2
provides for indemnification out of the property of a particular series of
Shares for all loss and expenses of any shareholder of that series held
personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a shareholder.
Thus, the risk of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which
that series of Shares itself would be unable to meet its obligations.
We understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
filing of the Post-Effective Amendment. We consent to the filing of this
opinion with and as part of your Post-Effective Amendment.
Sincerely,
/s/ Ropes & Gray
Ropes & Gray
