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                                 EXHIBIT (j)(1)

                            Consent of Ropes & Gray

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                               CONSENT OF COUNSEL


         We hereby consent to the use of our name and the references to our firm
under the caption "Legal Counsel" included in or made a part of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement (Nos. 33-12608 and 811-5059) of
HighMark Funds on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                                        /s/ Ropes & Gray

                                        Ropes & Gray

Washington, D.C.
November 29, 2000



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