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EXHIBIT(i)
[VEDDER PRICE LETTERHEAD]
June 15, 2000
William Blair Funds
222 West Adams Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 being filed by William
Blair Funds, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the
public offering from time to time of units of beneficial interest, no par value
("Shares") in the William Blair Millennium Fund ("Fund") of which the shares of
the Fund have been further classified and designated as Class A, Class B, Class
C, Class N and Class I shares (each a "Class").
We have acted as counsel to the Trust since its inception, and in such
capacity are familiar with the Trust's organization and have counseled the Trust
regarding various legal matters. We have examined such Trust records and other
documents and certificates as we have considered necessary or appropriate for
the purposes of this opinion. In our examination of such materials, we have
assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to original
documents of all copies submitted to us.
Based upon the foregoing, and assuming that the Trust's Declaration of
Trust dated September 3, 1999, as amended by Written Instrument Amending the
Declaration of Trust dated September 8, 1999, the Written Instrument
Establishing and Designating Class A, B, C, N and I Shares of the William Blair
Millennium Fund dated April 18, 2000, and the By-Laws of the Fund dated
September 8, 1999, are presently in full force and effect and have not been
amended in any respect except as provided above and that the resolutions adopted
by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on September 8, 1999, October 19, 1999 and
April 18, 2000 relating to organizational matters, securities matters and the
issuance of shares are presently in full force and effect and have not been
amended in any respect, we advise you and opine that (a) the Trust is a validly
existing voluntary association with transferable shares under the laws of the
State of Delaware and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares in
the Fund; and (b) presently and upon such further issuance of the
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William Blair Funds
June 15, 2000
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Shares in accordance with the Trust's Declaration of Trust and the receipt by
the Trust of a purchase price not less than the net asset value per Share and
when the pertinent provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and such "blue sky"
and securities laws as may be applicable have been complied with, and assuming
that the Trust continues to validly exist as provided in (a) above, the Shares
are and will be legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable.
This opinion is solely for the benefit of the Trust, the Trust's Board of
Trustees and the Trust's officers and may not be relied upon by any other person
without our prior written consent. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion
in connection with said Post-Effective Amendment.
Very truly yours,
VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ
COK/RJM/MLW
