<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 5.1
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
ONE OXFORD CENTRE, 20TH FLOOR
301 GRANT STREET
PITTSBURGH, PA 15219
August 14, 2000
Black Box Corporation
1000 Park Drive
Lawrence, PA 15055
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement"), to be filed by Black Box Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), relating to the registration for resale of up to 1,444,301
shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value of $.001 per share (the
"Shares"), we, as counsel for the Company, have examined such corporate records,
other documents, and questions of law as we have considered necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
Upon the basis of such examination, we advise you that in our opinion the
Shares issued by the Company have been duly authorized for registration, and
upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor in the manner contemplated by the
Registration Statement and as authorized from time to time by the Board of
Directors of the Company, the Shares will be and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
It is our understanding that this opinion is to be used only in connection
with the offer and sale of the Shares while the Registration Statement is in
effect.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and any amendment thereto, including any and all post-effective
amendments and any registration statement relating to the same offering that is
to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act,
and to the reference to this firm under the caption "Legal Matters." In giving
such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Very truly yours,
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PROFESSIONAL
CORPORATION
By: /s/ Ronald Basso
-----------------------------
