<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5.1 OPINION OF PERKINS COIE LLP
August 8, 2000
Vertel Corporation
21300 Victory Boulevard, Suite 700
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on or about August 7, 2000 in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of
2,000,000 shares of your Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance under
the 2000 Stock Option Plan. As your counsel in connection with this
transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the
proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and issuance
of the Shares.
It is our opinion that upon conclusion of the proceedings being taken
or contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
the various states where required, the Shares when issued and sold in the manner
described in the Registration Statement will be legally and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name whenever
appearing in the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a
part thereof, and any amendment thereto.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Perkins Coie LLP
PERKINS COIE LLP
