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CONSENT OF COUNSEL
We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the reference to our
Firm under the caption "Counsel" in the Statement of Additional Information that
is included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement
(No. 33-73404/811-8236) on Form N-1A of Northern Funds, under the Securities Act
of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, respectively. This consent does
not constitute a consent under section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, and in
consenting to the use of our name and the references to our Firm under such
caption we have not certified any part of the Registration Statement and do not
otherwise come within the categories of persons whose consent is required under
said section 7 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.
/s/ DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
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DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 11, 2000
