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Morrison & Foerster LLP
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006-1888
August 15, 2000
Firsthand Funds
125 South Market, Suite 1200
San Jose, California 95113
Re: Shares of Beneficial Interest of Firsthand Funds
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
We refer to Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A (SEC File Nos. 33-73832; 811-8268) (the "Registration Statement") of
Firsthand Funds (the "Company") relating to the registration of an indefinite
number of Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Company's series (collectively,
"Shares").
We have been requested by the Company to furnish this opinion as
Exhibit 23(i) to the Registration Statement.
We have examined such records, documents, instruments, and certificates of
public officials and of the Company, made such inquiries of the Company, and
examined such questions of law as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of
rendering the opinion set forth herein. We have examined documents relating to
the organization of the Company and the authorization for registration and sale
of Shares of each of the Company's series. We have assumed the genuineness of
all signatures and the authenticity of all items submitted to us as originals
and the conformity with originals of all items submitted to us as copies.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: The
issuance and sale of Shares by the Company have been duly and validly authorized
by all appropriate action, and assuming delivery of the Shares by sale or in
accord with the Company's series' dividend reinvestment plan in accordance with
the description set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended, the Shares
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We consent to the inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
In addition, we consent to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm
under the heading "Legal Counsel and Auditors" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Morrison & Foerster LLP
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
