Exhibit 5.1
J. Vernon Patrick, Jr. ––––––– Bert S. Nettles Wyatt R. Haskell William M. Slaughter J. Michael Rediker Thomas G. Mancuso Frank M. Young, III Robert E. Lee Garner Benjamin B. Spratling III Thomas T. Gallion, III Thomas L. Krebs Jonathan H. Waller Ross N. Cohen Jesse P. Evans III G. Douglas Jones Mark E. Ezell Thomas E. Reynolds Romaine S. Scott III Stephen L. Poer Robert H. Adams Robert L. Williams John M. Fraley William W. Horton Constance C. Walker Gwen L. Windle Allen R. Trippeer, Jr. R. Scott Williams Mark D. Hess C. Dennis Hughes | Charles M. Elmer Kimberly B. Glass Staci G. Cornelius Patricia C. Diak N. Andrew Rotenstreich Peter J. Tepley Michael B. Odom Brennan C. Ohme Joseph L. Cowan II Kimberly L. Hager Page A. Poerschke Matthew T. Franklin Thomas J. Butler Kirk D. Smith Khristi Doss Driver John H. McEniry, IV Meredith Jowers Lees Latanishia D. Watters ––––––– David R. Baker Leo Kayser * Peyton D. Bibb, Jr. Stanley H. Pollock † A. Lee Martin Amy Kirkland Myers Michael C. Skotnicki Thomas J. Buchanan Jagdesh B. Kirpalani ––––––– | Theresa A. Tkacik Anil A. Mujumdar Vincent J. Graffeo Felicia A. Long Charles Price II Reginald L. Jeter Laura S. Dunning James W. Porter III Ashley S. Hugunine C. McDowell Crook Jeremy S. Walker Jay V. Shah Rebecca A. Beers M. Baird Beers, Jr. Michael W. Kelley Maridi L. Thompson Paul Z. Rothstein Dara D. Fernandez ––––––– * Admitted only in New York † Admitted only in Georgia |
November 9, 2010
Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, LLC
2001 Park Place, Suite 1400
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.
850 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-8 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This Registration Statement relates to the registration of 1,450,000 shares (the “Shares”) of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (the “Common Stock”), reserved for issuance under: (i) the ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan and (ii) the ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (together, the “Plans”).
In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined the Plans, the Registration Statement and originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws of the Company and such other documents, records and other instruments as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of the opinion set forth herein. In such examinations we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all copies.
ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.
850 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
_______________________
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, if and when issued and paid for in full in accordance with the Plans as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Our opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth above and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, to any other matters relating to the Company or the Shares.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under the provisions of the Securities Act or the rules or regulations of the SEC thereunder.
Sincerely, | ||
Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ William W. Horton | |
William W. Horton |