Exhibit 5.1
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| February 5, 2014 | |
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Southcross Energy Partners, L.P. 1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2900
Dallas, Texas 75201 | |
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| Re: | Registration Statement No. 333-192105 – Issuance of 9,200,000 common units representing limited partner interests |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Southcross Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), in connection with the proposed issuance of 9,200,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”). The Common Units are included in a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on November 5, 2013 (Registration No. 333-192105), as amended (the “Registration Statement”). This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related Prospectus Supplement dated January 31, 2014 to the Prospectus dated December 10, 2013 (collectively, the “Prospectus”), other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Common Units.
As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the general partner of the Partnership and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware LP Act”), and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws.
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Common Units have been issued by the Partnership against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by the underwriting agreement to be filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 5, 2014, the issue and sale of the Common Units have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership action of the Partnership, and the Common Units have been validly issued and, under the Delaware LP Act, purchasers of the Common Units have no obligation to make further payments for their purchase of the Common Units or contributions to the Partnership solely by reason of their ownership of the Common Units or their status as limited partners of the Partnership, and no personal liability for the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being limited partners of the Partnership. We call to your attention that limited partners that participate in the control of the business of the Partnership within the meaning
of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware LP Act may under certain circumstances have liability to persons who transact business with the Partnership.
This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Form 8-K dated February 5, 2014 and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus under the heading “Validity of the Common Units.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP
