Evergy, Inc.
November 5, 2018
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In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined and relied upon a copy of the Registration Statement and the exhibits filed therewith. We have also examined originals, or copies of originals certified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, documents, certificates and statements of government officials and other instruments, and have examined such questions of law and have satisfied ourselves as to such matters of fact, as we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion letter. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all persons other than the directors and officers of the Company and the conformity with the original documents of any copies thereof submitted to us for examination. We have also assumed that the Senior Indenture is the valid and legally binding obligation of the Senior Trustee and that the Subordinated Indenture is the valid and binding obligation of the Subordinated Trustee.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that:
1. Each series of Debt Securities will be legally issued and will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company (subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) when: (i) the Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof (the “Company Board”) shall have duly adopted final resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of such series of Debt Securities; and (ii) such Debt Securities shall have been duly executed and authenticated and issued as provided in the Senior Indenture or Subordinated Indenture, as the case may be, and such resolutions, and shall have been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
2. Each series of Preference Stock, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company Board may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid andnon-assessable shares of Preference Stock of the Company and if the shares of Preference Stock are convertible into shares of Common Stock or other Securities of the Company, the Common Stock or other Securities of the Company issuable upon conversion of the Preference Stock will be validly issued, fully paid andnon-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company.
3. Each series of Depositary Shares, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company Board may determine, will be validly issued and the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified therein and in the deposit agreement pursuant to which they are issued (subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
4. Each issue of Warrants will be legally issued and will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company (subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) when: (i) a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) relating to such issue of Warrants shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and duly executed and delivered by the warrant agent and shall constitute a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of the Company and the warrant agent; (ii) the Company Board shall have duly adopted final resolutions in conformity with the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company authorizing the
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