Exhibit 3(a) SUTHERLAND 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW ASBILL & Washington, DC 20004-2415 BRENNAN LLP 202-383-0100 ATTORNEYS AT LAW fax 202-637-3593 www.sablaw.com STEPHEN E. ROTH DIRECT LINE: (202) 383-0158 Internet: sroth@sablaw.com July 28, 2000 GE Capital Life Assurance Company of New York 125 Park Avenue, 6th Floor New York, NY 10017-5529 Re: GE Capital Life Separate Account III ------------------------------------ Ladies and Gentlemen: We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus filed as part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 filed by GE Capital Life Separate Account III for certain variable life insurance policies (File No. 333-32908). In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933. Very truly yours, SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP By: /s/ Stephen E. Roth ----------------------- Stephen E. Roth