Exhibit 99.6 June 5, 1996 New England Variable Life Insurance Company 501 Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Re: New England Variable Life Separate Account ------------------------------------------ Gentlemen: We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus included in Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 for certain individual modified single premium variable life insurance policies issued through New England Variable Life Separate Account of New England Variable Life Insurance Company (File No. 33-65263). 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 By: /s/ Stephen E. Roth ------------------------- Stephen E. Roth