EXHIBIT 5.1

                                August 20, 1999


First Regional Bancorp
1801 Century Park East, Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90067

Ladies/Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to First Regional Bancorp (the "Company") in
connection with the registration by the Company of a total of up to 350,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock, no par value per share (the "Shares")
issuable by the Company upon the exercise of options granted under the First
Regional Bancorp 1991 Stock Option Plan and options granted and which may be
granted thereunder (the "Plan").

     A Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, covering the Shares is being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission concurrently herewith.

     In connection herewith we have examined and relied as to matters of fact
upon such certificates of public officials, such certificates of officers of
the Company and originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of the
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, as amended, the Plan,
proceedings of the Board of Directors of the Company and other corporate
records, documents, certificates and instruments as we have deemed necessary
or appropriate in order to enable us to render the opinion expressed below.

     In rendering the following opinion, we have assumed the genuineness of
all signatures on all documents examined by us, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic
originals of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatted
copies, and we have relied as to matters of fact upon statements and
certifications of officers of the Company. In addition, we have assumed that
the certificates for the Shares to be issued will conform to the specimen
thereof examined by us and will be duly registered and countersigned by the
Company's transfer agent.

                                  EXHIBIT 5.1

 
     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when sold in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and the respective Stock
Option Agreements, the Shares will be duly and validly authorized and issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
aforesaid Registration Statement on Form S-8.


                               Very truly yours,


                               /s/ HORGAN, ROSEN, BECKHAM & COREN

                               Horgan, Rosen, Beckham & Coren