1667 N. Batavia Street
                                                  Orange, California 92667-3508
                                                  Telephone  (714) 283-1600
                                                  Telephone  (310) 921-7100
                                                  Facsimile  (714) 283-2600
                                                  INTER-TEL
July 31, 1995

Inter-Tel, Incorporated
7300 W. Boston Street
Chandler, Arizona 85226

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed by Inter-Tel,
Incorporated,  an Arizona  corporation  (the  "Company") with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  on  or  about  July  31,  1995,  in  connection  with  the
registration  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  of 3,277,500 shares
of the Company's  Common Stock, no par value (the "Shares"),  2,000,000 of which
are  authorized  but  heretofore  unissued and 1,277,500 of which  (including an
over-allotment  option  to  purchase  427,500  shares)  will be sold by  certain
selling  shareholders.  The Shares are to be sold to the underwriters for resale
to the public as described  in the  Registration  Statement  and pursuant to the
Underwriting  Agreement filed as an exhibit  thereto.  As general counsel to the
Company, I have examined the proceedings proposed to be taken in connection with
said sale and issuance of the Shares.

It is my  opinion  that,  upon  completion  of the  proceedings  being  taken or
contemplated  to be taken prior to the  issuance of the Shares,  the Shares when
issued and sold in the manner  described in the  Registration  Statement will be
legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

I  consent  to  the  use of  this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to the  Registration
Statement,  and further consent to the use of my name wherever  appearing in the
Registration  Statement,  including the Prospectus  constituting a part thereof,
and any amendment thereto.

Very truly yours,


/s/ Kristi S. Bonfiglio

Kristi S. Bonfiglio
General Counsel