EXHIBIT 5.2
[LETTERHEAD OF KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP]
October 19, 2004
Neenah Foundry Company
2121 Brooks Avenue
P.O. Box 729
Neenah, Wisconsin 54957
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-117214)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as special legal
counsel to Neenah Foundry Company (the "Issuer"), in connection with the
proposed registration for resale by the Issuer of $100,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of the Issuer's 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the
"Notes") and the Guarantees (as defined below) pursuant to a Registration
Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). Such Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, is hereinafter
referred to as the "Registration Statement." The Notes are guaranteed pursuant
to guarantees (the "Guarantees") by the Guarantors ((as defined below) and
together with the Issuer, the "Registrants")). The Notes and the Guarantees were
issued pursuant to the Indenture (as amended and supplemented from time to time,
the "Indenture"), dated as of October 8, 2003 by and among the Issuer, the
Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as trustee.
Dalton Corporation, Kendallville Manufacturing Facility, an Indiana
corporation, Dalton Corporation, Warsaw Manufacturing Facility, an Indiana
corporation, Dalton Corporation, an Indiana corporation, Dalton Corporation,
Stryker Machining Facility Co., an Ohio corporation, Dalton Corporation, Ashland
Manufacturing Facility, an Ohio corporation, Peerless Corporation, an Ohio
corporation, Deeter Foundry, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, A&M Specialties, Inc.
a Pennsylvania corporation, Neenah Transport, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation,
Gregg Industries, a California corporation, Cast Alloys, Inc., a California
corporation, Mercer Forge Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Advanced Cast
Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Belcher corporation, a Delaware
corporation are collectively referred to herein as the "Guarantors."
In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records
and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this
opinion, including (i) the Indenture; (ii) the
Registration Statement; (iii) specimen certificates of the Notes and Guarantees;
and (iv) such other records, certificates and documents as we have deemed
necessary or appropriate in order to deliver the opinions set forth herein.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of
all documents submitted to us as originals; (ii) the conformity to the originals
of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals
of all documents submitted to us as copies; and (iii) that the genuineness of
the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this
opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the
parties thereto. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which
we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon
statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the
Registrants and others.
Our opinion expressed below is subject to the qualifications that we
express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i)
any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent
conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, (ii) general principals of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and
(iii) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to
obtain certain remedies.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and
limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion
that the Notes constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the Issuer
and the respective Guarantee of each Guarantor constitutes the legal and valid
binding obligation of such Guarantor.
With respect to matters of Wisconsin law we have relied on the legal
opinion of Foley & Lardner filed as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.
With respect to matters of Ohio law we have relied on the legal opinion of Taft,
Stettinus & Hollister LLP filed as Exhibit 5.3 to the Registration Statement.
With respect to matters of Indiana law we have relied on the legal opinion of
Hackman Hulett & Cracaft filed as Exhibit 5.4 to the Registration Statement.
With respect to matters of Nebraska law we have relied on the legal opinion of
Baird, Holm, McCeachen, Pedersen, Hamann & Strasheim LLP filed as Exhibit 5.5 to
the Registration Statement. With respect to matters of Pennsylvania law we have
relied on the legal opinion of Dechert LLP filed as exhibit 5.6 to the
Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the
Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the
heading "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent,
we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of the rules and regulations of
the Commission.
Our advice on every legal issue addressed in this letter is based on
exclusively on the internal law of the State of New York, the State of
California, and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Applicable Laws").
This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no
opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We
assume no obligation to revise or
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supplement this opinion should the Applicable Law as now in effect be changed by
legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement and in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5)
of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, and is not to be used,
circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon by any other person or for any other
purposes.
Yours very truly,
/s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
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