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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                                                              September 11, 1995
 
Avnet, Inc.
80 Cutter Mill Road
Great Neck, New York 11021
 
     RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
 
Gentlemen:
 
     I refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed by Avnet, Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, of a maximum of 500,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Common
Stock of the Company for delivery under the Avnet Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Plan").
 
     I have examined such documents as I considered necessary for the purposes
of this opinion. Based on such examination, it is my opinion that the Shares
(which may be authorized but heretofore unissued shares or may be delivered out
of the treasury of the Company) have been duly authorized and, upon issuance
and/or delivery in accordance with the terms of the allocations made and other
actions taken by the administering Committee pursuant to the Plan, will be
legally issued, fully-paid and non-assessable under the laws of the State of New
York (the state of incorporation of the Company).
 
     I consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration
Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 

                                          /s/ DAVID R. BIRK
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          David R. Birk