[TROUTMAN SANDERS LLP LETTERHEAD]
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                         A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP







                                  June 9, 2003



Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
100 North Point Center East, Suite 600
Alpharetta, Georgia 30022-8246

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as your special counsel in connection with the filing
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") of a Registration Statement
(the "Registration Statement") on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), relating to the registration of 437,500 shares of Common
Stock, $0.10 par value, (the "Shares"), to be issued in connection with the
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, effective as of
December 2, 1999, Amended and Restated as of January 17, 2003 (the "Benefit
Plan"). This opinion is being provided at your request for inclusion in the
Registration Statement.

         In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals, or copies
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such instruments,
certificates, records and documents, and have reviewed such questions of law, as
we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In such
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the original
documents of all documents submitted as copies and the authenticity of the
originals of such latter documents. As to any facts material to our opinion, we
have relied upon the aforesaid instruments, certificates, records and documents
and inquiries of your representatives.

         Based upon the foregoing examination, we are of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by you in the manner
contemplated by the Benefit Plan (including the maintenance of the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement and the obtaining and maintenance of all requisite
regulatory and other approvals), will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         We are, in this opinion, opining only on the Delaware General
Corporation Law (including the relevant statutory provisions, the applicable
provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions
interpreting these laws). We are not opining on "blue sky" or other state
securities laws.




Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
June 10, 2003
Page 2


         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement; provided, however, that such consent does not constitute
a consent under Section 7 of the Act or any indication that we have certified
any part of the Registration Statement or otherwise, by virtue of the giving of
this opinion, come within the categories of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 or under the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated with
respect thereto.


                                                     Very truly yours,


                                                     /s/ Troutman Sanders LLP