1 EXHIBIT 5 TRENAM, KEMKER, SCHARF, BARKIN, FRYE, O'NEILL & MULLIS PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ATTORNEYS AT LAW TAMPA OFFICE ST. PETERSBURG OFFICE 2700 BARNETT PLAZA 2100 BARNETT TOWER 101 EAST KENNEDY BOULEVARD ONE PROGRESS PLAZA POST OFFICE BOX 1102 POST OFFICE BOX 2245 TAMPA, FLORIDA 33601-1102 ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33731-2245 TELEPHONE (813) 223-7474 TELEPHONE (813) 898-7474 TELEFAX (813) 229-6553 TELEFAX (813) 821-0407 PLEASE REPLY TO TAMPA June 4, 1997 Securities and Exchange Commission Judiciary Plaza 450 5th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549 Re: Lamalie Associates, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 File No. 333-26027 ---------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: We have represented Lamalie Associates, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-26027), as amended (the "Registration Statement") relating to the proposed public offering by the Company of up to 2,000,000 shares (2,300,000 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised)(the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock (the "Offering"). This opinion is being provided as Exhibit 5 to the S-1 Registration Statement. In our capacity as counsel to the Company in connection with the Registration Statement and the Offering, we have examined and are familiar with: the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as currently in effect, the Registration Statement and such other corporate records, documents and instruments as in our opinion are necessary or relevant as the basis for the opinions expressed below. As to various questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied without independent investigation on statements or certificates of officials and representatives of the Company, the Department of State of the State of Florida and others. In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on original and certified documents and the conformity 2 to original and certified documents of all copies submitted to us as conformed, photostatic or other exact copies. We express no opinion as to the law of any jurisdiction other than the general corporate law of the State of Florida and the Federal laws of the United States of America. Based upon and in reliance on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: 1. The Company is a duly organized and validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Florida and its status as such is active. 2. When the following events shall have occurred: a. the Registration Statement shall have become effective in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; b. the Shares shall have been offered and sold as provided in the Registration Statement, and the consideration specified in the Registration Statement shall have been received by the Company; and c. the certificates representing the Shares shall have been duly executed, countersigned and issued by or on behalf of the Company, the Shares so offered and sold in the Offering will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non- assessable shares of the capital stock of the Company. This firm hereby consents to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to it under the heading "Legal Matters." Sincerely, TRENAM, KEMKER, SCHARF, BARKIN, FRYE, O'NEILL & MULLIS, Professional Association By: /s/ Richard M. Leisner ------------------------------