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                                                                    Exhibit 5.1



              (Letterhead of Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, Ltd.)

                                 August 21, 2001

Second Bancorp, Inc.
108 Main Avenue, S.W.
Warren, Ohio 44481

Dear Sirs:

         As set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 ("Registration
Statement") proposed to be filed by Second Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") on
August 21, 2001, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to
650,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, no par value, of the Company to
be issued pursuant to the Second Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan"), certain legal matters in connection with the Shares offered
pursuant to the Plan are being passed upon for the Company by this firm. At your
request, this opinion of counsel is being furnished to you for filing with the
Registration Statement.

         In our capacity as counsel in this connection, we have familiarized
ourselves with the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Code of
Regulations, each as amended to date, of the Company and have examined the
originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of the Plan, corporate
records of the Company, certificates of public officials and representatives of
the Company, statutes and other instruments and documents as the basis for the
opinion hereinafter expressed.

     On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when
issued and sold pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter with the
Registration Statement.


                                            HARRINGTON, HOPPE & MITCHELL, LTD.


                                             By:     /s/ Michael G. Marando
                                                     -----------------------
                                                      Michael G. Marando, Member