Exhibit 8 Consent of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP S.A.B. Letterhead June 11, 1999 Board of Directors Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio WRL Series Life Account 570 Carillon Parkway St. Petersburg, Florida 33716 RE: WRL Series Life Account FILE NO. 333-68367 Gentlemen: We hereby consent to the use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus for the WRL Freedom Navigator contained in Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 (File No. 333-68367) of the WRL Series Life Account filed by Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933. Very truly yours, SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP By: /s/ STEPHEN E. ROTH -------------------- Stephen E. Roth