EXHIBIT 8
    

   
                   [SUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN LETTERHEAD]
    
 
   
                                  May 28, 1998
    
 
   
Board of Directors
Protective Life Insurance Company
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, Alabama 35223
    
 
   
Directors:
    
 
   
    We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus filed as part of pre-effective amendment number 1 to
the Registration Statement on Form S-6 filed by Protective Life Insurance
Company and Protective Variable Life Account 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, L.L.P.
                                          By:         /s/ STEPHEN E. ROTH
                                          --------------------------------------
    
 
   
                                                     Stephen E. Roth