Exhibit 5


           [LETTERHEAD OF LUSE LEHMAN GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK, P.C.]




June 17, 1999                                                     (202) 274-2000

Board of Directors
Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
160 Washington Street
Brookline, Massachusetts 02447

                   RE:      BROOKLINE BANCORP, INC.
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
                            ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         You have requested the opinion of this firm as to certain matters in
connection with the offer and sale of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company")
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to the
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan and the Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
1999 Recognition and Retention Plan (the "Plans"). We have reviewed the
Company's Articles of Organization, Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Form S-8"), as well as applicable statutes and regulations governing the
Company and the offer and sale of the Common Stock.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

         Upon the effectiveness of the Form S-8, the Common Stock, when sold in
         connection with the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Plans,
         will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         This opinion has been prepared solely for the use of the Company in
connection with the preparation and filing of the Form S-8, and should not be
used for any other purpose or relied upon by any other person without the prior
written consent of this firm. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in
the Form S-8.
                                     Very truly yours,


                                     /s/ Luse Lehman Gorman Pomerenk & Schick
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                                     LUSE LEHMAN GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK
                                     A Professional Corporation