Consent of Williams & Connolly LLP for Legal Opinion and Name Reference in Registration Statement (Illini Merger)
Williams & Connolly LLP consents to the inclusion of its legal opinion as an appendix to a registration statement related to a proposed merger involving Illini and Merger Sub. The firm also agrees to the use of its name as legal counsel in the registration statement and proxy materials. This consent is provided to the law firm preparing the documents for the merger, dated February 4, 2002.
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Exhibit 10(a)
Consent of Williams & Connolly, LLP
We hereby consent to the following: (1) the filing of our legal opinion as Appendix E to the Registration Statement being drafted by your law firm in connection with the proposed merger contemplated by the above-referenced Merger Agreement; and (2) references to the name of our law firm as counsel to Illini and Merger Sub in the Registration Statement and Proxy being drafted by your law firm in connection with such proposed merger.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Williams & Connolly LLP
WILLIAMS & CONNOLLY LLP
Date: February 4, 2002
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