Exhibits 5.1 and 23.1

We have acted as counsel to Universal Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 (“Rule 415”) of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the following securities (1) debt securities (the “Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series; (2) shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Shares”), to be issued in one or more series; (3) shares of common stock and attached Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (collectively, the “Common Shares”); (4) warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase Debt Securities, Common Shares or Preferred Shares; (5) stock purchase contracts (the “Stock Purchase Contracts”), obligating holders to purchase from or sell to the Company, and obligating the Company to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of Common Shares or Preferred Shares at a future date or dates; and (6) units (the “Units”) each comprised of any combination of Debt Securities, Preferred Shares, Common Stock, Warrants and Stock Purchase Contracts. The Debt Securities, the Preferred Shares, the Common Shares, the Warrants, the Stock Purchase Contracts and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Offered Securities.”

Any Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture entered into between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as trustee, a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”). JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture is referred to herein as the “Trustee.”

Two James Center 1021 East Cary Street (23219) P.O. Box 1320 Richmond, VA 23218-1320 Tel: 804.643.1991 Fax:

We have examined such corporate proceedings, records, and documents as we considered necessary for the purposes of this opinion.

The opinions expressed herein are limited in all respects to the application of the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

1. With respect to any Debt Securities to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when the Offered Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the Indenture and duly issued and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement relating thereto, the Offered Debt Securities, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable Indenture and the applicable underwriting agreement, if any, or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding purchase or agency agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms;

2. With respect to any series of Preferred Shares to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Preferred Shares”), when (A) a certificate of amendment has been issued by the State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia with respect to the designation of the Offered Preferred Shares, and (B) certificates representing the Offered Preferred Shares have been duly executed and delivered by the proper officers of the Company to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement relating thereto, any Offered Preferred Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered applicable purchase agreement, or upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other validly issued Offered Security or the instrument governing such Offered Security providing for such conversion, exchange or exercise, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

3. With respect to any Common Shares to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Common Shares”), when certificates

representing the Offered Common Shares have been duly executed and delivered by the proper officers of the Company to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement relating thereto, the Offered Common Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered applicable purchase agreement, or upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other validly issued Offered Security or the instrument governing such Offered Security providing for such conversion, exchange or exercise, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

4. With respect to any Warrants to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Warrants”), when (A) a warrant agreement relating to the Offered Warrants (the “Warrant Agreement”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and (B) the Offered Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and duly issued and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement relating thereto, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered applicable purchase agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms;

5. With respect to any Stock Purchase Contracts to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Stock Purchase Contracts”), when (A) a stock purchase agreement relating to the Offered Stock Purchase Contracts (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and (B) the Offered Stock Purchase Contracts have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement and duly issued and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement relating thereto, the Offered Stock Purchase Contracts, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered applicable purchase agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms;

6. With respect to any Units to be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Units”), when the Offered Units have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the collateral arrangements, if any, and duly issued and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or any prospectus supplement relating thereto, the Offered Units, when issued and sold in accordance with the applicable underwriting agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered applicable purchase agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

In connection with the opinions expressed above, we have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such security, (i) the Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet, if applicable, with respect to the Offered Securities shall have been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iii) the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) shall have duly established the terms of such security and duly authorized the issuance and sale of such security and such authorization shall not have been modified or rescinded; and (iv) there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such security. We have also assumed that none of the terms of any security to be established subsequent to the date hereof, nor the issuance and delivery of such security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such security will violate any applicable law or will result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company, or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company. We have further assumed that the enforceability of any agreement or Offered Security may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (B) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in an action at law or a suit in equity), including the availability of equitable remedies, (C) procedural requirements of law applicable to the exercise of creditors’ rights generally and (D) the effect of public policy on the enforceability of provisions relating to indemnification or contribution.

Our opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update or supplement our opinion to reflect any fact or circumstance subsequently arising or any change in law subsequently occurring after such date. We hereby consent to the filing of this

opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus.


WILLIAMS MULLEN

By:		/s/ John M. Oakey, III
		John M. Oakey, III, a Shareholder