Exhibit 5.1

F. MARK REUTER

DIRECT DIAL: (513) 579-6469

FACSIMILE: (513) 579-6457

E-MAIL: FREUTER@KMKLAW.COM

March 31, 2011

AtriCure, Inc.

6217 Centre Park Drive

West Chester, Ohio 45069

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to a registration statement on Form S-8 of AtriCure, Inc. (the “Company”) which is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.

The Registration Statement relates to 313,272 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001, of the Company (the “Shares”) which may be issued by the Company pursuant to the AtriCure, Inc. 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”).

In connection with our representation of the Company, as a basis for our opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined the Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the Company’s By-laws, as amended, the Plan and such other documents as we have deemed appropriate in rendering this opinion. As to matters of fact, we have relied on representations of officers of the Company. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as copies of originals.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. This opinion is being furnished to you solely for submission to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and, accordingly, may not be relied upon, quoted in any manner to, or delivered to any other person or entity, without in each instance our prior written consent.

AtriCure, Inc.

March 31, 2011

Page 2

The foregoing opinions are subject to the qualification that we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State Delaware. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 or the rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

Sincerely yours,
KEATING MUETHING & KLEKAMP PLL
By:	/s/ F. Mark Reuter
	F. Mark Reuter