Exhibit 5.1

Laura A. Berezin

T: +1 650 843 5128

lberezin@cooley.com

March 26, 2019

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.

4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 300

South San Francisco, California 94080

Re:Registration on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Kezar Life Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and you have requested our opinion in connection with the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the offering of up to 1,146,865 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, consisting of (i) 955,721 shares of common stock (the “2018 Plan Shares”) issuable pursuant to the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) 191,144 shares of common stock (the “ESPP Shares,” together with the 2018 Plan Shares, the “Shares”) issuable pursuant to the Company’s 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (together with the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, the “Plans”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon (a) the Registration Statement and related prospectuses included therein, (b) the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as currently in effect, (c) the Plans and (d) such other records, documents, certificates, memoranda, and other instruments as we deem necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, and we have assumed the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not sought independently to verify such matters.

Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plans, the Registration Statement and related prospectuses included therein, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such deferred payments are made in full).

Cooley LLP   3175 Hanover Street   Palo Alto, CA   94304-1130
t: (650) 843-5000  f: (650) 849-7400  cooley.com

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Sincerely,

Cooley LLP

By: /s/ Laura A. Berezin

     Laura A. Berezin

Cooley LLP   3175 Hanover Street   Palo Alto, CA   94304-1130
t: (650) 843-5000  f: (650) 849-7400  cooley.com