EXHIBIT 5.1


                        LEGAL OPINION OF WHITE & CASE LLP



July 30, 2003

The First American Corporation
1 First American Way
Santa Ana, California 92707

         Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We have acted as counsel to The First American Corporation, a
California corporation (the "Company"), and are familiar with the proceedings
and documents relating to the proposed registration by the Company, through a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), to be filed
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, of up to 3,000,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock, $1.00 par value, and an equal number of
rights to purchase the Company's $1.00 par value Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Shares (collectively, the "Shares").

          For the purposes of rendering this opinion, we have examined originals
or certified photo static copies of such corporate records, agreements,
instruments and other documents of the Company as we have deemed relevant and
necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth. In all such
examinations, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of original and certified
documents and the conformity to original or certified documents of all copies
submitted to us as conformed or reproduction copies. As to various questions of
fact relevant to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon, and assume
the accuracy of, certificates and oral or written statements and other
information of or from representatives of the Company and others.

          Based on the foregoing, and subject to applicable state securities
laws, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when
certificates representing the Shares have been duly executed by the Company and
delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof for any amount in excess of
the par value thereof in accordance with the terms of the agreement under which
they are sold, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

          We consent to the filing of this legal opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and we further consent to the use of our name under the
headings "Legal Matters" in the prospectus which forms a part of the
Registration Statement and "Legal Matters" in any prospectus supplement which
will form a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do
not thereby concede that we are within the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of
the SEC thereunder. This opinion is furnished by us, as special counsel to the
Company, in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act and, except as provided in the immediately preceding
paragraph, is not to be used, circulated or quoted for any other purpose or
otherwise referred to or relied upon by any other person without the express
written permission of the undersigned

                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     /s/ White & Case LLP
NWR:JD