EXHIBIT 5


                        [LETTERHEAD OF WHITE & CASE LLP]



August 4, 2003

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

Re:    Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have  acted as  special  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-3 (the "Registration  Statement"),  to be filed
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, of (a) up to 500,000
of the Company's  common  shares,  $1.00 par value,  which shares  represent the
Company's  common  stock which may be purchased  pursuant to The First  American
Corporation 2003 Title Agent Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"), and (b) a related
number of  rights to  purchase  $1.00  par value  Series A Junior  Participating
Preferred  Shares pursuant to that certain Rights  Agreement dated as of October
23, 1997 (collectively, the "Shares").

     For the purposes of rendering this opinion,  we have examined  originals or
photostatic copies of the Plan, the Rights Agreement and such corporate records,
agreements  and other  documents  of the Company as we have deemed  relevant and
necessary as a basis for the opinion  hereinafter  set forth. In connection with
our  examination  of such  documents,  we have  assumed the  genuineness  of all
signatures  on,  and the  authenticity  of,  all  documents  submitted  to us as
originals  and  the  conformity  to the  original  documents  of  all  documents
submitted  to us as copies.  With  respect to  instruments  executed  by natural
persons,  we have assumed the legal competency and authority of such persons. As
to facts material to the opinions  expressed herein which were not independently
established  or  verified,  we have relied upon oral or written  statements  and
representations of the Company.

     Based on the foregoing,  in reliance thereon and subject to compliance with
applicable  state  securities laws and the assumptions  and  qualifications  set
forth herein,  we are of the opinion that the Shares,  when issued and delivered
in accordance  with the terms and  conditions  set forth in the Plan, the Rights
Agreement  and any related  documents,  will be validly  issued,  fully paid and
nonassessable.

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


                                                     Very truly yours,


                                                     /s/ White & Case LLP


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