EXHIBIT 5

Opinion of Counsel

April 4, 2008

Board of Directors
United Community Financial Corp.
275 West Federal Street
Youngstown, Ohio 44503

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We have acted as counsel to United Community Financial Corp., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof in order to register 2,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value (the “Common Shares”), under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, for issuance pursuant to awards to be granted under the United Community Financial Corp. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

          In connection with rendering this opinion, we have examined, to the extent deemed necessary, originals or copies, the authenticity of which has been established to our satisfaction, of: (a) the Registration Statement; (b) the Plan; (c) the Company’s Articles of Incorporation as currently in effect (“Articles”); (d) the Company’s Code of Regulations as currently in effect (the “Regulations”); and (e) all such corporate records of the Company, including resolutions adopted by the Company’s directors and shareholders, as we deemed relevant as a basis for these opinions. We have also relied upon such oral or written statements and representations of the officers of the Company and examined such authorities of law as we have deemed relevant as a basis for this opinion.

          In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed, without independent verification or investigation, the authenticity of all records, documents and certificates examined by us, the correctness of the information contained in all records, documents and certificates examined by us, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the aforesaid documents and certificates, the authority of all individuals entering and maintaining records, and the conformity to authentic originals of all items submitted to us as copies (whether certified, conformed, photostatic or by other electronic means) of records, documents or certificates. In addition, we have assumed that the agreements that accompany each award under the Plan will be consistent with the terms of the Plan and will not expand, modify or otherwise affect the terms of the Plan or the respective rights or obligations of the participants thereunder. Further, we have assumed the accuracy of all information provided to us by the Company, orally or in writing, during the course of our investigations.

          We have relied solely upon the examinations and inquiries recited herein, and, except for the examinations and inquiries recited herein, we have not undertaken any independent investigation to determine the existence or absence of any facts, and no inference as to our knowledge concerning such facts should be drawn.

          As used herein, the phrase “validly issued” means that the particular action has been authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and that the Company has the corporate authority to take such action under Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Articles and the Regulations.

          Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth below, as of the date hereof, we are of the opinion that the 2,000,000 Common Shares to be registered under the Act for issuance under the Plan, when issued, delivered and paid for, as appropriate, in the manner provided and for the consideration prescribed in the Plan and in any award agreements entered into by participants in the Plan with the

Company as contemplated by the Plan will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, assuming compliance with applicable securities laws.

          Members of our firm are admitted to the Bar in the State of Ohio and we express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Ohio, including the applicable provisions of the Ohio Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws, and of the United States of America.

          This opinion is based upon the laws and legal interpretations in effect, and the facts and circumstances existing, on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should any such law or legal interpretation be changed by legislative action, judicial interpretation or otherwise or should there be any change in such facts or circumstances.

          This opinion is furnished by us solely for the benefit of the Company in connection with the offering of the 2,000,000 Common Shares covered by the Registration Statement pursuant to the Plan and the filing of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto. This opinion may not be relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, we consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us therein. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          Except in connection with the Registration Statement as aforesaid, no portion of this opinion may be quoted or otherwise used by any person without our prior written consent.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
 
VORYS, SATER, SEYMOUR AND PEASE LLP