EX-99.12(B) 6 c20632-9912b.txt CONSENT OF ATTORNEY EX-99.12(b)-Consent of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Sutherland 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Asbill & Washington, D.C. 20004-2415 Brennan LLP 202.383.0100 fax 202.637.3593 ATTORNEYS AT LAW www.sablaw.com Steven B. Boehm DIRECT LINE: 202.383.0176 Internet: sboehm@sablaw.com April 26, 2001 College Retirement Equities Fund 730 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017-3206 Re: Registration of Individual, Group and Tax Deferred Variable Annuity Certificates (Registration Nos. 33-480 and 811-4415) Ladies and Gentlemen: We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Statement of Additional Information filed as a part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the above captioned registration statement on Form N-3. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933. Sincerely, SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP By: /s/ Steven B. Boehm ---------------------------------- Steven B. Boehm Atlanta |o| Austin |o| New York |o| Tallahassee |o| Washington, DC