EX-5.1 2 ess8exhibit5.htm EXHIBIT 5.1 FILED WITH S-8 ON 7-14-2009 Exhibit 5

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

[Letterhead of Dennis J. Broderick]

 

 

 

 

July 14, 2009

 

 

Macy’s, Inc.

7 West Seventh Street

Cincinnati, Ohio  45202

 

                      Re:          Registration Statement on Form S-8 Filed by Macy’s, Inc.   

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                I am General Counsel of Macy’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and in that capacity have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with the Macy’s, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).  In connection with the opinion expressed herein, I have examined such documents, records and matters of law as I have deemed relevant or necessary for purposes of this opinion.  Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, I am of the opinion that the 44,014,473 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, that may be issued or delivered and sold pursuant to the Plan and the authorized forms of stock option, restricted stock or other applicable award agreements thereunder will be, when issued or delivered and sold in accordance with such Plan and agreements, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration for such shares is at least equal to the stated par value thereof.

 

                I am a member of the bar of the State of Ohio, and have not been admitted to the bar of any other jurisdiction.  The opinion expressed herein is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting such law, in each case as currently in effect, and I express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.  In addition, I have assumed that the resolutions authorizing the Company to issue or deliver and sell the Shares pursuant to the Plan and the applicable award agreements will be in full force and effect at all times at which such Shares are issued or delivered or sold by the Company, and the Company will take no action inconsistent with such resolutions.

 

                In rendering the opinion above, I have assumed that each award under the Plan will be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or an authorized committee of the Board of Directors.

 

                I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the Company to effect the registration of the Shares to be issued and sold pursuant to the Plan under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”).  In giving such consent, I do not thereby admit that I am included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Dennis J. Broderick 

Dennis J. Broderick

General Counsel