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                                                                    EXHIBIT 5.01


                                 August 10, 2000



Versant Corporation
6539 Dumbarton Circle
Fremont, CA  94555

Gentlemen/Ladies:

     At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") to be filed by Versant Corporation, a California
corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") on or about August 10, 2000 in connection with the registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an additional 1,000,000 shares
of the Company's Common Stock (the "Stock") subject to issuance by the Company
upon the exercise of stock options granted under the Company's 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"). In rendering this opinion, we have
examined the following:

     (1)  the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed
          with the California Secretary of State on July 24, 1996; Certificate
          of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation,
          filed with the California Secretary of State on July 14, 1998; and
          Certificate of Determination, filed with the California Secretary of
          State on July 13, 1999;

     (2)  the Company's Bylaws, certified by the Company's Secretary on July 13,
          1996;

     (3)  the Registration Statement, together with the Exhibits filed as a part
          thereof or incorporated therein by reference;

     (4)  the Prospectus prepared in connection with the Registration Statement;

     (5)  the minutes of meetings and actions by written consent of the
          shareholders and Board of Directors that are contained in the
          Company's minute books that are in our possession;

     (6)  your statement as to the number, as of August 10, 2000, of (a)
          outstanding shares of your common stock and preferred stock, (b)
          outstanding options, warrants and rights to purchase common stock or
          preferred stock and (c) any additional shares of common stock reserved
          for future issuance in connection with your stock option and purchase
          plans and all other plans, agreements or rights;

     (7)  oral verification from your transfer agent of the number of
          outstanding shares of your common stock as of the date hereof;

     (8)  a Management Certificate addressed to us and dated of even date
          herewith executed by the Company containing certain factual and other
          representations.

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     In our examination of documents for purposes of this opinion, we have
assumed, and express no opinion as to, the genuineness of all signatures on
original documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies, the legal capacity of all persons or entities executing the same, the
lack of any undisclosed termination, modification, waiver or amendment to any
document reviewed by us and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all
documents where due authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to
the effectiveness thereof.

     As to matters of fact relevant to this opinion, we have relied solely upon
our examination of the documents referred to above and have assumed the current
accuracy and completeness of the information obtained from public officials,
records and documents referred to above. We have made no independent
investigation or other attempt to verify the accuracy of any of such information
or to determine the existence or non-existence of any other factual matters;
however, we are not aware of any facts that would cause us to believe that the
opinion expressed herein is not accurate.

     We are admitted to practice law in the State of California, and we render
this opinion only with respect to, and express no opinion herein concerning the
application or effect of the laws of any jurisdiction other than, the existing
laws of the United States of America and of the State of California.

     Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the additional 1,000,000
shares of Stock that may be issued and sold by the Company upon the exercise of
stock options granted under the Incentive Plan, when issued, sold and delivered
in accordance with the Incentive Plan and stock option agreements to be entered
into thereunder and in the manner and for the consideration stated in the
Registration Statement and the relevant prospectus, will be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to all references to us, if any, in the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus constituting a part thereof and any
amendments thereto. This opinion speaks only as of its date and we assume no
obligation to update this opinion should circumstances change after the date
hereof. This opinion is intended solely for your use in connection with issuance
and sale of shares subject to the Registration Statement and is not to be relied
upon for any other purpose.


                                        Very truly yours,

                                        FENWICK & WEST LLP

                                        /s/ FENWICK & WEST LLP