[LETTERHEAD OF SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD
LLP]
EXHIBIT (5) & (23)
September 4, 2002
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
4 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10080
Gentlemen:
As your counsel, we have examined a copy of the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company”), certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We are familiar with the corporate proceedings had in
connection with the proposed issuance and sale by the Company to the Underwriter named in the Terms Agreement referred to below, pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement dated August 5, 1998 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between the Company
and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), as supplemented by the Terms Agreement dated August 29, 2002 (the “Terms Agreement”) between the Company and MLPF&S (the
“Underwriter”), of $30,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s S&P 500® Market Index Target-Term Securities due September 4, 2009 (the
“Securities”). We have also examined a copy of the Indenture between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank as Trustee, dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended (the “Indenture”), and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (File No. 333-83374) relating to the Notes (the “Registration Statement”).
Based upon the foregoing
and upon such further investigation as we deemed relevant in the premises, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State
of Delaware.
2. The Securities have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and when the
Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, as supplemented by the Terms Agreement, the Securities will
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles at equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and as an exhibit to the Current Report of
the Company on Form 8-K dated September 4, 2002.
| Very truly yours, |
| |
| /S/ SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD LLP |