EXHIBIT (5) & (23) May 28, 1999 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. World Financial Center North Tower New York, New York 10281-1220 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 May 25, 1999 (the "Terms Agreement") between the Company and MLPF&S (the "Underwriter"), of 1,200,000 of the Company's Russell 2000 Index Call Warrants, Expiring May 25, 2001 (the "Warrants"). We have also examined a copy of the Warrant Agreement between the Company and Citibank, N.A. as Warrant Agent, dated as of May 28, 1999 (the "Warrant Agreement"), and the Company's Registration Statements on Form S-3 (File Nos. 333-59997 and 333- 68747) relating to the Warrants (the "Registration Statements"). 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 Warrants have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and when the Warrants have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement and delivered against payment therefor as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, as supplemented by the Terms Agreement, the Warrants 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 Statements and as an exhibit to the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K dated May 28, 1999. Very truly yours, /s/ BROWN & WOOD LLP