EX-5.(F) 2 d314972dex5f.htm OPINION AND CONSENT OF COUNSEL REGARDING LEGALITY Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality

  LAMSON

  DUGAN &

  MURRAY

               L L P                       

    ATTORNEYS AT LAW

    LAMSON, DUGAN &

    MURRAY BUILDING

    10306 Regency Parkway Dr.

    Omaha, Nebraska 68114

    P:  402-397-7300

    F:  402-397-7824

     Idmlaw.com

 

 

 

Michael J. Dugan

(1937-99)

PARTNERS

William M. Lamson, Jr.

Robert J. Murray

Jon S. Reid

Daniel P. Chesire

William R. Johnson

Frank M. Schepers

Patrick G. Vipond*

Mark E. Novotny

David J. Schmitt*

William R. Settles

Lawrence F. Harr

Kyle Wallor

Anne Marie O’Brien

Brian J. Brislen

Sean A. Minahan*

Stacy L. Morris*

Anastasia Wagner*

Denise M. Destache

Cathy Trent-Vilim*

John M. Walker

Daniel J. Waters*

Jason W. Grams*

ASSOCIATES

Maria T. Lighthall

Sarah F. Macdissi*

Daniel J. Hassing

Sarah M. Smith

Catherine E. French

Michael L. Storey

Katlin Geyer Johnson

Elizabeth R. O’Connor

Adam R. Feeney*

Shivani Sharma

Janae L. Hofer

Jessica L. Weborg

Spencer R. Murphy

Joseph J. Borghoff

Nelly F. Greenberg

OF COUNSEL

C. E. Heaney, Jr.

Frank J. Barrett

`Also Licensed in Iowa

Exhibit (5)(f)

March 27, 2017

Lincoln Benefit Life Company

1221 “N” Street, Suite 200

Lincoln, NE 68508

 

  Re: Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-1 Registration Statement under Securities Act of 1933
       Consultant I Variable Annuity; Consultant Solutions Variable Annuities (Classic, Plus, Elite, Select); Consultant II Variable Annuity; LBL Advantage Variable Annuity; Premier Planner Variable Annuity

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Nebraska counsel to Lincoln Benefit Life Company, a stock life insurance company domiciled in the State of Nebraska (the “Company”), in connection with the following:

1.        Consultant I Variable Annuity contract filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S1 Registration Statement filed by the Company, as Registrant,

2.        Consultant Solutions Variable Annuities (Classic, Plus, Elite, Select) contracts filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-1 Registration Statement filed by the Company, as Registrant,

3.        Consultant II Variable Annuity contract filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form 51 Registration Statement filed by the Company, as Registrant,

4.        LBL Advantage Variable Annuity contract filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-1 Registration Statement filed by the Company, as Registrant, and

5.        Premier Planner Variable Annuity contract filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-1 Registration Statement filed by the Company, as Registrant.

 

 


Lincoln Benefit Life Company

March 27, 2017

Page 2

 

The above referenced Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-1 Registration Statements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Registration Statements.” The above referenced Variable Annuity contracts are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Contracts.”

For purposes of rendering this opinion, we have examined the following:

1.        The Registration Statements;

2.        The Contracts;

3.        Such other corporate documents and records of the Company and such other instruments and certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other persons as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.

We have not conducted any investigation, examination or inquiry of factual matters in rendering the opinions set forth below other than the document examination described herein and our opinion is qualified in all respects by the scope of such document examination.

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have assumed, and express no opinion as to (i) the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us, (ii) the genuineness of all signatures on all documents submitted to us that we examined, (iii) the conformity to authentic originals and completeness of documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or reproduction copies, and (iv) the legal capacity of all natural persons executing documents.

We have assumed there was not any fraud, misrepresentation, omission or deceit by any person in connection with the negotiation and execution, delivery and performance of the Contracts. We have also assumed the absence of any mutual mistake of fact or misunderstanding, duress or undue influence in the negotiation, execution or delivery of the Contracts. We have further assumed there are not any agreements or understandings, written or oral, between and among the Company and another party to the Contracts or any waiver of a right or remedy or usage of trade or course of prior dealings among the parties that would define, alter, supplement or qualify the terms of the Contracts.

On the basis of and subject to the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, caveats and exceptions set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

1.        The Company is duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nebraska and has been duly authorized to do business and to issue the Contracts by the Director of Insurance of the State of Nebraska.

2.        The Contracts registered by the above Registration Statements when issued will be


Lincoln Benefit Life Company

March 27, 2017

Page 3

 

valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with the terms to the extent, if any, the validity and binding effect and enforceability is governed by the laws of the State of Nebraska.

Our opinion set forth above is subject to the effects of (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization and moratorium laws and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or remedies generally, (ii) general equitable principles, whether considered in the proceedings in equity or law, (iii) concepts of good faith, diligence, reasonableness and fair dealing and standards of materiality, (iv) possible judicial action giving effect to foreign laws or foreign governmental or judicial action affecting or relating to the rights or remedies of creditors.

We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Nebraska, as currently in effect, in each case that in our experience are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Contracts without regard to the particular nature of the business conducted by the Company. We express no opinion with respect to federal securities laws or regulations.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the above referenced Registration Statements and to the use of our firm name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting part of each of the Registration Statements.

 

  Very truly yours,  
  LAMSON, DUGAN & MURRAY, LLP  
 

/s/ Lawrence F. Harr

 
  FOR THE FIRM