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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                   May 7, 2001


BrightStar Information Technology Group, Inc.
4900 Hopyard Drive, Suite 200
Pleasanton, CA  94588

         Re:      BrightStar Information Technology Group, Inc. - Registration
                  Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

At your request, we are rendering this opinion in connection with a proposed
sale by certain stockholders of BrightStar Information Technology Group, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, of up to 1,974,231 shares of common stock, $0.001 par
value (the "Shares"), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3.

         We have examined instruments, documents, and records which we deemed
relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinion hereinafter expressed. In
such examination, we have assumed the following: (a) the authenticity of
original documents and the genuineness of all signatures; (b) the conformity to
the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; and (c) the truth,
accuracy, and completeness of the information, representations, and warranties
contained in the records, documents, instruments, and certificates we have
reviewed.

         Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the Shares when
issued and sold in accordance with the Registration Statement, will be legally
issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
above-referenced Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever it
appears in said Registration Statement, as originally filed or as subsequently
amended or supplemented. In giving such consent, we do not consider that we are
"experts" within the meaning of such term as used in the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration
Statement, including this opinion as an exhibit or otherwise.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          /s/ Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

                                          ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP