1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

             OPINION AND CONSENT OF BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP


                                November 8, 2000


Broadcom Corporation
16215 Alton Parkway
Irvine, California  92618

              Re: Broadcom Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

              We have acted as counsel to Broadcom Corporation, a California
corporation (the "Company") in connection with the registration on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an
aggregate of 1,498,368 shares of the Company's Class A common stock (the
"Shares") and related stock options under the (i) Newport Communications, Inc.
1998 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan and (ii) Silicon Spice Inc. 1996 Stock
Option Plan (collectively, the "Plans").

              This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the
requirements of Item 8 of Form S-8 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.

              We have reviewed the Company's charter documents and the corporate
proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the assumption of the Plans
and the options outstanding thereunder. Based on such review, we are of the
opinion that if, as and when the Shares are issued and sold (and the
consideration therefor received) pursuant to the provisions of option agreements
duly authorized under the Plans and in accordance with the Registration
Statement, such Shares will be duly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

              We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to
the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that
we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Act, the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
promulgated thereunder, or Item 509 of Regulation S-K.



   2

              This opinion letter is rendered as of the date first written above
and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or
developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may
alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. Our opinion is expressly
limited to the matters set forth above and we render no opinion, whether by
implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company or the
Shares.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP