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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

             OPINION AND CONSENT OF BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP


                                October 9, 2001


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 (the
"Act"), of 25,000,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock (the
"Shares") issuable pursuant to the Broadcom Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive
Plan, as amended and restated (the "Plan").

     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 establishment and
amendment and restatement of the Plan. 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 (a) the provisions of the option
agreements duly authorized under the Plan and in accordance with the
Registration Statement, and (b) duly authorized direct stock issuances in
accordance with the Plan 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.

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     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, the
Plan or the Shares.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             /s/ Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP
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                                             BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP