EX-5.1

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Exhibit 5.1

Jodie Bourdet

T: +1 415 693 2054

jbourdet@cooley.com

March 28, 2023

Vera Therapeutics, Inc.

8000 Marina Boulevard, Suite 120

Brisbane, California 94005

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have represented Vera Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing by the Company of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) covering the offering of up to 1,668,051 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A Stock”), consisting of (i) 1,390,043 shares of Class A Stock issuable pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) and (ii) 278,008 shares of Class A Stock issuable pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (together with the 2021 Plan, the “Plans”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon (a) the Registration Statement and the related prospectuses, (b) the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as currently in effect, (c) the Plans and (d) originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of such records, documents, certificates, memoranda, opinions and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials, and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all persons other than the Company where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.

Our opinion is expressed only with respect to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation.

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plans, the Registration Statement and the related prospectuses, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to deferred payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such deferred payments are made in full).

Cooley LLP 3 Embarcadero Center, 20^th Floor San Francisco, CA 94111

t: (415) 693-2000 f: (415) 693-2222 cooley.com