EXHIBIT 5







                                July 31, 2001





United Stationers Supply Co.
2200 East Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL  60016-1267

     Re:  United Stationers Inc. 2000 Management Equity Plan,
          United Stationers Inc. Retention Grant Plan and
          United Stationers Inc. Directors Grant Plan
          Registration Statement on Form S-8
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Ladies and Gentlemen:

This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration by
United Stationers Inc. (the "Company") pursuant to a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), being filed
on or about the date of this letter with the Securities and
Exchange Commission of shares of Common Stock of the Company, par
value $0.10 per share (the "Shares"), to be offered and sold by
the Company in connection with the United Stationers Inc. 2000
Management Equity Plan, United Stationers Inc. Retention Grant
Plan and United Stationers Inc. Directors Grant Plan.

As Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, I am of
the opinion, based upon my familiarity with the affairs of the
Company and upon my examination of the pertinent documents, that
the Shares, when issued by the Company pursuant to the United
Stationers Inc. Retention Grant Plan and the United Stationers
Inc. Directors Grant Plan and when issued by the Company upon
exercise of the options and receipt by the Company of the
exercise price therefor in accordance with the option terms and
pursuant to the United Stationers Inc. 2000 Management Equity
Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable
shares of Common Stock of the Company.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement with respect to the Shares under the 1933
Act.

                              Very truly yours,

                              /s/ Susan Maloney Meyer
                              -----------------------
                              Susan Maloney Meyer