EX-99.12(B) 5 e88197_ex-9912b.txt CONSENT OF SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP EX-99.12(B) Consent of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Sutherland 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.w. Asbill & Washington, D.C. 20004-2415 Brennan LLP 202.383.0100 fax 202.637.3593 ATTORNEYS AT LAW www.sablaw.com Steven B. Boehm DIRECT LINE: 202.383.0176 Internet: sboehm@sablaw.com MARCH 26, 2002 The Management Committee TIAA Separate Account VA-1 730 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017-3206 Re: Registration of Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts (Registration Nos. 33-79124 and 811-8520) ---------------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Statement of Additional Information filed as a part of Post-effective Amendment No. 8 to the above-captioned registration statement on Form N-3. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933. Sincerely, SUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP BY: /s/ Steven B. Boehm -------------------------------- Atlanta |X| Austin |X| New York |X| Tallahassee |X| Washington DC