Exhibit 5.1
Form of Opinion of Jones Day
_________, 20__
Macys, Inc.
Macys Retail Holdings, Inc.
7 West Seventh Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 Filed by Macys, Inc. and Macys Retail Holdings, Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Macys, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Macys), and Macys Retail Holdings, Inc., a New York corporation (Macys Holdings), in connection with the authorization of the possible issuance and sale from time to time, on a delayed basis, by Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, of an indeterminate amount of: (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Macys (the Common Stock); (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Macys (the Preferred Stock), in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock; (iii) depositary shares of Macys representing fractional interests in Preferred Stock (the Depositary Shares); (iv) debt securities of Macys Holdings, in one or more series (Debt Securities), each fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Macys (the Guarantees), certain of which Debt Securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities of Macys or any other person; (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities or any combination thereof (the Warrants); (vi) purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or securities of any other person unaffiliated with Macys or Macys Holdings at a future date or dates (the Purchase Contracts); and (vii) units consisting of one or more of the securities described in clauses (i) through (vi) above and which may include debt obligations of any other person (the Units), in each case as contemplated by the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Macys and Macys Holdings to which this opinion has been filed as an exhibit (as the same may be amended from time to time, the Registration Statement). The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Debt Securities, the Guarantees, the Warrants, the Purchase Contracts, and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the Securities and each, a Security. The Securities are to be issued from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act). The Debt Securities and Guarantees are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of December 9, 2009 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Indenture), among Macys Holdings, as issuer, Macys, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (including any successor, the Trustee).
In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed relevant or necessary for purposes of this opinion. Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The shares of Common Stock, upon receipt by Macys of such lawful consideration therefor having a value not less than the par value thereof as the Macys Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. The shares of Preferred Stock, upon receipt by Macys of such lawful consideration therefor having a value not less than the par value thereof as the Macys Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. The Depositary Shares, upon receipt by Macys of such lawful consideration therefor as the Macys Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, and the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified therein and in the deposit agreement pursuant to which they are issued.
4. The Debt Securities, when duly executed by Macys Holdings and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture, issued and sold in accordance with the Registration Statement and delivered to the purchaser or purchasers thereof against receipt by Macys Holdings of such lawful consideration therefor as the Macys Holdings Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of Macys Holdings.
5. Upon the execution, authentication, issuance, sale and delivery of the Debt Securities as described above, the Guarantees thereof will constitute valid and binding obligations of Macys.
6. The Warrants, upon receipt by Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, of such lawful consideration therefor as the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) of Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable.
7. The Purchase Contracts, upon receipt by Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, of such lawful consideration therefor as the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) of Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable.
8. The Units, upon receipt by Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, of such lawful consideration therefor as the Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) of Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable.
In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective (and will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Securities thereunder); (ii) a prospectus supplement describing each class and/or series of Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable law and relevant rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), will be timely filed with the Commission; (iii) the definitive terms of each class and/or series of Securities will have been established in accordance with the authorizing resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of Macys or Macys Holdings (or an authorized committee thereof), as applicable, and, as applicable, the Macys and/or Macys Holdings certificate of incorporation, in each case as amended and restated, and applicable law; (iv) Macys or Macys holdings, as applicable, will issue and deliver the applicable Securities in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and any Securities that consist of shares of capital stock will have been authorized and reserved for issuance, in each case within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unissued and unreserved amounts of such capital stock; (v) the resolutions authorizing Macys and Macys Holdings to issue, offer and sell the Securities will have been adopted by the Board of Directors Macys and/or Macys Holdings (or an authorized committee thereof), as applicable, and will be in full force and effect at all times at which the Securities are offered or sold by Macys or Macys Holdings, as applicable; (vi) all Securities will be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws; and (vii) any Indenture, Deposit Agreement, Warrant Agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement (each as defined below) or unit agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of each party thereto other than Macys or Macys Holdings, as applicable.
With respect to any Securities consisting of any series of Debt Securities or Guarantees, we have further assumed that (i) the Indenture is, and any supplemental indenture will be, a valid and binding obligation of the Trustee; (ii) all terms of the Debt Securities or Guarantees not provided for in the Indenture will have been established in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and reflected in appropriate documentation approved by us and, if applicable, duly executed and delivered by Macys and/or Macys Holdings and the Trustee; and (iii) the Debt Securities will be duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Preferred Stock, we have further assumed that Macys will issue and deliver the shares of Preferred Stock being issued and delivered after the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of a certificate of amendment to Macys restated certificate of incorporation, approved by us, establishing the designations, preferences and rights of the class or series of Preferred Stock being issued and delivered.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Depositary Shares, we have further assumed that the Depositary Shares will be: (i) issued and delivered after authorization, execution and delivery of the deposit agreement, approved by us, relating to the Depositary Shares (the Deposit Agreement) to be entered into between Macys and an entity selected by Macys to act as depositary (the Depositary), and (ii) issued after Macys deposits with the Depositary shares of the Preferred Stock to be represented by such Depositary Shares that are authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Deposit Agreement.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Warrants, we have further assumed that (i) the warrant agreement, approved by us, relating to the Warrants (the Warrant Agreement) to be entered into between Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, and an entity selected by Macys and/or Macys Holdings to act as the warrant agent (the Warrant Agent) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, and the Warrant Agent, and (ii) the Warrants will be authorized, executed and delivered by Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, and the Warrant Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Purchase Contracts, we have further assumed that (i) the purchase contract agreement, approved by us, relating to the Purchase Contracts (the Purchase Contract Agreement) to be entered into between Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, and an entity selected by Macys and/or Macys Holdings to act as the purchase contract agent (the Purchase Contract Agent) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by Macys and/or Macys Holdings and the Purchase Contract Agent and (ii) the Purchase Contracts will be authorized, executed and delivered by Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, and the Purchase Contract Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Contract Agreement.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Units, we have further assumed that each component of such Unit will be authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent applicable) and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of Macys and/or Macys Holdings, as applicable, or any third party (to the extent applicable) as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable unit agreement, if any.
The opinions expressed herein are limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference, moratorium or other similar laws and related regulations and judicial doctrines from time to time in effect relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and by general equitable principles and public policy considerations, whether such principles and considerations are considered in a proceeding at law or at equity.
As to facts material to the opinions and assumptions expressed herein, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of Macys, Macys Holdings and others. The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law including applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting such law, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Jones Day under the caption Certain Legal Matters in the prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
| Very truly yours, |