Attached files
file | filename |
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EX-5.1 - EX-5.1 - ATMOS ENERGY CORP | d390933dex51.htm |
EX-4.2 - EX-4.2 - ATMOS ENERGY CORP | d390933dex42.htm |
EX-4.1 - EX-4.1 - ATMOS ENERGY CORP | d390933dex41.htm |
EX-1.1 - EX-1.1 - ATMOS ENERGY CORP | d390933dex11.htm |
8-K - 8-K - ATMOS ENERGY CORP | d390933d8k.htm |
Exhibit 5.2
HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP RIVERFRONT PLAZA, EAST TOWER 951 EAST BYRD
STREET
TEL 804 788 8200
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FILE NO: 51645.000001 |
June 8, 2017
Atmos Energy Corporation
1800 Three Lincoln Centre
Dallas, Texas 75240
Atmos Energy Corporation
Public Offering of 3.000% Senior Notes due 2027 and
4.125% Senior Notes due 2044
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Virginia counsel to Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas and Virginia corporation (the Company), for the purpose of providing this opinion in connection with the Companys issuance and sale of $500 million of the Companys 3.000% Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes) and $250 million of the Companys 4.125% Senior Notes due 2044 (the 2044 Notes, and together with the 2027 Notes, the Securities).
The Securities are being issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 26, 2009 (the Indenture), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the Trustee), and an officers certificate, dated as of June 8, 2017 pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture (the Section 301 Officers Certificate). The Securities are being offered and sold as described in the prospectus, dated March 28, 2016 (the Base Prospectus), contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-210424) (the Registration Statement) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on March 28, 2016 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), and the prospectus supplement thereto, dated June 5, 2017 (together with the Base Prospectus, the Prospectus).
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Act.
ATLANTA AUSTIN BANGKOK BEIJING BRUSSELS CHARLOTTE DALLAS HOUSTON LONDON LOS ANGELES
McLEAN MIAMI NEW YORK NORFOLK RALEIGH RICHMOND SAN FRANCISCO TOKYO WASHINGTON
www.hunton.com
Atmos Energy Corporation
June 8, 2017
Page 2
In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records of the Company, certificates of corporate officers of the Company and public officials and such other documents as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion, including, among other things:
(i) | an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement; |
(ii) | a copy of the Indenture; |
(iii) | an executed copy of the Section 301 Officers Certificate |
(iv) | the Preliminary Prospectus; |
(v) | the Prospectus; |
(vi) | executed copies of the certificates representing the Securities; |
(vii) | a certificate of an Officer of the Company, dated June 8, 2017, to which the following documents are attached or incorporated by reference: |
a) | the Companys Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended through the date hereof; |
b) | the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended through the date hereof; and |
c) | a copy of the resolutions of the Companys Board of Directors, adopted on May 3, 2017; and |
(viii) | a certificate issued by the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia on the date hereof, to the effect that the Company is existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and in good standing. |
For purposes of the opinions expressed below, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic or electronic copies and the authenticity of the originals thereof, (iii) the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of all corporate records and other information made available to us by the Company, (iv) the legal capacity of natural persons, (v) the genuineness of all signatures not witnessed by us and (vi) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all parties and the validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof on such parties (other than the authorization, execution and delivery of documents by the Company).
Atmos Energy Corporation
June 8, 2017
Page 3
As to factual matters, including the execution and delivery of the Indenture and the Securities by officers of the Company, we have relied upon representations included in the Agreement, upon the accuracy of the certificates and other comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Company, upon statements made to us in discussions with management and upon certificates of public officials. Except as otherwise expressly indicated, we have not undertaken any independent investigation of factual matters.
We do not purport to express an opinion on any laws other than those of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Based upon the foregoing and such other information and documents as we have considered necessary for the purposes hereof, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
2. The Company has all requisite corporate power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture, the Section 301 Officers Certificate and the Securities, and the execution and delivery of such documents by the Company and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not violate any law or regulation of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any order, judgment or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body of the Commonwealth of Virginia applicable to the Company.
We hereby consent to (a) the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed the date hereof, (b) the incorporation by reference of this opinion into the Registration Statement and (c) the reference to our firm under the heading Legal Matters in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Atmos Energy Corporation
June 8, 2017
Page 4
This opinion letter is rendered as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments that hereafter may be brought to our attention and that may alter, affect or modify the opinions expressed herein. Our opinions are expressly limited to the matters set forth above and we render no opinions, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company or the Securities.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hunton & Williams LLP