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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950123-10-010288.txt : 20100209
<SEC-HEADER>0000950123-10-010288.hdr.sgml : 20100209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100209125217
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950123-10-010288
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100209
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100209
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100209

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COUSINS PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025232
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				580869052
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11312
		FILM NUMBER:		10583233

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 PEACHTREE STREET N.E.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303-1740
		BUSINESS PHONE:		404-407-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 PEACHTREE STREET N.E.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303-1740
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>g22050e8vk.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>e8vk</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February&nbsp;9,
2010</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><FONT style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Cousins Properties Incorporated</FONT></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Georgia<BR>
<FONT STYLE="BORDER-TOP: 1PX SOLID #000000">(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">001-11312<BR>
<FONT STYLE="BORDER-TOP: 1PX SOLID #000000">(Commission File Number)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">58-0869052<BR>
<FONT STYLE="BORDER-TOP: 1PX SOLID #000000">(IRS Employer Identification Number)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><FONT STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM: 1PX SOLID #000000">191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite&nbsp;3600, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1740</FONT><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (404)&nbsp;407-1000</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Not applicable<BR>
<FONT STYLE="BORDER-TOP: 1PX SOLID #000000">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy
the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<I>see </I>General
Instruction A.2. below):
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14d-2(b))
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.13e-4(c))
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>









<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8.01. Other Events.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As previously announced, the Board of Directors of Cousins Properties Incorporated (the
&#147;Company&#148;) declared a dividend payable to holders of record of the Company&#146;s common stock as of the
close of business on February&nbsp;1, 2010. Shareholders will have the option to elect to receive
payment of the dividend in cash or shares of the Company&#146;s common stock, subject to certain
limitations.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a prospectus supplement
relating to the shares of common stock that may be issued in connection with the dividend. In
connection therewith, the Company has filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 to this report, the opinion of King &#038;
Spalding LLP as to the legality of the securities and as Exhibit&nbsp;8.1 to this report, the opinion of
King &#038; Spalding LLP as to certain tax matters.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">(d)&nbsp;Exhibits
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">The following exhibits are filed herewith:
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of King &#038; Spalding LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">8.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of King &#038; Spalding LLP regarding certain tax matters.</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U>Signatures</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Date: February&nbsp;9, 2010
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">COUSINS PROPERTIES INCORPORATED<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Robert M. Jackson
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Robert M. Jackson&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Senior Vice President, General Counsel and<br>
Corporate Secretary&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>g22050exv5w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-5.1
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>exv5w1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;5.1</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><IMG src="g22050g2205000.gif" alt="(KING &#038; SPALDING LOGO)">
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="70%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">King &#038; Spalding LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">1180 Peachtree Street N.E.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Atlanta, GA 30309-3521</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">February&nbsp;9, 2010
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Cousins Properties Incorporated<BR>
191 Peachtree Street<BR>
Suite&nbsp;3600<BR>
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Re: Cousins Properties Incorporated &#151; Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Ladies and Gentlemen:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have acted as counsel for Cousins Properties Incorporated, a Georgia corporation (the
&#147;Company&#148;), in connection with the issuance by the Company of up to 1,800,000 shares of the
Company&#146;s common stock (the &#147;Shares&#148;), par value $1.00 per share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), to be issued
in connection with a dividend (the &#147;Dividend&#148;) declared by the Board of Directors of the Company on
January&nbsp;15, 2010. The Dividend is payable to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close
of business on February&nbsp;1, 2010 and is expected to be paid on March&nbsp;15, 2010 substantially on the
terms and in the manner described in the Prospectus Supplement dated as of February&nbsp;9, 2010 (the
&#147;Prospectus Supplement&#148;). The issuance of the Shares is being registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, on a Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3 (No.&nbsp;333-158234) (the &#147;Registration
Statement&#148;) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) on March&nbsp;27, 2009,
which relates to the offering from time to time of certain securities described in the Registration
Statement, including the Shares.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In such capacity, we have examined, and have relied as to matters of fact upon, original,
certified, conformed or photographic copies of such corporate records of the Company, such other
agreements and instruments, such certificates of public officials, officers of the Company and
other persons, and such other documents, records, agreements and certificates as we have deemed
necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examination we have assumed
the genuineness of all signatures on all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity
to original documents of all copies submitted to us as certified, conformed or photographic copies,
and, as to certificates of public officials, we have assumed the same to be accurate and to have
been given properly.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Cousins Properties Incorporated<BR>
February&nbsp;9, 2010<BR>
Page 2

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The opinions expressed herein are limited in all respects to the federal laws of the United
States of America and the laws of the State of Georgia, and no opinion is expressed with respect to
the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect which such laws may have on the opinions expressed
herein. The opinions expressed herein are limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is
implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the other limitations and qualifications set forth
herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, upon issuance of the
Shares pursuant to the Dividend, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after
the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in law that occur
which could affect the opinions contained herein. This opinion may not be furnished to or relied
upon by any person or entity for any purpose without our prior written consent.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Company&#146;s Current Report
on Form 8-K to be filed with the Commission on or about February&nbsp;9, 2010, which will be
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the
heading &#147;Legal Matters&#148; in the Prospectus Supplement related to the Shares.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Very truly yours,<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ King &#038; Spalding LLP
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">King &#038; Spalding LLP&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-8.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>g22050exv8w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-8.1
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>exv8w1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;8.1</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><IMG src="g22050g2205000.gif" alt="(KING &#038; SPALDING LOGO)">
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="70%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">King &#038; Spalding LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">1180 Peachtree Street N.E.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Atlanta, GA 30309-3521</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">February&nbsp;9, 2010
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Cousins Properties Incorporated<BR>
191 Peachtree Street<BR>
Suite&nbsp;3600<BR>
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Re: Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations</B>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Ladies and Gentlemen:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have acted as counsel for Cousins Properties Incorporated, a Georgia corporation (the
&#147;Company&#148;), in connection with the issuance by the Company of up to 1,800,000 shares of the
Company&#146;s common stock (the &#147;Shares&#148;), par value $1.00 per share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), to be issued
in connection with a dividend (the &#147;Dividend&#148;) declared by the Board of Directors of the Company to
holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on February&nbsp;1, 2010 and expected
to be paid on March&nbsp;15, 2010 substantially on the terms and in the manner described in the
Prospectus Supplement dated as of February&nbsp;9, 2010 (the &#147;Prospectus Supplement&#148;). The issuance of
the Shares is being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on a Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3 (No.&nbsp;333-158234) (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) on March&nbsp;27, 2009, which relates to the offering from time
to time of certain securities described in the Registration Statement, including the Shares, and
includes the Prospectus dated April&nbsp;13, 2009 (the &#147;Base Prospectus,&#148; and such Base Prospectus,
together with the Prospectus Supplement, the &#147;Prospectus&#148;). In connection with the preparation of
the Prospectus, the Company has requested our opinion with respect to the discussion included in
the Prospectus under the heading &#147;Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations.&#148;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such records, documents,
certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to form the
basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth. In all such examinations, we have assumed the
genuineness of signatures on original documents and the conformity to such original documents of
all copies submitted to us as certified, conformed or photographic copies, and as to certificates
of public officials, we have assumed the same to have been properly given and to be accurate. As to
matters of fact
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Cousins Properties Incorporated<BR>
February&nbsp;9, 2010<BR>
Page 2

</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">material to this opinion, we have relied upon statements and representations of
representatives of the Company.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based upon the foregoing and subject to the other limitations and qualifications set forth
herein, we are of the opinion that, although the discussion set forth in the Prospectus under the
heading &#147;Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations&#148; does not purport to discuss all possible United
States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Shares,
the discussion, although general in nature, constitutes, in all material respects, a fair and
accurate summary under current law of certain material United States federal income tax
consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Shares, subject to the
qualifications set forth therein. The United States federal income tax consequences of an
investment in the Shares by an investor will depend on that investor&#146;s particular situation, and we
express no opinion as to the completeness of the discussion set forth in &#147;Certain Federal Income
Tax Considerations&#148; as applied to any particular holder.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion on any issue relating to the
Company or to any investment therein. In particular, we express no opinion on the Company&#146;s
qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the qualification of
any entities in which the Company has invested as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, or
any other tax consequences that may apply to the Company or to an investment in the Shares.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The opinion expressed herein is based upon the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, current administrative
positions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and existing judicial decisions, any of which could
be changed at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. Any such changes could adversely affect
the accuracy of the opinion rendered herein, the statements in the Prospectus, and the tax
consequences to the Company and the investors in its securities. In addition, as noted above, our
opinion is based solely on the documents that we have examined, the additional information that we
have obtained, and the representations that have been made to us, and cannot be relied upon if any
of the facts contained in such documents or in such additional information is, or later becomes,
inaccurate or if any of the representations made to us is, or later becomes, inaccurate.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after
the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in law that occur
which could affect the opinions contained herein. This opinion is being rendered solely for the
benefit of the Company in connection with the matters addressed herein. This opinion may not be
furnished to or relied upon by any person or entity for any purpose without our prior written
consent.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Company&#146;s Current Report
on Form 8-K to be filed with the Commission on or about February&nbsp;9,
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Cousins Properties Incorporated<BR>
February&nbsp;9, 2010<BR>
Page 3

</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">2010, which will be
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, and to the reference to us under the
heading &#147;Legal Matters&#148; in the Prospectus Supplement related to the Shares.
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Very truly yours,<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ King &#038; Spalding LLP
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">King &#038; Spalding LLP&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
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