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<P ALIGN="RIGHT">EXHIBIT 5.1</P>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">OPINION OF COUNSEL</P>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></A>January 7, 2000</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>



<P>Ladies and Gentlemen:</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></A>I have examined the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 filed by JDS Uniphase Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the &quot;Company&quot;), with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
January 6, 2000 (the &quot;Registration Statement&quot;) relating to the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of up to 95,458
shares (the &quot;Shares&quot;) of the Company's common stock, $.001 par value
per share (the "Stock").</P>

<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">As counsel to the Company, I have examined the proceedings
taken by the Company in connection with the registration of the shares
of the Stock.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">
It is my opinion that, when issued, the shares of Stock that may be sold
pursuant to the Registration Statement will be legally and validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable. </P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and further consent to all references to this opinion in the
Registration Statement, the prospectus constituting a part thereof and any
amendments thereto.</P>












<P>Very truly yours,</P>

<I><P>/s/ Christopher S. Dewees</P>
<P> Corporate Counsel</P>
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</I><P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</P>



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