EX-8.1 2 d555474dex81.htm EX-8.1

Exhibit 8.1

SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP |  |
525 UNIVERSITY AVENUE |  |
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94301-1908 TEL: (650) 470-4500 FAX: (650) 470-4570 www.skadden.com June 7, 2018 SJW Group 110 W. Taylor Street San Jose, CA 95110 |  | FIRM/ AFFILIATE OFFICES BOSTON CHICAGO HOUSTON LOS ANGELES NEW YORK WASHINGTON, D.C. WILMINGTON BEIJING BRUSSELS FRANKFURT HONG KONG LONDON MOSCOW MUNICH PARIS SÃO PAULO SEOUL SHANGHAI SINGAPORE TOKYO

Re: U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as U.S. tax counsel to SJW Group, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 14, 2018 (as amended through the effective date thereof, the “Agreement”), by and between the Company, Hydro Sub, Inc., a Connecticut corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Connecticut Water Service, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (“CTWS”) pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the stock of CTWS in the merger of Merger Sub with and into CTWS with CTWS surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJW (the “Merger”). This opinion is being delivered in connection with the registration statement of the Company on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-224440), which includes the joint proxy statement / prospectus (the “Proxy Statement / Prospectus”), filed on April 25, 2018 (as amended through the effective date thereof, the “Registration Statement”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement.

In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined and relied upon, without independent investigation or verification, the accuracy and completeness of the facts, information, representations, covenants and agreements contained in originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Agreement, (ii) the Registration Statement, (iii) the Proxy Statement / Prospectus and (iv) such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below. In making our examination of documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto had the power, corporate or otherwise, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or otherwise, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. In rendering our

SJW Group

June 7, 2018

Page 2

opinion, we have assumed that the transactions contemplated by the foregoing documents have been or will be consummated in accordance with the operative documents and that such documents accurately reflect the material facts of such transactions. For purposes of our opinion, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic or electronic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We have assumed that such documents, certificates, and records are duly authorized, valid, and enforceable. In addition, we have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of certain statements, representations, covenants and agreements made by the Company and CTWS. For purposes of rendering our opinion, we have assumed that such statements, representations, covenants and agreements are, and will continue to be, true and correct without regard to any qualification as to knowledge or belief. Our opinion assumes and is expressly conditioned on, among other things, the initial and continuing accuracy and completeness of the facts, information, representations, covenants and agreements set forth in the documents referred to above and the statements, representations, covenants and agreements made by the Company and CTWS.

Our opinion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and such other authorities as we have considered relevant, all as in effect on the date of this opinion and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. A change in the authorities upon which our opinion is based could affect the conclusions expressed herein. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our opinion will be accepted by the IRS or, if challenged, by a court.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein and in the Registration Statement, we are of the opinion that under current U.S. federal income tax law, although the discussion set forth in the Proxy Statement / Prospectus under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” does not purport to discuss all possible U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger, such discussion, though general in nature, constitutes, in all material respects, a fair and accurate summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger that are anticipated to be material to U.S. holders of CTWS common stock.

Except as set forth above, we express no other opinion. In accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(23) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the use of our name under the headings “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. This opinion is furnished to you solely for your benefit in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and cannot be relied upon by any other person without our express written permission.

SJW Group

June 7, 2018

Page 3

This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments, any factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, representation, statement, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue. This opinion is being delivered prior to the consummation of the proposed transactions and therefore is prospective and dependent on future events. No assurance can be given that future legislative, judicial or administrative changes, on either a prospective or retroactive basis, or future factual developments, would not adversely affect the accuracy of the conclusion stated herein.

* * * * *

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP