<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.L2
<SEQUENCE>8
<FILENAME>dex99l2.txt
<DESCRIPTION>OPINION AND CONSENT OF VENABLE, BAETJER AND HOWARD
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit l.2

                [Venable, Baetjer, and Howard, LLP letterhead]



                                January 18, 2002

Willkie Farr & Gallagher
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY  10019-6099

                  Re:      Intermediate Muni Fund, Inc.
                           ----------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special Maryland counsel for Intermediate Muni Fund, Inc.,
a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), in connection with its offering of up to
2,000 shares of preferred stock designated "Municipal Auction Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock," each with a par value of $0.001 and a liquidation preference
of $25,000 (the "Shares").

     As special Maryland counsel for the Fund, we are familiar with its Charter
and Bylaws. We have examined the prospectus (the "Prospectus") included in its
Registration Statement on Form N-2 with respect to the Shares (Securities Act
Registration File No. 333-73414, Investment Company Act File No. 811-6506),
substantially in the form in which it is to become effective (the "Registration
Statement"). We are also familiar with the form of Articles Supplementary with
respect to the Shares (the "Articles Supplementary") that have been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement. We have further examined and relied on a
certificate of the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation
("SDAT") to the effect that the Fund is duly incorporated and existing under the
laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing and duly authorized to
transact business in the State of Maryland.

     We have also examined and relied on such other corporate records of the
Fund and documents and certificates with respect to factual matters as we have
deemed necessary to render the opinion expressed herein. We have assumed,
without independent verification, the genuineness of all signatures on documents
submitted to us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals,
the conformity with originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, and
the authenticity of all such originals.

     Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that when the Pricing
Committee of the Board of Directors has established the final number and terms
of the Shares, pursuant to authority delegated to it by the Board of Directors,
and the Articles Supplementary as approved by the Pricing Committee of the Board
of Directors have

<PAGE>

Willkie Farr & Gallagher
January 18, 2002
Page 2





been filed with SDAT, the Shares to be offered for sale pursuant to the
Prospectus will have been duly authorized and, when thereafter, sold, issued and
paid for as contemplated by the Prospectus, will have been validly and legally
issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable.

     This letter expresses our opinion with respect to the Maryland General
Corporation Law governing matters such as due organization and the authorization
and issuance of stock, as in effect as of the date hereof. It does not extend to
the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of Maryland, to federal securities laws or to
other laws. We assume no obligation to update the opinion set forth herein.

     You may rely on this opinion in rendering your opinion to the Fund that is
to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We consent to the
filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus. We
do not thereby admit that we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations thereunder. This opinion may not be
relied on for any other purpose or by any other person without our prior written
consent.

                                               Very truly yours,



                                               Venable, Baetjer, and Howard, LLP

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
