
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(a)

                              CONSENT OF COUNSEL

     The consent of Alston & Bird to the use of their opinion as to the legality
of the securities covered by this Registration Statement and to the reference to
such firm under the caption "Legal Opinion" is contained in their opinion filed
as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.


                                                                   ALSTON & BIRD
