March 6, 2007 Bank of New Jersey 204 Main Street Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Ladies and Gentlemen:
Exhibit 8.1
3000 Two Xxxxx Square
Eighteenth and Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
000.000.0000
Fax 000.000.0000
Eighteenth and Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
000.000.0000
Fax 000.000.0000
Xxxxx 0, 0000
Xxxx of New Jersey
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx, XX 00000
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxx, XX 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to the Plan of Acquisition, dated December 1, 2006 (the “Plan”), by and between Bancorp of
New Jersey, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“Acquirer”), and Bank of New Jersey, a New Jersey
commercial bank (“Target”), shares of stock in Target will be exchanged for shares of stock in
Acquirer and Target will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquirer in a reorganization
under N.J.S.A. 17:9A-355 et. seq. (the “Reorganization”).
We have acted as legal counsel to Target in connection with the Reorganization and in that
connection you have requested our opinion regarding certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of
the Reorganization. As such, and for the purpose of rendering our opinion, we have examined and
are relying, with your permission (without any independent investigation or review thereof other
than such investigation and review as we have deemed necessary to comply with our professional
obligations under IRS Circular 230 or otherwise), upon the truth and accuracy, at all relevant
times, of the statements, covenants, representations and warranties contained in the following
documents (the “Documents”):
1. The Plan;
2. The registration statement of Acquirer on Form S-4 to which this opinion is an exhibit filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Reorganization (the
“Registration Statement”), and the proxy statement/prospectus included in the Registration
Statement (the “Proxy/Prospectus”);
3. The representations made to us by Acquirer and Target in their letter to us dated the date
hereof; and
4. Such other instruments and documents related to the formation, organization and operation of
Acquirer and Target and to the consummation of the Reorganization as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for purposes of our opinion.
Philadelphia Boston Washington, D.C. Detroit New York Pittsburgh
Berwyn Harrisburg Orange County Princeton Wilmington
xxx.xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Bank of New Jersey
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For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed, with your permission and without independent
investigation (other than such investigation as we have deemed necessary to comply with our
professional obligations under IRS Circular 230 or otherwise), (i) that the Reorganization will be
consummated in the manner contemplated by the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and in accordance with the
provisions of the Plan without the waiver of any conditions to any party’s obligation to effect the
Reorganization, (ii) that original documents (including signatures) are authentic, (iii) that
documents submitted to us as copies conform to the original documents, (iv) that there has been (or
will be by the effective date of the Reorganization) due execution and delivery of all documents
where due execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness of those documents, (v) the
accuracy of statements and representations contained in the Documents, (vi) that covenants and
warranties set forth in the Documents will be complied with and (vii) that the Reorganization will
be effective under applicable federal and state laws.
Furthermore, we have assumed, with your permission and without independent investigation (other
than such investigation as we have deemed necessary to comply with our professional obligations
under IRS Circular 230 or otherwise), that, as to all matters in which a person or entity making a
representation has represented that such person or entity or a related party is not a party to,
does not have, or is not aware of, any plan, intention, understanding or agreement to take action,
there is in fact no plan, intention, understanding or agreement and such action will not be taken,
and we have further assumed that any statement made “to the knowledge of” or otherwise similarly
qualified is correct without such qualification.
Subject to the foregoing and any other assumptions, limitations and qualifications specified
herein, it is our opinion that the statements made under the caption “Material United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the Registration Statement, insofar as they constitute
statements of law or legal conclusions concerning U.S. federal income tax law, are correct in all
material respects.
Our opinion expressed herein is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative pronouncements and judicial authority, all as in
effect as of the date hereof. It represents our best legal judgment as to the matters addressed
herein but is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. Accordingly, no assurance
can be given that the Internal Revenue Service would agree with the opinion expressed herein or, if
contested, the opinion would be sustained by a court. Furthermore, the authorities
upon which we rely may be changed at any time, potentially with retroactive effect. No assurances
can be given as to the effect of any such changes on the conclusions expressed in this opinion. We
undertake no responsibility to advise you of any new developments in the application or
interpretation of relevant federal tax laws. If any of the facts or assumptions pertinent to the
U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Reorganization specified herein or any
Bank of New Jersey
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of the statements, covenants, representations or warranties contained in the Documents are, or
later become, inaccurate, such inaccuracy may adversely affect the conclusions expressed in this
opinion. In addition, our opinion is limited to the tax matters specifically covered hereby, and
we have not been asked to address, nor have we addressed, any other tax consequences of the
Reorganization or any other transactions.
This opinion is being provided solely for the benefit of Target. No other person or party shall be
entitled to rely on this opinion. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement. In giving this consent we do not hereby admit that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP