20230208 550.90 kB 4 <span id="exhibit51dlaopinion282023.htm"></span><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"><html lang="en-US"><head>   <title>Form 8-K filed by on 2023-02-08</title></head><body><div id="ib9218680ba044cf0ba3006644797869b_1"></div><div style="min-height:166.32pt;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Exhibit 5</font></div><div style="text-align:right"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:62.429%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:35.371%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"><div><img alt="https://cdn.kscope.io/e9537a317ed965d16b4be8e647b5da9e-dlapiper10a.jpg" src="https://cdn.kscope.io/e9537a317ed965d16b4be8e647b5da9e-dlapiper10a.jpg" style="height:89px;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:153px"></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">DLA Piper</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"> LLP (US)</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:117%">444 West Lake Street, Suite 900</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:117%">Chicago, Illinois 60606-0089</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">www.dlapiper.com</font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div><font><br></font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">T</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"> </font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">312.368.4000</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">F</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%"> 312.236.7516</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">February 8, 2023</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Board of Directors</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Highwoods Properties, Inc.</font></div><div><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1400</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Raleigh, North Carolina 27601</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:18pt;padding-right:18pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Issuance of up to $300,000,000 of Shares of Common Stock</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Ladies and Gentlemen: </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">We have served as special counsel to Highwoods Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Company</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”), in connection with the offering by the Company of up to $300,000,000 of shares (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Shares</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Common Stock</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-269624) (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Registration Statement</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”), filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Commission</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Securities Act</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”) on February 7, 2023, which became effective upon filing. The Shares are to be issued pursuant to those certain Equity Distribution Agreements, each dated as of February 8, 2023 (collectively, the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Equity Distribution Agreements</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”), by and between the Company, and Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership, and each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., BTIG, LLC, Jefferies LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Regions Securities LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC and Truist Securities, Inc., as sales agents.</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents:</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(a)    the Articles of Restatement of the Company, together with all amendments and articles supplementary filed to date with respect thereto (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Charter</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”), as certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">SDAT</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”) as of February 1, 2023, and by the Secretary of the Company as of the date hereof;</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(b)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:24.34pt">the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws as in effect on the date hereof (the “Bylaws”), as certified by the Secretary of the Company as of the date hereof;</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(c)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:24.91pt">the form of certificate representing a share of Common Stock, as certified by the Secretary of the Company on the date hereof; </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(d)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:24.34pt">copies of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Board</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”) on February 1, 2023, as certified by the Secretary of the Company as of the date hereof;</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(e)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:24.91pt">the Registration Statement;</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(f)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:26.01pt">the prospectus supplement, dated February 8, 2023, filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, together with the base prospectus, dated February 7, 2023 (collectively, the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Prospectus</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”);</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(g)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:24.34pt">executed copies of the Equity Distribution Agreements;</font></div><div style="height:72pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div><div><font><br></font></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div style="min-height:166.32pt;width:100%"><div style="text-align:right"><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:right"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:62.429%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:35.371%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"><div><img alt="https://cdn.kscope.io/e9537a317ed965d16b4be8e647b5da9e-dlapiper10a.jpg" src="https://cdn.kscope.io/e9537a317ed965d16b4be8e647b5da9e-dlapiper10a.jpg" style="height:89px;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:153px"></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Board of Directors</font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Highwoods Properties, Inc.</font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">February 8, 2023</font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Page 2</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(h)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:24.34pt">an executed copy of the certificate of the Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof, as to certain factual matters;</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(i)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:26.57pt">the certificate of the SDAT as to the valid existence and good standing of the Company in the State of Maryland dated January 31, 2023 (the “</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Good Standing Certificate</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">”); and</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(j)</font><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:26.57pt">such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinions set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For purposes of the opinions expressed below, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals thereof, (iii) the genuineness of all signatures and (iv) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all parties and the validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof upon all parties.</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Based upon the foregoing, and having regard for such legal considerations as we have considered necessary for purposes hereof, we are of the opinion that: </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1.    The Company is a corporation validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT, and has the requisite corporate power to issue the Shares.</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2.    The Shares have been duly authorized and, when and to the extent issued and delivered upon payment therefor in accordance with the authorization of the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreements, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The opinion in paragraph 1 with respect to incorporation, existence and good standing of the Company in the State of Maryland is based solely on the Good Standing Certificate. In expressing the opinion in paragraph 2 above, we have assumed that, (i) the Shares will not be issued in violation of Article VI of the Charter, as amended or supplemented on the date hereof and (ii) that, upon issuance of the Shares, the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of common stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter. </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The foregoing opinions are limited to the Maryland General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Maryland Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing), and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. This opinion concerns only the effect of such laws (exclusive of the principles of conflict of laws) as currently in effect. As to matters of such laws, we have based our opinion solely upon our examination of such laws and the rules and regulations of the authorities administering such laws, all as reported in standard, unofficial compilations. We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of any federal or state securities (or “blue sky”) laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland or any federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by any provisions other than those set forth in the Maryland General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Maryland Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing), we do not express any opinion on such matter. </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement in accordance with the </font></div><div style="height:72pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div style="min-height:166.32pt;width:100%"><div style="text-align:right"><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font><br></font></div><div style="text-align:right"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:62.429%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td><td style="width:1.0%"></td><td style="width:35.371%"></td><td style="width:0.1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"><div><img alt="https://cdn.kscope.io/e9537a317ed965d16b4be8e647b5da9e-dlapiper10a.jpg" src="https://cdn.kscope.io/e9537a317ed965d16b4be8e647b5da9e-dlapiper10a.jpg" style="height:89px;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:153px"></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Board of Directors</font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Highwoods Properties, Inc.</font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">February 8, 2023</font></div><div style="text-align:right"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Page 3</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">requirements of Form S-3 and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement with the Commission on the date hereof and to the use of the name of our firm in the section entitled “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission. </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">This opinion is limited to the matters stated in this letter, and no opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated in this letter. This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in the law, including judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, that occur which could affect the opinions contained herein. </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font><br></font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Very truly yours, </font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">/s/ DLA Piper LLP (US)</font></div><div style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt"><font style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">DLA Piper LLP (US)</font></div><div style="margin-top:12pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-36pt"><font><br></font></div><div style="height:72pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><font><br></font></div></div></div></body></html>