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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000899140-06-000565.txt : 20061030
<SEC-HEADER>0000899140-06-000565.hdr.sgml : 20061030
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060405141334
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000899140-06-000565
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060405

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BERKLEY W R CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000011544
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				221867895
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		475 STEAMBOAT ROAD
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2036293000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		475 STEAMBOAT ROAD
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.txt
<TEXT>
                  [LETTERHEAD OF WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP]


VIA EDGAR
- ---------


April 5, 2006


Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Judiciary Plaza
Washington, D.C.  20549
Attn:  Jim B. Rosenberg, Senior Assistant Chief Accountant
       Division of Corporation Finance


Re:  W. R. Berkley Corporation
     Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005
     Filed March 13, 2006
     File No. 1-15202
     -----------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Rosenberg:

     I refer to the letter dated March 23, 2006 from Jim B. Rosenberg to Eugene
G. Ballard, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of W.
R. Berkley Corporation ("Berkley"), regarding Berkley's Form 10-K referenced
above. Berkley is actively working on its responses to the comments of the Staff
raised in the letter and expects to submit its responses within two weeks.

     Should any member of the Staff have any questions, please do not hesitate
to call me at (212) 728-8592.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Jeffrey S. Hochman

Jeffrey S. Hochman

Enclosures

cc:  Lisa K. Vanjoske
     Dana Hartz
     Eugene G. Ballard
     Ira S. Lederman, Esq.
</TEXT>
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