Exhibit 99.1

----------------------------------------      NEWS
W. R. Berkley Corporation                     RELEASE
475 Steamboat Road
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
(203) 629-3000
---------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                         CONTACT: Karen A. Horvath
                                              Vice President - External
                                              Financial Communications
                                              203-629-3000

                       W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION TO CHANGE
                          STOCK TICKER SYMBOL TO "WRB"

     Greenwich, CT, March 31, 2008 -- W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: BER)
today announced that it will change its NYSE stock ticker symbol on its common
stock from "BER" to "WRB". The NYSE stock ticker symbol on its 6.75% trust
originated preferred securities also will change from "BERPRA" to "WRBPRA". The
stock ticker changes are expected to go into effect on April 15, 2008.

     Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company
that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and
operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty
insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets,
reinsurance, and international.

                                      # # #