UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-A

FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	22-1867895
(State of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830

(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class to be so registered:	Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered:
5.625% Subordinated Debentures due 2053	New York Stock Exchange

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), check the following box.  x

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), check the following box.  ¨

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: 333-178121

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 1. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.

W. R. Berkley Corporation (the “Registrant”) hereby incorporates by reference herein the description of its 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due 2053 (“Debentures”) to be registered hereunder, set forth under the heading “Description of Debentures” in the Registrant’s Prospectus Supplement, dated April 25, 2013, and, to the extent not superseded by the aforementioned description in the Prospectus Supplement, as set forth under the heading “Description of the Debt Securities” in the Registrant’s Prospectus dated November 22, 2011, constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-178121) of the Registrant, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Debentures are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Item 2. Exhibits

4.1	Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities, dated as of May 2, 2013, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (the “Trustee”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 2, 2013).
4.2	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 2, 2013, between the Registrant and the Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 2, 2013).
4.3	Form of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due 2053 Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.2 above).

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Eugene G. Ballard
Name:	Eugene G. Ballard
Title:	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 2, 2013