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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ogc9VOpH/pY4lW6/yX2MBXEF6bhptyiTq3aaKowgUqyl+XhLOvDbOMGbpzDPzM8g
 ea1SzgTor//RPT7+Rr6FcQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-10-008607.txt : 20100513
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-10-008607.hdr.sgml : 20100513
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100513201118
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-10-008607
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100511
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100513
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100513

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Shaw Jerome M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001378133

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33077
		FILM NUMBER:		10830409

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		29621 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY
		CITY:			SOUTHFIELD
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48034

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST MERCURY FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000929186
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				383164336
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		29621 NORTHWESTERN HWY
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 5096
		CITY:			SOUTHFIELD
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48034
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8103584010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		29621 NORTHWESTERN HGWY
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 5096
		CITY:			SOUTHFIELD
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48086
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-05-11</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000929186</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST MERCURY FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FMR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001378133</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Shaw Jerome M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>29110 INKSTER ROAD, SUITE 100</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOUTHFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48034</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2300</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8385</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1929137</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Transaction represents the grant of restricted stock to the reporting person under the Company's Omnibus Plan. The shares vest immediately, but will not be transferable for one year after the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John A. Marazza, as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-05-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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