UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):                                                                                                                  August 4, 2015


W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
1-15202
22-1867895
(State or other jurisdiction
(Commission File
(IRS Employer
of incorporation)
Number)
Identification No.)


 
475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT
06830
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:                                                                                                                                                (203) 629-3000


Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
 
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
 
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
 
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
 

 
Item 5.02   Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Reference is made to the press release of W. R. Berkley Corporation (the “Company”) relating to the announcement by the Company that, as part of its long-term succession plan, (i) its founder and current chairman of the board and chief executive officer, William R. Berkley, will become the Company’s executive chairman of the board on October 31, 2015, and (ii) W. Robert Berkley, Jr., currently president and chief operating officer of the Company, will become the president and chief executive officer of the Company effective as of that date.  A copy of the press release issued on August 4, 2015 is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03   Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
In connection with the above-referenced announcement, on and effective as of August 4, 2015, the board of directors of the Company approved the amendment of Article V, Sections 1, 6 and 8 (formerly Section 7) and the addition of new Sections 7 and 9 (and the renumbering of former Sections 8 through 14) of the Company’s amended and restated By-Laws to revise and set forth the titles and duties of various officers of the Company, including regarding the executive chairman of the board.
The foregoing description of the amendment to the Company’s amended and restated By-Laws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s amended and restated By-Laws, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 3(ii) to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 5.03 by reference:
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
(3)(ii) By-Laws as amended and restated on August 4, 2015
(99.1) Press Release dated August 4, 2015
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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

Date:  August 4, 2015
 
 
Exhibit 3(ii)
As Amended through: August 4, 2015
 
BY-LAWS
OF
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
Section 1.  The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.
Section 2.  The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.  All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors shall be held in the Town of Greenwich, State of Connecticut, at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the board of directors, or at such other place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of meeting.  Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2.  Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held on the first day of May if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next secular day following, at 1:00 p.m., or at such other date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which they shall elect by a vote in accordance with Article III hereof a board of directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.
 
 
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Section 3.  Written notice of the annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting.
Section 4.  The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.  The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section 5.  Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by the chairman of the board and shall be called by the chairman of the board or secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the board of directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in amount of the entire capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
Section 6.  Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section 7.  Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
 
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Section 8.  The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation.  If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented.  At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.  If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 9.  When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, except as otherwise provided with respect to the election of directors as provided in Article III hereof, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.
Section 10.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section 11.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.  Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
 
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ARTICLE III.
DIRECTORS
Section 1.  The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board shall not be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15). The Board shall be divided into three classes.  Within the limits above specified, the number of directors in each class shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting.  Upon expiration of the term of office of each class, the number of directors in such class shall be elected for a term of three years to succeed the directors whose terms of office expire.  Directors need not be stockholders.
The directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, and each director elected shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified.  Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of one or more classes or series of preferred or preference stock issued by the corporation, voting separately by class or series to elect directors in accordance with the terms of such preferred or preference stock and except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, each director shall be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director; provided that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes present and entitled to vote on the election of directors at any such meeting for which the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected.  For purposes of this Article III, a “majority of the votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director’s election.
Section 2.  Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner
 
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displaced.  If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute.  If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office.
Section 3.  The business of the corporation shall be managed by its board of directors which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of incorporation or by these by-laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 4.  The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.
Section 5.  The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present.  In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix the time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors, or in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the directors.
Section 6.  Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board.
 
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Section 7.  Special meetings of the board may be called by the chairman of the board on three days’ notice to each director, either personally or by mail or by telegram; special meetings shall be called by the chairman of the board or secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors.
Section 8.  At all meetings of the board a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation.  If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 9.  Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
Section 10.  The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more directors of the corporation.  The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.  Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the
 
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corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the by-laws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution or the Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.  Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.
Section 11.  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Section 12.  Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.  The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at such meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as director.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore.  Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
ARTICLE IV.
NOTICES
Section 1.  Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail.  Notices to directors may also be given by facsimile, overnight delivery or electronically.
 
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Section 2.  Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS
Section 1.  The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the board of directors and shall include a chairman of the board (who may be an executive chairman), a chief executive officer, a president, a secretary and a treasurer, and may include a chief operating officer, one or more vice-presidents (which term includes executive, senior and assistant vice presidents), one or more assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers and such other officer positions as may be determined by the board of directors.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws otherwise provide.
Section 2.  The board of directors shall annually choose a president, one or more vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and such other as officers as they may determine.
Section 3.  The board of directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board.
Section 4.  The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the board of directors.
Section 5.  The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify.  Any officer elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors.  Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors.
 
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THE CHAIRMAN/EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Section 6.  The chairman of the board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the board of directors and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the board of directors or as may be prescribed by these by-laws.  The chairman of the board shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect.  The chairman of the board may be designated as executive chairman of the board, with such powers and duties regarding the management of the business of the corporation as may be assigned to him by the board of directors.  The chairman of the board may be (but shall not be required to be) the chief executive officer and/or any other executive officer or non-executive officer of the corporation, as may be prescribed by these by-laws.
The executive chairman, if any, shall have the power to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Section 7.  The chief executive officer shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect.  The chief executive officer shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.  In the absence of the chairman or executive chairman of the board, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the chief executive officer shall perform the duties of the chairman or executive chairman of the board, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon such person.  The chief executive officer may be (but shall not be required to be) the chairman or executive chairman of the board, the president of the corporation and/or any other executive officer or non-executive officer of the corporation, as may be prescribed by these by-laws.
 
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The chief executive officer shall have the power to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.
THE PRESIDENT
Section 8.  The president shall administer the affairs of the corporation and, together with the chief executive officer of the corporation, have general and active management of the business of the corporation, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect.  The president shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.  The president may be (but shall not be required to be) the chairman or executive chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer and/or any other executive officer or non-executive officer of the corporation, as may be prescribed by these by-laws.  If the president is also the chief executive officer of the corporation, the board of directors may (but shall not be required to) appoint a chief operating officer, as may be prescribed by these by-laws. 
THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Section 9.  The chief operating officer, if any, shall, together with the president of the corporation, administer the affairs of the corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.
THE VICE-PRESIDENTS
Section 10.  In the absence of the president or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the vice-president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, then in the following order:  executive vice president, senior vice president, vice president, with the order within each category designated by the board of directors, or in the absence of such designation, in order of tenure as an officer of the corporation) shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president.  The vice-presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. 
 
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THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Section 11.  The secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the board of directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required.  He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or president, under whose supervision he shall be.  He shall have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation and he, or an assistant secretary shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary.  The board of directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.
Section 12.  The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.
THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS
Section 13.  The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the board of directors.
Section 14.  He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the board of directors, at its regular meetings, or when the board of directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.
 
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Section 15.  If required by the board of directors, he shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the corporation.
Section 16.  The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the treasurer or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE VI.
CERTIFICATE OF STOCK
Section 1.  Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the chairman or vice-chairman of the board of directors, or the president or a vice-president and the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation.  Certificates may be issued for partly paid shares and in such case upon the face or back of the certificates issued to represent any such partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor, and the amount paid thereon shall be specified.  If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative,
 
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participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
Section 2.  Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile.  In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
LOST CERTIFICATES
Section 3.  The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed.  When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
TRANSFERS OF STOCK
Section 4.  Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
 
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FIXING RECORD DATE
Section 5.  In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action.  A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
Section 6.  The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall be express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
DIVIDENDS
Section 1.  Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law.  Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.
 
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Section 2.  Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ANNUAL STATEMENT
Section 3.  The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the corporation.
CHECKS
Section 4.  All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board of directors may from time to time designate.
FISCAL YEAR
Section 5.  The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors.
SEAL
Section 6.  The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”.  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
ARTICLE VIII.
AMENDMENTS
Section 1.  These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the board of directors, when such power is conferred upon the board of directors by the certificate of incorporation at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new by-laws be contained in the notice of such special meeting.
 
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ARTICLE IX.
STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS AND NOMINATIONS
Section 1.  Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations .  (A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an Annual Meeting of stockholders (a) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting delivered pursuant to Article II of these by-laws, (b) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (c) by any stockholder of the corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in clauses (2) and (3) of this paragraph (A) and the other requirements of this Section 1 and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice was delivered to the secretary of the corporation.
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph (A)(1) of this Section 1, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than sixty days nor more than ninety days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the Annual Meeting is advanced by more than thirty days or delayed by more than sixty days from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the ninetieth day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth day prior to such Annual Meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), or any successor rule or regulation; (b) as
 
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to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner and (ii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 1 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the board of directors of the corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased board of directors made by the corporation at least seventy days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 1 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.
(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders.   Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting pursuant to Article II of these by-laws.  Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (b) by any stockholder of the corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1 and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice was delivered to the secretary of the corporation. Nomination by stockholders of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at such a special meeting of stockholders if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 1 shall have been delivered to the secretary at the principal
 
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executive offices of the corporation not earlier than the ninetieth day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting.
(C) General. (1) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1. Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 1, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.
(2) For purposes of this by-law, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 1. Nothing in this Section 1 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
 
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Exhibit 99.1

 

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


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


W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION CONTINUES SUCCESSION PLAN

Greenwich, CT, August 4, 2015 -- W. R. Berkley Corporation’s (NYSE: WRB) Board of Directors   today announced that the Company’s founder and its current chairman and chief executive officer, William R. Berkley, will become executive chairman on October 31, 2015.  At that time, W. Robert Berkley, Jr. will assume the role of chief executive officer, continuing the transition plan implemented by the Board of Directors when he was appointed president and chief operating officer in 2009.

As executive chairman, William R. Berkley will continue to be fully engaged in the Company’s activities, primarily focused on investments and strategy as W. Robert Berkley, Jr. expands his portfolio of responsibilities beyond the insurance and reinsurance operations to include many of the holding company activities.  The Board noted that Rob Berkley has demonstrated a record of outstanding results with the Company and fully appreciates the nuances of the property casualty insurance market, as well as our competitive advantages and shareholder focus.

Mr. William Berkley commented: “Several years ago, our Board of Directors implemented a long-term succession plan designed to create a seamless transition for employees, customers, distribution partners and our investors.  Rob and I will continue to work together for many years to come, maintaining the forward momentum of our operations and our commitment to delivering long-term value creation for our shareholders.”
 
 
 
W.R. Berkley Corporation

Mr. Rob Berkley said, “It is a great honor and privilege to be designated as the Company's incoming CEO.  I would like to thank the Board for their confidence, and my colleagues for their ongoing support.  Most importantly, however, I am indebted to my father for his years of guidance and mentorship.  Not only have I had the privilege of learning from the best, but I look forward to continuing that close working relationship for many years to come.  The culture my father has built over the past 48 years at W. R. Berkley Corporation has created remarkable value, and I am deeply committed to the long-term success of our Company.”

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 three segments of the property casualty insurance business: Insurance-Domestic, Insurance-International and Reinsurance-Global.

This is a "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2015 and beyond, are based upon the Company's historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, our ability to attract and retain key personnel and qualified employees, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks could cause actual results of the industry or our actual results for the year 2015 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. Any projections of growth in the Company's revenues would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of earnings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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