<Page> EXHIBIT 10.1 ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AMENDMENT TO RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT WHEREAS, Arch Capital Group Ltd. (the "COMPANY"), a Bermuda company, awarded 1,668,157 restricted common shares to Robert Clements (the "EXECUTIVE") pursuant to a restricted share agreement, dated October 23, 2001, between the Company and the Executive (the "AGREEMENT"); and capitalized terms used without definition herein have the meanings given to them in the Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement as follows: 1. The first sentence of Section 2(a) shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows: "Subject to Section 2(b) below and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, this Award shall become vested in three installments as follows: (i) 1,000,894 common shares, par value $0.01 per share ("COMMON SHARES"), of the Company (i.e., 60% of the shares subject to the Award) shall vest on October 23, 2002 and (ii) 667,263 Common Shares shall vest in two equal annual installments, commencing on October 23, 2003." 2. All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. This amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws, and may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement as of October 23, 2002. ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. By: /s/ John D. Vollaro ----------------------------------- Name: John D. Vollaro Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer /s/ Robert Clements --------------------------------------- Robert Clements