Howard E. Kochell is a partner in the Indianapolis, Indiana office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP. He is a trial lawyer within the Litigation Department, concentrating his practice in the area of commercial litigation. Mr. Kochell has extensive experience in representing employers and group insurers in employee benefit disputes governed by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). He is chairman of the Barnes & Thornburg ERISA Litigation Practice Group and has chaired the law firm's Construction Practice Group. He also represents manufacturers in commercial disputes involving dealership contracts, dealership terminations, franchises, leases, and matters involving the purchase or sale of goods.