Bart A. Karwath

Bart A. Karwath

Indianapolis, IN recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011
Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Litigation - ERISA Commercial Litigation Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Litigation - Construction Litigation and Controversy - Tax
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Indianapolis.

Biography

Public and private sector business clients alike trust commercial litigator Bart Karwath to look out for their best interests and safeguard their position. Bart helps his clients solve serious problems by focusing on the merits of each case and seeking the best possible outcome.

Bart concentrates his practice on utilities, condemnation, government, municipal, UCC/sales, contracts, construction, commercial lease, real estate, franchise, civil RICO and ERISA litigation matters. Valued for his consistently thorough preparation, Bart is diligent when it comes to understanding the details and talking points of each case in which he is involved.

In addition to representing private and public sector clients in state and federal courts, Bart has served as lead litigation counsel for large electric transmission line projects involving the acquisition of utility easements through eminent domain. These projects involved new transmission lines spanning hundreds of miles over thousands of parcels. Bart was responsible for hundreds of lawsuits filed in more than a dozen different courts.

Bart makes a point of understanding each client’s priorities in order to provide the right approach. He is appreciated for designing solutions that are not only creative, but also effectual when up against opposing counsel and when helping clients through a dispute.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

302 Best Lawyers awards

Barnes & Thornburg LLP logo

Overview

  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, J.D., graduated 1991
  • Indiana University Bloomington, B.S., graduated 1988

  • Indiana, Indiana Bar Association

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • Indiana, Indiana Bar Association
  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, J.D., graduated 1991
  • Indiana University Bloomington, B.S., graduated 1988
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Litigation - ERISA Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - ERISA Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - ERISA Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Litigation - ERISA Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - ERISA
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - ERISA, Indianapolis (2026)
  • Litigation - ERISA, Indianapolis (2024)
  • Litigation - ERISA, Indianapolis (2022)
  • Litigation - ERISA, Indianapolis (2018)
  • Litigation - ERISA, Indianapolis (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - ERISA
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Municipal

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