United States patent litigation is complex, lengthy and expensive. It can be daunting for both those unaccustomed to litigation, as well as large domestic corporations experienced in filing and defending lawsuits. This guide provides the reader with a better understanding of the US judicial process, particularly as it applies to patent law, including sections on the US court system, its rules and its procedures, and the time and cost involved in US patent litigation. For patent litigants, the guide will provide a better understanding of an attorney's role in the process and where expenses are generated, which will allow them to make more informed business decisions related to litigation.