Where a patent case is filed can be almost as consequential as the merits. Local patent rules, individual judges’ standing orders, unwritten “rules,” and judicial temperament vary dramatically across districts. For defendants, those differences can mean everything. Karen Boyd, Thompson Hine LLP, brings a defense-side perspective to the tactical decisions that shape a case from day one: where to fight, how to use early motion practice, and how local rules can be leveraged to narrow the battlefield. Participants will leave with a practical framework for evaluating venue, reading judicial preferences, and making the early procedural moves that strengthen a defense. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.