What is the difference between a federal lawsuit and a state lawsuit?

The law that’s applied in Federal Courts, federal law is applied in rules of civil procedure or rules of criminal procedure. In State Court, Pennsylvania has its own rules of civil procedure and its own rules of criminal procedure. Of course also, you’re in different courthouses. Physically you’re in different places as well. It’s important when you’re going to be in Federal Court or State Court that you get a lawyer or practitioner who knows what he’s doing with a lot of experience in either one of those courts.