Examiner: HIBSHMAN, SARAH GRACE

Analysis

Sarah Grace Hibshman is an examiner in Art Unit 1623, part of Tech Center 1600. She has overseen 54 resolved cases, providing a moderate sample to identify her prosecution trends. Her allowance rate is 38.9 percent, which suggests a challenging environment for applicants. This 38.9 percent rate indicates that more than half of the applications she reviews do not reach allowance, requiring a focused and effective prosecution strategy. The 54 resolved cases establish an initial baseline for evaluating her examination style in Art Unit 1623.

The interview lift of 40.0 percent is a very strong positive sign for applicants. This lift suggests that direct communication with the examiner can significantly improve the chances of obtaining an allowance compared to the 38.9 percent baseline. By conducting an interview, practitioners can address the examiner's concerns more directly and potentially find a path to allowable subject matter. The 40.0 percent lift is a highly valuable data point for strategic planning in Tech Center 1600.

The median days to allowance for applications under her review is 1268. This timeline is a useful benchmark for managing expectations regarding the duration of the patent process. The 1268-day median pendency, combined with the 38.9 percent allowance rate, highlights the importance of using tools like the 40.0 percent interview lift to navigate the process. The 1268-day duration is a key metric for long-term planning in Art Unit 1623.