Examiner: MCCONNELL, MARLA D

Analysis

Marla D. McConnell examines applications in Tech Center 1700, specifically within Art Unit 1700. The examiner has handled 257 resolved cases, resulting in an allowance rate of 26.5%. This allowance rate indicates a difficult prosecution landscape where many applications do not reach issuance. Applicants should anticipate multiple rounds of rejection and be prepared to refine their claims extensively to meet the examiner's requirements in this art unit.

Despite the low baseline allowance rate, the data shows an interview lift of 38.8%. This suggests that verbal communication is a powerful tool for overcoming rejections, as the probability of allowance increases significantly after an interview. The median days to allowance for successful cases is 1319. This 1319-day duration reflects a moderate pendency period for applications that reach a grant. For practitioners, the 38.8% interview lift is the most actionable insight, as it provides a way to mitigate the challenges posed by the 26.5% allowance rate. Strategic use of interviews may help navigate the 257 resolved cases' worth of experience this examiner brings to Art Unit 1700.