Examiner: SMITH, SLADE E

Analysis

Slade E. Smith handles cases in Tech Center 3600 and Art Unit 3694, with 162 resolved cases in their record. The examiner has an allowance rate of 29.6 percent. This suggests that the majority of cases do not reach issuance. The median days to allowance for successful cases is 1357, reflecting the timeline for the 162 cases that have reached a final disposition. This 1357-day period is a key factor for applicants to consider when planning their prosecution strategy.

The interview lift is 30.8 percent. This indicates that conducting an interview correlates with an increase in the chances of reaching an allowance compared to the 29.6 percent baseline. Engaging in direct dialogue appears to be a tactic for navigating the prosecution process in this art unit, as the 30.8 percent lift is a positive outcome. The 1357-day median pendency suggests that practitioners should prepare for a long-term engagement.

Given the 30.8 percent lift, the use of an interview is a statistical advantage relative to the 29.6 percent allowance rate. Strategy should focus on communication to address the issues that lead to the 29.6 percent rate. These metrics from 162 resolved cases provide a factual basis for setting expectations for the 1357-day duration of the process in Art Unit 3694.