The PTO statistics page shows the dramatic uptick in appeals to the Federal Circuit from the USPTO in recent years. In the last couple of years, the number of appeals from the PTO has more than doubled. There were 103 pending appeals from the PTO in February of 2013 compared to 231 in February of 2015. (Click on the chart for a higher resolution view)
The USPTO Solicitor’s Office has also grown. It now numbers 34 attorneys.