Motheus

Recent decision found. Not mine. 

According to the person who filed that case they didn't use an attorney and they did not expedite, but I heard they have a strong case (hardship to US citizen child). Regardless, it is strange that DOS decides on a case filed in march 2022 while cases from 2021 are still pending... 

@PeterW thanks for your comment! For the March case you are referring to, do you know if this was a spontaneous decision by DoS, or if the applicant filed a Writ of Mandamus suit? I am seriously considering that now.

I am a week short of 16 months! 

I am in my 15th month now. Saw many cases pending from last quarter of 2021, so I think 17-20 months is quite common now. 

Filing a lawsuit does not buy you time. It's a 2-3 months-long process. When you sue them they have (I think) 90 days to respond and they may wait until the last minute and then ask for more time which the judge may or may not agree with. So I would have a backup plan if your status is running out in June. 
 
Filing a lawsuit does ultimately force them to decide on your case though. I think anyone who can afford the fees and has a case that is pending with DoS for more than a year should file a lawsuit. It's expensive. Lawyers charge anywhere between 5-10k to file them which is the main reason I haven't filed one yet. 

I agree O-1 is a better option than Conrad 30 imo. Just do it with a lawyer that handles A LOT of O-1visas.  Some jobs don't let you choose your lawyer and have their own lawyer but if they do let you choose the lawyer, do a lot of research before picking a lawyer. Chen Immigration Attorneys (North America Immigration Law Group) is really good.
 
Also take into account that once your O-1 gets approved with USCIS, you need to leave the country and go to an embassy to get an O-1 visa stamp. You can not change your status to o-1 while in the country. 

We can’t unfortunately give you a definitive answer. They might answer in the coming days and they can also take 4-6 more months to answer. And If you have government funding, it will add more months. 
 
Personally, If Conrad takes less than 6 months I would just go ahead and do it. If not and I can afford to wait for an additional 6 months, I would wait then do Conrad if Hardship is denied. It really depends on your status and what will happen if you wait and then your Hardship is denied.

I'd explore getting an O1 visa till your hardship is accepted (which seems very close). If you go the Conrad 30 route, you will lock yourself with the hospital for 4 years at least. Ask them if they are willing to sponsor O1 visa which should not be too hard for physicians to qualify for.