Namaskar friends with Immigration expertise,

I have a PhD on Molecualr Genetics and 5 years of postdoctoral experiences. It`s been just 8 months I came to USA. I would like to apply for permanent residence (PR). My employer will apply for my PR only after three years of my H1B status. When I searched the web for requirements, I found that three out of six requirements can be met. Many of my friends (Mostly Indians) suggest me to apply without lawyer (infact they have got PR without lawyer in one to two years). Some advise me to pick up a lawyer as soon as possible. What could be the best?

Also, some of these Indian friends seem to have written the recommendation letters by themselves with a variety of English styles. They suggest me to do the same. What happens if I ask my references to write for me? Should I provide them a format? I have six prominent references-- of which one is the Nobel prize winner in Physiology and the other the Member of National Academy of Sciences of the USA. I worked with both of them and they are willing to write a recommendation for me as they are doing for my Faculty job searches.

I will appreciate your suggestions in this regard.

Bhatiza

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PS. No immature comments, please.