If your employer is familiar w/ H1B then you do not need to worry at all. You just follow up at suitable time. If your employer do not know about it, hiring a lawyer would be better. Spend some time on visiting USCIS site or any lawyer firm site- you will have answer for your questions. These are very general faqs. The cost for processing is $ 2100 without premium process.(Depends on number of employers in the firm). Lawyer fee varies $1000-2000. H1B does not seem a big deal for qualified employee and employer.