Tikapurebhai,

If u r going to apply from the US, it will take about a year. I have heard that the government of Canada is going to change its PR policy effective Jan. 2008. I don know much about this though. So follow up regularly and apply asap. Regarding appointing a lawyer, its a good idea for the precise documentation but it may cost around 1000 CAD.

Anyway good luck and welcome to canada