realc,
Our OP is feeling generous to the lawyer, because any lawyer who claims to be competent in immigration law, should have filed I-130, which is the basis for I-485. According to the OP, it seems as if USCIS rejected this because there is basis for its acceptance within the USCIS system.
I am astounded that the OP paid his lawyer for a service which was botched and totally useless and thereby, costing him additional money in new filing fees. I suspect that the lawyer is in some form of a scheme to rip him off slowly, and not delivering as promised...
Since the OP is concerned about the English law... his lawyer is also concerned about getting the English pound from the OP. So, their goals are mutual... I don't get my head too deep in understanding the immigration process, because I have enough sterling to pay you.
The lawyer is of the view, well since he doesn't understand anything and have no interest in understanding this... I am free to screw him the American way. As long as he doesn't understand the immigration process... then I can create all this fees and incorrect filling so that I can act as if I am working... and bill him for more money...
So... his pound has the purchasing power and muscles over the $... and the lawyer knows this...
In few months, he's going to come back and post that the lawyer is billing him to explain NOA to him... which is in the pipeline... and ink replacement for writing letters to USCIS. My favorite, phone call charges when he calls her office to inquire about status of his case.. . which will be about $50... or more...
A match made in disaster and ignorant land...