Your lawyer is not right. There is a temporary
rule that says: as long as your H1B1 is effective, after you come back using AP, you still can use your H1B1 visa to work. This rule has been used for many years and has been expired. So you are fine.
rule that says: as long as your H1B1 is effective, after you come back using AP, you still can use your H1B1 visa to work. This rule has been used for many years and has been expired. So you are fine.