I would like to share my opinion and situation. If as you mentioned, "money is not the main issue", and you didn't think your lawyer is 100% reliable, you may do it yourself but consider your paid lawyer as someone you ask complicate questions or the questions others will not answer you. And check your documents, and etc. That means to me a real "consultant".
I had similar experience. I paid some people, but I treat them as the role I mentioned above.
All the application forms and actions I do them myself, the process I investigate myself, but sometimes I would like to double confirm, triple confirm, and want to get immediate response, or I may have some "weird questions" and want some advice on revising my document, I ask people I paid.
In my post, a friend in this form called this "time investment". Coz while I investigate the process, I took long time to search from internet, to understand all documents and definitions and go through this forum, it is really helpful but takes time, too.
For example, when I prepare my post-ITA application documents, I made a full list, and sent to consultant, just simply asked: do you think that's enough?
The consultant replied: YES, but only BIO page of passport and stamped page is needed, not necessary to upload your full passport.
Then what I filtered from his reply is: "YES". That means my materials are enough, then it's OK. Although he mentioned it requires only BIO page and stamped page, I still uploaded my full passport, coz I see from this forum people got rejection because of missing it. (Sure, nobody can verify it is true or not the person mentioned "he got rejection because of not submitting full passport)
So it depends on in your opinion, whether the $1500 is worth or not, and your lawyer could meet your "requirement" or not. For example, you want to get immediate response, he/she meets it, you want ask "weird questions", he/she can answer, etc.
like Mr./Miss. Mallikaasharmaa mentioned, it's your call now