oluseun,u can get started by checking the cic website,www.cic.gc.ca.there u will find all u need to know abt canadian immigration.u can also check out the list of immigration lawyers on the site.The only reason u will need a lawyer is to be sure u have arranged your document well,anyway you will be using simplified process so you dont need any document at the moment.A lawyer will not make your application faster,it will still be the same processing time.you can check the provincial nominee out too,it is faster,within 9 x 12 months.you will only need to pay more money.cheers soj