Sorry for the long post following, but I think you have a similar mindset than me so I think this is helpful.
Having a lawyer can be a good thing but it can also make things worse. Here's my experience:
I was pretty "PR-Application-Literate" when I first decided that I want to apply in 2014 (For the last round of FSW-paper-applications based on NOC caps) and I had thoughts similar to yours ("I think everything is alright but what if I get refused for some totally stupid thing that I don't know of"). I already had pre-filled most documents but particularly regarding reference letters (work experience) I had some concerns.
I decided to hire a lawyer. One of the best law firms in Toronto according to Google reviews. The price was $3,000 "everything included". They were really helpful and responded within minutes until I signed up. Then I signed up.
And then things changed.
Not because they lawyers don't know their stuff or because they didn't care. It is as easy as that: Their assistants don't seem to be able to work with people who know their shit. They are totally geared towards people who fear forms and don't know how to convert a Word document into a PDF file.
I sent them my prefilled application forms and thought that would save time (and obviously, time was of the essence back then, due to caps). Still, my application was first handled by a "legal assistant" (read: A person that knows how to use Excel, Word and has read the CIC website five times). I can say for certain that I know the Canadian immigration system five times better than her. Anyways, she sent me a word file that I should fill out (that she then would use to fill the forms). This is helpful for people who can't handle forms or without good English skills since they can just "throw their info and documents at her" and she sorts the whole mess. For people like me who speak English and can handle forms, that was of course totally worthless. I just gave her the pre-filled forms. However, it took her six weeks to get the paperwork ready. Six weeks! And she had all documentation on the first day.
So far I thought: What the hell what do I pay you for?
Then, however, after she "prescreened" for six weeks and after I called her boss several times, my file finally went to the actual lawyer. And wow, he knows his shit. Like for real. Once the file was on his desk, I had him on the phone several times and he helped me prepare a reference letter that my employer signed that I think was so concise that no CIC officer ever will be able to reject it. From then on, the whole process took another three weeks or so.
But then: BAM just when we wanted to file the application, the cap was filled.
I was really frustrated since it was all the legal assistant's fault that we didn't finish the application in time.
The good thing is, the legal assistant was so incompetent that she only charged me the initial $1,000 downpayment and forgot to charge the remaining $2,000.
This January, I applied for EE, got an ITA in March, did everything myself (based on the reference letter, that my lawyer prepared) and my application is currently being processed (medicals already passed).
Long story short: If you think you are form-savvy and you are a rather smart person, don't hire a lawyer to do everything for you. Actually if you do one of those all-in-packages, you won't even be able to access your own application on MyCIC to check the status. Your whole destiny is given into the hands of a (competent) lawyer and (mostly incompetent) legal assistants. Also, the all-in thing will cost you a lot of money, thousands of dollars (see above). What you are concerned with, those are just particular issues. If these are important to you, try to find one of the smaller, independent lawyers and ask them what they charge you if you skype with them/if they look over a particular document. That's just some hundred dollars and might be worth it.
And, if your application gets refused like your friend's, you can still hire a lawyer afterwards who fill file a lawsuit for you.
And, regarding this forum: It can be a great resource but keep in mind that there's a lot of guessing/rumours going on, so take everything with a grain of salt. Also keep in mind that due to the nature of a forum, you'll see mostly posts by people who have issues. Most applications are handed smoothly. Fill the forms, doublecheck, triplecheck them. Make sure you got all documents ready. Ask for advice on one or two issues from a lawyer (NOT from a consultant or anything else) if your think you need it. And everything will be alright.
Sorry for the long post
