Timeline for a cousin of mine that finally sent his app
I help him assembled his packet and fill out the forms
No lawyer involved, although a lawyer was used for advice as he had left USA and came back (got caught) as a minor

Sent to: phoenix lock box around nov 28th 2012? to California service center
Processed Dec 1st 2012 aprox (so his receipt states)
biometrics done on Dec 11th (set for like jan xx 2013)
approved on: March 5th 2013
EAD arrived on March 9th 2013
applying fos ss# and id/dl after