oh sorry for answering back so late...I had a hectic weekend. I did not consult a lawyer but had the help of a good friend of mine who just got approved a political asylum case, which by the way he did every step on his own. Anyways back to ur question.

NUMBER 1: During the five years of continuous residency how many times did u leave the states? To determine that, get ur passport and count how many entry stamps DHS has put in ur passport. List those entries in order by date on different sheet of papers.

Number 2: to the best of ur recollection write under each travel what u went for and what u did there.

Number 3: start collecting documents to show evidence of those travels. I prefer affidavits because it makes it clear that people are aware of your travel and that in facts u did travel and had a legit reason to travel.

Number 4: write an affidavit yourself to explain the nature of your travels answering to what where when why how. always in order from first travel to last.

Number 5: make sure that every travel that interrupts the five years continuous residency and which is recorded in ur passport is accounted for in your evidences. Have a second person revise everything as if they were the officer that will look at ur case. Ask that person if he/she understand what u are trying to explain. If yes then send.

personally I would not say u need a lawyer but that's up to you to decide. Hope I helped!