I think there are several flavors of real estate attorneys. An attorney that helps with closings, or who helps clients write and enforce leases for the income properties they own is not the guy you want. You need someone who specializes in tenants' rights, and is familiar with the laws and (especially) the common practices of property management firms in your area. They may even know about the policies and typical enforcement actions of the property manager for your apartment. I would expect that such an attorney might suggest ways to reduce the likelihood of adverse credit reporting, etc. At the very least, I'd expect him to suggest/offer to write a letter to the property manager that you could use if you decide to break the lease . . . putting them on notice that, as your attorney he'll be watching them like a hawk for full compliance with the law (requirement to make good faith efforts to rent the place and stop billing you when they do, that any ding to your credit will be grounds for legal action against them if they haven't crossed every T and dotted every I as required by applicable law, etc). It should be full of citations from tons of applicable laws that landlords must comply with. Basically, let them know that you are not Mr Milquetoast, you have retained a lawyer and you/he intend to be a horrific PITA and cost them a lot of money and court time if they choose to make this difficult. They have no way to know if you are bluffing, and they will not want to take the chance of finding out. They are in the business of renting properties, it is in your interest to help them stay on that course and not go down a possibly expensive legal detour of pursuing you when they could more profitably use their resources to just find another tenant.
Maybe you were talking to the right guy, but the answers and "help" he provided make me wonder.