L1 to H1 CoS (Urgent )

[prasad.kv1978]

I have been workign on L1 and finishing 3 yrs by October, so I am planning to shift to H1.

I have got an employer who is ready to file my H1 but I CANNOT RESIGN from my company, if I do so, I need to pay $ 12000 to him.

But H1 employer says "Just join us, no need to resign and its just a CoS", but,

1) If I dont resign and just say BYE to present company, do they file a LAW case against me?

2) Do they ask me payback $12000? Is it legal ?

3) How easy/difficult it is to get done the conversion from L1 to H1 in today's tough visa approval times.

4) If my H1 COS gets rejected, will there be any impact on my current L1 visa which is valid for 2 more years. Can i continue to work for Company A without any issues.

Any ideas, please help.