L1A blanket renewal Vs new application

[JSJ130186]

Hi,
I have spent 3 years on L1A blanket visa in US and the current visa expires on mid-Jan 2020 (Oil & Gas function manager, 130K+ base and 180+ CTC).
The company lawyer has advised that we should go to India and reapply for the blanket visa. He explicitly says that there is no point in going for a renewal as that takes a huge amount of time so its better to apply for a new L1A blanket. We scheduled an interview in Nov - well in time before my visa expires.

My questions:
1. Is this even possible to apply for a new L1a blanket instead of the renewal of the old visa? Since L1A requires you to be an international manager for at least 1 year in past 3 yrs, would I not be automatically disqualified? (Since I am a US manager for the past 3 yrs, and NOT an international manager)
2. The renewal is supposed to be 2 years, however the lawyer advised that this new visa will be for 3 yrs. Again, is this possible, or even correct?
3. In case the visa is rejected in Nov, can I still travel back to US for the remaining 2 months of my current visa?

[Libra_14]

1. Is this even possible to apply for a new L1a blanket instead of the renewal of the old visa? Since L1A requires you to be an international manager for at least 1 year in past 3 yrs, would I not be automatically disqualified? (Since I am a US manager for the past 3 yrs, and NOT an international manager)

Yes, its possible. the 3 years doesn't count for the time you already spent in USA.

2. The renewal is supposed to be 2 years, however the lawyer advised that this new visa will be for 3 yrs. Again, is this possible, or even correct?

Yes, its possible.

3. In case the visa is rejected in Nov, can I still travel back to US for the remaining 2 months of my current visa?

Yes, provided they do not cancel your existing visa.