I can't believe prior art search before patent filing is even legal

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

Quick background on my situation — any input appreciated.

prior art search before patent filing. I've been dealing with this for about 13 months now and the situation isn't improving.

I have already consulted briefly with a lawyer but got conflicting advice ngl.

Do I have a strong case? What should my next steps be?

Illustrative response

NAL, but from what I've read, you should check your state's specific laws. Take the above with a huge disclaimer that I'm just some person on the internet.

Illustrative response

Following this thread — I could have written this post myself. Same exact problem fr fr.