L1B in one company to H1 in another

[atlas_shrugged]

I am currently on L1B (for the last 3.5 years) in company A, if there is a potential employer-Company B, who wants to hire me:

a) is it possible to get an H1 before my L1 expires, i.e.does the 5 year limit/1 year outside the country clause apply to this situation?

b) will it be called a "change of status", i.e will it be a conversion from L1 to H1?

c) is there a rule that would prevent company B from starting a GC process say a month after i join company B?

[Attorney_7]

Generally, one may change his/her status from L1B to H1B if an employer files an H1B petition for the worker. The time spent in L1B status usually counts against the 6-year limitation in H1B unless he/she stays outside the U.S. for one full year before filing the H1B petition.