Other Issues: J1 Visa Not Subject to 212-Must Reside and Be Employed Outside the USA for One Year

I'm on a J1 visa 12 months internship, my visa and DS2019 state that I'm not subject to 2-year residence requirement "bearer not subject to section 212(E)". My company is trying to hire me full time after completion of my internship on an E2 visa as an "essential worker". But the lawyer pushes back saying that upon completion of the J1 I must reside and be employed outside the USA for a year before I may apply again and that the US embassy will not issue a work visa to an individual who has just completed the J1 internship.
What is your legal take on this issue? Can J1 visas - not subject to the 2year rule - be hired (on an E2 visa) upon completion of their internship? Or is it true that US embassy will not issue a work visa to an individual who has just complete the J1 internship and that I have to go back to my country and apply the knowledge gained in the US before re-applying to my company?
Thank you very much for your help!

Other Issues: J1 Visa Not Subject to 212-Must Reside and Be Employed Outside the USA for One Year