L1 to H1 transfer - Urgent

Hi

I am currently on L1B visa from a MNC valid till 2016 with same I94 validity. A local company is sponsoring a H1B for me, they are saying that I do not have to go through lottery and all and can start working with them starting Feb 2015.

Is this possible at all?

I was under the assumption that I need to go though lottery and then I can only start working from October 2015. Please help !

If you already had an approved H1b before, you need not go through the lottery.

If this is your first ever H1b, you will have to go through lottery no matter what.

Unless the employer is a non-profit organisation or an university, as such organisations dont come under the cap and are able to apply for H1 all through the year.